Ringworld D20 Modern

[daTim]

Awhile ago (half a year?) I posted too see if anyone was interested in a setting based in the "Known Space" world created by Larry Niven, including Ringworld and most of his books. So far I have nearly 15 pages done, and anyone interested in helping should feel free to respond or email me at MCALL162@tcc.cc.fl.us . If people seem to be interested I may post some teaser information, such as the stats for a kzin or something. Hope to hear from people soon!

 

[daTim]

Since nobody seems to be really replying, I'll post something to hopefully whet some appetites... here's the base stats I've come up with for Kzinti.

Kzinti
Large Alien
Hit Dice: 4d8+8 (26)
Massive Damage: 14
Initiative: +1
Speed: 40ft
Defense: 12 (+1 Dex, +2 natural, -1 size)
Attacks: 2 claws +5 melee, +9 Grapple
Damage: 1d6+2 (claws)
Face/Reach: 5ft. by 5ft. Reach 10ft
Special Qualities: Low light vision, Scent
Saves: Fort +2, Ref +5, Will -1
Abilities: Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 8, Chr 6
Skills: Hide, +5 (+7 when in grassy surroundings), Intimidate +6, Jump +2, Listen +1, Move Silently +7, Spot +1
Feats: Simple Weapons Proficiency, Stealthy
Allegiance: Patriarch, Kzinti
Challenge Rating: 2
Species Traits: -4 Species penalty on Bluff and Diplomacy, +2 species bonus on Hide when in grassy surroundings, +4 species bonus on Intimidate, and +2 species bonus on Move Silently.
Automatic Languages: All Kzinti can speak and write in the Heroes Tongue which is their native language, and one other language, usually Interworld.
Advancement: By Character Class

 

[ColonelHardisson]

Hey, I think it's great that someone is doing this. Since I've been shepherding along the Middle Earth d20 project for almost 2 years now, I can offer a bit of advice from experience. I'd say to post what you have, rather than waiting to post. I've found that once people see a lot of work has been done, they can't resist telling you how they would do it. With the pump primed thusly, you could well see others begin to post material.

Good luck!

 

[Lizard]

Since nobody seems to be really replying, I'll post something to hopefully whet some appetites... here's the base stats I've come up with for Kzinti.

Kzinti
Large Alien

Abilities: Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 8, Chr 6

This points out one of the few real problems with D20 -- Wisdom. By tying together self-discipline and sensory awareness, you create a real problem with things like Kzinti, who have very keen sense (high wisdom implied) but very poor self-control (low wisdom implied). I'd give them a high racial bonus on spot and listen, enough to compensate for the -1 penalty and then some...say, +3, so, on average, they're at +2. You might also give them a bonus to will saves when matters of honor are concerned...remember that Speaker was capable of willing himself to starve to death even when meat was in reach. (Of course, IIRC, Louis wasn't sure how long that honor would last once real hunger set in...)

Charisma. Hm. Kzinti definitely aren't the charmers of the galaxy, but charisma is not just likeability ,but sheer FORCE of personality...and that they've got in spades. A humble, self-effacing kzinti (other than a telepath) is an oxymoron. I'd give them a racial average of 12 or 14.

Intelligence, meanwhile, I'd lower to 10...possibly even 8. Kzinti were well ahead of man when they first met us, but they'd been sentient for much, much, longer, and the speed of human progress (even without the little 'boost' the Puppeteers gave us) terrified them. In 'The Children's Hour', you see Kzinti using conquered humans in many positions of authority and responsibility, because human ingenuity and creativity outstrips theirs, and they are smart enough to realize it. The average kzinti doesn't need to be very smart; there were enough above average kzinti, here and there, over the millennia to give them a technological, space faring society, but it took a long, long, time. Exterminating all the sentient female kzin couldn't have helped the average intelligence of the race.

 

[Plane Sailing]

In this vein you might want to disallow the Smart Hero class to Kzinti....

 

[daTim]

In taking some advice, here is everything I have so far. People feel free to send input or post changes (and reasons, thanks for the examples so far) of the changes you recomend. I havent had time to change much on the Kzinti as the above poster mentioned. Here's the link.

http://www.geocities.com/jamesmcallister007/Ringworld.doc