A different Flavor for the Binder [Archive] - Wizards Community

A different Flavor for the Binder [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Count Nerindil Van Seraph
03-01-07, 04:29 PM First off: I love the binder class. There is, in my opinion, nothing wrong with it. However, in some settings (Eberron and a homebrew setting my friend has created) it's flavor doesn't exactly fit.

So, I got to thinking, what is a good way to change the flavor of the binder while keeping the same creepy, taboo feel and without changing the crunch. "Well," I thought, "binders look to distant, mysterious beings to grant them their powers. What if they did the exact opposite? What if they looked within, to the deepest, darkest, most unknowable regions of their own minds and souls and, by subtlety shifting the ego and super-ego, gained power from, and limited control over, the id? What if, instead of vestiges, the binder made contact with different facets of his own personality and, by granting them limited exposure to, and in the case of a failed binding check, control over, the outside world?"

Then, I saw something shiny, and lost my train of thought, so thats about all that I have, at the moment.

What are your opinions on this? I wouldn't at all mind suggestions of any kind, especially pertaining to the nature of the individual vestiges in this variant class.
DarkRhystar
03-01-07, 05:42 PM What are your opinions on this? I wouldn't at all mind suggestions of any kind, especially pertaining to the nature of the individual vestiges in this variant class.

You'll have a harder time explaining vestiges and you'd probably have to rework them all to fit your new concept.

Also, what you describe seems more like how a Psion or Monk gets their power.

It seems odd that a Binder should have to bind himself. How would the seals work? "I summon... myself?"
Count Nerindil Van Seraph
03-01-07, 05:51 PM It seems odd that a Binder should have to bind himself. How would the seals work? "I summon... myself?"

Well, that's one of the things that I plan on changing. I'm not sure how, yet, but I'll fix it.

Maybe he "summons" a phisical manifestation of that particular part of his psyche... I don't know yet.
Evil DM Mk3
03-01-07, 05:57 PM I like this idea.
You'll have a harder time explaining vestiges and you'd probably have to rework them all to fit your new concept.Yes but that would be the case when you did a face overhall for any class.

Also, what you describe seems more like how a Psion or Monk gets their power.Yes but in a much darker way. The monk or Psion reaches into the depths of their mind and soul. Or rather soul and mind respectively. The Binder would now be opening doors to the very depths of their sub-concious. Those parts of the mind that many of us seldom use and never delve into. Monks and Psions open the higher reaches, Binders plunge the depths.

It seems odd that a Binder should have to bind himself. How would the seals work? "I summon... myself?" Meditiative circles to allow proper energy flow. The mind-portion vestige is projected outwards.
Count Nerindil Van Seraph
03-01-07, 08:33 PM Do the Bumpty :bump:
Alpha_Moose
03-01-07, 08:40 PM I like the idea. It makes a character that is disturbed and whatnot but not necessarily trying to be killed by half the people he meets.

To go a bit off topic, another flavor for the binder I thought would be to replace the vestiges with saints. Each saint is a patron of different things, and he is blessed by them instead of bound to them. Obviously this would only work in a Christian type game. Sorry to go a bit off topic.
periscope
03-02-07, 08:23 PM I like the idea. It makes a character that is disturbed and whatnot but not necessarily trying to be killed by half the people he meets.

To go a bit off topic, another flavor for the binder I thought would be to replace the vestiges with saints. Each saint is a patron of different things, and he is blessed by them instead of bound to them. Obviously this would only work in a Christian type game. Sorry to go a bit off topic.

not necessarily, you could have them bind to the ancient spirits of heroes and saints (you want strength? bind to samson. Accuracy? David. Leadership? Moses (if leading people in the desert for 40 years and they still stick with you [after putting the fear of god into them a couple times] your a good leader. Maybe have that one apply a penalty to reading a map though:D ).

every "religion" will have its heroes and saints and horrors. Its just not all of them call them saints (mainly christianity that does that, though I think islam does that to, not sure, can anyone verify?).

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Count Nerindil Van Seraph 03-01-07, 04:29 PM	First off: I love the binder class. There is, in my opinion, nothing wrong with it. However, in some settings (Eberron and a homebrew setting my friend has created) it's flavor doesn't exactly fit. So, I got to thinking, what is a good way to change the flavor of the binder while keeping the same creepy, taboo feel and without changing the crunch. "Well," I thought, "binders look to distant, mysterious beings to grant them their powers. What if they did the exact opposite? What if they looked within, to the deepest, darkest, most unknowable regions of their own minds and souls and, by subtlety shifting the ego and super-ego, gained power from, and limited control over, the id? What if, instead of vestiges, the binder made contact with different facets of his own personality and, by granting them limited exposure to, and in the case of a failed binding check, control over, the outside world?" Then, I saw something shiny, and lost my train of thought, so thats about all that I have, at the moment. What are your opinions on this? I wouldn't at all mind suggestions of any kind, especially pertaining to the nature of the individual vestiges in this variant class.
DarkRhystar 03-01-07, 05:42 PM	What are your opinions on this? I wouldn't at all mind suggestions of any kind, especially pertaining to the nature of the individual vestiges in this variant class. You'll have a harder time explaining vestiges and you'd probably have to rework them all to fit your new concept. Also, what you describe seems more like how a Psion or Monk gets their power. It seems odd that a Binder should have to bind himself. How would the seals work? "I summon... myself?"
Count Nerindil Van Seraph 03-01-07, 05:51 PM	It seems odd that a Binder should have to bind himself. How would the seals work? "I summon... myself?" Well, that's one of the things that I plan on changing. I'm not sure how, yet, but I'll fix it. Maybe he "summons" a phisical manifestation of that particular part of his psyche... I don't know yet.
Evil DM Mk3 03-01-07, 05:57 PM	I like this idea. You'll have a harder time explaining vestiges and you'd probably have to rework them all to fit your new concept.Yes but that would be the case when you did a face overhall for any class. Also, what you describe seems more like how a Psion or Monk gets their power.Yes but in a much darker way. The monk or Psion reaches into the depths of their mind and soul. Or rather soul and mind respectively. The Binder would now be opening doors to the very depths of their sub-concious. Those parts of the mind that many of us seldom use and never delve into. Monks and Psions open the higher reaches, Binders plunge the depths. It seems odd that a Binder should have to bind himself. How would the seals work? "I summon... myself?" Meditiative circles to allow proper energy flow. The mind-portion vestige is projected outwards.
Count Nerindil Van Seraph 03-01-07, 08:33 PM	Do the Bumpty :bump:
Alpha_Moose 03-01-07, 08:40 PM	I like the idea. It makes a character that is disturbed and whatnot but not necessarily trying to be killed by half the people he meets. To go a bit off topic, another flavor for the binder I thought would be to replace the vestiges with saints. Each saint is a patron of different things, and he is blessed by them instead of bound to them. Obviously this would only work in a Christian type game. Sorry to go a bit off topic.
periscope 03-02-07, 08:23 PM	I like the idea. It makes a character that is disturbed and whatnot but not necessarily trying to be killed by half the people he meets. To go a bit off topic, another flavor for the binder I thought would be to replace the vestiges with saints. Each saint is a patron of different things, and he is blessed by them instead of bound to them. Obviously this would only work in a Christian type game. Sorry to go a bit off topic. not necessarily, you could have them bind to the ancient spirits of heroes and saints (you want strength? bind to samson. Accuracy? David. Leadership? Moses (if leading people in the desert for 40 years and they still stick with you [after putting the fear of god into them a couple times] your a good leader. Maybe have that one apply a penalty to reading a map though:D ). every "religion" will have its heroes and saints and horrors. Its just not all of them call them saints (mainly christianity that does that, though I think islam does that to, not sure, can anyone verify?).