From: News User Id <[n--s] at [eskimo.com]> Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.archives Subject: SUPPLEMENT: FHERO: Nubling Cavalry Date: 27 Feb 1996 09:27:57 -0500 Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.archives Path: iceblade From: [i--bl--e] at [eskimo.com] (Bob) Subject: FHERO: Nubling Cavalry X-Nntp-Posting-Host: eskimo.com Message-ID: <[DnAC 6 A 743] at [eskimo.com]> Keywords: Fantasy HERO Nubling Cavalry Sender: [n--s] at [eskimo.com] (News User Id) Organization: Eskimo North (206) For-Ever X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2] Date: Sat, 24 Feb 1996 14:56:33 GMT NUBLINGS The Nublings are a short, compact race of humanoids that resemble cute and somewhat stocky human youngsters, roughly one meter in height. They have a dense coat of curly, banded-golden hair; amber or deep-emerald slitted eyes; heavy limbs; and large, four-digit extremities. The head is very human in appearance, although the eyes and diamond-shaped ears are larger than would be expected. The tribes of Nublings constantly travel the rolling central plains in small wood wagons. These compact vehicles are the product of generations of Nubling craftsmen who have mastered every detail of wagon building. The wooden sides are covered by bleached animal hides, cunningly sewn together and dyed to provide camouflage. The hides also serve as water carriers, providing fire protection when punctured. When attacked, the wagons can be circled to form a nearly impregnable laager, and the Nublings can move around the ring through the sealed wagon tunnel to pick off their foe from arrow slits. The wagons are towed by Mastallions, a special hybrid of mastiff and small plains horse. A Mastallion stands as tall at the shoulder as the largest Nubling, and is more than strong enough to serve as a mount. In addition to being reasonably intelligent, the Mastallion share a special mental bond with their Nubling masters. Each year the Nublings migrate between the alpine grasslands and the warmer southern lowlands. They bring along their goats and other domesticated animals to provide food, clothing, and other useful items. The Nublings are also master traders, carrying all manner of scarce goods across the dangerous plains. The spiritual beliefs of the Nublings are based on the ring, representing the circle of life, the seasons, and the ebb and flow of daily events. The traditional greeting of the tribes has all concerned locking hands to form a circle, then exchange words of greeting, friendship, and good fortune. The shamanistic magic of the Nublings is based on the circle, formed by a ring of worshippers. Each tribe has a Wohma, the head shaman, who has mastered the arts of the five circles. His temple wagon unfolds to form a ring-shaped church, with the sacred altar of stone being placed in the exact center. The wagons of the tribe are then arranged around the temple to form a double ring. Nublings, especially those of higher rank, wear an inordinate amount of jewelry, often to the point of gaudiness. They especially prefer ring-shaped ornaments, such as bracelets, earrings, finger rings, etc. They wear little else in the way of garb, other than that required to protect their modesty or ward against the elements, the better to show off their finery. For weaponry, tribal warriors favor a small crossbows, staff sling, circlet mace, or a hilted lance. Their nimble fingers can manufacture a very fine ring mail armor that is 5 DEF, and they usually carry a round shield bearing a symbol of interlocking circles. Mounted Mastallion patrols are usually seen ranging well in advance of approaching Nubling tribal columns, searching out potential threats or trade opportunities. The close link between Nublings and their Mastallion make them effective cavalry, despite their diminutive size. TYPICAL NUBLING Val Char Cost Val Char Cost ----------------------------------------------------------------- 9 STR 0 2 PD 0 12 DEX 6 3 ED 0 14 CON 8 3 SPD 8 10 BODY 0 5 REC 0 10 INT 0 30 END 1 15 EGO 10 20 STUN -2 16 PRE 6 12 COM 1 Cost Abilities END ----------------------------------------------------------------- 13 Shrinking (10pts), Persistent, Always On, (12.5kg, -2 to others Sight Perception, +2 CV, +3” KB) 10 Mind Link, any clan Mastiff 5 +1 PD/ED Damage Resistance -- Heavy Fur 3 +1 w/ Single Weapon of Choice 1 Familiarity with Single Weapon 7 Danger Sense, Linked to Mind Link (11-) 3 Trading (12-) 9 Combat Driving, Navigation, Riding (11-) 5 Stealth 11- 3 Language: Nubling (Native), Regional (Fluent) Transport Familiarity: Wagon AK: Plains PS: Wagon Builder (8-) ES: Climbing, Concealment, Conversation, Deduction, Shadowing, Stealth -2 -1" Running (5" Total) -1 -1" Swimming (1" Total) 50+ Disadvantages ----------------------------------------------------------------- 10 Distinctive Features (Conceal with major effort) 5 Psych. Limitation: Afraid of being alone (Uncommon) 10 Psych. Limitation: Hate all felines (Uncommon, Strong) -19 Creature Bonus OCV: 4; DCV: 4; ECV: 5; Modifiers: +1; Phases: 4, 8, 12 Points = 38 + 56 = 94 = 44 + 50 -- Bob [[i--bl--e] at [eskimo.com]]