From: [i--bl--e] at [eskimo.com] (Dark Matter)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.archives
Subject: SUPPLEMENT: HERO: College of Animal Powers
Date: 24 Jun 1994 20:30:30 -0400
Part 14 in a series - COLLEGE OF ANIMAL POWERS
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Disclaimer: HERO System is a trademark of Hero Games, Inc. Any
reference to HERO, the HERO System Rulesbook, or any of the HERO
System supplements should not be construed as a challenge to the
trademark status. The author is not affiliated in any manner with
Hero Games, Inc. You can distribute this product freely, but you
can not charge more than a minimum delivery fee. Copyright 1994,
All rights reserved.
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This series of spells can be used to supplement those available
in the Fantasy HERO Campaign book, and the Fantasy HERO Companion
books from HERO Games, Inc. They can not be used without reference
to the the HERO System Rulesbook. These spells are a mix of
adaptations from other game systems and original designs. The
archive site is at: ftp.cs.pdx.edu:/pub/hero/fantasy-hero/magic.
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ANIMAL CRY
This spell allows the wizard to reproduce the calls of a specific
animal. The vocal chords change their form to match those of the creature,
so the wizard is unable to speak while maintaining this spell.
Power: +5 Images (Sounds)
Modifiers: Only to imitate calls of animal (-1/2), No Range (-1/2),
Requires Magic Skill Roll (-1/2), OIF - Necklace Totem for the desired
animal (-1/2), Limitation: Spell cannot be cast while any other totem's
spells are being maintained (-1/2), Character must have at least 30
points in spells of the Animal Power School (-3/4), Limitation:
reforms vocal chords, making speach impossible (-1/2).
Active Cost = 25 points.
END Cost: 2; Magic Roll: -2; Casting Time: 1/2 phase.
Real Cost: 5.
BEAR HUG
By drawing upon the power of the bear, the arms and shoulders of the
wizard grow large and hairy, allowing him to inflict a powerful hug on an
opponent. The arms gradually return to normal at the rate of 5 points of
STR per turn.
Power: 4d6 Aid to STR
Modifiers: Only to Grab (-3/4), Requires Magic Skill Roll (-1/2), OIF -
Necklace Totem "Bear" (-1/2), Limitation: Spell cannot be cast while any
other totem's spells are being maintained (-1/2), Character must have at
least 30 points in spells of the Animal Power School (-3/4), Limitation:
Reforms the body into part human, part animal form (-1/2).
Active Cost = 20 points.
END Cost: 2; Magic Roll: -2; Casting Time: 1/2 phase.
Real Cost: 4.
ELECTRIC EEL SHOCK
The skin of the wizard expands and transforms into a slick grey hide,
then begins to build up a powerful electrical charge. This current is
discharged within a volume of water, shocking anybody nearby who occupies
the liquid.
Power: 6d6 Energy Blast
Modifier: Explosion (+1/2), Personal Immunity (+1/4); Only works in water
(-1-1/2), No Range (-1/2), No Knockback (-1/4), Requires Magic Skill
Roll (-1/2), OIF - Necklace Totem "Electric Eel" (-1/2), Limitation:
Spell cannot be cast while any other totem's spells are being maintained
(-1/2), Character must have at least 30 points in spells of the Animal
Power School (-3/4), Limitation: Reforms the body into part human, part
animal form (-1/2), Extra Time (1 phase) (-1/2).
Active Cost = 52 points.
END Cost: 5; Magic Roll: -5; Casting Time: 1 phase.
Real Cost: 8.
HIBERNATION
Some creatures spend the winter in a state of dormancy resembling sleep.
At this reduced level of activity, the animals need less food and can
survive through the harshest weather by sheltering underground. Upon
casting this spell, the body of the wizard grows a dense coat of fur, and
his body changes into a bear-like form.
Power: Life Support, No need to eat or excrete, Survive intense cold
Modifiers: Single Continuing Charge lasting 3 months (Awaken to end)
(+3/4); Costs END to start (-1/4), Requires Magic Skill Roll (-1/2), OIF
- Necklace Totem "Bear" (-1/2), Limitation: Spell cannot be cast while
any other totem's spells are being maintained (-1/2), Character must
have at least 30 points in spells of the Animal Power School (-3/4),
Limitation: Reforms the body into part human, part animal form (-1/2).
Active Cost = 21 points.
END Cost: (2); Magic Roll: -2; Casting Time: 1/2 phase.
Real Cost: 5.
MONKEY SWING
Few creatures have taken to life among the tree tops quite like the
monkeys. With their long grasping limbs, they can bracciate almost
effortlessly from branch to branch, and swing between trees using loose
vines. Upon casting this spell, the arms and legs of the wizard become
monkey-like, growing hairier and more limber, allowing him to swing easily
among the trees or similar structures.
Power: 5" Swinging
Modifiers: Requires Magic Skill Roll (-1/2), OIF - Necklace Totem "Monkey"
(-1/2), Limitation: Spell cannot be cast while any other totem's spells
are being maintained (-1/2), Character must have at least 30 points in
spells of the Animal Power School (-3/4), Limitation: Reforms the body
into part human, part animal form (-1/2), Limitation: only where lines
and hand holds exist (-1/4). Active Cost = 5 points.
END Cost: 1; Magic Roll: -1; Casting Time: 1/2 phase.
Real Cost: 1.
POUNCE OF THE LION
The arms and legs of the wizard become cat-like: powerful, fast and
covered in warm fur. The wizard can spring forward at great speed, then
pounce upon his intended target. This spell can be very exhausting to
maintain, making it best for use in an ambush.
(Alternate totem: Any Large Cat)
Power: +6" Running
Active Cost = 12 points.
Power: +5" Superleap
Modifiers: Linked to Running (-1/2). Active Cost = 5 points.
Combined: x4 END to use (-1-1/2), Requires Magic Skill Roll (-1/2), OIF -
Necklace Totem "Lion" (-1/2), Limitation: Spell cannot be cast while any
other totem's spells are being maintained (-1/2), Character must have at
least 30 points in spells of the Animal Power School (-3/4), Limitation:
Reforms the body into part human, part animal form (-1/2).
Active Cost = 19 points.
END Cost: 8; Magic Roll: -2; Casting Time: 1/2 phase.
Real Cost: 3.
REALM OF THE EARTH
The earth is alive with creatures rarely seen by surface dwellers. The
power to move through the ground can be useful for entering an area
unseen, or digging out of a land slide or avalanche. Upon casting this
spell, the limbs of the wizard thicken and grow hard digging claws.
(Alternate totems: Rabbit, worm, or ant)
Power: 4" Tunneling through 1 DEF
Modifiers: Requires Magic Skill Roll (-1/2), OIF - Necklace Totem "Mole"
(-1/2), Limitation: Spell cannot be cast while any other totem's spells
are being maintained (-1/2), Character must have at least 30 points in
spells of the Animal Power School (-3/4), Limitation: Reforms the body
into part human, part animal form (-1/2). Active Cost = 20 points.
END Cost: 2; Magic Roll: -2; Casting Time: 1/2 phase.
Real Cost: 5.
REALM OF THE HUNTER
Successful hunting animals have excellent senses which they can use to
track their prey. Upon casting this spell, the head of the caster takes on
the features of the totem hunting animal.
(Alternate Totems: Wolf or Shark)
Power: +3 PER All Senses, Tracking Scent
Modifiers: Requires Magic Skill Roll (-1/2), OIF - Necklace Totem "Great
Cat" (-1/2), Limitation: Spell cannot be cast while any other totem's
spells are being maintained (-1/2), Character must have at least 30
points in spells of the Animal Power School (-3/4), Limitation: Reforms
the body into part human, part animal form (-1/2).
Active Cost = 19 points.
END Cost: 2; Magic Roll: -2; Casting Time: 1/2 phase.
Real Cost: 6.
SKUNK SPRAY
The head of the wizard changes to a skunk-like form (black haired with a
white stripe) and he sprays the target with a powerful, malodorous liquid.
Anybody coming near the target, or his possessions, before the scent wears
off, is repelled by the strong odor. Fortunately, the scent will
eventually wash off, especially if tomato juice is employed. The odor has
no effect on creatures that have no olfactory sense, or use an enclosed
breathing apparatus.
Power: 8d6 Mind Control
Modifiers: Explosion (+1/2); Costs END to cast (-1/4), Single Continuing
Charge lasting 1 day (Wash to remove) (0), Only to repel by odor (-1),
Based on CON (-1/2), Requires Magic Skill Roll (-1/2), OIF - Necklace
Totem "Skunk" (-1/2), Limitation: Spell cannot be cast while any other
totem's spells are being maintained (-1/2), Character must have at least
30 points in spells of the Animal Power School (-3/4).
Active Cost = 60 points.
END Cost: (6); Magic Roll: -6; Casting Time: 1/2 phase.
Real Cost: 12.
SNAKE SENSE
The head of the wizard changes to a snake-like form, with unblinking
eyes and a flickering tongue. Pits in the sides of the head allow warm and
cold objects to be detected, while the sensitive forked tongue provides a
directional olfactory sense.
Power: Infrared Vision, Tracking Scent
Modifiers: Costs END to use (-1/2), Requires Magic Skill Roll (-1/2), OIF
- Necklace Totem "Snake" (-1/2), Limitation: Spell cannot be cast while
any other totem's spells are being maintained (-1/2), Character must
have at least 30 points in spells of the Animal Power School (-3/4).
Active Cost = 15 points.
END Cost: (1); Magic Roll: -1; Casting Time: 1/2 phase.
Real Cost: 4.
SPINES OF THE PORCUPINE
The skin of the wizard sprouts a dense coat of hard spines that pierces
anybody who comes too close, leaving barbed quills caught in the flesh.
The spines are especially long and dangerous on the back and outer flanks
of the wizard.
Power: 1d6 PD RKA
Modifiers: Damage Shield (+1/2); Requires Magic Skill Roll (-1/2), OIF -
Necklace Totem "Porcupine" (-1/2), Limitation: Spell cannot be cast
while any other totem's spells are being maintained (-1/2), Character
must have at least 30 points in spells of the Animal Power School
(-3/4), Limitation: Reforms the body into part human, part animal form
(-1/2). Active Cost = 22 points.
END Cost: 2; Magic Roll: -2; Casting Time: 1/2 phase.
Real Cost: 6.
SWARM
The wizard disintegrates into a swarm of tiny animals that attack and
move as a group. While each individual animal is easy to slay,
collectively the swarm can be quite lethal. (See the HERO* Bestiary,
Swarming Animals.) The type of swarming animal must be selected when this
spell is first chosen, and can be worth no more than 115 points.
(Alternate totems: Bee, Ant, Piranha, Rat)
Power: Multiform (Swarm)
Modifiers: Costs END to use (-1/2), Requires Magic Skill Roll (-1/2), OIF
- Necklace Totem "Wasp" (-1/2), Limitation: Spell cannot be cast while
any other totem's spells are being maintained (-1/2), Character must
have at least 30 points in spells of the Animal Power School (-3/4).
Active Cost = 23 points.
END Cost: 2; Magic Roll: -2; Casting Time: 1/2 phase.
Real Cost: 11.
VIPER BITE
The head of the wizard stretches and changes into the form of a giant
snake. When the wizard opens his mouth to bite a victim, the jaws distend
to reveal long, hollow fangs. The poison injected into a target from this
bite is slow to work, but deadly.
(Alternate totems: Poisonous Snakes)
Power: 2d6 RKA venom
Modifiers: NND (Appropriate immunity, alien metabolism, or antivenom)
(+1), Persistent (+1); Gradual Effect (1 day) (-1/2), No Range (-1/2),
Only if bite does BODY damage (-1/2), Only effects living things (-1/2),
4 charges - venom (-1). Active Cost = 90 points.
Power: 1d6 HKA bite
Modifiers: Linked to Venom (-1/2). Active Cost = 15 points.
Combined: Requires Magic Skill Roll (-1/2), OIF - Necklace Totem "Viper"
(-1/2), Limitation: Spell cannot be cast while any other totem's spells
are being maintained (-1/2), Character must have at least 30 points in
spells of the Animal Power School (-3/4), Limitation: Reforms the body
into part human, part animal form (-1/2).
END Cost: 11; Magic Roll: -11; Casting Time: 1/2 phase.
Real Cost: 17.
WEB OF THE SPIDER
Create a giant tent of spider webs. Anybody entering the web becomes
entangles in its strong, sticky threads. The web must be supported at some
point along it's length by a vertical support or ceiling, or it will
collapse. Attacks made against the 0 DEF victims of the web will damage
both the web and the target.
It requires a full minute to create the web, during which time the
Wizard's facial features take on the appearance of a Giant Spider. Once
the web is cast, the Wizard's appearance returns to normal.
Power: 3d6 Entangle
Modifiers: Area Effect (Line) (+1), Both take Damage (+1/4), Sticky
(+1/2); No Defense (-1-1/2), Requires Magic Skill Roll (-1/2), OIF -
Necklace Totem "Spider" (-1/2), Limitation: Spell cannot be cast while
any other totem's spells are being maintained (-1/2), Character must
have at least 30 points in spells of the Animal Power School (-3/4),
Limitation: Web must be supported (-1/2), Extra Time - 1 Minute
(-1-1/2). Active Cost = 82 points.
END Cost: (8); Magic Roll: -8; Casting Time: 1 minute.
Real Cost: 11.
--
Dark Matter | "They couldn't hit an elephant at this dist..."
[i--bl--e] at [eskimo.com] | -Last words of Gen. John Sedgwick, 1864