[Grim Tales] Creature Creation question

[Mac Callum]

First all, this chapter in amazing. I can't even begin to imagine what kind of mental process produced it.

Anyway, this is actually a "PC race" question. I wanted to make the elves (and half-elves) better casters than the other races, while keeping them balanced (if possible). My thought: get rid of Save v. Ench +2 and Sleep Imm. (kind'a useless in a much lower magic world) and replace them with Burn Resitance +1. I was surprised however that Burn Resistance was not included in the CR factors of Chap. 13.

Using GT's fractional CR system, what do you think Burn Resitance is worth?

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

Using GT's fractional CR system, what do you think Burn Resitance is worth?

I wouldn't allow it myself, but as a rough estimate? +0.2 per wouldn't be bad.

That's as much as 2 points of ability score would cost you, notice-- so 0.2 is, in fact, an "overcharge"-- though as is usually the case where PCs are concerned, cost is in the eye of the beholder. Most spellcasters will gladly give up 2 points of Con for +2 points of spellcasting attribute, for example.

But again-- there's hardly much point in having a low-magic ruleset if you're going to immediately start finding ways to break the rules. All you'll do is ensure that all your PC spellcasters will be elves.

As to what mind created it, that would be Upper_Krust. You can find him in the House Rules forum, usually.


Wulf

 

[Mac Callum]

I wouldn't allow it myself, but as a rough estimate? +0.2 per wouldn't be bad.

That's as much as 2 points of ability score would cost you, notice-- so 0.2 is, in fact, an "overcharge"

Hmm, good point. That would put elves at CR +0.144, as I count it. Better than humans, but still below the dwarf's CR +0.21.

Thanks.

But again-- there's hardly much point in having a low-magic ruleset if you're going to immediately start finding ways to break the rules. All you'll do is ensure that all your PC spellcasters will be elves.

One, I was thinking that given the GT spellcasting mechanic the -2 Con was is a bigger problem than in regular D&D, and would discourage taking elves as spellcasters (Thought small race adepts are also disadvantaged, since they have a lower strength). This was an attempt at seeking "balance", although I admit it could go overboard.

Two, that's kind of the point. In trying to encourage a more mythological campaign, I want the elves to be more comfortable with magic than the mortal races of men and dwarves. They're able to more safely tap into these fey powers which can kill the unwary.

That kind of thing.

Anyway, thanks for the feedback.

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

This was an attempt at seeking "balance", although I admit it could go overboard.

Just remember, giving up something you don't want for something you really DO want isn't balance, regardless of whether they have the same numeric cost or not.

Give the elves a -2 STR penalty and you have a direct trade off, since STR is so important to spellcasting.

They're able to more safely tap into these fey powers which can kill the unwary.

Use my rules for Ley Lines and give Elves a +2 racial bonus to both Knowledge (arcana) and Spellcraft.

Do anything other than mess with spell burn resistance.


Wulf

 

[Mac Callum]

Just remember, giving up something you don't want for something you really DO want isn't balance, regardless of whether they have the same numeric cost or not.

Agreed. I'm the DM here though, so I really don't have a dog in this fight. I can "win" any time I want. I really am looking for "balance" in the PC v. PC sense.

Give the elves a -2 STR penalty and you have a direct trade off, since STR is so important to spellcasting.

Halflings got the shaft!

Use my rules for Ley Lines and give Elves a +2 racial bonus to both Knowledge (arcana) and Spellcraft.

Ley lines? Cool. I wasn't aware of those rules. I spent 10 minutes re-reading the Spells & Magic section of GT before it occurred to me to check your website.

I've already established that some "magical traditions" within my world have a lock on certain Item Creation or Meta-magic feats, so I'll just say that only the elves know the Create Power Nexus feat. Of course, since the elven kingdoms have shrunk over the last several Ages, not all nexuses are under elven control...

Do anything other than mess with spell burn resistance.

That's why I posted - to tap into playtest exp I know I don't have. Thanks for being "in touch" with your players. I know I appreciate it.

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

Ley lines? Cool. I wasn't aware of those rules. I spent 10 minutes re-reading the Spells & Magic section of GT before it occurred to me to check your website.

You'll need to tweak them just a little bit. Basically wherever is says, "The spell is lost," substitute, "The spell fails, but you still suffer spell burn."

Thanks for being "in touch" with your players. I know I appreciate it.

Hey, I love it. No problem.

EDIT: Oh, and don't forget to look at the Ley Runner PrC for ideas on new Talents. Being able to anchor and still move is a pretty key perk (which you could also reserve to elves).