Themes in Eberron

[ArcaneSpringboard]

I know that the Players Handbook next year will feature Themes for 'normal' PCs similar to what is shown in the Dark Sun campaign setting.

Themes are a great design idea IMO...and fill in a nice niche that was a bit of a void...one that Paragon paths don't exactly replicate.

Themes are basically a set of powers that can be used without class being a restriction. There usually is a group of classes that are favoured, but none are restricted.

Some Eberron themes that come to mind are:

Wilderness Guide (similar to the Thunder Sea Guide from the Explorer's Handbook).

Last War Veteran

Spy

Scholar (think Indiana Jones)

Cyran Avenger

Dragonmarked House Member (you don't have to have a dragonmark to take this theme).

Anyways...this would be awesome for a DDI article I think.

 

[bugpog]

I was thinking the same think, except you have better themes idea.

 

[deadsmurf]

Also:
Extreme Explorer
One for each druid sect
Inquisitive

 

[ArcaneSpringboard]

Also:
Extreme Explorer
One for each druid sect
Inquisitive

I like the Extreme Explorer and Inquisitves for sure.

Wasn't so sure about the Druidic sects, but I suppose it does work since you don't have to be a _druid_. You could be a Shaman, a Warden, a Ranger...heck you could even be a psionic type (those would certainly join the Gatekeepers).

Actually in general, Themes work awesomely for the 'god specific' mechanics that are kinda lacking in 4e.

 

[DEFCON 1]

I'm going to be starting an Eberron campaign shortly and have thought about creating/adding some Themes for the character creation. The ones that I had in mind were:

Dragonmarked House Member
Warden of the Woods
Gatekeeper
Silver Flame Templar
Xen'drik Explorer
Dragon Prophet
Llazaar Pirate
Valenar Dervish
Arcane Congressman

Seeing what is above, I thinking adding Cyran Refugee, Sharn Inquisitive and Last War Veteran would be good additions as well.

 

[Trolls]

I'd add at least one for each of the Five Nations, as well as the more generic 'Last War Veteran'. Cyran Refugee/Avenger is a no brainer, but how about:

Aundairian Spellblade: Add an arcane flourish to your melee character.
Thranish Levy: All those clerics and templars need someone to lead. Probably a defender or striker that synergises well with leaders.
Karrnathi Sergant: Shout at your men until the enemy know why Karrns are unmatched when it comes to traditional warfare. A leader through and through.
Brelish ???: Tricky. I'd say an inspirational leader, since Brels love their heroes, but that might be more PP material.

 

[tyrlaan]

Wouldn't some of these be better served as Paragon Paths?

In my mind at least, I think there's a bit of a blurred edge between PPs and themes.

 

[ArcaneSpringboard]

This is true.

However, I think what distinguishes a Theme from a Paragon Path is that a PP is...well a Paragon of that class or race.

A Theme needs to be of cross-class benefit. You need to be able to see how several classes would belong to that Theme.

For example, a Last War veteran could be a Fighter, a Ranger (scout), a Wizard, Warlock or Sorcerer (artillery using Wands), a Warlord, etc etc.

 

[jelmore]

Looking at the themes in the Dark Sun Campaign Setting book, I can see some easy translation to Eberron:

Athasian Minstrel -- Thuranni/Phiarlan Entertainer
Elemental Priest -- Ashbound, Child of Winter
Dune Trader -- Dragonmarked House Guildmate (clunky name)
Gladiator -- Gladiator (think Darguun or Droaam)
Noble Adept -- Inspired Adept
Primal Guardian -- Eldeen Guardian
Templar -- Aundarian Agent or Sentinel Marshal
Veiled Alliance -- The Aurum
Wasteland Nomad -- Demon Wastes Nomad
Wilder -- Empty Vessel