Lean & Hungry

Deep in the heart of a burial mound lies the form of an ancient Alchemist; the corrupt widow of a long-dead diamyo lord who has remained immersed in a crystal bath filled with the essence of divine winds -- a liquid distillation of divine ki energies -- for a millenium in order to gain perfect immortality. But now a group of wandering heroes is called upon overcome her undead jikininki minions, a band of rampaging barbarian raiders, and the relic seekers who would unwisely plunder the grave, before the depraved Alchemist is forever transformed into a living god!

Lean & Hungry is a Japanese-analog fantasy scenario for a party of 4th to 6th level. It includes:

New wondrous items like the vigilant lantern that reveals the infernal nature harbored by those its light touches; the amulet of the sheltered mind that wards against the effects of enchantments; the amulet of the watchful eye created to be the central piece in a magical scrying system; and the sands of timing that measure the precise temporal flow of arcane energies and processes.

New spells such as the ward of ravenous hunger that curses graverobbers with an all-consuming hunger; and bless salt, which hinders the spawning of undead creatures. New potions like essence of the divine winds that harvests ki energies to transform its user into an undying divinity; and the distillation of quickened stone that hardens the rock it is applied to and causes it to grow lighter.

The blasphemous rod of jikininki control that allows its user to bind these perverse monsters to her will.

Two new NPC classes: the criminal who makes up the bulk of both urban criminal outfits and rural outlaw bands; and the faithful who serve their gods in inglorious ways, much as adepts fulfill wizardly roles among primitive peoples.

New creatures such as the flesh-eating jikininki, the four monstrous guardians of the ancient burial mound, a lesser shield guardian construct charged with protecting its wizard master, and an entire army of terracotta soldiers!