Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Aleolus 01-28-08, 11:03 AM	OK, on another forum I post on someone statted up the Qu as a playable race in D&D, and so I felt compelled to do similar. So here's Zidane's race, the Genomes! Genome +2 Dexterity, -2 Strength: Genomes are quick and agile, but relatively frail. Medium: As medium creatures genomes get no special bonuses or penalties based off size. Genomes are Humanoids with the Human and Extraplanar subtypes. A genomes base land speed is 30 feet, with a Climb speed 30 feet. Low-Light Vision: A genome can see twice as far as a human in starlight, moonlight, torchlight, and similar poor lighting conditions. They retain the ability to distinguish color in detail under these conditions. Genomes are quick and agile on their feet, providing a +2 racial bonus on Jump and Tumble checks, as well as a +1 bonus on Reflex saves Sleight Build: Genomes, being slim and light by nature, are treated as one size category smaller than they actually are, whenever being smaller would prove beneficial. A genome's thin fur coat gives it a +2 racial bonus on Fortitude saves against nonlethal damage from cold environments. Genomes tails give them superb balance on even the most precarious positions, granting them a +4 racial bonus on Balance checks. This is in addition to the bonus given by having a climb speed. +2 racial bonus on saving throws against Sleep effects. Prehensile tail: A genome may use its tail to hold objects like a third hand. This grants a +1 competence bonus to all dexterity-based skill checks where having an extra hand would be beneficial. If the tail is immobilized or already holding something it cannot provide the bonus. You may also use your tail to hold items that weigh less than one pound, assuming the item is thick enough for the tail to curl around it tightly. Automatic languages: Common, Terran. Bonus Languages: Any Favored Class: Rogue. A multiclass genome's Rogue class does not count when determining whether they receive an XP penalty for multiclassing.
Another_Poet 01-28-08, 12:45 PM	Hmm... Well I think you're off to a good start. There are two things I would change. Giving a +1 to Fort saves to avoid nonlethal damage from cold environments is like giving someone a nickel toward buying a car. It isn't useful. The Prehensile Tail is a cool idea, but also seems very weak. I would consider changing it so it provides one of the following benefits: 1) Prehensile Tail: A genome may use its tail to hold objects like a third hand. The tail can wield any light weapon as an offhand weapon (allowing the genome to wield two weapons and a shield). (In this case you might change its favoured class to Ranger.) or: 2) A genome may use its tail to hold objects like a third hand. This grants a +1 competence bonus to all dexterity-based skill checks. If the tail is immobilised or aleady holding something it cannot provide the bonus. Either of these on its own should work, but together they would be too powerful.
Aleolus 01-28-08, 03:08 PM	Hmm, I think the second one fits best. But did I do them accurately to the game? I'd definitely be interested in playing one of them.
Another_Poet 01-28-08, 03:47 PM	Accurate to the game? Hmm, that was FF9, right? Well, I remember Zidane started out as a thief but he was definitely one of the most Good-aligned thieves ever. With +2 to dex you definitely have a good rogue race here, though the -2 strength is a problem. Maybe it could be -2 to Con instead? That represents "frail" better than a strength penalty, and since Zidane was definitely a formidable combatant it stays true to the original. Also, you should define how far the Lowlight vision goes out (60'? 120'?) Having a Climb speed is sweet. That's a wonderful thing for a race to have. +1 vs. sleep is alright, but pretty limited. Is this based on something in the game? If so I would make it +2 vs. all mind-affecting effects; if not I would get rid of it. If you get rid of the +2 to saves I would add something else (look at how much gnomes or dwarves get). Maybe a weapon proficiency or a feat. What kind of weapon does Z use in the game? Just a knife? Maybe a free weapon specialisation for shortswords?
Aleolus 01-28-08, 03:59 PM	Accurate to the game? Hmm, that was FF9, right? Well, I remember Zidane started out as a thief but he was definitely one of the most Good-aligned thieves ever. With +2 to dex you definitely have a good rogue race here, though the -2 strength is a problem. Maybe it could be -2 to Con instead? That represents "frail" better than a strength penalty, and since Zidane was definitely a formidable combatant it stays true to the original. Also, you should define how far the Lowlight vision goes out (60'? 120'?) Having a Climb speed is sweet. That's a wonderful thing for a race to have. +1 vs. sleep is alright, but pretty limited. Is this based on something in the game? If so I would make it +2 vs. all mind-affecting effects; if not I would get rid of it. If you get rid of the +2 to saves I would add something else (look at how much gnomes or dwarves get). Maybe a weapon proficiency or a feat. What kind of weapon does Z use in the game? Just a knife? Maybe a free weapon specialisation for shortswords? Low-Light vision does specify. It's double the normal distance in conditions with poor lighting. It's +2 vs. Sleep, and yes, that is based off something in the game, towards the start, where the entire group fell unconcious from a blizzard in the Ice Caverns, and Zidane made his save the longest, and was the first to make his save to wake back up. I may decide to go with a Con penalty instead of Str, but Rouges don't make much use of Strength. Plus, Zidane was fairly high level, and probably boosted his strength from levels. Plus, he had Improved Flanking, and lots of SA.
Xiuhcoatl 01-28-08, 04:30 PM	Favored Class: Rouge. A multiclass genome's Rouge class does not count when determining whether they receive an XP penalty for multiclassing. Where can I find this makeup-class? Seriously, it's spelled rogue, not rouge. Can their Prehensile tails be used to hold a weapon?
ericSHINRA 01-28-08, 04:48 PM	Monkeys have a +8 racial bonus on Balance and Climb checks. They can always choose to take 10 on Climb checks, even if rushed or threatened. They use their Dexterity modifier instead of their Strength modifier for Climb checks. Why not give Genomes something similar? While I don't remember Zidane ever using his tail to wield another weapon, this would be a logical bonus as Zidane was quite the acrobat, you know, 'surfing' across the vines at the end of the game.
Aleolus 01-28-08, 05:41 PM	Why not give Genomes something similar? While I don't remember Zidane ever using his tail to wield another weapon, this would be a logical bonus as Zidane was quite the acrobat, you know, 'surfing' across the vines at the end of the game. Unless I'm mistaken, those bonuses are automatically given by having a Climb speed. If I'm mistaken, and Climb speeds are different from Swim speeds, then I'll add it in. For now, I just added in an additional +4 on Balance checks.
Aleolus 01-28-08, 09:37 PM	A couple feats I got the idea for from a poster on the Myth-Weaver's forum! Tailed Spellcaster Prerequisites: Able to cast 1st level Arcane or Divine spells; Genome Benefit: You have acquired a degree of control over your tail that few genomes manage. You have such control over it that you may use it for the somatic components of spells that have them (most do). You may use your tail for spellcasting if your hands are occupied, or if you are wearing armor that would hinder your hands. Casting in armor still incurs Arcane Spell Failure, if applicable, however, when casting with your tail, the chance your spell will fail is reduced by 5%, to a minimum of 5%. Strong Tail Prerequisites: Genome, Str 13+, proficient with Martial weapons Benefit: Your tail has developed a degree of strength that few manage to reach. You may use your tail to carry and use a single, light weapon. Any attack made with a weapon being held in your tail is treated as an off-hand attack and suffers an additional -2 penalty. Alternatively, you may choose to carry a light shield with your tail. If you choose to go this route, the shield provides it's normal shield bonus to your AC, but you may not make a shield bash attempt with it. Armor check penalty only applies to Climb, Jump, Swim and Tumble checks when using a shield with your tail. You may not use Tower shields or heavy shields with your tail.
Aleolus 01-28-08, 10:22 PM	And the fluff for them! The Genomes origins are a closely kept secret. The vast majority of genomes themselves don't know it, but they were, in fact, created by a race from the Far Realms. They were created in preparation of a mass invasion of the Prime Material Plane, as well as the rest of the Great Wheel. What their part was to be is unclear, though it is quite possible they were to serve as hosts for other entities to allow them to interact directly with the beings of that plane. Their initial, somewhat mindless and zombie-like personality only serves to strengthen this claim. However, they have been growing incredibly, and now many of them possess a thirst for learning that rivals even that of the most scholarly of wizards. Until you get to know them, it can be difficult to tell one Genome from another. They all possess very similar hair and facial features, though as they grow more as individuals, their personal appearances vary more and more amongst them. However, one trait they all share, is a monkey-like tail sprouting from their posterior. They can utilize this tail with almost as much precision as they can their own hands, though lacking digits, it is understandably incapable of performing certain tasks. Genomes have yet to develop a culture of their own, though they tend to adapt to whatever culture they might be present in at the time. They tend to mimic whatever the nearby culture is, which can be taken in different ways, depending on how their behavior is viewed. Some, such as Elves, regard them as children playing as adults. Others, such as the Dwarves, regard their actions as suspicious, though not hostile. Rarely, a culture views this as them mocking their culture and causes tension and hostility between the two. This most often occurs in monstrous humanoid communities with Genome settlements nearby. Like their culture, the Genomes have no religion of their own. Many don't venerate any one deity over another, and those who do typically worship the patron deity of the community or people they had the most exposure to growing up.
Yaeri 01-29-08, 04:46 AM	I saw them as seriously impaired in the wisdom area, as they didn't know a thing about anything. Although that's only if they come directly from Bran Bal. I thought they were actually quite resilient, because they had to be strong vessels for the souls of the terrans to inhabit. Because Zidane is the only genome we ever saw in action, it's hard to tell what the traits of the entire species are like.
Aleolus 02-13-08, 01:49 PM	Added another ability, Sleight Build. Check it out!