Class levels in Eberron vs. DL ? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Class levels in Eberron vs. DL ?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
wolffenjugend_dup
Dec 27, 2004 9:53:18 http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebds/20040712a

The above link is for Eberron and discusses how class levels are much rarer in that world.

Would this be suitable for DL as well? Me seems to think so...
#2
dea_ex_machina
Dec 27, 2004 13:01:43 I wouldn't think that, Dragonlance is of course rife with constant warfare between the Knighthoods. The basic level requirements for the Knights in each order (of course mostly considering the solamnic's since the higher tiers require the lower) keep the relative world I believe around an ECL 12. Along with the fact that constant warfare breeds constant EXP growth, it just seems more reasonable.

Now why is this different from Eberrons constant warfare or the constant warfare of a Greyhawk setting? Because as they talk about, most of the warfare is against monsters. Monsters grow in levels by just being alive not through battle along with the fact that most monsters fight only to eat not to kill for pleasure like humans might. There is less overall conflict in a monster world for PCs since no one is seeking to try and kill them, in Dragonlance there are always humans looking to kill other humans be it for honor, spoils of war, terratory, or just because you like the wrong team.
#3
Sysane
Dec 27, 2004 13:17:29 Back in 2E characters above 18th level (at least I think it was 18th?) were banished from Krynn by the gods.

Thought this had some ties to this thread and was worth mentioning.
#4
Nived
Dec 27, 2004 13:52:17 Well remember that not all Knights need to have the PrC to be a knight (see about any thread with 'knight' in the title for further discussion, or the Derek Crownguard thread) so I'll ignore those reqs when talking about how I see Krynn.

The Companions were 5-6th level when starting their adventure. Mind you they were seasoned vets of Mercenary bands and the like at the time. So from this we can extrapolate that seasoned warriors wound be around these levels, though more likely with the NPC Warrior class than the Fighter class. So therefore I consider the 'world average' to be 5th level for militia, mercenaries, footmen, town watches, pirates, theives, bandits and what not. This isn't commoners. Heck even Tika was a 3rd level rogue before being caught and finding a job at the Inn of the Last Home.
5-10 are exceptional fighters, these are people with reputations whom are not to be taken lightly or triffled with.
10-15 These people are, simply put, heroes and villians, these are the people who have the power and influance to shape the world, leaders of men and what not, the movers and the shakers. These are exceedingly exceptional people, generals, commonly known.
15-20 Legendary.
#5
zombiegleemax
Dec 28, 2004 14:28:19 I think this sort of thing is incredibly applicable to Dragonlance. Ever since Eberron came out I've realized the utility of using this approach to leveling NPCs goes a long way towards constructing a the sort of "low-powered" setting that folks generally take DL for without causing any substantial rules changes. Although personally I find that unlike Eberron, NPCs in DL tend to be more deserving of PC classes.

For one thing, the noble just about out-and-out replaces the aristocrat. Even knights of Solamnia who don't exemplify the order and qualify for the prestige class have showed a certain level of martial skill that makes it inappropriate for them to be warriors instead of fighters (in fact, I'd imagine that the majority of knights are probably just fighters ranging from 3rd-10th level). All spellcasters are PC classes since there's no adept in the setting.

But regardless, I think it's fair to say that you don't quite have the same spread across levels that regular DnD does. Sure there may be a good number of folks with PC classes, but not as many of higher levels as in other settings. But as said, I think that keeping the number of NPCs with PC classes down, as well as the level they've reached in those classes goes a long way towards making spells of 6th level or higher truly spectacular.
#6
zombiegleemax
Dec 30, 2004 22:37:27 DL is definatley higher powered than Ebberon, but not to the point of epic- stoopidness like FR. the big differance is that most fighting types in DL seem to have about 1-5 PC levels, while in Ebberon most are just 1st level warriors or adepts.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 wolffenjugend_dup Dec 27, 2004 9:53:18	http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebds/20040712a The above link is for Eberron and discusses how class levels are much rarer in that world. Would this be suitable for DL as well? Me seems to think so...
#2 dea_ex_machina Dec 27, 2004 13:01:43	I wouldn't think that, Dragonlance is of course rife with constant warfare between the Knighthoods. The basic level requirements for the Knights in each order (of course mostly considering the solamnic's since the higher tiers require the lower) keep the relative world I believe around an ECL 12. Along with the fact that constant warfare breeds constant EXP growth, it just seems more reasonable. Now why is this different from Eberrons constant warfare or the constant warfare of a Greyhawk setting? Because as they talk about, most of the warfare is against monsters. Monsters grow in levels by just being alive not through battle along with the fact that most monsters fight only to eat not to kill for pleasure like humans might. There is less overall conflict in a monster world for PCs since no one is seeking to try and kill them, in Dragonlance there are always humans looking to kill other humans be it for honor, spoils of war, terratory, or just because you like the wrong team.
#3 Sysane Dec 27, 2004 13:17:29	Back in 2E characters above 18th level (at least I think it was 18th?) were banished from Krynn by the gods. Thought this had some ties to this thread and was worth mentioning.
#4 Nived Dec 27, 2004 13:52:17	Well remember that not all Knights need to have the PrC to be a knight (see about any thread with 'knight' in the title for further discussion, or the Derek Crownguard thread) so I'll ignore those reqs when talking about how I see Krynn. The Companions were 5-6th level when starting their adventure. Mind you they were seasoned vets of Mercenary bands and the like at the time. So from this we can extrapolate that seasoned warriors wound be around these levels, though more likely with the NPC Warrior class than the Fighter class. So therefore I consider the 'world average' to be 5th level for militia, mercenaries, footmen, town watches, pirates, theives, bandits and what not. This isn't commoners. Heck even Tika was a 3rd level rogue before being caught and finding a job at the Inn of the Last Home. 5-10 are exceptional fighters, these are people with reputations whom are not to be taken lightly or triffled with. 10-15 These people are, simply put, heroes and villians, these are the people who have the power and influance to shape the world, leaders of men and what not, the movers and the shakers. These are exceedingly exceptional people, generals, commonly known. 15-20 Legendary.
#5 zombiegleemax Dec 28, 2004 14:28:19	I think this sort of thing is incredibly applicable to Dragonlance. Ever since Eberron came out I've realized the utility of using this approach to leveling NPCs goes a long way towards constructing a the sort of "low-powered" setting that folks generally take DL for without causing any substantial rules changes. Although personally I find that unlike Eberron, NPCs in DL tend to be more deserving of PC classes. For one thing, the noble just about out-and-out replaces the aristocrat. Even knights of Solamnia who don't exemplify the order and qualify for the prestige class have showed a certain level of martial skill that makes it inappropriate for them to be warriors instead of fighters (in fact, I'd imagine that the majority of knights are probably just fighters ranging from 3rd-10th level). All spellcasters are PC classes since there's no adept in the setting. But regardless, I think it's fair to say that you don't quite have the same spread across levels that regular DnD does. Sure there may be a good number of folks with PC classes, but not as many of higher levels as in other settings. But as said, I think that keeping the number of NPCs with PC classes down, as well as the level they've reached in those classes goes a long way towards making spells of 6th level or higher truly spectacular.
#6 zombiegleemax Dec 30, 2004 22:37:27	DL is definatley higher powered than Ebberon, but not to the point of epic- stoopidness like FR. the big differance is that most fighting types in DL seem to have about 1-5 PC levels, while in Ebberon most are just 1st level warriors or adepts.