Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 nimblegrund Mar 04, 2010 1:14:32	So far we have: -Gladiator -Templar -Veiled Alliance -Wilder -Elemental Priest So what other themes do you think we might see, and what kind of powers would you give them?
#2 renteria Mar 04, 2010 1:20:46	I'm seriously hoping for Dune Trader. The dune trader supplement was awesome and I am hoping that given the support the gladiator theme is getting, we might get more than just a  few powers.
#3 nimblegrund Mar 04, 2010 1:26:28	I'm seriously hoping for Dune Trader. The dune trader supplement was awesome and I am hoping that given the support the gladiator theme is getting, we might get more than just a  few powers. I was thinking about that myself.  The only issue is I can't think of many powers they might get... the old 2nd edition class's abilities mostly focused on bribery and the like, and picking up some of the thief abilities...  Maybe they could have abilities focusing on exotic items they "picked up" along the way?  Like releasing a beetle that disrupts psionics or something like that.  *shrug*
#4 big_goon Mar 04, 2010 11:30:12	So far we have: -Gladiator -Templar -Veiled Alliance -Wilder -Elemental Priest So what other themes do you think we might see, and what kind of powers would you give them? I still am a little confused by the rules for themes. Rich Baker has released some preliminary notes, but there's still a lot left unknown. Do themes apply to certain power sources? For example, will the Templar theme work for Martial classes, or is it Arcane only. What about the Wilder and Veiled Alliance themes? How evolved will they be, will there be city-state-specific Templar feats to take at later levels or element-specific feats for elemental priest? Dune Trader as a theme? Sounds like a background that applies to Thievery and Bluff (or Diplomacy?). Other theme ideas (really just throwing ideas around):  Race-specific themes: Such as a Half-Giant bouncer, a Thri-Kreen hunter-killer, a Mul mercenary, Elven Shadow, Elven merchant... Defiler theme that doesn't work for Sorcerer-Kings, Tinker, Order Psionicist, Street Urchin (Urban Scavenger?), Military-Trained Soldier (Veteran?), Blood Priest, ...
#5 Pennarin Mar 04, 2010 12:16:48	Most of what you're describing are monsters, the rest are PCs with paths or destiny. Themes are not 3e PrCs, more like 2e kits. There won't be an elf shadow theme...there will be elf shadow monsters. There is a templar theme, but there won't be a high templar theme. Just sayin'.
#6 bfishy Mar 04, 2010 13:35:07	i was initially under the impression that themes were made to be used acrooss most, if not all classes/sources?  that they were more of a definition of how your class behaves (with some perks associated with the theme) as opposed to being an extension of a particular class or classes.
#7 Pennarin Mar 04, 2010 16:09:21	Themes are as you describe them. They are grandeur, broader, vaguer categories than classes. Being a templar does not require a unique class, while being a warlord who's in fact a templar needs to have something different to tell it apart from other warlords, hence the theme. A rogue working alone, or one working for the Shadows criminal organization...is the same; the Shadows don't make you any different from another rogue or require that you do special stuff others usually won't do. Same for a defiler working or not working for a sorcerer-king. You'll notice there is no preserver theme...but there is a Veiled Alliance theme, because being a VA wizard, or warlord, or fighter, ensures you will do stuff non-VA members won't do (i.e. terrorism, infiltration).   What's that new pic/avatar?
#8 big_goon Mar 04, 2010 18:49:36	I really don't know... I have little basis for the information or direction they're taking with themes. Yes, some of the suggestions posted are related to PrCs, or even monsters, but shouldn't Templars monsters too? What's wrong with an Elven Shadow player? Or a mercenary? Anyways. The impression I got from themes was that it was a manner to describe character class training or background (or current employment/allegiance in some respects) - but usually in a very broad sense. Backgrounds, for example, detail where an individual character comes from and the skills or training that this character picked up during his/her life before becoming an adventurer. Same with a theme just more combat oriented. By paragon tier, the character has learned a new path in life, but will always remember the humble beginning of their training. A Barbarian or Fighter learns how to wield his or her weapon through the arenas of Athas. The character's particular style stems from feeling the sandy ground between one's toes, taking advantage of the loadness of the crowds, etc. Thus, the character has a Gladiator theme. Same with the military-trained soldier. Fighters and Rogues that know how to give/take orders. Wizards that can hold a shield or pick line. A bard that beats the drums of war!
#9 sir_sparhawk Mar 06, 2010 17:14:11	I would say a Thri-Kreen Elf Hunter...but the direction they're going with "Themes" I highly doubt that theme would exist.  After all, we can't have a Dwarven Elf Hunter now could we?
#10 Raevhen Mar 07, 2010 0:00:30	I'll throw in something obscure, how about the Draqoman from the City-State of Tyr Suppliment?
#11 mouthymerc Mar 07, 2010 0:12:37	A couple I could see are Noble and Raider.  They are themes which could be applied to all classes which is the general idea.  I think Trader would be more likely as a background, but it is a possibility.
#12 Pennarin Mar 07, 2010 1:34:16	Yeah, mouthy's got it right. Raider, noble, trader. Most likely culprits.   Wilder and elemental priest are the only themes that aren't broad in scope. They seem to have been included so as to help "transform" regular classes into Dark Sun-ish classes. Maybe there will be a few more themes with limited scope.
#13 Raevhen Mar 07, 2010 3:25:29	Hmm, what about something to do with Slave Tribes?
#14 mouthymerc Mar 07, 2010 8:17:34	I could see Slave being a background.  I'm not seeing much use as a theme.  We may see more psionic themes as they can be used to implement the wild psionic talent aspect of the game in one form.  A fighter with the wilder theme could be an interesting touch.  I think this was touched on by Rich baker at one point, but I don't recall where.
#15 Pennarin Mar 07, 2010 13:23:29	Slave tribalist, or whatever, could perhaps work...if 4e puts a lot of emphasis on slave tribes. Slave could not be a theme, though, as the PCs are 'heroes'...quite tough to fight powerful monsters and save whole cities and not demand or take your freedom for yourself.
#16 nimblegrund Mar 07, 2010 22:35:10	I don't know much about them, but didn't elves have special priests called Windsingers?