54290-Sample.Pdf

Sample file

620_95725_Ch1.indd 1 10/18/06 9:59:30 AM Sample file Poison Master ...... 80 Create Fetch...... 96 Psithief ...... 80 Disobedience ...... 97 Contents Psychic Luck ...... 80 Enlarge Weapon ...... 97 Introduction...... 4 Savvy Rogue ...... 80 Evacuation Rune ...... 98 Sly Fortune ...... 81 Fatal Flame ...... 99 Chapter 1: Scoundrels of All Types ...... 7 Sound of Silence ...... 81 Grasping Wall ...... 99 What Makes a Scoundrel? ...... 7 Sure Hand ...... 81 Harmonic Void ...... 99 Scoundrels of Any Alignment ...... 8 Survivor’s Luck ...... 81 Healer’s Vision ...... 100 Scoundrels of Any Class ...... 10 Sweet Talker ...... 81 Lucky Streak ...... 100 Playing a Scoundrel ...... 11 Swift Ambusher ...... 81 Mage Burr ...... 100 Making a Scoundrel ...... 12 Swift Hunter ...... 81 Manifestation of the Deity ...... 101 Tempting Fate ...... 81 Mimicry ...... 101 Chapter 2: Prestige Classes ...... 23 CONTENTS Choosing a Prestige Class ...... 23 Third Time’s the Charm ...... 81 Opportune Dodge ...... 101 OF TABLE Avenging Executioner ...... 24 Throat Punch ...... 82 Scry Location ...... 102 Battle Trickster ...... 28 Unbelievable Luck ...... 82 Siphon ...... 102 Cloaked Dancer ...... 31 Victor’s Luck ...... 82 Smoke Stairs ...... 103 Combat Trapsmith ...... 34 Warning Shout ...... 82 Spell Theft ...... 104 Fortune’s Friend ...... 38 Skill Tricks ...... 82 Spore Field ...... 104 Gray Guard ...... 40 Acrobatic Backstab ...... 84 Spymaster’s Coin ...... 104 Magical Trickster ...... 45 Assume Quirk ...... 85 Wall of Vermin ...... 104 Malconvoker ...... 48 Back on Your Feet ...... 85 Wand Modulation ...... 105 Master of Masks ...... 52 Clarity of Vision ...... 85 Winged Watcher ...... 106 Clever Improviser ...... 85 Mountebank ...... 57 Chapter 5: Scoundrel Equipment ...... 107 Collector of Stories ...... 85 Psibond Agent ...... 60 Hidden Spaces ...... 107 Conceal Spellcasting ...... 85 Spellwarp Sniper ...... 64 Surprise Weapons ...... 109 Corner Perch ...... 85 Uncanny Trickster ...... 67 Alchemical Items ...... 110 Dismount Attack ...... 86 Poisons ...... 111 Chapter 3: Feats and Skill Tricks ...... 71 Easy Escape ...... 86 Magic Items ...... 113 New Feats ...... 71 Escape Attack ...... 86 Aspect Mirror ...... 113 Advantageous Avoidance ...... 73 Extreme Leap ...... 86 Bands of Fortune ...... 114 Ascetic Stalker ...... 73 False Theurgy ...... 86 Bladeshimmer...... 114 Better Lucky than Good ...... 74 Group Fake-Out ...... 87 Lucky Charm ...... 115 Chant of the Long Road ...... 74 Healing Hands ...... 87 Panic Button ...... 115 Chord of Distraction ...... 75 Hidden Blade ...... 87 Rod of Ropes ...... 116 Concussion Attack ...... 75 Leaping Climber ...... 87 Shrunken Shrieker ...... 116 Cool Head ...... 75 Listen to This ...... 87 Trinket of Trickery ...... 117 Daredevil Athlete ...... 76 Magical Appraisal ...... 87 Wheel of Fortune ...... 117 Daring Outlaw ...... 76 Mosquito’s Bite ...... 87 Living Items ...... 118 Daring Warrior...... 76 Never Outnumbered ...... 87 Green Air Bramble ...... 118 Deadly Defense ...... 76 Nimble Charge ...... 87 Gut Mites ...... 118 Deafening Strike ...... 76 Nimble Stand ...... 88 Jabberweed ...... 119 Disemboweling Strike ...... 76 Opening Tap ...... 88 Planar Motes ...... 119 Dumb Luck ...... 77 Point It Out ...... 88 Rust Monster Wand ...... 120 Eldritch Erosion ...... 77 Quick Escape ...... 88 Torch Bug items ...... 120 Expanded Ki Pool ...... 77 Quick Swimmer ...... 88 Enduring Ki ...... 77 Second Impression ...... 88 Chapter 6: Scoundrel Adventures ...... 121 Epic of the Lost King ...... 77 Shrouded Dance ...... 89 What Are Scoundrel Adventures? ...... 121 Fortuitous Strike ...... 77 Social Recovery ...... 89 DMing with Scoundrels ...... 125 Freerunner ...... 77 Slipping Past ...... 89 Themes of Scoundrel Adventures ...... 125 Good Karma ...... 77 Speedy Ascent ...... 89 Organizations ...... 128 Head Shot ...... 77 Spot the Weak Point ...... 89 The Free League ...... 128 Healer’s Luck ...... 78 Sudden Draw ...... 89 The Blind Tower ...... 133 Impeding Attack ...... 78 Swift Concentration ...... 90 Seven Ravens Clan ...... 138 Improved Familiar ...... 78 Timely Misdirection ...... 90 Legendary Sites ...... 142 Improved Skirmish ...... 78 Tumbling Crawl ...... 90 Legendary Site Descriptions ...... 142 Lucky Break ...... 79 Twisted Charge ...... 90 Bussengeist Haunt ...... 142 Lucky Catch ...... 79 Up the Hill ...... 90 Champion’s Crown ...... 143 Lucky Fingers ...... 79 Walk the Walls ...... 90 Court of Thieves...... 144 Lucky Start ...... 79 Wall Jumper ...... 90 The Frog God’s Fane ...... 145 Magical Fortune ...... 79 Whip Climber ...... 90 Heward’s Hall ...... 146 Make Your Own Luck ...... 79 The Highest Spire ...... 147 Chapter 4: New Spells...... 91 Martial Stalker ...... 79 Iron Wyrm Vault ...... 149 Animate Instrument ...... 94 MasterSample Spellthief ...... 79 Olidammara’s file Shell ...... 150 Aquatic Escape ...... 95 Merciful Strike ...... 79 Otyugh Hole ...... 151 Armor Lock ...... 95 Mind Drain ...... 79 Contacts ...... 152 Assassin’s Darkness ...... 95 Miser’s Fortune ...... 80 One Hundred Scoundrel Challenges . . . . . 156 Persistent Attacker ...... 80 Blockade ...... 95 Poison Expert ...... 80 Catapult ...... 95 3

620_95725_Ch1.indd 3 10/18/06 9:59:37 AM Another classic fantasy fi gure is the witty rogue who lives Introduction by his luck and always comes out on top: the scoundrel. “It’s locked,” Lidda said, backing away from the heavily bound Scoundrels can be wildly different characters, including iron door. Its hundreds of etched demonic faces leered at her. Bilbo Baggins, Robin Hood, Han Solo and Princess Leia, “Of course it is. That’s your job. Deal with it,” prodded Regdar, Sherlock Holmes, Zorro, and Lara Croft. All of them live his armor clanking as he shifted impatiently. by their wits, take chances when they must, and land on “I can’t. It’s not locked like that. Hennet, you want to give this their feet against all odds. Each has a distinct personality one a try?” and goals, from solving crimes to committing them, but “Pardon me,” the sorcerer whispered as he squeezed past Regdar, these characters’ methods and outlooks, not their profes- whose wide frame fi lled most of the tight hallway. Stepping sions or morality, make them scoundrels. in front of Lidda and gesturing his companions back, Hennet As personas for characters, scoundrels represent a style fl amboyantly produced a wand, a fl imsy thing little more than a of play rather than a class. They’re the sneaks, the cheats, gnarled twig. He closed his eyes and concentrated for a moment the bluffers, and the opportunists. They use improvisa- to summon the power inherent in his blood, then focused on the tion and imagination to gain an advantage, exploiting a wand. A silent wave of blue sparks washed over the evil-looking weakness or a hidden benefi t in even the worst situation. INTRODUCTION door, but as they struck its surface they vanished like rain upon Anyone can play a scoundrel. Simply adjust how you warm stone. prepare for encounters, react to situations, and interact “It’s beyond the wand’s power,” Hennet stated matter-of- with both NPCs and your fellow PCs. Lawful or chaotic, factly as the blue light faded. He turned back, skirting past the sword-swinger or spellcaster, scoundrels come in all fi g h t e r . types. Regdar looked to Lidda with an exasperated shrug. “Well, how Scoundrels are also fun and valuable tools for DMs. do we get by?” Whether a skilled but unreliable cheat the PCs can never “We look for another way.” Annoyance tinged Lidda’s voice. be sure about, or an entire guild of trained sneaks and “I could try something,” chirped Gimble from the rear. Disbe- thrill-seekers, the scoundrel archetype might enhance lieving eyes turned toward the brightly dressed bard. With his a campaign in any number of ways. The versatile new hands stretched out ahead of him, the gnome forced his way past feats, skill tricks, spells, and equipment presented in this his doubtful companions. He tossed Lidda a jaunty smirk and a book might be just the way to spark a party’s imagination quick raise of his eyebrows as he met her level gaze. and inspire new tactics. By the same token, putting these “A little room, please,” Gimble said in serious tones, mocking features in the hands of an opponent NPC allows you to Hennet’s dramatic pose. The others stepped back as he put his confront even the most experienced player with something back between them and the door. The gnome reached into his never seen before. cloak for a split second, then pressed his hands against the door and began whispering slowly, ominously. WHAT’S INSIDE Regdar glanced at Hennet, who arched an eyebrow dubiously. Like earlier entries in this series, Complete Scoundrel is a Their misgivings quickly gave way to surprise, though, as a loud resource for players and DMs who wish to add elements creaking echoed through the web-strewn hall. The heavy door of this book’s theme to their game. swung inward at the gnome’s push. Chapter 1 introduces the concept of the scoundrel. “How’d you—?” Lidda started. What does it mean to play a scoundrel, and how can you “Old gnome trick.” Gimble waved his arms toward the entrance best craft your scoundrel character? This chapter explores like the most gracious host. “After you.” the archetype in detail, giving players and DMs a primer As his companions passed by cautiously, Hennet fi xed the on incorporating the rest of the book’s elements in their gnome with a sidelong look. Gimble hung back a moment. Deftly, roleplaying. he slipped the palmed stone with its sinister demon face—just The following chapters present new abilities and options like the ones on the door—back into his cloak. He’d found it a for scoundrels of all sorts. Chapter 2 details prestige classes, few rooms back and pocketed it in case it might prove useful, as while Chapter 3 offers many new feats to exploit a situation it had. to the fullest. Chapter 3 also introduces two new rules Skipping after his allies, Gimble smiled. They didn’t need to subsystems: skin-of-your-teeth luck feats and an exciting know. That was the old gnome trick. way to enhance your skills with special tricks. Chapter 4 presents a variety of new spells designed with the scoundrel in mind. Chapter 5’s selection of new YOUR SCOUNDREL equipment—including alchemical, magical, mundane, SampleA lot of the fun of the D&D® game lies in playing iconic and even living items—offers file an array of useful gear for individuals and fantasy archetypes: the axe-wielding characters who seek the right tool for every job. barbarian, the wise, staff-bearing wizard, the expert sharp- Chapter 6 discusses the scoundrel adventure or cam- shooter elf. All these images hold an identifi able charm. paign, including how to challenge characters who live 4

620_95725_Ch1.indd 4 10/18/06 9:59:39 AM by their cleverness and daring. This chapter presents Boyington of the so-called Black Sheep Squadron and the new organizations and contacts to help scoundrels legendary German pilot Hans-Ulrich Rudel in World War participate in the campaign world, as well as new II; the “Desert Fox” Erwin Rommel, who ultimately died magical locations to test even the most daring or sneaky for his attempt to assassinate Hitler; Hannibal of Carthage characters. and Fabius Cunctator, whose delaying tactics weakened the Carthaginian army; Shaka, the brilliant tactician and king of the Zulu; Oda Nobunaga, whose cunning, business WHAT YOU NEED TO PLAY acumen, and ruthlessness brought his clan to the brink

Complete Scoundrel makes use of the information in the of conquering all Japan; China’s fi rst emperor, Qin, who INTRODUCTION three D&D core rulebooks—Player’s Handbook, Dungeon united the Three Kingdoms; and the eloquent Shawnee, Master’s Guide, and Monster Manual. In addition, several of Tecumseh. the new classes presented in other books in this series— Con artists, innovators, heads of crime families, and especially the Complete Adventurer supplement—find daring criminals are obvious examples of scoundrels: support here. Rules from Complete Warrior, Dungeon Ronnie Biggs of England’s Great Train Robbery, Bonnie Master’s Guide II, Expanded Psionics Handbook, and Player’s and Clyde, Edward Teach (“Blackbeard”) and any number of Handbook II are also referenced and expanded upon. pirates from that period, and Wong Fei Hung, the Chinese Although possession of any or all of these supplements martial arts master and cultural hero portrayed in many can enhance your enjoyment of this book, they are not Hong Kong action fi lms. necessary. BOOKS The following short bibliography should familiarize you SCOUNDREL RESOURCES with some classic scoundrels of literature. Scoundrels abound in fi ction and history. If you are look- Bridge of Birds by Barry Hughart. The wily sage Li Kao, ing for inspiration when crafting a scoundrel character, who has “a slight fl aw in his character,” is a marvelous whether as an adventurer or as a challenging villain, scoundrel. consider the following sources. The Conan novels by Robert E. Howard. The barbarian thief and future king is an iconic scoundrel. In a similar MYTH AND LEGEND vein is the bloody hero of the Kane novels by Karl Edward Various legendary heroes use their wits as well as their Wagner (for example, Death Angel’s Shadow). brawn to survive and become the founders or patrons of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein is the origin of the half- human cultures. Examples include the Sumerian war- ling rogue archetype. The Lord of the Rings includes many rior-king Gilgamesh as well as his barbarian companion scoundrel characters as well, most notably Aragorn, Merry, Enkidu, and heroes of the Trojan War, including Odys- and Pippin. seus and Diomedes; trickster fi gures and gods such as The Icewind Dale trilogy and subsequent series by R.A. Coyote from Native American legend, Anansi the spider Salvatore. The unlikely drow hero Drizzt do’Urden must god of West African myth, and China’s Nv Wa and the depend on his wits as well as his skill in a world that does titan Prometheus, both champions of humanity; noble not welcome him. His nemesis, the troubled assassin outlaws such as Robin Hood; unlikely knights such as Artemis Entreri, and the ever-scheming Jarlaxle of Men- Sir Percival of Holy Grail fame, and knights forced to deal zoberranzan, are also scoundrelly characters. with uncourtly situations, such as Sir Gawain. Modern The Sherlock Holmes mysteries by Sir Arthur Conan myth and legend continue to add to this list, as books, Doyle, and the Judge Dee novels by Robert van Gulik. fi lms, comics, and even games introduce new characters The latter’s Chinese detective character is based on a real to our shared culture. magistrate of the T’ang Dynasty, but the stories are entirely fi ctional in the mold of Sherlock Holmes. FAMOUS FIGURES FROM HISTORY Sunshine by Robin McKinley. The title character, who America’s Old West is fi lled with personalities who fi t draws strength from sunlight and must deal with having various scoundrel archetypes, from the ruthless Doc Hol- freed a vampire, is resourceful, independent, and gifted liday to the gambler Wild Bill Hickok to the shrewd rebel with unusual talents. leader Cochise. The combination of a wide-open new land, The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas. All three of limited law enforcement, and displaced and persecuted the title characters, as well as d’Artagnan, are excellent natives was a recipe for the rough-and-tumble climate in scoundrel archetypes. whichSample scoundrels thrive. Tom Jones. Perhaps the most famousfile scoundrel of lit- Legendary military leaders sometimes fi t the defi ni- erature, the young “foundling” travels through the world, tion of scoundrels, especially those who buck tradition openly indulging his tastes while simultaneously demon- or employ unorthodox tactics. Examples include “Pappy” strating loyalty and virtue. 5

620_95725_Ch1.indd 5 10/18/06 9:59:41 AM FILMS the rules when confronted with an unusual situation. Scoundrels are enduring favorites of the silver screen. Lore from the Next Generation series is an outstanding Casablanca. Both Rick the bar owner and the corrupt evil scoundrel. Captain Renault qualify as scoundrels. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. The three protagonists: COMICS AND GRAPHIC NOVELS Blondie (the Man with No Name), Angel Eyes, and Tuco From the fi rst caped avengers of the 1930s to the adult- “the Rat,” all embody different sorts of scoundrels. oriented graphic novels of today, comics have been a The Matrix trilogy. Neo, the hacker protagonist, is an fi tting medium for scoundrels. obvious scoundrel, but so are Morpheus, Trinity, and the DC’s Batman comics (as well as the many fi lm and other human rebels. television adaptations). This dark and complex hero is The Pirates of the Caribbean movies. Besides the unfor- the epitome of brains over brawn. Marvel’s Spider-Man gettable Captain Jack Sparrow, Elizabeth Swann is is a different sort of scoundrel, an everyday guy with a certainly a scoundrel, as is the cursed pirate Barbossa. gift but without Bruce Wayne’s riches and technological Raiders of the Lost Ark and its sequels. The two-fi sted backup. The X-Men comics offer yet more examples of archeologist Indiana Jones is an homage to serial heroes scoundrels, including such diverse characters as Wolver- INTRODUCTION such as the Shadow, the Phantom, and Zorro. (Those ine, Mystique, and Magneto. movies are also well worth watching.) The Hellblazer comics (various authors and artists). John The Star Wars trilogies. Who isn’t a scoundrel in Constantine is an antihero caught between the forces of these movies? From bounty hunters such as Boba Fett Heaven and Hell who uses trickery to survive in a world and Greedo, to the heroes Han Solo and Princess Leia, thick with supernatural infl uence. to villains including Jabba the Hutt and Darth Maul, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen by Alan Moore many characters of the Star Wars universe exemplify the and Kevin O’Neill. This tour de force takes the greatest scoundrel state of mind. scoundrels, adventurers, and thinkers of Victorian-era literature and brings them together on a secret mission TELEVISION SHOWS for the British government. Even more than in movies, scoundrels abound in broad- The Sandman series, written by Neil Gaiman. The cast entertainment. enigmatic central character is the incarnation of Dream, The Blackadder series. The main character, played by whose motives are sometimes diffi cult to understand and Rowan Atkinson, portrays a different sort of scoundrel in whose behavior can be capricious and cruel. Some of the each of his incarnations, from plotting prince to caustic other Immortals, especially Desire and Despair, can be courtier to disgruntled offi cer. seen as scoundrels as well. Dallas. J.R.—what more needs to be said? Transmetropolitan, written by Warren Ellis. Spider Jeru- Firefl y. The crew of Serenity includes a variety of scoun- salem is a perverse “gonzo” journalist who is the only real drels, from the noble yet mercenary Captain Malcolm voice of the people in a dystopic near-future megacity. Reynolds, to Shepherd Book, the wandering priest with V for Vendetta by Alan Moore and David Lloyd. The a mysterious background, to Inara the Companion (who strangely noble title character commits terrorist acts, might be the most law-abiding character on the ship). In and even torments his young protégée, in the name of a similar vein is the earlier Cowboy Bebop, an anime SF freedom and vengeance. series about a small crew of bounty hunters. Have Gun—Will Travel. The mysterious and charming GAMES Paladin is a gun-for-hire with his own strict moral code. The worlds invented for computer and console games House. The antiheroic Dr. Gregory House is a modern include memorable scoundrel characters. The following Sherlock Holmes in both deductive ability and social are just a few examples: Lara Croft from Tomb Raider, withdrawal. Master Chief from Halo, the nameless space marine of Kung Fu. The wandering hero, Caine, is caught between Doom, the eponymous hero of the Prince of Persia games, two cultures and must survive on wit, adaptability, and and even Mario, the resourceful plumber from Donkey inner strength. Kong and the many Mario Brothers games. Mission: Impossible. Incredible situations meet outland- And of course, roleplaying games have given us scoun- ish solutions. Every rogue should see this one. drel classics, both in novels and in published adventures: Remington Steele. Both the title character, a thief who Tasselhoff Burrfoot from the DRAGONLANCE® Campaign was supposed to be merely a public front for the real Setting and Elminster the rascal archmage of Faerûn Sampleprivate eye, and his creator, Laura Holt, embody many are just two. Eberron’s Lord fileof Blades might qualify as a scoundrel qualities. scoundrel as well—a charismatic leader whose true goals Star Trek. In the original series, Captain Kirk is a classic are shrouded in mystery. example of a leader who follows his instinct rather than 6

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