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Post by 1F409 on Dec 1, 2021 0:51:35 GMT -5
The Burning SkullIn the shadows beneath the balcony a ghostly light began to glow and grow, a light that was not part of the fire-stone gleam. Valeria felt her hair stir as she watched it; for, dimly visible in the throbbing radiance, there floated a human skull, and it was from this skull—human yet appallingly misshapen—that the spectral light seemed to emanate. It hung there like a disembodied head, conjured out of night and the shadows, growing more and more distinct; human, and yet not human as she knew humanity.— Red Nails This humanoid skull, which can be worn as a mask, inflicts Terror upon those who view it.* Additionally, the item emits its own Illumination. It qualifies as a gadget that is Breakable, Can Be Stolen, and is Unique. The Burning Skull was destroyed during the events of Red Nails. * “To gaze upon it freezes the blood and withers the brain of a man who understands not its mystery.”
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Post by 1F409 on Dec 1, 2021 0:52:17 GMT -5
The Pipes of MadnessHe felt the weird strains plucking like unseen fingers at the tissues of his brain, filling him with alien emotions and impulses of madness. But with a soul-tearing effort he broke the spell, and shrieked a warning in a voice he did not recognize as his own.— Red Nails For one who knows the secret to its magic, the playing of this instrument can be used to inflict Confusion upon those who hear it. It qualifies as a gadget that is Breakable, Can Be Stolen, and is Unique.
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Post by 1F409 on Dec 1, 2021 0:53:32 GMT -5
The Serpent Ring of SetIt was of a metal like copper, and was made in the form of a scaled serpent, coiled in three loops, with its tail in its mouth. Its eyes were yellow gems which glittered balefully.— The Phoenix on the Sword Bearers of this ring gain the benefit of Brotherhood in encounters with beings from outside. Magic-users additionally gain Modular Abilities (Cosmic Pool; Limited, only to buy appropriate Allies with the Summonable enhancement)* and levels of related Talent. It qualifies as a gadget that Can Be Stolen and is Unique; it might be Breakable, too, but there is no account of it having been tested in that regard. The Ring survived all the way into the twentieth century, being “handed down by foul cults of sorcerers since the days of forgotten Stygia.”† * “Making Friends and Conjuring People”† The Haunter of the Ring (1934)
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Post by 1F409 on Dec 1, 2021 0:54:51 GMT -5
Khemsa’s GirdleConan stared down at the girdle. The hair of which it was woven was not horse-hair. He was convinced that it was woven of the thick black tresses of a woman. Set in the thick mesh were tiny jewels such as he had never seen. The buckle was strangely made, in the form of a golden serpent head, flat, wedge-shaped and scaled with curious art.— The People of the Black Circle This belt provides Resistance and Serendipity in situations where the wearer is at risk from magical attack.* It qualifies as a gadget that is Breakable and Can Be Stolen. * He had forgotten that girdle; yet thrice had death passed him by to strike another victim. Perhaps the Stygian girdle about Conan’s waist could have told why their necromantic spells had proven so weak and so quickly exhausted. …the Cimmerian, his veins bulging in his temples with his efforts to break past the unseen barrier that held him, was suddenly aware of allied forces, unseen, but waking into life about him. This realization came without warning, but so powerfully he could not doubt his instinct. His left hand slid involuntarily under his Bakhariot belt and closed on the Stygian girdle. And as he gripped it he felt new strength and power flood his numbed limbs; the will to live was a pulsing white-hot fire, matched by the intensity of his burning rage. From Khemsa’s girdle he felt strength and deathless hate flow into him to combat the terrible emanation of power that met him on the steps.
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Post by 1F409 on Dec 9, 2021 18:14:24 GMT -5
Zorathus’ Iron BoxViciously Valbroso kicked a small but heavy iron chest that stood on the floor near by. It was intricately carved, with tiny skulls and writhing dragons curiously intertwined, but Conan saw no catch or hasp that might serve to unlock the lid. The marks of fire, of ax and sledge and chisel showed on it but as scratches. “This is the dog’s treasure box,” said Valbroso angrily. “All men of the south know of Zorathus and his iron chest. Mitra knows what is in it. But he will not give up its secret.”— The Hour of the Dragon According to its owner, this strongbox was forged in unholy fires among the flaming mountains of Khrosha, from a metal no chisel can cut. Its secret combination of disguised buttons should not be tried with the undressed hand…. Venom of the Black Stygian ScorpionValbroso staggered, crying out. “Ah, Mitra, I burn!” he shrieked. “My veins race with liquid fire! My joints are bursting asunder! Death! Death!” And he reeled and crashed headlong. There was an instant of awful convulsions, in which the limbs were twisted into hideous and unnatural positions, and then in that posture the man froze, his glassy eyes staring sightlessly upward, his lips drawn back from blackened gums.— The Hour of the Dragon Affliction (HT−6; Delay, 1 minute, +0%; Heart Attack, +300%; Seizure, +100%; Terrible Pain, +60%) [392].
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Post by 1F409 on Dec 9, 2021 18:17:11 GMT -5
ZorathusOn a rack a man was stretched naked, and a glance told Conan that he was dying. The unnatural elongation of his limbs and body told of unhinged joints and unnamable ruptures. He was a dark man, with an intelligent, aquiline face and quick dark eyes. They were glazed and bloodshot now with pain, and the dew of agony glistened on his face. His lips were drawn back from blackened gums.— The Hour of the Dragon Descriptive text goes here.
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Post by 1F409 on Dec 9, 2021 19:07:07 GMT -5
ZenobiaIt was a girl who stood grasping the bars with her slender fingers. The dim glow behind her outlined her supple figure through the wisp of silk twisted about her loins, and shone vaguely on jeweled breast-plates. Her dark eyes gleamed in the shadows, her white limbs glistened softly, like alabaster. Her hair was a mass of dark foam, at the burnished luster of which the dim light only hinted.— The Hour of the Dragon Zenobia was a girl in seraglio of King Tarascus of Nemedia. Having fallen in love at the sight of a visting King Conan years prior, she aided his escape from the dungeons beneath Tarascus’ palace. Social Background TL: 3 CF: Hyborian Languages: Nemedian (Native) “You speak in the Nemedian tongue…”Advantages Attractive “He has never glanced at me, and probably never will.” Common Sense He inspected the weapon the girl had given him, and smiled grimly. Whatever else she might be, she was proven by that dagger to be a person of practical intelligence. It was no slender stiletto, selected because of a jeweled hilt or gold guard, fitted only for dainty murder in milady’s boudoir; it was a forthright poniard, a warrior’s weapon…Perks Honest Face Disadvantages Dead Broke Valuable Property Quirks Superstition “Do not speak of him!” she whispered. “Demons are often summoned by the sound of their names.”Skills Carousing - 10 (HT+0) [2] Savoir-Faire (Servant) - 10 (IQ+0) [1] Sex Appeal - 11 (HT+1) [2]* * Includes bonus from Appearance.
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Post by 1F409 on Dec 9, 2021 19:08:25 GMT -5
Zogar SagWith fantastic bounds and prancings he entered the ring and whirled before his bound and silent captives. With another man it would have seemed ridiculous—a foolish savage prancing meaninglessly in a whirl of feathers. But that ferocious face glaring out from the billowing mass gave the scene a grim significance. No man with a face like that could seem ridiculous or like anything except the devil he was.— Beyond the Black River Descriptive text goes here.
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Post by 1F409 on Dec 10, 2021 7:28:57 GMT -5
Gobir…the other two were Ghanatas, their tatters scarcely concealing their wiry black frames. Men called them Gobir and Saidu; they looked like vultures as they crouched beside the water hole.— untitled (Three men squatted beside the water hole…) Descriptive text goes here. Skills Gambling Gobir and Saidu bent above the dice; Saidu cupped them in his palm, breathed on them for luck, shook and threw.
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Post by 1F409 on Dec 10, 2021 8:04:28 GMT -5
Yothga, the Devil-FlowerWithin these bars lay a figure, which, as he approached, he saw was either a man, or the exact likeness of a man, twined and bound about with the tendrils of a thick vine which seemed to grow through the solid stone of the floor. It was covered with strangely pointed leaves and crimson blossoms—not the satiny red of natural petals, but a livid, unnatural crimson, like a perversity of flower-life. Its clinging, pliant branches wound about the man’s naked body and limbs, seeming to caress his shrinking flesh with lustful avid kisses. One great blossom hovered exactly over his mouth. A low bestial moaning drooled from the loose lips; the head rolled as if in unbearable agony, and the eyes looked full at Conan. But there was no light of intelligence in them; they were blank, glassy, the eyes of an idiot.— The Scarlet Citadel This alien plant, a vine native to the planet Yag, found home in the vile dungeons beneath Tsotha-lanti’s citadel. With snake-like reflexes and a malignant intelligence, it can ensnare passers-by to sap their strength, writhing and flushing with waves of color as it feasts. Attributes ST 9 DX 12 Instantly the petals of the livid blossoms spread like the hood of a cobra, the tendrils reared menacingly and the whole plant shook and swayed toward him. IQ 2 Here was no blind growth of natural vegetation. Conan sensed a malignant intelligence; the plant could see him, and he felt its hate emanate from it in almost tangible waves. HT 12 Secondary Characteristics HP 7 Stepping warily nearer, he marked the root-stem, a repulsively supple stalk thicker than his thigh, and even as the long tendrils arched toward him with a rattle of leaves and hiss, he swung his sword and cut through the stem with a single stroke. A greatsword swung with ST 15 in an All-Out Attack (Strong) deals 8 to 18 cutting damage, which, when accounting for DR 1 and the wounding multiplier, results in 10 to 25 points of injury. If the full amount resulted in dismemberment, then half that amount must have exceed the target’s HP. In conjunction with the reference to the plant’s stem being thicker than Conan’s leg, that places Yothga’s HP in the range of 6 to 11. SM −1 45 lbs. 1 hex Tendrils (12*): Five vines (Reach 2), used primarily for grappling (effective ST 11), though a strike can inflict 1d−4 crushing damage. Loathsome Caresses (HT−5): Requires a successful grapple, as well as skin contact. No damage is inflicted, but each time the victim fails the resistance roll, he suffers Daze and loses 1 FP; failure by five results in Agony. “I could not remember my sorcery and the words and symbols of my power, with that cursed thing gripping me and drinking my soul with its loathsome caresses. It sucked the contents of my mind day and night, leaving my brain as empty as a broken wine-jug. Ten years! Ishtar preserve us!”Traits Doesn’t Sleep Double-Jointed Low Empathy Plant Sessile Vibration Sense (Air) Wild Animal Skills Wrestling - 12 (DX+0) [2] Class: Plant. Notes: Operates only by touch and Vibration Sense. * Includes adjustments for Blindness and Extra Arms.
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Post by 1F409 on Dec 10, 2021 8:33:11 GMT -5
Thog, the AncientThe darkness was taking form. Something huge and bulky grew up out of the void. She saw a giant misshapen head emerging into the light. At least she took it for a head, though it was not the member of any sane or normal creature. She saw a great toad-like face, the features of which were as dim and unstable as those of a specter seen in a mirror of nightmare. Great pools of light that might have been eyes blinked at her, and she shook at the cosmic lust reflected there. She could tell nothing about the creature’s body. Its outline seemed to waver and alter subtly even as she looked at it; yet its substance was apparently solid enough. There was nothing misty or ghostly about it.— Xuthal of the Dusk Descriptive text goes here. Attributes ST 16 DX 9 As per Jellyfish, from GURPS Dinosaurs, but using revised attribute scale. IQ 7 HT 14 As per Jellyfish.Secondary Characteristics HP 12 SM +2 It towered above him like a clinging black cloud. Height provides +1 to SM, bulky shape provides an additional +1. 240 lbs. 2 hexes Rend the Flesh (9): 1d−2 cutting damage, caused by various fang- and talon-like appendages. The thing seemed to be biting, clawing, crushing and clubbing him all at the same time. He felt fangs and talons rend his flesh; flabby cables that were yet hard as iron encircled his limbs and body, and worse than all, something like a whip of scorpions fell again and again across his shoulders, back and breast, tearing the skin and filling his veins with a poison that was like liquid fire. “It lashed me with a tentacle,” he grimaced, swearing as he moved. “It cut like wire and burned like poison. But it was its damnable squeezing that got my wind. It was worse than a python. If half my guts are not mashed out of place, I’m much mistaken.”Flabby Cables Hard as Iron (15*): Grapple, followed by Thog’s ST versus the higher of the victim’s ST or HT, inflicting damage equal to the margin of victory. Whip of Scorpions (9): 1d−4 cutting damage, plus follow-up of terrible pain (HT to resist). Lust and Hunger (special): As per Whip of Scorpions, but for a foul purpose best left to the imagination…. “I have seen the whole city screaming and tearing its hair, and running frenziedly out of the gates, to cower outside the walls and draw lots to see which would be bound and flung back through the arched doorways to satisfy Thog’s lust and hunger.” From the black shadows came sounds, incomprehensible and blood-freezing. She heard Thalis’ voice pleading frenziedly, but no voice answered. There was no sound except the Stygian’s panting voice, which suddenly rose to screams of agony, and then broke in hysterical laughter, mingled with sobs. This dwindled to a convulsive panting, and presently this too ceased, and a silence more terrible hovered over the secret corridor.Traits Diffuse (Partial, outer layer) …the maddened Cimmerian’s saber, shrilling through the air, sheared clear through the black viscous bulk and rang on the stone floor, showering blue sparks. Conan went to his knees from the fury of the blow; the edge had not encountered the resistance he had expected. Double-Jointed Extra Arms (various weird appendaged; Weak, −6 ST) Extra Attack 2 Invertebrate Metabolism Control 10 (Hibernation) “Mostly he sleeps below the city, but sometimes at irregular intervals he grows hungry, and then he steals through the secret corridors and the dim-lit chambers, seeking prey.” Mute Night Vision 6 No Legs (Bounces, Rolls, or Slithers) Obscure Vision 6 (Always On; Defensive; No Area Effect) When it had emerged from the shadows she was still uncertain as to its nature. The light from the radium gem did not illumine it as it would have illumined an ordinary creature. Impossible as it seemed, the being seemed almost impervious to the light. Its details were still obscure and indistinct, even when it halted so near that it almost touched her shrinking flesh. Only the blinking toad-like face stood out with any distinctness. The thing was a blur in the sight, a black blot of shadow that normal radiance would neither dissipate nor illuminate. Sharp Claws Silence 5 There was no sound except the Stygian’s panting voice…Skills Stealth - 14 (DX+5) [2]† Class: Elder Thing. * Includes bonus from Extra Arms.† Includes bonus from Silence.
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Post by 1F409 on Dec 14, 2021 11:54:37 GMT -5
YaraHe thought of Yara, the high priest, who worked strange dooms from this jeweled tower, and the Cimmerian’s hair prickled as he remembered a tale told by a drunken page of the court—how Yara had laughed in the face of a hostile prince, and held up a glowing, evil gem before him, and how rays shot blindingly from that unholy jewel, to envelop the prince, who screamed and fell down, and shrank to a withered blackened lump that changed to a black spider which scampered wildly about the chamber until Yara set his heel upon it.— The Tower of the Elephant The only encounter with Yara was a brief scene where the sorcerer-priest “towered” over Conan, glared with “cold and cruel” eyes, and hissed a single line of dialogue—then promptly went to his doom. Beyond that, all we know of him was by reputation and a brief synopsis of his exploits. The man was already “versed in dark knowledge” when he studied under the benevolent Yag-Kosha, and his power was greatly increased when he eventually betrayed his teacher and took possession of the Heart of the Elephant, a magical jewel that allowed him to go unchallenged in Zamora for the three centuries following. Trait-wise, it is hard to describe Yara, for so little is known about his style of magic. Apart from that, however, he had the king of Zamora as an unwilling Patron, cultivated a fearsome Reputation, and was possessed of immense Wealth. He spoke Zamorian, Stygian*, and probably several languages of the East†. Generally, Yara can be represented with a standard mage or enchanter template. * “…guile gotten among the dusky tombs of dark Stygia…”† “He brought me up from the lost jungles of Khitai…”
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Post by 1F409 on Dec 30, 2021 20:49:57 GMT -5
Jhebbal SagLike a whisper at the back of his consciousness rose the vague memory of the name of an ancient, ancient god of darkness and primordial fear, to whom once both men and beasts bowed and whose children—men whispered—still lurked in dark corners of the world.— Beyond the Black River
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Post by 1F409 on Dec 30, 2021 21:00:00 GMT -5
Iron StatueThey were statues, apparently of iron, black and shining as if continually polished. They were life-size, depicting tall, lithely powerful men, with cruel hawk-like faces. They were naked, and every swell, depression and contour of joint and sinew was represented with incredible realism. But the most life-like feature was their proud, intolerant faces. These features were not cast in the same mold. Each face possessed its own individual characteristics, though there was a tribal likeness between them all. There was none of the monotonous uniformity of decorative art, in the faces at least.— Iron Shadows in the Moon Secondary Characteristics 6′0″ This assumes a generic male height of 5¾ foot with a standard deviation of ¼ foot, and that “tall” indicates a standard deviation greater than the average. 160 lbs. This assumes that “lithely powerful” indicates 10% less weight for height and musculature. SM 0 Traits Bloodlust Body of Metal Chauvinistic …their proud, intolerant faces. Doesn’t Eat or Drink Dormancy Trigger (lack of direct moonlight; Paralysis) What was that? A tremor among the shadows where the moonlight fell. A paralysis of horror gripped her, for where there should have been the immobility of death, there was movement: a slow twitching, a flexing and writhing of ebon limbs\dots. Source: forums.sjgames.com/showthread.php?t=140906 Sadism Sessile He examined them in detail, and barbarian-like, tried to break off their limbs. But their material resisted his best efforts. He could neither disfigure nor dislodge from its niche a single image. In the story, it is not made clear whether the statues are mobile. Presumably, they either attack from where they stand or are compelled to return to their niches as the moonlight travels. In any case, there is no mention of them leaving the hall. Sharp Claws “…with tearing fangs and sharp talons.” Sharp Teeth As per Sharp Claws. Unaging Skills Brawling - 10 (DX+0).
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Post by 1F409 on Dec 31, 2021 0:33:14 GMT -5
SalomeIn a sudden panic the queen opened her lips to cry out for her maids, then she checked herself. The glow was more lurid, the head more vividly limned. It was a woman's head, small, delicately molded, superbly poised, with a high-piled mass of lustrous black hair. The face grew distinct as she stared—and it was the sight of this face which froze the cry in Taramis's throat. The features were her own! She might have been looking into a mirror which subtly altered her reflection, lending it a tigerish gleam of eye, a vindictive curl of lip.— A Witch Shall Be Born Descriptive text goes here. Attributes ST 8 DX 11 Taramis crouched on her velvet couch, her lithe legs flexed beneath her, staring wide-eyed at the pantherish figure which posed mockingly before her. IQ 10 HT 13 “But the life in me was stronger than the life in common folk, for it partakes of the essence of the forces that seethe in the black gulfs beyond mortal ken. The hours passed, and the sun slashed down like the molten flames of hell, but I did not die—” With an awful shriek the witch sank down, writhing in convulsions, grasping at the naked blade as it was withdrawn, smoking and dripping. Her eyes were unhuman; with a more than human vitality she clung to the life that ebbed through the wound that split the crimson crescent on her ivory bosom. She grovelled on the floor, clawing and biting at the naked stones in her agony. His sword had transfixed her, sundered her heart. She should be dead; by all laws of nature she should be dead. Yet there she swayed, on her feet, clinging horribly to life. Above them Salome swayed and tumbled down the marble stair, dead at last. As a rough guess, the time it took for her to perish was, at most, a couple of minutes. This seems too short a span for the Bleeding rules to have much effect. As she apparently remained conscious throughout the ordeal (or regained conscioussness enough to walk out of the building), it would seem to indicate a combination of Hard to Kill and Hard to Subdue. However, a simple boost to HT might suit her better, especially considering the passage about surviving an attempted infanticide.Secondary Characteristics Dmg 1d−4 / 1d−2 BL 13 lbs. HP 9 Will 10 Per 13 FP 13 Speed 6.00 Move 6 Dodge 9 5′3″ 105 lbs. This assumes that “lithe” indicates 10% less weight for height and musculature. SM 0 Social Background TL: ? CF: ? Languages: ? (Native) Advantages Beautiful It was a woman's head, small, delicately molded, superbly poised, with a high-piled mass of lustrous black hair. Lust and mystery sparkled in her scintillant eyes, cruelty lurked in the curl of her full red lips. Each movement of her supple body was subtly suggestive. Magery Reawakened “The curse of the kings of Khauran! Aye, they tell the tale in the market-places, with wagging beards and rolling eyes, the pious fools! They tell how the first queen of our line had traffic with a fiend of darkness and bore him a daughter who lives in foul legendry to this day. And thereafter in each century a girl baby was born into the Askhaurian dynasty, with a scarlet half-moon between her breasts, that signified her destiny. “‘Every century a witch shall be born.’ So ran the ancient curse. And so it has come to pass. Some were slain at birth, as they sought to slay me. Some walked the earth as witches, proud daughters of Khauran, with the moon of hell burning upon their ivory bosoms. Each was named Salome. I too am Salome. It was always Salome, the witch. It will always be Salome, the witch, even when the mountains of ice have roared down from the pole and ground the civilizations to ruin, and a new world has risen from the ashes and dust—even then there shall be Salomes to walk the earth, to trap men's hearts by their sorcery, to dance before the kings of the world, and see the heads of the wise men fall at their pleasure!” Though described as both destiny and curse, in GURPS terms it qualifies as neither Destiny nor Divine Curse. The best match is actually Reawakened, regardless of whether Salome is a single spirit reincarnated or a series of individuals each granted power.Disadvantages Mistaken Identity (Taramis) Sadism …a vindictive curl of lip. …cruelty lurked in the curl of her full red lips. Unnatural Feature (mark of the witch) Salome laughed fiercely, and slapped her bosom. The low-necked tunic left the upper parts of her firm breasts bare, and between them there shone a curious mark—a crescent, red as blood. “The mark of the witch!” cried Taramis, recoiling.Quirks Amoral “Taramis seems to have gone quite mad; whereas formerly she was famed for her virtue, justice and tranquillity, she is now notorious for qualities precisely opposite to those just enumerated. Her private life is a scandal—or perhaps ‘private’ is not the correct term, since the queen makes no attempt to conceal the debauchery of her court. She constantly indulges in the most infamous revelries, in which the unfortunate ladies of the court are forced to join, young married women as well as virgins.” Hedonist “I could never endure to seclude myself in a golden tower, and spend the long hours staring into a crystal globe, mumbling over incantations written on serpent's skin in the blood of virgins, poring over musty volumes in forgotten languages. “He said I was but an earthly sprite, knowing naught of the deeper gulfs of cosmic sorcery. Well, this world contains all I desire—power, and pomp, and glittering pageantry, handsome men and soft women for my paramours and my slaves.”Skills Ritual Magic (Witchcraft) - 10 (IQ+0) As per Hedonist. And under the spell of that hypnotic glare, the queen forgot to resent the unprecedented outrage of violent hands laid on regal flesh.
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