Generic Template [Archive] - Wizards Community

Generic Template [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Eldurin
06-13-05, 10:33 AM I was playing with an idea for a campaign, - just to outline everything in a very draft way - where each player creates 4 charactersheets with 4 characters, and then depending on the mission, they get to choose which character they take along. (This leaves the other characters time to train, craft, research and whatnot, playing a kind of away-team idea.)

Nevertheless I was struggling with thoughts for a generic template, particularly for the PC's first character, as a kind of 'first among equals'. A kind of generic PC is already adresses in UA, through bloodlines and paragon classes, but this still was not the feel of what I had in mind. I wanted to make a way for players to gain access to new options without making anyone a half-fiend/half-celestial/half-aberration/half-confused. And as a person's first character is always a representation of their alter-ego, I wanted to accomodate with the idea of a balanced yet stronger character.

So this is what I came up with. Please Comment.

LEGENDARY [Template]

Among the yellowing pages of history some people stand out, as somehow unique and called to greatness. It is uncertain as to whether they find greatness or whether greatness finds them, but it is clear that it is very seldom that they do not affect the course of history.

Arcane philosophers differ as to why these people are so distinct. Some speculate that a great need in the universe calls them into being, whilst others speculate that these souls have no destiny, and are therefore able to profoundly affect the stream of destiny through which they travel.

Legendary is a template that can be applied to any standard race, whether from the Players Handbook, from Campaign settings such as the Eberron Campaign Setting, or race and class specific material such as the Expanded Psionics Handbook or the various Races Of handbooks. The template is inappropriate to monstrous classes, creatures or other extraordinary characters. The Legendary template may not be used in conjunction with any other template.

The background to the template is the idea that extraordinary things in the world are achieved by ordinary mortals from everyday life, - people who are touched by a sense of significance: who learn slower but deeper. People who do the ordinary things extraordinarily well.

Prerequisites

None

Abilities

Character Creation: If working with a roll based system, a legendary character may re-roll one ability statistic, i.e. add one extra set of dice rolls from which to choose with character creation. If working with a point based system, the player has an extra two points to allocate with his or her reserve.

Ability Scores: The player may add two points to any one ability score. These points are of an undefined bonus, and are allocated as though the player levelled. The player may not allocate any points to exceed an 18 on any score for level 1. Both must be applied to the same score.

Skills and Feats: A legendary character is automatically entitled to exalted feats, in campaigns that use the Book of Exalted Deeds, (or conversely vile feats?) A legendary character gains one extra skill point per level.

A legendary character gains one extra feat at 1st level, and an extra feat for every four levels thereafter, i.e. 4,8,12,16 and 20.

Level Adjustment: +1
Paul Hopebringer
06-14-05, 07:02 PM What? That is a lot of feats for only one level... I'd use it on EVERY character I would ever make if it was allowed... I like feats... :D

It seems like a great idea to me, but...*cough two levels at least cough*

Also, maybe a general +1 to all saves, and +1 to hp per level might help out, to help the jump to a higher level adjustment. I'd still take it, but, it would seem more balanced out... so I would feel much less guilty about it.

I really like it, I think it is a great idea!
Eldurin
06-15-05, 07:18 AM It is easy to judge between a +0 and +1 LA. Between +1 and +2 there is a great difference. Check templates such as Phrenic or the LA for Drow or Githzerai. I agree +2 is probably better. Maybe one can add something like an extra HP per level to balance it out.

These days there are 10000000000001 feats out there and 7 for 20 levels are pitifully few. A generic template might help a lot.

Okay, and I know I am moving into great blasphemy here, but GAME BALANCE IS NOT EVERYTHING. Particularly if one plays with the idea of playing various characters, with one being a more powerful character, a stronger character can actually aid role playing.

The idea with the template is to restrict it. We all have cool character ideas - and everyone has an alter-ego - a character that they always want to play or prefer. By adding a template one can power him or her up intentionally (with a nice penalty) without having to resort, as some do, to a 30 point build system, or throwing 8d6 12 times choosing the best 6 3d6. -> I hate flagrant and meaningless powergaming.

By splitting a legendary char from other PC's, players can be forced to roleplay other characters outside of their normal scope, plan for teamwork, and to not take it too seriously if they die.

I suppose if you wanted to you could make other types of generic templates, i.e. a natural arcanist, a natural warrior, or a natural whatever template with more specific adjustments. I actually found it strange that UA did not have generic templates. They seem so natural to me. (And the XP penalties become significant, particularly if you play with charcters without LA - particularly as one goes up to higher levels.)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Eldurin 06-13-05, 10:33 AM	I was playing with an idea for a campaign, - just to outline everything in a very draft way - where each player creates 4 charactersheets with 4 characters, and then depending on the mission, they get to choose which character they take along. (This leaves the other characters time to train, craft, research and whatnot, playing a kind of away-team idea.) Nevertheless I was struggling with thoughts for a generic template, particularly for the PC's first character, as a kind of 'first among equals'. A kind of generic PC is already adresses in UA, through bloodlines and paragon classes, but this still was not the feel of what I had in mind. I wanted to make a way for players to gain access to new options without making anyone a half-fiend/half-celestial/half-aberration/half-confused. And as a person's first character is always a representation of their alter-ego, I wanted to accomodate with the idea of a balanced yet stronger character. So this is what I came up with. Please Comment. LEGENDARY [Template] Among the yellowing pages of history some people stand out, as somehow unique and called to greatness. It is uncertain as to whether they find greatness or whether greatness finds them, but it is clear that it is very seldom that they do not affect the course of history. Arcane philosophers differ as to why these people are so distinct. Some speculate that a great need in the universe calls them into being, whilst others speculate that these souls have no destiny, and are therefore able to profoundly affect the stream of destiny through which they travel. Legendary is a template that can be applied to any standard race, whether from the Players Handbook, from Campaign settings such as the Eberron Campaign Setting, or race and class specific material such as the Expanded Psionics Handbook or the various Races Of handbooks. The template is inappropriate to monstrous classes, creatures or other extraordinary characters. The Legendary template may not be used in conjunction with any other template. The background to the template is the idea that extraordinary things in the world are achieved by ordinary mortals from everyday life, - people who are touched by a sense of significance: who learn slower but deeper. People who do the ordinary things extraordinarily well. Prerequisites None Abilities Character Creation: If working with a roll based system, a legendary character may re-roll one ability statistic, i.e. add one extra set of dice rolls from which to choose with character creation. If working with a point based system, the player has an extra two points to allocate with his or her reserve. Ability Scores: The player may add two points to any one ability score. These points are of an undefined bonus, and are allocated as though the player levelled. The player may not allocate any points to exceed an 18 on any score for level 1. Both must be applied to the same score. Skills and Feats: A legendary character is automatically entitled to exalted feats, in campaigns that use the Book of Exalted Deeds, (or conversely vile feats?) A legendary character gains one extra skill point per level. A legendary character gains one extra feat at 1st level, and an extra feat for every four levels thereafter, i.e. 4,8,12,16 and 20. Level Adjustment: +1
Paul Hopebringer 06-14-05, 07:02 PM	What? That is a lot of feats for only one level... I'd use it on EVERY character I would ever make if it was allowed... I like feats... :D It seems like a great idea to me, but...cough two levels at least cough Also, maybe a general +1 to all saves, and +1 to hp per level might help out, to help the jump to a higher level adjustment. I'd still take it, but, it would seem more balanced out... so I would feel much less guilty about it. I really like it, I think it is a great idea!
Eldurin 06-15-05, 07:18 AM	It is easy to judge between a +0 and +1 LA. Between +1 and +2 there is a great difference. Check templates such as Phrenic or the LA for Drow or Githzerai. I agree +2 is probably better. Maybe one can add something like an extra HP per level to balance it out. These days there are 10000000000001 feats out there and 7 for 20 levels are pitifully few. A generic template might help a lot. Okay, and I know I am moving into great blasphemy here, but GAME BALANCE IS NOT EVERYTHING. Particularly if one plays with the idea of playing various characters, with one being a more powerful character, a stronger character can actually aid role playing. The idea with the template is to restrict it. We all have cool character ideas - and everyone has an alter-ego - a character that they always want to play or prefer. By adding a template one can power him or her up intentionally (with a nice penalty) without having to resort, as some do, to a 30 point build system, or throwing 8d6 12 times choosing the best 6 3d6. -> I hate flagrant and meaningless powergaming. By splitting a legendary char from other PC's, players can be forced to roleplay other characters outside of their normal scope, plan for teamwork, and to not take it too seriously if they die. I suppose if you wanted to you could make other types of generic templates, i.e. a natural arcanist, a natural warrior, or a natural whatever template with more specific adjustments. I actually found it strange that UA did not have generic templates. They seem so natural to me. (And the XP penalties become significant, particularly if you play with charcters without LA - particularly as one goes up to higher levels.)