What's your interest in this new "race" supplement idea?

[Napftor]

So I've been kicking this idea around for awhile and even offered it to a couple publishers (no bites). Before I put any real time into it, I thought I'd get some reactions from the fine folks here. The idea has not been done (AFAIK) for d20...

Guide to Illusionary Characters
Imagine this. Your PCs begin as they always do. Choose a race, class, etc., but something is different about you. The character has always been able to perform a minor unusual talent--sticking hand into flames without getting charred badly, for example. Friends and family chalk it up to an unknown fire resistant ancestor's genes. But can this little quirk be explored or enhanced further?

You see, an illusionary character as defined in this proposed book can increase his illusionary capabilities via racial levels. Beginning with a minor ability, the PC can explore his odd heritage by increasing in racial levels. As these levels are taken, he can do more extraordinary actions (pass through objects, change shape, etc.) but the catch is that since he's been raised like all other "solids" he must first roll to disbelieve his own body's existence in order to perform these actions.

Such a supplement would also include the requisite new items and prestige classes as well as theories about where the illusionary characters come from. Is there an entire race of these beings? How did they come to be and why?

I firmly believe there's a market for this, but what are your thoughts?

 

[fredramsey]

Does Morpheus show up at some point?

"You're faster than this. Don't think you are; know you are."

 

[Ferret]

Sounds cool, it seems to b a bit of a hit or miss thing though; you'll either love it or hate it. But what happens if someone disbelieves you?

 

[Napftor]

Sounds cool, it seems to b a bit of a hit or miss thing though; you'll either love it or hate it. But what happens if someone disbelieves you?

Well, you'd probably have to see the character do something illusionary to even call for a disbelieve roll. And even then, the illusionary character is still a character complete with consciousness. That alone is grounds for opposed Will rolls or something similar. As I mentioned, the product is still merely on my drawing board.

 

[Arnwyn]

I firmly believe there's a market for this, but what are your thoughts?

I firmly believe that any market outside of a Dragon magazine article would consist of 20 people.

 

[Nightfall]

Sorry Brett but I failed my Will save. I disbelieve.

 

[Andre]

I firmly believe there's a market for this, but what are your thoughts?

Some factors you should consider before proceeding:

1. Other than being original, what would be my reason for purchasing this item? How much use/value will I get out of it?

2. Will the mechanics be compatible with D20? Most players don't want to have to learn a whole new mechanic just to run an offbeat character.

3. You suggested something about the player having to make a check to use his/her abilities - in my experience, players want to control their characters. If a player invests considerable time and effort in developing a character with these "class" levels, he'll likely be fairly irritated when his neat powers don't work half the time.

4. Is this an idea that requires a full work-up, or can it be condensed effectively into a Dragon article, or a short, cheap pdf? On first glance, I can't see paying more than a buck or two for this, as I'd probably never use it. Even if I did, it wouldn't be the focus of an entire campaign.

5. Don't Don't Don't include things in the pdf because they are "requisite". One the biggest turn-offs for me as a consumer is picking up a supplement that looks interesting and finding that half of it is composed of the "requisite" prestige classes and such - material I almost never use. Only include something if it makes good sense and provides good value to the consumer, not because everyone else does it.

You might also want to post on the publishers forum - you'll likely get responses from a different perspective over there.

 

[Squire James]

Sounds cool, it seems to b a bit of a hit or miss thing though; you'll either love it or hate it. But what happens if someone disbelieves you?

Well, I suppose there's a chance that you're 20-60% real...

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

What I really need is rules for imaginary cohorts and familiars.

 

[Grymsblade]

The concept sounds intriguing, but I can't see how a full-sized publishable supplment could be made around it. I wouldn't buy it. I would love to read the concept in a Dragon magazine article (for example).