This brings us to step 5 of the Snowflake Method, which is taking all our major characters and making a one page history of them, and then doing half a page for our minor characters.

Again, since I’m not writing a novel, I’m going to tweak this. This is when each character/monsters/whatever that needs it is going to get some stats.

Now as I mentioned, this is the grind part for me. Because of that, I’m not going to do them all at once. Step 5 will take a few emails.

Here’s a funny thing – up until now, I haven’t had to consider what system this was for. It was all just kinda theoretical. Now that I’m assigning numbers to things, it feels more real.

That said, I did have a vibe in my mind the entire time. The PCs aren’t superhero like characters and the dungeon isn’t meant to be a combat fest. That put’s us into the realm of old school play, so why not Old School Essentials?

(For those that don’t know, OSE is basically a B/X D&D clone. It’s done really well.)

Let’s start with the monks. Most of them will do okay with a generic stat block, except for Father Agor and The Spirit of Sister Riccosso. They deserve some special attention. The only other named monk is Sister Avoire. I’ll probably add a table for Monk Names to be generated as needed.

Sister Avoire

(Use these stats for any standard Monk)

Sister Avoire has been wary as of late due to the abduction of her fellow monks. She finds peace in tending the monastery garden and knows much about local vegetation and plant life (can answer questions on a 4 in 6). She has been mistrustful of outsiders and prefers to keep an eye on folks until she knows she can trust them. Her nose sniffles whenever she talks.

Father Agor

Spells: Cure Light Wounds, Light

Father Agor is the oldest monk in the Monastery (80 years old) and the only surviving one who served in the ruined temple (before it was ruined, of course). He knows the tale of Fancissi and Father Bone (see side bar), but will be reluctant to recount it. Some shameful things are best left in the past.

Agor tires easily and is prone to fits of coughing when agitated. He will not hesitate to send anyone away who tries to push him. He is sensitive in the way that an older man can be and is used to being listened to.

The Spirit of Sister Riccosso

• Vow of Silence: Makes no noise – Sister Riccosso can not speak

Sister Riccosso was old when Father Agor was young. She died soon after coming to the monastery, but has continued to serve by guarding the treasury. She too knows the tale of Francissi and Father Bone (see side bar), but can not speak it. If she trusts someone and would tell them the tale, she will try to guide them to the reliquary (and, in turn, Father Avorie). She stares with an eternally judging look. If annoyed by someone, she will attempt to hit them across the knuckles with a spectral birch rod. It does no damage, but it hurts like the dickens.

Monk Names