Level Adjustment for Elven Immortality?

[swordsmasher]

Hey,
I am running the Trait system from Iron Heroes, and I was tinkering around with a Physical trait for elves that allows them to never grow old and die (ie Tolkien elves, I believe).

As such, they don't accrue aging bonuses or penalties. I was also thinking about adding on a level Adjustment as a balance. if the elf lives longer, he won't be in such a rush to gain levels.

I am not sure if it should be +1 or +2, or if this would even work.

anyone ever try anything like this before?

 

[Jack Simth]

Never tried it, but unless time and old age is going to play a very significant factor in the game, likely crippling the shorter-lived folk, it's not actually all that much of an advantage; in fact, in some ways it is a disadvantage, as it prevents a character from having a middle-aged spellcaster for the +1 to all mental stats at a cost of a -1 to all physical stats (a character with odd rolls, or a point-buy character taking advantage, gains plenty from this, and loses only a little).

 

[was]

I don't really see the need for the LA. It doesn't really add much to the character, unless you give them extra stuff (feats/skills/hp) for having been around longer.

 

[wuyanei]

Give all adult elves the 'Timeless body (Ex)' ability for free.

Timeless Body (Ex): An adult elf no longer takes ability score penalties for aging and cannot be magically aged. Bonuses still accrue. Unlike the mortal races, elves do not die of old age.

Such a extra ability is basically worth +1 to all mental stats at middle age, +2 at old age and +3 at venerable age.

Add another age category specially for elves: Ancient -- 1200+ years, +4 all mental stats (so that the toal stat boost end on a even number).

So. An adult elf should be worth +0 LA; middle aged or old elf should be worth +1 LA; venerable or ancient elves are worth +2 LA.

In game terms, just demand each elf that crosses the middle age and the venerable age boundaries take an 'elf' racial level. The 'elf' level adds 1d8 HD, +1/2 BAB, +1/2 Fort, Dex, Will, +1 caster level to one casting class (but no new spells-per-day or spells known). The 'elf' class grants no other benefits, but an elf that does not take the 'elf' class does not gain the mental stat boost due to age category.

So. A 20th level ancient elf will have 18 class levels, and 2 levels of 'elf'. He will have a caster level of 20, but only only gets spells-per-day as a 18th level caster. OTOH, he gets +4 to all mental stats, which is quite nice indeed.

I think this is a balanced approach to your idea. You might want to shift the benefits of the 'elf' class a bit, but that is all up to you.

Good luck with your variant!
Yanei Wu

 

[Daedrova]

Wuyanei, I think that is a terrific way to handle the immortal elf. I will now be using this for my games. In fact, it seems a good way to handle any immortal being; altering certain elements based on the flavor of the specific race.

 

[Cheiromancer]

That is an excellent idea Yanei! So there are no skill points with an elven level? And you only get a saving throw boost if you take both levels?

 

[wuyanei]

Thank you, Daedrova and Cheiromancer!

Umm... 2 + Int skill points, I'd say. No new class skills. And the 'elf' level would increase max ranks as well.

I mostly based this on an Epic class level, but without access to epic feats: the HD is as a humanoid, the BAB & Saves are taken in a similar fashion to an Epic class level.

I always use fractional BAB and saves advancement, so I would just let the character get +1/2 bonus to his BAB and saves. However, if you don't like fractional bonuses advancement, then the answer is yes, you only get the bonus if you take both levels.

Thanks for the comments!
Yanei Wu

 

[Sigurd]

I love this and will use it right away.


I have to say I have never seen a player really abuse the age thing.

Statements like : This king is bad, I leave and come back in 80 years..... just dont happen in the games I have DM'd.

 

[CyricPL]

I really like the immortality system. I'm wondering how to justify the 'elf' levels with the 'Tolkien elves' I was already using, who had a +3 level adjustment without any racial levels. But then, I'm still unsure if the +3 level adjustment was right or not. As it stood, these were my elves:

--As per 3.5 PHB, except as noted.
--+2 bonus to Dex, +2 bonus to Int, no ability penalties.
--Immortal: No special benefits from aging (this will be changing, obviously . However, elves are immune to all natural diseases. They are not immune to magical or supernatural diseases, however they can not be magically aged.
--Sleepless: Elves 'sleep' by spending long periods of time lounging about and looking at beautiful things. They never sleep in a traditional sense, therefore when they are adventuring and traveling they do not need to sleep, nor will they ever become fatigued from normal travel as long as they have no more than light encumbrance
--Fleet of Foot: an elf subtracts 1/2 from penalties to movement from terrian, ie, terrain that would reduce move by 1/2 does not effect them, 3/4 is reduced to 1/4
--The Shadow of a Threat: Elves are very sensitive to the intentions of those around them. When an enemy is sneaking up on an elf with malicious intentions, the elf gains a bonus to his spot and listen rolls equal to the challenge rating of that enemy. If there are creatures of multiple challenge ratings, only the highest applies.
Favored Class: Sorcerer

 

[ruleslawyer]

Did you have anyone playing an elf with those mods? That looks rather weak for a +3 LA at first glance. But I could be wrong...