Andor
First Post
I had a thought just now...
I've always been a bit iffy on the idea that levels don't exist inside a D&D world. They are too central to how things operate. And while it may be hard to tell a 4th level fighter from a 5th level fighter by looking at him, no such confusion can occur with a wizard. The 5th level wiz is the one who's flying.
So what if levels are a perfectly known and familiar element inside the game world? They probably would not called 'levels' to be sure, but still known. My idea for how to work this into a positive story/rping element is this: The players don't know how much experience they have. When the character thinks he's earned a level he calls upon [His god, the powers that be, the supreme judge, the purple monkey, whatever] and is recites a list of worthy deeds. If he is judged worthy (IE has enough XP) he get's his level miraculously. If not he get's zotted by a bolt from the blue and loses some unknown amount of exp. (Say 1d4 X Level X 100 xp. Which only the GM rolls and he's the one who knew how much XP was needed in the first place.) Perhaps this zot is rumoured to possibly be much worse sometimes. This then explains the generally low levels of commoners. They have not dared to risk a curse merely for another d4 hp.
So Paul the Paladin kills the Big Orc who was stirring up the local trouble and figures that ought to be enough to tip the scales and allow him to earn a level. So when he gets back into town (It could probably be done anywhere, but levels are a big deal so why not do it right?) he goes to his temple and organizes a ceremony where he calls upon Heironeous to judge him.
"Oh great and good Heironeous! I Paul the Paladin call upon you to judge me this day! If I am worthy grant me the power of the 5th rank that I may better serve you, Oh Lord of Smiting. Since my last rank was achieved I have journied far from the temple where I was trained. Along the road I slew many bandits thus bringing Order to the world. Also a wandering ooze which was Good for it might otherwise have preyed upon the innocent. I came to the town of Ignatz where I learned of the depredations of the orc raider Greentusk and came to value the friendship of the locals. I then did many battles with Greentusks raiders and their associated monsters. I have even this last day slain Greentusk himself thus ending a force for evil and chaos in this world!"
(Pauls player crosses his fingers and hopes he really did get a roleplaying award for that tavernwench in Ignatz.)
A cloud of Glory appears before Paul and proclaims "PAUL THOU ART WORTHY IN MY SIGHT. HERE IS THE POKEBALL OF THE 5th RANK." and a bolt of silver lightning zots Paul and gives him a HD. The watching commoners shiver with fear and awe and decide that the fall harvest really wasn't much to boast about before a God.
Would something like this add to your game?
I've always been a bit iffy on the idea that levels don't exist inside a D&D world. They are too central to how things operate. And while it may be hard to tell a 4th level fighter from a 5th level fighter by looking at him, no such confusion can occur with a wizard. The 5th level wiz is the one who's flying.
So what if levels are a perfectly known and familiar element inside the game world? They probably would not called 'levels' to be sure, but still known. My idea for how to work this into a positive story/rping element is this: The players don't know how much experience they have. When the character thinks he's earned a level he calls upon [His god, the powers that be, the supreme judge, the purple monkey, whatever] and is recites a list of worthy deeds. If he is judged worthy (IE has enough XP) he get's his level miraculously. If not he get's zotted by a bolt from the blue and loses some unknown amount of exp. (Say 1d4 X Level X 100 xp. Which only the GM rolls and he's the one who knew how much XP was needed in the first place.) Perhaps this zot is rumoured to possibly be much worse sometimes. This then explains the generally low levels of commoners. They have not dared to risk a curse merely for another d4 hp.
So Paul the Paladin kills the Big Orc who was stirring up the local trouble and figures that ought to be enough to tip the scales and allow him to earn a level. So when he gets back into town (It could probably be done anywhere, but levels are a big deal so why not do it right?) he goes to his temple and organizes a ceremony where he calls upon Heironeous to judge him.
"Oh great and good Heironeous! I Paul the Paladin call upon you to judge me this day! If I am worthy grant me the power of the 5th rank that I may better serve you, Oh Lord of Smiting. Since my last rank was achieved I have journied far from the temple where I was trained. Along the road I slew many bandits thus bringing Order to the world. Also a wandering ooze which was Good for it might otherwise have preyed upon the innocent. I came to the town of Ignatz where I learned of the depredations of the orc raider Greentusk and came to value the friendship of the locals. I then did many battles with Greentusks raiders and their associated monsters. I have even this last day slain Greentusk himself thus ending a force for evil and chaos in this world!"
(Pauls player crosses his fingers and hopes he really did get a roleplaying award for that tavernwench in Ignatz.)
A cloud of Glory appears before Paul and proclaims "PAUL THOU ART WORTHY IN MY SIGHT. HERE IS THE POKEBALL OF THE 5th RANK." and a bolt of silver lightning zots Paul and gives him a HD. The watching commoners shiver with fear and awe and decide that the fall harvest really wasn't much to boast about before a God.
Would something like this add to your game?
