Hexblade:
Hexblades are warriors who also have some training in the arcane arts. They are users of primal sorcery, as their abilities are not suited to wizards. Most spellcasters look down on hexblades as simple small-town witches, but usually stop laughing when the hexblade starts calling down the full powers of his curse ability in tandem with his excellent combat skills. They often come from a backwoods community, where they are unable to really and truly develop their inborn magic talent. Hexblades are welcomed among the ranks of the Thorn Knights, and many high-ranking Thorn Knights are hexblades. They are exactly the same as the CW Hexblade, except that the following spells are added to their spell list:
Earthen Shield(from DLCS, level 3), Spark Shield(from DLCS, level 4), Dragonbane(from AoM, level 4), Familiar Pocket(from Tome & Blood, level 2), and Enhance Familiar(from Tome & Blood, level 3).
Officer:
The officer is a new base class. It is very similar to the fighter, but focuses a lot more on intimidation tactics, and focused knowledge on a few weapons rather than good with many. Many officers already have levels in fighter, paladin, noble, and occasionally bard or ranger, but no levels are required. Officers are either leaders of men in organizations, former leaders, or sometimes simply trained to be leaders. They are exactly the same as the CW Samurai, with the following exceptions:
CLASS SKILLS: Add Bluff, Gather Information, and Handle Animal. Remove Knowledge(history).
Skill Points: (4 + Int mod) x 4/4 + Int mod
CLASS FEATURES
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: All simple and martial weapons, all armor, and sheilds, but not tower sheilds.
Favored Weapon: At level 1, an Officer chooses 1 melee weapon, ranged weapon, or weapon pair to be his favored weapon. He gains Exotice Weapon Proficiency with that weapon(or, in the case of a weapon pair, with both weapons), if that feat is applicable to the weapon. If it is not, then he instead gains Weapon Focus with that weapon(or, in the case of a weapon pair, with 1 of the weapons). He cannot gain both Exotic Weapon Prof. and Weapon Focus at the same time. For example, an Officer picking a short sword and bastard sword pair cannot get Exotic Weapon Prof.(bastard sword) and Weapon Focus(short sword), or Exotic Weapon Prof.(bastard sword) and Weapon Focus(bastard sword).
Combat Style: Similar to the Ranger's ability, the Officer chooses a Combat Style to match his Favored Weapon. He can use his Combat Style feats in any kind of armor, but cannot use it with any weapons other than his favored weapon. So, an Officer who favors a longsword loses access to his Combat Style feats if he starts using a bastard sword. The Combat Styles are Melee Fighting, Archery, and Two-Weapon Fighting. Archery and Two Weapon Fighting grant the same feats as the Ranger's version, and Melee Fighting grants Weapon Specialization, Improved Critical, and Greater Weapon Specialization with the Officer's favored weapon. Each level of Combat Style replaces the appropriate Two Swords as One ability.
Muster: A renamed version of the Kiai Smite ability.
Quick Draw: This is a renamed version of Iajutsu Master.
Improved Initiative: The Officer does *NOT* gain the Improved Initiative feat as a bonus feat at all.
Swashbuckler: A swashbuckler is a warrior who focuses more on speed and wit instead of brute strength. Swashbucklers are good in both combat and social situations, and are usually well liked by most. Swashbucklers often multiclass as nobles, bards, rogues, and mariners. It is identical to the CW Swashbuckler in every way.
Nonspellcasting Paladins and Rangers: These variant classes can be used for paladins and rangers without spellcasting, but they still aren't appropriate for the early Age of Despair, as their special abilities are still granted either by a deity or by the power of the Heart.
Bear Warrior: Bear Warriors are often barbarians that have an inner connection with bears. They see bears as symbols of strength and prowess. They are the same as the CW Bear Warrior.
Bladesinger: Bladesingers are common in the elven community as dabblers of arcane magic(though they may be members of the Wizards of High Sorcery). They are usually fighter/wizards, fighter/sorcerers, or bards. They are the same as the CW Bladesinger.
Cavalier: A cavalier is a master at iding and mounted combat. They are prolific among the Knights of Solamnia and Neraka, and among other lawful societies. They are the same as the CW Cavalier.
Dark Hunter: The Dark Hunters are an organization of dwarves that specialize in hunting the horrors that have lived under the mountains before the dwarves even thought of living there. Dark Hunters are well respected in their communities for the dangerous but necessary job they do. There are Dark Hunters even among the Gully Dwarves, who are called Bad Thing Killers. They are rare, of course, as most Gully Dwarves are cowards, but the occasional brave one might rise up and fend off the subterranean dangers. They are respected, but also seen as quite mad by other Gully Dwarves, who can't see why anyone in their right mind would fight instead of run. Dark Hunters(or Bad Thing Killers) are the same as the CW Dark Hunter, with the following exceptions:
REQUIREMENTS
Race: Mountain Dwarf, Dark Dwarf, or Gully Dwarf.
Darkwood Stalker: The Darkwood Stalkers are specially trained Silvanesti elves(and the occasional half-elf) who hunt their ancestral enemy, the ogres. They are trained from birth to know everything they can about ogres, and how to kill them. They are the same as the CW Darkwood Stalker, with the following exceptions:
REQUIREMENTS
Race: Silvanesti Elf or Half-Elf
CLASS FEATURES
Blind-Fight: At 4th level, a Darkwood Stalker gains Blind-Fight as a bonus feat, to help when attacking ogres in the dark.
Enhanced Darkvision: At 7th level, a Darkwood Stalker's darkvision granted from Elvensight increases by 30 ft.
NOTE: All instances of the word "orc" in the class text are replaced with the word "ogre".
Dervish: Dervishes are from nomadic tribes who learn the ancient and dance of death. They are most often nomadic humans, occasionally Kagonesti elves, and sometimes even wandering tribes of kender(which happens when a large group all go out on Wanderlust together and decide that wondering from place to place is more fun then settling down). They are the same as the CW Dervish.
Drunken Master: As legend tells it, drunken boxing was invented by Reorx, on a bet from Majere. As the story goes, Majere and Reorx argued that their different ways of unarmed combat(brawling and martial arts, respectively) were supperior to the others. Reorx then went on to tell Majere that his monks were all full of "hoey", and that they couldn't hold their own against a real combatant with their "child's play". Majere answered that if he thought that martial arts are so easy, maybe *HE* should develop one, and Reorx not being the kind of god to back down from a challenge, accepted, and hence, drunken boxing was born. At least, that is how the dwarves tell it. In reality, drunken boxing is probably just a refinement of barroom brawling, a favored dwarven sport. Either way, it is surprisingly effective, and drunken masters are nothing to laugh at. They are the same as the CW Drunken Master, with the following exceptions:
REQUIREMENTS
Race: Dwarf(any kind)
Exotic Weapon Master: Exotic Weapon Masters are those who know how to fight effectively with a weapon others might find a bit...odd. Many kender warriors are also exotic weapon masters, as they have some of the most exotic weapons around. Minotaurs and Nomads also favor this prestige class, as does the occasional dwarf or gnome. Otherwise, they are relatively rare. They are the same as the CW Exotic Weapon Master
Eye of Gruumsh: This being an orc pretige class, it has no place in Dragonalnce. Maybe, when I have some free time, I will change it around to be an ogre prestige class(they don't have nearly enough), but that will take a lot of work.
Frenzied Berserkers: Frenzied Berserkers are usually ogre, half-ogre, or human barbarians that fight with the full fury of destruction. They constantly thirst for combat. Battle is like an addictive drug to a Frenzied Berserker. They are the same as the CW Frenzied Berserker.
Giant Slayer: Giant slayers are found only among Kender, Gnomes, and Gully Dwarves. These are the champions of their race, specialized in slaying giants and other big creatures who see them as easy targets just because they're smaller then they are. After an ogre tangles with a giant slayer, if he survives, he would think twice about picking on one again. They are the Same as the CW Gnome Giant Slayer, with the following exception:
REQUIERMENTS
Race: Kender(both True and Afflicted), Gnome(both Tinker and Mad), or Gully Dwarf
Kender Outrider: Kender Outriders are kender who are in charge of protecting a certain settlement. While most people scoff at the idea of a kender protecting his community, they do not realize that a kender's home is one of the most important things to a kender, and many would die to protect it, as seen by the resistance against the Dragonarmies suring the War of the Lance and the resistance of Malys when she atacked Kendermore. Kender Outriders are greatly respected for the neato jobs they do, and usually get better deals when trading with other kender("Look, for you, I'll only give you one eggshell for that Dragon Orb" "Deal!"). Many Kender Outriders are also Afflicted, not wanting any more homes destroyed. They are the same as the CW Halfing Outrider, with the following exceptions:
Race: True or Afflicted Kender.
NOTE: For the Mount class ability. Even though sometimes the Kender Outrider will be provided a warpony or riding dog mount, Kender are usually unsatisfied with such boring mounts, and thus are often provided with something a bit more...interesting. Ideas include shadow mastiffs, goats, war-goats, rhinoceri, wyverns, dwarves, or anything else that can be ridden.
Alright, that's all I have for now. I might work on it later, after I finish this neato book I got yesterday that's a complete guide to the Transformers!
The dark Hunters are cool. They remember me at the Borderrunner in Warhammer. Dwarf ranger! Hill or Mountainrunners.
I like what you've done flavorwise for the Darkwood Stalker. My only suggestion is to change the name to something like "Deepwood Stalker".
The Drunken Master idea is interesting, but I dunno... I like being able to play a human drunken master.
Here's what to do about Samurai to make them fit into Dragonlance without having to mechanically change anything.
Step 1) Change "Iaijutsu Master" to "Fast Draw"
Step 2) Change "Kiai Smite" to "Strike from the Soul"
Step 3) Change "Samurai" to "Soul Sword"
Now, they're an order of swordsmen from Solamnia or Abanasinia dedicated to forging their souls to be stronger and sharper than the blades they wield.
See, the idea is to change as little as possible.
-TRRW
RedRobedWizard: Well, at the time I wrote the thing about high ranking Thorn Knights being hexblades, I planned on shipping my alternate rule about paladins, rangers, hexblades, and similar classes and spell progression from prestige classes. Instead I chose to ship both rules separetely, and it is already on dragonlance.com. It makes being a Hexblade/Thorn Knight a much more viable option.
Why change the name of Darkwood Stalker? It sounds fine enough to me. I don't see how Deepwood stalker is any better, and isn't there already a Deepwood sniper?
I thought it would be cool to have a couple dwarf-only prestige classes, and drunken master seemed perfect. If enough people want to see human drunken masters, then I'll see about making it a dwarf-inspired class, but for now, it's staying racially specific.
The Soul Sword really sounds more like a prestige class than a base class. I tried to make something that would be appropriate for all warriors.
But in my opinion when we have officiers, we must have sergenat. We have from WOTC so many Dwarf Sergeants Miniatures.
GCS
Knight of the Lily: Again, the officer class is very open to interpretation. All the Officer class is meant to entail is someone who is a military leader of some sort, even if he doesn't have anyone to actually lead. For instance, if some guy is promoted to an officer rank(whatever that may be, for instance, if he were in the Navy, that might be Ensign), just in time for his entire unit to be killed, all except for him. He doesn't lose his levels of Officer, although the DM might rule that he can't take any more levels of Officer until he can find some way to improve his skills as an officer. But, if you're wanting me to make distinctions between different ranks, I'm not going to do it, there's simply too many, and I don't see much more than an role-playing difference. If your DM wants to modify my work, he's free to do so, these are more like suggestions, showing people how work from other sources can be adapted into DL. This is also an example of how different classes and prestige classes(among other things) would be presented in my campagn.
Rev_Jake2: Hopefully, your question will be answered in part 2 of my article, which I will (hopefully) be adding right after I send this post.
Green_Cloaked_Sorcerer: Alright, Deepwood it is, then.
Hulking Hurler: Hulking hurlers are things like ogres and trolls who specialize in, well, throwing big things to smash up the smaller things. There's not really much to say; any large creature that likes to throw things can become a hulking hurler. Same as the CW Hulking Hurler, with the fo0llowign exception:
REQUIREMENTS
Special: Large size or larger, or the Hulking Brute feat.
Hunter of the Dead: Hunters of the Dead are the sworn enemies of all undead. They occasionally clash with the Kender Nightstalkers, who try to help spirit-kind, instead of destroy them. Many Hunters are clerics of Paladine or Kiri-Jolith, but occasionally paladins or rangers. They are the same as the CW Hunter of the Dead, with the following exception:
REQUIREMENTS
Special: Able to turn undead, *OR* has undead as a favored enemy.
Mystic Hunter of the Dead: Mystic version of Hunters of the Dead. Same as my variant Hunter, except spontaneously casts divine magic using their Wisdom score. They use the following charts for Spells Per Day and Spells Known:
Spells Per day
1 2 3 4
1 1 - - -
2 1 - - -
3 1 1 - -
4 1 1 - -
5 1 1 1 -
6 2 1 1 -
7 2 1 1 1
8 2 2 1 1
9 2 2 2 1
10 3 3 2 2
Spells Known
1 2 3 4
1 1 - - -
2 1 - - -
3 1 1 - -
4 2 1 - -
5 2 1 1 -
6 2 2 1 -
7 3 2 1 1
8 3 2 2 1
9 3 3 2 1
10 4 3 2 2
Well, sorry, that's all I have time for now. Hopefully, the kensai will feature next time.
Originally posted by Jacen Solo 5007
Hunter of the Dead: Hunters of the Dead are the sworn enemies of all undead. They occasionally clash with the Kender Nightstalkers, who try to help spirit-kind, instead of destroy them. Many Hunters are clerics of Paladine or Kiri-Jolith, but occasionally paladins or rangers.
I know it´s a small detail but I´d go with clerics of Mishakal being Hunters of the Dead...after all she and Chemosh are sworn enemies...
The NPC in question just happens to be a follower of Chemosh and thus the Black Flame PrC fits her nicely.
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Originally posted by Amaron Blackthorn
Something to think about: Doesnt adding all of the prestige classes to a campaign somehow take out some of the flavor of a Dragonlance campaign?
I don't use all of the PrCs. I use PrCs from various sources a.k.a. all over(If they fit my style.). Even though the PrCs in the DLCS and the AoM are ok, I find that there are various other PrCs that fit into Dragonlance quite nicely and add MUCH more flavor to the setting-such as the one I mentioned using in my previous post on this thread.
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Originally posted by Amaron Blackthorn
Can you give us examples of PRCs that fit in nicely?
The one I mentioned above(Order of the Black Flame. At least I think that is the correct name.) is one of them. I am also intending on using the BloodHound PrC for a Barbarian character.
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Originally posted by Amaron Blackthorn
How do you treat arcane users and Prestige Classes then?
The only arcane magic user that I created whom has a PrC is Dara ManySpells(The Irda NPC I mentioned earlier.) and she uses the WoHS PrC from the DLCS. The Wizard PC in the group has no desire to pursue a PrC at the time. He recently took one level of Fighter in our last session.
He is a 2nd-level Wizard/1st-level Fighter.
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Originally posted by Amaron Blackthorn
Okay. Its not a problem right now but how would you deal with it?
Usually I thoroughly review the PrC that the player wants and see if it fits into one of my little side hooks. Although I am running the AoM, Volume 1 module I do not run it strictly as is. I make small changes to the module that enhance the flavor of it yet do not take things too far off course.
For instance, In my AoM campaign BlackBird has been enhanced a bit, meaning although he still has the working girls out there for him-in Pashin- he is ALSO one of the big wigs behind the trafficking of a certain drug from the BoVD(Book of Vile Darkness). I expanded his influence a bit BEYOND Pashin and in a certain area that the players will be visiting soon he is known as "Raven".
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Originally posted by Amaron Blackthorn
How would you use an arcane prestige class and the whole renegade problem?
I don't know as of RIGHT NOW. I usually tackle the problems when presented with them. Question, Are you running the AoM module at the time Amaron ?
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Originally posted by Amaron Blackthorn
not currently but I did have a AOM campaign going on for like 4 months. I had to make alot of stuff up because there was no product support. The players seemed to enjoy the game and many have gone on to be diehard DL fans.
Did you purchase the KoD module when it came out ?
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PS: What names can anyone think up for aquatic Irda, and an Irda/Tinker Gnome mixture?
Originally posted by Jacen Solo 5007
Ummm...me being the starter of the topic, naturally no one would want me input, but I believe that pretty much any prestige class from any source could work for Dragonlance, although you might have to make a few changes to them. For instance, I made the Arcane Order from Tome & Blood an organization within the Orders of High Sorcery. A little imagination goes a long way.
No doubt. Like I was telling Amaron the way I handle it is boom the player lets me know that he or she wants to make use of a certain PrC, I look it over and give them the
orrrrrr the :thumbsdow .IMO restricting yourself to JUST what is in the DLCS and the AoM is good if that is your style but I like more freedom in my campaigns. As said before, I cut my DMing teeth on Ravenloft which has some heavy role playing and a nice mix of various settings and people. Dragonlance is yet another setting that has some heavy role playing opportunities it is quite similar in certain aspects to RL(Which I believe is why it was so easy to insert Lord Soth into RL then yank him back out. ) but I utilize PrCs, which may not be from the DLCS and the AoM sourcebook, to add a bit more diversity.
Now, sometimes, something is just a lost cause, such as the Eye of Gruumsh, Red Wizard of Thay, and Thayan Knight, though I actually have plans to (someday, when I have a lot of free time) adapt them into an ogre prestige class(what it will be called, I do not know), Renegade Wizard, and Black Guard. Sometimes, a class will hardly resemble itself after I'm done with it; for instance, from the Book of Exaulted Deeds, the Exaulted Arcanist(a heavenly sorcerer prestige class) I changed to the Moon Disciple of Solinari(I need to consult the Book of Vile Darkness before I can make Moon Disciples of Lunitari or Nuitari). I can't wait until I finish Complete Warrior, because then I get to work on Unearthed Arcana. That'll be fun!
I have to agree. The Red Wizard of Thay just SCREAMS Forgotten Realms
, a setting I am not too fond of. I never really looked at the Thayan Knight but I am assuming that I can find that in my FRCS(Yes I have a copy of THAT too. One of my players bought it for the group.) too can I not ? I think that you can fit the Blackguard in easily though along with the Renegade Wizards(If this is indeed a PrC don't you think it would be cool if Renegades wizards in Ansalon could take this rather than the WoHS PrC ? ). The class I spoke about above(The Black Flame) is located in the Complete Divine which I think is a GREAT BOOK even with the multiple errors.Also, isn't most of the Complete Warrior re-hash ? I am sincerely asking since I do NOT own a copy YET.
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Originally posted by LordofIllusions
I have to agree. The Red Wizard of Thay just SCREAMS Forgotten Realms
Also, isn't most of the Complete Warrior re-hash ? I am sincerely asking since I do NOT own a copy YET.
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I have no idea if the Thayan Knight is in the FRCS; I found it in Complete Warrior. I think there was a misscommunication; I have no trouble fitting the Blackguard prestige class from the DMG into Dragonlance, I was intending on modifying the Thayan Knight into a Black Guard prestige class, the Black Guard being Takhisis' elite warriors during the 3rd Dragonwar. The Red Wizard I was gonna change into a Renegade Mage prestige class.
Complete Warrior has 3 (relatively) original classes, prestige classes updated from other sources, with a couple of original ones(if I'm not mistaken, the Kensai is original, although based on the Samurai class from Oriental Adventures), feats(from different sources, some may be original), some equipment(maybe from Sword and Fist?), and some stuff on campagns during war. It's as much of a rehash as Complete Divine is.(I don't know if you realized this, but most of the stuff in Complete Divine is from other sorces, such as the Shugenja).
I like the Thayan Knight PrC and also plan to convert it to use in Dragonlance. But not as Takhisis´ elite warriors. The "normal" Blackguard is the best PrC for that purpose (or the Talon of Tiamat PrC in the Draconomicon). My rewriting of the Thayan Knight PrC will still be used as a protector, but for Clerics of Takhisis instead of Red Wizards of Thay.
Originally posted by Jacen Solo 5007
I have no idea if the Thayan Knight is in the FRCS; I found it in Complete Warrior. I think there was a misscommunication; I have no trouble fitting the Blackguard prestige class from the DMG into Dragonlance, I was intending on modifying the Thayan Knight into a Black Guard prestige class, the Black Guard being Takhisis' elite warriors during the 3rd Dragonwar. The Red Wizard I was gonna change into a Renegade Mage prestige class.
Complete Warrior has 3 (relatively) original classes, prestige classes updated from other sources, with a couple of original ones(if I'm not mistaken, the Kensai is original, although based on the Samurai class from Oriental Adventures), feats(from different sources, some may be original), some equipment(maybe from Sword and Fist?), and some stuff on campagns during war. It's as much of a rehash as Complete Divine is.(I don't know if you realized this, but most of the stuff in Complete Divine is from other sorces, such as the Shugenja).
Oh ok I see now your USING the Red Wizard PrC to create the renegade mage PrC. Gotcha!
The only class that REALLY interested me in the CW was the Frenzied Beserker and THAT ONE was in my Sword and Fist.
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Originally posted by LordofIllusions
The only class that REALLY interested me in the CW was the Frenzied Beserker and THAT ONE was in my Sword and Fist.
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The Frenzied Berserker is in Masters of the Wild, not Sword and Fist.
Originally posted by Amaron Blackthorn
So the other PrCs for arcane mages would be considered renegades?
No, so long as they don't require another patron deity or rely on wild magic. A wizard can pass his or her Test as a purely role-played event and never take the WoHS prestige class and he or she would still be fine in the eyes of the Orders.
Cheers,
Cam
Originally posted by cnposner
The Frenzied Berserker is in Masters of the Wild, not Sword and Fist.
*Shrugs*
When you have a DnD library as extensive as mine you get the references mixed up sometimes.
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