Shadar-kai speculation - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Shadar-kai speculation

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
brotherjgizmo
Jan 23, 2009 3:29:54 What do you think the shadar-kai racial write-up in february's issue is gonna look like?
#2
pauln6
Jan 23, 2009 3:34:01 I don't imagine that they would do a full pc write up ahead of PHBIII but that would be awesome! As long as we get some racial feats I'll be happy. A paragon path or two would also be nice.
#3
sigil_beguiler
Jan 23, 2009 3:41:57
I don't imagine that they would do a full pc write up ahead of PHBIII but that would be awesome! As long as we get some racial feats I'll be happy. A paragon path or two would also be nice.

Bua? Who said they would be in PHB3 and besides, we have already gotten full write-ups for Warforged in Dragon and that is gonna be in Eberron.

I suspect there will minor changes to the base stats/racial power per usual.

PP wise, there will definitely be something Paladin/Cleric related dealing with the Raven Queen.

I could see some PPs that are oriented towards plane-hopping to the Shadowfell and such things.

I could see lots of temporary healing stuff.
#4
snarls_at_fleas
Jan 23, 2009 4:32:44 AFAIK shadar-kai are humans turned to shadar-kai by serving Raven Queen. So maybe we'll see another "multirace" option? Like dampire.

OT: when 3d edition came and we learned after years of playing 2md edition that every race could be any class and multiclass freely, one of my players said (I swear!): "Year! Right! And in 4th edition you'll be able to change your race on the fly, to multirace". So... he was right... And I love that!
#5
pauln6
Jan 23, 2009 4:45:05
AFAIK shadar-kai are humans turned to shadar-kai by serving Raven Queen. So maybe we'll see another "multirace" option? Like dampire.

OT: when 3d edition came and we learned after years of playing 2md edition that every race could be any class and multiclass freely, one of my players said (I swear!): "Year! Right! And in 4th edition you'll be able to change your race on the fly, to multirace". So... he was right... And I love that!

Oooh really? That's what happened to my pc in game - cursed by blackflame and transformed over time. That would be cool.
#6
salla
Jan 23, 2009 5:35:26 Emo. Very, very emo.
#7
cadfan
Jan 23, 2009 7:02:28 I'm hoping we get some hints into the shadow power source.
#8
brotherjgizmo
Jan 23, 2009 7:33:35 in Manual of the planes you get a small preview of the shadow power source with the shadow captain paragon path.
#9
rikiji
Jan 23, 2009 10:47:31 Like most of the MM races, they'll need a few extra abilities to round out as a PC race. I believe Manual of the Planes portrayed them as hedonists, driven to extreme behavoir in an effort to fight off the ennui of the Shadowfell, so I sort of see them as 'Romulans' to the Eladrin 'Vulcans'. Emo definately works, but I don't see that as the extent of their emotive range. I am somewhat concerned about them overlapping with Drow to a degree - the two races seem to play off of very similar themes.

Otherwise, the playable race articles seem to be fairly standardized - A full PC writeup, several feats, one or two race-specific paragon paths and assorted race-specific miscellania. It promises to be cool.
#10
GMforPowergamers
Jan 23, 2009 11:27:42
Like most of the MM races, they'll need a few extra abilities to round out as a PC race.

I wonder if one of the MM powers (fromt eh monster write ups) will show up.
#11
brotherjgizmo
Jan 23, 2009 12:14:07 I thin that without reading the Manual of the Planes it's easy to lable both drow and shadar-kai emo. Although they are much more than that; Drow could and should be played beyond the caricature image Do'Urden that most peolple have. And with the info given on shadar-kai in MotP it becomes apparent that the SHadar-kai are not brooding sad-men but rather self-serving *******s. There are similarities such as not being above murdering another of their race if it gains them status, but the mind set is different. Drow are slaves to lolth. Shadar-kai to themselves.
#12
praion
Jan 23, 2009 13:57:46 They are like a mix of Dark Eldar and Clif Jumpers. They want theyre next kick of adrenaline, higher, faster, farer, more dangerous. That is what they want. When you know, death is inevitable so you should discover and feel everything life has to offer before it is to late.

I could think of feats that support such a fighting style, BravLords for example are perfect for SK, when you don't fear death you can fight as brave as no one else.
#13
Dragon9
Jan 23, 2009 15:53:42 Of course, this is all assumign that it is a racial write up. It may very well be an article dealing with them from the DM side of things. Sort of like the Kobold article in 364... or was it 365? Just saying. ;)
#14
brotherjgizmo
Jan 23, 2009 15:58:48 I'f I'm not mistaken it's called playing Shadar-kai.

The minotaur PC article was called Playing Minotaurs
The Warforged PC article was called Playing Warforged
The Gnoll PC article was called Playing Gnolls

I think it's safe to assume we're getting a PC write-up
#15
GMforPowergamers
Jan 23, 2009 16:00:09
Of course, this is all assumign that it is a racial write up. It may very well be an article dealing with them from the DM side of things. Sort of like the Kobold article in 364... or was it 365? Just saying. ;)

I would scream...
#16
fiendish_dire_weasel
Jan 23, 2009 16:29:05
I'f I'm not mistaken it's called playing Shadar-kai.

The minotaur PC article was called Playing Minotaurs
The Warforged PC article was called Playing Warforged
The Gnoll PC article was called Playing Gnolls

I think it's safe to assume we're getting a PC write-up

Yeah, it will be an expanded write up of Shadar-kai, the same way we got Gnolls, Minotaurs and Warforged. We're unlikely to see a new racial power, just some touch ups.
#17
clem
Jan 23, 2009 17:30:35
I would scream...

As you ripped the poster of The Cure from your bedroom wall?
#18
Dragon9
Jan 23, 2009 18:23:48
I'f I'm not mistaken it's called playing Shadar-kai.

The minotaur PC article was called Playing Minotaurs
The Warforged PC article was called Playing Warforged
The Gnoll PC article was called Playing Gnolls

I think it's safe to assume we're getting a PC write-up

Logic? We don't need no steekin' logic...
#19
yusakuasano
Jan 23, 2009 19:51:05
As you ripped the poster of The Cure from your bedroom wall?

+1 for the coolness of Cure :P
#20
MusicOfCreation
Jan 23, 2009 21:07:56 Every time I see a picture of Shadar-kai I think of the cenobites for some reason.

Show
IMAGE(http://members.fortunecity.com/spmoore/Hellraiser/cenobite.jpg)
#21
MaximumHavoc
Jan 23, 2009 21:30:57
Every time I see a picture of Shadar-kai I think of the cenobites for some reason.

i think of pinhead, who is, imo, the poster boy for shadar kai.
#22
nihzlet
Jan 23, 2009 22:24:39 It just occured to me that Gnolls are the only race that's gotten a PC writeup so far with NO racial Paragon Paths in it. LAME!
#23
MusicOfCreation
Jan 24, 2009 2:47:19
i think of pinhead, who is, imo, the poster boy for shadar kai.

I had a picture of the 4 main cenobites(pinhead, female, butterball, chatterer) but something happened to the image
#24
malisteen
Jan 24, 2009 11:12:31 We'll almost certainly see more racial feats expanding on their teleportation power. Maybe a heroic feat that grants them combat advantage while insubstantial after teleporting, a paragon feat to expand the power's range, an epic power to give them phasing in addition to insubstantial after teleporting.

Maybe a transformational epic destiny that turns them into a Raven Knight?

That would make me happy.

I hope they specifically get some taclord and spellsword love.
#25
cadfan
Jan 24, 2009 12:17:07 Hmm. Did other racial articles grant powers that were specific to particular classes?

My prediction is that we'll get powers related to more generic racial traits, like their teleportation ability (I think that you're almost definitely right on the increased range idea), and weapon powers to upgrade their use of spiked chains.
#26
malisteen
Jan 24, 2009 12:53:46 They didn't have much in the way of class specific feats, but that was before Martial power came out and made them more necessary.

As for spiked chains - I hope they don't overplay that idea. The fluff so far has S-K martialists prefering exotic, difficult weaponry in general, of which spiked chains and katars are only examples. I'd rather see feats encouraging the use of superior weapons in general rather then particular ones. I agree that chains (and flails in general) could use something to make them more attractive, but I'd rather see that sort of thing in PHBII as general use feats, rather then something tied to a particular race.
#27
Alex_
Jan 24, 2009 22:32:26
It just occured to me that Gnolls are the only race that's gotten a PC writeup so far with NO racial Paragon Paths in it. LAME!

When Kieth Baker was writing it, he thought he was doing an "Ecology of XYZ" article, like the Ecology of Dragonborn or Tieflings, not a "Playing XYZ" article. He said that if he had know that, he would have added more.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 brotherjgizmo Jan 23, 2009 3:29:54	What do you think the shadar-kai racial write-up in february's issue is gonna look like?
#2 pauln6 Jan 23, 2009 3:34:01	I don't imagine that they would do a full pc write up ahead of PHBIII but that would be awesome! As long as we get some racial feats I'll be happy. A paragon path or two would also be nice.
#3 sigil_beguiler Jan 23, 2009 3:41:57	I don't imagine that they would do a full pc write up ahead of PHBIII but that would be awesome! As long as we get some racial feats I'll be happy. A paragon path or two would also be nice. Bua? Who said they would be in PHB3 and besides, we have already gotten full write-ups for Warforged in Dragon and that is gonna be in Eberron. I suspect there will minor changes to the base stats/racial power per usual. PP wise, there will definitely be something Paladin/Cleric related dealing with the Raven Queen. I could see some PPs that are oriented towards plane-hopping to the Shadowfell and such things. I could see lots of temporary healing stuff.
#4 snarls_at_fleas Jan 23, 2009 4:32:44	AFAIK shadar-kai are humans turned to shadar-kai by serving Raven Queen. So maybe we'll see another "multirace" option? Like dampire. OT: when 3d edition came and we learned after years of playing 2md edition that every race could be any class and multiclass freely, one of my players said (I swear!): "Year! Right! And in 4th edition you'll be able to change your race on the fly, to multirace". So... he was right... And I love that!
#5 pauln6 Jan 23, 2009 4:45:05	AFAIK shadar-kai are humans turned to shadar-kai by serving Raven Queen. So maybe we'll see another "multirace" option? Like dampire. OT: when 3d edition came and we learned after years of playing 2md edition that every race could be any class and multiclass freely, one of my players said (I swear!): "Year! Right! And in 4th edition you'll be able to change your race on the fly, to multirace". So... he was right... And I love that! Oooh really? That's what happened to my pc in game - cursed by blackflame and transformed over time. That would be cool.
#6 salla Jan 23, 2009 5:35:26	Emo. Very, very emo.
#7 cadfan Jan 23, 2009 7:02:28	I'm hoping we get some hints into the shadow power source.
#8 brotherjgizmo Jan 23, 2009 7:33:35	in Manual of the planes you get a small preview of the shadow power source with the shadow captain paragon path.
#9 rikiji Jan 23, 2009 10:47:31	Like most of the MM races, they'll need a few extra abilities to round out as a PC race. I believe Manual of the Planes portrayed them as hedonists, driven to extreme behavoir in an effort to fight off the ennui of the Shadowfell, so I sort of see them as 'Romulans' to the Eladrin 'Vulcans'. Emo definately works, but I don't see that as the extent of their emotive range. I am somewhat concerned about them overlapping with Drow to a degree - the two races seem to play off of very similar themes. Otherwise, the playable race articles seem to be fairly standardized - A full PC writeup, several feats, one or two race-specific paragon paths and assorted race-specific miscellania. It promises to be cool.
#10 GMforPowergamers Jan 23, 2009 11:27:42	Like most of the MM races, they'll need a few extra abilities to round out as a PC race. I wonder if one of the MM powers (fromt eh monster write ups) will show up.
#11 brotherjgizmo Jan 23, 2009 12:14:07	I thin that without reading the Manual of the Planes it's easy to lable both drow and shadar-kai emo. Although they are much more than that; Drow could and should be played beyond the caricature image Do'Urden that most peolple have. And with the info given on shadar-kai in MotP it becomes apparent that the SHadar-kai are not brooding sad-men but rather self-serving *******s. There are similarities such as not being above murdering another of their race if it gains them status, but the mind set is different. Drow are slaves to lolth. Shadar-kai to themselves.
#12 praion Jan 23, 2009 13:57:46	They are like a mix of Dark Eldar and Clif Jumpers. They want theyre next kick of adrenaline, higher, faster, farer, more dangerous. That is what they want. When you know, death is inevitable so you should discover and feel everything life has to offer before it is to late. I could think of feats that support such a fighting style, BravLords for example are perfect for SK, when you don't fear death you can fight as brave as no one else.
#13 Dragon9 Jan 23, 2009 15:53:42	Of course, this is all assumign that it is a racial write up. It may very well be an article dealing with them from the DM side of things. Sort of like the Kobold article in 364... or was it 365? Just saying. ;)
#14 brotherjgizmo Jan 23, 2009 15:58:48	I'f I'm not mistaken it's called playing Shadar-kai. The minotaur PC article was called Playing Minotaurs The Warforged PC article was called Playing Warforged The Gnoll PC article was called Playing Gnolls I think it's safe to assume we're getting a PC write-up
#15 GMforPowergamers Jan 23, 2009 16:00:09	Of course, this is all assumign that it is a racial write up. It may very well be an article dealing with them from the DM side of things. Sort of like the Kobold article in 364... or was it 365? Just saying. ;) I would scream...
#16 fiendish_dire_weasel Jan 23, 2009 16:29:05	I'f I'm not mistaken it's called playing Shadar-kai. The minotaur PC article was called Playing Minotaurs The Warforged PC article was called Playing Warforged The Gnoll PC article was called Playing Gnolls I think it's safe to assume we're getting a PC write-up Yeah, it will be an expanded write up of Shadar-kai, the same way we got Gnolls, Minotaurs and Warforged. We're unlikely to see a new racial power, just some touch ups.
#17 clem Jan 23, 2009 17:30:35	I would scream... As you ripped the poster of The Cure from your bedroom wall?
#18 Dragon9 Jan 23, 2009 18:23:48	I'f I'm not mistaken it's called playing Shadar-kai. The minotaur PC article was called Playing Minotaurs The Warforged PC article was called Playing Warforged The Gnoll PC article was called Playing Gnolls I think it's safe to assume we're getting a PC write-up Logic? We don't need no steekin' logic...
#19 yusakuasano Jan 23, 2009 19:51:05	As you ripped the poster of The Cure from your bedroom wall? +1 for the coolness of Cure :P
#20 MusicOfCreation Jan 23, 2009 21:07:56	Every time I see a picture of Shadar-kai I think of the cenobites for some reason. Show
#21 MaximumHavoc Jan 23, 2009 21:30:57	Every time I see a picture of Shadar-kai I think of the cenobites for some reason. i think of pinhead, who is, imo, the poster boy for shadar kai.
#22 nihzlet Jan 23, 2009 22:24:39	It just occured to me that Gnolls are the only race that's gotten a PC writeup so far with NO racial Paragon Paths in it. LAME!
#23 MusicOfCreation Jan 24, 2009 2:47:19	i think of pinhead, who is, imo, the poster boy for shadar kai. I had a picture of the 4 main cenobites(pinhead, female, butterball, chatterer) but something happened to the image
#24 malisteen Jan 24, 2009 11:12:31	We'll almost certainly see more racial feats expanding on their teleportation power. Maybe a heroic feat that grants them combat advantage while insubstantial after teleporting, a paragon feat to expand the power's range, an epic power to give them phasing in addition to insubstantial after teleporting. Maybe a transformational epic destiny that turns them into a Raven Knight? That would make me happy. I hope they specifically get some taclord and spellsword love.
#25 cadfan Jan 24, 2009 12:17:07	Hmm. Did other racial articles grant powers that were specific to particular classes? My prediction is that we'll get powers related to more generic racial traits, like their teleportation ability (I think that you're almost definitely right on the increased range idea), and weapon powers to upgrade their use of spiked chains.
#26 malisteen Jan 24, 2009 12:53:46	They didn't have much in the way of class specific feats, but that was before Martial power came out and made them more necessary. As for spiked chains - I hope they don't overplay that idea. The fluff so far has S-K martialists prefering exotic, difficult weaponry in general, of which spiked chains and katars are only examples. I'd rather see feats encouraging the use of superior weapons in general rather then particular ones. I agree that chains (and flails in general) could use something to make them more attractive, but I'd rather see that sort of thing in PHBII as general use feats, rather then something tied to a particular race.
#27 Alex_ Jan 24, 2009 22:32:26	It just occured to me that Gnolls are the only race that's gotten a PC writeup so far with NO racial Paragon Paths in it. LAME! When Kieth Baker was writing it, he thought he was doing an "Ecology of XYZ" article, like the Ecology of Dragonborn or Tieflings, not a "Playing XYZ" article. He said that if he had know that, he would have added more.