Level Up (A5E) Revamped the Jenn (And now added the Unshaped)
Faolyn
(she/her)
Right now, I'm just trying to keep myself from rewriting everything a dozen times. And trying to come up with some illustrations for it.
And, of course, waiting until I have a copy of LU in my hands so I can finalize all of the rules. How many weeks left do we have?
Either 9 or 10? I’m not sure! Oct 5th!
TheHand
Adventurer
Very evocative write-up and I really like how you streamlined the rules for all the "flavors" of the Jenn. I didn't find anything in the mechanics that looked imbalanced!
I do have a creative process question though: The ability to use their hair to manipulate the world is very unique and seemed like something players could have a lot of fun with! Was that inspired by mythology or something else?
Also - I second making these into a book. Obviously I'll be customer #2, haha!
I do have a creative process question though: The ability to use their hair to manipulate the world is very unique and seemed like something players could have a lot of fun with! Was that inspired by mythology or something else?
Also - I second making these into a book. Obviously I'll be customer #2, haha!
Faolyn
(she/her)
I'm working on a book. It's slow though--I don't have any experience doing for-publication stuff.
The hair thing is mostly made up. I just thought it was a neat image*. Plus, since they're no longer a type of planetouched, I wanted to replace the horns and tail with something that equally inhuman. Changing their hair so it's more like elemental matter seemed like a good way to do it.
* Entrapta is my favorite character on She-Ra.
The hair thing is mostly made up. I just thought it was a neat image*. Plus, since they're no longer a type of planetouched, I wanted to replace the horns and tail with something that equally inhuman. Changing their hair so it's more like elemental matter seemed like a good way to do it.
* Entrapta is my favorite character on She-Ra.
Faolyn
(she/her)
So here's one more. After this... I already did nymphs, so I think that means I'm legally required to do satyrs as well? But then that's it for new heritages. I've got ten, including this one, plus several gifts for planetouched, gnomes, and halflings, and a bunch of cultures. Now, I just have to work on the art!
I'm definitely worried about the balance on this one. It looks OK, but I'm not sure.
I'm definitely worried about the balance on this one. It looks OK, but I'm not sure.
TheHand
Adventurer
Fascinating set! At first I was a little surprised to see those 3 choices grouped together, but then it dawned on me, "But of course they belong together, they are all shape-shifters!"
Base abilities seem good; Alter Self can be potent but it's limited to once per day.
Double: This preserves a very changeling, doppleganger feel to the race while keeping in with the A5E conventions. I think this is a solid entry.
Hamadryad: The only ability here that gave me pause was the Vines power. Since it appears to be at-will and usable as a bonus action, I can see it being problematic in the hands of devious players; for example, as a bonus action I could keep making Grapple checks every round in addition to my normal action; even if the strength of the grapple is low, it could still be very annoying and eventually the dice gods will win in my favor.
A Proposal: What if it normally can work like a Mage Hand, but the hamadryad can add a temporary boost to grapple, pull, or push or manipulate a larger object? This boost would be usable once per short or long rest.
Everything else with Hamadryad looks good!
Zoanth: Here I feel they could use a little buff. The 1d6 natural weapon damage is nice, but not as useful if you have access to higher-damaging weapons. I might make the natural attack a finesse attack as well, so a Rogue Zoanth might be able take advantage of the ability.
A Couple Proposals: While Shapechanging, perhaps the Zoanth should also gain Darkvision and/or +5 movement? And taking inspiration from Eberron's "Shifter" race, maybe a "Once per Long Rest" ability could give them some temporary hit points?
Thanks again for inviting feedback!
Base abilities seem good; Alter Self can be potent but it's limited to once per day.
Double: This preserves a very changeling, doppleganger feel to the race while keeping in with the A5E conventions. I think this is a solid entry.
Hamadryad: The only ability here that gave me pause was the Vines power. Since it appears to be at-will and usable as a bonus action, I can see it being problematic in the hands of devious players; for example, as a bonus action I could keep making Grapple checks every round in addition to my normal action; even if the strength of the grapple is low, it could still be very annoying and eventually the dice gods will win in my favor.
A Proposal: What if it normally can work like a Mage Hand, but the hamadryad can add a temporary boost to grapple, pull, or push or manipulate a larger object? This boost would be usable once per short or long rest.
Everything else with Hamadryad looks good!
Zoanth: Here I feel they could use a little buff. The 1d6 natural weapon damage is nice, but not as useful if you have access to higher-damaging weapons. I might make the natural attack a finesse attack as well, so a Rogue Zoanth might be able take advantage of the ability.
A Couple Proposals: While Shapechanging, perhaps the Zoanth should also gain Darkvision and/or +5 movement? And taking inspiration from Eberron's "Shifter" race, maybe a "Once per Long Rest" ability could give them some temporary hit points?
Thanks again for inviting feedback!
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