Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 zombiegleemax Mar 03, 2004 9:28:59	When WOTC first re-introduced the idea of planar faction (Dragon 287), they chose to do it through prestige classes. When I first saw the faction by Christopher Campbell, I was very disappointed. The faction prestige classes were suppose to be elite of the factions. Yet, they incorporated many of the standard faction abilities from 2nd edition. I took that to mean that only the faction elite received faction abilities. It didn't make sense that you had to have a BAB of +6 to be a Mercykiller (yes, I am still pre-faction war, I am still pre-Alisohn Nilesia...long live Factol Malin!!!), or that an Athar had to be a divine spellcaster. Sure, these would be likely candidates. However, I don't think that they should have been pre-req's. So, from there I gave up on the idea of PrC's as factions, moving on to feats. I playtested many ideas but was never really satisfied with the results. I liked the idea of faction rank and felt that was not emphasized enough with feats. I knowplanewalker.com is taking this route (if you haven't checked it out, I recommend it). But, being anti-Faction War I had to come up with my own system. I have finally gone back to the idea of prestige classes, but with very relaxed pre-req's. For instance; Athars - Base Will Save +2, Skills: Knowledge (religions) 4 ranks, Special: Must strive to prove the falsity of the "god", lessen their influence and unveil the truth of the Great Unknown. With such relaxed standards, it ensures that not everyone can walk in and gain faction abilities and it doesn't exclude lower level characters. It also gives preference to certain character types. I am finally pleased with my treatment of the factions. How does everyone else handle the factions? Prestige classes, feats or something else?
#2 primemover003 Mar 03, 2004 15:58:26	What you have to remember Bio is that the Factions are Organizations first and foremost. Planewalker has really gone the correct route in using feats. What differentiates one faction from another? Their Beliefs. It's the beleifs of the members that provide the power. Any namer can claim membership in a Faction, and for the most part that's fine. But if one truly wants to harness the power inherent in a Faction they have to do more than pay lip service. Feats are that mechanic. I have to spend one of my Oh so precious feats if I truly want to gain power in the Faction. It's the Player equivilent of the Characters time and belief. These Feats are also exclusive to the Factions, meanin not any old joe can gain them. You have to believe in the cause to awaken the power in yourself. Prestige classes are not the way to represent the Faction powers as a whole. A Dust Lord of the Sinkers, or a Mercykiller Justicar, the various Masters of the Ciphers...(actually these are part of a PrC on Hardheads site, well done I think here: the Kriegstanz ). PrC's just focus the character even more.