Tiny Race, Home Brewed, PEACH them please! [Archive] - Wizards Community

Tiny Race, Home Brewed, PEACH them please! [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Threefists
08-16-07, 10:11 AM (Name to be thought out)
Commonly called 'Borrowers', 'Ratlings' and 'Pelor-blasted Thieving !@#$ers!' (The idea was taken from a old, old cartoon I used to watch as a child, I think it was called the borrowers, involving 2 'teenagers' of this Tiny race that lived in the walls with their kind and used items that Humans discarded to build their homes and make all kinds of wacky inventions)

Racial Traits:
-4 Str, -2 Con, +2 Dex, +2 Wis.
Tiny: as a Tiny Creature, the (****) gains a +2 size bonus on attack rolls, +2 size bonus to AC, and a +8 bonus on hide checks, but must use Tiny Weapons and has a lifting and carrying limit 1/2 that of a Medium character.
Speed: Base Land Speed of 15 feet.
Low-Light Vision: A (****) can see twice as far as a Human in starlight, moonlight, torchlight and similar conditions of poor illumination. They retain the ability to distinguish colour and detail under these conditions.
Racial Skill: (****) gain a +2 racial bonus on all craft checks involving scrap or pre-used items, such as reforging a broken sword or putting a broken chair back together. (****) are adept at re-using items other races would consider not worth fixing.
Racial Bonus: (****) gain a +2 racial bonus on Escape Artist checks. As (****) often live in the walls or other cramped, hidden places in the cities of the 'Big Folk', they are adept at squeezing through narrow openings and cramped rat-tunnels.
Speak to Animals: A (****) may speak to any Animal, and only Animals, of Small size or smaller for 1 minute, with the exceptions of Rats, which are universally hated by (****) as the servants of the hated Were-Rats, although (****) have no problem communicating with Mice. A (****) with a Charisma score of 10 or higher gains the ability to Speak to Animals 1 extra time per day per point of Charisma Bonus.
Automatic Languages: Any.

Personality: (****) are a quiet race, hardly noticed by the 'Big Folk' whom they live with. They are highly curious, however, and are often found watching busy market-places from small 'windows' cut into the walls of old stone buildings in which they live, eagerly watching the bustle of the Big Folk, or in the case of particularly bold members of this race, darting beneath the trampling boots of the Big Folk or hitching a lift on a unsuspecting Human or Dwarf to see the world from the eyes of a 'Giant'. (****) Clans are largely seditary, seldom moving from their warrens unless the Big Folk actively hunt them or some other calamity threatens the Clan. Goods are shared equally between all, and the (****) often do not understand that what they consider a temporary borrowing of a item, be it a simple wooden spoon or the vice-reagent's signet ring, can cause a tremendous uproar amongst the Big Folk. Mice, Doves and in the case of more militant Clans of (****), Cats are used as Humans would use canines and livestock.

Physical Description: (****) stand just under a foot tall, weighing no more that 5 to 8 pounds, with skin ranging from coffee-brown to milk white, with large, furled ears and untidy manes of hair in all manner of shades, some even bearing stripes or mottled colouration. Their eyes are large and often yellow or green in colour with cat-like pupils, and they have tails half as long as they are tall, ending in a small tuft of hair the same colour as their hair. Few (****) are able to grow beards. Most dress in clothing made from scraps discarded by the Big Folk, simple, sturdy garments well suited to a life in the walls of buildings. (****) reach maturity at the age of 12 and can live to nearly 80 years old.

Relations: (****) get along well with most folk, that is when they are discovered and do not simply move the Warren to a new, secluded area. Fey such as Brownies adore the (****), whom possess a simple and uncomplicated outlook on life, although Dwarves whom know of their tiny neighbours look on the pilfering habits of the (****) with a tired sort of irritation, knowing full well the items in question will be returned in a short time and often simply make do with other tools. Halflings and Gnomes ironicly treat the (****) in much the same way that Humans and Half-Orcs treat them, as though their diminutive size was a hindrance, although members of such races whom have had extensive contact with larger races themselves often do not share such a outlook, and few Elves spend enough time in the cities of Humans and Dwarves to realise the existence of the shy and secretive race. Curiously, Half-Orcs and Mongrelfolk are perhaps the greatest champions of the (****), for the (****) treat these races no differently than any other race, and many a Half-Orc whom has befriended a Warren finds herself treated with great kindness and affection, nearly adopted into the Clan as it were.

Alignment: Commonly Neutral Good. (****) need to borrow the items and scraps of the Big Folk to build their homes, clothe themselves and defend their Clans from the depredations of wild animals such as stray dogs and cats and the Were-rats and their vermin swarms. Despite their pilfering, items are generally returned once their use has ended, normally within a few days or weeks.

Lands: (****) have no lands of their own, although in certain cities Warrens of several Clans might join together into a single massive sprawl. It is the rare (****) that is found away from a Town of at least small size.

Religion: (****) do not have Gods of their own, although some Clans have taken to the worship of deities like Urbanus and Pelor. Instead, they are often led by Urban Druids or Spirit Shamans.

Language: (****) most often speak Common, as it is the tongue that most Races speak.

Names: (****) name their children after the local customs of the area in which they live. A (****) born into a Human city will have a Human name, while a (****) that lives in a Gnomish or Dwarven enclave will often have a name derived from the language of that race.

Adventurers: Particularly bold or adventursome (****) are encouraged to go 'On the Long Walk', often after a particularly close call with a Big Folk. Such (****) are thus free to explore the outside world, and are less likely to bring calamity down on the heads of their Clans, although they are welcome to return at any time, so long as it is not with a angry horde of Big Folk on their tails, so to speak. Adventuring Groups often encounter such 'exiles' by chance when they go to pull out a scroll or other item and find a startled (****) clinging to the other end.

Favoured Class: Rogue
Lawlicron
08-16-07, 10:25 AM I like their flavor and I think the mechanics match up pretty well. But I think they might have to live with LA+1. Their unbalanced ability scores make them incredible casters because of their small size. They would make indomitable druids with the ability to ride their medium sized flying mounts.

If you want to balance them out a little more for LA+0 you could remove their Charisma bonus (by the flavor they don't seem like they would have a bonus or a negative to charisma) or increase the strength penalty (I can't imagine something under a foot tall having a strength of 10).
Holy_Beholder
08-16-07, 11:02 AM The language is common, not human. You also might have to deal with LA +1, they make nice casters. They still have full constitution, they get a mental trait bonus, and they get a bonus from dexterity and size to AC.
queenfange
08-17-07, 09:21 AM I think remove the Cha bonus and they'd be +0 LA. They look like fun. :)
Threefists
08-23-07, 10:59 AM Post adjusted. Playtested the 'Quarterling' (haha) as a Fighter, using a Cat as a mount and reach weapons such as the Lance, and it works out fine...not as much DPS as a Medium or Small PC, but the size bonus and the fact that the Blackguard in question was laughing so hard he didn't notice the +1 Wounding Lance made from a Needle aimed right at his *******.
Let's just say it was a most leg-crossing-worthy critical that made every guy at the game wince.
reaper5081
08-23-07, 11:05 AM you forgot the +2 to armor class.
RobbyPants
08-23-07, 11:24 AM Their unbalanced ability scores make them incredible casters because of their small size. They would make indomitable druids with the ability to ride their medium sized flying mounts.
As written, that's exactly what I would do if I were allowed to play this race.

Levels 1-4 your land speed could be compensated for by your animial companion. Level 5 and beyond, you now have your choice of the best of both worlds of being tiny or wildshaped into a formidible melee form.

It's tough to balance anything outside of the standard small or medium size categories.
Majick
08-23-07, 11:40 AM I have always toyed with the idea of a race like this but never actually sat down to do anything about it. I like their back story and fluff, as well as their mechanics. Not sure about the favoured class though. I mean i know it kinda fits with the way they must be very knowledgable about lot's of stuff and be sneaky, but would something like perhaps scout or ranger work better? Maybe druid? I realise favoured class Rogue is very much for fluff, just... i dunno, scout or ranger just feels like it has more of an affinity for animals, ya know?
gullas
08-23-07, 06:10 PM kind of reminds me of the smurfs:)

pretty nice race though....
reaper5081
08-23-07, 06:21 PM kind of reminds me of the smurfs:)

pretty nice race though....

They obviously aren't BLUE!
gullas
08-24-07, 04:30 AM well you could always have them blue:rolleyes: with white hats and trousers;)
reaper5081
08-24-07, 09:59 AM Point
queenfange
08-24-07, 10:04 AM Post adjusted. Playtested the 'Quarterling' (haha) as a Fighter, using a Cat as a mount and reach weapons such as the Lance, and it works out fine...not as much DPS as a Medium or Small PC, but the size bonus and the fact that the Blackguard in question was laughing so hard he didn't notice the +1 Wounding Lance made from a Needle aimed right at his *******.
Let's just say it was a most leg-crossing-worthy critical that made every guy at the game wince.

Cats are tiny too. I thought mounts were supposed to be one size category larger? How about a lynx or a doggie or something instead? By the way, amusing playtesting scenario.
HobbitGuy1420
08-24-07, 02:12 PM Perhaps there could be a racial effect (similar to Raptorans being required to have the Air domain, for example) that reduces the size category-ratings of all shapechanging powers by 1 for these Inchlings. for example, where a Druid could usually Wild Shape into a medium creature, an Inchling (or whatever) would only be able to WS into a Small creature. so on, and so forth.

Oh, and tell me they have wild (CN/CG) cousins who tend to tattoo themselves blue, steal anything that's not nailed down, and give big folk a "boot ta the haid" whenever their Kelda can't keep them from doing so. :-P (Terry Pratchett reference, there, for those who are unfamiliar)
Threefists
08-25-07, 02:01 AM It was a Small Sized Cat....don't ask, DM is a cat-freak and Cats are Small Size, not Tiny Size, in his game...

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Threefists 08-16-07, 10:11 AM	(Name to be thought out) Commonly called 'Borrowers', 'Ratlings' and 'Pelor-blasted Thieving !@#$ers!' (The idea was taken from a old, old cartoon I used to watch as a child, I think it was called the borrowers, involving 2 'teenagers' of this Tiny race that lived in the walls with their kind and used items that Humans discarded to build their homes and make all kinds of wacky inventions) Racial Traits: -4 Str, -2 Con, +2 Dex, +2 Wis. Tiny: as a Tiny Creature, the (**) gains a +2 size bonus on attack rolls, +2 size bonus to AC, and a +8 bonus on hide checks, but must use Tiny Weapons and has a lifting and carrying limit 1/2 that of a Medium character. Speed: Base Land Speed of 15 feet. Low-Light Vision: A () can see twice as far as a Human in starlight, moonlight, torchlight and similar conditions of poor illumination. They retain the ability to distinguish colour and detail under these conditions. Racial Skill: () gain a +2 racial bonus on all craft checks involving scrap or pre-used items, such as reforging a broken sword or putting a broken chair back together. () are adept at re-using items other races would consider not worth fixing. Racial Bonus: () gain a +2 racial bonus on Escape Artist checks. As () often live in the walls or other cramped, hidden places in the cities of the 'Big Folk', they are adept at squeezing through narrow openings and cramped rat-tunnels. Speak to Animals: A () may speak to any Animal, and only Animals, of Small size or smaller for 1 minute, with the exceptions of Rats, which are universally hated by () as the servants of the hated Were-Rats, although () have no problem communicating with Mice. A () with a Charisma score of 10 or higher gains the ability to Speak to Animals 1 extra time per day per point of Charisma Bonus. Automatic Languages: Any. Personality: () are a quiet race, hardly noticed by the 'Big Folk' whom they live with. They are highly curious, however, and are often found watching busy market-places from small 'windows' cut into the walls of old stone buildings in which they live, eagerly watching the bustle of the Big Folk, or in the case of particularly bold members of this race, darting beneath the trampling boots of the Big Folk or hitching a lift on a unsuspecting Human or Dwarf to see the world from the eyes of a 'Giant'. () Clans are largely seditary, seldom moving from their warrens unless the Big Folk actively hunt them or some other calamity threatens the Clan. Goods are shared equally between all, and the () often do not understand that what they consider a temporary borrowing of a item, be it a simple wooden spoon or the vice-reagent's signet ring, can cause a tremendous uproar amongst the Big Folk. Mice, Doves and in the case of more militant Clans of (), Cats are used as Humans would use canines and livestock. Physical Description: () stand just under a foot tall, weighing no more that 5 to 8 pounds, with skin ranging from coffee-brown to milk white, with large, furled ears and untidy manes of hair in all manner of shades, some even bearing stripes or mottled colouration. Their eyes are large and often yellow or green in colour with cat-like pupils, and they have tails half as long as they are tall, ending in a small tuft of hair the same colour as their hair. Few () are able to grow beards. Most dress in clothing made from scraps discarded by the Big Folk, simple, sturdy garments well suited to a life in the walls of buildings. () reach maturity at the age of 12 and can live to nearly 80 years old. Relations: () get along well with most folk, that is when they are discovered and do not simply move the Warren to a new, secluded area. Fey such as Brownies adore the (), whom possess a simple and uncomplicated outlook on life, although Dwarves whom know of their tiny neighbours look on the pilfering habits of the () with a tired sort of irritation, knowing full well the items in question will be returned in a short time and often simply make do with other tools. Halflings and Gnomes ironicly treat the () in much the same way that Humans and Half-Orcs treat them, as though their diminutive size was a hindrance, although members of such races whom have had extensive contact with larger races themselves often do not share such a outlook, and few Elves spend enough time in the cities of Humans and Dwarves to realise the existence of the shy and secretive race. Curiously, Half-Orcs and Mongrelfolk are perhaps the greatest champions of the (), for the () treat these races no differently than any other race, and many a Half-Orc whom has befriended a Warren finds herself treated with great kindness and affection, nearly adopted into the Clan as it were. Alignment: Commonly Neutral Good. () need to borrow the items and scraps of the Big Folk to build their homes, clothe themselves and defend their Clans from the depredations of wild animals such as stray dogs and cats and the Were-rats and their vermin swarms. Despite their pilfering, items are generally returned once their use has ended, normally within a few days or weeks. Lands: () have no lands of their own, although in certain cities Warrens of several Clans might join together into a single massive sprawl. It is the rare () that is found away from a Town of at least small size. Religion: () do not have Gods of their own, although some Clans have taken to the worship of deities like Urbanus and Pelor. Instead, they are often led by Urban Druids or Spirit Shamans. Language: () most often speak Common, as it is the tongue that most Races speak. Names: () name their children after the local customs of the area in which they live. A () born into a Human city will have a Human name, while a () that lives in a Gnomish or Dwarven enclave will often have a name derived from the language of that race. Adventurers: Particularly bold or adventursome () are encouraged to go 'On the Long Walk', often after a particularly close call with a Big Folk. Such () are thus free to explore the outside world, and are less likely to bring calamity down on the heads of their Clans, although they are welcome to return at any time, so long as it is not with a angry horde of Big Folk on their tails, so to speak. Adventuring Groups often encounter such 'exiles' by chance when they go to pull out a scroll or other item and find a startled (**) clinging to the other end. Favoured Class: Rogue
Lawlicron 08-16-07, 10:25 AM	I like their flavor and I think the mechanics match up pretty well. But I think they might have to live with LA+1. Their unbalanced ability scores make them incredible casters because of their small size. They would make indomitable druids with the ability to ride their medium sized flying mounts. If you want to balance them out a little more for LA+0 you could remove their Charisma bonus (by the flavor they don't seem like they would have a bonus or a negative to charisma) or increase the strength penalty (I can't imagine something under a foot tall having a strength of 10).
Holy_Beholder 08-16-07, 11:02 AM	The language is common, not human. You also might have to deal with LA +1, they make nice casters. They still have full constitution, they get a mental trait bonus, and they get a bonus from dexterity and size to AC.
queenfange 08-17-07, 09:21 AM	I think remove the Cha bonus and they'd be +0 LA. They look like fun. :)
Threefists 08-23-07, 10:59 AM	Post adjusted. Playtested the 'Quarterling' (haha) as a Fighter, using a Cat as a mount and reach weapons such as the Lance, and it works out fine...not as much DPS as a Medium or Small PC, but the size bonus and the fact that the Blackguard in question was laughing so hard he didn't notice the +1 Wounding Lance made from a Needle aimed right at his *******. Let's just say it was a most leg-crossing-worthy critical that made every guy at the game wince.
reaper5081 08-23-07, 11:05 AM	you forgot the +2 to armor class.
RobbyPants 08-23-07, 11:24 AM	Their unbalanced ability scores make them incredible casters because of their small size. They would make indomitable druids with the ability to ride their medium sized flying mounts. As written, that's exactly what I would do if I were allowed to play this race. Levels 1-4 your land speed could be compensated for by your animial companion. Level 5 and beyond, you now have your choice of the best of both worlds of being tiny or wildshaped into a formidible melee form. It's tough to balance anything outside of the standard small or medium size categories.
Majick 08-23-07, 11:40 AM	I have always toyed with the idea of a race like this but never actually sat down to do anything about it. I like their back story and fluff, as well as their mechanics. Not sure about the favoured class though. I mean i know it kinda fits with the way they must be very knowledgable about lot's of stuff and be sneaky, but would something like perhaps scout or ranger work better? Maybe druid? I realise favoured class Rogue is very much for fluff, just... i dunno, scout or ranger just feels like it has more of an affinity for animals, ya know?
gullas 08-23-07, 06:10 PM	kind of reminds me of the smurfs:) pretty nice race though....
reaper5081 08-23-07, 06:21 PM	kind of reminds me of the smurfs:) pretty nice race though.... They obviously aren't BLUE!
gullas 08-24-07, 04:30 AM	well you could always have them blue:rolleyes: with white hats and trousers;)
reaper5081 08-24-07, 09:59 AM	Point
queenfange 08-24-07, 10:04 AM	Post adjusted. Playtested the 'Quarterling' (haha) as a Fighter, using a Cat as a mount and reach weapons such as the Lance, and it works out fine...not as much DPS as a Medium or Small PC, but the size bonus and the fact that the Blackguard in question was laughing so hard he didn't notice the +1 Wounding Lance made from a Needle aimed right at his *******. Let's just say it was a most leg-crossing-worthy critical that made every guy at the game wince. Cats are tiny too. I thought mounts were supposed to be one size category larger? How about a lynx or a doggie or something instead? By the way, amusing playtesting scenario.
HobbitGuy1420 08-24-07, 02:12 PM	Perhaps there could be a racial effect (similar to Raptorans being required to have the Air domain, for example) that reduces the size category-ratings of all shapechanging powers by 1 for these Inchlings. for example, where a Druid could usually Wild Shape into a medium creature, an Inchling (or whatever) would only be able to WS into a Small creature. so on, and so forth. Oh, and tell me they have wild (CN/CG) cousins who tend to tattoo themselves blue, steal anything that's not nailed down, and give big folk a "boot ta the haid" whenever their Kelda can't keep them from doing so. :-P (Terry Pratchett reference, there, for those who are unfamiliar)
Threefists 08-25-07, 02:01 AM	It was a Small Sized Cat....don't ask, DM is a cat-freak and Cats are Small Size, not Tiny Size, in his game...