Avalability of PrCs in your Campaigns [Archive] - Wizards Community

Avalability of PrCs in your Campaigns [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Illion the Red
09-02-05, 03:42 PM In my campaign (at least the current one), PrCs are not available without some in-game, roleplaying aspect to gain them. If a character wants to take a level of Enlightened Fist, he needs to either find someone who already has the PrC out in the world, or make his way to a specialized monastery where he can be taught the secrets of the "class." This, in my current world at least, is because PrCs are a rare ocurrence.

How do you handle PrCs in your own campaigns? Are players allowed to take them as long as they meet the prereqs or do they have to do something more than "hit the numbers" to take the PrC?
Fixxxer
09-02-05, 03:48 PM Some PrCs obviously require teaching or entry into an organization, such as the assassin. Others don't represent what you can be taught so much as a mastery of the skills you are already good at, such as the archmage. If the PrC requires an outside teacher, the PC must find one to begin taking levels. otherwise, he's free to begin taking levels as he wishes. Naturally, this is completely dependent upon whether or not a specific PrC is allowed in my game in the first place.
LCD2YOU
09-02-05, 03:54 PM PrCs are done on a case by case basis.

The area must be one that you would find the PrC the player wants. What that means is they aren't going to become an Arch Mage in the middle of a mountain dale with no books to study. Likewise, they won't become a Horizon Walker staying in the cities.

Also, the player must RP into such a role. They know what the PrC is. They know how what the pre-reqs are. That means they have a good idea the mindset behind the PrC.

Still, there are some I will not allow without some modifications, if at all.
Illion the Red
09-02-05, 03:56 PM Well, I'm starting to feel a bit better about being "so restrictive." :)
JFargo
09-02-05, 03:57 PM Usually I'd just like them to at least have an RP reason beyond "I think it'd be really cool." If it's something that specifically states you have to find a group of whatever they are, I make that a possibility.

But basically? I allow any PrC with previous permission given. They just have to tell me they want to take that path.
Nyarlathotep
09-02-05, 03:58 PM My campaign is a mix. It seems to me that some PrCs are an outgrowth of a character's own studies and/or natural talents coming to the fore (i.e. the Dragon Disciple class) others are the results of specliaized study or training but training that the PCs could accomplish on their own (i.e the Alienist prestige class) and still others mark the PC as a member of a defined group with formal induction and the whole works (i.e the Arcane Hierophant prestige class). So I have asked my players to try to give me a heads up as to what prestige classes, if any, they are pursuing so I can decide on a case by case basis what they need to do to join up. My players have had no problem with doing this so far.

It has also had the added benefit of giving me some organizations to pepper my homebrew world with, for example, one of my players plays a druid/wizard who is aiming for the Arcane Hierophant prestige class and asa response I have put an Arcane Hierophant druid circle into the lands surrounding the character's home base. They havebecome an integral part of the campaign for everyone, not just him, so its a bonus.

As for exactly which classes I allow, I followed a very simple procedure. I sat down with every book I own (and had players lend me copies of ones they might want to use but that I didn't personally own) and made a list of every class that I felt fit my campaign world. I gave them a copy of the list and told them that those were their choices. I'll update the list as new books enter our groups gaming library.
Lord Schpungus
09-02-05, 03:58 PM PrCs are awesome. I love them. What happens in my game, is if a player lets me know that he wants a specific PrC, I'll let the world 'happen' so that he gets the opportunity to join the organization just a tiny tad earlier than when he'd qualify. I want my players to multiclass and PrC, so I conspire the circumstances to let them.
mike_beavers
09-02-05, 05:52 PM What I did was to read through the various PCRs and decided on whether or not they fit my campaign motif. I created the list of PCRs that I would allow and gave that list to my players to work from. I think that with just the WOC PCRs there are about 300 possiblities. I limited it to about 40-50 and not all are available everywhere.

I do the same type of things for feats. The ones in the PHB are fine, if you want to learn something from one of the others, you need to find a mentor, teacher etc before you can get this. This can lead to adventures dealing with finding a teacher for a particular feat
Serielle
09-02-05, 06:09 PM Obviously I don't let prcs in that don't fit in my campaign, but otherwise I'm fairly lenient. I typically nix the organization requirements on the Prcs that mechanically don't have anything tying them to an organization, like the wayfarer. It's not all that unreasonable to assume that someone could have developed those skillls through their own. Others like Mage of the Arcane Order have some mechanical tie to an organization, so those I keep.

I don't really care for the fluff that comes with prcs, I tend to view them strictly as sets of ability and view those abilities in relation to all other classes or prestige classes the character has. You do have to roleplay your character, however, and whatever prcs you take have to fit in with your character concept. Thus while you might not be a ninja even if you have levels in ninja, you do have to roleplay your character as being less hardy but more agile than a regular fighter or whatever other justification you have for picking that prc.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that you have to have some roleplay justification for taking prestige classes, but you're entierly free to completly ignore the fluff that comes with them and make up your own.
UltimateReality
09-02-05, 06:14 PM How do you handle PrCs in your own campaigns?
I'd like to be able to say that I just let my players choose whatever they want, but I get this strange, self-righteous feeling of entitlement from them sometimes. I'm not entirely happy with the solution I had to come up with for my group, and it doesn't necessarily work for all PrCs, but here's what I've got for my homebrew campaign right now...

Note that the campaign handout does not include any prestige classes. This is because prestige classes are prestigious, and unique. Without exception, each one is tied to an organization or an NPC. You must meet this roleplay prerequisite as well as any mechanical prerequisites stated in the prestige class’s text. Unless stated otherwise, assume that the default flavour of a printed prestige class applies. If you wish to design your own prestige class, or change the flavour of an existing one, please talk to me and work something out. Not all prestige classes are appropriate for this campaign setting, and not all prestige classes will be allowed. Let me know what your desired prestige class is early on so that I can work it into the campaign; otherwise you may have to wait later than you wanted to take the first level of your desired prestige class.

Just the assumption that they're going to get whatever PrC they want really kinda bugs me (even though I okay nearly everything). Also, when I ask what/who your character is, I'm looking for an answer that's more than "A PrC X". If I can keep them from taking their PrCs for granted, and help them develop some flavour around it, then I feel I've successfully exposed them to a wider variety of game experience. (If they still don't like it after that, well, anyone else is more than welcome to take a shot at the rotating DM's chair. Sounds a bit callous, maybe, but we are the type of friends who have multiple campaigns going at once, so no hard feelings there.)
allenchan
09-02-05, 06:18 PM Personally, I dislike the term "prestige" since most "prestige" classes are merely Specialization classes. That said, only PrC's that have organizations attatched to them or rp-requirements to gain need to be met. I have no problem with one of my PC's whose always trained in two weapons to get increasingly better (Dervish PrC) without joining some elitist snot-nosed group.
UltimateReality
09-02-05, 06:53 PM I have no problem with one of my PC's whose always trained in two weapons to get increasingly better (Dervish PrC) without joining some elitist snot-nosed group.
Hey now, don't know if this stems from my post or not, but IMC they are not elitist snot-nosed groups. (Well, unless it fits the flavour I suppose...which it hasn't, so far.) There's more to the game than killing things and taking their stuff. I like to emphasize that other stuff -- otherwise, why not just go play Halo or NWN?
Board_Rider
09-02-05, 08:35 PM I pretty much allow everything. It never really matters because usually my players take mainstream PrCs that are not all that bad.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Illion the Red 09-02-05, 03:42 PM	In my campaign (at least the current one), PrCs are not available without some in-game, roleplaying aspect to gain them. If a character wants to take a level of Enlightened Fist, he needs to either find someone who already has the PrC out in the world, or make his way to a specialized monastery where he can be taught the secrets of the "class." This, in my current world at least, is because PrCs are a rare ocurrence. How do you handle PrCs in your own campaigns? Are players allowed to take them as long as they meet the prereqs or do they have to do something more than "hit the numbers" to take the PrC?
Fixxxer 09-02-05, 03:48 PM	Some PrCs obviously require teaching or entry into an organization, such as the assassin. Others don't represent what you can be taught so much as a mastery of the skills you are already good at, such as the archmage. If the PrC requires an outside teacher, the PC must find one to begin taking levels. otherwise, he's free to begin taking levels as he wishes. Naturally, this is completely dependent upon whether or not a specific PrC is allowed in my game in the first place.
LCD2YOU 09-02-05, 03:54 PM	PrCs are done on a case by case basis. The area must be one that you would find the PrC the player wants. What that means is they aren't going to become an Arch Mage in the middle of a mountain dale with no books to study. Likewise, they won't become a Horizon Walker staying in the cities. Also, the player must RP into such a role. They know what the PrC is. They know how what the pre-reqs are. That means they have a good idea the mindset behind the PrC. Still, there are some I will not allow without some modifications, if at all.
Illion the Red 09-02-05, 03:56 PM	Well, I'm starting to feel a bit better about being "so restrictive." :)
JFargo 09-02-05, 03:57 PM	Usually I'd just like them to at least have an RP reason beyond "I think it'd be really cool." If it's something that specifically states you have to find a group of whatever they are, I make that a possibility. But basically? I allow any PrC with previous permission given. They just have to tell me they want to take that path.
Nyarlathotep 09-02-05, 03:58 PM	My campaign is a mix. It seems to me that some PrCs are an outgrowth of a character's own studies and/or natural talents coming to the fore (i.e. the Dragon Disciple class) others are the results of specliaized study or training but training that the PCs could accomplish on their own (i.e the Alienist prestige class) and still others mark the PC as a member of a defined group with formal induction and the whole works (i.e the Arcane Hierophant prestige class). So I have asked my players to try to give me a heads up as to what prestige classes, if any, they are pursuing so I can decide on a case by case basis what they need to do to join up. My players have had no problem with doing this so far. It has also had the added benefit of giving me some organizations to pepper my homebrew world with, for example, one of my players plays a druid/wizard who is aiming for the Arcane Hierophant prestige class and asa response I have put an Arcane Hierophant druid circle into the lands surrounding the character's home base. They havebecome an integral part of the campaign for everyone, not just him, so its a bonus. As for exactly which classes I allow, I followed a very simple procedure. I sat down with every book I own (and had players lend me copies of ones they might want to use but that I didn't personally own) and made a list of every class that I felt fit my campaign world. I gave them a copy of the list and told them that those were their choices. I'll update the list as new books enter our groups gaming library.
Lord Schpungus 09-02-05, 03:58 PM	PrCs are awesome. I love them. What happens in my game, is if a player lets me know that he wants a specific PrC, I'll let the world 'happen' so that he gets the opportunity to join the organization just a tiny tad earlier than when he'd qualify. I want my players to multiclass and PrC, so I conspire the circumstances to let them.
mike_beavers 09-02-05, 05:52 PM	What I did was to read through the various PCRs and decided on whether or not they fit my campaign motif. I created the list of PCRs that I would allow and gave that list to my players to work from. I think that with just the WOC PCRs there are about 300 possiblities. I limited it to about 40-50 and not all are available everywhere. I do the same type of things for feats. The ones in the PHB are fine, if you want to learn something from one of the others, you need to find a mentor, teacher etc before you can get this. This can lead to adventures dealing with finding a teacher for a particular feat
Serielle 09-02-05, 06:09 PM	Obviously I don't let prcs in that don't fit in my campaign, but otherwise I'm fairly lenient. I typically nix the organization requirements on the Prcs that mechanically don't have anything tying them to an organization, like the wayfarer. It's not all that unreasonable to assume that someone could have developed those skillls through their own. Others like Mage of the Arcane Order have some mechanical tie to an organization, so those I keep. I don't really care for the fluff that comes with prcs, I tend to view them strictly as sets of ability and view those abilities in relation to all other classes or prestige classes the character has. You do have to roleplay your character, however, and whatever prcs you take have to fit in with your character concept. Thus while you might not be a ninja even if you have levels in ninja, you do have to roleplay your character as being less hardy but more agile than a regular fighter or whatever other justification you have for picking that prc. I guess what I'm trying to say is that you have to have some roleplay justification for taking prestige classes, but you're entierly free to completly ignore the fluff that comes with them and make up your own.
UltimateReality 09-02-05, 06:14 PM	How do you handle PrCs in your own campaigns? I'd like to be able to say that I just let my players choose whatever they want, but I get this strange, self-righteous feeling of entitlement from them sometimes. I'm not entirely happy with the solution I had to come up with for my group, and it doesn't necessarily work for all PrCs, but here's what I've got for my homebrew campaign right now... Note that the campaign handout does not include any prestige classes. This is because prestige classes are prestigious, and unique. Without exception, each one is tied to an organization or an NPC. You must meet this roleplay prerequisite as well as any mechanical prerequisites stated in the prestige class’s text. Unless stated otherwise, assume that the default flavour of a printed prestige class applies. If you wish to design your own prestige class, or change the flavour of an existing one, please talk to me and work something out. Not all prestige classes are appropriate for this campaign setting, and not all prestige classes will be allowed. Let me know what your desired prestige class is early on so that I can work it into the campaign; otherwise you may have to wait later than you wanted to take the first level of your desired prestige class. Just the assumption that they're going to get whatever PrC they want really kinda bugs me (even though I okay nearly everything). Also, when I ask what/who your character is, I'm looking for an answer that's more than "A PrC X". If I can keep them from taking their PrCs for granted, and help them develop some flavour around it, then I feel I've successfully exposed them to a wider variety of game experience. (If they still don't like it after that, well, anyone else is more than welcome to take a shot at the rotating DM's chair. Sounds a bit callous, maybe, but we are the type of friends who have multiple campaigns going at once, so no hard feelings there.)
allenchan 09-02-05, 06:18 PM	Personally, I dislike the term "prestige" since most "prestige" classes are merely Specialization classes. That said, only PrC's that have organizations attatched to them or rp-requirements to gain need to be met. I have no problem with one of my PC's whose always trained in two weapons to get increasingly better (Dervish PrC) without joining some elitist snot-nosed group.
UltimateReality 09-02-05, 06:53 PM	I have no problem with one of my PC's whose always trained in two weapons to get increasingly better (Dervish PrC) without joining some elitist snot-nosed group. Hey now, don't know if this stems from my post or not, but IMC they are not elitist snot-nosed groups. (Well, unless it fits the flavour I suppose...which it hasn't, so far.) There's more to the game than killing things and taking their stuff. I like to emphasize that other stuff -- otherwise, why not just go play Halo or NWN?
Board_Rider 09-02-05, 08:35 PM	I pretty much allow everything. It never really matters because usually my players take mainstream PrCs that are not all that bad.