Patron Monday (ish): Yephriel, the Iron Champion

I started this patron-a-week experiment two weeks ago... unfortunately, I haven't held to my schedule due to life-y kinda things. Anyway. Here's the second one. Not on Monday.

I also talked about patron generation methods -- a "process" to at least generate some ideas for invoke patron (and even spell) results over here and here.

Back when we were writing Angels, Daemons and Beings Between, Daniel and I were contemplating not just "lawful" patrons, but patrons of right and good. I came up with a couple, and Daniel's made it into the book: Lavariel, Angel of the Temple -- friggin' awesome lawful/good patron. I never finished either one of mine, but now I have.

Yephriel is directly inspired by a combination of the Colossus of Rhodes (in addition to being one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, it's also the subject of an interesting book by L. Sprague De Camp -- the Bronze God of Rhodes), the Iron Giant (because he's awesome), and general interest in
giant death-dealing robots.

Another little experiment with this one -- What if the particulars of the patron caused additional effects, both helpful and not so helpful, when spellburning? Dunno. Have a look see. Try it out. And as always, let me know what you think.

Yephriel, the Iron Champion

Patron Monday: Myrddin, Spirit of the Pits

Art by David Fisher @ Shinobi 27 Games

Way back near the beginning of DCC RPG, I wrote a book with +Daniel Bishop called Angels, Daemons and Beings Between. I don't link the book here because, even though I'm proud of our work, I'm not going to enrich a publisher that left his customers high and dry. It was a book of patrons for DCC, and it was a lot of damn work. Rewarding work, but a lot of work, all the same. I wrote... fifteen patrons for that book, of which only a few made it in. There had been talk of a second book, but the publisher flaked, folks were pissed and so it goes.

About a year ago, I was resolved to publish another patron book, both as an apology to the folks that got stiffed and in order to do something with all this damn content I wrote. That fell through in maddening fashion before it ever got off the ground. So, here I am, a stack of patron content and no where to put it.

And thus, you benefit.

I may throw all of these into a single free PDF eventually, or not. Otherwise, you should see... about 22 patrons over the next 22 weeks or so.

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I was contemplating "classes" of patrons while writing the first book. Not all patrons are all-powerful entities with universe-spanning powers. Some are local petty gods, spirits and demons with limited influence and power. These patrons are eager to see their influence grow through their cultists, and thus also may have certain secret rituals and artifacts that enhance or expand their power beyond their current limited range.

Myrddin was an example of a Minor Patron -- one with a limited geographic influence, only a few invoke patron results, no granted spells, etc.

As always, let me know what you think of this one. My goal is to publish one a week -- on Monday. Stay tuned for other weekly content (probably on Friday).

Myrddin, Spirit of the Pits (PDF)