Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Ashen_Child 06-13-07, 09:46 AM	I was thinking of running a Lord of the Rings-inspired game, but i want to keep it as un-epic as possible (at least for the begining of the game). Most of what happens in the book (and to a lesser extent the movies) could be played out with a low-level group (Seriously, how high a level do you have to be to beat the snot out of orcs?), and i was hoping to keep it mostly to the shire for the first few levels. The problem is that leveling up is fun. My solution, however, needs a bit of work. I was thinking that i could include 'fractional levels'. That is, Every 20% of the way to the next level, the character gains an extra point towards point buy, and an additional hit point (up to the characters maximum for the next level up). So... At character creation they have the (non elite) default 10+/- racial mods in all abilities, and maximum hit points for a level one character. They therefore gradually gain ability points and hit points, with a relatively large boost every time they actually level. I'm thinking this would replace the bonus ability point given at level 4, and continue up until level 7 (where the effective 40 point buy would hopefully subsitute for the limited access to healing, and at which point leveling becomes chalenging since beating up on orcs becomes too easy). I'm also considering giving them feats at every full level. Sorry for the long rambling post, i appreciate any comments or suggestions
Arcade 06-13-07, 02:48 PM	I think orcs are probably too tough for these characters for a while, but perhaps that's what you want. An orc is normally CR 1 and you've weakened the characters, so a single orc is a serious challenge, and two of them would be a deadly encounter. If they don't hit them until level 3, you're probably fine. Beating the snot out of orcs is pretty easy. The problem is not getting the snot beat out of you when you're doing it. Also, you are making it so no one would start out as a primary spellcaster, since they wouldn't be able to cast their 1st level spells. Maybe you want to start everyone with 11's in their stats or a mix of 10's and 11's to distribute. On the other hand, a lot of people feel spellcasters are overpowered, so forcing them to multiclass this way might be worthwhile.
Hugin 06-13-07, 02:59 PM	You could split the levels in half. This is the concept that led to me blowing up the d20 system and piecing it back together. For example, at lower 1st level gain hps and at upper 1st level gain skill points. Or, just split hps and skills evenly using fractions/decimals if needed and treat it the same way you'd treat a .5 in a skill. The down side either way is that it will take some work - I've spent a good year developing my system.
trapspringer 06-13-07, 03:17 PM	As I understand it, the characters of Tolkien's books were pretty epic. But yea, you've pretty much gimped the hell outa' 'em. My concern would be, primarily, that your system is going to involve a lot of meta game book keeping (book keeping about your character's mechanical side). I would also wonder how enthusiastic your players are about this idea.
Ashen_Child 06-14-07, 02:07 AM	Thanks for the replies Yeah, one of the major reasons for splitting up the levels was to play a moderately combat-light campaign: Level 1 is going to be pretty much running around the Shire doing largely role-playish and skill-based quests, with quest xp equating to .2 of a level (to ease the hedaches). Level 2 will equate to the whole pre-rivendell experience in which (discrescion is the better part of valour) By level 3 the characters will only have effectively a 20 point buy, but they'll also have maximum hit points and the only magic items that they are likely to get. I was also thinking about feats: No feats at level 1 1 feat per additional level All numerical requirements for feats are halved Fighters get a feat every level, but miss out on heavy armor (since it won't exist in the campaign). While the characters will be relatively gimped for the first 2 levels, they should hopefully return to their appropriate power-level, and compensate for the lack of magic... (i hope)
Fireclave 06-14-07, 03:53 AM	Sounds overly complicated to me. If you want to keep the game lower powered for the first few levels, why not keep it simple and just give them all a more standard point buy (28? 32?) and dock xp for the first few adventurers. They'll spend more time early stanges of the campaign at a lower level. Or, you can just level them up when it's appropriate for the story You already seem to have the first few levels figured out. And if you're party's going to be hard-up for magic items, why not give them the Vow of Poverty feat, or some character appropriate equivalent, for free?
Ashen_Child 06-14-07, 04:26 AM	Yeah, it does seem to be getting a little more complicated then i initially thought. I think the main reason was that leveling is fun. I want the shire to be a happy fun leveling experience that doesn't make the character especially powerful. But thinking about it more, the biggest problem would just be how frustrating it would be to have to gain stat points one point at a time (even slower when you get into the high teens) and that it basically defeats the whole purpose. I'm thinking of changing it into a ability-distribution system instead: Basically, that means re-doing the system so that you get twice as many ability-buy points but only for the first two levels. When you reach level 3 you are therefore a 30 point buy, full hit point beast ready to take on the orcs; And you get the joy of leveling at least once or twice a session.
The_Ditto 06-14-07, 09:46 AM	Restrict them at level 1 to NPC classes ... :D :gah: ?What? :D
Rhialto 06-14-07, 01:50 PM	An alternative way to slow overall progress is, rather than reducing the rate of levelling, raise teh challenge of monsters. Instead of having 1 HD orcs, across the board double (or triple) the HD of all monsters. This would broadly speaking have the same effect.
trapspringer 06-15-07, 02:55 PM	So wait, you want them to be at-level by level three? So why gimp the hell out of them and make this big head-ache for yourself? Why not just have them behave as first level character, then second level character, then finally third level characters?
kenicolo 06-16-07, 05:59 PM	I suggest you split the gain as follow: BaB, Saves, Skills, Special. You raise one of these after the other at each quater lvl. and done!