classes in Eberron - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

classes in Eberron

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
fletch137
Jul 25, 2009 5:39:37 I've heard about the section in the EPG that describes the new races and how they fit into Eberron, is there a similar section for classes?

I quite liked that chapter in the original Eberron Campaign Setting that described how a barbarian or ranger or sorcerer was perceived by the peoples of Eberron. Since 4e has a lot of new classes, I'm hoping there was similar attention paid to talking about how they fit in.

I'm especially interested in whether or not there's discussion of what the Primal power source entails there.
#2
Cyber-Dave
Jul 25, 2009 12:45:12 Isn't it honestly a little self-explanatory? I mean, the traditions of the primal classes directly line up with the traditions of the gatekeepers (as per both 3e and 4e Eberron), as well as the tribal practices of the Talanta Halflings and perhaps some of the Orc tribes keeping the evil of the Demon Wastes all bottled up (though, in the case of the last option, I would suspect that lots of divine classes fill that niche as well. Indeed, I would expect many of those orcs to take multiclass between barbarian and paladin).
#3
miric
Jul 25, 2009 15:33:58 In the EPG as far as I remember there is no specific entry talking about classes and how they fit in, but that shouldn't stop you from using anything already out there.

In the ECG, there's a bit about how the Druids of the Eldeen Reaches give you a very good opening for all things Primal in Eberron. Since its a mysterious bastion of the druids, you could easily say that Shamans and Wardens are just other agents against the Aberrants of Xoriat. Everyone's just been calling them Barbarians or Druids in their ignorance - similarly to how an Eladrin is mistaken for an Elf. Same thing could apply to Avengers and Invokers with regards to the Church of the Silver Flame (infact I think the Avenger concept should have been always part of Eberron as their flavor fits Thrane better than the Paladin ever did).

Remember one of the setting's key tenants: "If it exists in D&D, there's a place for it in Eberron". Even the FR specific Swordmage could exist as either a new set of skills learned from the Eladrin of the Feyspires, or as the last remnants of a specialist force from Cyre. Maybe they're a new Aundairan school to help shift the Shadow War into their favor.
#4
auspex7
Jul 25, 2009 19:11:33
Isn't it honestly a little self-explanatory? I mean, the traditions of the primal classes directly line up with the traditions of the gatekeepers (as per both 3e and 4e Eberron), as well as the tribal practices of the Talanta Halflings and perhaps some of the Orc tribes keeping the evil of the Demon Wastes all bottled up (though, in the case of the last option, I would suspect that lots of divine classes fill that niche as well. Indeed, I would expect many of those orcs to take multiclass between barbarian and paladin).

This, plus...

Not only do all of the classes fit in GREAT here, some of them are so perfect for Eberron that you'd almost think they were created with the setting in mind. Avenger of the Silver Flame. Kalashtar Invoker of the Light. Elf Invoker of the Undying Court. Wardens... how about a halfling Warden from the Talenta Plains, or a half-orc Warden from the Eldeen Reaches? Sorcerers blend perfectly with the flavor of a setting where inherent potential is so prevalent (dragonmarks, Blood of Vol, The Light, etc).

As for how they are perceived by the people of Khorvaire, that's pretty simple to determine. That Avenger of the Silver Flame? Lets say he's from Thrane. He walks around with a holy symbol of the Silver Flame around his neck, and a Fullblade or Execution Axe slung over his shoulder.

Now, lets say you're a somewhat average citizen of Thrane. You're human, in your early 30s, and live in Ardulusk--not far from the Mournland. You make your living as a cook working at an Inn on the south side of town, and regularly see travelers from other places as they pass through. The town you live in is presided over by an Archbishop of the Flame, and there is no separation of Church and State. Where you live, they are one and the same. You attend services weekly, and have since you were a child. You were raised in accordance with the Flame's doctrines, as was your wife, and as you are now raising your own children.

So... we look again at that Avenger of the Silver Flame. What does he represent to you? Imagine a cross between a CIA assassin and a catholic bishop. He is a killer, and carries a fullblade slung over his shoulder. Of course, he also wears a gleaming symbol of the Silver Flame around his neck, and when you speak to him, he demonstrates the conviction and compassion (for his fellows--this is key) expected of such a being. His conviction is so strong that he is capable of performing incredible feats--teleportation, becoming invisible, etc--and may even be able to heal the wounds of others without so much as touching them (Initiate of the Faith--MC Cleric, anyone?). To you, he represents an ideal... he is unswerving, faithful, heroic, and inspiring... and he is terrifying.

Now, lets say you're a kind of average citizen of Karrnath. Your homeland is militant to the point that you support your country's use of undead soldiers during the Last War. While it's no longer the state religion, you were raised under the tenets of the Blood of Vol, and you still adhere to those beliefs--you consider it a source of pride that your faith's priests worship no deity, and are yet able to perform similar 'miracles' to the practitioners of other faiths. In your mind, one needs no higher power when one is possessed of enough inner strength and conviction in one's personal beliefs. To you, survival of the fittest is more than an abstract, it's a way of life. You are competetive at work, and in recreation, and you have a fierce sense of nationalist pride.

To you, that Avenger of the Silver Flame is a hypocrite. He preaches peace and compassion, and speaks of the searing of evil from all of Eberron. If this is so, why does he openly wear an instrument of death and war? He claims to be a proponent of purity and goodness, and yet... you know better. Not far from where you live--less than a mile, in fact--there is a small Temple to the Silver Flame whose bishop is a known parasite. He is a drunk who dips into tithings to sate his thirsts, and has been said to cavort with prostitutes. Further, you have heard stories of the Silver Flame's crusade against lycantrhopes, and have on a number of occasions heard stories of Silver Flame followers openly advocating a war of intolerance against any whose views differ from their own. To you, this Avenger isn't JUST a hypocrite, or a liar--he's something of a mix between an overzealous church recruiter, an evangelist, and a nazi.

Heh... this thread is fun.
#5
soyim
Jul 25, 2009 19:13:50 Fortunately most of the new Fourth Edition classes aren't so much "New Ideas" as much as they are expansions of concepts that were already in place.

Avengers are pretty easy to fit into any organized Religion as wandering Magistrates, Priests, and Templars. The Silver Flame fits them rather well- but Aerenal Elven Avengers in full battle paint, howling like Baboons, chasing down their foes is a rather terrifying image. As is the Human Scion of the Blood of Vol who is struck a hundred times without falling- only to rip his chosen enemies head from his body with a single strike. The Censure of Unity fits the Sovereign Host perfectly; a wandering aesthetic who brings a village together against the creature hunting them from the darkness.

Invokers could worship the entire Host- both Sovereign and Dark. They are also perfect agents of the Undying Court and the Spirits of the Past. Malediction Invokers, and the suffering they inflict on themselves, make for great Volites.

Shaman's fit into any of the Eldeen Reaches Sects, The Shadow Marshes, and anywhere Half Orcs prosper. The spirit companion also works nicely as the astral manifestations of Kalashtar- and there's enough will based attacks in the Shaman Class to recreate the Quori Nightmare.

Warden is the same as Shaman- anywhere the wild things are is a place for them. They also work nicely for Valenar who manifest aspects of the Ancestors Glory.

Swordmages are Eladrin Warriors, Aundarian Phantom Knights, and Zilargo Trust Agents.
#6
Cyber-Dave
Jul 25, 2009 19:56:17 You know, I actually see Druids as more like the religious leaders of the orcs. I see shamans as a perfect representation of the religious practice of people like the Talanta Halflings. Shamans almost seem to be MADE to represent Talenta Halfling fluff.
#7
auspex7
Jul 25, 2009 19:59:06
You know, I actually see Druids as more like the religious leaders of the orcs. I see shamans as a perfect representation of the religious practice of people like the Talanta Halflings. Shamans almost seem to be MADE to represent Talenta Halfling fluff.

I agree. Kicking around the idea of working up some orcish druid types and orc wardens on DDi's monster builder...

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 fletch137 Jul 25, 2009 5:39:37	I've heard about the section in the EPG that describes the new races and how they fit into Eberron, is there a similar section for classes? I quite liked that chapter in the original Eberron Campaign Setting that described how a barbarian or ranger or sorcerer was perceived by the peoples of Eberron. Since 4e has a lot of new classes, I'm hoping there was similar attention paid to talking about how they fit in. I'm especially interested in whether or not there's discussion of what the Primal power source entails there.
#2 Cyber-Dave Jul 25, 2009 12:45:12	Isn't it honestly a little self-explanatory? I mean, the traditions of the primal classes directly line up with the traditions of the gatekeepers (as per both 3e and 4e Eberron), as well as the tribal practices of the Talanta Halflings and perhaps some of the Orc tribes keeping the evil of the Demon Wastes all bottled up (though, in the case of the last option, I would suspect that lots of divine classes fill that niche as well. Indeed, I would expect many of those orcs to take multiclass between barbarian and paladin).
#3 miric Jul 25, 2009 15:33:58	In the EPG as far as I remember there is no specific entry talking about classes and how they fit in, but that shouldn't stop you from using anything already out there. In the ECG, there's a bit about how the Druids of the Eldeen Reaches give you a very good opening for all things Primal in Eberron. Since its a mysterious bastion of the druids, you could easily say that Shamans and Wardens are just other agents against the Aberrants of Xoriat. Everyone's just been calling them Barbarians or Druids in their ignorance - similarly to how an Eladrin is mistaken for an Elf. Same thing could apply to Avengers and Invokers with regards to the Church of the Silver Flame (infact I think the Avenger concept should have been always part of Eberron as their flavor fits Thrane better than the Paladin ever did). Remember one of the setting's key tenants: "If it exists in D&D, there's a place for it in Eberron". Even the FR specific Swordmage could exist as either a new set of skills learned from the Eladrin of the Feyspires, or as the last remnants of a specialist force from Cyre. Maybe they're a new Aundairan school to help shift the Shadow War into their favor.
#4 auspex7 Jul 25, 2009 19:11:33	Isn't it honestly a little self-explanatory? I mean, the traditions of the primal classes directly line up with the traditions of the gatekeepers (as per both 3e and 4e Eberron), as well as the tribal practices of the Talanta Halflings and perhaps some of the Orc tribes keeping the evil of the Demon Wastes all bottled up (though, in the case of the last option, I would suspect that lots of divine classes fill that niche as well. Indeed, I would expect many of those orcs to take multiclass between barbarian and paladin). This, plus... Not only do all of the classes fit in GREAT here, some of them are so perfect for Eberron that you'd almost think they were created with the setting in mind. Avenger of the Silver Flame. Kalashtar Invoker of the Light. Elf Invoker of the Undying Court. Wardens... how about a halfling Warden from the Talenta Plains, or a half-orc Warden from the Eldeen Reaches? Sorcerers blend perfectly with the flavor of a setting where inherent potential is so prevalent (dragonmarks, Blood of Vol, The Light, etc). As for how they are perceived by the people of Khorvaire, that's pretty simple to determine. That Avenger of the Silver Flame? Lets say he's from Thrane. He walks around with a holy symbol of the Silver Flame around his neck, and a Fullblade or Execution Axe slung over his shoulder. Now, lets say you're a somewhat average citizen of Thrane. You're human, in your early 30s, and live in Ardulusk--not far from the Mournland. You make your living as a cook working at an Inn on the south side of town, and regularly see travelers from other places as they pass through. The town you live in is presided over by an Archbishop of the Flame, and there is no separation of Church and State. Where you live, they are one and the same. You attend services weekly, and have since you were a child. You were raised in accordance with the Flame's doctrines, as was your wife, and as you are now raising your own children. So... we look again at that Avenger of the Silver Flame. What does he represent to you? Imagine a cross between a CIA assassin and a catholic bishop. He is a killer, and carries a fullblade slung over his shoulder. Of course, he also wears a gleaming symbol of the Silver Flame around his neck, and when you speak to him, he demonstrates the conviction and compassion (for his fellows--this is key) expected of such a being. His conviction is so strong that he is capable of performing incredible feats--teleportation, becoming invisible, etc--and may even be able to heal the wounds of others without so much as touching them (Initiate of the Faith--MC Cleric, anyone?). To you, he represents an ideal... he is unswerving, faithful, heroic, and inspiring... and he is terrifying. Now, lets say you're a kind of average citizen of Karrnath. Your homeland is militant to the point that you support your country's use of undead soldiers during the Last War. While it's no longer the state religion, you were raised under the tenets of the Blood of Vol, and you still adhere to those beliefs--you consider it a source of pride that your faith's priests worship no deity, and are yet able to perform similar 'miracles' to the practitioners of other faiths. In your mind, one needs no higher power when one is possessed of enough inner strength and conviction in one's personal beliefs. To you, survival of the fittest is more than an abstract, it's a way of life. You are competetive at work, and in recreation, and you have a fierce sense of nationalist pride. To you, that Avenger of the Silver Flame is a hypocrite. He preaches peace and compassion, and speaks of the searing of evil from all of Eberron. If this is so, why does he openly wear an instrument of death and war? He claims to be a proponent of purity and goodness, and yet... you know better. Not far from where you live--less than a mile, in fact--there is a small Temple to the Silver Flame whose bishop is a known parasite. He is a drunk who dips into tithings to sate his thirsts, and has been said to cavort with prostitutes. Further, you have heard stories of the Silver Flame's crusade against lycantrhopes, and have on a number of occasions heard stories of Silver Flame followers openly advocating a war of intolerance against any whose views differ from their own. To you, this Avenger isn't JUST a hypocrite, or a liar--he's something of a mix between an overzealous church recruiter, an evangelist, and a nazi. Heh... this thread is fun.
#5 soyim Jul 25, 2009 19:13:50	Fortunately most of the new Fourth Edition classes aren't so much "New Ideas" as much as they are expansions of concepts that were already in place. Avengers are pretty easy to fit into any organized Religion as wandering Magistrates, Priests, and Templars. The Silver Flame fits them rather well- but Aerenal Elven Avengers in full battle paint, howling like Baboons, chasing down their foes is a rather terrifying image. As is the Human Scion of the Blood of Vol who is struck a hundred times without falling- only to rip his chosen enemies head from his body with a single strike. The Censure of Unity fits the Sovereign Host perfectly; a wandering aesthetic who brings a village together against the creature hunting them from the darkness. Invokers could worship the entire Host- both Sovereign and Dark. They are also perfect agents of the Undying Court and the Spirits of the Past. Malediction Invokers, and the suffering they inflict on themselves, make for great Volites. Shaman's fit into any of the Eldeen Reaches Sects, The Shadow Marshes, and anywhere Half Orcs prosper. The spirit companion also works nicely as the astral manifestations of Kalashtar- and there's enough will based attacks in the Shaman Class to recreate the Quori Nightmare. Warden is the same as Shaman- anywhere the wild things are is a place for them. They also work nicely for Valenar who manifest aspects of the Ancestors Glory. Swordmages are Eladrin Warriors, Aundarian Phantom Knights, and Zilargo Trust Agents.
#6 Cyber-Dave Jul 25, 2009 19:56:17	You know, I actually see Druids as more like the religious leaders of the orcs. I see shamans as a perfect representation of the religious practice of people like the Talanta Halflings. Shamans almost seem to be MADE to represent Talenta Halfling fluff.
#7 auspex7 Jul 25, 2009 19:59:06	You know, I actually see Druids as more like the religious leaders of the orcs. I see shamans as a perfect representation of the religious practice of people like the Talanta Halflings. Shamans almost seem to be MADE to represent Talenta Halfling fluff. I agree. Kicking around the idea of working up some orcish druid types and orc wardens on DDi's monster builder...