The Create-a-Setting Thread: Dinopirates of Ninja Island!

[Wormwood]

Inspired by this thread, I'm furiously working on an initial draft for my parallel project: Ninjasaurus Rex.

I envision my work as the Blackmoor to your Greyhawk (or the Laverne and Shirley to your Happy Days). Until one of you sends me a Cease-And-Desist order, I'll assume that's okay with y'all.

While I initially intended the project as a test for various Unearthed Arcana varients, I've come to love my plucky little Ninjasaurs and hapless Primate Pirates.

Work continues as we speak, and I hope to have something presentable by the beginning of the coming week.

But that could be the liquor talking.

 

[thullgrim]

There is an island, known as the Isle of the Forgotten Gods, from the distance it seems to shrouded in eternal mists, but as one approaches the mists part and the island is visible in brief stretches. A looming volcano with slightly steep sloped sides towers over the island. Unlike most islands in the Thousand Teeth, and especially in the jungle infested the dino-pirates inhabit this island is a verdant green plain, surrounding the volcano.

Scattered about the island, in apparently random fashion are the faces of creatures unknown to the inhabitants of the Teeth. These faces all appear peaceful and reposed. They are obviously not the faces of humans or lizadmen, nor are the dwarven or elven. The origin of these faces is baffles scholars.

The island is rumored to be haunted, legend persists that all who step foot on the island are cursed forever. Obviously someone has been to island for we have samples of the heads in the Museum of Art in Ranheim, and at least one Bone Ship has an island head for a figurehead. The entire island is unscryable via magic and though the volcano has never been known to erupt there is a perpetual ashy cloud hovering above the island.

Thullgrim

 

[kenjib]

I might be interested in writing up Freebooters of Lost Skull Island as a spoof module in pdf format too.

P.S. Curses RULE! There needs to be a curse for everything.

 

[Spatzimaus]

In all seriousness...

NO! Seriousness has no place in the Dinopirates of Ninja Island! It should be the ultimate B-movie RPG, IMNSHO.

Anyway, you also need a volcanic island full of wild giant dinosaurs and primitive caveman tribesmen, with ruins of ancient civilizations containing untold treasures. Come on, the Code of Harryhausen demands it!

And we still haven't integrated the Robots into this yet. I'm thinking you add a group of visiting aliens who left the Robots behind. And before anyone objects, realize that we're talking about The Day the Earth Stood Still style of B-movie robots, not Terminator-style killing machines. Something that looks like a large garbage can, makes "meep meep meep" noises, and waves its arms around as it wobbles slowly. At best, it'd say things like "Danger, Will Robinson!". Okay, they usually had some sort of death ray also, but as DM you can remove those.

Finally, of COURSE you need to add some sort of "advanced human" race, from a technologically advanced future, marooned in a primitive era and trying to find a way home. That's why I suggested Astronaut as a class. Whether it's the result of a Planet of the Apes or Cadillacs & Dinosaurs style of post-apocalyptic setting, Indiana Jones-style scientists/archaeologists, simple time travel, or alien explorers who just happen to look just like humans, it's a standard part of the genre.

 

[dreaded_beast]

New PrC

Saturn 7

Using a mixture of the technology of the ancients and the magic of the pirate-wizards, adventurers slowly give up their fleshbound soul to be augmented by magical technology. The final process involves placing the living brain of the adventurer in a metal canister to be transferred to a body similar to that of the Warforged. The first of these creatures came from the stars, claiming to be from a world known only as Saturn 7 and calling itself Hector. The creature passed the knowledge of its creation before disappearing from history.

 

[dreaded_beast]

New PrC

Egg Hunter

The egg hunter specializes in the dangerous task of collecting dino eggs. Being to hunt dino eggs has taught egg hunters how to identify the type of dino that a particular egg will hatch. Their skills at sneaking and sleight of hand are legendary. They are able to mask their scent from dinos and some say even take the shape of a dino for a short while.

 

[dreaded_beast]

New Monster/Race

Yoshi

The yoshi is an evolved form of dino, standing relatively the same height as a dwarf. It stands on two feet and has short arms that end in human like hands. The defining feature of the Yoshi is it's ability to project an iguana like tongue to capture prey. They use their tongue like a third hand. Yoshis usually are green in color. However, Yoshis of different colors have been reported, attuned to different elements depending upon the color.

 

[dreaded_beast]

New Item

Magic Mushroom

Growing in the jungle wilds, this very rare and prized magical mushroom has the ability to grant the effects of an enlarge spell. In order to do so, the mushroom must be picked up and grasped in the hand, allowing the juices to permeate the skin of the hand. This is the only way for the magic to occur for other experiments have failed. The enlarge spell will remain in effect for as long as you hold the mushroom in your hand and will end as soon as you remove it. Once removed, the mushroom decays into dust. While being held, the magic mushroom can be disarmed from your hand.

 

[dreaded_beast]

New Religion

Cult of the Sons of Dino

The worshipers of this forbidden and secret cult admire dinos and see them as the ultimate lifeform. As a result, this cult seeks to attain that ideal by capturing females from the various sentient races and attempting to breed them with dinos, using magical means. So far, there efforts have not been meet with success.

 

[dreaded_beast]

New Spell

BrontoThunder

Using this spell, the caster is able to summon a dino, known as the Brontosauras, to attack his enemies. This summoned BrontoSauras is a magical sort, with a special attack, known as BrontoThunder. It is able to stomp it's feet causing a great crack in the earth, with effects similar to that of the Earthquake spell.