The Sandman

[torilen]

COMING SOON:

I've got a great idea for a Sandman character for HQ. His look is based on Neil Gaiman's
Sandman character...stats will be my own design.

I'll try to get it written up tonight and get to you all in a day or two. In the mean time, think
along these lines:
- Can put heroes to sleep
- Can make heroes dream, and get hurt in dreams
- Can make heroes hallucinate

Should be quite fun.

[cynthialee]

Got my interest.
He should be able to move through walls, under doors and across the ceilings...
Top Tier bad guy is my thought on immediate consideration.

[torilen]

Yes, definitely cynthia - I was thinking around the same level as Morcar and Mentor...
kind of a demi-god type character.

For looks, I'm thinking something of a mix between this:
http://www.jazjaz.net/2012/01/sandman-painting.html


And this (the picture right at the top there on the left):
http://www.comicvine.com/dream-of-the-e ... 005-11171/



With just a touch of this:
http://miguelregodon.deviantart.com/art ... -163503217

[torilen]

sandman

BP 8
MP 10
Move
- 7 walk
- 14 float (as cloud of mist)
- 14 float (as cloud of sand)

AD 1 (fist) or weapon (if desired - typically will be exotic type of staff, magical)
DD 6 (robes and inherent magical protections)
Other equipment: Amulets, wands, rings, magical boots, potions

Special - Sleep:
Can make use of Chaos Spell "Sleep" up to 6 times per quest
Hero must roll 6 on at least 2 dice to break spell

Special - Float:
Sandman can turn into a cloud of either mist or sand and float
as a movement. Turning into the cloud is instantaneous, as is
turning back into human shape. Sandman can use each of these
clouds twice per quest. While in cloud form, Sandman can move
through cracks and holes in the wall, as well as under doors
and through windows.

Special - Hallucinate:
Heroes must roll one red die for each Mind Point and must roll
a 6 on at least 2 dice to break or resist this spell. If the
spell is not broken or resisted, the effected hero will view
his companions as the most abundant enemy currently in view, and
will last until it is broken. The effected hero will not be able
to see his companions as they really are, nor will he be able to
hear anything they say - their voices will be heard as nothing
more than growls and screams. If no enemies are in view when the
spell is cast, it will have no effect.

Special - Dream:
If a hero is asleep, Sandman can cause him to dream any dream
he wishes. The hero must roll one red die for each Mind Point,
and must roll 6 on at least 3 dice to break the spell.
If the Evil Wizard wishes, this dream can be drawn out into full
quests. If not, simply treat as a combat - Sandman and Hero roll
combat dice equal to their respective mind points, though any
damage that would be caused reduces the heroes actual body points.
The hero does not roll attacks against Sandman.

[Teldurn]

Sounds really interesting, torilen! But I wouldn't put him on the same level as Mentor or Morcar/Zargon - simply because you gave him stats. If anything, I would say he ranks up there with the Witch Lord. Biggest baddest boss at the end of an entire quest pack.

[Big Bene]

Biggest problem I see here is that this is the Sandman - the embodiment of sleep and dreams (and that's why he is so powerful).
And the sandman is in general a benevolent entity - both in realworld tradition and in Neil Gaiman's graphic novels, which seems logical, as sleep and dreams are normally positive or at least neutral phenomena.
Why should the heroes fight the sandman?

[Anderas]

I like the entire concept as well as the implementation and i'll save a hyperlink to this for stealing without working future reference!

What about giving him 4 white shield defence dice instead 6 black shield defence dice? With that least you'd know that he rolls a shield from time to time.
What's the difference between the two clouds?

Mist cloud - goes through cracks and doors without problem;
Sand cloud - if you move "through" a sleeping hero, you do the "Dream" special with him?

The Sandman definitely needs a story arch. In the beginning, he could support the heroes, then turn to chaos for some reason, and be hunted by the heroes.

[torilen]

I hadn't really thought about a difference between the two different clouds, honestly. I had considered not adding the mist
cloud at first. I went ahead and added it in the end (obviously). Not really important. The only thing I could think of...and I think
this might have gone through my mind last night...is that sand would make noise as it moves as a cloud. The mist would not.

As far as him being good or chaotic - hadn't gotten that far with the idea yet. I completely agree with you assessment
BigBene. There would have to be some storyline behind it as to why they would fight him. Maybe he has some personal
agendas and the heroes just get in the way - maybe he doesn't fight them to kill them - just keep them out of the way
until he can do what he wants to do.

[cynthialee]

I think I have an idea that will put to rest the problem with using a traditionally good character as a villain:

{Insert NPC Name} the Evil Elf Sorcerer has chained Ole Lukøje (The Sandman of Folklore) in a mystic cage and stolen his power. The need for the heroes to defeat the new *Sandman* and release the powers of Ole Lukøje is tantamount. So long as the power of the sandman resides with {Insert NPC name} no one in the Realm will have pleasant dreams.

[Teldurn]

I think I have an idea that will put to rest the problem with using a traditionally good character as a villain:

{Insert NPC Name} the Evil Elf Sorcerer has chained Ole Lukøje (The Sandman of Folklore) in a mystic cage and stolen his power. The need for the heroes to defeat the new *Sandman* and release the powers of Ole Lukøje is tantamount. So long as the power of the sandman resides with {Insert NPC name} no one in the Realm will have pleasant dreams.

I would play this. Excellent idea, Cynthia.