Dragonbane general thread [+]

[Reynard]

For those unfamiliar with Dragonbane, the game makes several mechanical distinctions between "monsters" and "NPCs".

yeah. it is a really interesting mechanic, one I want to port over to my "Shadowbane" Shadowdark/Dragonbane mash up (if I ever get around to it).

 

[Von Ether]

For those unfamiliar with Dragonbane, the game makes several mechanical distinctions between "monsters" and "NPCs".

That monster/end boss technology as inherent to a game has been long over due. So many GMs want to have a climatic battle with one big bad vs the whole party and for most games, it's either very swingy or runs much longer than it should to loads of hit points.

My technique is to roll for the attack effect first so as to figure out how to apply it to the fight, then announce the monster's move and action.

 

[overgeeked]

That monster/end boss technology as inherent to a game has been long over due. So many GMs want to have a climatic battle with one big bad vs the whole party and for most games, it's either very swingy or runs much longer than it should to loads of hit points.

My technique is to roll for the attack effect first so as to figure out how to apply it to the fight, then announce the monster's move and action.

It’s such a great bit of mechanics. Auto hit, roll for the specific attack, and multiple attacks per round. Pouring over the charts, most monsters have a fear effect and a push/throw for a bit of battlefield control. So much easier to run Dragonbane monsters.

 

[Bill Zebub]

It’s such a great bit of mechanics. Auto hit, roll for the specific attack, and multiple attacks per round. Pouring over the charts, most monsters have a fear effect and a push/throw for a bit of battlefield control. So much easier to run Dragonbane monsters.

I also think it's a nice touch that most monsters can't be parried, only dodged.

In fact, in general I love how the dodge/parry mechanics work, how you can choose to react to an attack by trying to dodge or parry, but only (in most cases) if you haven't taken your own turn yet, because it consumes your action. Which means (drumroll) there is an inherent tradeoff between early and late initiative: go first and maybe you kill the monster before it can attack somebody. But if you go after the monster you may have a chance to negate its attack.

 

[Aldarc]

Thank you!

So there is a priest (animist mage) in the ruins of Outskirt. It alludes to several gods of nature without naming any. Also in the upcoming Arkand: City of Waves and Flame book, there is a "Temple of the True Flame" in the city. We don't have any detail yet, but I could easily imagine a religious cult centered around the fire of the dragons, much like the Church of the Silver Flame in Eberron. But dragons - as beings of Law and Order - seem associated with creation in Dragonbane.

 

[SlyFlourish]

So there is a priest (animist mage) in the ruins of Outskirt. It alludes to several gods of nature without naming any. Also in the upcoming Arkand: City of Waves and Flame book, there is a "Temple of the True Flame" in the city. We don't have any detail yet, but I could easily imagine a religious cult centered around the fire of the dragons, much like the Church of the Silver Flame in Eberron. But dragons - as beings of Law and Order - seem associated with creation in Dragonbane.

Yeah, I actually did some translations of Ereb Altor lore and got the Luminous Path out of it but it looks like I'll have to make up a handful of others.

 

[Sir Brennen]

I also think it's a nice touch that most monsters can't be parried, only dodged.

In fact, in general I love how the dodge/parry mechanics work, how you can choose to react to an attack by trying to dodge or parry, but only (in most cases) if you haven't taken your own turn yet, because it consumes your action. Which means (drumroll) there is an inherent tradeoff between early and late initiative: go first and maybe you kill the monster before it can attack somebody. But if you go after the monster you may have a chance to negate its attack.

This is why the Heroic Abilities (akin to Feats in D&D) Defensive and Fast Footwork really change things for a PC (or even an tougher NPC). The character can parry or dodge (respectively) without using up their action, as long as they have Will Power points to spend. (I also love the Will Power point economy to power feats and spells both.)

Also, something I and my players often forget, when you Dodge, you can shift your character a space (2m) away from the attacker; if you parry, you can move the attacker one space. Adds to the strategic options of an otherwise less complex game.