some questions.(2xdm, 18cap after racial...)

[hipnotode]

well me and my mate are planning to run a campaign, itll probably go that shell do most the backstory and roleplaying, and ill map out the dungeons and role the dice. (basically, shell do 85% of the fluff, and ill do 85% of the crunch).
im wondering if anyone has tried something like this before?

also, something else im thinking of doing is capping the players starting highest ability score at 18, after racial bonus. im hoping to encourage some rather weird and wonderful race-job, hybrid and multiclass combinations.
im just wondering if it will be TOO gamebreaking. is there any really obvious combinations that this would bring to life?

im also thinking of banning dwarfs, but thats just because i dont like the stereotypical dwarf. i know people could come up with a non-stereotypical one, or we could refluff them or our campaign, but with the amount of other races available, i dont really see the point.

something else im planning to do is do away with premade backgrounds. if the players want a background bonus, they will have to submit there own backstory, and ill come up with a bonus that suits it.
im thinking stuff like:

• add skill to class list, and +2 to that skill
• +2 to skill x and y
• training in skill (only if there backstory is really good.)
• resist # (element)
• proficiency with weapon/armor/shield/implement
• low-light vision
• language
• ...

any opinions on anything? advice? general comments?
-hip

 

[lostingeneral]

Well, splitting DM duties like that can be fine, but you might want to ensure that you both have something to do in sections where the other DM is dominant. If you run a string of combat encounters, or a lengthy role playing session, you'll find that the DM taking the backseat will get bored and antsy. Basically, just make sure you're both consistently active in any part of the game.

Also, on that same note, it is absolutely essential that you can work together. Map out, clearly, your respective visions of the game and try to resolve and disparate elements. You don't want inter-DM conflict to show up in the game, ever. That is very bad.

I would have to strongly recommend against capping the ability scores at 18. This might seem cool, but it's only limiting your players unnecessarily. If I was playing in that game I would be very confused as to why you would impose a limitation like that, because even though I'm not a min/max kind of guy I still occasionally make a character that has a score of 19 or 20 somewhere, post-racial. If you are dead set on this idea, maybe add some kind of bonus to counteract the limitation - something extra for starting equipment, perhaps.

Moreover, I really don't see the need for banning an entire race just because you don't like them, and if that's the case, take it up with your co-DM (particularly if she is the one actually coordinating the story and the game world). If she has some big ideas for an arc involving a dwarf stronghold and you make them all extinct, there is going to be one seriously bizarre adventure in there somewhere. But further, if there's no reason to ban the dwarf race other than "I don't like them," then don't. That's another unnecessary limitation.

As for the background bonuses, they're really meant to be adaptable into any back story. I only used them after all my characters had already made stories for their characters, and attached the appropriate bonus on there. It worked out fine.

Anyways, that's all I've got to say for now. Good luck!