Saber Forum

(clipped and dropped from the Random Thoughts Thread)


A friend asked for a bit of help spicing up the weekly RPG that the group meets up for down in Ft Lauderdale...my old group...I'm stuck in Texas.

They have been playing D&D and Pathfinder but wanted to introduce something different yet familiar.

So I took the standard Middle Earth types, established a steam-punk technology, with a Wild American West feel.

Steam trains/ships, hot air balloons and blimps, etc.

There are plenty of games that touch around theses aspects but this is mine.

I created a world that is has a broken main continent and a wide shallow sea...there is a vast open sea where islands of floating seaweed collect and break apart creating transitory masses of mock land.


(http://www2.nau.edu/rcb7/430_Silurian_2globes.jpg)


The waters are filled with monsters...giant sharks, armored fish, toothed whales, etc.

Lots of dragons...the vast majority filling the bird niche, so most are smaller...the true giants do not fly and have limited intelligence.


Playable races...

Goblins...2' tall on the average...no magical potential though they are innately gifted with gadgeteering...genius mechanics...green skinned

Halflings...3' tall on average...no magical potential though they have unique talent for language, education, teaching...so many of the best magical instructors and doctors are Halflings...standard flesh tones

Dwarves...4' tall on average...no magical potential though they have the ability to find underground cashes of water, metals, and precious minerals...explorers, merchants, and master cartographers...standard flesh tones

Elves...5' tall on average...50/50 magic potential, primarily druids, with many being beastmasters...rough and ready rather than gentile and poofy...trackers, guides, hunters...all albinos

Humans...6' tall on average...50/50 magical potential, primarily witches/warlocks, all classes are available...the only race that can multi-class (the old school slow process)...they have no other unique talents or abilities...standard flesh tones

Orcs...a group that ranges greatly in size, 2' +1D8'...so 3'-10' with 7' being a general average...50/50 magical potential, shaman only...they lack the potential for sophistication and are generally laborers, farmers, fishermen, etc...green skin is most common although they can be nearly any color

Dracos...8' tall on average though very heavy...no magical potential...they lack the potential for sophistication and are generally used for heavy labor or soldiers...as Battle Dragons they are always paired with another race other than an orc, quite often Halflings...they can be any color though the vast majority are muted neutral tones.


They had a bunch of fun and want me to put more into it...so I thought I would share as I mull over the potential of it all.

Goblins...2' tall on the average...no magical potential though they are innately gifted with gadgeteering...genius mechanics...green skinned

Halflings...3' tall on average...no magical potential though they have unique talent for language, education, teaching...so many of the best magical instructors and doctors are Halflings...standard flesh tones

Dwarves...4' tall on average...no magical potential though they have the ability to find underground cashes of water, metals, and precious minerals...explorers, merchants, and master cartographers...standard flesh tones

Elves...5' tall on average...50/50 magic potential, primarily druids, with many being beastmasters...rough and ready rather than gentile and poofy...trackers, guides, hunters...all albinos

Humans...6' tall on average...50/50 magical potential, primarily witches/warlocks, all classes are available...the only race that can multi-class (the old school slow process)...they have no other unique talents or abilities...standard flesh tones

Orcs...a group that ranges greatly in size, 2' +1D8'...so 3'-10' with 7' being a general average...50/50 magical potential, shaman only...they lack the potential for sophistication and are generally laborers, farmers, fishermen, etc...green skin is most common although they can be nearly any color

Dracos...8' tall on average though very heavy...no magical potential...they lack the potential for sophistication and are generally used for heavy labor or soldiers...as Battle Dragons they are always paired with another race other than an orc, quite often Halflings...they can be any color though the vast majority are muted neutral tones.



Which playable race speaks to you?  Which does not?  Perhaps rate them as they stand without additional input, a gut check thought?

The elf speaks to me mainly because I haven't had a chance to play a druid in awhile. But I could also see playing a dwarf and acting all vikingesk in me search for treasure.

Interesting.

I had seen the dwarves as more Indiana Jones types...gold watches, vests, taking time for tea, that sort of thing...lol.

Still thinking dwarf?

Elves...I have them as aloof and distant...falling into shadowy careers...thieves, pirates, rogues, highwaymen, etc...gypsies

A druid among them would be much more interested in the forest than the men within it...he would be on Treebeard's side  :)


I am making a personality quiz...this is it so far...try it and let me know if it is working...I will habe more questions soon.

http://quizilla.teennick.com/quizzes/24271616/what-type-of-character-from-pangean-are-you (http://quizilla.teennick.com/quizzes/24271616/what-type-of-character-from-pangean-are-you)

As far as the names...these would change I am sure...the Orcs for sure becoming Trolls.

Trolls cover a range of types and sizes.

A few pics to inspire...

(http://31.media.tumblr.com/f107912d840401d550ae1f55e5aba09c/tumblr_mjxxxzhnIq1rtinnho1_500.jpg)

(http://media.techeblog.com/elephant//ul/47364-450x-a_3.jpg)

(http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/89/eb/02/89eb02abda9fb8e5f5186785c95e079c.jpg)

Knowing nothing about them, just gut check on names/races and what I would imagine them to be like, here's my order for preference:


1 - Dracos

2 - Humans

3 - Orcs

4 - Dwarves

5 - Elves

6 - Halflings

7 - Goblins



For me, I read Dracos and think of some kind of mixture between this:

(http://www.imperial-library.info/sites/default/files/bkdae_daedric_armor.jpg)

and this:

(https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTzVKB4aFCOK7uSBOuMJ4FKrolz6qO_-m6WiPY5G62pxTwVXnxf)

So, with the combo of Killer Croc and Daedric armor, the Dracos seem to me to be an ugly, strong, armored race. Again, this is all going by gut-check without reading anything save for the names. I would imagine that they stay mostly around the shallow sea, keeping to themselves. Still, when needed, they would enter into smaller towns/communities...never enter into more populated areas because of size and enmity with other races.

More like this...

(http://itdidnthappen.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/bb.jpg)

:D

Funny you put the Goblin Mechanic as last and yet your personality choices gave you just that type lol.

Ah, very interesting!

lol, yeah, I'm weird that way. I was organizing just by race names, and Goblins never really did interest me

In order for me, strictly for RPG characters for myself...

1. Humans...6' tall on average...50/50 magical potential, primarily witches/warlocks, all classes are available...the only race that can multi-class (the old school slow process)...they have no other unique talents or abilities...standard flesh tones
I rarely choose humans, just a boring choice, but here is this case the potential exists for fun

2. Goblins...2' tall on the average...no magical potential though they are innately gifted with gadgeteering...genius mechanics...green skinned
The tech aspect in the steam setting has magic written all over it

3. Dracos...8' tall on average though very heavy...no magical potential...they lack the potential for sophistication and are generally used for heavy labor or soldiers...as Battle Dragons they are always paired with another race other than an orc, quite often Halflings...they can be any color though the vast majority are muted neutral tones.
Battle Dragon...basically a large two legged war horse or a small elephant...what is not to love?

4. Halflings...3' tall on average...no magical potential though they have unique talent for language, education, teaching...so many of the best magical instructors and doctors are Halflings...standard flesh tones
I am thinking a pilot/officer type, bucking for Captain

5. Orcs/Trolls...a group that ranges greatly in size, 2' +1D8'...so 3'-10' with 7' being a general average...50/50 magical potential, shaman only...they lack the potential for sophistication and are generally laborers, farmers, fishermen, etc...green skin is most common although they can be nearly any color
Ugly and savage, an easy mark to play...so I would seek to play beyond the limitations, a heroic type

6. Dwarves...4' tall on average...no magical potential though they have the ability to find underground cashes of water, metals, and precious minerals...explorers, merchants, and master cartographers...standard flesh tones
Normally I despise dwarves...just too weird with the common no knees and viking approach...but the explorer gentleman does appeal

7. Elves...5' tall on average...50/50 magic potential, primarily druids, with many being beastmasters...rough and ready rather than gentile and poofy...trackers, guides, hunters...all albinos
Fantasy elves...always given the golden end of the stick...immortal, all knowing, magical, and great fighters...hate it...as they stand in this setting as forest gypsies, there is room for liking them again lol




 

I am making a personality quiz...this is it so far...try it and let me know if it is working...I will have more questions soon.

http://quizilla.teennick.com/quizzes/24271616/what-type-of-character-from-pangean-are-you (http://quizilla.teennick.com/quizzes/24271616/what-type-of-character-from-pangean-are-you)


And another for career path...if you end up with a racial type that does not match because of magical talent or lack of, then they are hard headed and pursue the path using magic items instead of spells.

http://quizilla.teennick.com/quizzes/24271861/what-career-path-fits-you-in-pangean (http://quizilla.teennick.com/quizzes/24271861/what-career-path-fits-you-in-pangean) 

 ;D

So my wife tried the pair of personality quizzes and came up with...

Dwarf...which made her mad..."I do not want be a hairy ugly dwarf girl"

Druid...which was right in her wheel house


So if the Dwarf type does not have magical aptitude yet the person fits the magical career choice...so the easy answer is that she is a tool user...with a mind and spirit that allows the "force" to flow through her, she is open to the potential of what the forests and jungles have to offer...so just like a character can use a magic item does not mean they needed to know how to make the same or cast the spells within.

A Dwarf Druid forest princess, with a Xena flair (her thoughts not mine lol)...a blood bonded familiar, a cat sized flying drake...with the drake on hand she can commune with plants and animals...has real world skills in healing, herbology, and forest lore.  Using her natural ability to locate water/metal/minerals...to the benefit of those living with the forest and not invading. Carries a staff, sling, and short sword.

:)

Had her character been a race with magical potential and made the roll to be as such, the difference would be the ability to cast cantrips and related spells.

oh man!! I'd be so down to play!! :D
(http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2011/014/0/f/rhune_dwarf_by_d_mac-d375jps.jpg)
count me in lol
I even have my weapons lol
(http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/37/35/26/373526500361a97470931175d399eeda.jpg)
I received "Guardsman" for my career path :D I'm down for that

dude, anything steampunk, or anything with dwarves, let alone both... I am SO DOWN!
http://pinterest.com/tanukidomo/steampunkdieselpunkart-decoartscrafts/ (http://pinterest.com/tanukidomo/steampunkdieselpunkart-decoartscrafts/)
(http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/06/steampunkdwarf.jpg)

Is dwarf what you would choose or what you got for the personality quiz?

Yes I am a fan of steam and diesel punk + fantasy  ;)

Dwarf is what I'd choose.  The quiz I got human... but I'm always a dwarf, and minus the height, I'm built like one too.  I think I'd be a great extra for Peter Jackson lol.  I'm only 5'9" but I have a 48" athletic chest lol, nothing fits me right.

how'd you make the globe?

It and many others are from a University team...mapping the past and in some cases the future of continental drift.

:)

Considering the classes for characters.


Rogue seems like an easy one...a broad stroke that covers the baseline adventurer, one who has wanderlust in spades...this is the point that drives all rogues, they are travelers and gypsies.

Solider is another that covers a wide variety of professional women and men at arms, including mercenaries and paladins.


Between these two we have the majority of skills sets that most players would like...weapon use, picking locks/pockets, maintaining armor, etc.  So that leaves the elephant in the room, magic and magic use.

My small group of playtesters were a bit put out at the lack of magic so I have been considering the potential.


I have been considering species particular uniqueness...with each having a special nature aspect.

Playable races...(review with the uniqueness considered)

Goblins...2' tall on the average...green skinned...they are innately gifted with gadgeteering...genius mechanics...while they have no outward magical ability their engineering skills exceed all others in potential and application, boarding on magical...many of their creations defy explanation of how they function and once taken apart cease to operate

Halflings...3' tall on average...standard flesh tones...they have unique talent for language, mathematics, education, teaching...so many of the best magical instructors and doctors are Halflings...their unique calling stems from each having a near perfect memory along with deep intuition that allow for an innate ability to detect lies and figure out riddles, traps, puzzles

Dwarves...4' tall on average...standard flesh tones...they have the ability of dowsing, able to find underground cashes of water, metals, and precious minerals...explorers, merchants, and master cartographers...each dwarf has a measure of psychometry which allows them to read past connections to a given item

Elves...5' tall on average...all albinos...primarily druids, with many being beastmasters...rough and ready rather than gentile and poofy...trackers, guides, hunters...elves have the gift of familiarity, gaining life long companions in the forms of wildling animals and creatures

Humans...6' tall on average...standard flesh tones...the only race that can element bend...they have no other unique talents or abilities but other than having no restrictions on career path

Orcs...a group that ranges greatly in size, 2' +1D8'...so 3'-10' with 7' being a general average...green skin is most common although they can be nearly any color...they lack the potential for sophistication and are generally laborers, farmers, fishermen, etc...while they have no potential for magic they do have resistance to the same, many enchantments and illusions have little affect on orcs, though they can often see/hear/smell magical and spiritual energies

Dracos...8' tall on average though very heavy...they can be any color though the vast majority are muted neutral tones...no magical potential...they lack the potential for sophistication and are generally used for heavy labor or soldiers...as Battle Dragons they are always paired with another smaller race, quite often Halflings...they do have significant resistance to magic


So on to the point of magic use.

I do like element bending as per Avatar...fire, earth, air, water, and metal in classic Chinese elements...the aspects of chi and spirit also are welcome...so Elementals...meaning elemental benders, able to manipulate their specific focus element.
This would not be spell casting but rather a bonded connection with that element, and thus becoming something different than strictly human...avatars of their element.

Alchemists as in Full Metal Alchemist...are highly specialized people with a special talent that when paired with training, specialty items, and ritual can create transformation magic of a very unique nature with no two being the same...where as a fire elemental bender can create multiple effects with their flame use a alchemist that uses fire would have a single specific application such as fireballs, cone of flame, flaming hand, etc. with the alchemist gaining a title that represents the unique nature of the ability...example (metal) Grenade Alchemist who can cause metal to explode into fragments upon touching it, this ability could be honed with timing aspects making it explode faster or slower, it could also be practiced to create minor or major effects such as breaking a lock rather than blowing it up...example (metal) Blacksmith Alchemist who can use his touch to pull, twist, and shape metal as if using a forge, pinching an edge onto any metal surface or pulling a brass pot into a sword or repairing a battle damaged tank by pressing it into shape...but these two could not do what the other does even though they are both metal alchemists.

Druids...friends of the flora and fauna of the forests, jungles, swamps, woodlands, etc. with abilities to speak with animals, commune with plants, and in some cases even talk to stones/rocks...all druids are healers but the strength of the heal depends on the connection of the healed to nature, meaning if they are destructive or wasteful in regards to the natural world then the heal would be minor at best...hunters that take only what they need, show respect by wasting nothing, etc. would be welcome as being part of the circle of life where as a hunter who collects for others or only seeks trophies would be found wanting...many if not most druids do not venture far from their connection point, so rarely are druids seen in towns or on the road, and if they are then they are on a mission of specific nature.

Witches...are specialists in totem or fetish magics...spells focused into objects, potions, oils, dusts, etc. through extensive and time consuming ritual...due to the nature of these magics and spells many witches can be seen as dark, but as with nearly any tool is is the application of the tool and not the tool itself that determines the nature of the use...though in truth many witches are dark and among them there are truly evil ones...but all that aside, witches can be formidable healers, enchanters, and apothecaries providing the common people ways to manage their lives through hardships and routine...among the magical applications witches are unique in that they deal with all aspects of the human condition including relationships and this is a main reason they are sought out...for love potions and charms as well as protection and restriction spells...witching spells are very specific and most times are named for an individual and can be quite powerful due to the focus...many spells requiring personal items such as blood, hair, or treasured items to establish the focused connection.


So what are the thoughts of my fellow forumites...is this enough?  Too much?

 ;D

I updated the globe to highlight, roughly the culture focus around the world.


(http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn94/AtomicRay/globe_zpsf99a4f6f.jpg)


Hulon 

Generally the look and feel of feudal Japan and Korea...

(http://drc.sscc.edu/bitstream/handle/2374.SSCC/110/Japanese%20Film%20Actors%20at%20Osaka%20Castle%20Recreating%20a%20Battle%20Scene%20From%20the%20Early%201800s%20(Different%20View).jpg?sequence=155)
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GpLXKkEoI4o/TfGwVUcC1RI/AAAAAAAAAe4/Zr2-nR45pmw/s400/Thirteen-Assassins.jpg)
(http://www.bestourism.com/img/items/big/7111/Osaka_Osaka-Castle_9203.jpg)

*****

Indo

Generally the look and feel of early 1800 Southeast Asia and Western Pacific Islands...

(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/tm/2007/galleries/potw231107/ThaiElepAP_428x269_to_468x312.jpg)
(http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2005/04/23/arts/Cambodia650.jpg)
(http://squarehe.com/images/0610/gp-golden-buildings.jpg)

*****

Zhan

Generally the look and feel of ancient China and Eastern India...

(http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2010/06/swordsman.jpg)
(http://halongpromotiontours.com/hinhanh2/334/334.jpg)
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7wdfsw0zScg/TQRsAXnCuII/AAAAAAAAG-E/uSwmELZ7xTg/s1600/Thailand+Travel+Photography.jpg)

*****

Shinsen

Generally the look and feel of the Middle East and Western Asia...

(http://images.wikia.com/quarsus/images/8/84/Persian-army-300_(1).jpg)
(http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02050/Nihang_2050409c.jpg)
(http://www.bugbog.com/images/galleries/india-pictures/A-india-photos/khajuraho-temples-india/khajuraho-temples.jpg)




Loving this image for the seasonal and even elemental aspect of the ladies...

(http://www.ancientchinalife.com/ancient-chinese-women-1.jpg)