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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Voneth" data-source="post: 201984" data-attributes="member: 1016">Boy, DN, you can sure pick 'em. I can't wait to see what challenge you third player is going to bring to our fourm.First I am confused. The party is starting at first level, but he's brining in a character from another game? I doubt that character was still 1st level when the game closed. It sounds like he is trying to import over his coolest toy, even though I doubt he started with it in his old game. So did his backstory explain why he's also reduced in power level and ability now? Hey do something crazy, talk to his old DM. (Why are gamers so nonplussed about communication and networking?)Now the toy.1. I am a big fan on the "level up magic item" introduced in Oriental Adventures and Dragon 289. This can represent a lot of things for the creative crew. The XP spent can mean a certain level of attument to the weapon, a certain level of virtue/role model, or the attaiment of inherent greatness -- depending on your game. Do something in the progression chart such as (Hold person, Hold Monster, Mud to Rock, and then stone) in the end, he'll have a MORE powerful weapon that can carry on with him to higher levels. Sorry, a fact about DND items is that they have planned obsoletism when compared to PC levels.2. Natural 20, my ###. This is aint no vorpal blade, otherwise only the SA of monsters do funky things on natural rolls. I'd say you should treat to the regular threat/critical process to determine if the effect goes off. Hey, I say give the opponet a Fort save to boot, it up to you if it nullifies or acts like a Slow spell on a successful roll.3. In the matters of life and death combat, what is the difference between being frozen in stone or Hold Person?, not much.  Make it a hold person with a stone special effect.Back stories? I like them, I abuse them for story hooks and ways to twist an advantage into entertaiment (rich uncles have "new" real estate that needs some monster hunters to clean out before they give the nephew a new horse). Overall, I haven't had many who try to abuse it, but I do have some who overestimate how quickly those connections can produce results.I can also suggest Background from Spycraft!!! Very stealable for DND. Basicly at level-up time, the player can spend skill points to create a subplot (romantic interest, vendetta, amenisa), but that's not the cool part yet.Unlike most game systems which give a mechanical bonus (better spells, more character points to spend), Backgrounds give a player xp if he particpates in the subplot when it is offered. He can ignore it, but then he passes up xp. So what if the GM decides to ignore the subplot and the player feels gypped over his spent skill points? The subplots only last for 3 sessions a peice, if the GM ignore the subplot over the three sessions then the player gets a one-time sizeable xp reward for his attempt to put some spice in the game. The only way the PC doesn't come out a head is if he buys the subplot and then doesn't particpate when the GM takes the time to make part of the game.  Simple, cool, and effective.My only advice to DN would be that it seems he would have to obviously state out loud when such subplots were occuring to make sure they knew they were passing up their chance to get XP and risking the investment of their skill points.</blockquote>

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