D&D 5E Enough about Darksun, is there anything preventing a 5.5E Birthright remake?

[Enrahim2]

Hmm. Not sure how you played the game, but it doesn’t matter if the old regent is willing or not if they don’t have a choice because everyone around them intends for it to happen. Being a regent wasn’t being a god… just close to it.

Investiture never had to be willing. There is an adventure in there somewhere though I think.

Are you confusing bloodline and domain investure? I don't have the original book available right now, but birthright.net at least indicate the bloodline investure spell require willingness.

 

[Dire Bare]

If you aren't familiar with Birthright, and wouldn't be interested in a 5E update . . . that's cool. If you ARE familiar with Birthright and aren't interested . . . that's cool.

But there are a lot of folks in this thread nerdsplaining how a 5E Birthright is just unnecessary . . . based on zero knowledge of the setting.

The setting itself was somewhat generic fantasy, if well done and much more cohesive than the Realms, Greyhawk, or Mystara. But very flavorful with the adjustments of boss monsters (ansheigh and ersheigh). Halflings had an interesting twist with a connection to the shadow plane, elves had an interested twist in being genocidal human-hating folks (with epithets like "man-slayer" tossed around).

But what really set Birthright apart was it's "hook" back in the 2E days, the rulership layer. Today's games have it beat at that schtick, but at the time it was very different.

A revived Birthright without the rulership game would probably not be a big seller for WotC . . . but fans would certainly appreciate the update, especially opening up the setting on the DM's Guild. But a revival WITH a well-designed rulership layer . . . . now that would be awesome!!! I'd buy that for a dollar!

Are there problems with the setting that would need revising? The close cultural pastiches would have to be handled very carefully. The "always evil" goblins and orogs would need revision. I don't see a problem with the literal divine birthright to rulership aspect, or the multiple religious sects per diety aspect either. The religions of the setting have to be carefully reviewed in the same way the cultures do, to make sure the game isn't carrying over real-world stereotypes into Cerilia . . .

It would be a lot of work to do it right . . . . would the return on investment make it worthwhile? It's probably a better bet to just open the setting on the DM's Guild and let some passionate fans take a crack at it . . . .

But if WotC does give it a shot . . . . I'm game!

 

[Dire Bare]

As many have said in this thread, I find the setting is largely uninteresting. I just happen to like to communicate in funny memes. This marks me as an older millennial, i am told.

Funny to you, perhaps. Dismissive to others, certainly.

 

[TheSword]

Are you confusing bloodline and domain investure? I don't have the original book available right now, but birthright.net at least indicate the bloodline investure spell require willingness.

No Bloodline Investiture is an option of the Investiture Domain Action and it doesn’t require the donor to be willing.

 

[Gradine]

Funny to you, perhaps. Dismissive to others, certainly.

Sure! Love what you're gonna love. I'll just keep on snoozin'

 

[UngainlyTitan]

If you aren't familiar with Birthright, and wouldn't be interested in a 5E update . . . that's cool. If you ARE familiar with Birthright and aren't interested . . . that's cool.

But there are a lot of folks in this thread nerdsplaining how a 5E Birthright is just unnecessary . . . based on zero knowledge of the setting.

The setting itself was somewhat generic fantasy, if well done and much more cohesive than the Realms, Greyhawk, or Mystara. But very flavorful with the adjustments of boss monsters (ansheigh and ersheigh). Halflings had an interesting twist with a connection to the shadow plane, elves had an interested twist in being genocidal human-hating folks (with epithets like "man-slayer" tossed around).

But what really set Birthright apart was it's "hook" back in the 2E days, the rulership layer. Today's games have it beat at that schtick, but at the time it was very different.

A revived Birthright without the rulership game would probably not be a big seller for WotC . . . but fans would certainly appreciate the update, especially opening up the setting on the DM's Guild. But a revival WITH a well-designed rulership layer . . . . now that would be awesome!!! I'd buy that for a dollar!

Are there problems with the setting that would need revising? The close cultural pastiches would have to be handled very carefully. The "always evil" goblins and orogs would need revision. I don't see a problem with the literal divine birthright to rulership aspect, or the multiple religious sects per diety aspect either. The religions of the setting have to be carefully reviewed in the same way the cultures do, to make sure the game isn't carrying over real-world stereotypes into Cerilia . . .

It would be a lot of work to do it right . . . . would the return on investment make it worthwhile? It's probably a better bet to just open the setting on the DM's Guild and let some passionate fans take a crack at it . . . .

But if WotC does give it a shot . . . . I'm game!

I knew nothing about Birthright beyond the same before this thread and nothing in the thread sells me the setting as a place for an rpg game but I would be very interested in boardgames on its themes.

 

[Atomoctba]

No Bloodline Investiture is an option of the Investiture Domain Action and it doesn’t require the donor to be willing.

Both regents in the Bloodline Investiture must be willing.

 

[Atomoctba]

But what really set Birthright apart was it's "hook" back in the 2E days, the rulership layer. Today's games have it beat at that schtick, but at the time it was very different.

And not a generic rulership layer, what can be done in any setting. What sets Birthright apart is the fact that to be a king (or duke, or count, etc) is quite literally a divine right. You and your land are one and magic flows from the land to you because your bloodline was chosen to rule that land. Others can thrown a coup on you, but without your blood, they would be severely hampered to rule. Most nobles are scions - what means they have bloodline powers and these powers are feed through their connection with the lands they rule. They want to expand and conquer because more controlled lands means more potent powers from their blood.

So, while most settings can have generic rulership rules, Birthright demands a very specific rulership set. One that takes in account the divine right to rule and not just "anyone" can rule. And that perhaps is the problematic bit with modern sensibilities.

 

[TheSword]

Both regents in the Bloodline Investiture must be willing.

I wouldn’t have said it with surety if i wasn’t sure.

CRB pg 56 & 57

And not a generic rulership layer, what can be done in any setting. What sets Birthright apart is the fact that to be a king (or duke, or count, etc) is quite literally a divine right. You and your land are one and magic flows from the land to you because your bloodline was chosen to rule that land. Others can thrown a coup on you, but without your blood, they would be severely hampered to rule. Most nobles are scions - what means they have bloodline powers and these powers are feed through their connection with the lands they rule. They want to expand and conquer because more controlled lands means more potent powers from their blood.

So, while most settings can have generic rulership rules, Birthright demands a very specific rulership set. One that takes in account the divine right to rule and not just "anyone" can rule. And that perhaps is the problematic bit with modern sensibilities.

So yes, you absolutely can commit a coup and steal a regent’s bloodline… and yes anyone can become a regent. Is it easy?…. No. Is it possible?… absolutely.

It certainly isn’t all about who your parents are.

I played as Rogr Aglondier in the first campaign. An unblooded regent who received his bloodline from his mentor.

 

[Atomoctba]

I wouldn’t have said it with surety if i wasn’t sure.

I stand corrected, thanks. I just checked on the birthright.net site, where all we 12 still talk about BR and there, for some reason, said both must be willing.