4e Fan Creations and House RulesWorking on variant powers? Statting up a PC race or your version of a monster? Creating or converting an adventure? Put it here!
But when I think Barber I think of the guy from the Sinbad movies who gives wicked advice alongside a shave, or I think of the Batmen and personal servants from more contemporary Arabian pulp.
There are striker elements there, but the basic schtick of information gathering and advice giving seems more Leader than striker. On a basic level they just seem to be the guy behind their allies, not the guy behind the lines.
In breathing new life into AQ, I'm going for "points of darkness" in the heroes - being faced with a choice is a constant theme of the Arabian Nights. A hero makes a mistake, repents of it, and goes on to save the day (or at least undo what he's done). Everything is a touch more ambiguous and menacing. Hence your "morally ambiguous merchant prince." So I'm leaning toward a barber who brings out more of the "crazed murderer" aspects of the archetype while still being heroic.
This is an off-beat character who, when applying a salve, casually comments in a monotone voice "I am sure the pain is unbearable. Might I offer a story as way of distraction... Have I told you the tale Ali and the seven swiftest ways to cut a man's throat?"
When chatting with customers and asked about the golden razor he never uses, the barber gets a devilish look, "Why, that sharpest of all razors is reserved for the illustrious Prince Ahmed."
Disguised as a barber in the enemy's fortress, his allies are outside the window waiting for the sign to abduct a high-ranking captain. Just then the captain sits down. "A shave and a little off the top." The barber gets a twisted grin, razor in hand, looking imploringly toward the window while his companions mouth the words: NEED HIM ALIVE. "Right away...captain."
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hodag
I had this lurking on my drive
Not quite what I'm looking for, but thanks. I want something that evokes a sense of awe, mystery, and tension between light & darkness... Check out the border of the http://www.prince-of-persia.ubi.com website - specifically the blue arabesque in the background.
Great stuff. I love the way the Hakima is built. I really don't want to start working on Gen until I see how all the Figurines of Wondrous Power are built, and until somebody has a way of building Gen it is difficult to construct a proper Sha'ir...
Great stuff. I love the way the Hakima is built. I really don't want to start working on Gen until I see how all the Figurines of Wondrous Power are built, and until somebody has a way of building Gen it is difficult to construct a proper Sha'ir...
Thanks, you too with the desert giants!
You know I remember reading a post about a sha'ir class on these boards, I'm going to see if I can locate it. Basically, the gen was a class feature that allowed for altering where you acheived line-of-effect from. Pretty neat. Ah! Here is the link The Sha'ir (In progress, initial powers to 2nd), and the relevant section below:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cryptos
Gen
The Gen is a tiny elemental companion that is bonded to a Sha’ir and delivers the effects of the powers he uses. When a Sha’ir uses an elemental power with the Gen keyword, the Gen must be at or be able to move to the square the Sha’ir is targeting (or the square of the target.) A Sha'ir can order his Gen to move its movement rate as a minor action, and it also moves its movement rate, as needed, as an immediate reaction to the Sha'ir invoking an elemental power with the Gen keyword. A Gen can only exist within 20 squares of its master, the Sha’ir.
Within these 20 squares, the range of a Sha’ir’s powers is dependent on the location and movement of their Gen. The Gen can move in whatever way is needed to reach a target square: it can be considered to be running, flying, jumping or swimming as appropriate (whatever “looks natural” and allows the Gen to reach the target square to deliver the power’s effects.) Each Gen has a base movement rate of 6, and moves as an instant reaction when a Sha’ir uses a power.
When moving to deliver the effect of a power, the Gen can move further if it can take advantage of its elemental medium:
A fire Gen can increase its movement by 2 squares to reach a target square if it can use existing open fire or flame as a medium for at least one square along its path as it travels to the intended target area.
A water Gen can increase its movement by 2 squares to reach a target square if it can use one square or more of water as a medium along its path as it travels to reach the intended target area.
An earth Gen can increase its movement by 2 squares if it can use bare earth or stone as a medium for at least half the squares it travels to reach its intended target area.
An air Gen can increase its movement by 2 squares to reach a target square if in an environment with open airflow, natural breezes or winds.
A Gen cannot attack on its own nor can it be the target of an attack. If trapped or separated from the Sha’ir, it disappears to the Elemental Chaos and returns to the world adjacent to the Sha’ir at the start of his next turn.
The Sha’ir can communicate with the Gen verbally, or nonverbally through their bond when invoking elemental powers or using a minor action to order it to move. The Gen can speak Primordial. It has passive perception scores equal to the Sha’ir and no additional skills or abilities. A Gen’s physical ability scores are equal to ½ the Sha’ir’s level (minimum 1) and its mental ability scores are equal to that of the Sha’ir. It does not need to eat, sleep or breathe.
The Sha’ir can change Gen companions to one of a different type any time they would be able to retrain a feat (upon leveling.)
Ok, one more pass at the border art. Couldn't help myself - I think I like this one best.
Also, I'm tackling the fighter builds and am having a little trouble with variations on combat challenge & combat superiority. If anyone knows any links about changing fighter class features I'm interested.
Hi Philosopher, and welcome to the ENWorld boards!
Thanks
Quote:
Originally Posted by Quickleaf
Armor - That's simple and it works. I was thinking Endurance checks with escalating penalties (perhaps a fatigue track like how diseases/poisons work in 4e), but that might be too complicated.
Yes, the reason I decided to just extend the pre-existing rule on non-proficiency is that it's simple.
However, I've thought a little bit more about this. The classes that rely on armor would seem to be at a disadvantage. Here are a couple of suggestions on how to handle that:
1) Classes with heavy armor proficiency could get a bonus to AC as a class feature. This may have to scale with level. The only problem, however, is that they'd get the bonus to AC with the cost of encumbrance or movement penalties.
2) Perhaps a Parry feat can be added that grants a bonus to AC. The problem with this, though, is that all classes would equally able to take this feat. Unless, perhaps, it had some sort of prerequisite?
In any case, I hope this issue doesn't make things too complex, since, as I said above, I'd like to keep it simple.
Regarding the classes - I like the descriptions Quickleaf and Dr. Strangemonkey give for the barber, merchant, etc. That makes them fit the 4e standards better.
I'll give some thought to putting together some class build from the master list Quickleaf provided. Over the next week or so, as time permits, I'll see what I can come up with for that (or regarding other ideas).
However, I've thought a little bit more about this. The classes that rely on armor would seem to be at a disadvantage. Here are a couple of suggestions on how to handle that:
How about an additional -2 check penalty wearing heavy armor? Then each build with access to heavy armor could address this in its own way - no extra benefits, rather alternate class features.
For example, take "fighter weapon talent" (+1 attack with either one-handed or 2-handed weapons). A comparable feat is "nimble blade" (+1 attack with light blades when you have combat advantage). Thus, I think it's safe to say "fighter weapon talent" is superior, worth two feats. So a Zakharan fighter might instead have Defensive Mobility & Improved Initiative. Hmm maybe it's really worth 1.5 feats, but you get the idea.
Edit: I added a table of contents in the first post.
I'd be tempted to say that heavy armor uses up a healing surge if you wear it for more than an hour or in heavy combat.
Then you can slap on even more healing surge penalties in the right environment.
Maybe you could use Endurance checks to resist the surge leak.
This is in line with the current environmental effects, and does nothing to muck about with the basic math of the classes.
There's also a nice decision branch with this as the classes that rely most on Heavy Armor are also the ones with the most healing surges. Which hits a nice range:
A Paladin who wears heavy armor is only mildly disadvantaged.
A Paladin who forgoes heavy armor only has a mild advantage.
Same with fighter and cleric, but...
in the right environment it suddenly becomes a tactical choice, because at some point the heavy armor becomes de-optimized to the point where wearing the light armor is a viable choice again. Or wear you really have to adjust your overall strategy to accommodate the heavy armor and rest more often.
On the other hand, for Rangers and Rogues and all the other classes for whom heavy armor should never be a viable choice in Al-Quadim it really becomes a non-viable choice.
And for borderline classes like the Warlord or Cleric the choice to go heavy armor represents a suitably greater commitment. Suddenly being a Warlord in leather or Cleric in cloth doesn't seem so bad or weird.
Last edited by Dr. Strangemonkey; 12th September 2008 at 04:15 AM..
Posted my first shot at a cover image for our project.
A word about builds. As I convert the kits into builds I am keeping role-playing concerns the priority, which sort of seems ironic since a build is about emphasizing certain mechanics. While I am providing alternate class features, more than that I am revising the concepts to give them their own unique feel. For example, "askars" have been reimagined as legacy warriors bearing a proud tradition...and also perpetuating blood feuds. Also, I'm setting up each build to have a group of built-in tensions, conflicts inherent to the build's station in Zakhara and the character's psychology. Once we have the builds done I'll write up a DM article talking about the choices facing each build and how to offer role-playing dilemmas as the build advances.
4e creates this battlemap mindset. What I'm hoping to do is twist the very "game" elements of 4e into roleplaying tools, to make 4e work for the AL-QADIM setting, rather than the other way around.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr. Strangemonkey
I'd be tempted to say that heavy armor uses up a healing surge if you wear it for more than an hour or in heavy combat.
Then you can slap on even more healing surge penalties in the right environment.
Maybe you could use Endurance checks to resist the surge leak.
This is in line with the current environmental effects, and does nothing to muck about with the basic math of the classes.
According to the Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide, the Spell-Plague happened in Kara-Tur as well as Faerun.
What would Zhakara look like in the wake of such an event?
Cause just on the face of it, I think it would be pretty freaking bad.
Right. That's been the topic of conversation over at the WotC thread, which was interestingly moved from the "Other Published Worlds" forum to the "Running the Realms" forum. It's clear to me that Zakhara is officially going to be part of the FORGOTTEN REALMS, whether or not it retains the AL-QADIM IP/identity. WotC probably wouldn't release any AL-QADIM setting until after the more popular DARK SUN. So 2009 Eberron, 2010 Dragonlance or Greyhawk, 2011 Dark Sun... Unless it's a supplement for FORGOTTEN REALMS we're not going to see any AL-QADIM support from WotC for several years (assuming they stick to their production schedule). That said, I think a Dragon magazine article or two is highly likely.
While I like the new take on genasi, I don't have anying nice to say about the 100 year plot advance and the Spellplague. I don't think AL-QADIM fans have any interest in such a radical change to the setting. Honestly, besides the handle of us, I've gotten I get the sense that AL-QADIM fans aren't very active on the internet, have left gaming, or have no interest in 4e. I've heard at least on AL-QADIM fan say that 4e is a wargame and kills role-playing. Of course I don't agree with that, but the sentiment is out there.
So, we have to make a decision about our goals with this project:
1. Leave story out of it, update just the rules
This is the minimal effort approach, nothing fancy, just a direct translation, and leave the story to the DMs
2. 30-40 year advance, "Feuding Heirs" concept
Use a different timeline which keeps old fans connected but opens up new options for them, balance between 4e and AL-QADIM
3. Official FORGOTTEN REALMS timeline
Become the banner for AL-QADIM 4e as Planewalker.com did for Planescape, get published in Dragon magazine, detail effects of Spellplague on Zakhara, advance timeline 100 years
Well, my own temptation would be to develop the Spell Plague as an optional event.
That would parallel the old Zakhara is an optional addendum to the Realms protocol.
There's some passion for Al-Quadim out on the net. Wolfgang Baur at least found enough people to fund a patron project last year.
But it may be that that passion is centered more on Arabian Adventures as a general concept than as a specific setting.
For the moment, I think the Spell Plague is an interesting thing to consider as an event, but were we to do it I would want it balanced by a major Al-Quadim event so that not all huge changes were blown in from Faerun.
Well, my own temptation would be to develop the Spell Plague as an optional event.
That would parallel the old Zakhara is an optional addendum to the Realms protocol.
There's some passion for Al-Quadim out on the net. Wolfgang Baur at least found enough people to fund a patron project last year.
But it may be that that passion is centered more on Arabian Adventures as a general concept than as a specific setting.
For the moment, I think the Spell Plague is an interesting thing to consider as an event, but were we to do it I would want it balanced by a major Al-Quadim event so that not all huge changes were blown in from Faerun.
So you're for the +100 year advance, right?
One angle we could work the Spell Plague is "Breaking of the Djinni Seals" in which a huge number of imprisoned djinn are released, and all djinn contracts are rendered null and void. They are seen riding great storms of flame and lightning, leaving the sky stained with indigo hues in their wake (a Zakharan aurora borealis). Vendettas against the sha'ir who bound them are taken on the sha'ir (if living) or on their descendants. The oldest ones rival the Djinn Lords in power but are forbidden from returning to Jinnistan and may stake a claim to their own fiefdoms. Introduce the genasi as having always been in the background, but now becoming more prominent in the wake of the progenitors' liberation. Well, that's all I've got for now...
If I have any say in this, I vote for either 2 or most preferably 3. Zakhara needs an outside world to interact with, and the Realms actually work fairly well to support it. Of course, there is Calimport <cough...cough>, but without odd and foolish foreigners from over the seas, it loses some of the cultural-comparison I always loved.
The Realms has always struck me as the most interesting and well-realized world/setting that TSR/WotC has ever marketed. Its vastness means that lots of unusual styles can be plugged in, without tragically destroying the Realms or the plugged-in addition's charm and character. Zakhara, Kara-Tur, and even Maztica have their fans, but without being able to be attached to the Realms or another heavily supported setting, their potential for actual game usage by the "average" group plummets.
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