Spideer (Fawn)
Small monstrosity, unaligned
Armor Class 13
Hit Points 2
Speed 35, climb 20
Str 11 (+0) Dex 16 (+3) Con 11(+0) Int 2 (-4) Wis 14 (+2) Cha 5 (-3)
Senses darkvisions, passive Perception 12
Challenge 0
Freshly hatched Spideer fawns are little threat, but they are more than capable of avoiding many predators.
Spideer (Doe)
Medium monstrosity, unaligned
Armor Class 14
Hit Points 6
Speed 60 ft, climb 40 ft
Str 11 (+0) Dex 16 (+3) Con 11(+0) Int 2 (-4) Wis 14 (+2) Cha 5 (-3)
Senses darkvision, passive Perception 12
Challenge 1
Keen-Eared. The Spideer Doe has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks based on hearing.
Leaps & Bounds The Spideer Doe can jump up to thirty feet from a standing position without requiring a check.
Skulker. The Spideer Doe has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made in darkness or thick vegetation.
Sticky Fur. Any creature that comes into direct contact with a Spideer Doe finds themself stuck to it. They may escape with a DC 10 Dexterity (Acrobatics), or Strength (Athletics) check.
Unsettling. Creatures surprised by The Spideer Doe are frightened for 1 minute.
Actions
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft, one target. Hit (1d4) piercing damage + 1 poison damage.
Kick. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft, one target. Hit (1d4) +1 bludgeoning damage.
Trample. If the Spideer (Stag) moves at least 40 feet in a straight line and makes a successful attack against a creature, it can knock the creature prone as a bonus action.
The largest form of the Spideer the Spideer Doe is usually found close to their offspring.
Spideer (Stag)
Medium monstrosity, unaligned
Armor Class 14
Hit Points 5
Speed 60 ft, climb 40 ft
Str 12 (+1) Dex 18 (+4) Con 12 (+1) Int 2 (-4) Wis 14 (+2) Cha 5 (-3)
Senses darkvision, passive Perception 12
Challenge 1
Keen-Eared. The Spideer Stag has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) check based on hearing.
Leaps & Bounds The Spideer Stag can jump up to thirty feet from a standing position without requiring a check.
Skulker. The Spideer Stag has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made in darkness or thick vegetation.
Sticky Fur. Any creature that comes into direct contact with a Spideer Stag finds themself stuck to it. They may escape with a DC 10 Dexterity (Acrobatics), or Strength (Athletics) check.
Unsettling.
Actions
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft, one target. Hit (1d4) piercing damage + 1 poison damage.
Kick. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft, one target. Hit (1d4) +1 bludgeoning damage.
Ram. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft, one target. Hit (2d6) +2 piercing damage.
Trample. If the Spideer (Stag) moves at least 40 feet in a straight line and makes a successful attack against a creature, it can knock the creature prone as a bonus action.
Territorial and fully-grown the Spideer Stag marks their territory by scraping their antlers against trees scoring the bark.
So I’ve been spending the past few days watching the new Netflix version of She-Ra and working on Dungeons & Dragons 5e conversions based on the same. There’s a whole character class underway and NPCs for various things that appear during the course of the show. I thought I’d treat you all to a preview with the Horde’s top agent, Catra herself.
Considering that she goes toe to toe with She-Ra and multiple nasty creatures during the course of the first season I made her to be plenty tough enough. She’s nasty and can do plenty of damage to a low-level party all on her own while tying up a more experienced character one on one.
Catra
Medium humanoid, chaotic neutral
HP 135
Armor Class 19
Speed 35 ft., climb 25 ft.
Str Dex Con Int Wis Cha
14 (+2) 18 (+3) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 10 (+0) 14 (+2)
Skills Acrobatics +6, Athletics +5, Deception +5, Insight +3, Perception +3, Persuasion +5, Stealth +6, Sleight of Hand +6
Senses low-light vision 30 ft., passive Perception 13
Languages Common
Challenge 5
Keen Hearing, Sight & Smell. Catra has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing, sight, and smell.
Standing Leap. As part of her movement and without a running start, Catra can jump up to 30 feet and high jump up to 15 feet.
Actions
Multiattack. Catra makes two attacks using one claw, punch, or kick attack each.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit., reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 33 (3d12+2) slashing damage.
Horde Taser. Ranged Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, range 15 ft., one target. Hit: 38 (4d12+4) lightning damage. On a successful attack the target must also make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or be Paralyzed for 1 turn.
Horde Stave. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 35 (3d12+2) bludgeoning damage.
Kick. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 36 (3d12+2) bludgeoning damage.
Punch. Melee Weapon Attack: + to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 33 (3d12+2) bludgeoning damage.
With that in mind I think I’ve stumbled onto an idea that might interest some people. I’d like to run a Ryuutama play-by-post on Out of Character’s Discord channel. If you’ve never heard of Ryuutama it has been called Miyazaki’s Oregon Trail. It is a fantasy rpg where players take up the roles of travelers who journey the world to in response to their wanderlust.
Characters are not legendary wizards or master warriors however. They’re bakers, hunters, minstrels, and the types of characters adventurers normally pass without a second glance. This is a game about traveling and enjoying the wonders the world has to offer in good company rather than facing off with endless strings of encounters.
Play-by-post is also something that appeals to me on many levels. It allows people with different comfort levels to play without having to suffer anxiety from using their own voice or appear on camera. It also allows everyone to play when their schedule allows rather than having to block out huge chunks of time each week. Some of my favorite games over the years have been play-by-posts ad I think they offer enormous fun.
I know this won’t appeal to everyone, but I think it might be worth a try.
There will be more details on this soon, but here is a link to the channel for now.
Jumping back into filling out the Pokedex for the Pokemon Trainer D&D class which continues to draw interest. I want to chip away at the lower numbers less experienced trainers are likely to encounter. Spearow is always something of a wild Pokemon, definitely the sort of thing an aggressive trainer might favor over the more docile flying-types.
I made Spearow to be a minor nuisance alone, but in a flock they can be dangerous and should be approached with caution. Hopefully trainers enjoy Spearow and I’ll be adding more to the Pokedex soon.
Spearow
Small beast, neutral
Armor Class 13 (natural armor)
Hit Points 16 (3d8+1)
Speed 20 ft., fly 50 ft.
Str 12 (+1) Dex 14 (+2) Con 10 (+0) Int 6 (-2) Wis 12 (+1) Cha 10 (+0)
Damage Resistance bludgeoning from non-stone weapons.
Damage Vulnerabilities ice, electric
Skills Intimidation +3, Perception +4
Senses passive Perception 11
Languages Pokemon, understands Common but can’t speak.
Challenge 1
Bully. Spearow has advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks.
Evolution. After earning 6,000 XP Spearow evolves into Fearow.
Flock Tactics. Spearow has advantage on attack rolls when another Spearow is within 15 ft. of it. Spearow’s Armor Class is increased by +1 when there is another Spearow with 25 ft. of it to a maximum of +3.
Pokemon. Pidgeotto can be captured in a Pokeball, from that point on it will act as a companion to its new trainer.
Actions
Peck. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d4+2) piercing damage.
The grass-type starter Pokemon that is considered by many to be the easiest of the starters for new trainers to raise. Ash’s Bulbasaur chose not to evolve, but it helped carry him to to some of his greatest victories as a trainer. Way back when I got my copy of Pokeon Blue Bulbasaur was the first starter I ever chose my very first Pokemon, so it has always had a special place in my pokedex. This is the first of the starters that I’ve created so lets jump in!
Bulbasaur
Medium beast, neutral
Armor Class 14
Hit Points 60
Speed 20 ft
Str 14 (+2) Dex 14 (+2) Con 14(+2) Int 12 (+1) Wis 14 (+2) Cha 14 (+2)
Damage Resistance lightning thunder
Damage Vulnerabilities fire
Skills Athletics +4, Intimidation +4, Perception +4
Senses Passive Perception 14
Languages Pokemon, understands Common but can’t speak
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
Evolution. After gaining 4,000 XP Bulbasaur evolves into Ivysaur.
Grass-Type: Bulbasaur has advantage on Stealth checks in areas with tall grass or other abundant plant life.
Pokemon. Bulbasaur can be captured in a Pokeball, from that point on it will act as a companion to its new trainer.
Actions
Slam: Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6+2) bludgeoning damage.
Vine-Whip. Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, range 40/100 ft., one target. Hit: 22 (4d6 +4) slashing damage. On a Critical Hit the target is also grappled.
Razor Leaf: Bulbasaur expels a shower of razor sharp leaves in a 20-foot foot cone. Each creature in that are must make a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw, taking 24 (6d4+4) slashing an piercing damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one. As a bonus action Bulbasaur may maintain its Razor Leaf for one additional turn. Doing so causes Bulbasaur to gain one level of exhaustion.
Some time ago I put together a Pokemon trainer class for D&D 5e, I also put together stats for a few Pokemon to make them compatible with 5e. it was one of those things i set aside because there wasn’t really much interest in the idea. Since someone asked me to follow-up on it a bit here we are!
The question I’m addressing today is how do pokeballs work? As catching new or more powerful Pokemon is a staple of the class I should have explained this sooner. Sorry.
To use most pokeballs you’ll be following a few steps. Your trainer will have to make a an attack roll as per normal using Dexterity. You cannot use Strength to make this attack under any circumstances. Since all Pokemon Trainers are proficient with Pokeballs you will get to add your proficiency bonus to the attack roll. Assuming you hit the target’s AC now it has an opportunity to escape. We’ve all spent hours searching for that elusive Pokemon in the tall grass, thrown a ball, and prayed it wouldn’t break out. This saving throws represent the Pokemon’s will to resist capture. More powerful Pokemon will be able to break free more easily.
Pokeball: The Pokemon will get the opportunity to make a Charisma Saving throw on its turn during the following 3 turns. The DC is set at 10 + your Charisma modifier.
Great Ball: The Pokemon will have the opportunity to make a saving on its turn during the following 2 turns. The DC is set at 10 + 1 + your Charisma modifier.
Ultra Ball: The Pokemon will have the opportunity to make a saving throw on its turn during the follow turn. The DC is set at 10 + 2 + your Charisma modifier.
As in the video games a healthy Pokemon is much harder to capture than one that has been tired out in battle. If the you’re attempting to capture Pokemon isn’t bloodied it adds +5 to this roll.
Now while the Pokemon you’re trying to capture is trying to break loose there may be other Pokemon in the area for your trainer to cope with. Maybe a handful of Mankeys didn’t take kindly to you capturing their friend.
Of course there are special pokeballs that work differently but for now I’ll just be explaining the mechanics of the basic 3 types.
While neither of us consider ourselves to be Trekkies Tina and I ARE both big Star Trek fans. While we were looking over the Star Trek Adventures RPG we started talking about our favorite characters and episodes. We challenged one another to write out a list of our ten favorite characters and we wended up with some interesting results I felt like sharing.
Because there are so many great characters in Star Trek and it could be hard to crowd someone out of the list we both got an honorable mention.
Honorable Mentions
7 of 9 and Odo
Tina picked the changeling constable Odo from Deep Space 9 played by René Auberjonois. She says she picked him because he had great development during the show, and I have to agree with that. I picked 7 of 9 the former Borg played by Jeri Ryan from Voyager. I know people are going to say nasty things about my choice, and generally people are dismissive of 7, but I think she had some amazing episodes and stories during the series.
#10
Tina chose Commander William T. Riker First Officer of the Enterprise played by Jonathan Frakes. If I had to a hazard a guess as to why it probably has something to do with the less than serious attitude the commander often displayed. He wasn’t afraid to have fun or laugh when the moment allowed it. I also chose a first officer also Saru of the Discovery played by Doug Jones. Two ore different individuals there have never been, but I like them both. Saru is a Kelpian and the first of his species to join Starfleet. He isn’t afraid to admit to his own misgivings, and he’s willing to admit when he is wrong. Saru is also kind enough to forgive and acknowledge the abilities of others.
#9
Looks like we have a bit of a Voyager reunion. B’elanna Torres the half-Klingon half-human Chief Engineer played by Roxann Dawson was another matter entirely. She was angry, stubborn, and ready to fight with anyone about anything which may have been how she ended up with the Maquis. She was also one of the best engineers Starfleet ever had and she cared about people more than she was willing to admit. Her time of Voyager afforded her opportunities to grow, confront the things that had tormented her for most of her life, and grow into an even more amazing person.
#8
Tina’s pick for #8 Tina and I are both big fans of Voyager’s Tactical Officer the Vulcan Tuvok played by Tim Russ. He stands out among all Vulcans in my mind as one who never allowed his logical nature to overrule him. During the long journey home from the Delta Quadrant he was a teacher, a mentor, a confidant, a soldier, an explorer, and someone the crew could always count on. My choice was Lt. Commander Data of the Enterprise played by Brent Spiner. Data is such a fan favorite I have always found him fascinating. In this ongoing mission to explore the stars Data is undergoing his own mission to explore his own identity. He’s asking Who am i? Why am I here? He asks these questions with an open mind and explores all of the possibilities. Plus, let’s face it, Data is a nerd. He has a cat, he LARPS, and he can perform trillions of equations in seconds.
#7
Tina picked Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Enterprise played by Patrick Stewart. You can’t not have THE captain on this list at some point unless you hate everything about Next Generation. My choice was Jadzia Dax Science Officer of Deep Space 9 played by Terry Farrell. Jadzia wasn’t the first Trill to appear on Star Trek, but she was the first to flesh out the species and make it her own. I picked Jadzai in part because like any of the characters from Star Trek she’s brilliant, but there was a bigger reason. I look at Jadzia and see someone who lived. She learned Klingon martial arts, played tongo, saw spatial phenomenon no one else had ever even dared to dream of, and she was ever ready to offer wisdom or a joke when the situation called for it.
#6
I shit you not we both picked Chief Miles O’Brien played by Colm Meaney for #6. We weren’t even in the same room when we did these lists and somehow this happened. So why the O’Brien? On Enterprise he was a secondary character who didn’t get to do much, but he still managed to meet and marry the love of his life, and saw her give birth to their first child Molly. Not bad. In reality I chose him because people who have technical skill are amazing. The rest of us just kind of stumble through the world, but they see all the wires and know just where they go. O’Brien also explores some less pleasant aspects of the future. He’s got prejudices against Cardassians, he’s got a temper like a Klingon, and he’s struggling to keep his family happy while he keeps up with a difficult job. Chief, somehow you did it all. I also think that his friendship with Julian Bashir was something we need to see more of in fiction.
#5
Now we have a Deep Space 9 theme? Fine. Tina chose Captain Benjamin Sisko of Deep Space 9 played by Avery Brooks. If you need an explanation as to why he belongs on this list crack out Netlfix and go watch In The Pale Moonlight. I’ll wait. Understand now? Good. Quark, played by Armin Shimerman, was a Ferengi owned a bar on Deep Space 9. Quark was sexist, greedy, conniving, and in the first few episodes he seemed like he’d sell his own mother for a few slips of latinum. He did manage to keep things interesting with all his schemes and intrigues. His feud with constable Odo made them both more enjoyable, it also seems like it made them rub off on one another. Quark probably grew more than almost any character in any Star Trek show ever. He never quite became one of the good guys, but in the end he wasn’t a bad guy either.
#4
We’re creeping towards the top spots now and competition is getting tighter. For her #4 Tina chose Kira Nerys the Bajoran First Officer of Deep Space 9 played by Nan Visitor. Kira is plain a simple a badass. She can kick the butt of a Jem’Hadar warrior twice her size without spilling her raktajino. She also happens to have some of the most compelling episodes in Star Trek. My choice was Voyager’s Captain Kathryn Janeway played by Kate Mulgrew. I could say a lot of things about why I picked Janeway, but in the end it comes down to one thing. She got her ship home. She didn’t do it alone, and luck helped more than once, but it she saw it as her duty to get Voyager home and she damned well did it.
#3
In part one of the top three we have a repeat performer with Jadzia Dax. I chose the Voyager’s EMH or as he came to be called The Doctor played by Robert Picardo. Who needs a sonic screwdriver when you have a mobile emitter am I right? The Doctor carried on the tradition of Starfleet’s medical officers grappling with ethical conundrums. He also grappled with his own personality and how it clashed with the crew. All of the other EMH programs with his personality were demoted, but Voyager needed him so he got the chance to learn and grow. The Doctor was curious and eager to prove he could be more than just what he was. There’s an episode called Tinker, Tenor, Doctor, Spy that to this day makes me tear up every time I see it. The Doctor has installed a daydream progrma to allow him to live out fantasies, and one of those fantasies is taking command of Voyager as the Emergency Command Hologram during a crisis. When his daydreams go haywire the crew end up getting a peak into his deepest fantasies and seeing one of these scenarios play out.
He says “Thank you for this opportunity Captain. All I’ve ever wanted was the opportunity to live up to my full potential. To hone all my skills, expand my abilities, to help the people I love.”
Robert Picardo brings so much humanity to the role, I don’t think anyone else could have done it quite so well.
#2
Another Voyager reunion? Fine! I’ve already talked about why these characters are so great, but I will also say Tuvok is my favorite Vulcan. Yes over Spock. I said it and I won’t take it back.
#1
Well here we are, the top spot. We end with two Starfleet Captains no less. Captain Philippa Georgiou played by Michelle Yeoh commands the USS Shenzhou on Star Trek Discovery. She’s a great character we only get to see a little bit of, but she makes us wonder what happened in her career to bring her to this point. You can tell she has the admiration and respect of her entire crew. She also seems to be a bit of a pack rat. Captain Picard delivers some of the best dialogue in all of Star Trek. Patrick Stewart makes you care about the ship, the events, and the characters even when you don’t want to. When I think of a Starfleet Captain he’s the first to leap to mind.
Well there you have, those are our Top Tens. I expect there to plenty or rage over these lists. To be honest there are very few characters on Star Trek I don’t like. Less than 3 in fact. I’d like to finish by thanking the actors from the series for all of their hard work over the years.
Out of Character 
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