Slings & Slingers (D&D 5E Bonus Content for ‘In the Footsteps of Hercules’)

Slings were among the most widespread weapons of antiquity and, while they were simple weapons typically used by people of humble origins, they and their users often proved formidable in battle. In adventures based on Skirmisher Publishing’s “In the Footsteps of Hercules” universal sourcebook and ones located in the Swords of Kos Fantasy Campaign Setting in general, slingers of various sorts might be encountered in any number of places and situations. Possibilities might include peasant herders, village levies, and mercenary slingers, all of which are described and stat’ed here. It also bears mentioning that slings have always been a bit dismissively underpowered in D&D, and we have reflected their actual capabilities relative to other weapons in the write-ups for their more skilled users.

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Peasant Herders are prolific throughout the lands of the Mediterranean and might be found almost anywhere, whether alone or in small groups, tending goats, sheep, cattle, or other sorts of livestock. They are habituated to being vigilant for any threats to the animals for which they are responsible, to include natural hazards, thieves, and predators. Most will perform their duties with diligence but are not likely to fight to the death. They typically use round, smooth stones up to a pound in weight and the size of a fist for ammunition.

Village Levies are the residents of small communities who typically spend most of their time working as farmers, tradesmen (e.g., brewers, millers), or craftsmen (e.g., blacksmiths) but who are also trained to fight when necessary. They typically practice their military skills anywhere from one to five days a month and are sometimes trained to operate in conjunction with other sorts of troops, such as Hoplites or Light Cavalry units formed from more affluent residents of the area. In training and competitions during local festivals they typically use fist-sized stones for ammunition, but in actual combat they might be supplied with lead bullets.

Mercenary Slingers are fulltime professional soldiers who may variously serve in the armed forces of their own nations or in the military formations of other ones altogether. They are trained to function as skirmishers and to provide missile fire in support of other sorts of troops, such as heavy infantrymen, but will do everything they can — to include retreating — to avoid melee. They will always use lead bullets as ammunition and can achieve results with these that make them as valued on the battlefield as many archers (more so than those armed with shortbows but not so much as those equipped with longbows or crossbows). The ones presented here are outfitted the very best troops of this sort are likely to be, with light armor, bucklers, and forward-curving Thracian shortswords called sicas.

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Peasant Herder

Medium Humanoid (Human), Neutral

Armor Class: 11

Hit Points: 9 (2d8)

Speed: 30 ft.

STR             DEX             CON             INT               WIS              CHA

11 (+0)         12 (+1)         11 (+0)         10 (+0)         11 (+0)         10 (+0)

Skills: Animal Handling +2, Perception +2

Senses: Passive Perception 13

Languages: Common (Greek)

Challenge: 1/8 (25 XP)

Vigilant. Peasant Herders have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) skill checks.

ACTIONS

Sling. Ranged Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, range 30/120, one target. Hit: 3 (1d4+1) bludgeoning damage.

Quarterstaff. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d6+1) bludgeoning damage, or 5 (1d8+1) bludgeoning damage if wielded with two hands.

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Village Levy

Medium Humanoid (Human), Neutral

Armor Class: 11

Hit Points: 16 (3d8+3)

Speed: 30 ft.

STR             DEX             CON             INT               WIS              CHA

12 (+1)         13 (+1)         12 (+1)         10 (+0)         11 (+0)         10 (+0)

Skills: Athletics +3

Tool Proficiencies: One type of tools or vehicles

Senses: Passive Perception 10

Languages: Common (Greek)

Challenge: 1/4 (50 XP)

Sling Specialization. A Village Levy has a +2 bonus on attack rolls it makes with a sling.

ACTIONS

Sling. Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, range 60/240, one target. Hit: 3 (1d4+1) bludgeoning damage.

Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60, one target. Hit: 3 (1d4+1) piercing damage.

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Mercenary Slinger

Medium Humanoid (Human), Neutral

Armor Class: 15 (studded leather, buckler)

Hit Points: 26 (4d8+8)

Speed: 30 ft.

STR             DEX             CON             INT               WIS              CHA

12 (+1)         14 (+2)         14 (+2)         10 (+0)         11 (+0)         10 (+0)

Skills: Athletics +3, Intimidation +2

Senses: Passive Perception 10

Languages: Common (Greek)

Challenge: 1 (200 XP)

Multiattack. If a Mercenary Slinger does not move then it can make two attacks with its sling.

Sling Specialization. A Mercenary Slinger has a +2 bonus on attack rolls it makes with a sling.

ACTIONS

Sling. Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, range 90/360, one target. Hit: 5 (1d6+2) bludgeoning damage.

Sica. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6+2) slashing damage.

Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60, one target. Hit: 4 (1d4+2) piercing damage.