The Campaign Bestiary
The Black Sword Hack AP Posts and GM Prep Notes.
The Campaign Bestiary
Statblocks in The Black Sword Hack are pretty simple; the fun is in the special abilities. Here are some of the denizens and creatures in our BSH sessions.
Name (Threat Level) HP(Armor), Attacks|Weapons Damage.
Specials Abilities
Two mercenary companies that used to be one. VanderJack(PC) was last seen taken by one. Anton(PC) has ties to both companies.
The Broken Bell Co. 3rd Det. @25 members
Capt Suuhara (L3) 20(Med) Swords, knives
Commander: While mercenaries are Nearby, they inflict 1 damage even if the target parries or dodges successfully.
Healing balm: The captain recovers d6 hit points
Mercs (L1) 13(Med), Swords, knives: 5
Warband (DEX or STR): If other mercenaries are present, take Ud4 ongoing damage.
The Ioun Covenant Co. 1st Det. @40 members
Capt Unari (L3) 20(Med) Swords, knives
Commander: While mercenaries are Nearby, they inflict 1 damage even if the target parries or dodges successfully.
Healing balm: The captain recovers d6 hit points
Mercs (l1) 13(Med), Swords, knives: 5
Warband (DEX or STR): If other mercenaries are present, take Ud4 ongoing damage.
This croc hasn’t made it on the scene yet. The players zigged when I assumed they would zag. 🤷🏾♂️
Giant Crocodile
Crocodiles are sometimes possessed by the souls of a long disappeared species. They seek to protect the ruins of their civilization, unaware that their world is long gone.
(L5) 25hp Bite (STR or DEX): 8
Lightning fast: Move twice before a bite
BSH has a section on creating Impossible Monsters. That is where the beast of Ambersoul was spawned. Slain and worn by Betany the Barbarian!
The Beast of Ambersoul (The Cycles of Erraza)
A grotesque lion-octopus chimera, the Beast of Ambersoul stalks the ruins of its namesake city with unnatural grace. Its tentacled maw can crush stone, while its terrifying roar causes prey to feel helpless. The Beast is driven by a hunger for sorcerous blood, latching onto those who meddle with arcane forces. Many believe it was summoned by accident—or perhaps deliberately bound by a forgotten cult. Those who dare slay the Beast often find its hide cursed, pulsing with residual magic that whispers in the night.
The Beast of Ambersoul (L5) 28(hide) bite, tentacles/claws: 8
Terrifying Roar (vs Doom) paralysing
Grab and squeeze. (vs Dx/Str) 5 dmg ongoing until free (vs Str.)
What was to be a short, one-session story became a major arc of the campaign. A great GM skill to develop is knowing what the PLAYERS are interested in and doing that.
The Dream Thief (The Fall of Malpha)
A spectral figure that slips between the veil of dreams and waking reality, the Dream Thief leaves its victims hollow, their memories ripped away as if they never existed. Wielding an ornate dream dagger that can sever the ties between mind and soul, the Dream Thief is both feared and sought after—her stolen memories are valuable commodities in the shadow markets. Her face is always obscured, a blur of shifting features, as if pieced together from fragments of other people’s dreams.
Dream Thief (L3) 17, big sharp knives: 6
Steal dream/memory by touch.
Dream walker
Yet to appear, but I’m holding out hope!
The Lesser Vampire
Unlike their ancient kin, Lesser Vampires are hunters rather than rulers, skulking through shadowy alleys and forgotten ruins in search of blood. They retain some human features but are unmistakably monstrous—elongated limbs, shark-like teeth, and eyes that reflect a hungry madness. Though they lack the regenerative prowess of elder vampires, they make up for it in feral speed and unpredictable cruelty.
Lesser Vampire (L8) 40*, claws/fangs (vsDx):11
Drain vs Con or Paralyzed.
Regen(8) everything but sunlight.
Mist form at 0HP.
Special Ability: A Lesser Vampire can shift into mist to escape danger, reforming after a few minutes unless trapped by sunlight or holy wards. Their bite inflicts bleeding wounds that resist normal healing.
Runic Weapons
These sentient weapons relish the pain they inflict to others but enjoy the suffering of their wielder even more. —BSH CB
Generated straight from the pages of BSH and colored by our campaign.
The Naginata of Dust
A polearm forged in the deserts of a forgotten kingdom, its blade is etched with symbols of entropy and decay. Any wound inflicted by this weapon withers flesh, turning it into gray dust crumbling in the wind. The weapon is distrustful and cunning.
INT 9. Made of bone and engraved steel.
INT-based damage (User). Turns the slain into dust.
The Maul of Heaven (The Fall of Malpha - Monday BSH)
A massive, rune-inscribed warhammer said to have fallen from the skies, the Maul of Heaven channels raw celestial energy. Those who wield it for too long find themselves haunted by visions of those who have been devoured by it. The weapon is patient and treats the wielder as a child.
INT 10 Made of Celestial stone.
CON-based damage(User). Devours the souls of the slain
When I was reading BSH, my 5-year-old was looking over my shoulder, and there's an illustration of a...mech thing? It's a knight's helmet with legs, IIRC. And he has been obsessed with it ever since.