I can has gaming blog now?
Rock Trolls - an attempt at a custom race
Posted 22nd July 2008 at 01:36 AM by Wil
This is my first attempt at a custom race, inspired by the Rock Trolls from Terry Brooks' Shannarra books. There isn't anything crazy or innovative here - the racial abilities are cribbed from existing abilities. Still I welcome feedback and criticism. It's also probably useful to know that my campaign will not have Dragonborn in it; Rock Trolls are, in a way, a replacement for players who want a tank type character race.
ROCK TROLLS
Fierce, desert tribesmen
RACIAL TRAITS
Average Height: 6'-7'
Average Weight: 300-450 lb.
Ability Scores: +2 Strength, +2 Constitution
Size: Medium
Speed: 6 squares
Vision: Normal
Languages: Common, Giant
Skill Bonuses: +2 Endurance, +2 Intimidate
Rock Hide: Your thick hide gives you a +1 bonus to AC.
Oversized: You can use weapons of your size or one size
larger than you as if they were your size.
Rock Troll Resilience: You can use Rock Troll Resilience as an encounter power.
Rock Troll Resilience
Like your namesake, you can weather nearly anything.
Encounter
Immediate Reaction Personal
Trigger: You suffer an effect that a save can end
Effect: You make a saving throw against the effect.
Play a rock troll if you want . . .
PHYSICAL QUALITIES
Rock trolls resemble nothing more than small giants. If they truly are related to the evil, murderous, regenerating variety of troll, it’s difficult to see physically. Rock trolls are heavily built humanoids, covered in a thick hide that resembles rough rock and feels like bark. Their coloration resembles rock as well, coming in a mixture of grays, browns and tans. Their massive hands have three stubby fingers and a thumb, and their feet four toes. Rock trolls have no body hair, and their thick brows and deep-set eyes belie a profound intelligence. Their rigid skin limits rock trolls in showing emotion as other creatures do, and those without knowledge of their society and culture often have a difficult time reading a rock troll’s mood.
Rock trolls appear to mature at about the same rate as human children, but appear to live at least twice as long as humans. As rock trolls age, their skin becomes rougher, more rigid and the color begins to fade.
PLAYING A ROCK TROLL
Rock trolls society consists of nomadic tribal groups, led by the eldest male rock troll. The elder is often a shaman or cleric. Rock trolls are very spiritual and somewhat superstitious. Their daily lives are defined by hundreds of small rituals that only rock trolls seem to understand. Rock trolls strive to live in harmony with their surroundings, and rock troll communities are often nearly indistinguishable from the rocky badlands where most make their homes. They revere Melora as the goddess of the sky and Kord as her thunderous consort.
Rock troll females are all but unknown outside of their hidden communities, and some scholars have suggested that females comprise as little as 1 in 10 of their population. Because of this, rock trolls reproduce very slowly and rock trolls do not mate for life. Female rock troll adventurers are unheard of. Rock trolls will protect their females fiercely, and threatening those females is the easiest way to earn their wrath. The few known female rock trolls are arcane or divine spellcasters, and if legends are to be believed they are more fearsome than the males in battle. Because of this, females wield a great deal of influence within the communities despite a patriarchal society and the extreme limits placed on female freedom.
While not expansionist or particularly aggressive, rock trolls place high value on martial prowess and are sometimes seen as violent savages. Formalized warfare between rock troll tribes is not uncommon. In many cases, conflicts between two tribes are resolved through the use of tribal champions chosen by the elders of the tribes involved. Rock trolls value battlefield honor, even in the face of dishonorable opponents. When mobilizing for war, rock trolls prefer heavy armor and large, bashing weapons - in their huge hands rock troll maces can give even the most hardened human warrior pause.
Rock troll adventurers are often outcasts for one crime or another, although it is not unknown for a rock troll to come down with wanderlust. This is slightly more common in rock troll communities that have more contact with the outside world. The Nerath Empire also conscripted hundreds of rock trolls into heavy infantry units. Upon the empire’s collapse and the disbanding of the units, many returned to their homelands and some had offspring. Tales of their father’s or grandfather’s exploits in the Empire’s legions are often enough to ignite a young rock troll’s desire to see more of the world.
Rock troll characteristics: Honorable, ritualistic, quiet, spiritual, superstitious.
Male Names: Atalan, Axhind, Barek, Kershalt, Kermadec
ROCK TROLLS
Fierce, desert tribesmen
RACIAL TRAITS
Average Height: 6'-7'
Average Weight: 300-450 lb.
Ability Scores: +2 Strength, +2 Constitution
Size: Medium
Speed: 6 squares
Vision: Normal
Languages: Common, Giant
Skill Bonuses: +2 Endurance, +2 Intimidate
Rock Hide: Your thick hide gives you a +1 bonus to AC.
Oversized: You can use weapons of your size or one size
larger than you as if they were your size.
Rock Troll Resilience: You can use Rock Troll Resilience as an encounter power.
Rock Troll Resilience
Like your namesake, you can weather nearly anything.
Encounter
Immediate Reaction Personal
Trigger: You suffer an effect that a save can end
Effect: You make a saving throw against the effect.
Play a rock troll if you want . . .
- to be big and tough.
- Yet be stoic and quiet.
- to be a part of a proud, but savage heritage.
- to be a member of a race that favors the warlord, fighter, and paladin classes.
PHYSICAL QUALITIES
Rock trolls resemble nothing more than small giants. If they truly are related to the evil, murderous, regenerating variety of troll, it’s difficult to see physically. Rock trolls are heavily built humanoids, covered in a thick hide that resembles rough rock and feels like bark. Their coloration resembles rock as well, coming in a mixture of grays, browns and tans. Their massive hands have three stubby fingers and a thumb, and their feet four toes. Rock trolls have no body hair, and their thick brows and deep-set eyes belie a profound intelligence. Their rigid skin limits rock trolls in showing emotion as other creatures do, and those without knowledge of their society and culture often have a difficult time reading a rock troll’s mood.
Rock trolls appear to mature at about the same rate as human children, but appear to live at least twice as long as humans. As rock trolls age, their skin becomes rougher, more rigid and the color begins to fade.
PLAYING A ROCK TROLL
Rock trolls society consists of nomadic tribal groups, led by the eldest male rock troll. The elder is often a shaman or cleric. Rock trolls are very spiritual and somewhat superstitious. Their daily lives are defined by hundreds of small rituals that only rock trolls seem to understand. Rock trolls strive to live in harmony with their surroundings, and rock troll communities are often nearly indistinguishable from the rocky badlands where most make their homes. They revere Melora as the goddess of the sky and Kord as her thunderous consort.
Rock troll females are all but unknown outside of their hidden communities, and some scholars have suggested that females comprise as little as 1 in 10 of their population. Because of this, rock trolls reproduce very slowly and rock trolls do not mate for life. Female rock troll adventurers are unheard of. Rock trolls will protect their females fiercely, and threatening those females is the easiest way to earn their wrath. The few known female rock trolls are arcane or divine spellcasters, and if legends are to be believed they are more fearsome than the males in battle. Because of this, females wield a great deal of influence within the communities despite a patriarchal society and the extreme limits placed on female freedom.
While not expansionist or particularly aggressive, rock trolls place high value on martial prowess and are sometimes seen as violent savages. Formalized warfare between rock troll tribes is not uncommon. In many cases, conflicts between two tribes are resolved through the use of tribal champions chosen by the elders of the tribes involved. Rock trolls value battlefield honor, even in the face of dishonorable opponents. When mobilizing for war, rock trolls prefer heavy armor and large, bashing weapons - in their huge hands rock troll maces can give even the most hardened human warrior pause.
Rock troll adventurers are often outcasts for one crime or another, although it is not unknown for a rock troll to come down with wanderlust. This is slightly more common in rock troll communities that have more contact with the outside world. The Nerath Empire also conscripted hundreds of rock trolls into heavy infantry units. Upon the empire’s collapse and the disbanding of the units, many returned to their homelands and some had offspring. Tales of their father’s or grandfather’s exploits in the Empire’s legions are often enough to ignite a young rock troll’s desire to see more of the world.
Rock troll characteristics: Honorable, ritualistic, quiet, spiritual, superstitious.
Male Names: Atalan, Axhind, Barek, Kershalt, Kermadec
Total Comments 0
Comments
Total Trackbacks 0
And yet another word from our sponsors
