[Contemplating] Dragonlance Classics

[GruTheWanderer]

Why just the base classes? Why wouldn't Riverwind be an ranger?

I'm not a big fan of the 3E ranger. I think what I might do is add several of the ranger's class skills to the fighter class list (Animal Empathy, Knowledge (nature), and Wilderness Lore). Then add Track to the fighter's feat list. The rest of the ranger's skills are on the rogue class list. The favored enemy bonus and spells aren't that significant.

 

[GruTheWanderer]

I'm glad to hear a bunch of people are interested. I'm not ready to start reserving particular characters for people, but I will take your enthusiasm into account when the time comes. Since the campaign might go on for quite a while, I would probably need to choose players with care.

I'd really like some feedback on the level concept. So here's a quick poll. What levels would you like to see the modules cover?

1. 5-13

2. 5-20

3. Other (explain)

 

[Keia]

My suggestion would be either 5-20 or 5-other. The reason for the 5-other would be the final confrontations and the final battles. Fighting Tiamat would be an outstanding way to finish a campaign - at least in my opinion. Then, you have the epilogue and you wrap it up.

One of the things that would need to be dealt with would be the requirements for certain characters to survive (mysterious deaths - etc.). Although, in 3e, the mechanics would allow character to return through raise or resurrection easier as well.

The commitment of time and effort for someone as the gm and for the players would need to be taken seriously. Who knows what direction things may go with the adventure?

 

[Douane]

While I don't have any set level preference, I think option 1 would not go far enough. IIRC, Kitiara is somewhere near lvl 15 in the final module. The other Dragon Highlords would be probably be of even higher lvl.

There is another point of concern: IIRC, the original DL modules were often shunned, because on some occasions rather heavy-handed "railroading" was required to keep the group on track.
Potential Players should be aware of these "limits". (hopefully no problem with those dedicated enough to play.)

Last point: I do think the characters need to be reworked somehow. If you go with the original stats from DL5, Caramon would have more skill points than Tanis. Also, Flint would have exactly 1 point per level (supposedly spent on Craft:Toymaking).


Folkert

[EDIT: Sorry for the rambling style! IT's 6am over here and I'm almost asleep on my keyboard.]

 

[GruTheWanderer]

There is another point of concern: IIRC, the original DL modules were often shunned, because on some occasions rather heavy-handed "railroading" was required to keep the group on track.
Potential Players should be aware of these "limits". (hopefully no problem with those dedicated enough to play.)

Last point: I do think the characters need to be reworked somehow. If you go with the original stats from DL5, Caramon would have more skill points than Tanis. Also, Flint would have exactly 1 point per level (supposedly spent on Craft:Toymaking).

Yes, several of the Dragonlance modules used textbook railroading. While I would not want to limit creative characters, I would expect the party to follow the general flow of the modules. I would tell them when they were getting off course though, rather than continue throwing bigger and bigger units of the dragon armies at them until they die.

I agree that the stats also need to be changed. Riverwind had something like four stats at 15 or above, while Tasslehoff had a Dexterity of only 17 as a kender thief. I would probably do point buy, with the restriction that the general feel of the character should be maintained (possibly by maintaining the same highest and lowest stat). Caramon should still be musclebound, Raistlin should still be somewhat frail, etc.

 

[Douane]

Concerning point-buy:

A small overview (using the official WotC conversion rules and assuming the +1 attr. point on 4th lvl went to their highest attr.):


Tanis: 39
Caramon: 48+ (due to strength)
Raistlin. 35
Flint: 30
Tasslehoff: 25
Sturm: 37
Goldmoon: 38
Riverwind: 49
Tika: 30


[And some people say that FR has way to powerful NPC's.]

Hope this will be useful for further discussion on this subject.

Folkert

 

[GruTheWanderer]

Thanks, Folkert. I didn't have time to tackle that myself, but it is quite informative.

That's approximately a 38 average. I might knock it down a bit.

Here's poll #2: What level of point buy should I use?

1. 28
2. 32
3. 36
4. 40
5. Other (explain)

 

[rangerjohn]

ranger or fighter

Do you plan on upping the fighters skill points as well? Its hard enough to get the ranger the skills he needs without going to two per level. If your saying their fighter/rouges than how did Riverwind survive by himself? That's quite a reduction in b.a.b and hps.

 

[rangerjohn]

I think I need to drop out, its not possible to convert Riverwind as he was originally envisioned. Good luck to you all looks like its going to harder than it was before. Or the monsters are definately going to have to be toned down. Dragon Lance is a low-magic world for the most part, there are obvious exeptions like the blue crystal staff, but on the whole things like +3 swords are considered relics. So if your reducing attributes and keeping the modules treasure alotment, their will be problems.

 

[Jarval]

For point buy, I'd go with option 3 or 4. As rangerjohn says, Dragonlance is something of a low-magic world, and 3e relies quite heavily on magical equipment to balance character's power levels. Higher than average ability scores should reduce this problem somewhat.

As far as play levels go, I'd go with option 2. You need to have quite high level characters once we reach the end of the adventures.