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Saturday, May 04, 2019

Marks of Corruption (Dark Fantasy Tables)

So, I'm into making tables now. This is inspired Ravenloft, probably. Also, by the lack of enough "dark gifts" in Curse of Strahd, and DCC RPG before that, and WFRP even earlier... Always liked the idea that contact with the dark powers made you weirder, although I am having a hard time remembering actual books like that (except for Moorcock's Stormbringer, I think).

Anyway, roll a d20 and choose one of three options.

d20
Mark
1
Tongue. Bifurcated, long, or purple.
2
Teeth. Sharp, fangs, or horse-like.
3
Hands. Crooked, clawed, or tentacled.
4
Skin. Hairy, pale, or wet.
5
Eyes. Glowing, feline, or dilated pupils.
6
Wounds. Scars, open sores, or bleeding.
7
Feet. Cloven, inverted, or webbed.
8
Organs. Dilated, twinned, or pulsating.
9
Belly. Bulging, moving, or negative.
10
Additional parts (human). Arms, misplaced eyes, or misplaced mouths.
11
Additional parts (other). Tentacles, tail, or horns.
12
Bones. Deformed, apparent, or malleable.
13
Smell. Sulphur, death, or spice.
14
Mind. Hallucinations, rage, or despair.
15
Missing. Mouth, eyes, or hair.
16
Surrounded. By insects, smoke, or worms.
17
Scary. To small animals, children, or horses.
18
Rotting. Sours milk, ages plants, or spoils wine.
19
Limbs. Too long, too articulated, or too thick.
20
Torso. Too fat, too thin, or too muscular.

Notice that most of these marks are useful. The dark powers take care of their own... in a way. Strange eyes will give you night vision or infrared vision. Fangs and claws are useful in a fight. Malleable bones and wet skin might help you escape. Etc.


This list is pretty mild and concealable... maybe make a list of extreme corruption next?


Update: I collected this table and more in my book Dark Fantasy Characters. Check it out!

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