Range: 0
Duration: 6 turns

Protects the caster, effectively giving him 2d4 extra mana hp for the duration of the spell. Damage is taken from the mana shield first; of course multiple spells are not cumulative.

• Refresh
• Regeneration
• Spell Variations: Wizards’ Panache

Range: touch
Duration: permanent

When keepsake is cast on your magic book, it disallows use of your book by anyone not mentioned in the spell casting. The spell can even allow you to distinguish which spells which people may or may not look at. If someone attempts to read your spell without your authority (decided when you cast the spell), a note appears saying “naughty, naughty.” However, keepsake does not stop anyone from destroying the spell book.

• Spell Variations: Wizards’ Panache
• Ranger
• Mana Shield

Range: touch
Duration: 1 turn

After casting this spell, the creature automatically takes half damage from all manner of attacks from creatures of different alignment than the cleric. The creature is surrounded by a faint aura of light when this spell is in use.

• Regeneration
• Sacrifice
• Refresh

Range: touch
Duration: 6 turns

This spell will refresh a creature who is hungry, thirsty, and/or tired. They will be able to act, think, and fight with complete ability for the duration of the spell.

• Sanctuary
• Sacrifice
• Regeneration

Range: touch
Duration: permanent

This spell allows the cleric to transfer any desired number of hit points from himself to the target. The reverse of this spell, drain life, allows the caster to drain 1d6+1 hp from a creature, with a successful attack roll. The hit points are transfered to the cleric through healing. This is considered a chaotic act.

• Sanctuary
• Refresh
• Regeneration

Tetsubo - 1d8 - (F,C,E,D,My,Dr) - Large, 2-handed weapon that loses initiative; pole arm rules.

Sode Garami - 1d4 - (F,E,My,Dr) Large, 2-handed weapon that loses initiative. Can be used to catch the sleeves of the opponent; opponent gets save vs. paraysis.

Katana - 1d10 - (F,T,E,D,H,My) Medium sword of exceptional craftmanship.

Wakizashi - 1d8 - (F,T,E,D,H,My) - Small sword of exceptional craftsmanship, often accompanying the katana.

Sai - 1d4 - (F,T,M,E,D,H,My) Small, dagger with twin guards. Can be thrown with -4 penalty or Parry blades with a +2 bonus.

Sang Kuaw - 1d8 - (F,E,D,My) Large, two-handed weapon that loses initiative. Suffers a -4 to hit roll but gains +4 to Parry (or gives parry ability to those who can’t parry).

Tui-fa - 1d8 - (F,C,T,E,D,H,My,Dr) - Small, two-handed weapon. Gives +4 to Parry (or ability to parry). If an edged weapon misses because of parry, the weapon become stuck

Shuriken - 1d3 - (F,T,M,E,D,H,My) - For every shuriken thrown in the same round, the attacks suffer a -4 to the hit roll.

Metsubishi (All) - Black powder that explodes in a bright flash; anyone unwarned of it must save vs. paralysis or be blinded for 1d6 rounds.

Tetsu-bishi - 1d4 - (F,T,M,E,D,H,My) - small, boot-penetrating ground tacks that are thrown on the ground. Opponent must save vs. paralyzation or spend a round pulling it out and make another save vs. paralyzation or move at one-third their normal speed.

Chu-ka-nu - 1d6 - (F,T,E,D,H,My) - Medium-sized automatic crossbow that can reload so fast it can shoot 2 quarrels per round for 5 rounds; takes 5 rounds to reload

Ninja-to - 1d8 - (F,T,E,D,H,My) Medium-sized ninja sword with a hidden throwing dagger (1d4) in the handle.
Chain and Sickle - 1d4 - (F,E,D,H,My) - Two handed, medium sized weapon that loses initiative and can entangle like a whip.

Mancatcher - 1d2 - (F,E,D,My) - Large, two-handed pole arm that loses initiative. Anyone hit must save vs. paralysis or be caught in the pole arm’s teeth and continue to take 1d2 damage. Victim loses dexterity and save bonuses and must make a strength check to get out, taking 1d4 damage to their hands (unless they wear gauntlets or magic gloves) in the process whether they succeed or not.

• New Weapon System
• Exotic Weaponry
• Magic Item Tables

Today is a day to think about how D&D has affected our lives: not just the game itself, but also the multitude of other RPGs that were inspired by the creation of the game. And we should also take a moment to remember the Father of Roleplaying, Gary Gygax.

Tributes to E. Gary Gygax

• http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0536.html
• http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2008/03/04
• http://www.somethingpositive.net/sp03042008.shtml
• http://goblinscomic.com/d/20080307.html
• http://www.duelinganalogs.com/comic/2008/03/05/so-long-gary/

• Handling Poison
• Critique of Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Edition
• Optional Rules for Classic Games

Good Ideas

The d20 system has several good ideas that make it easier to understand and more easy to play.

• Positive AC. A larger AC is better than a smaller one makes more sense.
• Magic. I like the idea of the effectiveness of saving throws being based on spell level. This makes more powerful magic inherently harder to avoid than less powerful magic, and it makes a lot of sense. I never liked the way a sixth level spell like Death could be simply shrugged off by a Save vs Death Ray, the easiest saving throw to make.
• Saving Throws. Having saving throws based on “reflex” or other descriptions of how a character may actually avoid a situation is clearer.

Bad Ideas

Unfortunately, the d20 system sometimes made things “too logical” and went a little overboard on the complexity of certain areas.

• Every class can be mixed with every race. I don’t like this idea, however it is easy enough for a DM to decide in his game world to restrict certain race/class combinations.
• Sorcerors. It’s not a bad idea as far as game mechanics go (which is why I think they used it) but a “sorceror” isn’t conceptually different enough from a “wizard” which I think makes it confusing. I think they should have come up with a more unique name/panache for this class. Kind of reminds me of how they used to make a big deal out of “Illusionists” in AD&D 1st edition.
• Combat. Where should I start? Combat in the d20 system is basically a mess. It’s overly complicated, and appeals to the “high role-player,” as I would like to call those who are mostly into game mechanics. Complicated combat rules are good for video games sometimes, but they aren’t good for tabletop games. I have this opinion because I think combat should be fun but quick.
• Spell Feats. I think this just makes the game more complex. I asked a friend if you could just rule out spell feats as a DM, but he said that it would unbalance the classes.

• Optional Rules for Classic Games
• Handling Poison
• Modified Mystic or Monk