immortals handbook

[Upper_Krust]

Hi Alzrius mate!

I do love those little kitten avatars. So cute.

This question generally begs a DM to question the existing cosmology of his campaign.

Having an uber-Epic race is not something to be taken lightly. It forces the DM to have answers to quite a few questions about his campaign, such as "Why doesn't this race dominate the world/universe/existence already if they're so tough?" or worse, if the campaign has already started "Why haven't we ever heard about these super-powered beings?" Unless this race has a racial history built in that answers all of this, that becomes very hard for a DM to deal with. Given that, I'd say that people would want Unique Monsters more.

What if I could present plausible explanations for the races?

Also, a Unique Monster practically spells out that its a unique encounter

Thats what a few people have mentioned to me, leading me to think that maybe the 85% generic build of the monster chapter of the IH should include a higher percentage of unique encounters.

...an epic battle not to be soon forgotten. But its one thing to defeat the singular Horror From Beyond the Universe. It's quite another thing to defeat that and then learn its just one of many. A race of beings that strong is daunting, and intimidating, for a DM to use.

Though that is one way of using any monstrous race, and a staple of epic stories.

PCs: "That was one tough fight."
Enemies dying breath: "...I am...but a footsoldier...in the army of...*dies*"
PCs: "Get Odin on the crystal ball; we are going to need reinforcements."

Just my two cents on the issue.

Thanks for the feedback mate!

 

[Upper_Krust]

Hi Krust!

Hiya mate!

Almost afraid to ask, but any news on the rumored website with teasers from the IH?

No because am still seemingly embroiled in v4 shenanigans.

Also, I remember you talking about a hardcover coming out with the entire IH. Any details about that (pages, color, price, extra goodies etc)?

Nothing you haven't heard before: 320 pages; almost certainly B&W; probably about $35; extra goodies based on feedback from the pdfs I would envision; or maybe the inclusion of the Psioni-centricweb enhancement.

Waiting....waiting....

 

[CRGreathouse]

I'd prefer generic to unique, personally. If there's a good framework to start from, I can make my own uniques to suit my campaign -- but generics, interwoven and explained by the Master of the IH, could be much more useful.

 

[historian]

Howdy Krust,

On the topic of races v. unique encounters, do you plan to have something akin to the paragon template (not including levels of divinity) that would provide a means outside of adding class levels/HD to a member of a race that would significantly boost its power/categorically distinguish it from other members of the race. The reason that I ask is that adding that paragon template (+28 CR) to a race that has a base CR of 325 really wouldn't add much. Also, the rationale behind the paragon template ("the first of the species" or some such) fits well with some of the more "mundane" critters (vampires, beholders, basic slaadi), it would seem out of flavor (IMO) with uber-races that might have virtually infinite life spans or the like. I'm interested in your thoughts.

The Beast of Gorgiron sounds sweet - but you've got me stumped on how you came up w/it.

 

[Dark Wolf 97]

Hey there UK!

On the Unique vs Generic deal, I'd love to see both. Although you can put me with Bjorn, I'd love to see a unique Demon/Devil/Angel, and I'm sure you could use Demogorgon (its in the dictionary) or Asmodeus. Unless they are Divine to you?

 

[Upper_Krust]

Hi CRGreathouse!

I'd prefer generic to unique, personally. If there's a good framework to start from, I can make my own uniques to suit my campaign -- but generics, interwoven and explained by the Master of the IH, could be much more useful.

Well I have plenty of those for you.

Thanks for the feedback mate.

 

[Upper_Krust]

Howdy Krust,

Hi historian mate!

On the topic of races v. unique encounters, do you plan to have something akin to the paragon template (not including levels of divinity) that would provide a means outside of adding class levels/HD to a member of a race that would significantly boost its power/categorically distinguish it from other members of the race. The reason that I ask is that adding that paragon template (+28 CR) to a race that has a base CR of 325 really wouldn't add much. Also, the rationale behind the paragon template ("the first of the species" or some such) fits well with some of the more "mundane" critters (vampires, beholders, basic slaadi), it would seem out of flavor (IMO) with uber-races that might have virtually infinite life spans or the like. I'm interested in your thoughts.

Yes I have been tweaking some god-level templates. The ELH in my opinion has templates roughly akin to the following:

Worm that Walks akin to Hero-deity Template
Pseudonatural akin to Quasi-deity Template
Paragon akin to Demi-deity Template
Demilich akin to Lesser Deity Template

Of course I wanted to have Monstrous templates that went well beyond this.

The Beast of Gorgiron sounds sweet - but you've got me stumped on how you came up w/it.

The Beast of Gorgiron was originally a creation of S'mons (I have 3 or 4 of his monsters that we faced, in the IH), however I have of course completely revamped it for todays game. In fact it really only bears the name at this point.

 

[Upper_Krust]

Hey there UK!

Hiya Dark Wolf matey!

On the Unique vs Generic deal, I'd love to see both.

I appreciate the support mate!

Although you can put me with Bjorn, I'd love to see a unique Demon/Devil/Angel,

I'll have a few interesting types for you don't worry.

and I'm sure you could use Demogorgon (its in the dictionary) or Asmodeus. Unless they are Divine to you?

Not sure I would really want to do a Demogorgon that wasn't a total rip off of the existing uberfiend we all know and love. So that may not happen. Officially at least.

But I may have a version of Asmodeus in there.

I have all the dimensional and the planar hierarchies fleshed out as well so that might be interesting to some of you I hope.

 

[Dark Wolf 97]

The heirarchies and stuff is one of my main interests, although I am sure I'll modify it for my up-and-coming campaign.

 

[CRGreathouse]

I was looking over your classification of beings:

Mortal: 4
Paramortal: Disciple; Prophet; Hero-deity; Quasi-deity
Immortal: Demigod; Lesser God; Intermediate God; Greater God
Sidereal: 4
Eternal: 4
Supernal: 72

and I wondered if there's anything else you can tell us. How are mortals divided? Are there actual changes in stats, or do the divisions already exist in the standard rules?

What makes a Time Lord a Time Lord?