Villains' Lorebook.pdf - Department of Political Science

at -4; others within the radius save at -2). The
doom is a specialized polymorph other spell that works
instantly upon any creatures within its radius who
fail their saving throws. Affected beings suffer a system
shock roll during their transformations.
Transformation is permanent, and is always into
the form of a bat, frog, toad, or snake (decided randomly).
The intelligence of affected beings is not altered,
so if the transformed victims can activate
magical items or communicate with others so as to
bring about their release.
The doom lasts for only one activation if cast by
a mage of 11th level or less. A mage of 12th to
23rd level can cast the doom to last for up to four
activations. Mages of higher levels can elect to
have their dooms last for one additional activation
per level above 24th. Note that the passage of time
has no effect on a doom unless the object it guards
is destroyed.
Transformed creatures affected by this spell typically
go insane if of greater than 7 Intelligence. (see
below).
Intelligence Time Before Insanity
1-7 No danger
8-12 After 6 months
13-16 After 8 months
17 After 12 months
18 After 24 months
19+ 13% chance per year*
*noncumulative
Such insanity is one of the following forms, rolling
1d6 to decide which, for each creature.
Roll Insanity Type
1 enraged mania
2 melancholy
3 hallucinations
4 hebephrenic
5 homicidal
6 catatonic
Enraged Mania: This condition strikes suddenly
(1 in 6 chance per turn, lasts 2d6 turns, then 1 in 6
chance per turn to return to normalcy, rolled each
round until successful). The character becomes
manically enraged, having an effective strength of
18/75 if human or demihuman (nonhumanoids are
adjudicated by the DM). The character may shriek,
rave, and behave in a violent manner. Unreasoning
when spoken to, the character possesses great cunning,
and will desire to take or avoid action according
to the situation at hand (though not necessarily
an appropriate act). When the state passes, the
character won’t remember his actions, nor believe
accounts of them by others.
Melancholy: The individual is given to black
moods, fits of brooding, and feelings of hopelessness.
The character is 50% likely to ignore any
given situation due to the manifestation of a fit of
melancholia.
Hallucinations: The individual sees, hears, and
otherwise senses things that do not exist. The more
stressful the situation, the more likely the manifestation.
Common delusions include: ordinary objects
that do not exist, people nearby or passing where
there are none, voices giving information or instructions,
abilities or forms the individual does not really
have (strength, sex, wings, etc.), threatening creatures
appearing from nowhere, and so on. Normal
behavior is 50% likely until stimulated or under
stress. Hallucinations last 1-20 turns after the initial
stress passes.
Hebephrenic: The individual wanders aimlessly,
talks to himself, giggles, mutters, and acts childishly;
the character may sometimes attempt to play childish
games with others. If sufficiently irritated by
someone nearby, the character is 75% likely to become
maniacally enraged. If this does not occur,
then he will become catatonic for ld6 hours, then
revert to hebephrenic behavior.
Homicidal: The individual appears absolutely normal,
except for an occasional unique interest in
weapons, poisons, and other lethal devices. At 1- to
4-day intervals, he will try to kill a member of his
own race. If prevented, the frustrated individual will
attack the first intelligent creature encountered,
wildly seeking to slay this being. After this, the character
will fall into melancholy for ld6 days before
turning to a homicidal state once more.
Catatonic: The character completely withdraws
from reality. The individual can be led, moved, fed,
and so on, but will undertake no activity on his
own. If continually provoked and irritated to get a
response, the character has a 1% cumulative change
per round of becoming homicidal. When provocation
ceases, catatonia returns.
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