Has anyone looked at updating Dwarf clerics as they lose the power to turn undead or use Raise Dead spell on Non-Dwarfs. I was thinking of improving their crafting abilities and creating magical armour and weapons to replace lost abilities
I have noticed threads on developing Elves for use in 3.5D&D, but nothing on the differences with Dwarfs. Or i'm Blind :D
I think I remember seeing one from a long time ago, but I'm really not 100% sure. Can anybody confirm this?
Has anyone looked at updating Dwarf clerics as they lose the power to turn undead or use Raise Dead spell on Non-Dwarfs. I was thinking of improving their crafting abilities and creating magical armour and weapons to replace lost abilities
The closest thing I've done is the clerical spell list for Kagyar. I kept the restrictions on Dwarven clerics in regards to raising dead and turning undead. As for improving abilities, this is certainly possible but I don't think it is a must. Dwarfs, and Dwarven clerics especially, are quite potent as they are, and they already receive a number of bonuses.
So giving them extra Clerical powers is hard to justify.
But it also goes on to explain that all Dwarfs on reaching 12th level not just Clerics can manufacturer magical arms, armour, and weapons.
So instead grant Clerics at least, at 5th level in 3.5 the feat craft arms and armour to replace Turning.
Also there is the knock on effect on certain epic feats that require as prerequiste the turning ability, in effect most devine epic feats are denied to Dwarfs, exception being Kogolor dwarfs as they are not modified by Kagyar
Imho a conversion isn't even ideal for Mystara though. What Mystara really needs is an OGL version. Of course, this would take it away from an official D&D campaign setting, but unless you do that you can't really implement things like dwarf clerics, elf spellcasting fighters, etc. At least not in a way that would work with both D&D and Mystara models, therefore have any point. You know what I mean?
Well, for my D&D 3E campaign I just converted the Mystara setting not the system.
Imho a conversion isn't even ideal for Mystara though. What Mystara really needs is an OGL version. Of course, this would take it away from an official D&D campaign setting, but unless you do that you can't really implement things like dwarf clerics, elf spellcasting fighters, etc. At least not in a way that would work with both D&D and Mystara models, therefore have any point. You know what I mean?
An OGL version would be cool, but if it were a version more closely resembling OD&D I wouldnt see much point in it since we might just go around and play with the RC instead eh?
What I like to do when converting between systems (to 3E in this case), is see if elements from the original version can be used as inspiration for something new under the new rules.
A Dwarven Cleric class per se is not really neccesary in 3E since he could simply use the Dwarf race and Cleric class. They are not that different after all. I might keep the "don't heal non-dwarves" as a social element, though keep it out of the rules. Dwarves not being able to turn undead seems like a simple game balance issue so I see little reason to keep it. Its not like dwarves love undead or anything.
OTOH, given that the Dwarf Cleric used to be a special class this does indicate that Dwarven Clerics have a more pronounced role in the setting that clerics of most other races. The fact that Rockhome is sometimes described as a Theocracy also supports that notion. So, perhaps that justifies some sort of Prestige Class. Lets call it "Disciple of Kagyar", and it could implement some of the benefits (such as item crafting) you mention above.
I also think that the Artificer class or something similar would be applicable for many of the craftsmen of Rockhome.
The Forge of Power should also be detailed. Perhaps using it would allow less XP expenditure for creating magical items instead of the current rules.
A similar logic could be used for Elven Wizards/Lords, Treekeepers, the Tree of Life, and Halflings and Blackflame.
Håvard
I think you're dwarf cleric model is certainly the way forward if you were to make an official Mystara D&D setting, rather than OGL.
The idea of using prestige classes to keep the special flavour of the dwarf cleric in Mystara seems spot on to me.
As I said, I just converted the setting to 3.0 imc, so you just had dwarf clerics as per the D&D 3E core rules. I could create a prestige class for dwarf clerics though. (I'll have to think about what abilities they'd have.)
I guess the reason I think OGL would be the best way to update Mystara is that the classes/races are balanced differently in the RC/BD&D and that's something definitely unique and interesting enough to keep in an updated Mystara.
I have noticed threads on developing Elves for use in 3.5D&D, but nothing on the differences with Dwarfs. Or i'm Blind :D
This deals with 3.0 dwarves
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=277712
:-) Jesper
I guess the reason I think OGL would be the best way to update Mystara is that the classes/races are balanced differently in the RC/BD&D and that's something definitely unique and interesting enough to keep in an updated Mystara.
OGL is one way to do it. I understand that you might want to modulate some of the special abilities posessed by some of the demihumans in the RC that are absent in 3E. Another way to do this is through special racial feats or racial classes as presented in the Unearthed Arcana. I prefer the former since making new classes is pretty time consuming.
Håvard
OGL is one way to do it.
Mongoose Publishing have a message board entitled what should Mongoose publish next? You can access it here .
Does that give you any ideas? :D
Regards,
Gary
Another way to do this is through special racial feats or racial classes as presented in the Unearthed Arcana.
I think you'd do a better job of updating Mystara than me, that's for sure.
(Haven't actually read Unearthed Arcana yet, btw.)
I think you'd do a better job of updating Mystara than me, that's for sure.
Thanks :embarrass
Although, I'm sure with such a massive task of updating all of Mystara it is better to work together and offer eachother advice.
(Haven't actually read Unearthed Arcana yet, btw.)
If you like toying around with the 3E rules and creating new things for it, UA is a great source for ideas and options. Check it out!
Håvard