Fantasy Concepts: An OGL Fantasy Saga Project

[Matrix Sorcica]

On races, I just had an idea I want input on: based on using the UA content for paragon races, most will have a talent that grants an ability boost. In fact, every race except for human will have at least one-- which, as we've discussed, also solves some LA problems. Earlier we talked about whether to use Saga's rule of raising two ability scores every 4 levels except for one. I was thinking: What if we made this a special trait of humans? Humans can raise two ability scores by 1 every 4 levels, other races only raise one ability score by 1 every 4 levels. Since other races have the option of getting a two-point bump around 4th level, this would sort of balance out-- in the long run, humans would get 10 extra ability score points by 20th level, while other races would get 7 points by 20th, but other races have the option of getting a couple extra early on.

I think this idea is in fitting with the d20 conceit that humans are more versatile and adaptable than other races, and it keeps humans an attractive choice relative races that their own talent paths. I am currently very in favor of this, so protest now if you disagree.

I like this. I had myself been thinking about racial boosts that would allow a race to go beyond in a given stat. I think it coulc work great.

 

[Flynn]

I like this. I had myself been thinking about racial boosts that would allow a race to go beyond in a given stat. I think it coulc work great.

What's the most popular race in your games already? If your group is like mine, the race is human. If that's the case, then there is no need to give a bonus like that to humans, especially to balance a talent issue. Balance talents with talents, in my opinion. The concept is good, but I feel it might be misguided in terms of overall game design.

With Regards,
Flynn

 

[EditorBFG]

What's the most popular race in your games already? If your group is like mine, the race is human. If that's the case, then there is no need to give a bonus like that to humans, especially to balance a talent issue. Balance talents with talents, in my opinion. The concept is good, but I feel it might be misguided in terms of overall game design.

You may be right. If so, we should probably not use the two stat boost for any race, because there are compelling game design reasons to maintain the talents that give a +2 stat bonus. On the other hand, when you say balancing a talent issue, it occurs to me that there really is no other talent that is as good as a +2 bonus to an ability score, so I am not 100% convinced.

(As a side-note, I think it is really cool that humans are more popular in your games. That is definitely not true for the Ptolus game I am playing in now, nor my weekly Living Greyhawk game-- I wish it were, as I think the other races races work best when the ratio of humans to demihumans is very high, local meta-game differences aside. Do a lot of folks shoot for prestige classes in your games, making them desire another feat more?)

 

[Flynn]

(As a side-note, I think it is really cool that humans are more popular in your games. That is definitely not true for the Ptolus game I am playing in now, nor my weekly Living Greyhawk game-- I wish it were, as I think the other races races work best when the ratio of humans to demihumans is very high, local meta-game differences aside. Do a lot of folks shoot for prestige classes in your games, making them desire another feat more?)

I game with people that love feats and skills, and humans are the key to getting both. Some are PrC-happy, but with my next game, I'm likely to cut back significantly on PrCs, after having played Grim Tales for so long.

Yeah, most groups I've played in have human-centric parties, so it might be an area thing.

With Regards,
Flynn

 

[Sundragon2012]

Very interesting indeed

This is a very interesting thread.

Streamlining D20 into something less cumbersome and more elegant using a OGL incarnation of the SAGA System (unofficially of course) sounds like a great idea. I am following this thread closely and looking forward to see what comes of it.

I am working in a campaign setting right now and making sure it is currently "system free" so that I can easily plug it into whtever good, solid OGL system currently exists. I have been considering Conan OGL and True20 or even 4E when it comes out (likely within 2yrs I would bet) if it is OGL.

If this project turns out to be a solid, playable, OGL product crafted by those with a good head for rules/mechanics design my setting could be for this system. I mention a good head for rule design because I am a good fluff writer and can write up ideas that I feel are internally consistant, interesting and creative but I am not a game mechanics guy. I leave that for those who enjoy number crunching. I can easily conceptualize where I want a rule/mechanic to go in regards to its flavor but in regards to numbers the algorithms behind them I am no game designer.

The setting is Robert E. Howard meets Tolkien meets George R.R. Martin and is a mixture of gritty low fantasy, high fantasy and some horror/dark fantasy. I am attempting to craft a world that is believable and mature while at the same time able to easily handle traditional high fantasy elements such as the good vs. evil motif and the grittier atmosphere of a world where things aren't often black and white. Right now it's going well and as I create this setting I will be paying close attention to this rules set.


Chris

 

[Flynn]

Sundragon:

We definitely would like to think that the final version of our product will be "a solid, playable, OGL product crafted by those with a good head for rules/mechanics", and I hope that what we come up with will meet your needs. Any input you would like to provide would be of great benefit.

With Regards,
Flynn

 

[Gwarh]

[*][*] All races have ability mods, one (unconditional) bonus feat, a bonus talent (with path), and an exceptional (or accustomed) skill
[/list]

I prefer the above (2nd) option. Just feels more "right" to me. And as another poster mentioned, it helps create a slightly different feel than a char not of the same race with a feat that works on the same skill.

 

[Matrix Sorcica]

The setting is Robert E. Howard meets Tolkien meets George R.R. Martin and is a mixture of gritty low fantasy, high fantasy and some horror/dark fantasy.

This is exactly the three worlds I'm combining in my own homebrew. Very scary ...or great minds and all that.

 

[EditorBFG]

I need opinions on a couple of things. First, here is the Talent Path for gnomes:

Gnome Talent Path
Mysterious Ways: You know the language of burrowing mammals (badgers, foxes, rabbits, or the like), and may speak to them once per day as per a speak with animals spell (this is not magical effect, however, and cannot be dispelled). If your Charisma is at least 10, you also have the following spell-like abilities: dancing lights, ghost sound, prestidigitation, usable three times per day.
Ways of the Forest: You have the innate ability to use pass without trace (self only, as a free action) as the spell once per day. In addition, you speak a simple language that enables you to communicate on a very basic level with forest animals. Finally, if you are in a wooded area, you may reroll any Stealth roll, but must keep the result of the second roll.
Improved Mysterious Ways: If your Charisma is at least 10, you gain the ability to cast mirror image once per day as a spell-like ability.
Prerequisite: Mysterious ways
Secrecy: You may reroll any Deception roll, but must keep the result of the second roll. In addition, you may cast silent image as a spell-like ability once per day.
Preternatural Senses: You gain the Preternatural Senses feat, regardless of whether or not you meet the prerequisites.
Scion of the Depths: You gain a +2 racial bonus to Fortitude Defense and Will Defense against spells and spell-like effects. In addition, you have darkvision, allowing you to see in the dark up to 60 feet. Darkvision is black and white only, but it is otherwise like normal sight, and you can function just fine with no light at all.
Deep Gnome: You can reroll any Perception roll related to stonework or tunnels. In addition, you may reroll any Stealth roll, but must keep the result of the second roll, unless you are underground, in which case you may keep the higher of the two.
Master Illusionist: Whenever you cast an illusion spell, you treat all subjects’ Will Defenses as if they were 2 lower.
Prerequisite: Any other talent from this path
Disappear: You have a continuous nondetection ability as the spell. In addition, if your Wisdom is at least 10, you gain the ability to cast blur, deafness/blindness, and disguise self once per day each as a spell-like ability.
Prerequisite: Character level 3, any 2 other talents from this Path
Glamour of the Fey: You gain a permanent +2 to Charisma.
Prerequisites: Character level 3, any 2 other talents from this Path

Does this work for those of us who weighed in on the gnome discussion?

Also, I would like more input on the following, since people have expressed opinions on both sides. All races will be able to raise one ability score every 4 levels. Does anyone else have an opinion on allowing humans to raise two ability scores every 4 levels, to compensate for all the other races having a talent that raises one ability score by two?

 

[Matrix Sorcica]

If the racial Talent is a free Talent, I think it's okay to let humans get more raises. If the other races have to spend a talent to get an ability boost, I think they get shafted.