Nod by Nod #8

Over at https://landofnod.blog/ you can find posts by John Stater called Dragon by Dragon where he reads through an issue of Dragon Magazine and gives his thoughts about it. I recently bought a big pile of NOD Magazine and thought I would return the favor and go through each issue similarly.

 

Nod #8 came out in April 2011 and details the region of Nod known as Mu-Pan, a land loosely based on Chinese and Japanese mythology.

It starts with a way to vary the fighter class to get some wuxia flavor. Just limit the benefit that armor can give you and take some special maneuvers. For example, if you limit the armor benefit to +8, you get only 1 special maneuver but if you limit the armor benefit to 0, you get 5 special maneuvers. There are 15 special maneuvers and range from deflecting missile attacks to mighty leaps to breaking objects in two. A nice, light touch to get some good flavor.

Next up is the wushen, which is a variant of the cleric class. It gets two special maneuvers, no limitations on weapons, a different spell list, and cannot wear armor. They are elemental priests and can cast fireballs and lightning bolts!

The bulk of the issue is taken up with describing Mu-Pan and its hexcrawl. Mu-Pan is the land of the dragons and was split into four kingdoms each led by dragons. Then the tiger people conquered them all and ruled for a while until they disappeared in the face of rebellion. Who knows what will happen now? More than 70 pages describe the different areas and the hexcrawl.

Then we get Monsters of Mu-Pan and Gods of Mu-Pan, all excellent additions. Interestingly, the gods are based off the stories of Lord Dunsany.

I enjoyed NOD #8 and want to read more. You can get the PDF of issue #8 at Lulu or in print at Lulu.

Nod by Nod #7

 Over at https://landofnod.blog/ you can find posts by John Stater called Dragon by Dragon where he reads through an issue of Dragon Magazine and gives his thoughts about it. I recently bought a big pile of NOD Magazine and thought I would return the favor and go through each issue similarly.

 

Nod #7 came out in February 2011 and begins with an article about Saint Valentinus and the Order of the Flowery Skull. It is a knightly order consisting of 12 knights (who are also bards) and also a grand master who all live in an abbey and are worshippers of St. Valentinus. The saint is given stats and a patron spell, Crown of Glory.

Next up is Antigoon, City of the Sun. It is located in Western Venatia (Nod #6) and has a Dutch republic theme with Germanic accents. The city is known for the arts and its scandalous aristocrats but they also have a sizable army and navy. A map with 51 locations is detailed.

We then get an article about fashion and how dressing well can give Charisma bonuses. Costs are given for many types of clothing and fabric too. 

Blackpoort, City of Thieves is next and it is also located in Western Venatia (Nod #6). It is a dirty city covered in soot and filled with thieves and the like. A map with 60 locations is detailed.

We then come to Pendemonium Part I which detailes the fallen angels Abigor (Grand Duke of Hell) and Adramelech (High Chancellor and President of Hell).

The crown jewel of Western Venatia (Nod #6) is Lyonesse, the Gleaming City. It is known for knights, ladies, chivalry, and feudalism. A map with 70 locations are detailed.

After that is The Cyclopeans, a new race for Pars Fortuna. They can read faces and peer into the future and also go into a battle fury. A cyclopean redoubt of 18 locations is detailed.

Lastly, Phanastes VI appears but again, with no RPG notes given.

The cities are the main draw here but the other articles give some good flavor to spice up your campaign world. Speaking of which, I just ran my 2nd session of a new campaign that I am basing in Nod. The PCs are starting in Eastern Venatia (Nod #4) and will most likely head west after dealing with a local bandit problem in the Viscouty of Xaphrei.

As always, I enjoyed NOD #7 and can't wait to read more. You can get the PDF of issue #7 at Lulu or in print at Lulu.