New Prestige Race Alterations - Ice Focus

[Khorod]

Started a thread on the Gather Info question... sounded like you were just arguing the point I was making...

Back on topic... I think that by the end point of this chain the character should have the Cold subtype. Based on the sort of modifications that happen to you at the upper end...

I am a little confused by something. Should this idea be used in place of or side by side with Genasi?

 

[las]

No it can work with Genasi

 

[kreynolds]

I think that by the end point of this chain the character should have the Cold subtype.

Actually, by the end point of this chain, the character's type will change to Elemental. Obviously, you'll indeed end up with the Cold subtype, but you also end up with the Air subtype as well (like the ice paraelemental). The only thing I haven't decided is whether or not you'll gain the Cold subtype before you become an elemental or if you gain both at the same time.

I am a little confused by something. Should this idea be used in place of or side by side with Genasi?

It should work fine side by side with them. Actually, the flame focus is very appealing to a character of mine. He's a fire genasi, and in the game, he's been seriously investigating and researching his heritage. Something like the flame focus would allow him to "unleash his inner strength", if you will.

 

[Khorod]

Best way of using this idea is building off the Genasi.

I was wondering about using them both, but separately.

 

[kreynolds]

Best way of using this idea is building off the Genasi.

Can you give me an example of what you mean?

I was wondering about using them both, but separately.

How do you mean?

 

[Ashy]

Actually, by the end point of this chain, the character's type will change to Elemental. Obviously, you'll indeed end up with the Cold subtype, but you also end up with the Air subtype as well (like the ice paraelemental). The only thing I haven't decided is whether or not you'll gain the Cold subtype before you become an elemental or if you gain both at the same time.

I would suggest gaining the cold subtype seperately. Altering ones type to that of an elemental should be a fairly major transition, physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally for a creature IMHO and should come with the associated baggage.

 

[Khorod]

I think these elemental foci are a great way to develop the elemental connection of a being that has a deep but weak connection to a particular element.

IMO the genasi are not quite elemental enough for what they are supposed to reperesent, yet making them any more elemental at base would be unreasonable. However, by adding an appropriate elemental focus you can model the genasi delving into his elemental heritage and using his self-knowledge (in the form of XP) to increase his connection to the element.

It is the best 'generically flavorful' reason to pursue an elemental focus. Any other introduction of the concept into my game would be some sort of BIG event, associated with Gods, elemental lords, or major magic. The notion of equating this to a magic item in anything but balance doesn't work in any of my campaigns.

The combination of this with a related template is very nice- a sort 'leveled template' that allows the character some control over his exploration of strange powers. That's why having a tree structure would be better than linear development...

***

I was also wondering what is seen in the dual elemental role of a water genasi and a water focus character. Aren't the two really different interpretations of the same thing? I realize this is confusing- I can barely express the problem. The genasi template gives the character a taint of elemental water, and so does this focus concept. While I think this idea is great for a character who has lived events (or resulted from such) to gain a connection to a plane (gaining the template), doesn't it sort of invalidate the template to have a character just show up with water powers?

I suppose that is a minor and vague concern.

 

[Ashy]

That's why having a tree structure would be better than linear development...

That is actually something that I am working on currently.

I was also wondering what is seen in the dual elemental role of a water genasi and a water focus character. Aren't the two really different interpretations of the same thing? I realize this is confusing- I can barely express the problem. The genasi template gives the character a taint of elemental water, and so does this focus concept. While I think this idea is great for a character who has lived events (or resulted from such) to gain a connection to a plane (gaining the template), doesn't it sort of invalidate the template to have a character just show up with water powers?

I suppose that is a minor and vague concern.

I really think that this depends on the manner in which the GM deals with things. Ice and water, while obviously related, can be strikingly different when personified. I think that in most campaigns, creatures with ties to ice will typically serve strikingly different roles than those creatures with ties to water.

Hope this helps!

 

[kreynolds]

I would suggest gaining the cold subtype seperately. Altering ones type to that of an elemental should be a fairly major transition, physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally for a creature IMHO and should come with the associated baggage.

That's my thinking as well. Shouldn't be difficult to spread out the final development a little.

 

[Ashy]

That's my thinking as well. Shouldn't be difficult to spread out the final development a little.

Good luck with the synomyms.