A few questions [Archive] - Wizards Community

A few questions [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Khaasta
04-09-06, 02:07 PM Well a few questions real quick in regards to some player questions i had and could not answer.

1. What happens if you try to ressurect someone who has died of old age?

2. What would happen if say a half elf and half orc tried to reproduce so to speak.
Ore anny other combination of the usual character races?

3. If say one of my players a half-orc married and had kids with another haLF-orc. Would the children then be a quarter orc ore a pure bred half orc?

4. Could i get a eksplaination of presisely what the etheral and astral planes are?

Thank you in advance
katarl
04-09-06, 02:22 PM 1. It fails to work, since the soul cannot come back. If they did come back (hypothetically, RAW forbids it), they'd just die again, their body, even fully healed cannot sustain them.

2. interesting question- elves and orcs cannot mate, so they'd probably be human! or mongrelfolk. I prefer to believe they can't mate at all.

3. its not math, in this case 1/2 x 1/2 does not equal 1/4, it equals 1/2 again. A hundred generations of half-orcs could pass, and get no closer to their orc or human parents.

However, if orcyness or humanity is dominant or recessive in genetic nature, then it may well create 1/4 human/orcs.

4. the ethereal and shadow planes are reflections of the material, prime plane, while the outer planes are not linked to anything. What happens in the prime happens in the ethereal plane, albeit in a rather more hazy way. Places like Ysgard are totally unconnected to anything that happens in the prime (other than precipitate planar breach).
Witch
04-09-06, 02:24 PM 3. If say one of my players a half-orc married and had kids with another haLF-orc. Would the children then be a quarter orc ore a pure bred half orc?

Well
Let's assume gene O(rc) and gene H(uman).

We have 2 Half-Orcs.

That means:
Parents: OH - OH

Reproduction cells: O or H - O or H

Children: OH (50%) - H(25%) - O(25%)

Now, this is clearly a simplification. It will not be like this in truth. It will be combinations ranging all the way between them. But if you really need to find out which race according to RAW the descendants of these two would be, one out of four would be human, one out of four would be orc and two out of four would be half-orc.
Khaasta
04-09-06, 02:34 PM 4. Could i get a long answer in regards to what they look like what they are and what lives there?

2. Well If only humans can mate with elves and orcs. then that would mean they are close enough in relation to eacother genetically wich would mean that half orcs and half elves would be close enough to mate? or am i completely off.

Say a halfling fell in lvoe with a gnome would their only option be to adopt? how about a dwarf and an elf. (wich i can understand as the dwarves evolved independently).
Witch
04-09-06, 02:36 PM I think the combinations are possible, just not according to RAW.
Just create your own race to do it :)
RK)13
04-09-06, 03:53 PM Well, I would say that 1/2 traits breed true. So 2 1/2 elves have a 1/2 elf, and mixed breeds don't go below 1/2. If you wanted to go to quarter bloods or something like that (say 1/4 orc, 3/4 human) I would boil down the bonuses human get and dilute them a bit. Instead of 4 extra skill points at first level, they get 2. They get the bonus skill point at every other level as opposed to every level. They don't get the bonus feat. In recompense, the human may receive a point of strength, or some orc specific skill bonuses. As for cosmetics, I would make the child look basically human, except for a broader, sloped forehead and slightly elongated lower canine teeth.

as for 1/2 elf, 1/2 orc, I would make them heartier and stronger than your average elf, but les intelligent and charismatic (much like the 1/2 orc). Give +1 to STR and +1 DEX, but -1 INT, -1 CHA, and -1 CON. Dilute the skill bonuses of the elf, and make them look like lithe half orcs as opposed to stocky.

Basically, mix the two races, their bonuses and the like. there are no RAW for this, you have to use your imagination.
kelvinaw273
04-09-06, 05:36 PM As far as the half-orc + human question, the offspring would be 50% chance of half-orc, 50% chance of human. Half-elf and half-orc would probably result in a human (ish) or nothing.
Mitchell
04-10-06, 12:16 AM Well a few questions real quick in regards to some player questions i had and could not answer.

1. What happens if you try to ressurect someone who has died of old age?
Nothing. Old age is pretty much the final death.

2. What would happen if say a half elf and half orc tried to reproduce so to speak.
Ore anny other combination of the usual character races?
Any other combination depends. Old school rules were that a 1/2 elf or orc were anything that was 50% or more elf or orc, that wasn't 100% elf or orc. Under that system, they would have human babies. Strange looking babies, perhaps, but statistically human. Of course, 1/2 orcs were also sterile, so take that for what it's worth. :)

3. If say one of my players a half-orc married and had kids with another haLF-orc. Would the children then be a quarter orc ore a pure bred half orc?
1/2 orc+1/2 orc= 1/2 orc. 1/2 orc+human=human. 1/2 orc+orc=1/2 orc. Again, this is going by the old standard (which works fine for me).

4. Could i get a eksplaination of presisely what the etheral and astral planes are?
From the SRD:THE ETHEREAL PLANE

The Ethereal Plane is coexistent with the Material Plane and often other planes as well. The Material Plane itself is visible from the Ethereal Plane, but it appears muted and indistinct, its colors blurring into each other and its edges turning fuzzy.

While it is possible to see into the Material Plane from the Ethereal Plane, the Ethereal Plane is usually invisible to those on the Material Plane. Normally, creatures on the Ethereal Plane cannot attack creatures on the Material Plane, and vice versa. A traveler on the Ethereal Plane is invisible, incorporeal, and utterly silent to someone on the Material Plane.

The Ethereal Plane is mostly empty of structures and impediments. However, the plane has its own inhabitants. Some of these are other ethereal travelers, but the ghosts found here pose a particular peril to those who walk the fog.

It has the following traits.

• No gravity.

• Alterable morphic. The plane contains little to alter, however.

• Mildly neutral-aligned.

• Normal magic. Spells function normally on the Ethereal Plane, though they do not cross into the Material Plane.

The only exceptions are spells and spell-like abilities that have the force descriptor and abjuration spells that affect ethereal beings. Spellcasters on the Material Plane must have some way to detect foes on the Ethereal Plane before targeting them with force-based spells, of course. While it’s possible to hit ethereal enemies with a force spell cast on the Material Plane, the reverse isn’t possible. No magical attacks cross from the Ethereal Plane to the Material Plane, including force attacks.

Also from the SRD:THE ASTRAL PLANE

The Astral Plane is the space between the planes. When a character moves through an interplanar portal or projects her spirit to a different plane of existence, she travels through the Astral Plane. Even spells that allow instantaneous movement across a plane briefly touch the Astral Plane.

The Astral Plane is a great, endless sphere of clear silvery sky, both above and below. Occasional bits of solid matter can be found here, but most of the Astral Plane is an endless, open domain.

Both planar travelers and refugees from other planes call the Astral Plane home.

The Astral Plane has the following traits.

• Subjective directional gravity.

• Timeless. Age, hunger, thirst, poison, and natural healing don’t function in the Astral Plane, though they resume functioning when the traveler leaves the Astral Plane.

• Mildly neutral-aligned.

• Enhanced magic. All spells and spell-like abilities used within the Astral Plane may be employed as if they were improved by the Quicken Spell feat. Already quickened spells and spell-like abilities are unaffected, as are spells from magic items. Spells so quickened are still prepared and cast at their unmodified level. As with the Quicken Spell feat, only one quickened spell can be cast per round.

Thank you in advance

You're welcome.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Khaasta 04-09-06, 02:07 PM	Well a few questions real quick in regards to some player questions i had and could not answer. 1. What happens if you try to ressurect someone who has died of old age? 2. What would happen if say a half elf and half orc tried to reproduce so to speak. Ore anny other combination of the usual character races? 3. If say one of my players a half-orc married and had kids with another haLF-orc. Would the children then be a quarter orc ore a pure bred half orc? 4. Could i get a eksplaination of presisely what the etheral and astral planes are? Thank you in advance
katarl 04-09-06, 02:22 PM	1. It fails to work, since the soul cannot come back. If they did come back (hypothetically, RAW forbids it), they'd just die again, their body, even fully healed cannot sustain them. 2. interesting question- elves and orcs cannot mate, so they'd probably be human! or mongrelfolk. I prefer to believe they can't mate at all. 3. its not math, in this case 1/2 x 1/2 does not equal 1/4, it equals 1/2 again. A hundred generations of half-orcs could pass, and get no closer to their orc or human parents. However, if orcyness or humanity is dominant or recessive in genetic nature, then it may well create 1/4 human/orcs. 4. the ethereal and shadow planes are reflections of the material, prime plane, while the outer planes are not linked to anything. What happens in the prime happens in the ethereal plane, albeit in a rather more hazy way. Places like Ysgard are totally unconnected to anything that happens in the prime (other than precipitate planar breach).
Witch 04-09-06, 02:24 PM	3. If say one of my players a half-orc married and had kids with another haLF-orc. Would the children then be a quarter orc ore a pure bred half orc? Well Let's assume gene O(rc) and gene H(uman). We have 2 Half-Orcs. That means: Parents: OH - OH Reproduction cells: O or H - O or H Children: OH (50%) - H(25%) - O(25%) Now, this is clearly a simplification. It will not be like this in truth. It will be combinations ranging all the way between them. But if you really need to find out which race according to RAW the descendants of these two would be, one out of four would be human, one out of four would be orc and two out of four would be half-orc.
Khaasta 04-09-06, 02:34 PM	4. Could i get a long answer in regards to what they look like what they are and what lives there? 2. Well If only humans can mate with elves and orcs. then that would mean they are close enough in relation to eacother genetically wich would mean that half orcs and half elves would be close enough to mate? or am i completely off. Say a halfling fell in lvoe with a gnome would their only option be to adopt? how about a dwarf and an elf. (wich i can understand as the dwarves evolved independently).
Witch 04-09-06, 02:36 PM	I think the combinations are possible, just not according to RAW. Just create your own race to do it :)
RK)13 04-09-06, 03:53 PM	Well, I would say that 1/2 traits breed true. So 2 1/2 elves have a 1/2 elf, and mixed breeds don't go below 1/2. If you wanted to go to quarter bloods or something like that (say 1/4 orc, 3/4 human) I would boil down the bonuses human get and dilute them a bit. Instead of 4 extra skill points at first level, they get 2. They get the bonus skill point at every other level as opposed to every level. They don't get the bonus feat. In recompense, the human may receive a point of strength, or some orc specific skill bonuses. As for cosmetics, I would make the child look basically human, except for a broader, sloped forehead and slightly elongated lower canine teeth. as for 1/2 elf, 1/2 orc, I would make them heartier and stronger than your average elf, but les intelligent and charismatic (much like the 1/2 orc). Give +1 to STR and +1 DEX, but -1 INT, -1 CHA, and -1 CON. Dilute the skill bonuses of the elf, and make them look like lithe half orcs as opposed to stocky. Basically, mix the two races, their bonuses and the like. there are no RAW for this, you have to use your imagination.
kelvinaw273 04-09-06, 05:36 PM	As far as the half-orc + human question, the offspring would be 50% chance of half-orc, 50% chance of human. Half-elf and half-orc would probably result in a human (ish) or nothing.
Mitchell 04-10-06, 12:16 AM	Well a few questions real quick in regards to some player questions i had and could not answer. 1. What happens if you try to ressurect someone who has died of old age? Nothing. Old age is pretty much the final death. 2. What would happen if say a half elf and half orc tried to reproduce so to speak. Ore anny other combination of the usual character races? Any other combination depends. Old school rules were that a 1/2 elf or orc were anything that was 50% or more elf or orc, that wasn't 100% elf or orc. Under that system, they would have human babies. Strange looking babies, perhaps, but statistically human. Of course, 1/2 orcs were also sterile, so take that for what it's worth. :) 3. If say one of my players a half-orc married and had kids with another haLF-orc. Would the children then be a quarter orc ore a pure bred half orc? 1/2 orc+1/2 orc= 1/2 orc. 1/2 orc+human=human. 1/2 orc+orc=1/2 orc. Again, this is going by the old standard (which works fine for me). 4. Could i get a eksplaination of presisely what the etheral and astral planes are? From the SRD:THE ETHEREAL PLANE The Ethereal Plane is coexistent with the Material Plane and often other planes as well. The Material Plane itself is visible from the Ethereal Plane, but it appears muted and indistinct, its colors blurring into each other and its edges turning fuzzy. While it is possible to see into the Material Plane from the Ethereal Plane, the Ethereal Plane is usually invisible to those on the Material Plane. Normally, creatures on the Ethereal Plane cannot attack creatures on the Material Plane, and vice versa. A traveler on the Ethereal Plane is invisible, incorporeal, and utterly silent to someone on the Material Plane. The Ethereal Plane is mostly empty of structures and impediments. However, the plane has its own inhabitants. Some of these are other ethereal travelers, but the ghosts found here pose a particular peril to those who walk the fog. It has the following traits. • No gravity. • Alterable morphic. The plane contains little to alter, however. • Mildly neutral-aligned. • Normal magic. Spells function normally on the Ethereal Plane, though they do not cross into the Material Plane. The only exceptions are spells and spell-like abilities that have the force descriptor and abjuration spells that affect ethereal beings. Spellcasters on the Material Plane must have some way to detect foes on the Ethereal Plane before targeting them with force-based spells, of course. While it’s possible to hit ethereal enemies with a force spell cast on the Material Plane, the reverse isn’t possible. No magical attacks cross from the Ethereal Plane to the Material Plane, including force attacks. Also from the SRD:THE ASTRAL PLANE The Astral Plane is the space between the planes. When a character moves through an interplanar portal or projects her spirit to a different plane of existence, she travels through the Astral Plane. Even spells that allow instantaneous movement across a plane briefly touch the Astral Plane. The Astral Plane is a great, endless sphere of clear silvery sky, both above and below. Occasional bits of solid matter can be found here, but most of the Astral Plane is an endless, open domain. Both planar travelers and refugees from other planes call the Astral Plane home. The Astral Plane has the following traits. • Subjective directional gravity. • Timeless. Age, hunger, thirst, poison, and natural healing don’t function in the Astral Plane, though they resume functioning when the traveler leaves the Astral Plane. • Mildly neutral-aligned. • Enhanced magic. All spells and spell-like abilities used within the Astral Plane may be employed as if they were improved by the Quicken Spell feat. Already quickened spells and spell-like abilities are unaffected, as are spells from magic items. Spells so quickened are still prepared and cast at their unmodified level. As with the Quicken Spell feat, only one quickened spell can be cast per round. Thank you in advance You're welcome.