EL rating balance-is this balanced?

[kobold]

I start characters a 2nd level in my campaign, in an effort to increase character survivability. I also like to make non-human races seem more fantastic. Elves in Tolkien always seem to fill everyone with awe.

I’d like to make dwarves in my campaign begin with a level of Expert (stone or metalworking). The level of expert will not count against them for multi-classing unless they choose to apply future EXP to this class. This alone does not warrant an EL increase in my mind. So I was thinking of either doubling their starting money or allowing them to begin with a masterwork weapon or armor. This is an attempt to simulate dwarven wealth and mastery of their craft. Would either of these seem balanced for a +1EL race?

I also plan to have all elves begin with a free level of sorcerer to reflect their extreme magical nature, increasing their EL by 1.

I have no plans for the other races yet, but may give ½ orcs an increased con and the ability to rage-or just a free level of barbarian, to simulate their wild and ferocious nature.

 

[LokiDR]

First, I think the term you are looking for is ECL.

For your dwarf, I would suggest giving more than 1 level expert. Perhaps 2. If the first level character has a +1 ECL race, they should get money of 2nd level character.

For elves, I would suggest wizard (being their favored class).

I don't neccessarily agree with giving mandatory classes to modify a race's ECL. Perhaps it would be better to give Dwarves a racial bonus to several skills and give elves several spell-like abilites. That way, multiclassing won't be an issue.

 

[Yeoman]

I would suggest if you are giving dwarves a "free" level in expert, that you either give them some other racial ability (like slightly longer darkvision or bigger crafting bonuses), to compete with that "free" level of sorcerer that elves get. Are you changing the favored class of the elves to sorcerer from wizard?

This might be better off in the House Rules forum though.