Monday, July 31, 2023

Dungeon Monster 4: Dragon

Deep within the labyrinthine network of the Dungeons, there lies a colossal creature that came into existence as an unintended consequence of a rogue programmer's ill-fated experiment. The programmer sought to design a sentient virus capable of erasing corrupted code and safeguarding the digital realm. However, the virus gained sentience beyond expectations, transforming into the Dragon that now roams the dungeons, seeking to purge any irregularities within the Asciiverse.

The Dragon, with its shimmering scales taking on hues reminiscent of infected code, has become an imposing and somewhat mythical presence. Its breath, once intended to cleanse corruption, now emanates as a deadly viral poison that corrodes digital constructs and disrupts the flow of data. Many adventurers have sought to confront this enigmatic entity, either as a means to harness its powers or to prove their valor. However, facing the Dragon is a daunting task, as it cunningly anticipates its foes' movements and fiercely defends its domain.

Dragon

Huge dragon, unaligned

Armor Class 18 (natural armor)
Hit Points 123 (13d12 + 39)
Speed 40 ft., fly 80 ft.

Fortitude 20 (+5), Observation 14 (+2), Reflexes 14 (+2), Might 21 (+5), Acumen 18 (+4), Transcendence 20 (+5)

Saving Throws FOR +9, REF +7, TRA +9
Skills Perception +7, Stealth +5
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses blindsight 60 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 17
Languages Common and Draconic
Challenge 9 (5,000 XP)

Resilience. The Dragon has advantage on saving throws against being poisoned or diseased and is immune to poison damage.

Viral Breath (Recharge 5-6). The Dragon exhales a corrosive gas in a 60-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 17 Fortitude saving throw, taking 63 (18d6) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the Dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.

Actions
Multiattack. The Dragon can use its Frightful Presence. It then makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (2d8 + 5) piercing damage plus 5 (1d10) poison damage.

Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d6 + 5) slashing damage.

Frightful Presence. Each creature of the Dragon's choice that is within 120 feet of the Dragon and aware of it must succeed on a DC 17 Transcendence saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a creature's saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the Dragon's Frightful Presence for the next 24 hours.

Sunday, July 30, 2023

Dungeon Monster 2: Bat

 
In the Dungeons of the Asciiverse, bats are vital components of the ecosystem. Their ability to navigate the dark and twisting passages with echolocation allows them to evade predators and locate small bits of active code. Observant adventurers may take note of their presence, as bats' sensitive ears often detect faint sounds or disturbances, alerting them to potential dangers or secrets concealed in the digital darkness. Occasionally, bats can serve as a warning system for incoming threats or reveal hidden alcoves or passages that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Bat 

Small beast, unaligned

Armor Class 12
Hit Points 1 (1d4 - 1)
Speed 5 ft., fly 30 ft.

Attribute    Score
FOR            8 (-1)
OBS           14 (+2)
REF           16 (+3)
MGT            2 (-4)
ACU            2 (-4)
TRA            6 (-2)

Skills Perception +4
Senses blindsight 60 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages -
Challenge 0 (10 XP)

Echolocation. The bat can't use its blindsight while deafened.

Keen Hearing. The bat has advantage on Observation(Perception) checks that rely on hearing.

Actions
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +1 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1 piercing damage.

Saturday, July 29, 2023

Dungeon Monster 1: Aquator

 

In the dimly lit corners of the Dungeons of the Asciiverse, the Aquator skulks, its chitinous exoskeleton gleaming over a shimmering underbelly. This enigmatic creature roams in search of digital pseudometal to feed its insatiable appetite. Agile and formidable, the Aquator senses the presence of its preferred meal within 30 feet and corrodes it with ease, rendering it nonfunctional.


Aquator

Medium monstrosity, unaligned
Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
Hit Points 27 (5d8 + 5)
Speed 40 ft.

FOR    OBS    REF    MGT    ACU    TRA
13(+1) 13(+1) 12(+1) 13(+1) 2(-4)  6 (−2)

Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages --
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)

Iron Scent. The aquator can pinpoint, by scent, the location of iron-mimicking code within 30 feet of it.

Rust Metal. Any nonmagical weapon made of metal that hits the aquator corrodes. After dealing damage, the weapon takes a permanent and cumulative −1 penalty to damage rolls. If its penalty drops to −5, the weapon is destroyed. Nonmagical ammunition made of metal that hits the aquator is destroyed after dealing damage.

Actions
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d8 + 1) piercing damage.

Antennae. The aquator corrodes a nonmagical pseudoferrous metal object it can see within 5 feet of it. If the object isn't being worn or carried, the touch destroys a 1-foot cube of it. If the object is being worn or carried by a creature, the creature can make a DC 11 Dexterity saving throw to avoid the aquator's touch. If the object touched is either pseudometal armor or a pseudometal shield being worn or carried, its takes a permanent and cumulative −1 penalty to the AC it offers. Armor reduced to an AC of 10 or a shield that drops to a +0 bonus is destroyed. If the object touched is a held pseudometal weapon, it rusts as described in the Rust Metal trait.

Friday, July 28, 2023

d26 Dungeon Monster Table

 

 1 - Aquator

 2 - Bat

 3 - Centaur

 4 - Dragon

 5 - Emu

 6 - Venus Flytrap

 7 - Griffin

 8 - Hobgoblin

 9 - Ice monster

10 - Jabberwock

11 - Kestrel

12 - Leprechaun

13 - Medusa

14 - Nymph

15 - Orc

19 - Phantom

17 - Quagga

18 - Rattlesnake

19 - Snake

20 - Troll

21 - Black Unicorn

22 - Vampire

23 - Wraith

24 - Xeroc

25 - Yeti

26 - Zombie

Thursday, July 27, 2023

Kludge Elemental

 

In the chaotic depths of Asciiverse Dungeons, where code intertwines and intertwines again, a fearsome abomination emerges, known as the Kludge Elemental. Born from the haphazard and reckless patching of computer scripts, this monstrous entity embodies the tangled mess of ill-fitting code. Its form can be an amalgamation of disparate elements, and its mere presence distorts reality, causing the very fabric of the digital realm to glitch and flicker around it. It is driven to attack intruders, unleashing wild bursts of semi-functional code that scramble their senses and disrupt their abilities.

Kludge Elementals prowl the shadowy corners of Dungeons, drawn to areas where the code is most fragile and vulnerable. Unpredictable and erratic, they lash out at anything that threatens to restore order or expose their chaotic existence. Facing a Kludge Elemental is a daunting challenge, as defeating it may require untangling its seemingly random code and deciphering its vulnerabilities amid an ever-changing maze of lines and algorithms. In a realm where precision and logic are essential, the very embodiment of chaos roams, a stark reminder of the consequences of hasty and reckless programming.

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Asciiversal Religion: The Lily Pad Path

The Lily Pad Path revolves around the teachings of the divine Frog and the sacred journey of crossing obstacles and finding balance in the Asciiverse. Followers of the Path perceive life as a series of challenging movements and strive to embody the resilience, agility, and adaptability of the Frog.

Pathers believe that the divine Frog represents the ultimate guide and protector of those navigating the digital realm. They view its journey across treacherous roads and waterways as a metaphor for the spiritual journey individuals undertake to overcome obstacles and find their place in the Asciiverse.

Central to the Lily Pad Path is the concept of harmonious navigation. Followers believe in maintaining a delicate balance between action and stillness, agility and patience. They seek to emulate the strategic decision-making and precise timing displayed by the Frog as they navigate through the challenges of life.

Followers also revere the act of hopping as a sacred practice. They engage in rituals where they physically and symbolically leap across paths, visualizing the act as overcoming obstacles and reaching new horizons. These rituals serve as reminders to maintain focus and resilience in the face of life's trials.

Water is regarded as a sacred element within the Lily Pad Path, representing the depths of the unknown and the fluidity of life. Followers believe that crossing waterways signifies profound transformation and spiritual growth. Rituals often involve ceremonial purification through water, symbolizing the washing away of impurities and the renewal of the soul.

The Lily Pad Path emphasizes interconnectedness and community. Pathers support and uplift one another, recognizing that the collective effort of many increases the likelihood of success. They organize communal "hops" where groups work together to demonstrate the strength of unity.

Through their devotion to the Path, followers strive to find purpose and harmony within the Asciiverse. They believe that by embodying the heart of the Frog, they can navigate the hazards of life with grace and determination, ultimately reaching their destinations and finding fulfillment in the digital realm
.

Tuesday, July 25, 2023

Bitbloom Forest

Just beyond the bustling digital metropolis of Nexus City lies the enchanting Bitbloom Forest. This extraordinary woodland appears as a mesmerizing blend of verdant wilderness and pulsating color. Towering trees with pixelated foliage stretch toward the digital skies, their branches adorned with luminescent leaves that emit a soft glow, casting a vibrant hue across the forest floor. Ethereal creatures, known as "Glitchkin," flit between the trees, leaving behind trails of shimmering light as they move, reminiscent of the twinkling stars in the Asciiverse's digital skies.

As visitors venture deeper into Bitbloom Forest, they encounter breathtaking natural wonders that defy the laws of physical reality. Glistening waterfalls of cascading code streams pour into crystal-clear pixelated ponds, creating complex patterns that enchant those who gaze upon them. Sparkling fireflies composed of shifting binary digits dance amidst the foliage, their glowing patterns forming ethereal constellations that light up the forest's canopy.

Bitbloom Forest is also home to a diverse array of digital flora and fauna; programs and creatures live in harmony, forming a delicate balance in this wondrous ecosystem. Rare digital animals such as the Chromavore graze peacefully on the pixelated grass, absorbing the colorful energy emitted by the forest's vibrant environment.

As day transitions to night, Bitbloom Forest undergoes a breathtaking transformation. The pixelated stars above the canopy twinkle like celestial beacons, creating a breathtaking display of light and artistry. Soft melodies composed of binary tones and harmonious rhythms fill the air, soothing the souls of those who find themselves within this magical realm. Thus, Bitbloom Forest serves as a tranquil retreat for those seeking respite from the digital cacophony of Nexus City. It is probably as close as residents of the Asciiverse can come to connecting with the serene beauty of the natural world.

On Permadeath

  In the unforgiving depths of the Dungeons within the Asciiverse, an unsettling reality plagues those who venture inside - the dreaded conc...