Arktosian bear-folk (P.E.A.C.H.) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Arktosian bear-folk (P.E.A.C.H.) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
baby_kamikaize_kobold
08-09-07, 05:45 PM Arktosian

Arktosians are a race of bear-like that dwell in the just below the tree line on mountains. They are a fierce tribal society known for powerful warriors and staunch defenders of nature that rivals that of a druid.

Physical Description
Arktosians are creatures that resemble large bipedal bears that stand anywhere from 6ft to 7½ft. They generally weigh around 250lbs to 350lbs. They tend to be a stocky powerfully built race with females generally larger and more aggressive than males, although that is the only different. Their fur can range in dark brown, black, to white in the case of northern tribes. A specific color usually is attributed to a single clan that runs in a family. These colors vary wildly when the mate outside of their clan. There eyes are a feral yellow and they have small tails.

Personality
Arktosians are simple in their lives and their personality reflects it. They enjoy good music, good food, and good friend. They have a taste for art involving a combination of colors and patterns similar to the Native American tribes. This art is highly sought after by elves who revel in its simplicity. Arktosians are slow to anger but those that have earned their ire come to fear them as they are a very brutal race when angered. This causes many to see them as mindless brutes but those that are friends with an arktosian will tell a very different story of them. They have a general fondness of nature that would make an elf or a druid envious.

Territory
Arktosians as stated before generally live in mountain forest forests just below the tree-line in evergreen forests. There are those that live far north in artic conditions

Religion
Normally Artosians animistic but those that move to human lands adapt to deities of strength such as Kord or deities of nature.

Relations
Arktosians get along famously with elves as elves trade constantly with them and aid them in anyway to protect a forest. Dwarves get along well with arktosians as they know how to enjoy a good party. With the expansion of humans the arktosians have developed an expanding distrust of them. However they are not ones to deny a race a way to survive so they judges humans on a case by case basis. Halflings aren’t usually found in forest but arktosians view them as they would view a little brother or sister someone that needs protection from them (typically an emotion that is extended to any race shorter than them). Orcs are viewed with general hatred by most as destroyers of the forest that and view half-orcs the same way but are willing to treat them as they would treat any human who has earned their trust if they do so as well. In truth arktosians can’t really tell the difference between gnomes and halflings and as such treat them the same as they treat Halflings.
Alignment
Arktosians are generally noble minded and good but chafe beneath strict laws so they are generally exist as chaotic good.

Social Structure
Arktosians live in small clans that generally number from 20 to 100 with a council of elders leading except in times of war when a warcheif is elected. They are mostly hunters and gathers with males frequently caring for children in addition to hunting and fishing. Their society is matriarchal with few male elders. The war-chief is always a female.

Adventurers
Arktosians adventure for the same reasons most other races do to gain strength, satisfy curiosity, and of course cause they just want to

Game Statistics
• Arktosians are monstrous huminoids
• +4 str -2 dex +2 con -2 int +2 Wis Arktosians are strong, hardy, and wise creatures but their size makes them slow of mind and body.
• Size: medium Arktosians suffer no penalties
• Speed: 40ft
• Hardy: Arktosians gain a +2 on all fortitude saves to resist cold
• Strong Arm: Arktosians have immense muscle density in their arms. This allows them to wield a shield without penalty while wielding a two handed weapon.
• Arktosians have a natural armor bonus +2
• Arktosians have low-light vision
• Favored class: druids. Arktosians are natural defenders of the wild and their vocation reflects that
LA+1

Open to any suggestions. Is it balanced?
riftdragon
08-10-07, 06:03 AM This race seems viable I like it
Lawlicron
08-10-07, 08:21 AM Would you like it to be LA+0 or something higher? I'm not sure what it looks like but being a monstrous humanoid gives immunity to humanoid targeting spells. The strong armed ability also might see abuse, through a hole I can't see right now.

If you could stand them being LA +1 you might want to replace strong armed with powerful build.

Also with Quadro-Burst I could see them picking up quick draw and using their hour of fast movement a day only in combat, all day. Or not even picking up Quick Draw actually because you can draw a weapon at the end of your move.
Ogrebear
08-10-07, 09:10 AM Thank you for posting a Bearfolk race. I like this enough to show it to my GM and see if he'll let me play one!

Question: You didn't give them any natural armour, would a Bear not have such due to thick hide/fur?
baby_kamikaize_kobold
08-10-07, 11:08 AM @lawicron: I tried to word strong arm so that it dosen't stack with powerful build or with monkey grip. But I could have made some mistakes maybe if I just say specifically that it dosen't work it won't be abused. Also I'm not sure what your saying about quadro-burst as I am not under the affects of caffeine yet. EDIT:But if it is monstrous huminoid then It can abuse strong arm with enlarge person

@ ogrebear I was trying to keep the race a +0 LA but if you want it higher I have plans as to how to make it better i.e. an natural armor bonus ans more stat bonuses
Lawlicron
08-10-07, 12:56 PM @lawicron: I tried to word strong arm so that it dosen't stack with powerful build or with monkey grip. But I could have made some mistakes maybe if I just say specifically that it dosen't work it won't be abused. Also I'm not sure what your saying about quadro-burst as I am not under the affects of caffeine yet. EDIT:But if it is monstrous huminoid then It can abuse strong arm with enlarge person

But what benefit does strong arm really give? So far all I can see is wielding a shield while wielding a two-handed weapon. If thats what you wanted it to be used for word it like

Strong Arm: Arktosians have immense muscle density in their arms. This allows them to wield a shield without penalty while wielding a two handed weapon.

Besides using a shield and a two handed weapon I can see no real benefit it provides rather than decreasing the damage you do. But it still would allow you to apply a 2:1 ratio with power attack right?

What I'm saying about Quadro-Burst is that it lets the Arktosian move at speed 50 ft all day but only in combat. And I think people would argue when a weapon is drawn as part of a move just to be able to whip them out after moving their 50 ft. Maybe you should change it to a charge and remove the things being in hand clause. Like when the Arktosian charges it treats its speed as 50ft instead of 30 ft. This would make its partial charges long and its normal charges even longer. But thats just an idea. Maybe it could be that they sometimes drop to fours and sometimes walk upright all the time so they could just have a generally faster move speeds.
baby_kamikaize_kobold
08-10-07, 04:01 PM Alright I took some of lawlicron and ogrebear's suggestions and changed the strong arm ability and got rid of quadro-burst. Also I added some new modifiers and natural armor that brought it up To a +1 LA. soes it seems like it should be +1 LA? feed back appreicated
Tetsubo
08-11-07, 07:23 AM I'm not seeing how you can use a shield and a two-handed weapon at the same time, regardless of how strong you are... How about just add in the Powerful Build racial ability instead?
Neutronium_Dragon
08-11-07, 09:40 AM I can see it working for bucklers, but anything bigger is going to get in the way of your weapon and/or actually need your hand holding the strap/handle, which renders big muscles moot.

All the same, even if it only works with bucklers, that's essentially just negating the -1 attack penalty which you'd take while doing it now, so it's viable.
baby_kamikaize_kobold
08-11-07, 03:38 PM Maybe I'll just give them powerful build since their already +1 LA but I just didn't want them to be too much like goliaths.

Edit: I'm clarifying what strong arm means. It is the ability to wield a two- handed weapon in a single hand. this leaves your other hand free to use a shield. I madew this ability because I didn't want to give them powerful build because I thought this was better. It dosen't stack with monkey grip or enlarge person. All it does is allow a twohanded weapons to be held in one hand. I got this idea parially from the barbarian from Diablo 2 but I might chang it so that it can only be used with a shield
baby_kamikaize_kobold
08-14-07, 08:36 PM :bump:
Lawlicron
08-14-07, 09:10 PM I like it as is. Maybe change the favored class though. They seem wiser than most of the barbarian races. Maybe they would excel at druidism. They are animal-esq themselves. Thats just a suggestion. I love them as is.
baby_kamikaize_kobold
08-17-07, 09:39 PM you make a good point Lawlicron they do seem more contemplative than filled with rage. I think druid woulds be better.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
baby_kamikaize_kobold 08-09-07, 05:45 PM	Arktosian Arktosians are a race of bear-like that dwell in the just below the tree line on mountains. They are a fierce tribal society known for powerful warriors and staunch defenders of nature that rivals that of a druid. Physical Description Arktosians are creatures that resemble large bipedal bears that stand anywhere from 6ft to 7½ft. They generally weigh around 250lbs to 350lbs. They tend to be a stocky powerfully built race with females generally larger and more aggressive than males, although that is the only different. Their fur can range in dark brown, black, to white in the case of northern tribes. A specific color usually is attributed to a single clan that runs in a family. These colors vary wildly when the mate outside of their clan. There eyes are a feral yellow and they have small tails. Personality Arktosians are simple in their lives and their personality reflects it. They enjoy good music, good food, and good friend. They have a taste for art involving a combination of colors and patterns similar to the Native American tribes. This art is highly sought after by elves who revel in its simplicity. Arktosians are slow to anger but those that have earned their ire come to fear them as they are a very brutal race when angered. This causes many to see them as mindless brutes but those that are friends with an arktosian will tell a very different story of them. They have a general fondness of nature that would make an elf or a druid envious. Territory Arktosians as stated before generally live in mountain forest forests just below the tree-line in evergreen forests. There are those that live far north in artic conditions Religion Normally Artosians animistic but those that move to human lands adapt to deities of strength such as Kord or deities of nature. Relations Arktosians get along famously with elves as elves trade constantly with them and aid them in anyway to protect a forest. Dwarves get along well with arktosians as they know how to enjoy a good party. With the expansion of humans the arktosians have developed an expanding distrust of them. However they are not ones to deny a race a way to survive so they judges humans on a case by case basis. Halflings aren’t usually found in forest but arktosians view them as they would view a little brother or sister someone that needs protection from them (typically an emotion that is extended to any race shorter than them). Orcs are viewed with general hatred by most as destroyers of the forest that and view half-orcs the same way but are willing to treat them as they would treat any human who has earned their trust if they do so as well. In truth arktosians can’t really tell the difference between gnomes and halflings and as such treat them the same as they treat Halflings. Alignment Arktosians are generally noble minded and good but chafe beneath strict laws so they are generally exist as chaotic good. Social Structure Arktosians live in small clans that generally number from 20 to 100 with a council of elders leading except in times of war when a warcheif is elected. They are mostly hunters and gathers with males frequently caring for children in addition to hunting and fishing. Their society is matriarchal with few male elders. The war-chief is always a female. Adventurers Arktosians adventure for the same reasons most other races do to gain strength, satisfy curiosity, and of course cause they just want to Game Statistics • Arktosians are monstrous huminoids • +4 str -2 dex +2 con -2 int +2 Wis Arktosians are strong, hardy, and wise creatures but their size makes them slow of mind and body. • Size: medium Arktosians suffer no penalties • Speed: 40ft • Hardy: Arktosians gain a +2 on all fortitude saves to resist cold • Strong Arm: Arktosians have immense muscle density in their arms. This allows them to wield a shield without penalty while wielding a two handed weapon. • Arktosians have a natural armor bonus +2 • Arktosians have low-light vision • Favored class: druids. Arktosians are natural defenders of the wild and their vocation reflects that LA+1 Open to any suggestions. Is it balanced?
riftdragon 08-10-07, 06:03 AM	This race seems viable I like it
Lawlicron 08-10-07, 08:21 AM	Would you like it to be LA+0 or something higher? I'm not sure what it looks like but being a monstrous humanoid gives immunity to humanoid targeting spells. The strong armed ability also might see abuse, through a hole I can't see right now. If you could stand them being LA +1 you might want to replace strong armed with powerful build. Also with Quadro-Burst I could see them picking up quick draw and using their hour of fast movement a day only in combat, all day. Or not even picking up Quick Draw actually because you can draw a weapon at the end of your move.
Ogrebear 08-10-07, 09:10 AM	Thank you for posting a Bearfolk race. I like this enough to show it to my GM and see if he'll let me play one! Question: You didn't give them any natural armour, would a Bear not have such due to thick hide/fur?
baby_kamikaize_kobold 08-10-07, 11:08 AM	@lawicron: I tried to word strong arm so that it dosen't stack with powerful build or with monkey grip. But I could have made some mistakes maybe if I just say specifically that it dosen't work it won't be abused. Also I'm not sure what your saying about quadro-burst as I am not under the affects of caffeine yet. EDIT:But if it is monstrous huminoid then It can abuse strong arm with enlarge person @ ogrebear I was trying to keep the race a +0 LA but if you want it higher I have plans as to how to make it better i.e. an natural armor bonus ans more stat bonuses
Lawlicron 08-10-07, 12:56 PM	@lawicron: I tried to word strong arm so that it dosen't stack with powerful build or with monkey grip. But I could have made some mistakes maybe if I just say specifically that it dosen't work it won't be abused. Also I'm not sure what your saying about quadro-burst as I am not under the affects of caffeine yet. EDIT:But if it is monstrous huminoid then It can abuse strong arm with enlarge person But what benefit does strong arm really give? So far all I can see is wielding a shield while wielding a two-handed weapon. If thats what you wanted it to be used for word it like Strong Arm: Arktosians have immense muscle density in their arms. This allows them to wield a shield without penalty while wielding a two handed weapon. Besides using a shield and a two handed weapon I can see no real benefit it provides rather than decreasing the damage you do. But it still would allow you to apply a 2:1 ratio with power attack right? What I'm saying about Quadro-Burst is that it lets the Arktosian move at speed 50 ft all day but only in combat. And I think people would argue when a weapon is drawn as part of a move just to be able to whip them out after moving their 50 ft. Maybe you should change it to a charge and remove the things being in hand clause. Like when the Arktosian charges it treats its speed as 50ft instead of 30 ft. This would make its partial charges long and its normal charges even longer. But thats just an idea. Maybe it could be that they sometimes drop to fours and sometimes walk upright all the time so they could just have a generally faster move speeds.
baby_kamikaize_kobold 08-10-07, 04:01 PM	Alright I took some of lawlicron and ogrebear's suggestions and changed the strong arm ability and got rid of quadro-burst. Also I added some new modifiers and natural armor that brought it up To a +1 LA. soes it seems like it should be +1 LA? feed back appreicated
Tetsubo 08-11-07, 07:23 AM	I'm not seeing how you can use a shield and a two-handed weapon at the same time, regardless of how strong you are... How about just add in the Powerful Build racial ability instead?
Neutronium_Dragon 08-11-07, 09:40 AM	I can see it working for bucklers, but anything bigger is going to get in the way of your weapon and/or actually need your hand holding the strap/handle, which renders big muscles moot. All the same, even if it only works with bucklers, that's essentially just negating the -1 attack penalty which you'd take while doing it now, so it's viable.
baby_kamikaize_kobold 08-11-07, 03:38 PM	Maybe I'll just give them powerful build since their already +1 LA but I just didn't want them to be too much like goliaths. Edit: I'm clarifying what strong arm means. It is the ability to wield a two- handed weapon in a single hand. this leaves your other hand free to use a shield. I madew this ability because I didn't want to give them powerful build because I thought this was better. It dosen't stack with monkey grip or enlarge person. All it does is allow a twohanded weapons to be held in one hand. I got this idea parially from the barbarian from Diablo 2 but I might chang it so that it can only be used with a shield
baby_kamikaize_kobold 08-14-07, 08:36 PM	:bump:
Lawlicron 08-14-07, 09:10 PM	I like it as is. Maybe change the favored class though. They seem wiser than most of the barbarian races. Maybe they would excel at druidism. They are animal-esq themselves. Thats just a suggestion. I love them as is.
baby_kamikaize_kobold 08-17-07, 09:39 PM	you make a good point Lawlicron they do seem more contemplative than filled with rage. I think druid woulds be better.