Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 nytcrawlr Jan 21, 2004 17:47:15	I am already starting to work on the Villichi project I have had in mind now finally. What I want is some ideas on what the community would like to see in said project. I will be expanding on the race as a whole, and will have templates, feats, and PrCs dedicated to the Villichi. Rather than post everything here, I prefer to keep it all in email format, better for me to keep track of, but feel free to post here as well. Please email me at [email]villichiproject@crimsonsun.org[/email] for any suggestions, etc that you have in mind for this project. Once I am finished with the project, I will submit it to athas.org in order to become official, if it doesn't, it should still be in the unofficial section (once they get one again), or on my website.
#2 zombiegleemax Jan 21, 2004 23:24:17	Can't wait. You know what I'd like to see . . . fluff, fluff, and maybe some new powers, oooo and fluff.
#3 dawnstealer Jan 21, 2004 23:35:03	I think some fluff would be good. Oh! And some prestige classes! Maybe a couple different species of Villichi? No idea. How about some hard rules for Elflings, Dwelfs, Dwarflings, Driants, Drelfs, and Driant-Kreens? What? Why are you looking at me like that?
#4 Kamelion Jan 22, 2004 2:15:40	Are you going to include the villichi backstory from the Tribe of One series (that whole "Sisters of the Willing Key" thing? Bits of its were a bit naff but overall it seemed like an interesting bit of history. Using some of it my own games at the moment...
#5 nytcrawlr Jan 22, 2004 7:11:26	Originally posted by Dawnstealer IHow about some hard rules for Elflings, Dwelfs, Dwarflings, Driants, Drelfs, and Driant-Kreens? What? Why are you looking at me like that? Though I wouldn't mind elflings. :D No worries either way. There will be plenty of fluff, in fact that is all I am working on right now until PsiHb 3.5 comes out. Then I'll hit the mechanics.
#6 nytcrawlr Jan 22, 2004 7:13:47	Originally posted by Kamelion Are you going to include the villichi backstory from the Tribe of One series (that whole "Sisters of the Willing Key" thing? Bits of its were a bit naff but overall it seemed like an interesting bit of history. Using some of it my own games at the moment... Overall I just need to re-read that trilogy. First time I read it I didn't have the second book, just the first and third. Since the villichi writeup is a bit of a mix of Hawke and DSMC1 (can use metal weapons thanks to 3e (bleah) etc.) I probably will. Guess I will have to put reading the trilogy again at the top of my list, heh.
#7 Kamelion Jan 22, 2004 10:34:59	Overall I just need to re-read that trilogy. First time I read it I didn't have the second book, just the first and third. lol - the villichi backstory stuff is in book 2
#8 nytcrawlr Jan 22, 2004 14:19:24	Originally posted by Kamelion lol - the villichi backstory stuff is in book 2 lol, Well no freaking wonder.
#9 Pennarin Jan 22, 2004 21:06:53	Originally posted by Dawnstealer How about some hard rules for Elflings, Dwelfs, Dwarflings, Driants, Drelfs, and Driant-Kreens? Bring it on! And don't forget our own brand of half-celestials: half-space hamsters!! :D
#10 dawnstealer Jan 22, 2004 21:50:18	How about a spamsteriantwarlfing?
#11 nytcrawlr Jan 22, 2004 21:55:25	Originally posted by Dawnstealer How about a spamsteriantwarlfing? A whosawhatsit?
#12 xlorepdarkhelm_dup Jan 22, 2004 22:05:09	I got most of that one, but I'm missing what the "war" is in it: space hamster giant war halfling Of course, I might be wrong. either way, now we're just getting silly.
#13 nytcrawlr Jan 23, 2004 0:30:35	My mama always says silly is what silly does....
#14 jihun-nish Jan 25, 2004 20:24:46	For those of you who are not aware of this. you can read a part of which will be in the Villichi project(story) here nice one Nytcrawlr
#15 nytcrawlr Jan 25, 2004 22:12:19	Originally posted by Jihun-Nish nice one Nytcrawlr Danke.
#16 nytcrawlr Jan 28, 2004 11:46:56	A 174 views and no more suggestions other than what I have gotten? Interesting...
#17 Kamelion Jan 28, 2004 14:03:37	Heh heh - OK, well in case you don't get around to reading that 2nd Tribe of One novel, here's a quick summary of the bit that relates to the villichi backstory. Big spoiler alert (and utterly irrelevant to the rest of the series, typically). Had this lying about as part of background to an adventure I set in Dragon's Bowl and figured I'd chuck it your way The Teluri (aka The Forgotten Ones) are said to have been the first people to practice sorcery. The last of their kings was Valatrix I, who dwelt in a fabulous palace. A vassal of his held alleged artifacts known as the Seals of Knowledge in keeping for a sacred group called the Holy Sisters of the Order of the Willing Key (the "villichi"). This vassal was Lord Belloc, Duke of Carador, Lord of the Outlands, and his fortress rivalled his king’s and was located where Silver Spring Oasis now stands. Valatrix desired the Seals for himself, believing them to possess magical power (in fact they are but foci to advanced meditation techniques). When Belloc of the Holy Sisters would not yield them, he prepared for war upon Carador. Forging an alliance with the Damites, who dwelled in a fortress city in Dragon’s Bowl, Valatrix led the joint Teluri and Damite forces against Carador, crushing it entirely. The Holy Sisters scattered to the four winds and Belloc spirited the Seals away to safety, becoming their undead guardian. There's not much more than that. None of the references are explained and I have no idea if Hawke invented this or got it from the original designers or whatever. Make of it what you will...
#18 xlorepdarkhelm_dup Jan 28, 2004 15:21:49	I like what you have done so far on the Villichi, Nyt. I haven't read the "Tribe of One" series in a while (of which I think I only have 2 of the books.... the first and second, I think. I might have the first and third though). They would be a real cool addition to my Dark Sun campaigns, but I honestly haven't given them much thought, what with my mind wrapped around Advanced Beings (for some reason)...
#19 nytcrawlr Jan 28, 2004 15:29:56	Originally posted by Kamelion Heh heh - OK, well in case you don't get around to reading that 2nd Tribe of One novel Re-starting the series today. ;) The Teluri (aka The Forgotten Ones) are said to have been the first people to practice sorcery. snip... Doesn't sound a thing like Dark Sun. Oh well, guess I'll have to read it in context and take it from there. I can see myself re-creating things from scratch at this point and basing alot off of the current writeup I have for Villichi.
#20 nytcrawlr Feb 06, 2004 22:44:18	Ok, since I am lame and can't figure out how to work the mailing list I have setup on my server you will have to send requests to my webmaster account and then I can add manually from there. Anyways, I created a mailing list for the villichi project, if you would like to be a part of this project email me at [email]webmaster@crimsonsun.org[/email] and I will add you to the list as a subscriber. Also let me know what email address you want added. If you want to send anything to the list it's [email]villichi-list@crimsonsun.org[/email].
#21 Otakkun Feb 12, 2004 22:40:25	Wow, nice! I'l try to help with something if I manage to find some free time. Edo.
#22 nytcrawlr Feb 19, 2004 4:16:07	She hid in the forest, hiding from those seeking her. Had she been cursed? Why was she the way she was? Closer the warlord's minions came, seeking her out for they wanted her secrets, wanted her because she was villichi......something totally new and interesting, but totally unknown. What are the villichi and how did they come about? No one really knows for sure, but one thing is for certain, they aren't a mistake. There is probably no purer thing in the world of Athas than a villichi. From their vow of eating no meat, to their vow of celibacy, to the non-use of metal weapons, they are a rare breed indeed. While most of these vows are broken from one time to another, one thing about them remains true, they will protect others of their kind even if it means their own death. They constantly seek them out, from village to city-state, no rock will be left unturned. As long as one villichi is still alive in the world newcomers will always have sanctuary. Birth of a Villichi (enter Sean's intro here) When non-villichi have a villichi child, many things come into play: A villichi priestsess will be contacted somehow and sent an invite to come pick the child up. The child will be found by a scouting party of villichi. The child will be abused or killed in just about as many indespicable ways you can imagine. The less likely is the parents will raise the villichi child anyways and allow her to join the convent a few years before most children start school. Villichi are always born female, no male to date since the begining of the villichi has been born in this fashion, whether this was planned or is just a recessive gene that only females carry, no one knows. Death of a Villichi Woe to those who abuse, torture, or kill a villichi. Doing so usually brings about a curse to those that are involved, and it's usually not a plesant one. One such group within each convent is actually trained and then sent out to deal with such occurances. They are called the Squad of Ill Omen, and they show no mercy to those found guilty of such bold crimes...
#23 nytcrawlr Feb 19, 2004 14:09:24	No responses? Guess I suck.
#24 Otakkun Feb 19, 2004 14:16:12	Heh, :P It seems nice, though after actually reading the BoeD I'd keep away from the vows when talking about lone Villichi. It seems that the text mixes all of this. They do not take this vows as soon as they are born, but only when they are in one of their enclaves. I could see metal just being toxic to them, in a way much like cold iron is toxic to fey. Then, what's this curse? I don't think it is inborn to them. As before this is an adquired trait. Probably they all share a psionic tattoo or something that let's those back at their enclaves watch them or know if they are enslaved. Other than this, it seems ok :P PD: I'm interested in building some basics for their organization, such as some specific powers, tattoos and their vows. If you want some slow help, let me know. Edo.
#25 nytcrawlr Feb 19, 2004 14:34:27	Originally posted by Otakkun It seems nice, though after actually reading the BoeD I'd keep away from the vows when talking about lone Villichi. It seems that the text mixes all of this. /me shrugs I seriously doubt most if not all of BoED will be able to be mixed well with DS, but that's just MO. I would love to try though.
#26 elonarc Feb 19, 2004 15:49:20	No responses? Guess I suck. I liked what you wrote, except for the name Squad of Ill Omen. Actually just the "squad".
#27 Otakkun Feb 19, 2004 15:53:10	Originally posted by NytCrawlr /me shrugs I seriously doubt most if not all of BoED will be able to be mixed well with DS, but that's just MO. I would love to try though. Oh, but who said we were going to use BoED? ;) The ideas are good enough to come up with something specially made up for the Villichi, instead of just copy/pasting them. Edo.
#28 nytcrawlr Feb 19, 2004 16:05:31	Originally posted by Otakkun Oh, but who said we were going to use BoED? ;) The ideas are good enough to come up with something specially made up for the Villichi, instead of just copy/pasting them. Yeah, just saying I don't see the need to change the name vow or anything just because there are options for such in BoED. Don't plan to cut and paste from anything, well except the original villichi writeup from MC 1, this is all from my warped, evil mind.
#29 nytcrawlr Feb 19, 2004 16:07:17	Originally posted by Elonarc I liked what you wrote, except for the name Squad of Ill Omen. Actually just the "squad". Yeah, originally was going to call it the Death Squad, but that sounded too close to Brute Squad so I went with the Ill Omen thing. Probably need to rework that somehow.
#30 Kamelion Feb 19, 2004 17:39:10	What about Harbingers of Ill Omen? Harbingers are cool. (The writeup is really smooth - I thought I'd replied on this already - oops )
#31 zombiegleemax Feb 19, 2004 22:57:02	There's a Hamster of Ill Omen in the SJ MC . . . Wolly Rupert they call him . . . I have a few minor questions actually. How does a villichi infant appear different than a normal infant? Are they always born of human parents? Is there a change that occures later in the child's pre adolescent years that marks her as a villichi? What do different cultures think of this? Do some view it as a disease, villichi-ism, a curse, or a blessing? How does the villichi tribe know when one of their own has been abandon for them to find; are they contacted by the parents? This would indicate that the culture views the child as blessed or special. Some wandering thoughts. As I've said, I've never really used villichi in my campaigns. Your race write-up for them was kewl as beans in soup, but I've been waiting to see what you come up with as far as backstory before introducing them.
#32 Otakkun Feb 20, 2004 2:18:32	You've brought up some excellent points to make a guideline Mach2.5, let's see what Nyt comes up with. I'll try to help him with whatever free time I find. Anyway, I wanted to ask something in here as well, how do people feel about the possible power levels of a Villichi monastery? Do you expect them to have some really high level 'sisters' or do you believe that they shouldn't go above levels 15-17? I ask this because the way I see it, they should ahve a piramid of power, with one 'queen' of sorts in every monastery who is in charge of the big stuff, like searching around Athas for Villichies, teaching them, etc. Edo.
#33 xlorepdarkhelm_dup Feb 20, 2004 2:31:37	I personally feel that those power levels would be best suited as being developed as prestige classes, rather than level ranges. I've never liked the idea of level ranges alone dictacting one's place in a hierarchy in any campaign world.
#34 Otakkun Feb 20, 2004 2:44:42	I see what you are pointing at, but I'm actually aiming at knowing what people would say if .... for example, we sketched a monastery and said that there as a 23rd level psion Villichi, a 21 and 17 level Villichi in someplace else, etc. On the PrC issue... I think that there are enough of those already. Since they are taking vows, I think we can create feats related to those instead of PrCs, much like how vow of poverty gives you all those exalted bonus feats. Edo.
#35 xlorepdarkhelm_dup Feb 20, 2004 3:21:50	So, you think it's better to take away a player's precious feats to accomplish the task? I dunno about your games, but mine consist of players who are very.... possessive about their feats, and would absolutely hate being required to waste them on something like that. Now a Prestige Class structure where you use one as the prerequisite for the next, possibly setting them up similar to the Knights of Solamnia for Dragonlance - where one leads to the next, would then, IMHO open it up for a much wider range of possibilities - the Villichi could then take levels in a PrC that deals with healing as a focus, while another one takes levels in a PrC dealing more with physical combat, but they both then are capable of advancing to the next "stage", sort of a master PrC , and so on. If anything, I've seen that Prestige Classes really help with making characters unique. Feats do as well, but in a much lesser amount, since a character is limited in the number of feats significantly - getting a single feat every 3 levels (+ 1 at level 1 for most races, humans get 2). Different classes grant other bonus feats, but generally they are from a very select list. Simply giving a Villichi a feat, even from a specific list of feats, regardless of class, at various levels, seems broken to me.
#36 Kamelion Feb 20, 2004 4:25:39	What about something like Monte Cook's oath system? It uses feats too, but adds a fair bit in return...
#37 Otakkun Feb 20, 2004 12:54:33	Well, they would be gaining bonus feats after all, due to the vows they take. It's not as they would have to actually expend their character feats ... well, with the exceptioln of 1 or 2 ... but then, most PrCs ask for the same. Edo.
#38 nytcrawlr Feb 20, 2004 14:31:34	Originally posted by Mach2.5 How does a villichi infant appear different than a normal infant? They would probably have disproportioned limbs, neck, and head compared to normal human infants. Are they always born of human parents? As far as we know they are, and I will probably keep it that way, otherwise Villichi would be a templare and I'm not treading down that path again, heh. Is there a change that occures later in the child's pre adolescent years that marks her as a villichi? Nope, pretty much marked as one at birth. Though most of the markings come from them being able to have significant power in psionics and be like a wild wild talent of sorts since birth. What do different cultures think of this? Do some view it as a disease, villichi-ism, a curse, or a blessing? I would say most just view it as different and scary. Most villichi children aren't abused in any way and are either abadoned or given to a sister on a pilgrimage. Most cultures know of the "curse" that befall any who kill or otherwise abuse a villichi. How does the villichi tribe know when one of their own has been abandon for them to find; are they contacted by the parents? The original MC entry talked of the head mistress having a psionic power that worked for miles on out and could detect any villichi within that area. I plan to expand on this, having regular pilgrimages going out and bringing back villichi that way as well as the head mistress having that psionic power. Hope that helps.
#39 Otakkun Feb 20, 2004 15:11:05	Seems you've done your homework Nyt Edo.
#40 nytcrawlr Feb 20, 2004 15:16:32	Myyyyy preciousss
#41 zombiegleemax Feb 20, 2004 18:58:25	God answer, good answer! Now hurry up and finish it! :D
#42 nytcrawlr Feb 26, 2004 16:29:50	Ok, the villichi mailing list on my server is up and running 100% now. If you would like to be a part of this project just send an email to [email]villichi-list-request@crimsonsun.org[/email] with subscribe villichi-list "your email address" minus the "" in the body of the email. It should send you an auth email, reply to that following the instructions and then you will be added. Enjoy.