3AM WHISPERS: THE WERE-BEAR DWARF TRIBE OF ZIMRALA
A System Conversion & Kindred Profile
By the Hedge Wizard of the Shreveport Cabin
In the stillness of the early hours, the truth of the North comes into focus. This report outlines the conversion of the Were-Bear Dwarf Tribe of Zimrala from other RPG systems (such as D&D or Pathfinder) into the Deluxe Tunnels & Trolls (dT&T) and Monsters! Monsters! (Zero Edition & 2.7) frameworks. In this conversion, these beings are treated as a specialized Birkin (bear-folk) sub-kindred with dwarven ancestry.
1. Kindred Attribute Multipliers (dT&T / M!M! 2.7)
In the Tunnels & Trolls system, kindred differences are defined by multipliers applied to the base 3d6 rolls. For the hybrid nature of a Were-Bear Dwarf, the following "Combined Kindred" multipliers are recommended to balance dwarven sturdiness with ursine power:
Strength (STR): x4.0 (Dwarf x2 combined with Birkin x2.5)
Constitution (CON): x3.5 (High durability from both bloodlines)
Dexterity (DEX): x0.7 (Powerful but lacking fine finesse)
Speed (SPD): x0.9 (Slower than average humans due to bulk)
Intelligence (IQ): x1.0 (Standard sapience)
Luck (LK): x0.5 (Rely on mass rather than fortune)
Charisma (CHR): x0.4 (Intimidating and gruff)
Wizardry (WIZ): x1.0 (Standard mana potential)
2. Monsters! Monsters! Zero Edition & 2.7: The Zimrala Context
Zimrala is the official campaign world for Monsters! Monsters! 2.7, characterized by its gems-as-currency (Amethysts) and "God Magic."
Zero Edition Compatibility: In the original M!M! Zero Edition, monsters are defined by their raw Monster Rating (MR). A Were-Bear Dwarf in Bear form functions as a High-MR opponent with specialized "natural" weapons.
Tribe Mechanics: In M!M! 2.7, these were-bears function as a "Protectorate" tribe. They do not use standard equipment but rely on their high Monster Rating (MR).
The Transformation: Unlike traditional lycanthropy, Zimralan Were-Bear Dwarves are often "Natural Shapeshifters."
Dwarf Form: Use the multipliers above but cap STR at x2.0.
Bear Form: Activate full multipliers. This form is often triggered by "Chaos Factor" rolls unique to the M!M! 2.7 system.
3. Combat & Conversion Rules
When converting a Were-Bear Dwarf from a system like D&D (e.g., a Challenge Rating 5 creature):
Monster Rating (MR) Calculation: Multiply the original creature's Hit Points by 1.5 to determine its dT&T MR.
Example: A 60 HP creature becomes an MR 90 monster.
Combat Dice & Adds:
Dice: (MR / 10) + 1. (An MR 90 Were-Bear rolls 10d6).
Adds: MR / 2. (An MR 90 Were-Bear has +45 adds).
Spite Damage: In M!M! 2.7, every "6" rolled on the combat dice inflicts 1 point of damage that ignores all armor, representing the crushing force of the dwarf-bear's grip.
4. Special Tribal Traits (Zimrala Edition)
Stone-Sense: Retain the dwarven +1d bonus on Saving Rolls (SR) related to detecting stone-work or underground navigation.
Berserk Rage: If the Were-Bear Dwarf takes more than 25% of its CON in a single round, it may enter a "Zimralan Frenzy," doubling its Spite Damage for the remainder of the fight but losing the ability to retreat.
Wealth: They carry amethysts and moon crystals instead of gold. A typical tribal leader might carry crystals worth up to 20,000 gp equivalent.
For further mechanics, refer to the Monsters! Monsters! 2.7 Rulebook and the Monsterary of Zimrala.
n the Monsters! Monsters! 2.7 system and the world of Zimrala, a Were-Bear Dwarf in bear form gains access to several unique mechanical and thematic powers. Because M!M! 2.7 uses the Monster Rating (MR) system for NPCs and specific kindred multipliers for PCs, these powers manifest as follows:
1. The "Zimralan Frenzy" (Chaos Factor)
Unique to the 2.7 rules, shapeshifters on Zimrala are influenced by the Chaos Factor.
Trigger: If the Were-Bear Dwarf takes damage exceeding 25% of its Constitution (CON) in a single combat round, it may enter a frenzy.
Effect: The creature's Spite Damage is doubled. In the 2.7 system, every "6" rolled on combat dice normally deals 1 point of irreducible damage; in this frenzy, each "6" deals 2 points.
2. Enhanced Monster Rating (MR) Stats
When shifting from Dwarf form to Bear form, the character’s physical presence is recalculated using higher multipliers:
Combat Dice: The bear form typically adds +2 to +4 extra combat dice (d6) compared to the dwarf form, representing massive claws and brute force.
Natural Armor: The bear's hide provides "Natural Armor" that absorbs a fixed amount of damage per round (typically equal to the character's Level + 2) before any damage is applied to their Constitution.
3. Special Kindred Powers
In the 2.7 edition, every playable monster kindred has a unique special power. For the Zimralan Were-Bear Dwarf, these include:
Crushing Hug: If the Were-Bear wins a combat round by more than 10 points, it can choose to "lock" the opponent. In the following round, the bear gains an automatic +1d6 to its roll as it crushes the target.
Stone-Sense (Dwarven Heritage): Even in bear form, they retain the dwarven ability to detect shifts in stone or underground passages, gaining a +2 bonus to any Intelligence (IQ) or Luck (LK) Saving Rolls involving caves or tunnels.
4. Magical Interactions (Zimrala Rules)
Moon Crystal Resonance: If the Were-Bear Dwarf carries a Moon Crystal, they can expend its stored energy to maintain bear form even during the day or in areas where shapeshifting is normally suppressed.
God Magic Resistance: Due to their dual nature, they are slightly more resistant to "God Magic" (divine intervention), receiving a +1 bonus to Saving Rolls against hostile divine spells.
5. Weaknesses & Limitations
The Silver Sting: In bear form, any weapon made of silver or enhanced with "Silver-Magic" ignores the creature's Natural Armor and deals double damage to its Constitution.
Inarticulate: While in full bear form, the character cannot cast spells that require vocal components and cannot communicate in any language other than "Ursine," which may lead to misunderstandings with non-tribe members.
OPEN GAME LICENSE Version 1.0a
The following text is the property of Wizards of the Coast, Inc. and is Copyright 2000 Wizards of the Coast, Inc ("Wizards"). All Rights Reserved.
1. Definitions: (a)"Contributors" means the copyright and/or trademark owners who have contributed Open Game Content; (b)"Derivative Material" means copyrighted material including derivative works and translations (including into other computer languages), potation, modification, correction, addition, extension, upgrade, improvement, compilation, abridgment or other form in which an existing work may be recast, transformed or adapted; (c) "Distribute" means to reproduce, license, rent, lease, sell, broadcast, publicly display, transmit or otherwise distribute; (d)"Open Game Content" means the game mechanic and includes the methods, procedures, processes and routines to the extent such content does not embody the Product Identity and is an enhancement over the prior art and any additional content clearly identified as Open Game Content by the Contributor, and means any work covered by this License, including translations and derivative works under copyright law, but specifically excludes Product Identity. (e) "Product Identity" means product and product line names, logos and identifying marks including trade dress; artifacts; creatures characters; stories, storylines, plots, thematic elements, dialogue, incidents, language, artwork, symbols, designs, depictions, likenesses, formats, poses, concepts, themes and graphic, photographic and other visual or audio representations; names and descriptions of characters, spells, enchantments, personalities, teams, personas, likenesses and special abilities; places, locations, environments, creatures, equipment, magical or supernatural abilities or effects, logos, symbols, or graphic designs; and any other trademark or registered trademark clearly identified as Product identity by the owner of the Product Identity, and which specifically excludes the Open Game Content; The following items are hereby identified as Product Identity of Arthur Earl C. Hedges Jr.: The world of Zimrala, the specific "Hedge Wizard of the Shreveport Cabin" persona, and the "Were-Bear Dwarf Tribe of Zimrala." (f) "Trademark" means the logos, names, mark, sign, motto, designs that are used by a Contributor to identify itself or its products or the associated products contributed to the Open Game License by the Contributor (g) "Use", "Used" or "Using" means to use, Distribute, copy, edit, format, modify, translate and otherwise create Derivative Material of Open Game Content. (h) "You" or "Your" means the licensee in terms of this agreement.
2. The License: This License applies to any Open Game Content that contains a notice indicating that the Open Game Content may only be Used under and in terms of this License. You must affix such a notice to any Open Game Content that you Use. No terms may be added to or subtracted from this License except as described by the License itself. No other terms or conditions may be applied to any Open Game Content distributed using this License.
3. Offer and Acceptance: By Using the Open Game Content You indicate Your acceptance of the terms of this License.
4. Grant and Consideration: In consideration for agreeing to use this License, the Contributors grant You a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive license with the exact terms of this License to Use, the Open Game Content.
5. Representation of Authority to Contribute: If You are contributing original material as Open Game Content, You represent that Your Contributions are Your original creation and/or You have sufficient rights to grant the rights conveyed by this License.
6. Notice of License Copyright: You must update the COPYRIGHT NOTICE portion of this License to include the exact text of the COPYRIGHT NOTICE of any Open Game Content You are copying, modifying or distributing, and You must add the title, the copyright date, and the copyright holder's name to the COPYRIGHT NOTICE of any original Open Game Content you Distribute.
7. Use of Product Identity: You agree not to Use any Product Identity, including as an indication as to compatibility, except as expressly licensed in another, independent Agreement with the owner of each element of that Product Identity. You agree not to indicate compatibility or co-adaptability with any Trademark or Registered Trademark in conjunction with a work containing Open Game Content except as expressly licensed in another, independent Agreement with the owner of such Trademark or Registered Trademark. The use of any Product Identity in Open Game Content does not constitute a challenge to the ownership of that Product Identity. The owner of any Product Identity used in Open Game Content shall retain all rights, title and interest in and to that Product Identity.
8. Identification: If you distribute Open Game Content You must clearly indicate which portions of the work that you are distributing are Open Game Content.
9. Updating the License: Wizards or its designated Agents may publish updated versions of this License. You may use any authorized version of this License to copy, modify and distribute any Open Game Content originally distributed under any version of this License.
10. Copy of this License: You must include a copy of this License with every copy of the Open Game Content You Distribute.
11. Use of Contributor Credits: You may not market or advertise the Open Game Content using the name of any Contributor unless You have written permission from the Contributor to do so.
12. Inability to Comply: If it is impossible for You to comply with any of the terms of this License with respect to some or all of the Open Game Content due to statute, judicial order, or governmental regulation then You may not Use any Open Game Material so affected.
13. Termination: This License will terminate automatically if You fail to comply with all terms herein and fail to cure such breach within 30 days of becoming aware of the breach. All sublicenses shall survive the termination of this License.
14. Reformation: If any provision of this License is held to be unenforceable, such provision shall be reformed only to the extent necessary to make it enforceable.
15. COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Open Game License v 1.0a Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
System Reference Document Copyright 2000-2003, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
Deluxe Tunnels & Trolls Copyright 2015, Flying Buffalo Inc.
Monsters! Monsters! 2.7 Copyright 2021, Troll Godfather Press.
The world of Zimrala and the Were-Bear Dwarf Tribe of Zimrala Copyright 2025, Arthur Earl C. Hedges Jr. All rights reserved
No comments:
Post a Comment