Beware the Kind Old Lady August 26, 2016 12:13 5 Comments

There is a legend circulating small towns in Evangless, where dastardly deeds are done. Children go missing and are never heard from again, and blood-curdling screams dominate the night. Many a townsfolk has lost hope as these somber places faced a dwindling population, until that fateful day Mrs. Goodrich arrived.

No one could quite say where she came from, only that she simply showed up in town one day wearing a modest gown of earthen colors. No one could think anything mean to speak, but something always seemed off about her. Her skin seemed dry and leathery, and yet no one could call her anything less than beautiful. She would sit at the local tavern, or mill about the town talking to the laborers. There was something about her voice; it was soothing and yet carried a hint of menace. No one could resist sharing their woes with her, as she seemed keen to listen and had plenty of sympathy to offer. This would go on for a few days, and then she would just as quickly depart without a trace. The next day, without fail, the missing townsfolk would be returned safe and sound. There would be tears of joy all around, and then the big question would be asked: What happened? This is what the survivors would say:

Locked up by a gathering of bandits, the prisoners wallow in their cells and ask themselves many questions. Suddenly the carousing would stop and the bandits would draw weapons, looking on in horror. One of the bandits had been strung up by his feet, his heart ripped neatly from his chest and stuffed in his mouth. Hushed swears would be exchanged, and suddenly another bandit would be found strung up the same way. The crowd would turn again, and one by one be thinned out by this invisible spectre. Some would try running, only to be seen moments later pinned to a wall with various sharp instruments, their heart in their mouth. The panic would rise and eventually only a few would remain: the leader and two more pawns. In quick succession the two would be dispatched, leaving the leader, pale with terror, glancing at a figure that seemed to appear out of nowhere. The scene that would follow often went unseen as the hostages would  cringe and look away, but every account recalls hearing something before the leader would meet his terrible fate: a voice  saying, “Eat your heart out, dearie.”

Mrs. Goodrich is a simulacron, designed long ago for unknown reasons. Few have been able to find out much from her, save that she is not fond of rudeness and she believes in personal hygiene before all else. Her specialties and augments can be found below:

Specialties
Soulless Blade (Frenzy): Spend 2 reflexive AP to deal a fatal effect rather than a wound effect.
Invisible Blade (Espionage): Light melee weapons cost 1 AP to use.
Phase Step (Agility): Move without being seen and unable to receive reflexive attacks unless the attacker rolls a Cunning vs your Agility.
Leave No Trace (Agility): Use Phase Step reflexively any time someone attempts to notice you.
Wall Runner (Agility): Run along walls for an additional AP cost to the move.
Staggering Strike (Overpower): For a weapon attack + 1AP, deal damage at one higher tier.

Augments
Weapon Mount
Hidden Blade

Thank you all for reading. If you would like to create a simulacron character of your own you can find the free PDF by clicking the image above! Please let me know what you think of this character concept in the comments below, and if you have any suggestions for a character build please comment as well. Until next time, Cheers and Gears!

Tommy Torpedo - A Fun Example Simulacron September 15, 2015 15:56

We were recently asked for an example Simulacron character. Spencer McAdams, whom we refer to as "Tephra Superfan #1," was up the for the challenge! May I present to you: Tommy Torpedo.

Physical Appearance
Tommy Torpedo is not named as such for his speed alone. This simulacron's entire frame is designed for aquadynamics. His rounded features rival even some small military water craft, and his posture gives him the look of a seasoned soldier. His facial features include dark sockets for eyes, and a slightly jutting jaw. Attached between his shoulder blades, he has a third arm with a four-pronged hand mounted. He has the emblem of the Evanglessian navy etched onto his chest and both forearms. He stands rather short, and has a thin but sturdy form about him.

His Story
No one is quite sure who built Tommy. He was found washed up on the shore near an Evanglessian naval base a few decades ago. When his rescuers noticed that he was breathing, and filled with essence, they began to suspect he was some abomination that was sent to destroy them. Those concerns melted away when Tommy stood up, cleared his throat, and spoke with the strongest stammer anyone had ever heard. He was just as scared as any of them, and so they brought him to base and took care of him.

Over the years, Tommy served the navy as a shipwright. He had displayed a strong knack for fixing anything he could get his three hands on, and he was the fastest swimmer anyone had ever seen, earning himself the surname Torpedo.

A few years ago, Tommy retired from the navy. He decided to make more productive use of his life, and to find out more about the person who built him. He is often seen in workshops, helping to fix things for a little extra money, as well as following the clues he has to go on.

He is not known for keeping money for very long. He usually spends it immediately on any necessities, or towards finding more information on his creator. Lips loosen with money.

Using Tommy in Combat
Tommy has a knack for fixing things, and so he will usually do what he can to repair someone else's automatons, vehicles, or whatever needs fixing. When he's not repairing things, he's using his military training, usually in the way of charging single targets and punching the living daylights out of them. If an opponent is being very problematic, Tommy will begin grabbing limbs with his two regular hands, and then punching them in the face with his third arm. Ultimately, Tommy knows his role: help out in any way.

Haven't caught Simulacrons yet? Check them out. They're life-changing!

Free Adventure Concept: She's Gonna Blow! April 26, 2015 23:30

Are you running out of freaking awesome adventure ideas? I know my well sure dries up on occasion... so here, have an adventure concept. Don't worry about paying me, this one's on the house:

She's Gonna Blow - Free Concept Adventure! 

Best Tephra Release EVER! April 1, 2015 21:07 1 Comment

It's April Fools' Day, so obviously that title is hyperbole.... right?

Well, not entirely.

I'm here to celebrate a few things! The biggest and most important is the smashing release of our newest free supplement, the Anti-Graviton Magic 12-ball! This little gizmo will introduce tons of physics-breaking awfulness into your already chaotic Tephra saga. If you didn't know how to ruin everybody's gaming experience before, this thing will surely do it! And the worst thing about it is that, when you read it, you'll start to think, "This thing is kind of legit. Maybe I should use it?" Then, you'll come to your senses and realize, "NOPE!" And you'll be right! 

Now that you've settled down from your excitement over the Magic 12-ball, what other exciting things are going on? 

Well.... what if I told you that we are now selling the Tephra Playing Guide? That's awesome, right!? Wait, you already have that? No no no no, I meant the PDF. Yep, the long-awaited Tephra Playing Guide is now in PDF form. Get it here!

What else could possibly be new? 

I'm glad you asked! 

You've always wanted Aether. I know you have. Well now's your chance: the 5-star awesome Aether system is now available in a surprisingly cheap PDF form. You should grab it here. 

By now you're wondering, "Daniel, is that all you have to talk about? New product? I'm not made of money, so stop trying to sell me things!" To which I respond: "Why then are you reading a blog on a webstore?" 

But let's put aside my inherent snarkiness and instead gaze over to the top right, where you will see a link labeled "Free Stuff!" in the navigation bar. Yep, that's free stuff. Nope, there's not much there right now. But there will be! For now, though, go enjoy decimating your sanity with the Anti-Graviton Magic 12-ball. And those other cool PDFs we have up for sale.