Any thoughts like a school of defilers that are allowed to reach 20th level, then are slain by the dragon for the XP?
Currently, I'm totally overhauling my dragon/avangion system to a newer, cleaner version that is both simpler, and yet does not lose any of the flavor and full-ness I had in my older system (sort of a "revison 3" of my system - the first was my attempt in 3rd Edition, 2nd is the more popularly passed around version currently). I'll be putting my new version ince and neat on my new website when I get my server back up and operational on the 'net again.
For those curious - my new system consists of 4 epic spells, and a single epic prestige class - as opposed to my older system of 4 epic spells, 4 acquired templates and 3 stage-based classes. It's an idea that I'm working on to get towards completion, and simplifies the whole process quite a bit (mechanics-wise) and does some needed cleaning of the older clunkier system.
Originally posted by Ral of Tyr
Any thoughts like a school of defilers that are allowed to reach 20th level, then are slain by the dragon for the XP?
If it were that simple, then anyone - even non-dragons - would do that.
When you defeat monsters or traps, you get the XP for the appropriate CR (normally CR is for monsters, but ask a DM and he'll tell you how to reward defeating NPCs). When you kill a 20th-level Wiz and you are too powerful compared to the NPC, you don't get XP, or very little.
XP is rewarded for encounters that chalenge your character. If you disguise yourself as a maiden and pretend to want to sleep with soldiers of the Imperial Army, only to kill them better when you're alone with them - since you're such a good assassin - then that's not how you're gonna reach epic levels. You could kill a thousand soldiers that it wouldn't matter.
I'm sure 3rd edition has found some special ways of working with XP, other than for advancing levels or burning as spell components; but even for all the books I have at my disposition I cannot find any (I think though that the BoVD allows the use of souls instead of the XP required as spell component).
As far as I am aware, XP cannot be stolen or transfered, nor can XP be "distilled" out of a creature, in a kind of milking process.
An exception to this (shared by some on this board - me included) might be that Rajaat's control over reality might have been so great that he could have transfered XP from himself to Manu, making the young farmer/guerilla fighter into the powerful defiler/mindbender that Hamanu is.
So in the end I do not see how creating a slaughter factory for defilers could allow you to acquire vaster amounts of XP than normally possible; in fact I believe doing such a thing would get you less XP from the DM for demonstrating a "Final-Fantasy" way of thinking in which you go out killing thousands of weak monsters for hours on end until you double your levels.
Originally posted by xlorepdarkhelm
For those curious - my new system consists of 4 epic spells, and a single epic prestige class - as opposed to my older system of 4 epic spells, 4 acquired templates and 3 stage-based classes. It's an idea that I'm working on to get towards completion, and simplifies the whole process quite a bit (mechanics-wise) and does some needed cleaning of the older clunkier system.
Pffff....can't wait to see how you crammed everything in those spell descriptions! One question 'though: how will one be able to gauge its own progression in-between the dragon stages, without actual levels to go through?
Originally posted by Pennarin
Pffff....can't wait to see how you crammed everything in those spell descriptions! One question 'though: how will one be able to gauge its own progression in-between the dragon stages, without actual levels to go through?
There is, it's a redesign that makes for a cleaner mechanic, is all. But there is leve progressions in place, and advanced beings can still gauge the progress.
Level 1: Psionic Enchantments, Metamorphic Effect, +1 Spellcaster Level/+1 Manifester Level
Level 2+: Metamorphic Effect, +1 Spellcaster Level/+1 Manifester Level
Every level after level 2 has the same thing as is for level 2.
Metamorphic Effects for each level are defined by the epic spell that the Advanced Being had last cast. They are the "per level" changes that the spell causes on the advanced being (the effects that formerly were in the individual stages' class). The Template has become a part of the epic spell as well, being the "immediate" changes that the spell has caused. Basically, I'm gathering all the spell changes into the spell itself, and as a result, the system actually fits better with the rules for 3.5e too. Plus, it gives me some more flexability in how to do everything.
I'm also looking to make some of the metamorphosis effects be a selection of "choices" that the individual picks from that could result in differences between various dragons/avangions/etc. and makes them less cookie-cutter like.
The last DS game I played was with 2nd Edition rules. I am not too familar with the 3.5 rules yet.
I am trying to think of out of the box ways of getting their faster like a magical device that increases the amount of XP one gets, like of ring of wisdom etc. I like the idea of some sort of level/XP draining device that is horrible inefficient, but over the centuries, can yield results. With magic, not even the sky's the limit.
Yes, I have done the Final Fantasy wander around, get random monsters and level up on my Gameboy (Gameboy? What is that?)
So defeating monsters truly gives you XP.
Things have changed for the 3E, or so you've gathered.
I can't help you there, outside of saying that you could write a psionic enchantment that allows you to drain a dying advanced being of some of its XP, or something...
Originally posted by Tha Nomad
I know... time travel, YOu go back in time, and take your time gaining levels, then go back to the point and time that you left, and bam, you went from Psionic/mage to 30th level (or epic level) dragon.... Thats how you think outside the box....
If I was a DM running that, I would make the PC's former self an NPC and have him see his future self as a threat. Afterall, the future PC has nothing while the present self as a city-state etc. Things would get really interesting. Would the future self kill the former self if there was a slight chance they future self would die as well? Or imagine a new Dark Sun reigon dotted with city-states all ruled by the same SK, but different stages of XP.
1.) If the "younger" self was just any old PC in route to becoming a dragon, he might not try to go after him... But if he did and defeated his "older" self, that would be Ironic... Dont you think. But again, if the older self, remembered the battle, then I think I would just stay away from my "younger self" (YOu still with me?)
2.) I dont think the "older"self would dare think of killing his younger self, I would think he would know the consiquences.
3.) It would be interesting if there were multi City states that were ruled by one king... And it would be funny if they still warred.
4.) Back on the original point if the PC went 1000 years back in time, and took 950 years getting XP, he could still be home in time for dinner. Unless he was 51 years old. (followin) time travel is an SOB