A supplement for 5e D&D that gives you everything you need to play great games in places adversely affected by magical forces.
Latest Updates from Our Project:
Update #27 The Arcanavore, a Weird Wasteland Monster Template
almost 2 years ago
– Wed, Jul 06, 2022 at 11:10:45 PM
Art & Writing Updates
Things are moving along nicely. We’re happy to report that all of the major art pieces are complete and we’re just finishing up some graphical design elements for the project.
On the writing side the fully manuscript is turned over to editing!
For our Patreons Episode 246 of the WebDM Podcast Jim and Emma talked about what they learned from writing Weird Wastelands, available on Patreon: Web DM Podcast 246 Game Design Noob Wisdom
Content Sneak Peak, the Arcanavore Template
Wasteland Monster Templates
The cataclysm that caused the apocalypse suffused the land with magical pollution that radically upset ecosystems across the world. Creatures not outright killed by the initial sweep of destruction died, proceeded by the thousands as they were poisoned by irradiated food and water. The only creatures left standing were those whose very beings were so mutated by the magical cataclysm, that they were able to survive and thrive in the newly devasted land. The templates provided show the mechanical changes that occur when a creature is mutated by the poisonous magic of the wasteland.
Arcanavore
In the Wastelands, food is scarce, but some areas are replete with ambient magic. A few creatures mutate to survive on magical energies, consuming it when they encounter it. Creatures mutated in this way are known as arcanavores.
Arcanovores
Arcanavore Template
You can create an arcanavore by making the following adjustments to the statistics of any creature.
Ability Scores. If the creature’s Charisma score is lower than 12, it becomes 12. The creature’s score now increases by 4. An ability score cannot be increased above 30 using this feature.
Hit Dice. The creature gains two additional Hit Dice and recalculates its hit point maximum using these Hit Dice.
Challenge Rating. The creature’s challenge rating increases by 2.
Traits. The creature gains the following traits.
· Devouring Attack. When the creature hits with another creature with a melee weapon attack, it chooses one spell of 3rd level or lower currently affecting the target and consumes it, ending the spell. If the chosen spell currently affecting the target is 4th level or higher, the creature must attempt a Charisma ability check (DC equals 10 + the spell’s level). On a success, the spell ends as the creature consumes it.
· Latent Spellcasting. The creature’s latent spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 8 + its Charisma modifier + its proficiency bonus). If the creature has consumed a spell in the last 24 hours, it can innately cast the following spells at their lowest level, requiring no material components:
o 1/day each: blur, expeditious retreat, false life, jump, see invisibility, shield
· Magic Resistance. The creature has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
· Magical Sight. The creature can sense the presence of magical effects within 120 feet of it, seeing a faint aura around any visible creature or object in the area that bears magic.
· Sustained by Magic. Whenever the creature consumes a spell, it regains hit points equal to the spell’s level + its proficiency bonus.
Proficiency. The creature’s proficiency bonus increases to match its adjusted challenge rating.
Actions. The creature gains the following action.
· Devour Spell. The creature chooses one spell affecting itself and consumes it if the spell is 3rd level or lower, ending the spell. If the spell is 4th level or higher, the creature must attempt a Constitution ability check (DC equals 10 + the spell’s level). On a success, the spell ends as the creature consumes it.
Reactions. The creature gains the following reaction.
· Consume Spell: As a reaction when the creature is the target of a spell and can see the caster, the creature consumes the spell if it is 3rd level or lower, causing it to fail. If the spell is 4th level or higher, the creature must attempt a Charisma ability check (DC equals 8 + the spell’s level). On a success, the spell fails as the creature consumes it.
Next-Steps
The next Kickstarter update will be August 6th or earlier.
Schedule Adjustment. We’re now moving toward a community PDF delivery in September; in addition the final PDF delivery is now scheduled for October. Apologies for the delays and thank you for your patience.
As Always,
We appreciate your patience and continued support!
Thank you for your continued support!
- Web DM and 2CGaming
KS Update #26 Factions and the Arcanotech Cabal Sneak Peek
almost 2 years ago
– Tue, Jun 07, 2022 at 08:19:37 PM
Every day we’re turning in and editing more and more content, both fantastic images and evocative words. The setting and mechanics are really coming together in a way that will highlight post-apocalyptic play in 5e. One of the ways we’re detailing the Weird Wastelands setting is by having several factions that your characters can interact with. Factions are something we’ve talked about on the WebDM channel and our Patreon (see the end of this post for resources).
One of the factions in Weird Wastelands is the Arcanotech Cabal. The world may have been turned to a wasteland, but the Arcanotech Cabal strives to use the magic that destroyed society to create a new and better life for...well...at least for themselves!! Today we’re shining a spotlight on this weird and nuanced faction:
Arcanotech Cabal
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
Organization: Decentralized mageocracy of semi-autonomous technomancer collectives
Motto:“Our mastery of arcanotech will surpass the glories of the past.”
The Arcanotech Cabal is a group of loosely allied technomancers, artifice-wizards, and alchemists dispersed into small collectives that prize their autonomy even as they pursue the shared goal of rebuilding civilization. Distant memories of the apocalyptic magical wars of the past cause the Cabal’s members to keep their identities secret and communicate with each other sparingly through proxies. If they ever fully unified, they would outnumber every other wasteland faction, but the Cabal’s internal divisions pose a serious hurdle to unification and their efforts to rebuild.
Creed
Members of the Cabal devote themselves to uncovering the arcane mysteries of the pre-apocalypse and using those resources to build a new civilization. They are secretive and guard their knowledge closely, even from other members. When travelling the wastelands, they pose as pilgrims or salvagers, so as not to draw unwanted attention to their activities.
The Arcanotech Cabal occasionally seek alliance with the Fellowship, especially when their goals are aligned. They also work with the Enduring Aristocracy, mainly because the undead nobles give the Cabal access to arcanotech resources. The Cabal is enemies with the Blood Harpy Legion because the Legion sees their use of arcanotech as too dangerous, and the Infernal Recruiters because the Cabal opposes their looting of wasteland treasures and enslavement of souls.
Resources
They can access nearly any non-legendary magic item given enough time and materials. Magic items created by the Cabal are arcanotech devices .
Technomancers and Arcanotech magi carry multiple arcanotech devices and at a minimum will have bracers of defense and a wand or staff to defend themselves with when encountered. Some non-spellcasting members of the Cabal wield magic weapons or drink the various potions provided to them by Cabal alchemists.
Membership
Cabal members tend to be living humanoid spellcasters, but there are some undead members who keep their unliving nature hidden. A fair number of members are not spellcasters and serve as the main field agents and informants of the Cabal’s spellcasters. The Cabal maintains large numbers of constructs which they primarily use to guard their hidden fortress-workshops.
Arcanotech Cabal faction member
Notable Figures
Here are some notable members of the Arcanotech Cabal.
• Gorasto (NE): A cunning half-orc arcanotech magus, Gorasto is the most influential leader in the Cabal and made the recovery of lost arcanotech wonders of the Last City of MAN popular with many other members. He maintains a network of loyal spies and informants unaffiliated with the Cabal and is accompanied by a retinue of demon-bound constructs and ambitious apprentices. Gorasto’s influence is the driving force behind the Cabal’s tendency towards division and secrecy as his many former students seek his approval at the expense of their peers.
• Lagren Tung (CN): Lagren is an unorthodox technomancer of unknown ancestry who leads a retinue of similarly independent-minded cabalists. They are at the center of a rapidly growing movement within the Cabal to oppose Gorasto’s secretive methods and use of bound demons. Lagren claims descent from the Cabal’s legendary founder, Barbarsus, Master of the Polyptych Schema and has many agents scouring the wasteland for their ancestor’s lost spellbook.
• Techanicus Supportus (LG): Techanicus is a priest and technomancer who leads a group of devoted followers on a holy mission of peace in the trenches of the Colossus of Rust. He claims to have received instructions from an ineffable clockwork god to bring peace to the warring constructs and incorporate the territory into the Republic of Autons & Man. Techanicus also claims that this mysterious god gave him the orb of peace, an arcanotech device capable of influencing constructs.
Arcanotech Cabal Creatures
The Arcanotech Cabal Creatures table presents a few creatures likely to work for or with the faction.
Arcanotech Cabal Creatures
CR Creature
1/8 Guard (MM)
1/2 Lookout (scout, MM)
1/2 Hired goon (thug, MM)
1 Field agent (spy, MM)
1 Scrap golem soldier (animated armor, MM)
2 Geas-sworn bodyguard (veteran, MM)
3 Remote viewer (will-o-wisp, MM) *
6 Technomancer (mage, MM)
7 Shield guardian (MM)
12 Arcanotech magus (archmage, MM)
13 Voltaic titan (storm giant, MM) *
16 Iron golem (MM)
*Creature type changed to construct
Arcanotech Cabal Spells
The majority of Arcanotech Cabal spellcasters practice technomancy, as described in the technomancy arcane tradition in chapter 1. Technomancers are the most common caster type in the Arcanotech Cabal. They use custom-crafted arcanotech devices to cast their spells and are almost always encountered alongside small constructs of their own creation.
Beam Thrower, an arcanotech device
A technomancer who has mastered technomancy is known as an arcanotech magus, a title for which the true meaning has long since been lost but remains an honor. Most arcanotech magi are reclusive, but some use their knowledge and influence to gather a large following of apprentices.
At the GM’s discretion, NPC technomancers and arcanotech magi may use the class features of the Technomancy arcane tradition.
Arcanotech magi and technomancers have their own sets of prepared spells which you can use instead of the default spells. Spells marked with * can be found in the spells section of chapter 1.
1st – color spray, fog cloud, grease, repair object*, shield
2nd – invisibility, quick fix*, scorching ray
3rd – assemble scrap golem*, dispel magic, fly
4th – fabricate, machine spirit*, phasic beam*
5th – animate objects, creation, wall of force
6th – chain lightning
7th – project image
8th – control weather
9th – prismatic wall
Arcanotech Cabal Random Encounters
Use the Arcanotech Cabal Encounters table to generate random encounters with the Arcanotech Cabal. Roll 2d6 once, and read the entries straight across to generate the creatures encountered and activity they’re engaged in, or roll for each column for more variety.
The next Kickstarter update will be July 6th or earlier.
Schedule Correction. We’re still moving toward a community PDF delivery in August; and the final PDF delivery is scheduled for October with physical deliveries starting in March of ’23.
As Always,
We appreciate your patience and continued support!
- Web DM and 2CGaming
May Update - The Sandstorm Abates
almost 2 years ago
– Mon, May 09, 2022 at 02:01:43 AM
With the air clear we can see Words and Art are pouring in!
We had to weather some storms (aka delays) at the beginning of the year, but things are clearing up, so thank you for your patience. Below we have a couple of new images to share and some content drafts we think will hold you over like a cool drink of water after traveling the wastes.
Alt Cover Art – Complete! And just…wow!
Here’s the final on the Alt Cover art and mockup of the Alt-Deluxe Cover for your pleasure.
Art by Wayne Reynolds
Reminder that if you want to upgrade or adjust your pledge to include the Deluxe-Alt cover, please let us know in the form here: https://forms.gle/MNL7eAauQ5SCjzpZ9
Deluxe Print - Alternate Cover (Mockup)
Sneak Attack!
Beware the dunes hold dangers that can surprise even a seasoned adventuring party and can swallow them whole if they’re caught unprepared!
Wilderness Survival by Ambrose Hoilman
Adventure Hooks from the Quest Deck sneak peek
The quest deck is an add-on or part of the collectors box, here’s a sample of the quests. You can still add it via Backerkit if these pique your sense of adventure. (Note that these are unedited).
Infernal Envoys
Faction: Infernal Recruiters
Hook: The devil commanders of the Recruiters want to formalize diplomatic relations with the court of the Eternal Sovereign. They require locals familiar with the territory to guide an infernal envoy and her entourage through the wastes to Enduring Aristocracy territory.
Encounters: Negotiating with the Recruiters, navigating arcane wastes to Enduring Aristocracy territory
Complications: The Eternal Sovereign's herald demands the envoy slay her mortal escorts.
Sovereign Absolution
Faction: Enduring Aristocracy
Hook: A mummified priest yearns for absolution in oblivion and seeks out someone capable of breaking the necromantic oaths to the Eternal Sovereign that prevent its permanent destruction.
Key NPCs: Repentant mummy
Encounters: Communicating with the priest, investigating the magic oaths, breaking the binding spells, destroying the mummy priest, evading the Eternal Sovereign's retaliation
Complications: The Eternal Sovereign turns his attention to the party and waits for them to drop their guard before striking back.
Next-Steps
The next Kickstarter update will be Saturday,June 4th or earlier.
Schedule Adjustment. We’re now moving toward a community PDF delivery in August; in addition the final PDF delivery is now scheduled for August. Apologies for the delays and thank you all for your patience.
As Always,
We appreciate your patience and continued support!
- Web DM and 2CGaming
March Update - New Cover Art Progress!
about 2 years ago
– Fri, Mar 11, 2022 at 03:44:00 AM
WASTELANDERS - IT'S TIME FOR ART!
Oh, do we have a show with art today! There has been so much progress here, it's astonishing. Let's get right into some tremendous updates - right at the top: the UPDATED DELUXE COVER ART
Tremendous In-Progress work for the Deluxe Alt Cover by Wayne Reynolds
If you (like everyone on the 2CG team) want to update your orders for the Deluxe Alternate covers of the WeirdWastelands project, please let us know through the form here. Include your name, Kickstarter email, and any notes you want to share and we'll ensure your order is updated before it all ships.
Mountains of Half-Finished Art
Amongst the wastelands are heaping piles of art for the WeirdWastelands project! Let us know in the comments below if there are any you'd like to see up-close and in high-detail and we're sure we can make that happen (though it might take some scrounging!).
Anything you want to see more of? Let us know in the comments!
With all this great art progress, let's talk a bit about schedules:
Next-Steps
The next Kickstarter update will be Sunday, April24, or earlier.
ScheduleAdjustment. We're going back and forth on some of the final changes for the manuscript, which will adjust its schedule slightly from the last update. We're currently planning for a community PDF delivery (fully formatted, copy edited, and in your hands for our final review) in June, 2022.
We did want to apologize for delays. There has been a lot of upheaval in the WebDM and 2CGaming teams through the development of this project, and we're sorry that's impacted the delivery on WeirdWastelands thus far. COVID cases and medical emergencies, moving and company structures - All of these have certainly contributed to delays on this project. We're nearly finished and really looking forward to getting WeirdWastelands in your hands!
Current Project Status Estimates
As Always,
If there are ever questions, comments, or concerns, please let us know via comments or direct messaging! Thank you again!
May the dice ever roll in your favor,
– Web DM and 2CGaming
January Update - Nearly Manuscript Complete!
over 2 years ago
– Mon, Jan 17, 2022 at 11:03:49 PM
Happy New Year, Wastelanders!
The latest update from the development of the weird, wondrous, and terrifying world of Weird Wastelands! Much of the work thusfar has been in writing and development, which is very nearly complete! We're expecting to finish up the manuscript by end of February (a light delay), while we push full steam ahead on the artwork.
Next-Steps
The next Kickstarter update will be Sunday, February27, or earlier.
ScheduleAdjustment. With the manuscript slightly behind schedule, the full PDF schedule will shift slightly as well - we're looking at a new target deliver date for the PDF of April (rather than March). We're expecting significant updates on art for this project (and we'll showcase the latest project tracker in the next update).
As Always,
If there are ever questions, comments, or concerns, please let us know via comments or direct messaging! Thank you again!
