Gelfling? [Archive] - Wizards Community - Pages Merged by Solauren

Gelfling? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Callabryn
02-22-08, 11:59 AM So I watched The Dark Crystal the other day, and wondered if anybody had ever tried statting a Gelfling race. I'd like to see some good takes on this classic movie.
Bull-of-the-Pit
02-22-08, 12:43 PM Well, it's been a long time since I saw the movie, but for a quick and dirty version, I'd say just make an elf Small-sized, add +2 to Dexterity and -2 to Strength.

Normally, I don't like making races different based on male/female status, but IIRC, only female gelflings can (sorta) fly. Perhaps (as a balancing issue) give males a bonus feat, and give females the gliding/leaping ability of a 1st level raptorian.
MrWildman
02-22-08, 01:36 PM Actually, I would call the Podling people Size Small, the Gelflings and the Skeksis/ Ur-ru Mystics examples of the lower and upper limits of Medium Size.

Stat-wise, I'd give Gelflings: -2 STR, +2 CON (they're a hearty people!), maybe even a +2 CHA (it just seems to fit, in my mind). The female's flying ability could easily be modeled on Raptorans. Balancing that, the males might get {hmm...}

Have to ponder that one.
darksamuari
02-22-08, 01:51 PM And naturally the Fizgig race would have +Int, +Wis, and +Cha.
Mr_Teapot
02-22-08, 11:11 PM I would just use the Elf race as written, but give female elves access to a feat that grants flying (like the kobold feat that does the same). Problem solved.
Threefists
02-23-08, 08:42 AM Strange, the post got eaten as I was typing...obviously someone has a problem with my posts, since a lot of my 4e posts also seem to have disappeared.

Incidentally, love that movie, Dark Crystal. Heroic Puppets ftlog!

To the Gelflings, they seem to be Medium Sized with the usual Elf Ability Bonuses/Penalties, yet they lack racial weapon abilities (unless you count Kiera's sling), so a good 'balance' would be to give bonus skill points.

Male Gelflings seems to (judging by Jien) possess the musical ability of a Bard of their HD, unless Jien was a Bard. Perhaps the other way to 'balance' the Gelfling Male against the slow fall/level 1 Raptorian Gliding of the Female is Empathy as a spell-like ability at will, caster level equal to the HD of the Gelfling. The spell is of 'limited' use in combat but would suit the 'supposedly' peaceful nature of the Gelflings, although this ability is not shown in the Dark Crystal Movie.

Fizgig is a Small-Sized 3d8 Magical Beast, +3 NA Bite 1d6, Str 8, Dex 14, Con 8, Int 6, Wis 10, Cha 6 with movement speed of 20 feet (30 ft rolling, but no attacks or attacks of opportunity when doing so) and climb speed of 10 feet, using Dex instead of Str.

Will see if I can dig up the old homebrow stats of the Skesis and the Mystics...could be a while, that was over 13 years ago....
Callabryn
02-23-08, 12:05 PM To the Gelflings, they seem to be Medium Sized with the usual Elf Ability Bonuses/Penalties, yet they lack racial weapon abilities (unless you count Kiera's sling), so a good 'balance' would be to give bonus skill points.

Male Gelflings seems to (judging by Jien) possess the musical ability of a Bard of their HD, unless Jien was a Bard. Perhaps the other way to 'balance' the Gelfling Male against the slow fall/level 1 Raptorian Gliding of the Female is Empathy as a spell-like ability at will, caster level equal to the HD of the Gelfling. The spell is of 'limited' use in combat but would suit the 'supposedly' peaceful nature of the Gelflings, although this ability is not shown in the Dark Crystal Movie.

Don't forget the Dreamfasting ability. Perhaps any contact between two Gelflings can yield unspoken conversations/shared memories?
calronmoonflower
02-24-08, 06:05 PM Well I've though on this.

They both can be presented by several races. Humans and elves both can do so just fine. As it is they are both highly adaptable in a way that humans are generally represented. They only real link that they have to elves is their appearance. However the sample of Gelflings is too small to do sure.

Jen could easily be a savant and Kira would likely be a druid. Both should be around level 1.

Fizzgig would be Kira's animal companion and except for the odd way to moves (rolling) he is a dog.

I'm also not sure of Kira's explanation of why she has wings and Jen doesn't. being separated by others of her race when she was so young could mean that she got it wrong.

The dreamfasting could be explained by one of them having the Hidden Talent: (Mind Link) feat and using unconsciously. Given Jen's uncanny blind throw with the shard he is the most likely candidate.

So, lets look at it like this.

Jen: 1st level human savant with the Hidden Talent: (Mind Link)
Kira: 1st level silverbrow human druid with the Draconic Wings feat.

Both work as represented in Dark Crystal and works by the Rules As Written.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Callabryn 02-22-08, 11:59 AM	So I watched The Dark Crystal the other day, and wondered if anybody had ever tried statting a Gelfling race. I'd like to see some good takes on this classic movie.
Bull-of-the-Pit 02-22-08, 12:43 PM	Well, it's been a long time since I saw the movie, but for a quick and dirty version, I'd say just make an elf Small-sized, add +2 to Dexterity and -2 to Strength. Normally, I don't like making races different based on male/female status, but IIRC, only female gelflings can (sorta) fly. Perhaps (as a balancing issue) give males a bonus feat, and give females the gliding/leaping ability of a 1st level raptorian.
MrWildman 02-22-08, 01:36 PM	Actually, I would call the Podling people Size Small, the Gelflings and the Skeksis/ Ur-ru Mystics examples of the lower and upper limits of Medium Size. Stat-wise, I'd give Gelflings: -2 STR, +2 CON (they're a hearty people!), maybe even a +2 CHA (it just seems to fit, in my mind). The female's flying ability could easily be modeled on Raptorans. Balancing that, the males might get {hmm...} Have to ponder that one.
darksamuari 02-22-08, 01:51 PM	And naturally the Fizgig race would have +Int, +Wis, and +Cha.
Mr_Teapot 02-22-08, 11:11 PM	I would just use the Elf race as written, but give female elves access to a feat that grants flying (like the kobold feat that does the same). Problem solved.
Threefists 02-23-08, 08:42 AM	Strange, the post got eaten as I was typing...obviously someone has a problem with my posts, since a lot of my 4e posts also seem to have disappeared. Incidentally, love that movie, Dark Crystal. Heroic Puppets ftlog! To the Gelflings, they seem to be Medium Sized with the usual Elf Ability Bonuses/Penalties, yet they lack racial weapon abilities (unless you count Kiera's sling), so a good 'balance' would be to give bonus skill points. Male Gelflings seems to (judging by Jien) possess the musical ability of a Bard of their HD, unless Jien was a Bard. Perhaps the other way to 'balance' the Gelfling Male against the slow fall/level 1 Raptorian Gliding of the Female is Empathy as a spell-like ability at will, caster level equal to the HD of the Gelfling. The spell is of 'limited' use in combat but would suit the 'supposedly' peaceful nature of the Gelflings, although this ability is not shown in the Dark Crystal Movie. Fizgig is a Small-Sized 3d8 Magical Beast, +3 NA Bite 1d6, Str 8, Dex 14, Con 8, Int 6, Wis 10, Cha 6 with movement speed of 20 feet (30 ft rolling, but no attacks or attacks of opportunity when doing so) and climb speed of 10 feet, using Dex instead of Str. Will see if I can dig up the old homebrow stats of the Skesis and the Mystics...could be a while, that was over 13 years ago....
Callabryn 02-23-08, 12:05 PM	To the Gelflings, they seem to be Medium Sized with the usual Elf Ability Bonuses/Penalties, yet they lack racial weapon abilities (unless you count Kiera's sling), so a good 'balance' would be to give bonus skill points. Male Gelflings seems to (judging by Jien) possess the musical ability of a Bard of their HD, unless Jien was a Bard. Perhaps the other way to 'balance' the Gelfling Male against the slow fall/level 1 Raptorian Gliding of the Female is Empathy as a spell-like ability at will, caster level equal to the HD of the Gelfling. The spell is of 'limited' use in combat but would suit the 'supposedly' peaceful nature of the Gelflings, although this ability is not shown in the Dark Crystal Movie. Don't forget the Dreamfasting ability. Perhaps any contact between two Gelflings can yield unspoken conversations/shared memories?
calronmoonflower 02-24-08, 06:05 PM	Well I've though on this. They both can be presented by several races. Humans and elves both can do so just fine. As it is they are both highly adaptable in a way that humans are generally represented. They only real link that they have to elves is their appearance. However the sample of Gelflings is too small to do sure. Jen could easily be a savant and Kira would likely be a druid. Both should be around level 1. Fizzgig would be Kira's animal companion and except for the odd way to moves (rolling) he is a dog. I'm also not sure of Kira's explanation of why she has wings and Jen doesn't. being separated by others of her race when she was so young could mean that she got it wrong. The dreamfasting could be explained by one of them having the Hidden Talent: (Mind Link) feat and using unconsciously. Given Jen's uncanny blind throw with the shard he is the most likely candidate. So, lets look at it like this. Jen: 1st level human savant with the Hidden Talent: (Mind Link) Kira: 1st level silverbrow human druid with the Draconic Wings feat. Both work as represented in Dark Crystal and works by the Rules As Written.