In the News: "Come hear the words of an American true, and restore thy sanity!"

The Wisdom of the Word

Heard the best sermon I've witnessed in quite a long while this past Sunday. Really struck a chord with me, especially considering the divisive times we live in. The Word is good. I feel the message it conveys in the passage below is so good right now. What a body of wisdom! We live in a ravenous consumer culture, and this cuts right to the heart of what we ought to consume, be it through our mouths, our eyes, our ears, or our hearts; be it concerning food, race, guns, or sex. Please, take some time in your daily walk to meditate on the words that follow, and may they take root in your life somehow.

1 Corinthians 8 (as taken from the NIV)

1 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. 2 Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. 3 But whoever loves God is known by God.

4 So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.” 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), 6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

7 But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. 8 But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.

9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols? 11 So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. 12 When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.

The Green Fab Four

My d20 renditions of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, adhering more to the comics/early film versions of them.

LEONARDO
Male Overt Turtle Moreau Strong Hero 1/Fast Hero 2/Tough Hero 2/Martial Arts Master* 5/Archaic Weaponsmaster 1**; CR 11
Medium Humanoid (height 4' 9”, weight 150 lb.); Age 15
* See Blood and Fists
** See Urban Arcana

Init +3; Senses (core) Listen +4, Search +1, Spot +2; Senses (house) Listen/Spot +6, Search +1
Languages English, Japanese (Read/Write only)

Defense 28, touch 25, flat-footed 25; Defensive Martial Arts (+3 Dex, +3 natural, +12 class)
hp 77 (11 HD); Mas 15
Fort +11 (+4 vs hot/cold environments, suffocation/drowning), Ref +9, Will +3
Action Points 9

Speed 30 ft.
Melee unarmed strike +9/+4 (1d4+2 lethal/nonlethal, 20) or
Melee unarmed strike +7/+2 (1d4+2) and
Melee unarmed strike +7 (1d4+1, two-weapon) or
Melee kick +12/+7 (1d4+2 lethal/nonlethal, 20) or
Melee punch +10/+5 (1d4+2 lethal/nonlethal, 20) or
Melee katana +11/+6 (2d6+4 slashing, 19-20) or
Melee wakizashi +10/+5 (1d6+2 slashing, 19-20) or
Melee katana +9/+4 (2d6+4) and
Melee wakizashi +8 (1d6+1, two-weapon)
Ranged by weapon +11/+6
Space 5 ft. by 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Base Atk +8; Grp +9
Atk Options Two-Weapon Fighting
Special Qualities hold breath, moreau traits

Abilities Str 13 (15), Dex 16 (15), Con 15 (13), Int 13, Wis 14 (11), Cha 13 (15)
'(-)' indicate original ability scores.
Allegiances his brothers, Splinter, good, law, training, justice; Rep +2; San 70
Feats Archaic Weapons (Japanese), Archaic Weapons Proficiency, Combat Martial Arts, Combat Reflexes, Defensive Martial Arts, Endurance, Ninjutsu (from Blood and Fists), Simple Weapons Proficiency, Weapon Focus (katana), Two-Weapon Fighting
Skills (core) Balance +10, Climb +5, Concentration +5, Disguise +1 (–20 to pass as human), Drive +5, Hide +11, Jump +8, Knowledge (history) +5, Knowledge (popular culture) +3, Knowledge (streetwise) +4, Knowledge (tactics) +5, Listen +4, Meditation +4, Move Silently +9, Read/Write English, Read/Write Japanese, Sense Motive +5, Speak English, Swim +3, Tumble +11
Skills (house) Athletics +13 (+1 on Jump), Control +13 (+1 on Balance), Disguise +2 (–20 to pass as human), Drive +5, Knowledge (history) +5, Knowledge (popular culture) +3, Knowledge (streetwise) +4, Knowledge (tactics) +5, Perceive +6, Read/Write English, Read/Write Japanese, Sneak +13 (+2 on Hide, Move Silently), Speak English, Tumble +11
Talents (Strong Hero) Melee Smash
Talents (Fast Hero) Evasion
Talents (Tough Hero) Second Wind (4 hp, 2/day)
Talents (Martial Arts Master) Accurate Kick 1, Accurate Punch 1, Shadow Mastery 1
Talents (Archaic Weaponsmaster) Weapon Specialization (katana)
Starting Occupation Athlete (Tumble as permanent class skill, +1 on Balance, Jump; Archaic Weapons Proficiency)
Possessions (carried weight 11 lb.) mastercraft [+1] katana (6 lb.), mastercraft [+1] wakizashi (4 lb.), headband, daisho scabbard (single harness carries both Leo’s katana and wakizashi; 1 lb.)
Wealth Bonus +1

DONATELLO
Male Overt Turtle Moreau Strong Hero 1/Fast Hero 2/Smart Hero 2/Martial Arts Master 3/Techie 2; CR 10
Medium Humanoid (height 5', weight 155 lb.); Age 15

Init +2; Senses (core) Listen +6, Search +3, Spot +1; Senses (house) Listen/Spot +6, Search +3
Languages English

Defense 24, touch 21, flat-footed 22; Defense (house) 24, touch 16, flat-footed 22 (+2 Dex, +3 natural, +9 class)
hp 64 (10 HD); Mas 14
Fort +6, Ref +7, Will +7
Action Points 10

Speed 30 ft.
Melee unarmed strike +8/+3 (1d4+2 lethal/nonlethal, 20) or
Melee unarmed strike +6/+1 (1d4+2) and
Melee unarmed strike +6/+1 (1d4+1, improved two-weapon) or
Melee kick +9/+4 (1d4+2 lethal/nonlethal, 20) or
Melee bo staff +10/+5 (1d6+4 bludgeoning, 20) or
Melee bo staff +8/+3 (1d6+3 bludgeoning, 20) and
Melee bo staff +8/+3 (1d6+2, improved two-weapon)
Ranged by weapon +9/+4
Space 5 ft. by 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Base Atk +7; Grp +8
Atk Options Combat Expertise, Two-Weapon Fighting
Special Qualities hold breath, moreau traits

Abilities Str 12 (14), Dex 15, Con 14 (12), Int 16, Wis 13 (11), Cha 10 (12)
'(-)' indicate original ability scores.
Allegiances his brothers, Splinter, good, gadgets; Rep +2; San 64
Feats Archaic Weapons Proficiency, Builder, Combat Expertise, Combat Martial Arts, Gearhead, Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, Ninjutsu (from Blood and Fists), Simple Weapons Proficiency, Two-Weapon Fighting
Skills (core) Balance +8, Climb +6, Computer Use +12, Concentration +5, Craft (electronic) +15, Craft (mechanical) +12, Demolitions +8, Disable Device +11, Disguise +0 (–20 to pass as human), Hide +9, Jump +7, Knowledge (current events) +5, Knowledge (physical sciences) +7, Knowledge (streetwise) +5, Knowledge (technology) +10, Listen +6, Meditation +3, Move Silently +8, Read/Write English, Repair +8, Speak English, Tumble +9
Skills (house) Athletics +11 (+1 on Jump), Computer Use +12, Control +12 (+1 on Balance), Craft (electronic) +15, Craft (mechanical) +12, Demolitions +8, Disable Device +11, Disguise +0 (–20 to pass as human), Knowledge (current events) +5, Knowledge (physical sciences) +7, Knowledge (streetwise) +5, Knowledge (technology) +10, Perceive +6, Read/Write English, Repair +8, Sneak +11 (+2 on Hide, Move Silently), Speak English, Tumble +9
Talents (Strong Hero) Melee Smash
Talents (Fast Hero) Evasion
Talents (Smart Hero) Savant (Craft [electronic])
Talents (Martial Arts Master) Shadow Mastery 1, Weapon Mastery 1 (bo staff)
Talents (Techie) Extreme Machine, Jury-rig +2
Starting Occupation Athlete (Tumble as permanent class skill, +1 on Balance, Jump; Archaic Weapons Proficiency)
Possessions (carried weight 2.5 lb.) mastercraft [+1] bo staff (2 lb.), headband, belt (0.5 lb.)
Wealth Bonus +2

MICHELANGELO
Male Overt Turtle Moreau Strong Hero 2/Fast Hero 2/Tough Hero 1/Martial Arts Master 4/Daredevil 1; CR 10
Medium Humanoid (height 4’ 8”, weight 150 lb.); Age 15

Init +4; Senses (core) Listen +3, Search +0, Spot +1; Senses (house) Listen/Spot +3, Search +0
Languages English

Defense (core) 27, touch 24, flat-footed 23; Defense (house) 27, touch 19, flat-footed 23; Dodge (+4 Dex, +3 natural, +10 class)
hp 70 (10 HD); Mas 15
Fort +11 (+4 vs hot/cold environments, suffocation/drowning), Ref +10, Will +2 (+4 vs. fear effects)
Action Points 8

Speed 35 ft.
Melee unarmed strike +11/+6 (1d4+3 lethal/nonlethal, 20) or
Melee unarmed strike +9/+4 (1d4+3, 20) and
Melee unarmed strike +9 (1d4+2, two-weapon) or
Melee nunchaku +12/+7 (1d6+3 bludgeoning, 20) or
Melee nunchaku +10/+5 (1d6+3, 20) and
Melee nunchaku +10 (1d6+2, two-weapon)
Ranged by weapon +11/+6
Space 5 ft. by 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Base Atk +7; Grp +9
Atk Options Dirty Tricks, Two-Weapon Fighting
Special Qualities fearless, hold breath, moreau traits

Abilities Str 14 (16), Dex 18 (16), Con 15 (13), Int 10, Wis 12 (10), Cha 15 (17)
'(-)' indicate original ability scores.
Allegiances his brothers, Splinter, good, fun; Rep +1; San 55
Feats Acrobatic, Archaic Weapons (Japanese), Archaic Weapons Proficiency, Combat Martial Arts, Dodge, Endurance, Ninjutsu (from Blood and Fists), Simple Weapons Proficiency, Two-Weapon Fighting, Weapon Finesse
Skills (core) Balance +8, Bluff +4, Climb +5, Concentration +8, Disguise +2 (–20 to pass as human), Drive +6, Escape Artist +7, Hide +9, Jump +8, Knowledge (popular culture) +2, Listen +3, Meditation +3, Move Silently +9, Read/Write English, Sleight of Hand +6, Speak English, Swim +3, Treat Injury +2, Tumble +13
Skills (house) Athletics +11 (+1 on Jump), Control +11 (+1 on Balance), Deceive +4, Disguise +2 (–20 to pass as human), Drive +6, Escape Artist +7, Knowledge (popular culture) +2, Perceive +3, Read/Write English, Sneak +11 (+2 on Hide, Move Silently), Speak English, Treat Injury +2, Tumble +13
Talents (Strong Hero) Melee Smash
Talents (Fast Hero) Increased Speed
Talents (Tough Hero) Second Wind (3 hp, 2/day)
Talents (Martial Arts Master) Dirty Tricks 1, Shadow Mastery 1
Talents (Daredevil) Fearless
Starting Occupation Athlete (Tumble as permanent class skill, +1 on Balance, Jump; Archaic Weapons Proficiency)
Possessions (carried weight 4.5 lb.) mastercraft [+1] nunchaku (x2; 4 lb.), headband, belt (0.5 lb.)
Wealth Bonus +1

RAPHAEL
Male Overt Turtle Moreau Strong Hero 2/Fast Hero 1/Tough Hero 2/Martial Arts Master 5/Street Warrior* 1; CR 11
Medium Humanoid (height 4' 6”, weight 150 lb.); Age 15
* See Urban Arcana

Init +2; Senses (core) Listen +0, Search +0, Spot +0; Senses (house) Listen/Spot +0, Search +0
Languages English

Defense (core) 27, touch 24, flat-footed 25; Defense (house) 27, touch 18, flat-footed 25; (+2 Dex, +3 natural, +12 class)
hp 88 (11 HD); Mas 16; DR 1/—
Fort +13, Ref +7, Will +1
Action Points 10

Speed 30 ft.
Melee unarmed strike +12/+7 (1d6+3 lethal/nonlethal, 20) or
Melee unarmed strike +10/+5 (1d6+3, 20) and
Melee unarmed strike +10 (1d6+2, two-weapon) or
Melee sai +13/+8 (1d4+3 piercing, 19-20) or
Melee sai +11/+6 (1d4+3, 19-20) and
Melee sai +11 (1d4+2, two-weapon)
Ranged sai +13/+8 (1d4+2 piercing, 10 ft., 19-20)
Ranged by weapon +11/+6
Space 5 ft. by 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Base Atk +9; Grp +12
Atk Options Disarm Mastery, Streetfighting, Two-Weapon Fighting
Special Qualities hold breath, moreau traits

Abilities Str 15 (16), Dex 15, Con 16 (13), Int 11, Wis 10 (8), Cha 7 (9)
'(-)' indicate original ability scores.
Allegiances his brothers, Splinter, chaos, NYC, justice; Rep +2; San 38
Feats Archaic Weapons (Japanese), Archaic Weapons Proficiency, Athletic, Brawl, Combat Martial Arts, Combat Reflexes, Ninjutsu (from Blood and Fists), Simple Weapons Proficiency, Streetfighting, Two-Weapon Fighting, Weapon Focus (sai)
Flaws Berserker Rage (Raphael flies into an uncontrollable rage whenever he is “agitated” or has taken damage equal to half his massive damage threshold (8 hp). In such a case, Raphael must succeed on a DC 15 Will save or fly into a rage. He must continue to attack the object of his agitation or the source of his damage while raging each round until he calms. Raphael may make Will saves each minute thereafter until he succeeds and calms, falls unconscious, or the object of his agitation is defeated/destroyed/gone.)—Bonus Feat: Athletic
Skills (core) Balance +6, Climb +8, Concentration +6, Disguise –2 (–20 to pass as human), Escape Artist +6, Hide +7, Jump +8, Knowledge (streetwise) +6, Move Silently +6, Read/Write English, Speak English, Survival +3 (+4 in urban areas), Swim +8, Tumble +9
Skills (house) Athletics +15 (+2 on Climb, Swim, +1 on Jump), Control +9 (+1 on Balance), Disguise –2 (–20 to pass as human), Escape Artist +6, Knowledge (streetwise) +6, Read/Write English, Sneak +11, Speak English, Survival +3 (+4 in urban areas), Tumble +9
Talents (Strong Hero) Melee Smash
Talents (Fast Hero) Evasion
Talents (Tough Hero) Damage Reduction 1/—
Talents (Martial Arts Master) Disarm Mastery 1, Disarm Mastery 2, Shadow Mastery 1
Talents (Street Warrior) Urban Survival
Starting Occupation Athlete (Tumble as permanent class skill, +1 on Balance, Jump; Archaic Weapons Proficiency)
Possessions (carried weight 2.5 lb.) mastercraft [+1] sai (x2; 2 lb.), headband, belt (0.5 lb.)
Wealth Bonus +0

NEW Martial Arts Mastery Definitions

Disarm Mastery 1
You gain +1 on disarm attack attempts.

Disarm Mastery 2
You gain +1 on disarm attack attempts.

Disarm Mastery 3
You gain the benefit of the Disarm Block martial arts maneuver for free, ignoring its prerequisites.

NEW Species Traits Turtle Moreau

          Turtle moreaus are rare and usually a result from an industrial accident involving mutagenic materials wherever their species might normally be found. They are usually very short bodied and hairless, with overt and moderate specimens generally having skin that is more discolored (green or brown) and more densely covered in scales. Covert turtle moreaus will feature head shapes and digits closer to that of human, whereas overt turtle moreau heads feature flatter noses and the absence of ears, and they may have fewer digits as well. All turtle moreaus have some form of shell carapace on their backs, ranging from smaller and a leather-like consistency to half their body size and as hard as thick bone.
          Ability Scores:  (Covert) —
                                  (Moderate) +2 Con, –2 Cha
                                  (Overt) –2 Str, +2 Con, +2 Wis, –2 Cha
          Hold Breath (Ex): A turtle moreau can remain submerged for a number of minutes equal to its Constitution score before needing to surface for air.
          Carapace (Ex): Covert turtle moreaus receive +1 natural armor to their defense; moderate receive +2 natural armor; and overt receive +3 natural armor.

Height and Weight

Trait	Base Height	Height Modifier	Base Weight	Weight Modifier
Moderate	4 ft., 6 in.	+2d6 in.	95 lb.	x (1d6 lb.)
Overt	4 ft., 1 in.	+2d6 in.	85 lb.	x (2d4 lb.)

Starting Age

Adulthood	Additional Years
12	+1d3

Lifespan

Middle Age	Old	Venerable	Max
25	53	71	+1d6

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