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[dvvega]

I think it is a decent system. In many books on elves (at least by WOTC - the 2nd edition Book of Elves for example) it indicates that elves are casual, fun-loving, not prone to sticking to things too long. This was used to explain their level limits and the fact that a long-lived race did not take over the world. This does explain why they have access to so many skills, and why they never get perfect at all of them, just a couple (the points spent when they gain a class). I think your system captures that in a decent enough manner.

However I would argue that maturity should be factored in ... all the statements regarding elves maturing slower is substantiated by the PHB. The age categories table is divided into age brackets.

With this in mind, the older someone gets the less they learn (more set in their old ways) thus I would factor in the maturity level as well. Up to middle age, divide by 15, then by 10, 5, 1. You only divide the years lived in that bracket.

I would also make every skill cross-class once they take a class, and put a maximum limit on the knowledge dependent on how many skills they take. For example an elf taking 10 skills may have a limit of 3 ranks, while an elf taking every available skill should be limited to 1 rank. It reflects focus versus generalisation.

I would also favour certain races with lifting their rank limit. I would stop anyone taking multiple professions unless they were inter-related and they were a specific race: dwarfs: stone cutter, miner etc. Humans would be limited to one profession which does not get counted against their maximum limits counts for example (so they can have 3 ranks in it or even 4).

But your system is good and inspiring.

 

[Steverooo]

Deleted.

 

[Matt Black]

Nice idea, but the implementation is just broken. Sure, "realistically" a 130yo should have many times the skills that an 18yo has, but I think you need to sacrifice a little realism for the sake of racial balance. Unless, that is, you want to give elves a level adjustment. In your system they're -much- more attractive as starting characters than all the other races.

It doesn't take much creative rationalization to say that shorter-lived races just learn things more quickly in their early years. Perhaps they're driven by their own sense of mortality. Humans strive to make the most out of their meagre allotment of years, while elves waste decades prancing about in the woods! That way, your allocation of skill points by starting age doesn't have to be quite so linear. Sure, give longer-lived races a few more points to spend on perform, craft, profession and knowledge skills. But unless you want to add level adjustments, keep the more class-related skills out of it. Or compensate by giving the shorter-lived races access to these more useful skills as racial skills.

 

[dvvega]

Really? Why? Most people change careers many times, in their lives. A Farmer's son may become a Fighter/Bodyguard, but still know something about farming, etc.

The example you give is a farmer's son (Profession(farmer) who becomes a fighter (class). I'm talking about pre-class points given via your system.

I've gone through 10s of careers in my life time but they were all in IT. My profession is Programmer/Developer, it is not Profession(C Programmer), Profession(Visual Basic Programmer), Profession(7 or 8 other languages Progammer). These languages have their differences but at their heart it is the syntax that differentiates them, not the art of programming.

To better describe me it would be Profession(Programmer/Developer), Knowledge (C), Knowledge (Visual Basic), Knowledge (Fortran) etc.

And the same goes for most people. They have different career paths but they're generally rooted in the same Profession. A complete change in Profession does occur but not in your first 15 years of human life (in general).

 

[Steverooo]

But unless you want to add level adjustments, keep the more class-related skills out of it. Or compensate by giving the shorter-lived races access to these more useful skills as racial skills.

Based on the Races chapter of the 3.5e/3e PHB, and/or the MM entries for the PC races, which skills would you suggest adding to which races' lists? I had initially considered giving the skills that each race got racial bonuses to as part of their list, but... Eek! Elves would get Search, Spot, and Listen, too! That's no good!...

Based on the Races chapter of the 3.5e/3e PHB, and/or the MM entries for the PC races, which skills would you suggest adding to which races' lists?

 

[Steverooo]

Deleted.

 

[vulcan_idic]

If you take other racial bonuses into account this might help... i.e. the +2 to Dex that elves get is, effectively, 1 rank in balance and tumble (if I remember the base attributes rightly)... this might be what they get for living in trees, and a rationalization of not including such "mechanically useful" skills on there list. Perhaps this would be a suitable compromise between the two camps?

In general I like the system, though the "utility" side makes me a little nervous as the others have pointed out, I would like to see it in action and get some empirical data before fine tuning it much more.

 

[Bihor]

If you find that 120 year old elf should not have the same skill a humain of 15,
1- start all your character at 15.
Imagine the elf mother saying to is little son ''You can go play with your human friends, but you need to be home for supper.''

2- Or give them NPC level, depending on is education.

3- or accepte the text of the PHB saying the the elf kid grab there ass fore about 100 years.