Goodman Games

This is a patron I developed over time in my home campaign. The game has become inactive because of work schedules. I did a patron swap with a member from the forums and received some good advice about making Alkivasha better. The original intent was to create a beholder combined with an ooze. However upon reflection I think that I have half of two patrons combined into one. I have started to separate the two halves and finish them off as two new patrons. This will take awhile since I'm only working on it in my spare time and I don't have much lately. I'm posting the original Alkivasha for your enjoyment. Let me know what you think.

Does anyone that downloaded this patron have any feedback?

I'll try to give it a lookover later this week, and give you some feedback on the weekend.

I've had a busier weekend than expected. The flavour text works well. More on the meat and potatoes when I have a chance.

I am personally fond of what you've done here, incorporating one of the most iconic and beloved of creatures in fantasy rpg into a DCC patron. I too think the journal entry makes good background, and is indeed slightly reminiscent of HP Lovecraft... One thing I am unclear of however is Alkivasha's role as patron. If he was a human, and became the mad thrall of the first eye, then shouldn't that unnamed aberration be the true patron? After all, I believe the core book states (implies maybe?) that humans, (i.e. PC's) never become patrons, I'm looking at you Van Der Danderclanden. In any case patrons are always supernatural entities, and occasionally lesser deities, minor enough to deign consortium with mortals.

Anyway, I think you did a really fine job, and placed a lot of thought in composing the various spells, patron taints, bond results etc. The only thing that remains for me is to insert an NPC of Alkivasha's into the scenario for one of the characters to encounter, and hopefully , place themselves under the domination of the first eye...

Thank you for the kind words. I can see how that is confusing. The Mage Alkivasha was the first human to make contact with the patron long ago. He started the first cults and did his patrons bidding until his death. Over the ages the cult of the first eye fell out of favor. The name Alkivasha was mistakenly translated and used to describe the first eye in recent times. The patron prefers to keep his true name a secret and never bothered to correct this new generation of worshipers. He is now Alkivasha.

Zargon wrote:After all, I believe the core book states (implies maybe?) that humans, (i.e. PC's) never become patrons, I'm looking at you Van Der Danderclanden.

Tell that to Sezreken.

Raven_Crowking wrote:

Zargon wrote:After all, I believe the core book states (implies maybe?) that humans, (i.e. PC's) never become patrons, I'm looking at you Van Der Danderclanden.

Tell that to Sezreken.

Or not. He is cranky about his humble, mortal origins...

I actually like that bit of backstory. It perpetuates the notion that the secret of tyrants lies in subjugation through ignorance. Language is a powerful lively, and mystical medium. Only with the passage of time do old words, meanings, names and reputations transfer themselves to new and often contradictory existences. Something of nither-worldly origin, something that was nearly timeless would surely take advantage of this natural trait of mortal thralls, how much better to disguise true purpose, to encrypt knowledge, and obfuscate the true pronunciations of an arcane spell?! "Oh great and awful, vile lord, we propitiate thee!" how much more efficient to maintain the rod and wield the lash then to utilize the naturally existing channels offered across generations of mortal slaves?

I actually forgot about Sezreken, who is indeed a patron. In my mind of minds patrons are always otherworldly beings, not just older and more powerful wizards. Entities like Nagash and Vecna similarly transcended their mortal vessels, such arcane exoduses are indeed fascinating and full of power. I think it would be even more interesting if the peasant born mortal was merely a phase in the existence of something extra-dimensional that numbers its passing existence not in the birth of spring seasons, but in the death of stars.

Don't forget that the core rules suggest that ghosts might be patrons; I used this idea in Prince Charming, Reanimator and Creeping Beauties of the Wood.