5 May 2010

Today’s Tabbloid
PERSONAL NEWS FOR riorio2@rogue-games.net

ROGUE FEED ROGUE FEED

A Gap in My Education Speaking of Perytons ...

MAY 04, 2010 12:02P.M. MAY 04, 2010 10:28A.M.

I’ve mentioned many times before how my experience of wargaming, in
either its hex-and-chit and miniatures forms, is limited but at least I
have actually played both types of games, so I’m not completely clueless
about the influence they exerted over the early hobby. However, in my
researches, it seems as if there’s another influence over at least part of
the hobby about which I know very little: historical recreation.
... is there are OGC version of these beasties? I can’t seem to find one,
which is odd, given that they’re based on creatures from medieval
bestiaries and thus wholly within the public domain.
If there’s not a version, I can whip one up pretty easily but I’d prefer to
use an existing one if such can be found.

The late 60s seem to have seen an upsurge in interest in historical

recreation, from the whimsical to the purist. Many science fiction and
fantasy writers had an interest in such things, an interest that spread ROGUE FEED
both into their writings and outward to their fans. Marion Zimmer
Bradley was one such writer and it was (I believe) she who came up with Grognard’s Grimoire: Furfur
the name “Society for Historical Anachronism” used by one of the more MAY 04, 2010 08:09A.M.
famous recreationist groups.

What’s interesting is that it was at the home of Bradley’s brother, Paul

Zimmer, where Greg Stafford first made the acquaintance of writers
interested in creating a roleplaying game for his world of Glorantha
(previously presented in the wargame White Bear and Red Moon),
including, through other intermediaries, Steve Perrin, who was himself a
member of the SCA. Indeed, Perrin’s modifications to OD&D — the
famous “Perrin Conventions” — were in part based on his experiences as
a historical recreationist, bringing “realism” into the very abstract system
presented in the LBBs.

I’m sure there are many other connections between historical recreation
and the early days of the hobby, but it’s a topic about which I know
comparatively little (my sole exposure being through a roommate I had
in college). If there’s anyone who knows more about this or could point
me to resources to assist my researches, I’d be grateful. Like wargaming,
historical recreation seems to have been an important part of the Although they’ve not directly appeared in the Dwimmermount
“culture” out of which the hobby grew and, from what I’ve seen thus far, campaign, demons are something to which I’ve given a fair amount of
its impact is much less widely known, which is a pity. thought. As I have presented them, they’re weird, alien beings that exist
outside the other supernatural hierarchies of the setting. I’ve implied
that they’re older than the gods and possibly in possession of knowledge
that even deities lack.

That’s where Furfur comes in. The Prince of Secrets is something I’ve
had in my head for a while now, but two recent events pushed me to
finally write him up. First, Zak noted the creepiness of stag-headed
monsters (I agree). Second, Will posted a link to a PDF of the famed
Infernal Dictionary, which, to my mind, contains some of the most
disturbing images of demons I’ve ever come across. I’ve been looking for

1
Today’s Tabbloid PERSONAL NEWS FOR riorio2@rogue-games.net 5 May 2010

a reproduction of it online for a while now, so I’m very grateful to Will

for finally bringing one to my attention.

The text in the quote box below is hereby designated Open Game
Content via the Open Game License.

Furfur (Demon Lord)

No Enc.: Unique
Alignment: Chaotic
Movement: 120’ (40’); Fly: 240’ (80’)
Armor Class: -6
Hit Dice: 120 hp (20 HD)
Attacks: 2 (claws)
Damage: 2d4/2d4
Save: F20
Morale: 10
Hoard Class: IV, V, VIII, IX
XP:

The demon lord Furfur (also known as Furcifer and the

Prince of Secrets) is well known among sages and seekers
after forbidden knowledge, for that is his area of influence.
He appears as a creature with the hindquarters and head of a
stag, but the breast and arms of a man, and bat-like wings
that carry him through the air. His tail bursts into flames
when Furfur is angry or displeased, something that does not
occur very often, as Furfur is generally described as an eerily
calm and rational demon lord, more interested in
conversation than combat.

If pressed, however, this demon lord is more than capable of

defending himself. His own physical attacks are somewhat
weak but he commands a variety of magical abilities: astral
projection, call lightning, charm person, clairvoyance,
clairaudience, continual darkness, control weather (greater),
control winds, detect invisibility, detect magic, ESP, legend
lore, read languages, read magic, shape change, suggestion,
unholy word, wind walk. These abilities are usable at will.
Once per day, Furfur can use feeblemind, power word (any),
and symbol (any). He is only affected by +2 or better
weapons.

The demon lord may gate (80% probability of success) a

glabrezu, hezrou, marilith, nalfeshnee, or vrock demon.
Furfur may also summon other creatures as a monster
summoning spell. He may bring forth 4d4 harpies, 3d4
perytons, or 2d4 gargoyles, or 1d4 succubi.

Furfur is reputed to know the answer to any question,

including those even the gods have. In exchange for a
promise of eternal servitude after death, the Prince of Secrets
will answer any three questions posed to him with absolute
and total truth — although many come to regret Furfur’s
candor even before they must fulfill their end of the bargain.