L4W Discussion Thread IV

[elecgraystone]

I seem to remember that way back when we originally started talking about backgrounds, there was a thought that you'd be able to switch backgrounds by learning a lot about your new background, in character.

Well the thing is, most times several backgrounds fit but you can only take 1 benefit. What I was thinking is trading the benefit to another background that already fit my character.

For Ts'iri, apprentice of a sinister cabal, cult escapee, magic scholar, on the run from the devil, geography (pick one since EA's isn't described), criminal, arcane agent, arcane refugee, dark apprenticeship, followed a cult and renegade fit along with EA from the start. I can see having to spent time/find someone to pick up a background you wouldn't have been able to take at start, but that isn't the case here.

 

[elecgraystone]

Wasn't there some discussion when the PHB2 backgrounds were adopted of allowing people with the old style background an opportunity to switch them if they wished? That thread may already have the answer.

Here's that thread. http://www.enworld.org/forum/living-4th-edition/257837-backgrounds.html

It just kind of died without coming to a conclusion... Should I start a Proposal for allowing background changes at level up?

 

[LadyLaw]

So, it seems like when you're talking about backgrounds, in the lingo of the wiki etc. you're talking about your regional benefits. Is that correct? If so, great. If not, ignore what I'm about to say next.

In the character creation sticky regarding optional regional benefits it says (among other things:

4.7 Choose Region (optional)
You may optionally choose a region for your character from the regions list. Each region provides small benefits to characters originating there.
You will be able to change region or take on a region if your character didn't start with one.
Generally speaking when you level up you may change your region provided you spent a significant amount of time in the region (half of your xp was gained there).

The last sentence seems to address your question if I am interpreting your intent correctly. Again, if I'm not, feel free to merrily ignore me.

 

[elecgraystone]

In the character creation sticky regarding optional regional benefits it says 'Generally speaking when you level up you may change your region provided you spent a significant amount of time in the region'.

however, I'm not talking about a region, which is a subset of backgrounds. If my region happens to have lots of woods, why would I have to spend more time in a woods to pick up geography: woods?

The issue is that the wiki was never updated after PHB2 but backgrounds from it are allowed. If we replaced 'region' with 'region or background' then that would cover it.

 

[covaithe]

Thanks for finding that wording, LL. It certainly clarifies that backgrounds weren't intended to be set in stone.

I don't really have a problem with switching to another background that also fits your character. Level-up seems the appropriate time to do that. Who gets to decide what "fits" your character? Dunno. I can't see me ever worrying enough about it to hold up an approval, but I won't presume to speak for the other judges.

 

[LadyLaw]

No problem. Glad to help.

My brain is weird like that. Can't tell you what I had for breakfast yesterday, but I'll see something and think, "Now I know I read something about that at some point," even if it was years ago that I read it. Such thoughts are usually followed by furious searching until I figure out where I read it or it will bug me.

 

[renau1g]

As an FYI, it's a holiday here in Ontario on Monday so posting might not happen for me. Please NPC if holding up (go Family day)

 

[elecgraystone]

Thanks for finding that wording, LL. It certainly clarifies that backgrounds weren't intended to be set in stone.

If the judges agree that regions = backgrounds in that wording, that solves most of my problems.

Who gets to decide what "fits" your character?

Personally if anyone wondered how it fits my characters, PM me and I'd be more that happy to say why I thought it did. As long as someone can give a logical reason past 'it gives me this', it'd most likely be ok for most changes.

On a related note they have a new way to do backgrounds in the latest dragon. You get 4 backgrounds; parentage, early life, pivotal event and recent life. That gets you up to 8 skills/languages to pick from that you can add/get a +2 in. (still only 1 pick though) I'm liking it greatly since it gives plenty of options without feeling forced.

 

[Nebten]

So we are just throwing this out the window then?

Leveling up
When you gain enough experience to level up, edit your character sheet, email the character judges again and add the following code to your character sheet.
Code:
[[Category:L4W:Requesting Approval]]
The approval process is the same as for the initial character submission (i.e. #7-9) above.

Every time your character gains a level, you can retrain one feat, power, and skill. If new character options have been approved for play in L4W since your character’s last approval of submission or level-up, you may additionally retrain one new feat, power, and class feature (when selectable) from the new source(s).

Once before your character is approved for level 2, you may do an overhaul of your character. This is a single opportunity in that character’s career to recreate all mechanical aspects of the character except for class, race, ability scores, and basic character concept. The overhaul must be approved as per the normal rules for character approval, and requires DM permission if the character is involved in an adventure.

It sounds like when you are changing background to gain a different benifit you are changing a mechanical aspect of the character. Just want to make sure so that we can change our background every time we level.

 

[Dekana]

As an FYI, it's a holiday here in Ontario on Monday so posting might not happen for me. Please NPC if holding up (go Family day)

Monday is a holiday in the states as well, but that just means I'll be posting more since I get the day off. (Go Presidents Day!)