Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Teh_username 02-19-08, 06:24 PM	Okay, while reading through The Drow of the Underdark again the other day (yes, that would be the original AD&D version), it struck me that a lot of the fluff attatched to drow wizards is difficult to reconcile with their +2 LA. In AD&D, they were indeed "masters of their art" (lacking the usual demihuman level cap), while now they're essentially a spell level behind the rest of the party. A bit of musing later, and I have a barebones idea I'd like some help in refining. HOUSE WIZARD (Regional) Name is of course subject to change if a better one is presented. Remember: a Regional feat is roughly equivalent to a feat-and-a-half in strength, balanced out by the fact that a character can only have one, taken at first level. You are part of a longstanding tradition of drow spellcasters, and your magics are potent indeed - though a portion of your natural resistance to spells has been seared away. Prerequisites: Male drow, able to cast arcane spells (not spell-like abilities), can only be taken at-1st level. Nothing complicated so far. The restriction to male arcane spellcasters is lore-based, although the "fluff" of the rest of the feat builds on it. Benefits: Your Level Adjustment from being drow is reduced to +1. However, channeling such potent arcane forces has reduced your inborn resistance to magic (see Notes). Notes: Your Spell Resistance is only 5 + Character Level. This was based on the drow racial levels from the 3.5 version of Drow of the Underdark, where racial SR is the only thing gained for 4th-level (implying that it is worth +1 LA). Given that the "trade-off" is taking up a regional feat, however, I thought a straight trade-off would be too underpowered*. Normal: A drow's Spell Resistance is equal to 11 + Character Level, and their LA is +2. --------------------- Well, there's the basic concept for the feat. Comments, suggestions, and corrections will be appreciated. --------------------- *Other possibilities I had in mind would be changing the SR to 1d10 + Character Level (so it fluctuates unpredictably), or removing it entirely and granting some other benefit, such as a bonus to appropriate skill(s) or access to a few thematically-appropriate-but-low-power spells. I would appreciate ideas of other possible options, regardless of whether or not the current incarnation of the feat is under-/over-powered.
wonlee76 02-19-08, 08:31 PM	Okay, while reading through The Drow of the Underdark again the other day (yes, that would be the original AD&D version), it struck me that a lot of the fluff attatched to drow wizards is difficult to reconcile with their +2 LA. In AD&D, they were indeed "masters of their art" (lacking the usual demihuman level cap), while now they're essentially a spell level behind the rest of the party. A bit of musing later, and I have a barebones idea I'd like some help in refining. Generally, I considered most underdark races/monsters to be stronger than "normal" because its a much harsher environment to live in compared to the surface world. So the net result is Drow Wizards are more powerful than surface world counterparts because they live in a much more violent environment. Nasty predators, House wars with fellow drow, etc. = Lots of nice XP. Not saying your feat is bad but the fluff from 2nd edition could still be applied in 3rd edition while taking into account the +2 LA.
Teh_username 02-20-08, 09:20 PM	Generally, I considered most underdark races/monsters to be stronger than "normal" because its a much harsher environment to live in compared to the surface world. So the net result is Drow Wizards are more powerful than surface world counterparts because they live in a much more violent environment. Nasty predators, House wars with fellow drow, etc. = Lots of nice XP. I understand what you're saying, and I even understand the "in-character" rationale for LA (the racial advantages of creatures with LA lower the danger of risks faced, and less risk = less XP (http://www.seankreynolds.com/rpgfiles/misc/howeclsworkincharacter.html)). It's just an instance where "fluff" and "crunch" once again butt heads*, and I wanted to see if some kind of alternative would be possible. *What? Game mechanics getting in the way of established lore? In a Forgotten Realms book? Quelle surprise!
mplindustries 02-20-08, 09:57 PM	The back of the Player's Guide to Faerun give alternate +0 LA "Lesser Drow." Personally, I always use that version, sometimes with the expanded stats (+2 Int, -2 Str as well). I will never understand D&D's idea that living underground = spell resistance.