Back to Basics: Basic Fantasy!

Thanks to Erik Tenkar, Basic Fantasy will be getting some love today! While others can better describe the nifty little game, I thought I'd offer up a race from my upcoming Atlantis campaign setting! So without further ado, the Mer. (No, I never claimed to be creative...)

Back to Basics: Fantastic Races

Having recently rediscovered Basic Fantasy (a pseudo-retroclone that aims to combine the 'best bits' of various editions of D&D to get an oldschool feel with streamlined mechanics), I gave the game a read through, and after seeing the simple presentation of the races, I thought I'd try a few of my own. So without further ado, my fantastic races.



CENTAUR

Description: Centaurs appear to be half man, half horse, having the torso, arms and head of a man in the position a horse's head would otherwise occupy.  A centaur is as big as a heavy horse, but much taller and slightly heavier; average males are about 7 feet tall and weigh about 2,100 pounds, and females are just a bit smaller.  There is a 2% chance that any female centaur born will have traits similar to a Unicorn, including a horn which grows from the forehead.

Restrictions:  Centaur may become Fighters or Clerics.  They are required to have a minimum Constitution of 12.  Due to their large, somewhat inflexible frames, they may not have a Dexterity higher than 17. Female Centaur born with unicorn traits may become magic users.

Special Abilities:  All Centaur have Darkvision with a 60' range, and, in addition, receive a special Trample attack (As warhorse)

Saving Throws:  Centaur save at +4 vs. Death Ray or Poison, and +3 Paralysis or Petrify.

MEDUSAE

Description: Appearing as green skinned women with serpents in place of hair, the Medusae are the offspring of those individuals cursed by the serpent gods.

Restrictions:  Medusae may become Thieves or Magic Users.  They are required to have a minimum Int of 9.  Suffering from an aloof, cool nature, they may not have a Charisma higher than 17.

Special Abilities: Medusae possess a lesser version of their namesake’s horrific gaze. When not wearing spectacles of magically smoked glass, anyone meeting the Medusae’s gaze must make a successful save vs Paralysis, or be paralyzed for 1d4 rounds. This ability affects friend and foe alike. Using a mirror negates the ability, as per the monster entry.

Saving Throws:  Medusae receive no special bonuses to saving throws.

So there you have it. Not the most elegant presentation, and they could probably use a bit of play-testing, but for those interested, have at! :)