Tag: enemies

Inktober #1: Exalted Crystal

Posted on October 1, 2021 by eczarnik

The Exalted Crystal demands your praise.

Beware: The Exalted Crystal wants to crystallize its brilliance into your consciousness!

This enemy idol, who lives in the hills, is a massive chunk of crystal and condensed gravel rubble. Due to years of self-worship, It views itself as a tall wall and an invincibly strong fortress, and it demands that passersby praise its shininess. But the Holy Tongue Society refuses to comply!

The Exalted Crystal is based on the shoresh root גבש and its broader family, calling upon themes of crystals, rubble and exaltation.

Inktober is starting up again, and that means I’m working hard on a new batch of characters, monsters, items and more for the Milhamah: Fighting Words video game/RPG series. I’m looking forward to running at least 31 concept sketches this month, and I already have several spare ones I hope to additionally send out. The Exalted Crystal is based on the month’s first theme: crystal.

I’ll write up some stats and abilities for this character soon. If you like what you see, check out some of the progress I’ve made on the Milhamah tabletop RPG I’ve been working on!

Growing Excrescence remains at large

Posted on June 25, 2021 by eczarnik

Excrescence is a coagulated tumor.

The Growing Excrescence may look like a terrifying teratoma, and that realization will only grow on you over time!

This coagulated glob of skin, braided hair and more has the tumorlike power to enlarge itself several times over, crushing obstacles in its path as it bounds around. It tends to guard areas Beli Ya’al wants protected, including areas around the Migdal Bavel tower as well as the Ilan Tree.

The Growing Excrescence is largely based on the גדל shoresh root, dealing with growth and magnification. Fight it yourself in Milhamah RPG, or eventually in the Milhamah video game!

Milhamah RPG stats

Shoresh: גדל
Gematria: 37
Type: Abomination
Rarity: Silver or Onyx
Size: Large
Liability Points: (4DN * 2) or 24
Merit Points: 2
Law Points: 0
Stats: DOM 4D, VIG 3D, GRA 1D, CRE 1D, WIS 1D, PEA 3D, BLE 1D
Skills: None
Domain Tags: Growth, Disease
Standard Equipment:
Habitat: Migdal Bavel, Ilan Tree, Bavel strongholds
Personality: Bounds aimlessly, either by itself or in small clusters.  (For number, may roll 3DN, pick lowest number. Wild = 1)

Basic Attacks:

  • Braided Hair (גדל): Qal stance, Whiplike hair lashes at the target.
    • To Hit: DOM at close range.
    • Damage: Success Margin +0D bashing or slashing damage. (User’s pick)

Speech Acts:

  • Eminent Expansion (גדל): Qal stance, Grows in size by three to seven times. Becomes heavier, stronger and more durable.
    • The Norm: On average, this speech act has a cost of 1 MP, takes one item with relevant semantic domains to prepare, takes 30 seconds to do and covers the user’s self. It lasts 3 minutes.
    • Noncombat To Hit: Roll VIG for expert (4S) base difficulty.
      • If success: Increase Size by 1 rank, +1D VIG, +1D DOM, +1 Armor
      • On natural success: Increase Size by 2 ranks, +3D VIG, +3D DOM, +2 Armor
      • If failure: Nothing happens, or the user grows a tiny bit and then shrinks back to normal. On botch, the user may shrink: Decrease Size by 1 rank, -1D VIG, -1D DOM, -1 Armor (if user has Armor)

Allon Ilan goes out on a limb

Posted on May 2, 2021 by eczarnik

Allon Ilan harbors the arbor.

Allon Ilan is a freelance forest ranger hired by the Bavel Macrostructure to secure the Ilan forest’s giant tree, which Bavel believes to be related to the original Syntax Tree, Taḥbir. The tree is rumored to hide the Alp foundation letter.

Ilan commands the forest’s Idol Oaks and Battering Rams. He dons a pair of deer antlers and has a tiny oak tree growing out of his seemingly hollow head. While Allon Ilan may look like a fool, watch out for his mighty terebinth club!

Allon Ilan is based on the אול shoresh root and family, which governs deer, oaks, strength, foolishness and wooden clubs.

Milhamah RPG stats

Shoresh: אול
Gematria: 37
Type: Human, plant
Size: Medium
Liability Points: (3DN * 2) or 28
Merit Points: 3
Law Points: -2
Stats: DOM 3D, VIG 2D, GRA 2D, CRE 3D, WIS 1D, PEA 3D, BLE 2D
Skills: Wilderness +2D, Surveillance +1D
Special Abilities:

  • Summon Idol Oak: Use 2 Merit Points; roll 3DN; take lowest number X to summon X Idol Oaks.
  • Strong Antler: Use 1 Merit Point; DOM+1D melee attack. Close or medium range if attacker can physically run to target.

Equipment: Terebinth Club: +2D VIG close melee attack.

The Idol Oak demands worship

Posted on May 1, 2021 by eczarnik

The Idol Oak demands worship.

The Idol Oak is a gnarled, withered husk of wood that demands worship and submission from the ‘Ivrit Revival Movement. This enemy most frequently dwells in the Ilan forest, but sprouts near the Ulpan when the Bavel Macrostructure tries to invade it.

While the creature is as dumb as a stump, its spiritual abilities come from the Kena’ani masks that surround it, as well as an old Edomi idol that dwells within and gives it life. The Idol Oak is frequently the subject of nature worship among the nations.

Like the Battering Ram and the Dumbkuchen, the Idol Oak is based on the אול shoresh root. This character takes inspiration from the root’s ties to trees, oaks, stupidity, wickedness and idolatry. Look forward to seeing this monster in the Milhamah RPG and video game!

Milhamah RPG stats

Shoresh: אול
Gematria: 37
Type: Plant, construct
Size: Medium
Domains: Ilan Tree, Ulpan Academy, Ketef Hinnom, forests, temples

Liability Points: 3DN or 11
Merit Points: 0
Law Points: -3 (Evil)

Stats: DOM 1D, VIG 2D, GRA 0D, CRE 1D, WIS 0D, PEA 1D, BLE 1D
Abilities: Thick Thicket (Pi): Attacks with VIG+1D; opponent must defend with WIS. Causes confusion on critical hit.
Equipment: None
Loot: Oak wood

The Violators take what they want

Posted on March 25, 2021 by eczarnik

The Violators are a band of traitors who joined forces with the Kittim mercenaries.

The Violators are a band of vicious criminals who grew up in the ‘Ever region. But given their existing outlaw status, they rejected ‘Aravah ‘Ivrit‘s side in the Milḥamah war, turned terrorist and backed the predicted winner: the Bavel Macrostructure.

Violators are loosely inspired by the the Sons of Light’s enemies, the “Violators of the Covenant,” in the Dead Sea Scrolls’ apocalyptic 1QM scroll. In the Milhamah video game, they’re enemies who invade the Ulpan Academy while grabbing onto and stabbing heroes.

The Violators are based on the אנס shoresh root, which deals with force and compulsion. This gang has a reputation for depraved war crimes, and the ruckus from their marching boot sandals threatens disaster and strikes fear in civilian hearts everywhere.

Fight these evil foes soon in the Milhamah RPG and video game!

Milhamah RPG stats

Shoresh: אנס
Gematria: 111
Gender: Usually male, sometimes female
Size: Medium
Type: Humanoid

Liability Points: 5 
Merit Points: 0
Law Points: -3 (Evil)*

DOM: 3 VIG: 2 GRA: 2 CRE: 1 WIS: 1 PEA: 1 BLE: 1

Use of Force (אנס)
Range: Touch
Area: None
Duration: 2 turns
Effect: Grapples target. Upon hit, target is damaged DOM+1D per turn grappled.

Compulsion (אנס)
Duration: 3 turns
Effect: A dark miasma surrounds and charms the target to fight on this character’s behalf.

Equipment: Calamity Boots

* While this character’s Hoq is not negative, he/she may not use any אנס abilities.