Human Subtype - Level Adjustment?
- Thread starter Prophet2b
- Start date
Prophet2b
First Post
Nifft said:
Actually, after I printed it off and started sticking things in their right folders, I thought about that... I was thinking maybe just make it +1 attack/AC (both) and not the other two? After all, if you're moving as a unit, it might actually be harder to make a reflex save, fortitude doesn't make a whole lot of sense, and neither does will. While I suppose I could see an argument made for damage, that doesn't necessarily make a whole lot of sense, either... But the attack/AC does if they're "aiding" each other (in a sense).
DogBackward
First Post
Well, I was actually thinking of more a morale/training thing. When you're in a group with other Valadeen, who have recieved the same training as you, you tend to work well together. For example, in the commonly encountered Fireball scenario, standard Valadeen procedure is for Soldier A to dodge low and to the right, Soldier B moves to the left and dives for cover, while Soldier C raises his shield to help divert the blast.
While the usual group of untrained, disparate adventurers would indeed get in each others' way, a group of trained soldiers and warriors, used to acting on instinct with their adjacent allies doing the same, would become, essentially, the quintessential well-oiled machine.
There's also the morale thing, for the rest of the bonuses. If Bob the Barbarian stands next to our favorite Valadeen soldier, he could care less, it's just some random stranger. But if another Valadeen stands by his side, his spirit is uplifted, and his morale boosted. One Valadeen is an army unto himself. Put two of 'em side by side, and nothing can beat 'em. This tends to make a heartened warrior fight all the better.
As for balance... maybe say that the bonus vs Fear and Compulsion is also conditional to another Valadeen being nearby. Or it's +2, +4 with another adjacent Valadeen. In all, though, it's not all that powerful. For one, a normal adventuring group would have to have at least two Valadeen warrior-types to truly take advantage of this, which leaves at least one standard archetype unaccounted for. Then they have to actually stay side-by-side. i don't know about you guys, but the players in my games are never adjacent to each other for more than a round or two, max, at the beginning of battle. The vagaries of war tend to seperate staunch allies quickly.
This would only be a real benefit when there are a lot of Valadeen together, where it would be nearly impossible to encounter one without another by his side. Say... in a large battle, where the Valadeen are NPC's. It would also make them a good low-level threat for high-level PC's, if it comes into play. A good, strategic mix of 2-3 level NPC Valadeen warrior-types who make sure to stay near each other and use solid tactics would make a great challenge.
Honestly, just compare it to the big two, elves and dwarves. It's still less powerful overall, even if you've got a party of nothing but Valadeen. And I personally think it fits perfectly with the flavor. Imagine yourself in a war. Would you feel better (and thus fight better) with a random soldier, or with your best friend since the 2nd grade fighting by your side? This could also be used as an RP tool. These people would by their nature have very tight, close bonds among themselves. To a Valadeen, any othe Valadeen is a friend since the 2nd grade, even if you've just met them five seconds ago. A natural camraderie.
I dunno, I like it. Mind if I borrow 'em, Mr. Prophet?
While the usual group of untrained, disparate adventurers would indeed get in each others' way, a group of trained soldiers and warriors, used to acting on instinct with their adjacent allies doing the same, would become, essentially, the quintessential well-oiled machine.
There's also the morale thing, for the rest of the bonuses. If Bob the Barbarian stands next to our favorite Valadeen soldier, he could care less, it's just some random stranger. But if another Valadeen stands by his side, his spirit is uplifted, and his morale boosted. One Valadeen is an army unto himself. Put two of 'em side by side, and nothing can beat 'em. This tends to make a heartened warrior fight all the better.
As for balance... maybe say that the bonus vs Fear and Compulsion is also conditional to another Valadeen being nearby. Or it's +2, +4 with another adjacent Valadeen. In all, though, it's not all that powerful. For one, a normal adventuring group would have to have at least two Valadeen warrior-types to truly take advantage of this, which leaves at least one standard archetype unaccounted for. Then they have to actually stay side-by-side. i don't know about you guys, but the players in my games are never adjacent to each other for more than a round or two, max, at the beginning of battle. The vagaries of war tend to seperate staunch allies quickly.
This would only be a real benefit when there are a lot of Valadeen together, where it would be nearly impossible to encounter one without another by his side. Say... in a large battle, where the Valadeen are NPC's. It would also make them a good low-level threat for high-level PC's, if it comes into play. A good, strategic mix of 2-3 level NPC Valadeen warrior-types who make sure to stay near each other and use solid tactics would make a great challenge.
Honestly, just compare it to the big two, elves and dwarves. It's still less powerful overall, even if you've got a party of nothing but Valadeen. And I personally think it fits perfectly with the flavor. Imagine yourself in a war. Would you feel better (and thus fight better) with a random soldier, or with your best friend since the 2nd grade fighting by your side? This could also be used as an RP tool. These people would by their nature have very tight, close bonds among themselves. To a Valadeen, any othe Valadeen is a friend since the 2nd grade, even if you've just met them five seconds ago. A natural camraderie.
I dunno, I like it. Mind if I borrow 'em, Mr. Prophet?
Prophet2b
First Post
DogBackward said:
Haha.
As far as I know, anything on the forums is free for the taking. I've certainly taken quite a few things from others. So, no, I really don't mind at all! If I minded, I wouldn't post in a public forum. 
I'm in the process of typing up background info, legends, history, important people, etc. Dunno if those would interest you, too, but I'll be posting them sometime (probably later this week).
DogBackward
First Post
I'm no expert, but I think it's considered your intellectual property, no matter where you post it. Either way, I always like to ask. Just seems polite. And I'd love to see some background stuff. I'll keep checking in here. I've been wanting to run an Eberron game lately, haven't had the chance yet. I'll have to work on that...
