Kainu (my own race.) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Kainu (my own race.) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Riversand
08-27-07, 10:06 PM Okay, this is my own attempt at a race. it is a work in progress, so please give me ideas, and advice. also, included are info on a new exotic weapon, and a deity.

* Race: Kainu
* Racial Stats: +2 con +2 wis
* Medium size
* Lowlight vision
* Resistance to heat: +4 bonus to checks made against heat-based conditions
* speed 30ft
* natural attack: Bite 1D6 pierce
* Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Khopesh (one-handed melee weapon, exotic : 16gp : 1d6 : 18-20/x2 : 4Lb :slashing)
* Languages: Common, Kainu. Bonus languages Any
* Lifespan Same as Halflings
* Favored Class: Ranger
* Usually neutral.
* +2 to all listen checks
* +2 to appraisal checks
* Level Adjustment: +1

Physical Description: The Kainu are Similar to a gnoll, not by much though. Kainu all have dark-grey to black colored fur, eyes ranging from brown, black, gold, and blue. Kainu have four fingers per hand, and a thumb on each, with vestigial short claws instead of fingernails. Their faces resemble that of jackals , muzzle, ears and teeth, and are often decorated by magically placed tattoos that work through the short fur they possess. (the markings are semi similar to Egyptian markings, but colored to show under black or grey fur, and through it.) Kainu are about the same height of humans, surprisingly enough, and usually about the same weight on average.

Racial Description: A semi-nomadic Trader folk, that call the deserts their home. Kainu have a capital city, named Kainura, a white-stone city, with a well of water, created by magic long gone. The social structure of the Kainu is a social society, led by a royal lineage coupled with a conciliate, and one that loves travelling, and happiness. Many Kainu worship Farlanghn, Pelor, and their own diety, Turina, a Deity of the sands, and it’s chaotic nature. Her alignment is Chaotic neutral, Her favored weapon is the Khopesh, and her domains are Chaos, Sun, and Travel.
Captain_Kobold
08-27-07, 11:08 PM Ability adjustments are done in increments of 2. So Kainu adjustment would be +2 con, +2 Wis.

As it stands, while the combination of unbalanced ability scores and a natural attack are a bit over LA +0, this isn't really an LA +1.
You may wish to balance out the ability score adjustments a bit.
Adding things like a +2 bonus to a couple of skills might be an idea. They don't increase the power much, and help the flavor.
Or something like a +4 bonus to checks made to resist heat effects caused by environmental conditions.
Riversand
08-27-07, 11:25 PM So they are, in the core rule book anyway. i am trying to not have an LA if i can, but i will tolerate an LA of +1. i will make adjustments to the racial info in a bit.

Now done.
IdleAltruism
08-28-07, 12:22 AM Okay, this is my own attempt at a race. it is a work in progress, so please give me ideas, and advice. also, included are info on a new exotic weapon, and a deity.

Ok lets see what we have here, a level one adjustment.

* Race: Kainu
* Racial Stats: +2 con (updated)

Ok is that it? I'm look down this is a very weak race right now, this isn't helping.

* Sensitivity to cold: -2 to all checks against cold-induced effects, including cold-based spells. Cold based spells deal an additional 1d4 nolethal damage (updated)

I don't look at fluff when it comes to racial design, making new mechanics based on fluff is a difficult process and requires more work then is usually necessary. This is not an exception. Usually you want to make a creature have Fire immunity and cold vulnerability and call it a day. If its just a minor thing then its probably safe to let it slide. If you can't live without them being a fire type creature make them immune to fire and vulnerable to cold. Or if they just have a tolerance against fire make them have some minor fire resistance.

* Resistance to heat: +4 bonus to checks made against heat-based conditions (new)

What is this for? Against heat danger? This looks pointless to me.

* Exotic Weapon Proficiency: sickle-sword (slashing weapon ,1d6 damage, medium size. cost 5gp, 2lb., crit 19-20/x2)

Why is this exotic? Its a short sword that slashes.

* Languages: Common, Kainu. Bonus languages Any non-secret languages

Bonus language: Any, Any non-secret is not necessary.

* Favored Class: Any.

Whats the reasoning behind this? Generally races like this have a favored class. Not that it really matters, I'm just curious.

* A slight majority of Kainu tend to be neutral, but they are all over the types of alignment.

I believe a slight majority is an oxymoron. Just put Usually Neutral.

* +2 to all listen checks (new)
* +2 to appraisal checks (new)
* Level Adjustment: +1

Ok 2+ listen checks and appraise. Thats it? Look at the hobgoblin, I would consider them a very low powered LA+1 but even they are stronger then this race. To look at the higher power curve LA+1 races look at the Draconic template and poison dusk lizard folk. This should give you a good base to work around.

If you want them to be a LA+0 I'd base them off a dwarf. Change out a few things, like swapping weapon proficiencies and bonuses to certain skills and BAM you have just about what you're looking for.
Riversand
08-28-07, 02:51 AM okay, in response to your pickings, i designed this race to be a desert people. they are not fire creatures, but they ARE highly used to hot tempuratures, so much that cold environments tend to be a problem for them. this is a race designed for a more in depth game, not a power level type. also, you try walking miles through the desert in the sunlight. in the DM guide, on page 303, it lists the dangers and the risks of heat dangers, nonlethal damage, till unconsious, and then lethal damage.

the weapon is an exotic weapon due to it's oddly shaped design, and thus is harder to handel than a short sword. also, a weapon that is mainly theirs and theirs alone, adds a bit of life into the race, in my own opinion.

take into note, that the Kainu have an extra attack that they can use in conjuction with melee combat, thus they are stronger.

there is one change that i will make though, the alignment issue. i should clean it up.

As for the favored class, I could not really figure them to be specificly focused on one combat style.
heftyj
08-28-07, 03:18 AM I like this idea, I am not saying it's perfect but, I like it so far. Wondering is the sickle sword(if you watch bleach that is) anything like renji's sword? It sounds like it has the same shape similar to it. If you don't heres a link of what it looks like: http://www.animeanytime.com.au/catalog/images/Bleach-PB-Renji.jpg
Riversand
08-28-07, 03:36 AM Nope, but i do watch bleach. it's like a sickle, but re3verse, and closer to a sword in design. when i get around to it, i might draw it out in paint... or something. but renji's sword is a stright-bladed sword, with teeth in it.

A sickle-sword has a curve outwards towards the front, a sort of bladed semi-circle, with a bit of a bladed stem.
IdleAltruism
08-28-07, 10:49 AM okay, in response to your pickings, i designed this race to be a desert people. they are not fire creatures, but they ARE highly used to hot tempuratures, so much that cold environments tend to be a problem for them. this is a race designed for a more in depth game, not a power level type. also, you try walking miles through the desert in the sunlight. in the DM guide, on page 303, it lists the dangers and the risks of heat dangers, nonlethal damage, till unconsious, and then lethal damage.

Humans do this all the time IRL. They don't have any special bonuses. Its really not that big a deal unless your desert has some serious temperature fluctuations. Unless they are cold blooded it really shouldn't make a difference in the way they respond to cold. They may be uncomfortable but that doesn't make cone of cold do anything worse to them then desert dwelling humans.

the weapon is an exotic weapon due to it's oddly shaped design, and thus is harder to handel than a short sword. also, a weapon that is mainly theirs and theirs alone, adds a bit of life into the race, in my own opinion.

Thats not what an exotic weapon is in D&D. It can be as strange as you want it to be and unwieldy as you want it to be, that just means its not meant to be a weapon. More of an ornament then anything. If this race's hands and arms are so much different from the average humanoid then sure you can give them weapons only they can use, but the question is can they use other weapons? If you want it to be an exotic weapon make it have exotic weapon stats or just call it a short sword that looks a little funny and these people use them.

take into note, that the Kainu have an extra attack that they can use in conjuction with melee combat, thus they are stronger.

The bite attack? Lots of races have bite attacks. It doesn't make them stronger, it just gives them an attack to use in a grapple. Natural weapons usually fade out after low levels. Even then its usually not very beneficial to use them unless you have multiple.

As for the favored class, I could not really figure them to be specificly focused on one combat style.

Ranger?
jubjubdestroyer
08-28-07, 12:12 PM ranger sounds like the class for them

as for the sickle sword- 1d8 damage, trip attempt, 18-20 x2 crit, 8 gp, 3lbs
gullas
08-28-07, 12:49 PM oki race:).

LA1 deffo....
Riversand
08-28-07, 03:53 PM okay, i have modified the weapon statistics, and IdleAltruism, there are exotic weapons that ARE designed as weapons, like a dwarven warace,a bastard sword repeating crossbows, and hand crossbows. And as for the design, it is just different from a 'normal' blade.
reaper5081
08-28-07, 04:53 PM A weapon like the one you have described with an outward curve to it seems to me it should have a better crit range, like a scimitar for example.
Dog_O_War
08-28-07, 07:04 PM The "sickle-sword" for this desert race you're looking for is the khopesh:

Khopesh : one-handed melee weapon, exotic : 16gp : 1d6 : 18-20/x2 : 4Lb :slashing

do you use the egyptian pantheon for the game this race is included in?

For more information on what desert hazards are like maybe look at sandstorm.
Riversand
08-28-07, 08:08 PM Thank you Dog_O_War! Icould not remember the name of that blade for the life of me... and no, i am not using an Eyptian pantheon. For the core race for the core rules, i added just their own diety, it is able to be twisted to fit other campaigns and pantheons of course. if i were to use a different pantheon from 'standard' D&D i would still keep Turina, their own diety.

And i have no game running what so ever, neither playing or running. saddening for me really... oh well. starting college soon, might as well be ready for that. and i use 3.5 and i only have the core rule books, one two and three, that with a set of dice, cost over one hundred dollars for me, and no minitures or mat...

sorry for ranting on about my life's story.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Riversand 08-27-07, 10:06 PM	Okay, this is my own attempt at a race. it is a work in progress, so please give me ideas, and advice. also, included are info on a new exotic weapon, and a deity. * Race: Kainu * Racial Stats: +2 con +2 wis * Medium size * Lowlight vision * Resistance to heat: +4 bonus to checks made against heat-based conditions * speed 30ft * natural attack: Bite 1D6 pierce * Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Khopesh (one-handed melee weapon, exotic : 16gp : 1d6 : 18-20/x2 : 4Lb :slashing) * Languages: Common, Kainu. Bonus languages Any * Lifespan Same as Halflings * Favored Class: Ranger * Usually neutral. * +2 to all listen checks * +2 to appraisal checks * Level Adjustment: +1 Physical Description: The Kainu are Similar to a gnoll, not by much though. Kainu all have dark-grey to black colored fur, eyes ranging from brown, black, gold, and blue. Kainu have four fingers per hand, and a thumb on each, with vestigial short claws instead of fingernails. Their faces resemble that of jackals , muzzle, ears and teeth, and are often decorated by magically placed tattoos that work through the short fur they possess. (the markings are semi similar to Egyptian markings, but colored to show under black or grey fur, and through it.) Kainu are about the same height of humans, surprisingly enough, and usually about the same weight on average. Racial Description: A semi-nomadic Trader folk, that call the deserts their home. Kainu have a capital city, named Kainura, a white-stone city, with a well of water, created by magic long gone. The social structure of the Kainu is a social society, led by a royal lineage coupled with a conciliate, and one that loves travelling, and happiness. Many Kainu worship Farlanghn, Pelor, and their own diety, Turina, a Deity of the sands, and it’s chaotic nature. Her alignment is Chaotic neutral, Her favored weapon is the Khopesh, and her domains are Chaos, Sun, and Travel.
Captain_Kobold 08-27-07, 11:08 PM	Ability adjustments are done in increments of 2. So Kainu adjustment would be +2 con, +2 Wis. As it stands, while the combination of unbalanced ability scores and a natural attack are a bit over LA +0, this isn't really an LA +1. You may wish to balance out the ability score adjustments a bit. Adding things like a +2 bonus to a couple of skills might be an idea. They don't increase the power much, and help the flavor. Or something like a +4 bonus to checks made to resist heat effects caused by environmental conditions.
Riversand 08-27-07, 11:25 PM	So they are, in the core rule book anyway. i am trying to not have an LA if i can, but i will tolerate an LA of +1. i will make adjustments to the racial info in a bit. Now done.
IdleAltruism 08-28-07, 12:22 AM	Okay, this is my own attempt at a race. it is a work in progress, so please give me ideas, and advice. also, included are info on a new exotic weapon, and a deity. Ok lets see what we have here, a level one adjustment. * Race: Kainu * Racial Stats: +2 con (updated) Ok is that it? I'm look down this is a very weak race right now, this isn't helping. * Sensitivity to cold: -2 to all checks against cold-induced effects, including cold-based spells. Cold based spells deal an additional 1d4 nolethal damage (updated) I don't look at fluff when it comes to racial design, making new mechanics based on fluff is a difficult process and requires more work then is usually necessary. This is not an exception. Usually you want to make a creature have Fire immunity and cold vulnerability and call it a day. If its just a minor thing then its probably safe to let it slide. If you can't live without them being a fire type creature make them immune to fire and vulnerable to cold. Or if they just have a tolerance against fire make them have some minor fire resistance. * Resistance to heat: +4 bonus to checks made against heat-based conditions (new) What is this for? Against heat danger? This looks pointless to me. * Exotic Weapon Proficiency: sickle-sword (slashing weapon ,1d6 damage, medium size. cost 5gp, 2lb., crit 19-20/x2) Why is this exotic? Its a short sword that slashes. * Languages: Common, Kainu. Bonus languages Any non-secret languages Bonus language: Any, Any non-secret is not necessary. * Favored Class: Any. Whats the reasoning behind this? Generally races like this have a favored class. Not that it really matters, I'm just curious. * A slight majority of Kainu tend to be neutral, but they are all over the types of alignment. I believe a slight majority is an oxymoron. Just put Usually Neutral. * +2 to all listen checks (new) * +2 to appraisal checks (new) * Level Adjustment: +1 Ok 2+ listen checks and appraise. Thats it? Look at the hobgoblin, I would consider them a very low powered LA+1 but even they are stronger then this race. To look at the higher power curve LA+1 races look at the Draconic template and poison dusk lizard folk. This should give you a good base to work around. If you want them to be a LA+0 I'd base them off a dwarf. Change out a few things, like swapping weapon proficiencies and bonuses to certain skills and BAM you have just about what you're looking for.
Riversand 08-28-07, 02:51 AM	okay, in response to your pickings, i designed this race to be a desert people. they are not fire creatures, but they ARE highly used to hot tempuratures, so much that cold environments tend to be a problem for them. this is a race designed for a more in depth game, not a power level type. also, you try walking miles through the desert in the sunlight. in the DM guide, on page 303, it lists the dangers and the risks of heat dangers, nonlethal damage, till unconsious, and then lethal damage. the weapon is an exotic weapon due to it's oddly shaped design, and thus is harder to handel than a short sword. also, a weapon that is mainly theirs and theirs alone, adds a bit of life into the race, in my own opinion. take into note, that the Kainu have an extra attack that they can use in conjuction with melee combat, thus they are stronger. there is one change that i will make though, the alignment issue. i should clean it up. As for the favored class, I could not really figure them to be specificly focused on one combat style.
heftyj 08-28-07, 03:18 AM	I like this idea, I am not saying it's perfect but, I like it so far. Wondering is the sickle sword(if you watch bleach that is) anything like renji's sword? It sounds like it has the same shape similar to it. If you don't heres a link of what it looks like: http://www.animeanytime.com.au/catalog/images/Bleach-PB-Renji.jpg
Riversand 08-28-07, 03:36 AM	Nope, but i do watch bleach. it's like a sickle, but re3verse, and closer to a sword in design. when i get around to it, i might draw it out in paint... or something. but renji's sword is a stright-bladed sword, with teeth in it. A sickle-sword has a curve outwards towards the front, a sort of bladed semi-circle, with a bit of a bladed stem.
IdleAltruism 08-28-07, 10:49 AM	okay, in response to your pickings, i designed this race to be a desert people. they are not fire creatures, but they ARE highly used to hot tempuratures, so much that cold environments tend to be a problem for them. this is a race designed for a more in depth game, not a power level type. also, you try walking miles through the desert in the sunlight. in the DM guide, on page 303, it lists the dangers and the risks of heat dangers, nonlethal damage, till unconsious, and then lethal damage. Humans do this all the time IRL. They don't have any special bonuses. Its really not that big a deal unless your desert has some serious temperature fluctuations. Unless they are cold blooded it really shouldn't make a difference in the way they respond to cold. They may be uncomfortable but that doesn't make cone of cold do anything worse to them then desert dwelling humans. the weapon is an exotic weapon due to it's oddly shaped design, and thus is harder to handel than a short sword. also, a weapon that is mainly theirs and theirs alone, adds a bit of life into the race, in my own opinion. Thats not what an exotic weapon is in D&D. It can be as strange as you want it to be and unwieldy as you want it to be, that just means its not meant to be a weapon. More of an ornament then anything. If this race's hands and arms are so much different from the average humanoid then sure you can give them weapons only they can use, but the question is can they use other weapons? If you want it to be an exotic weapon make it have exotic weapon stats or just call it a short sword that looks a little funny and these people use them. take into note, that the Kainu have an extra attack that they can use in conjuction with melee combat, thus they are stronger. The bite attack? Lots of races have bite attacks. It doesn't make them stronger, it just gives them an attack to use in a grapple. Natural weapons usually fade out after low levels. Even then its usually not very beneficial to use them unless you have multiple. As for the favored class, I could not really figure them to be specificly focused on one combat style. Ranger?
jubjubdestroyer 08-28-07, 12:12 PM	ranger sounds like the class for them as for the sickle sword- 1d8 damage, trip attempt, 18-20 x2 crit, 8 gp, 3lbs
gullas 08-28-07, 12:49 PM	oki race:). LA1 deffo....
Riversand 08-28-07, 03:53 PM	okay, i have modified the weapon statistics, and IdleAltruism, there are exotic weapons that ARE designed as weapons, like a dwarven warace,a bastard sword repeating crossbows, and hand crossbows. And as for the design, it is just different from a 'normal' blade.
reaper5081 08-28-07, 04:53 PM	A weapon like the one you have described with an outward curve to it seems to me it should have a better crit range, like a scimitar for example.
Dog_O_War 08-28-07, 07:04 PM	The "sickle-sword" for this desert race you're looking for is the khopesh: Khopesh : one-handed melee weapon, exotic : 16gp : 1d6 : 18-20/x2 : 4Lb :slashing do you use the egyptian pantheon for the game this race is included in? For more information on what desert hazards are like maybe look at sandstorm.
Riversand 08-28-07, 08:08 PM	Thank you Dog_O_War! Icould not remember the name of that blade for the life of me... and no, i am not using an Eyptian pantheon. For the core race for the core rules, i added just their own diety, it is able to be twisted to fit other campaigns and pantheons of course. if i were to use a different pantheon from 'standard' D&D i would still keep Turina, their own diety. And i have no game running what so ever, neither playing or running. saddening for me really... oh well. starting college soon, might as well be ready for that. and i use 3.5 and i only have the core rule books, one two and three, that with a set of dice, cost over one hundred dollars for me, and no minitures or mat... sorry for ranting on about my life's story.