This is an idea that is heavily inspired by Dorohedoro, an excellent series that you should watch if you have Netflix and/or like anime. There is also a manga, which I hear is good but haven't read myself.
I've been trying to create a Wizard/Magic-User type enemy that is alien, yet human, something that understandable enough but still has enough distance from the players that they wouldn't feel bad slaughtering them.
These Wizards would also fit very well into a setting like this, provided you swap out the Sci-Fi elements for magic and sorcery.
But they aren't human, at least, not fully. They are strangers from another place, with the power to manipulate reality simply by willing it. They are Wizards- creatures not of this world.
What they want is often unknown, but what they do is fairly understandable. They come seeking things from your world sometimes, things that cannot be obtained where they are from. Or they come looking for prey- either to kidnap and take back with them or to simply use here. They are known to use the inhabitants of your world for magical experimentation, much of it cruel. They come for amusement- either profane and terrible or simply mundane.
Note: I'm going to use "He" to refer to the Wizard, but you can obviously have female Wizards.
To customize a Wizard's appearance, roll on the tables below:
This Wizard is a...
1d2
1- A male. He appears to be 1d4 [1= A young boy, barely on the cusp of adolescence; 2= A strong, splendid youth; 3= An older man, but still in sublime shape; 4= An older man, anywhere from his fifties to his eighties.]
2- A female. He appears to be 1d4 [1= A prepubescent girl; 2= A teenage girl, growing into womanhood; 3= A woman in the full flower of her youth and beauty; 4= A mature woman, anywhere from her fourties to her sixties.]
The Wizard is dressed in a...
1d8
1- Suit and Tie.
2- A graphic T-shirt and shorts.
3- A full body leather suit that resembles bondage gear.
4- A tracksuit with a brand name you've never seen.
5- A military uniform that 1d3 [1= Resembles one you might find Around Here; 2= Was used by a local or familiar military decades or centuries ago- looks like something a cosplayer or reenactor would wear; 3= Is clearly a military uniform, but is unfamiliar in design to you.]
6- A print shirt, unbuttoned with a tank top underneath.
7- A long-sleeved robe that hangs down to the ankles.
8- A jacket or outer dress with lots of frills and lace.
The Wizard also has...
1d6
1- Blood-stained bandages wrapped around his arms or legs.
2- Handcuffs or shackles on.
3- A wide slit in his clothing, revealing his chest or legs.
4- Tons of jewelry: rings, earrings, bracelets, all in amounts far more than normal.
5- Tattoos covering a large amount of his body, likely (50%) the Wizard also has a large amount of exposed skin, to show off his ink.
6- A large metal plate in their skin or on their clothing, displaying a slogan.
What kind of mask does this Wizard wear?
1d12
1- A Skull mask (50% it covers only the bottom half of the face, 50% it covers the whole head.]
2- A gimp mask.
3- An animal mask. The animal is a 1d8 [1= Dog; 2= Horse; 3= Rooster; 4= Tiger; 5= Giraffe; 6= Wolf; 7= Fox; 8= Cat.]
4- A domino mask over the eyes.
5- A jester or clown mask.
6- A masquerade mask.
7- A motorcycle helmet.
8- A gas mask.
9- A full face mask with lenses for the eye built in.
10- A carved and painted wooden mask.
11- A Halloween mask of 1d6 [1= A famous serial killer/slasher movie character that you are familiar with; 2= A zombie; 3= A monster clown; 4= A grotesque person; 6= Goblin; 6= A famous political figure that you are familiar with.]
12- A featureless white mask.
Sidebar:
All Wizards wear masks at all times, unless they are trying to blend in or are in an intimate setting. In all other circumstances, a Wizard will treasure his mask and never relinquish it, unless doing so would mean dying. Each mask is unique, each one being customized by the Wizard themselves, and can be a good hint about what kind of person he is.
End Sidebar
Wizard of the Otherworld
HD Varies, see below
AR Varies, see below
Atk Weapon Attac (x2) or Magical Attack (x1)
Mor 6+HD
Saves (7+HD) or less
Sorcery: Wizards of the Otherworld have innate magicks that enable them to control an aspect of creation. To cast magic, a Wizard of the Otherworld needs only think of what they want to do and roll 1d20. Depending on how hard a task is, the higher the Wizard must roll. For an easy task, the DC is 5. For a medium or moderately difficult task, 10. For a difficult task, 15. For an extremely hard task, 20. On the roll of a 20, the Wizard automatically succeeds, unless the task they are attempting is impossible. On a roll of 1, the Wizard automatically fails and has their magic turned back on them.
Portals: All Wizards of the Otherworld have the power to open portals that can take them from any location on the world they have traveled to back to the point in their otherworld that they entered from. These portals take the form of doors that can be opened or closed by any normal creature, once created, which takes an action. Once a portal is shut, it disappears and a new one must be created. But as long as it is open, any creature that passes through can travel to the same destination the Wizard wishes to go.
Tactics:
- Gauge the strength of your opponents, determine if magic is necessary
- Use magic if an opponent is weak, or if too powerful to be otherwise overcome
- Never let yourself be killed or taken alive, always retreat if in danger
To customize a Wizard's statblock, roll on the tables below:
How strong is this Wizard?
1d4
1- Weak. This Wizard has 3 HD. His magical attacks do 1d8 damage and his weapon attacks do 1d6 damage. His attack bonus is +0.
2- Mid-Tier. This Wizard has 1d4+3 HD. His magical attacks do 1d10 damage and his weapon attacks do 1d6+2 damage. His attack bonus is +1.
3- Strong. This Wizard has 1d6+2 HD. His magical attacks do 1d12 damage and his weapon attacks do 1d8 damage. His attack bonus is +2.
4- Powerful. This Wizard has 1d6+4 HD. His magical attacks do 2d6 damage and his weapon attacks do 1d8+2 damage. His attack bonus is +3.
How does this Wizard primarily fight?
1d3
1- With his magic. He carries either a 1d6 melee or ranged weapon, but primarily relies on his magic, keeping that only as a back-up.
2- Melee combat, either unarmed or with a weapon. He is armed with a 1d6 [1= Ornate sword; 2= Pair of Tonfa; 3= Nunchucks; 4= Collapsing Staff; 5= Pair of long knives; 6= Ordinary tool repurposed as a weapon, e.g. a frying pan, carpenter's hammer, cricket bat.]
3- Ranged combat, weapon varies depending on the Wizard. He is armed with a 1d4 [1= Gun; 2= A bow or crossbow; 3= A wand; 4= A musical instrument that channels magic.]
What is the Wizard protected by?
1d8
1- Fighting Experience. The Wizard can parry 1 attack per round, either with his magic or with a weapon.
2- Normal Armor. The Wizard wears armor that gives them AR 3.
3- Enhanced Agility. The Wizard, unless being attacked from surprise, adds double his or her DEX modifier to any defense rolls (min +2).
4- Enhanced Toughness. The Wizard takes -1d4 damage from all non-magical sources.
5- Passive Magical Defenses. The Wizard's magic automatically activates in response to them being attacked. If the Wizard is attacked, roll 1d20. If the roll exceeds the attack roll, the attack is automatically nullified.
6- Regeneration. The Wizard regenerates 1d6 HP a round. There is a way to retard or slow this regeneration, but it is secret.
7- Damage Immunities. The Wizard cannot be harmed by sources that do 1d4 [1= Sharp (cutting, slashing, ripping); 2= Bludgeoning; 3= Ballistic; 4= Burning] damage.
8- Specific Death Condition. The Wizard cannot die unless 1d8 [1= He is decapitated; 2= All his limbs are cut off (while he is still alive) and later buried in separate locations; 3= He is burned to death and his body is reduced to ash and bones; 4= He is flung from a great height and dies on impact; 5= He is drowned; 6= He is strangled with not a drop of his blood being spilled; 7= He is killed by someone who has never taken a life before; 8= He is poisoned.]
What type* of magic does this Wizard do?
1d20
1- Fire. This Wizard can command fire. This Wizard carries some means of starting fire, even if it's unnecessary. Additionally, they also likely wear at least some protective clothing.
2- Ice. This Wizard can command ice, freezing and melting it at will. This Wizard is warmly dressed, no matter the occasion. Alternatively, they might prance around in barely any clothing, as cold cannot touch them.
3- Water. This Wizard can command water, pulling it out of the atmosphere or living creatures. This Wizard may be wearing a bathing suit, or hydrophobic clothing.
4- Earth. This Wizard commands earth, stone and sand. This Wizard wears flowing, intricate robes that never get dusty or dirty.
5- Metal. This Wizard controls metals, both worked and unworked. This Wizard wears at least one prominent piece of metal jewelry, and likely has several piercings.
6- Wind. This Wizard controls the wind and the air, creating blasts of air, pushing himself or others in different directions and being able to reduce fall damage for himself or others. This Wizard wears tightly fitted, perhaps skin-tight fabric that won't flap around in the breeze. Anything that could be buffeted about is tearaway- such as a cloak or trailing ends of a headband.
7- Love. This Wizard can manipulate people's feelings, making the creature feel more or less fondness for someone or something else. Charm magic. This Wizard is dressed to the nines, no matter the occasion.
8- String/Cloth/Robe. This Wizard can manipulate cloth, string, rope and fabric, anything made of fibers woven together. This Wizard's clothing is widely impractical, but can be changed or rearranged at will.
9- Smoke. This Wizard can manipulate smoke and fog, altering temperature, thickness and amount. This Wizard constantly smokes.
10- Sword/Cutting. This Wizard can cut things apart with little more than a gesture. This Wizard may carry a sword, or may use some other item to cut things, such as playing cards, origami or ribbons.
11- Light. This Wizard can manipulate light, firing lasers, blinding creatures, and creating illusions. This Wizard wears sunglasses, no matter how dark it is outside.
12- Shadow. This Wizard can manipulate darkness, hiding himself, turning invisible or drowning creatures in liquid shadow. This Wizard is edge central, with lots of leather, superfluous zippers, fancy belts and strategically ripped clothes.
13- Wood. This Wizard can control wood, worked or unworked. Beware of trees. This Wizard wears wooden jewelry or leans on a wooden cane.
14- Blood/Bone/Flesh. This Wizard can control bones, flesh, and blood, either his own or other people's. This Wizard is in perfect physical health and his body is stunningly beautiful.
15- Mind/Thought. This Wizard can control thoughts, memories and minds, being able to convince people the Wizard's idea was their own or simply stealing their free will. This Wizard has a third eye tattooed or drawn on his forehead.
16- Lightning/Electricity. This Wizard commands lightning and electricity. No electronics survive an encounter with him. This Wizard wears silver jewelry and carries a rod or cane with a metal core.
17- Plants. This Wizard commands plants, from the humble daisy to the towering oak. The flower on his lapel? It's alive.
18- Space. This Wizard commands space, shrinking and growing objects, teleporting himself or others and moving with great ease. The Wizard has a pair of earrings on that look like ornate buildings in glass bulbs. If you look closely, you will find that these buildings are real, and full of tiny people.
19- Time. This Wizard commands time, slowing or speeding up things around him, altering his position, finding out where you will be in the future, etc. This Wizard is extremely powerful, but this powers come with limits. He must be cautious, or else he could undo his own existence. This Wizard wears multiple watches and is constantly fussing over a schedule.
20- Void. This Wizard commands the Nothing, the space between things, and that which does not or no longer exists. This Wizard is barely noticeable, unless he is acting against you. He just seems unimportant and you have to resist the urge to ignore him.
*If you are playing a game with a lot of these types of Wizards, I recommend making their magic types more varied or specific, such as instead of just "Light" in general, perhaps the Wizard can only make hard-light constructs, or their fire magic is a thin laser that can cut through objects and burns like an acelytene torch lasers of various types, or etc.
Into the World of Wizards:
If you follow a Wizard through a portal, what do you find on the other side?
1d4
1- A series of blank white corridors with endless doors. Men in milk-white robes and featureless masks, carrying arm-loads of paperwork and bulging folders walk these halls, entering or exiting through the doors seemingly at random. Those wearing masks, as long as they do not disturb the transportation of these papers, will be ignored and allowed to enter or exit doors at will. Those who cause trouble or kill the men in white will have the unpleasant experience of meeting Security.
2- A maze of doors, being guarded by masked humans armed with weapons and check-lists. They will ask for your papers and if you have anything to declare.
3- You are dumped into the back alley of a beautiful, ancient city, overflowing with wonders beyond your wildest imagination, a place where magic and technology more advanced then on your world flourish.
4- A hotel room, with decor that seems vaguely familiar, but slightly alien, and also rather tacky. Leaving the room you will find yourself wandering the halls of a very unusual hotel, one where everything seems just subtly off. The other rooms have doors in them as well, which lead to different locations in your, or other worlds. There may or may not be anything outside the hotel.
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