I have fond memories of watching the Rankin-Bass Christmas specials every year when I was growing up. So when I saw Prismatic Wasteland announce a blog bandwagon to make a hexcrawl inspired by those old specials, I knew I had to join in.
I’ve read Prismatic Wasteland’s past bandwagons, but I never felt like I had anything to add. This time was different. As soon as I saw this one, I thought of The Island of Misfit Toys. The twist: the “toys” are constructs, and the characters can even earn some if they prove worthy.
Then I remembered The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, my favorite of all the holiday specials. How could it not be? It has elves, imps, demons, and even a dragon! Santa being raised in a mystical forest by immortals and battling monsters feels like it was made for a fantasy game.
But which one to use for my hex?
Why not both?
The Island of Misfit Toys
A cold, desolate island, easy to overlook. A wide, empty snow plain bordered by mountains to the north and east.
Terrain: Snowy, mountainous (difficult terrain, travel takes twice as long)
Abandoned: Only King Moonracer and a group of defective constructs live here.
Under Siege: An unseen enemy is attacking the island’s inhabitants.
Elusive: The attackers are invisible to Moonracer’s scrying.
Awgwas: The attackers are minor demons who once fought (and fled from) Santa Claus’ immortal allies. They hide in caves in the eastern mountain range and only materialize to attack.
Moonracer’s Castle: A tall, windowless fortress visible from anywhere on the island. It forms the island’s tallest peak.
Warded: The Awgwas cannot enter while King Moonracer remains inside.
Running Low: A secret tunnel leads from the castle to a northern grotto where the constructs fish for food. The fish are dwindling, and Moonracer hasn’t left the castle in ages.
Guest House: A small house at the castle’s base. Warded as long as Moonracer is in the castle. The king may let the characters stay there if they earn his trust, but warns them not to go outside at night.
Random Encounters
Roll 1d6 (-1 at the castle base, +1 at the base of the eastern mountains, +2 in the mountains)
0: A group of 1d4+1 misfit constructs
1: A single misfit construct, lost
2–4: Nothing
5: Rocks thrown or boulders dropped. The Awgwa remain invisible at a distance.
6: A single Awgwa scout
7: 1d4+1 Awgwa hunting party
8: 2d4+2 Awgwa war band
King Moonracer
A regal sphinx with a black mane and a cautious heart. He protects the island’s misfit constructs for reasons known only to himself.
Species: Sphinx
Cautious Heart: Civil, but wary of outsiders.
Gratitude: If the characters defeat the Awgwas, we will allow one construct to leave with each of them if it chooses.
Example Constructs
Animated Weapon
A weapon that fights on its own but can’t fly.
Damage: Normal for its type
Str +1, Dex +2
Dancing: Guides the wielder’s arm, resisting direct control.
Overexcited: On a natural 1, it swings too wildly and flies from the wielder’s hand.
Flying Carpet
A fast but dangerous ride.
Speed: 80 feet per round, 240 feet per 10-minute turn
Clumsy: On any rapid start, stop or turn, the rider must roll Dex or fall off.
Tiny Golem
A construct smaller than a halfling.
Str -2, Dex -2
Simple-minded: Can perform only one simple action at a time, and only on command.
Awgwas
Minor demons who delight in corrupting mortals, especially children. These survivors fled a battle against Santa’s immortal allies and now prey on the misfit constructs.
Hit Dice: 1
Damage: 1d6 claws/bite, or by weapon.
Armor: As leather.
Disappear: Can vanish completely, unseen by any but their own kind. They must reappear to attack, but can manipulate objects while invisible.
Hate “Toys”: Always target constructs first unless directly threatened.
Awgwa Variants
When 3 or more Awgwas attack, roll 1d6 (+1 for groups of 5+, roll twice for 8+):
No special variant.
No special variant.
Third Eye: True sight up to 1 mile.
Flying: Can move freely in any direction.
Brute: 2 HD, armor as studded leather.
Frost Touch: 1d8 cold damage.
Flame Breath: 1d8 fire cone, 15 feet.
Final Thoughts
I’ve never made a hex before, so I’m not sure if this is the right format. I’m pretty happy with it, though. Misfit constructs under siege by vengeful Awgwa seems like an interesting encounter in a snowy fantasy world.
I’m tempted to drop this into my current campaign. Maybe I’ll even show my kids those old Rankin-Bass specials afterward to see if they recognize where the ideas came from.
Let me know if you end up running this, or if I missed anything in my writeup.
Other Thoughts
Prismatic Wasteland’s bandwagon announcement:
Life and Adventures of Santa Claus is awesome from the opening credits. Give it a watch and you’ll see what I mean:
