Ruins & Ronin (1st edition) in print again.

OK, the proof arrived today and it looks good. So Ruins & Ronin is available in print again. This is the same version as the old one, so if you have it already - no need to order again the only update was to credit Scot Hoover. 

Get it here (or in the sidebar link).

Updating an old favorite (new monster for Delxue Ruins & Ronin)

Today I am dusting off the old monster, Jorogumo. This was my favorite monster from the first version of Ruins & Ronin and I still have a strong attachment to her (pun intended). This is the spider demon, and this time around I have made her more powerful (on par with a hill giant in regards to design) and allowed her web attacks in both spider or human form. Deadly.

Jorogumo (Spider Demon)
No. Appearing:	1
Alignment:	Chaotic
Movement:	90' (30')
Armor Class:	5
Hit Dice:	8
Attacks:	4
Damage:	2d4 or special
Save:	Bushi 10
Morale:	10
Hoard Class:	XVIII
XP	2,000

Jorogumo are large, ancient spiders than can take the shape of a beautiful woman. They typically make their homes  in deep pools or near waterfalls (though they are not confined to water). These shape-changers use entangling webs to drag victims into their underwater lairs. A Jorogumo’s web attacks are treated as missile weapons with a range of 30ft; anyone hit by a web must make a saving throw vs. dragon breath, to avoid becoming stuck. Once a victim is entangled, the Jorogumo drags it 5ft per round (the victim can make a saving throw each round to break free). The web can be attacked as an object with an AC 6 and 4 hps – but not by the entangled victim.

In the form of a woman, the Jorogumo can cast Charm Person twice a day.

A discussion of the Spirit Realms and another new beast for Deluxe Ruins & Ronin

I am providing more substance in regards to setting with the new version of Ruins & Ronin, and hope to provide some elements of that in the upcoming posts over the next few months (while I develop them). The setting (the mystical island empire or Ryuku) is an island split between the "real" world (the material plane) and an encroachment of the spirit realms. A struggle (some would say "eternal") between Law and Chaos.

Each city, castle town, and village have torii gates that mark the line between the two realms. Outside of these localized realms of "law", there is the wild lands of chaos, where spirit creatures have free reign and hold court in a mockery of the civilized lands of the Empire of the Eternal Sun.

As such, a Gakusho (and to some extent Sohei) play a very critical role in adventuring parties, as they have the ability to "banish" spirits. So they become extremely powerful as they gain in levels in dealing with creatures in the wild beyond the torii gates....

Today I present another beast from the upcoming book...

Chimi (Mountain Spirits)
No. Appearing:	2d8 (2d8x10)
Alignment:	Chaotic
Movement:	120' (40')
Armor Class:	7
Hit Dice:	1+1
Attacks:	1
Damage:	weapon
Save:	Bushi 1
Morale:	9
Hoard Class:	XIX
XP	15

Chimi are chaotic spirits that haunt mountains, forests, and swamps. They have bestial faces with humanoid bodies. They feed on carrion, but are not above eating live food as well if given the chance and they have the numbers to overcome any potential victims.  They will use every trick available to lure unsuspecting victims to their doom in their remote natural lairs.

Deadly fungus among us, a new monster for Deluxe Ruins & Ronin

Kinoko-Busho (Mushroom Warriors)
No. Appearing:	2d4 (2d8)
Alignment:	Chaotic
Movement:	120' (40')
Armor Class:	5
Hit Dice:	2
Attacks:	1 + special
Damage:	weapon + special
Save:	Bushi 1
Morale:	12
Hoard Class:	None
XP	40

These “mushroom-men” are zombie-like humans that have been infected by a terrible fungal virus that eats the victim from the inside out and takes over control of the motor functions. The virus causes the skin to turn rubbery and porous, and develops a bark-like skin to protect itself.

In combat, if they are hit and damage is caused, they will release a cloud of spores into the air and any person within 10’ of the Kinoko-Bushi must make a save versus poison or they will be infected with the virus. The virus takes 1d6 days to convert the victim into a walking “mushroom-man”, they can be cured if a Cure Disease spell is cast upon the victim before the virus converts them.

Who is in that palanquin?

Working on some random tables to add to the Deluxe Ruins & Ronin project and tonight's entry was sparked by watching The Sword of Doom (and if you haven't seen this movie, you really should). 

So, roll 1d12 twice and find out....

Who is in that palanquin?
d12 Roll	Person	Destination
1	Courtesan	Secret rendevous
2	Merchant	Pilgrimage
3	Young Boy	Being kidnapped
4	Gakusho	On run from someone
5	Samurai	Home
6	Daimyo	Leaving town
7	Kensei	Brothel
8	Ninja	Tea house
9	Oni	Gambling den
10	Outlaw	Noble's house
11	Noble Woman	Temple / Shrine
12	Empty	Docks

Ruins & Ronin Update & News

We are currently waiting on the proof copy of the original Ruins & Ronin to arrive through Drive Thru, once that is back and we are happy with it, it will be available in print again. Just a note to anyone who already has a copy, this copy is the same except for the addition to the acknowledgements of Scot Hoover who contributed some great magic items over on the Swords & Wizardry forums back in 2009/2010. I apologize again for missing his name in my first edition.

In other news, I am working on an updated Ruins & Ronin, tentatively called Deluxe Ruins & Ronin. This edition will use Labyrinth Lord as the base system and there will be changes to the classes (some new, some remain the same). My current thinking is to make this book a 6x9 digest sized hard cover.

This version will have art, unlike my first book (when I could only afford a cover image). I also plan to add domain (high level) play material such as building castles, monthly & yearly event tables, and new spells, monsters, and magic items.

I plan to use the blog to keep regular updates of my progress, and will post sneak peeks from time to time. Today, I present the Gakusho class. The new priest class, this is a final draft (and test of my layout for 6x9 in InDesign).

The art is just a filler from a google image search - and will not be used in the book.

I am really excited to be working on a personal project again (in addition to the layout work I am doing for Hydra Cooperative).

Ruins & Ronin available again.

Ruins & Ronin is now available on Drive Thru RPG after joining under the Hydra banner. Stay tuned for more R&R stuff in the future...


Buy it here.