Moondog Gospel

I'm a big fan of humanocentrism and race-as-class in my games, but I'm not a big fan of the three demihuman races you'll usually see in old school games. The Elves, Dwarves, and Halflings, are classic companions, but I feel like 50 years of players playing them has exhausted their use. There's only so much you can do with a scottish accent and a mug of ale. I'm going to go over the various races' defining criteria, and then give an example of another race that is similar in theme, so that you don't have to go making new classes , and can instead just reskin what you've already got. Dwarves are stout, resistant to poison and magic, and used to underground terrain. I think a good replacement for them is rock-people. Those naming their Rock-Person character Dwayne are booted from the game. Instead of having keen ears and eyes that are used to the dark, the rock-people can feel even the tiniest of movements of the stone around them. Instead of listening a...

You're deep in the dungeon with dwindling supplies, and the DM has just rolled a random encounter check. You hear footsteps walking on the other side of the wall, and you all clutch tight onto your spears and shields and get ready for what may be your last battle. The DM rolls a d6. It lands on a two, and he announces that the band of goblins are carrying a torch emanating a purple flame. You breathe a sigh of relief and sheathe your weapons and talk to them.    Art by /u/macteg   The Torch Code Your matchbox costs 1GP. It has 6 sides with 6 different colors. Striking a match against a given side produces a flame of the same color, which have the following meanings: White Flame: We mean no harm. We merely seek passage. Purple Flame: We mean no harm. We wish to trade. Blue Flame: Surrender and you will be spared. Green Flame: We want your treasure and your blood. No quarter will be given. Yellow/Orange Flame: Neutral/No special meaning. Red Flame: I am the ruler/authority ...