ossuriad

No. Enc.: 0 (1d6)
Alignment: Neutral
Movement: 120' (40')
Armor Class: 5
Hit Dice: 2d8
Attacks: 1 (dagger)
Damage: 1d4
Save: M2
Morale: 7
Hoard Class: XIX

This macabre faerie tends animal graveyards, singing to the bones to ease their sorrow and grief.  She appears as a gaunt, pale woman with straw-coloured hair, angular features and sunken eyes.  Those defiling the boneyard are screamed at, a terrifying wail that causes fear (as the spell).  The ossuriad can merge with any exposed skull within 240'.  If she goes beyond 240' from her graveyard she dise in 1 turn.  Ossuriads carry a bone dagger of unusual sharpness and resilience equal to that of steel.  Ossuriads gain treasure from former grave robbers and adorn the graves and bones of those they protect.

wartorn

No. Enc.: 1d4 (3d6)
Alignment: Chaotic
Movement: 60' (20')
Armor Class: 7
Hit Dice: 1d8+1
Attacks: 1 (by weapon)
Damage: 1d6 or by weapon
Save: F1
Morale: 12
Hoard Class: None

These undead appear as maimed zombies held together by broken armour and weapons embedded in them.  Animated by vengeful necromancers, they explode if reduced to zero hit points or are turned (but not destroyed).  This explosion causes 1d6 damage in a 10' radius (save vs. Death Magic to halve damage) and destroys the undead.  Those killed in a wartorn's explosion rise as wartorn in three nights unless the deceased is buried on holy ground or receives a bless spell.  Holy water damages them and stops them from exploding.

inns & taverns: the devil-porter inn

The Devil-Porter Inn sits halfway up a market town's hill, astride an alley's entrance.  Locals passing by always smile at it's statue.  The wooden icon of a portly gap-toothed devil lugging sacks in peasant garb greets patrons.  Only the foolish would fear him.  Bristle-bearded, glass-eyed and five feet tall, his blunt inch-long horns are no threat.  Over the archway, the words 'The Devil-Porter Inn' are painted in immaculate white script.

The inn's wooden door opens on the right leg of the arch from the main street.  Within a rickety wooden stair creaks with each step.  At the top, a doorway opens into a bar-room bridging the arch, narrow yet well-appointed.  Carved wooden benches line the walls.  Before these are thick tables of oak and wrought iron decorated with laden vines and flowers.  Brass lanterns in the corner illuminate the room.  Often tables are mostly filled, encouraging patrons to mingle with regulars if they want seats.  This is normally an agreeable process.  The bar runs along the opposite wall with stairs behind it leading up and down.

A strong, pale ale sells the year round.  Winter brings a smooth dark ale with notes of caramel and salt that sells very quickly.  A fair red wine and a spiced piment (wine with honey and herbs) compliment the ales.  A limited but excellent selection of food is sold. A beef and onion stew with dumplings and pickled cabbage is served with black rye bread.  Pickled eggs and butter pies complete the menu.  While not courtly fare, it is substantial.

Marien, the landlady, is matronly, rotund, redolent of lavender and honey, her clogs drum the floor.  Staff are cheerful, competent locals of assorted ages.  All are clad in plain white chemise, dark breeches and soft leather boots with brass buckles.  This simple uniform is kept immaculate.  Marien's watchful eye keeps staff from lowering standards, service is cheerful, brisk and accommodating.  Good relationships with the watch keep criminals out.  Officials do not visit the Inn but hirelings often enjoy an ale and meal here.  Marien will sometimes treat them in return for news.

While the Devil-Porter Inn lacks accommodation, staff know where rooms may be rented locally at reasonable rates.  These are usually basic but safe and warm.  Though the staff have rooms, Marien doesn't brook guests.  Previous incidents with staff connected with gentry ensure this will never happen if Marien is here.  This is reciprocated by local nobility.

The Devil-Porter Inn lacks pretension.  This has harmed business - nobles and courtly types avoid the Inn, looking down upon it.  Patrons don't even seem to mind.  Yet some younger nobles are violating the agreement.  Brawls seldom happen but over-friendly visitors and nobles with a grudge have to be handled.  The Inn's lack of muscle can be a problem.  Those who help out are feted by Marien, who makes friends easily and looks after them.

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Today sections of the Internet are going dark to protest the proposed enactment of the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and Protect IP Act (PIPA) in US law.  This blog supports their protest but has no illusion about going dark for a day being more than adding a lone voice to the chorus of protest.

In addition, consider economic sanction against organisations endorsing both acts.  Refuse to purchase from these organisations.  Explain why you are protesting against these acts and their proponents.  Write to your local representatives and media.  Remember the customer has a voice and a choice.

"And you've got to indicate to the people who run it, to the people who own it, that unless you're free, the machine will be prevented from working at all!"
-- Mario Savio