Dragonbane general thread

[Aldarc]

Actually a celestial/astromancy/star magic tradition dealing with the heavens (stars, moon, sun, etc.) or even things like time, fate, and astrological omens would be pretty awesome for Dragonbane.

 

[Nikosandros]

1) No. DB is skill-based. You need a success on a Healing Skill check (p34. p50).

I understand that it is skill based, I'm familiar with the older versions of RQ from which it derived. However, the rules about helping do not restrict the action (from what I understand) to skill rolls and so it would seem legitimate. However, I can strongly see the point that one would achieve the same purpose by rolling healing and thus, it should not be allowed.

2) If you are talking about the Backstabbing Heroic Ability, no, because it's a bonus die. Only the original weapon damage is doubled, before bonuses.

Understood. And, yes, I was referring to backstabbing.

 

[The Soloist]

However, I can strongly see the point that one would achieve the same purpose by rolling healing and thus, it should not be allowed.

Correct, if you allow Con for stabilisation, players will ask you later to use Agility to climb instead of the appropriate skill. It short circuits the skill system.

Attribute rolls are for resisting effects like poison and conditions.

 

[Nikosandros]

Correct, if you allow Con for stabilisation, players will ask you later to use Agility to climb instead of the appropriate skill. It short circuits the skill system.

Attribute rolls are for resisting effects like poison and conditions.

I understand the general point, but death rolls are constitution rolls. I was asking if someone else could help with that roll, which, IMHO, is a different situation that trying to roll a stat instead of a skill in an "active" roll. Still, since healing is the skill that is used to "help" people stabilize, I've been convinced that it should not be allowed.

 

[The Soloist]

I understand the general point, but death rolls are constitution rolls. I was asking if someone else could help with that roll, which, IMHO, is a different situation that trying to roll a stat instead of a skill in an "active" roll. Still, since healing is the skill that is used to "help" people stabilize, I've been convinced that it should not be allowed.

Sorry if I appear a bit thick, but the word stabilize threw me off. It's not to be found in the DB rules when I search the PDF. It's a D&D term.

The DB term is Saving Life (p.50) and is a Healing action. That is outside the Death Roll (not an action), which happens during the character's turn. Saving Life is the only way to help another character against possible Death - apart from magical healing.

 

[Nikosandros]

Sorry if I appear a bit thick, but the word stabilize threw me off. It's not to be found in the DB rules when I search the PDF. It's a D&D term.

The DB term is Saving Life (p.50) and is a Healing action. That is outside the Death Roll (not an action), which happens during the character's turn. Saving Life is the only way to help another character against possible Death - apart from magical healing.

Yes, I was not using "technical" terms, but just "common" language. Stabilize is also used in real life. Apologies if I was unclear.

 

[Aldarc]

I understand the general point, but death rolls are constitution rolls. I was asking if someone else could help with that roll, which, IMHO, is a different situation that trying to roll a stat instead of a skill in an "active" roll. Still, since healing is the skill that is used to "help" people stabilize, I've been convinced that it should not be allowed.

I think that the rules are vague about that, probably because Help is technically a rules option, so it is likely GM discretion. There are arguably better things that a PC could do using their action: e.g., Persuade to Rally or Healing. But I could see how Help could be the better option, especially if someone isn't good with either of those skills. IMHO, the big thing with me about Helping is that it should make sense in the fiction. How are you "Helping" them defy death in a way that isn't covered by Healing or Rallying? So I would expect the players to make that clear in the fiction. I would likely be on board with it because sacrificing your action in combat to neither defend, dodge, or attack is a big deal.

 

[The Soloist]

I think that the rules are vague about that, probably because Help is technically a rules option, so it is likely GM discretion. There are arguably better things that a PC could do using their action: e.g., Persuade to Rally or Healing. But I could see how Help could be the better option, especially if someone isn't good with either of those skills. IMHO, the big thing with me about Helping is that it should make sense in the fiction. How are you "Helping" them defy death in a way that isn't covered by Healing or Rallying? So I would expect the players to make that clear in the fiction. I would likely be on board with it because sacrificing your action in combat to neither defend, dodge, or attack is a big deal.

In skill games like DB, the player should utilize their skill as often as they can, even if it has a low chance of success, because that's how their character has an opportunity to progress. There are no XPs. A Dragon roll (1) on a low skill check is very good. You get a mark next to the skill, and at the end of the game, the probabilities of upgrading a low competence in a skill by +1 are high.

 

[The Soloist]

Yes, I was not using "technical" terms, but just "common" language. Stabilize is also used in real life. Apologies if I was unclear.

No worries, my replies are written, in part, for lurkers, who might decide to try Dragonbane because they like what they read.

 

[Aldarc]

Nice interview with Tomas Härenstam talking about the two new books in the Kickstarter. Haven't had a chance to watch all of it yet.