Figure Cards

[marcq]

The first set of figure cards are on the Ophir site at:

http://www.four-hands.com/ophir/draft/figurecards.html

The pdf is 1.6MB but only 72 dpi so the bit maps are a bit clunky. However they are readable. I may split the pdfs in half and double the dpi which ought to make each about twice as large but much more readable. The actual card masters are vector based with 6 mega-pixel figure images so they'll print very nicely on glossy paper when the draft comes.

Start looking over the draft composition, ECLs, stats, etc. I will be toning down some of the higher ECL creatures (like the Erinyes) to keep the ECL more modest so these races are not a straight copy from the book.

Remember that humans and elves get the planetouched template, either a fiendish or a celestial planetouch template (my choice).

[sivousplay]

I presume the +2 DEX, +2 INT, -2 CHA is the fiendish and the +2 WIS, +2 CHA is the celestial? I can understand the -2 CHA for the 1/2 fiends, but the one thing that seems weird about it (especially when combined w/ the +2 INT) is that it makes 1/2 fiendish sorcerers not as powerful (and therefore as common) as 1/2 fiendish wizards and it seems to me that the demons and devils are more like sorcerers than wizards in that their magical abilities are innate.

??
jim

Originally Posted by marcq

The first set of figure cards are on the Ophir site at:

http://www.four-hands.com/ophir/draft/figurecards.html

The pdf is 1.6MB but only 72 dpi so the bit maps are a bit clunky. However they are readable. I may split the pdfs in half and double the dpi which ought to make each about twice as large but much more readable. The actual card masters are vector based with 6 mega-pixel figure images so they'll print very nicely on glossy paper when the draft comes.

Start looking over the draft composition, ECLs, stats, etc. I will be toning down some of the higher ECL creatures (like the Erinyes) to keep the ECL more modest so these races are not a straight copy from the book.

Remember that humans and elves get the planetouched template, either a fiendish or a celestial planetouch template (my choice).

[sivousplay]

BTW, when we were orginally discussing the figures, we had talked about the guy w/ the falcon being a ghost/revenant or something along those lines (because of the no face). Did you remember that and choose to go w/ elf?

jim

[marcq]

Originally Posted by sivousplay

I presume the +2 DEX, +2 INT, -2 CHA is the fiendish and the +2 WIS, +2 CHA is the celestial? I can understand the -2 CHA for the 1/2 fiends, but the one thing that seems weird about it (especially when combined w/ the +2 INT) is that it makes 1/2 fiendish sorcerers not as powerful (and therefore as common) as 1/2 fiendish wizards and it seems to me that the demons and devils are more like sorcerers than wizards in that their magical abilities are innate.

??
jim

You are correct; celecstial-touched is +2 wis, +2 cha. I have a rules page that describes this template but I haven't uploaded the rules section yet.

I took the stat mods straight from the Monster manual. Basically, I just turned the planetouched creatures into a template. You can argue that sort of thing either way but you haven't convinced me to change it yet

Specifically, the -2 CHA is because of the horns and tails that Tieflings tend to come with but you'll note that I put the fiendish-touched on the less charismatic figures so it ought to be okay even with out horns.

[marcq]

Originally Posted by sivousplay

BTW, when we were orginally discussing the figures, we had talked about the guy w/ the falcon being a ghost/revenant or something along those lines (because of the no face). Did you remember that and choose to go w/ elf?

jim

I lost my notes and forgot about the ghost thing. I'll check the ghost template but I think the ECL may be too high.

[sivousplay]

Mostly it got me to thinking about SOR in general and how CHA is not necessarily the best stat to reflect "innate magic," (because CHA as generated is based on your interactions with humans, but demon/devilkind would be interacting with other demon/devilkind and shouldn't have a racial minus to the stat), but I don't know what else I'd choose ... sorry, kinda mixed two topics together.

jim

[marcq]

Originally Posted by sivousplay

Mostly it got me to thinking about SOR in general and how CHA is not necessarily the best stat to reflect "innate magic," (because CHA as generated is based on your interactions with humans, but demon/devilkind would be interacting with other demon/devilkind and shouldn't have a racial minus to the stat), but I don't know what else I'd choose ... sorry, kinda mixed two topics together.

jim

Ah... it's a game. Gotta' pick something. Originally, we had the mystics charisma based but people kind of forgot that so we let that drop. Personally, I always thought the charisma-sorcerer thing was a desparate attempt to make the charisma stat actually count for something

I'm going to go with Sacred Watcher for the cowled dude. It is essentially a good ghost. It will actually tie in very well with the initial scenario if someone picks him.

It's ECL +5, though, which will be the highest in the game.

[cc22153]

The group picture and the cards look really great. You guys have put a ton of work into them and it really shows.

I definitely am thinking about what figure I would like to take for the next campaign. I really like the female in the yellow/gold armor with wings, she is really cool. (I have a thing for wings I guess!). I also really like the two elves (the male with the hawk and the female with the waterfall) and the hound archon. So many good choices....

Great job guys.

-Christina

[sivousplay]

that's cool ... might make him less appealing to some, but it's a very cool idea ...

jim

[sivousplay]

thanks Christina ... there are going to be many tough choices when it's all done. Right now, I'm thinking of the 1/2 demon sorceress (the one w/ the arachnid cape), the hawk guy, the human female caster w/ the large headgear and maybe the 1/2 fiendish witch hunter guy (maybe play him as a wizard). Who knows ... there's gonna be twice as many characters as now and I've waffled at almost every opportunity.

jim

[marcq]

Thanks for the comments, Chris! It's been fun. And less than half the figures are done. Still lots more to come (Jim, willing )

I've updated the pdf above to have stats for all 17 figures. I changed the hooded guy to be a "Sacred Watcher" which is sort of a good ghost. It has a high ECL so this will likely change folks' mind on him but could be a good PC.

Mostly the stats follow the various source books but I did make a few modifications here and there (dropped the Erinyes a bit so that she could be ECL +5, made the half-dragon huge because the figure is so large, made the hound archon large for the same reason, etc.)

I printed a set of the cards on photo matte paper. They came out quite nice if I may say so myself.

It's kind of fun to play with the cards and come up with portfolios. I kind of came up with 13, 3, 12, 16, 1, 17. The half-dragon isn't my type but he just looks cool.

BTW I've changed the collage picture at the top of this page so that you can get the 600KB full size version if you click on it.

[SuperBeast]

I just finshed looking at all the figure cards. Great job, Marc and Jim!

I pretty much have in mind to play a human kensai, kind of a noble warrior who is lawful good but not beholden to the standards of a normal LG paladin. However, the half-celestial guy with wings looks pretty damn cool too!

[sivousplay]

Well, after looking it over, my #1 pick is still the half-fiendish flying sorceress ... didn't know she'd be able to fly too!!! Still trying to decide if I can play a character that has the smite good ability though.

Man, the half-celestials look cool ... too bad I'm playing one right now or I'd be all over them.

Marc, there's at least one fig in the queue that could only be 1/2 celestial ... are we going to be too heavy on those. I'd expected the archer guy to be an elf.

jim

[sivousplay]

BTW, a quick off the top of my head list of the characters in the queue:
1). female "satyr" ... 54mm (so she is kinda big) ... could be half just about anything you wanted ...
2). male half demon or half dragon 54mm
3 & 4). 2 of 3 "small" dragons ... likely choices are bronze, black or green, and red
5). male half celestial ... very cool warrior w/ wings
6). female priestess (the iron priestess ... armored priestess w/ back banners)
7). male druid/celestial ... i've painted this fig before ... kinda druidy looking but he has feathery wings
8). male drow wizard
9). male 1/2 fiend or were-creature
10). female 1/2 fiend warrior
11). male wizard
12). male 1/2 dragon fighter
13). female 1/2 dragon or some other creature bard/wizard/thief??
14). armored giant (from rackham)

that will get us pretty close and then it'll be time to "fill gaps."

jim

[marcq]

Originally Posted by sivousplay

Well, after looking it over, my #1 pick is still the half-fiendish flying sorceress ... didn't know she'd be able to fly too!!! Still trying to decide if I can play a character that has the smite good ability though.

Man, the half-celestials look cool ... too bad I'm playing one right now or I'd be all over them.

Marc, there's at least one fig in the queue that could only be 1/2 celestial ... are we going to be too heavy on those. I'd expected the archer guy to be an elf.

jim

I did remember we had planned for the archer to be an elf; he just looked more like a celestial when I was working him up.

My thoughts are to do a 'best effort' and then review the race distribution after all 36 are written up. If someone wants to propose a different race for a figure, we can also consider those at that time. For instance, if suddenly no one wants to take the white-cloaked guy now that he is a Sacred Watcher, I can switch him back easily enough.

Anyway, I wouldn't change the figure plan now unless you just have a figure you'd rather paint. I'll always consider those requests.

I take it the next batch of 19 figures will be more 'boy' heavy? The first group is females:males 3:2 I think.

[sivousplay]

From the above list you can see that the next set is male heavy ... rest assured if no one takes the hooded guy, I will take him as a backup PC or friend for sure, and he's still in my top 5 for PC.

jim

[sivousplay]

BTW, I completely agree with your choice on the archer ... I think he looks very celestial.

[marcq]

Originally Posted by sivousplay

BTW, I completely agree with your choice on the archer ... I think he looks very celestial.

It's funny- I've seen the figures several times but putting them on the card and working up the stats has changed my opinion about them. For instance, the heavily armored half-celestial guy hadn't appealed but after working him up, he might be one of my top picks.

Of course, it depends on the rest of the figures look. Also, a key "-1 ECL" on the right figure might make a big difference for (and I suspect it will make a big difference for everyone).

[marcq]

After reviewing the figures and comments from you, I am considering these changes:

• Change pixie from +4 to +5 ECL
• Change erinyes from +5 to +6 ECL
• Make the half ogre/half dragon +5 without wings and +6 with wings but also beef him up a little more
• Make all humans and elves +1 for the planetouched template.

Thoughts?

[sivousplay]

If there is anything you think is missing from the draft figures ... something you and others members of the group would like to play, please suggest it. There are no guarantees that Marc will approve the suggestion or that I can find a figure to represent it. But, we do want everyone to be happy with the draft. So, please make suggestions if you think there are any gaps.

jim