Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Von Ether 03-06-05, 01:04 PM	I'm about to start reading the novels and I remembered someone saying that one of the reasons for "power creep" in many games is that heroes in game-novels keep getting more powerful and then become high-level PC in the tie-in game products. Keeping in mind the nior flavor of Eberron, a good way around this is for the heroes to have a "shelf life." After so many novels, they die in a heroic fashion and preserve the power level of the game. On the other hand, in the pulp tradition of the game, the heroes should never die. :)
The White Sorcerer 03-06-05, 01:23 PM	Keeping in mind the nior flavor of Eberron, a good way around this is for the heroes to have a "shelf life." After so many novels, they die in a heroic fashion and preserve the power level of the game. I agree. While we're at it, we should all kill off the PCs in our campaigns when they reach 10th level or so.
Gurv 03-06-05, 01:35 PM	I agree. But doesn't this thread fall directly under the ban on "Threads about Novels"?
ieattrollsforbreakfast 03-06-05, 02:04 PM	I disagree. Why must characters be killed off? Not all heroes reach amazing power. Theres no reason to expect Daine or Kandler will be high powers by the end of the trilogies. The idea of these Eberron novels is that they follow characters who are heroes, but not world famous, all powerful heroes like Elminster or Drizzt. Do I think characters in novels should reach a cap in their power so as not to impact on official game material?? Sure, but there are better ways to do it than killing off all the characters at the end.
talion09 03-06-05, 02:32 PM	Perhaps a better solution for popular heroes would be for Vol to periodically send hordes of level-draining undead against them to keep them a lesser threat. But seriously, I don't think the characters need to die in order to prevent powercreep. But the authors and game designers do need to keep powercreep in mind and not continually try to improve everyone. Look at Drizz't (since everybody knows the characters and either likes or hates him apparently.) He has been in how many novels? I count approximately 15 by looking at the Salvatore novels stacked alongside my game books. Drizz't is what, 18th level by the latest game stats? If the characters start off relatively low level (I believe Keith mentioned that Daine was only 6th level or so) and only gain a level a novel, I don't think it will be a big deal. Edit: Besides, a level up every novel ends up being pretty much inline with the actual rules on EXP... ie. 12 or 13 encounters of an appropriate EL generates enough exp for a level up.
polt 03-06-05, 02:48 PM	Or maybe the heroes in the novels just don't exist in your campaign? Or maybe the events in the book doesn't take place in your Eberron :) I'm planning on having my characters visit Burch and Kandler in Mardakine :)
Hellcow 03-06-05, 02:53 PM	While I have statted out Daine & company and know what they should be capable of in D&D terms, I don't plan on having them advance at a realistic rate based on their adventures. Some DMs choose to reduce XP awards to slow advancement. For purposes of the novels, at least, I'm one of them.
Fordel 03-06-05, 02:57 PM	You could just let them get stinky rich and have them retire. Ale and *****s for everybody! ;)
Jar Head 03-06-05, 09:36 PM	Yeah. As much as I'd like to know what their stats are, I'm as much the same glad I don't know. It'd be cool to have Daine and Lei have actually existed in the campaign I'm in, but what would be the point? In the book they are trying to keep a low profile, and only secret organizations know of what they've done. Only way your character would know of them is if they were Cyre displaced. Perhaps you know Graykell. Okay. Cool. Maybe you seen Daine. But does it really matter? PC's in Eberron are suppose to be rare, but that doesn't men they don't exist, right? In a campaign I'm in, I'm a goblin scout working for the Sharn watch. Along with me is a friendly Kalashtar psychic warrior who I always have to get out of jail for beating up Sharn Watch officers for attacking Mourners. A Mark of Making foundling cleric of Onatar. And last, a dragonmarked heir member of House Cannith. While we infiltrated a House Thuranni compound, I'm sure somewhere else in Sharn heros more powerful than us were doing something in secret. You know what? We'll never meet them, so it doesn't matter. So who cares if Daine and Lei really exist. Your characters never have to meet them. Besides, it's best that right now your characters hadn't known they exist. We don't know what is going to happen to them in the next two years, when the campaign starts for us.
Draco Strang 03-07-05, 04:31 AM	While I have statted out Daine & company and know what they should be capable of in D&D terms, I don't plan on having them advance at a realistic rate based on their adventures. Some DMs choose to reduce XP awards to slow advancement. For purposes of the novels, at least, I'm one of them. And good sir, do you plan to release these stats anytime? Via a supplement, or in Dragon magazine or something? Sure, the last thing I want is for PCs to build characters specifically geared towards slaying the Lord of Blades, but it'd be neat to see your thoughts and ideas mapped out in a 3.5 format. For example, Daine has to possess the "Improved Sunder" feat, based on how much ass he kicked with that adamantine dagger of his. Thanks Keith.
fizzbang 03-07-05, 08:56 AM	For example, Daine has to possess the "Improved Sunder" feat, based on how much ass he kicked with that adamantine dagger of his. Yeah, but I think he bought that with the flaw "Always Gets His Main Weapon Disarmed At The Start Of The Fight". =}
WizO_TheCheat 03-07-05, 09:36 AM	Sorry guys. This still counts as discussing novels and thus is in violation of the novels ban. *CLICK*