So, anyone got it hosted somewhere, or when's his site coming back to life?
nick!
And, I had considered 5-level PrC's before, but that just didn't seem Epic enough (Epic PrC's, should, IMHO, be 10 levels or more). I also don't have 4 PrC's, I only have 3. The final stage is simply the epic spell and template applied - representing the final transformation into dragonhood/avangionhood. I took my 4 stages of development based off of the "grouping" of levels that was in the 2e books - levels 1 - 3 became "Stage 1"; levels 4 - 6 became "Stage 2"; levels 7 - 9 became "Stage 3", and level 10 became "Stage 4". This also became handy with Dragons when it comes to the animalistic rage period, which was the 2e levels 7 - 9, and in my write-up, is Stage 3. I basically derived each level's transformation from the texts in Preservers & Defilers as well as Dragon Kings.
Then, after looking at that, I adjusted the height/weight based on the idea that any race could try this now (as per 3e rules - any race could be a wizard/psion, so I figured why be picky). I derived the height/weight formulas from the 2e material, using an assumed height (for the formula) of 6', and an assumed weight (once again, for the formula) of about 180lbs, IIRC. This actually proved to be quite interesting, and I founmd direct, simple ratios to work with, that I then made into the "2x original height" or "1/3 original weight" parts of the metamorphosis - this also seemed to work for the Avangion. The height/weight parts can be a little extra work, but it ensures that a Half-Giant (Large creature) and a Halfling (Small creature) keeps the same basic ratio through the metamorphosis - not that either of those races are full of people striving to become dragons, just that the possibility is available.
I then reviewed the attacks for a Dragon, and put them more in-line with the attacks presented in the MM for Dragons - even if they get the attacks at wierd intervals compared to the "normal" D&D dragons. I also (IIRC) did this for the breath weapon damage/cone length (or, at least, was definitely planning on it). These also extend to Colossal+ (as per the ELH), of course, based off of the weight/height of the dragon in question; basically, as they gain weight & height, their attacks do more damage/breath weapons' cone gets longer (all thanks to increases in their size category).
The Dragon Magic system is something I came up with, switching off of the "metamagic on the fly" which I had them use before. I haven't gotten my Avangio Magic write-up done yet.
Anyway, I hope this helps, even just a little. Something I'd love to get ahold of would be some pictures showing someone going through the various stages of development (even if they are similar to those found in P&D and DK). Some sort of image to help someone better visualize the process.
And yes, I am also planning on doing a write-up for Druids (Spirits of the Land), and Clerics (Elementals) I want to cover all the Advanced Beings for Dark Sun.
Originally posted by xlorepdarkhelm
I then reviewed the attacks for a Dragon, and put them more in-line with the attacks presented in the MM for Dragons - even if they get the attacks at wierd intervals compared to the "normal" D&D dragons.
Silly of me to ask, perhaps, but did you first compare the 2e Advanced Being Dragon's attacks to those of a "normal" 2e Dragon, to see if those were "in line?" It's been a while, but I remember reading Dragon Kings and thinking that the Tyr Dragon could eat two Black Wyrms for breakfast and ask for more.
As we all know, there's normal, and there's Dark Sun.
Originally posted by Kicker
Silly of me to ask, perhaps, but did you first compare the 2e Advanced Being Dragon's attacks to those of a "normal" 2e Dragon, to see if those were "in line?" It's been a while, but I remember reading Dragon Kings and thinking that the Tyr Dragon could eat two Black Wyrms for breakfast and ask for more.
It wasn't. But then again, much of 2e really wasn't "balanced" (especially for Dark Sun, 2e Psionics comes shockingly to mind). The damage they had from 2e didn't scale with size increases, and when I made them more in-line with the attacks of 3e dragons (number of, and damage) , it was close enough to what they had from 2e, but actually scaled better. But basically, the Dragon of Tyr, with my write-up, has attacks that are of an Advanced Epic Dragon, which can still eat two (3e) Black Wyrms for breakfast and ask for more. but dragons of the lower stages don't get that much power automatically, it grows with them.
As we all know, there's normal, and there's Dark Sun.
And that is well accounted for in my Dragon write-up. at least, IMHO.
Originally posted by xlorepdarkhelm
And yes, I am also planning on doing a write-up for Druids (Spirits of the Land), and Clerics (Elementals) I want to cover all the Advanced Beings for Dark Sun.
Loved your Dragon stuff! Best one I've seen yet.
You may wanna check out Tome and Blood for ideas on the Elemental Clerics. There is a prestige class in there called the Elemental Savant that lets a wizard/sorcerer become an elemental. Although this is only a relatively weak comparison to the epic level stuff you're doing, its worth a look for ideas.
Also, for the Druids, will you be throwing in just the Druid epic spellcasting and abilities? Or will you also be including the Ruvoka from DSMCII?
Originally posted by Tembo-Pie
Loved your Dragon stuff! Best one I've seen yet.
Thanks, glad you liked it.
You may wanna check out Tome and Blood for ideas on the Elemental Clerics. There is a prestige class in there called the Elemental Savant that lets a wizard/sorcerer become an elemental. Although this is only a relatively weak comparison to the epic level stuff you're doing, its worth a look for ideas.
Actually, I have that book, and was gonna review that PrC more, and "beef it up" to fit better with my ideas. but I'm thinking that there will either be a different class for each element/paraelement, or a single class with a pool of abilities based on which one they are becoming.
Also, for the Druids, will you be throwing in just the Druid epic spellcasting and abilities? Or will you also be including the Ruvoka from DSMCII?
Actually, it will be the transformation into a Spirit of the Land, as presented in EAFW. I'll have to review the Rukova and jog my memory as to what they were. and my Spirits of the Land for Druids won't be the wussed-out version found in the MM2.
I keep my thumbs crossed for you DarkHelm!! And I am really hungering to see your take on of the Dragon Epic PrC!
Hope you get that page up soon!!
Isn't there someone here who perhaps might provide him with a webspace?
It will mean my site will run faster as a result.Originally posted by xlorepdarkhelm
Actually, it will be the transformation into a Spirit of the Land, as presented in EAFW. I'll have to review the Rukova and jog my memory as to what they were. and my Spirits of the Land for Druids won't be the wussed-out version found in the MM2.
Oh yeah, forgot about that one. The original Dragon Kings never mentioned druids becoming Spirits of the Land. But I didn't really consider them "wussed-out" in the MM2. Being a CR 20 creature was pretty impressive, and most of their stats match what was presented in the old DSMC1. As for the ruvoka, it was mentioned in the DSMC2 that they were rumoured to be druids who had advanced to 18th level and underwent some kind of transformation. Mainly, they are a kind of elemental warrior, one for fire, earth, water, and sand.
Originally posted by Tembo-Pie
Oh yeah, forgot about that one. The original Dragon Kings never mentioned druids becoming Spirits of the Land. But I didn't really consider them "wussed-out" in the MM2. Being a CR 20 creature was pretty impressive, and most of their stats match what was presented in the old DSMC1. As for the ruvoka, it was mentioned in the DSMC2 that they were rumoured to be druids who had advanced to 18th level and underwent some kind of transformation. Mainly, they are a kind of elemental warrior, one for fire, earth, water, and sand.
Being a CR 20 creature when you are an epic-level druid/psion is pretty wussed out. that would be almost akin to being a cornugon (Horned Devil, CR 16 creature), making a level, only to become an Imp (CR 2 creature - and reverting completely to the Imp's stats & level). Remember, in the 2e rules, a Spirit of the Land was a level 20 Druid/20 Psionicist - before they started the transformation. My rules won't be quite like that (sort of similar to how I have dragons/avangions set up, eliminating the direct-level restrictions) but still, becoming a CR 20 creature at epic levels is what I'd call "wussed out".
further, I'm planning on making the Spirit of the Land more of a communal creature, comprised of multiple druids who underwent the transformation, working collectively as one being. They retain their indpendance, but tap into each other's memories, and power.