Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Robert 22 09-04-07, 04:01 PM	Hi, I'm compiling notes for myself on a possible Aryavarta campaign. As its set in the mythology of the subcontinent few of the races employed in conventional D&D are suitable so I've been working on notes for a new set of races. I'd appreciate some feedback on these, which are likely to be the core 5 - on balance both within this set and relative to other core races, three of them are human subspecies, and the other are sorts of fey. Apsara The beautiful people of the river, beloved of the Naga, are far longer lived then any of the 'mortal' races. Though slight by human standards they are wise, often schooled in arcane knowledge by their serpent allies. - Medium Build - Base Land Speed 30ft, Base Water Speed 30ft - Languages: Prakrit (equiv. common), Sanskrit, Naga (equiv. Dragon) - +2 Wisdom, -2 Constitution - +2 bonus on Swim, Spellcraft, Knowledge (Arcana) checks - 1/day may send an animal messanger via a serpent. - Preferred Class: Brahmin (Wizard) Arya The noble and pure Arya are slight of build and have skin of a golden hue. They are at heart true nobility, inspirational to others and possessing a martial inclination. - Medium Build - Base Land Speed 30ft - +2 Charisma, -2 Strength - Languages: Prakrit, Sanskrit - +2 on Diplomacy, Knowledge (Nobility) skill checks - 1/day may dispel a fear effect from an ally (Cha based, DC is 10+spell level) - Take a bonus fighter feat at first level - Preferred Class: Kshatriya (Paladin) Dasyus Though they are often reviled as backward or primitive the Dasyu are anything but, they ruled in Aryavarta in a time before the Yakshi had fallen, and still hold sway in the southern forests. They are skilled hunters, healers, and sharp witted, though occasionally rash and rude with others. - Medium Build - Base Land Speed 30ft - +2 Dexterity, -2 Charisma, -2 Wisdom - Languages: Prakrit, Dasyu - Lowlight Vision - +2 on Craft(weapons), Heal checks - +2 on listen, search, spot, hide, move silently checks in woods - Gain the Track feat at first level - Each day may heal damage to self or others equal to 2*level as per Lay on Hands ability - Preferred Class: Brigand (Ranger) Mleccha The northmen come from many places and their tribes have many names, but they share in common their stoic determination, endurance, and the love of the horses which carry them into the battle. - Medium Build - Base Land Speed 30ft - Languages: Prakrit and own language (Pathan, Scyth, Yona, Arabic, etc.) - +2 Constitution - +2 on Ride Checks and Handle Animals when dealing with horses - +2 on all checks to resist fatigue - Preferred Class: Companion (Fighter) Yaksha Taller even the northmen the Yaksha have fiery spirits to match their glowing red eyes. They are spirits of the forest, associated by common folk with fertility and good health. - Medium Build - Base Land Speed 30ft - Languages: Prakrit, Sylvan - +4 Dodge bonus to AC against Rakshi (Demons) - 1/day may use the spell Plant Growth in its enrichment version - Immune to all Disease and Poison, as well as intoxication by alchohol - A Yaksha may go a week without sleep, food or water with no ill effect - Preferred Class: Rishi (Druid) I'd appreciate thoughts both on these individually as well as how they might work as a set. Robert
Jeweler 09-07-07, 05:21 PM	I will take it that medium build means medium size, or is build something else that you have added to your interesting setting? The Dasyus I think might need to turn the lay on hands like ability into a racial heritage feat because that seems a little powerful. Even the two negative stats don't mean as much because they are mental stats, which based off of normal D&D standards is something like 2 physical equals 1 mental point. That is what I am told anyways. The Yaksha I love, they get the plant growth enrichment and seem to be something similar to a celestial born race. The ability to go for a week without sleep, food or water though is a big deal, just for the sleep factor alone. If you are running a campaign where your players need to eat, I do play this way sometimes other times I look over it, if you have one Yaksha in your part you only need enough food for three. Also no sleep is powerful just because, 'Oh we need a watch person.' 'Lets make the Yaksha do it since they don't need to sleep.' For the Mleccha I think they should get ride as a class skill. Replace the fatigue bonus if you need to, but that is my suggestion. Within the 5 they seem balanced enough, each has a role as it should be, versus the other races I think that these ones are more powerful, even if just slightly.