Need advice from those with Star Wars... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Need advice from those with Star Wars... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Bubba333
09-07-04, 09:59 PM I'm going to make an NPC list like the one in the back of the Star Wars RPG core book, and was hoping those that also have it could give me some ideas as to what NPCs need to be made? Many of them will be no-brainers, but any ideas will help!
Bubba333
09-07-04, 11:59 PM Nobody? Darn! ;)
bloodwynd
09-08-04, 08:37 AM I'm going to make an NPC list like the one in the back of the Star Wars RPG core book, and was hoping those that also have it could give me some ideas as to what NPCs need to be made? Many of them will be no-brainers, but any ideas will help!

Sorry Bubba but I don't really follow your question. Expand it a bit and I will see what I can come up with.
Bubba333
09-08-04, 10:00 AM You know that list of "Character Archetypes" that starts on page 339 of the Star Wars RPG? Well, I'm wanting to make one kinda' like that, but for Eberron. I'm wondering what archetypes (assassin, bandit, pirate, healer, etc.) people recommend and perhaps some keys stats as well.
q'afuu
09-08-04, 10:02 AM I'm going to make an NPC list like the one in the back of the Star Wars RPG core book, and was hoping those that also have it could give me some ideas as to what NPCs need to be made?Why would you need help from someone with the SW RPG core book? What you're refering to is either the list of write-ups for the known characters from the SW universe (Luke, Obi-wan, Darth Vader, Mace Windu, etc.) or the write-ups for generic NPCs (different kinds of troopers, jedi, officers, etc. at various levels). Doing the same kind of thing for Eberron doesn't require the SW core book.

So, which is it - specific NPCs or generic ones? I'm assuming specific ones (the leader of the Gatekeepers, for instance, if they have one, or the members of the Shadow Cabinet) since there are writeups for typical members of the various organizations included in the ECS.
Bubba333
09-08-04, 10:06 AM Generic, and I ask those with the Star Wars RPG as they'll know which format I'm looking for. Sorry to say, but the DMG is lacking for a decent list of NPCs, at least when compared to the one in the Star Wars RPG.
q'afuu
09-08-04, 10:10 AM Perhaps explaining the concept would broaden the group of people who can help you - the SW RPG sold reasonably well, but it's far from a given that a lot of Eberron posters also have that book. :)
Bubba333
09-08-04, 10:16 AM There's an outstanding list of generic NPCs in the latter part of the book that makes running encounters much easier. I got spoiled with it and was very sad to see that D&D had nothing like it. Of course, as there are so many settings to D&D, I can see why. So, I'm making my own and was enlisting the advice of others that might have some cool ideas to add. Most are no-brainers (assassin, highwayman, soldier, healer, pirate) but I'm sure there are some archetypes others would feel fit well into Eberron that I wouldn't think to add.
Iron_Weasel
09-08-04, 10:20 AM I see where you're coming from, Bubba, and I agree with you: the DMG could really use an NPC sectrion like the one in the SWCRB, i.e, a source of quick, easy characters for almost any situation.

That said, the ECSB chapter on Organizations does offer some interesting stat blocks for certain types of characters, including assassins, healers, mercenaries and scholars, so that might be a good place to start. You may also want to include merchants, tinkers/artificers (especially if your party doesn't have one), priests, politicians, soldiers, mercenaries, magewrights (examples of which can be found in Keith's dragonshard article (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebds/20040823a)) and explorers, along with 'typical' members of the various PC classes.

Hmm, this was probably less helpful than I imagined. Oh well, I'll see if I can't find time to provide more details on some of these later.

Cheers!
Bubba333
09-08-04, 11:00 AM <<Hmm, this was probably less helpful than I imagined. Oh well, I'll see if I can't find time to provide more details on some of these later.>>

No, no! That's exactly what I'm looking for. I'm basically going to go through the Star Wars RPG and make D&D versions of the archetypes that fit (no battledroids or clone troopers, eh? ;)). How about I compile a list of what classes would fit each archetype, and you (as well as anyone else) can add into it as well?
Iron_Weasel
09-08-04, 11:28 AM I like your idea. Let's run with it and see where we end up. It could easily end up being a handy DM tool!

edit: In fact, I think I'll dust off my copy of the SW book and have at it as well :)

Cheers!
JohnSnow
09-08-04, 01:56 PM This is a great idea, but as you point out, it tends to be somewhat setting specific unless you just go nuts. Another source for stuff like this is the d20 Modern Menace Manual which is a whole list of organizations and npc archetypes for encounter use.

I'd like to humbly suggest to TPTB (the powers that be) that they do something like that for Eberron. Maybe an Eberron Menace Manual (title negotiable) to go along with Races of Eberron and the regional books (like Sharn: City of Towers)? Just an idea.

However, until WotC does something like this, I think it's an excellent use of board space. Good idea!
Iron_Weasel
09-08-04, 02:09 PM [...]
I'd like to humbly suggest to TPTB (the powers that be) that they do something like that for Eberron. Maybe an Eberron Menace Manual (title negotiable) to go along with Races of Eberron and the regional books (like Sharn: City of Towers)? Just an idea.

Or, if such a book isn't of interest to TPTB, then perhaps RoE and S:CoT could include Menace Manual-style stat blocks for the different denizens of Sharn or members of the various races?

Or something like that.

Or not.

Cheers!
JohnSnow
09-08-04, 02:19 PM Oh, I would think that with the pulpy goodness of Eberron's Multiple Nefarious Organizations (TM pending), that a book like the Menace Manual would be entirely appropriate. You could go into more detail on the secret societies, the various governmental agencies, the private groups, the houses, etc. And, oh by the way, throw in some generic NPC types. With the prevalence of the NPC classes in Eberron this makes total sense.

The only reason not to do a generic Menace Manual style book is if they're planning more detailed books on the various things in it. But I think a broad brushstroke book would be an awesome "stopgap" to fill in while we wait for the kind of detail we'll get in Q'Barra: Land of Savagery, The Mror Holds: Fortresses of Stone, and the rest.

EDIT: Okay, I made those titles up, but I freely submit them for potential future products.
Iron_Weasel
09-08-04, 02:34 PM Oh, I would think that with the pulpy goodness of Eberron's Multiple Nefarious Organizations (TM pending), that a book like the Menace Manual would be entirely appropriate. You could go into more detail on the secret societies, the various governmental agencies, the private groups, the houses, etc. And, oh by the way, throw in some generic NPC types. With the prevalence of the NPC classes in Eberron this makes total sense.

The only reason not to do a generic Menace Manual style book is if they're planning more detailed books on the various things in it. But I think a broad brushstroke book would be an awesome "stopgap" to fill in while we wait for the kind of detail we'll get in Q'Barra: Land of Savagery, The Mror Holds: Fortresses of Stone, and the rest.

EDIT: Okay, I made those titles up, but I freely submit them for potential future products.

:thumbsup:

Cheers!
Bubba333
09-08-04, 03:13 PM This is just something to make DMing a tad easier. I mean, who wants to always have to stat NPCs on the fly? I started the d20 system with the Star Wars RPG and those archetypes were a godsend! I especially love that over 90% have examples of low-, mid- and high-level NPCs. So, that's the way I'm going to try and do this. Bear in mind that I use the Class Defense Bonus and Armor as Damage Reduction variants from Unearthed Arcana, so when I stas these guys those will be in there.

Also, I think a set of "commoner templates" for each of the major races in Eberron would be cool as well. Perhaps a few of the others as well, such as hobgoblins, bugbears, drow, etc. I know those are in other books, but it would help having them in one place.
JohnnyONeal
09-09-04, 10:10 AM You may also want to include merchants, tinkers/artificers (especially if your party doesn't have one), priests, politicians, soldiers, mercenaries, magewrights (examples of which can be found in Keith's dragonshard article) and explorers, along with 'typical' members of the various PC classes.Thumbs-up to all of those. I don't have the ECBS with me right now, but I'd like to see chroniclers (journalists), Lhazaar pirates, Last War veterans, Silver Flame evangelists (bard/clerics?), and gnome spies.

If you actually create this, BTW, the Eberron Journal would be proud and eager to host it!
DwarvinJedi
09-09-04, 08:25 PM I'll try, but it might take a while, (I have about 1/5 of a life outside of D&D, ok, 1/10), and I have access to D20 Modern which has some, and Star Wars RCR

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Bubba333 09-07-04, 09:59 PM	I'm going to make an NPC list like the one in the back of the Star Wars RPG core book, and was hoping those that also have it could give me some ideas as to what NPCs need to be made? Many of them will be no-brainers, but any ideas will help!
Bubba333 09-07-04, 11:59 PM	Nobody? Darn! ;)
bloodwynd 09-08-04, 08:37 AM	I'm going to make an NPC list like the one in the back of the Star Wars RPG core book, and was hoping those that also have it could give me some ideas as to what NPCs need to be made? Many of them will be no-brainers, but any ideas will help! Sorry Bubba but I don't really follow your question. Expand it a bit and I will see what I can come up with.
Bubba333 09-08-04, 10:00 AM	You know that list of "Character Archetypes" that starts on page 339 of the Star Wars RPG? Well, I'm wanting to make one kinda' like that, but for Eberron. I'm wondering what archetypes (assassin, bandit, pirate, healer, etc.) people recommend and perhaps some keys stats as well.
q'afuu 09-08-04, 10:02 AM	I'm going to make an NPC list like the one in the back of the Star Wars RPG core book, and was hoping those that also have it could give me some ideas as to what NPCs need to be made?Why would you need help from someone with the SW RPG core book? What you're refering to is either the list of write-ups for the known characters from the SW universe (Luke, Obi-wan, Darth Vader, Mace Windu, etc.) or the write-ups for generic NPCs (different kinds of troopers, jedi, officers, etc. at various levels). Doing the same kind of thing for Eberron doesn't require the SW core book. So, which is it - specific NPCs or generic ones? I'm assuming specific ones (the leader of the Gatekeepers, for instance, if they have one, or the members of the Shadow Cabinet) since there are writeups for typical members of the various organizations included in the ECS.
Bubba333 09-08-04, 10:06 AM	Generic, and I ask those with the Star Wars RPG as they'll know which format I'm looking for. Sorry to say, but the DMG is lacking for a decent list of NPCs, at least when compared to the one in the Star Wars RPG.
q'afuu 09-08-04, 10:10 AM	Perhaps explaining the concept would broaden the group of people who can help you - the SW RPG sold reasonably well, but it's far from a given that a lot of Eberron posters also have that book. :)
Bubba333 09-08-04, 10:16 AM	There's an outstanding list of generic NPCs in the latter part of the book that makes running encounters much easier. I got spoiled with it and was very sad to see that D&D had nothing like it. Of course, as there are so many settings to D&D, I can see why. So, I'm making my own and was enlisting the advice of others that might have some cool ideas to add. Most are no-brainers (assassin, highwayman, soldier, healer, pirate) but I'm sure there are some archetypes others would feel fit well into Eberron that I wouldn't think to add.
Iron_Weasel 09-08-04, 10:20 AM	I see where you're coming from, Bubba, and I agree with you: the DMG could really use an NPC sectrion like the one in the SWCRB, i.e, a source of quick, easy characters for almost any situation. That said, the ECSB chapter on Organizations does offer some interesting stat blocks for certain types of characters, including assassins, healers, mercenaries and scholars, so that might be a good place to start. You may also want to include merchants, tinkers/artificers (especially if your party doesn't have one), priests, politicians, soldiers, mercenaries, magewrights (examples of which can be found in Keith's dragonshard article (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebds/20040823a)) and explorers, along with 'typical' members of the various PC classes. Hmm, this was probably less helpful than I imagined. Oh well, I'll see if I can't find time to provide more details on some of these later. Cheers!
Bubba333 09-08-04, 11:00 AM	<<Hmm, this was probably less helpful than I imagined. Oh well, I'll see if I can't find time to provide more details on some of these later.>> No, no! That's exactly what I'm looking for. I'm basically going to go through the Star Wars RPG and make D&D versions of the archetypes that fit (no battledroids or clone troopers, eh? ;)). How about I compile a list of what classes would fit each archetype, and you (as well as anyone else) can add into it as well?
Iron_Weasel 09-08-04, 11:28 AM	I like your idea. Let's run with it and see where we end up. It could easily end up being a handy DM tool! edit: In fact, I think I'll dust off my copy of the SW book and have at it as well :) Cheers!
JohnSnow 09-08-04, 01:56 PM	This is a great idea, but as you point out, it tends to be somewhat setting specific unless you just go nuts. Another source for stuff like this is the d20 Modern Menace Manual which is a whole list of organizations and npc archetypes for encounter use. I'd like to humbly suggest to TPTB (the powers that be) that they do something like that for Eberron. Maybe an Eberron Menace Manual (title negotiable) to go along with Races of Eberron and the regional books (like Sharn: City of Towers)? Just an idea. However, until WotC does something like this, I think it's an excellent use of board space. Good idea!
Iron_Weasel 09-08-04, 02:09 PM	[...] I'd like to humbly suggest to TPTB (the powers that be) that they do something like that for Eberron. Maybe an Eberron Menace Manual (title negotiable) to go along with Races of Eberron and the regional books (like Sharn: City of Towers)? Just an idea. Or, if such a book isn't of interest to TPTB, then perhaps RoE and S:CoT could include Menace Manual-style stat blocks for the different denizens of Sharn or members of the various races? Or something like that. Or not. Cheers!
JohnSnow 09-08-04, 02:19 PM	Oh, I would think that with the pulpy goodness of Eberron's Multiple Nefarious Organizations (TM pending), that a book like the Menace Manual would be entirely appropriate. You could go into more detail on the secret societies, the various governmental agencies, the private groups, the houses, etc. And, oh by the way, throw in some generic NPC types. With the prevalence of the NPC classes in Eberron this makes total sense. The only reason not to do a generic Menace Manual style book is if they're planning more detailed books on the various things in it. But I think a broad brushstroke book would be an awesome "stopgap" to fill in while we wait for the kind of detail we'll get in Q'Barra: Land of Savagery, The Mror Holds: Fortresses of Stone, and the rest. EDIT: Okay, I made those titles up, but I freely submit them for potential future products.
Iron_Weasel 09-08-04, 02:34 PM	Oh, I would think that with the pulpy goodness of Eberron's Multiple Nefarious Organizations (TM pending), that a book like the Menace Manual would be entirely appropriate. You could go into more detail on the secret societies, the various governmental agencies, the private groups, the houses, etc. And, oh by the way, throw in some generic NPC types. With the prevalence of the NPC classes in Eberron this makes total sense. The only reason not to do a generic Menace Manual style book is if they're planning more detailed books on the various things in it. But I think a broad brushstroke book would be an awesome "stopgap" to fill in while we wait for the kind of detail we'll get in Q'Barra: Land of Savagery, The Mror Holds: Fortresses of Stone, and the rest. EDIT: Okay, I made those titles up, but I freely submit them for potential future products. :thumbsup: Cheers!
Bubba333 09-08-04, 03:13 PM	This is just something to make DMing a tad easier. I mean, who wants to always have to stat NPCs on the fly? I started the d20 system with the Star Wars RPG and those archetypes were a godsend! I especially love that over 90% have examples of low-, mid- and high-level NPCs. So, that's the way I'm going to try and do this. Bear in mind that I use the Class Defense Bonus and Armor as Damage Reduction variants from Unearthed Arcana, so when I stas these guys those will be in there. Also, I think a set of "commoner templates" for each of the major races in Eberron would be cool as well. Perhaps a few of the others as well, such as hobgoblins, bugbears, drow, etc. I know those are in other books, but it would help having them in one place.
JohnnyONeal 09-09-04, 10:10 AM	You may also want to include merchants, tinkers/artificers (especially if your party doesn't have one), priests, politicians, soldiers, mercenaries, magewrights (examples of which can be found in Keith's dragonshard article) and explorers, along with 'typical' members of the various PC classes.Thumbs-up to all of those. I don't have the ECBS with me right now, but I'd like to see chroniclers (journalists), Lhazaar pirates, Last War veterans, Silver Flame evangelists (bard/clerics?), and gnome spies. If you actually create this, BTW, the Eberron Journal would be proud and eager to host it!
DwarvinJedi 09-09-04, 08:25 PM	I'll try, but it might take a while, (I have about 1/5 of a life outside of D&D, ok, 1/10), and I have access to D20 Modern which has some, and Star Wars RCR