Aasimar?? Half-Orcs??

[Tripgnosis]

Forgotten Realms Players guide mentions the Half-Orc and Deva (Assimar) races as 'supporting cast' but give no stats. Why? Same thing with Goliaths and Shades. I could understand the latter 2 being saved for later but why Half-Orcs and Devas? They're both more standard then any of the optional races in the MM.

 

[lightblade]

Likely they'll both be in the PHBII. Half orcs have been confirmed (on cover art i believe) while Devas are also likely, since there was a D mentioned in one of those interviews with Mike Mearls, iirc.

 

[elecgraystone]

The 'why' is most likely that WOTC has already figured out what races they want in which books. I don't think that Half-Orc and Deva would do a good job showcasing the new class the swordmage. The gensai does that perfectly. it just makes sense for them both to be in the same book.

 

[Tripgnosis]

A friend of mine mentioned that the barbarian is supposed to be in the PHBII as well, another good reason to put the Half-Orcs there. And perhaps they're saving the Shades and Goliaths for the FRPGII??

 

[Hermod]

A friend of mine mentioned that the barbarian is supposed to be in the PHBII as well, another good reason to put the Half-Orcs there. And perhaps they're saving the Shades and Goliaths for the FRPGII??

I personally hope there's never a FRPGII. It's annoying enough that they're going to be a second PHB. Goliaths (never really liked them, but options are cool) and Shades should be in PHBII.

 

[Staffan]

Shades are in the FRCG as a template, and can only be applied to level 11+ monsters/NPCs. It's not something you're born as, it's something you're turned into as a reward for service to the Netherese empire.

Shades get the usual elite stuff (more hp, action points, defenses), dim nearby light, can teleport a bit but only to areas that aren't brightly lit, and get total concealment if they move around enough.

 

[Howndawg]

The reason they are mentioned is so that when the PHBII comes out, players who like those races can get a quick look at how those races play out in the Realms without having to wait for a Dragon article. And yes, gnomes, goliaths, half-orcs, and shifters have all been confirmed for the PHBII while devas have strongly been insinuated.

 

[Rechan]

I was under the impression that Shades were treated as Shadar-kai mechanically.

 

[the8bitdeity]

I was under the impression that Shades were treated as Shadar-kai mechanically.

Shadar-kai in theory can turn into Shades via the template. Which is horrific to think about.

Shades are not a true breeding race, merely an applied template now.

 

[doctorhook]

Shadar-kai in theory can turn into Shades via the template. Which is horrific to think about.

Shades are not a true breeding race, merely an applied template now.

When we see Shadar-Kai written up as a PC race, (PH3?), I wouldn't expect this Shade->Shadar-Kai relationship to be expressed mechanically.