How do you use these options and ideas in your realms?
Would you like to add more modern aspects in a game or not? Would you use them?
Would you have advance technology and/or magical equalivants? Like Portals/Teleportation Circles acting as airports, interdimensional portals and/or 'stargates'?
Even if you didn't like the idea, do you have some cool ideas that someone else might want?
Examples:
I asked Ed Greenwood at Candlekeep about Genetic/Racial memories and the likes, based on the idea of the Goa'uld from a certain wormhole series. He gave me a NDA answer, but hints this might be an answer in itself. Meaning Ed might have some ideas or even full work on this, but can speak it due to agreements with Wizards/TSR.
I was watching a show on Nanobots, cyborgs and similar tech. It mentioned the idea of a wireless linking of minds to share information and enchance the effectiveness of our minds to make us smart. Would this not make an interesting adventure hook with similar mind enchancing realms devices like the Elven Kirra? Elves/Eladrin have always had a instictual link with each other, what if they tried to expand this with the use of a new kind of Kirra? On which it enhanced intellect and wisdom (Elf and Ealdrin strong points) of the users plus add bonuses on all knowledge and linked skills.
This could be used for a positive method linked with a paragon class or epic destiny. Or used negatively as a new enemy for the heroes to face who work with a group mind. These as well as more.
Thoughts? Ideas? Comments?
-I have no problem with Psionics (I enjoy them), Spelljammer (I enjoy them), and lots of other things. I do, often, dislike specific things based on the way they are used/introduced/etc. Prime example: 'Hiveminds'. I have no problem with the Illithid Hivemind (of sorts) with the Elder Brain, or the Aboleth Hivemind (or sorts) with absorbing the memories of whatever it eats, or the hivemind concept with lots of monsters (Formians, insects, etc.). I don't like the 'Hivemind' concept when it is shown to be a...pseudoomniscient "super computer" like golem thing.
-It's all about presentation.
Lightning Rail = Maglev tech :D
Lightsaber = Thundarr's Sunsword
etc, ect...
I guess this comes up because of the new 'Witch Mountain' movie? What a primitive culture views as 'magic', another might call 'science' (and any fan of the Wellworld series- one of my old favorites - knows there's no difference).
In fact, come to think of it, D&D's magic system (until recently) was based on the one created by Jack Vance - a SciFi writer, and it was actually an incredibly advanced science thousands of years in the future.
On another note, I thought about starting a thread of my own the other day - one about nanobots! (how weird is that?)
I was thinking that since Eberron was not around in 2e, and therefore was never given a 'place' in the over-cosmology of D&D (Ravenloft, Planescape, Spelljammer), I reasoned it was never mentioned because... it was just too damn small!!!
Thats right... Eberron - its entire crystal sphere with its funky 'atom' cosmology - is really just that - microscopic! :D
Spelljamming guides never listed it, because no could see it. Cyre, a realm from there (thats the nation that used to be where the Mournlands are), appeared in Ravenloft... but someone stepped on it and it got stuck to their shoe. :P
Anyhow... my real idea for all of this is that a portal opens up between Eberron an FR... and no one notices. Thousands of warforged pour through, but there is a problem - things in FR are WAY too big for them to 'take-over'. But then they hit upon an idea... take-over from the inside!
So now what we have here are thousands upon thousands of microscopic Warforged entering human (and demi-human) 'hosts', and setting-up shop - slowly turning their 'rides' into giant versions of themselves.
Yes... Warforged as nanobots.
What that is is a scenrio where Forgotten Realms meets Eberron... meets Star Trek (the Borg).
"We are the Warforged... resistance is futile... prepare to be assimilated..."
That would make a pretty awesome (and SciFi-ish) Campaign. The party needs to discover a means of 'curing' afflicted people (and normal magical means don't work). In fact, a party member could even be 'infected', and then you could even do a Fantastic Voyage senario, where they have to 'enter' their friend and fight the 'bots (or Futurama's 'Worms' episode, if you prefer).
There are some aspects that I think can only work under certain cirmumstances, however. I don't particularly like Warforged being in FR, and I think even gunpowder can be easily misused in the Realms.
I personally like it when there is a sci-fi feel that doesn't necessarily look like the typical machine-oriented sci-fi. I like that space ships are powered by magic and that the laws of space as we know them are completely ignored. I like that psionics don't delve to far into genetic mutations and such, because it just isn't appropriate to the setting.
Some of my favorite books have a good blend of sci-fi and high fantasy, so I like it when Realms authors make an effort to seamlessly incorporate sci-fi.
Just saying...
They could call it Astralstar Jammerca.
It has happened before. Modern or futuristic aspect of our world are placed in the Forgotten Realms, either the realms itself or the metaworld of Wizards/TSR games. Like the spaceships of Spelljammers, the living robots of Warforged, Half-golem cyborgs, smokepowder guns, and the like.
Just so we're clear on this, real-world gunpowder was invented a thousand years ago. It wasn't introduced to Europe until centuries later, but then again neither was the plate armor...
Anyway, like was said, it's about presentation. Cybernetics based on industrially manufactured microcircuitry are obviously out of place, but an artificial limb that works because a wizard did it is perfectly acceptable. A matter-energy-translocator might seem weird on a sailboat, but nobody bats an eye when a teleport spell is used to the exact same effect (and on a side note, I absolutely love the "dialing an address" element of 4E teleportation because it reminds me of Stargåte).
For the record however, don't ever mention Spelljammer anywhere near my Realms.
Anyone seen their 3.5 rules?
I agree a certain reluctance should be considered to introducing too much "hightech" like devices. But occasional use can invoke the desired sense of wonder that most game sessions strive for.
They venture up every so often, mostly exploring..... Since they hate magic, they developed tech weapons and such.
I made up 3.5 versions of blasters, communicators, etc.... for the sarkrith.
Anyone seen their 3.5 rules?
-They don't have any. The best you'll get is the "normal" prosthetic limbs rules, but with bonuses to various attributes (ie, an arm makes you stronger, a leg makes you faster, etc.).
Another scientific idea I had with works with 3/3.5 but not with 4...
Basically a group who believes in the evolution of the mortal form, have been conducting alchemical-magical experiments to merge stronger life forms into such a mortal. To create a stronger race of being which to rival those of the strongest beings.
(Basically combination of grafts and templates are used on creatures to enhance power. Some with alchemical formulas, others with spells like the Nars Fiendbinding spell from LEoF. This could lead to otherworldly creatures which could rival aberration in freakiness.)
Perhaps these are the Faerun descendants of Sigil's Godmen. Perhaps a branch of the Cult of Dragon has gone horrible, horrible wrong. Perhaps an evil god is looking for a new army. Perhaps a lich is building a better zombie, vampire or such.
(Think evil geneticist, mad scientist or even Lovecraft's Reanimator.)
Basically a group who believes in the evolution of the mortal form, have been conducting alchemical-magical experiments to merge stronger life forms into such a mortal. To create a stronger race of being which to rival those of the strongest beings.
-Sarrukh.
"WARFORMERS... more then meets the eye!" :D
I really like Spelljammer, and anyone who accuses psionics of being too sci-fi should read Dragonriders of Pern.
I did read it... and they are too SciFi. DoP IS SciFi!
They could call it Astralstar Jammerca.
Nice... I was thinking of 'going there' m'self.
iron kingdoms has them.
You mean the setting that Keith Baker copied when he 'created' Eberron?
BESTEST setting EVA!!! :D
And it has giant robots, which I hate... go figure...
You could also combine Star Wars and Shade (the comparison has been made before), with a little Battlestar and Riddick thrown-in for good measure. Suppose the Shades want to take over the world, but know that simply do not have enough manpower (McGarthur's famous 'China dilema').
They grab the meanest bastitch they can find (wasn't there some uber-gladiator listed somewhere?) and clone him... they build thousands of these 'replicas' (now I'm moving into Bladerunner territory) - just like all those 'baddies' did with Alias - except these aren't quite human - they are more like the cloned intelligence of a real person in the body of a sophisticated Golem.
Then they use these - dropping them from huge transports they create utilizing found mythallars - to attack and take-over everywhere at once. There's your Shade Clone Wars with a little Necromunger tossed in for flavor. Warforged become Telemont's Stormtroopers (except in Black Armor).
Just don't use Jango Fett... :P
But just for Rinon, we can still have a Grand Moff Tarkin.
I still like the idea of Lycanthropic Warforged...
"WARFORMERS... more then meets the eye!" :DI really like Spelljammer, and anyone who accuses psionics of being too sci-fi should read Dragonriders of Pern.[/quoteI did read it... and they are too SciFi. DoP IS SciFi!
Nice... I was thinking of 'going there' m'self.
Yopu mean the setting that Keith Baker copied when he he 'crated' Eberron?
BESTEST setting EVA!!! :D
And it has giant robots, which I hate... go figure...
You could also combine Star wars and Shade (the comparison has been made before), with a little Battlestar and Riddick thrown-in for good measure. Suppose the Shades want to take over the world, but know that simply do not have enough manpower (McGarthur's famous 'China dilema').
They grab the meanest bastitch they can find (wasn't there some uber-gladiator listed somewhere?) and clone him... they build thousands of these 'replicas' (now I'm moving into Bladerunner terrotory) - just like all those 'baddies' did with Alias - except these aren't quite human - they are more like the cloned intelligence of a real person in the body of a sophisticated Golem.
Then they use these - dropping them from huge transports they create utilizing found mythallars - to attack and take-over everywhere at once. There's your Shade Clone Wars with a little Necromunger tossed in for flavor. Warforged become Telemont's Stormtroopers (except in Black Armor).
Just don't use Jango Fett... :P
But just for Rinon, we can still have a Grand Moff Tarkin.
Do not underestimate the Shadow side of the Weave!
I did read it... and they are too SciFi. DoP IS SciFi!
I disagree. I think DoP is fantasy, but our disagreement on this point just illustrates how hard it is to truly separate sci-fi and fantasy.
But just for Rinon, we can still have a Grand Moff Tarkin.
...And that would be everything I ever hoped for.
I still like the idea of Lycanthropic Warforged...
"WARFORMERS... more then meets the eye!" :D
Already beat you to the punch on that score. :P
It's all about the Warforged Druids, Markus.
It's very similar to the reason I dislike Warforged as well, there is just something about Warforged that I dislike and feels out of place. I also hate their mechanics (similar to psionics for PCs in previous editions, the primary reason I despise them so much).
And if we don't have any of those 'little enclaves' land (as in the Riddick movie), we can have them use Belts of levitation to drop from on-high (a'la Starship Troopers).
Already beat you to the punch on that score.
There was an Ask a stupid Question thread around here about a year ago, in which I asked "would a Warforged infected with Lycanthropy be a Transformer?", so I may have beat you there after-all. ;)
Anyway, I have a much cooler (and less 'Michael Bay') idea for Shade then the Death Star. Stay tuned to a thread near you...
have no problems using construct races like golmoids or maugs, but warforged don't fit at all
, mostly cause of their appearance, and the name, as long as it looks like a walking armor it's finethe campaign I ran few years ago was a Dune adaptation, except the Fremen
(imaskari descendants) were dhampyrs and conserved blood, they were cursed by Thasmudyan and Nergal
the other campaign involved a lot of psionics (crystals, resonance arcana, Godsmen ''holograms''), time-travelling in the past during the Gith rebellion, and the age of Jhaamdath, and in the future during the illithid dominion
We'd have to rename him Ye Grande Mof Taarkin, just to 'Realms it up' a bit. :D
If you must, as long as you emphasize that his name is WILHUFF.
Not another CENSORED acronym!!
And stop being so CENSORED happy, will you!?
You make me want to pet a kitty and stupid stuff.
He's been 'sunning himself' at the top of the water for about a month now...
There was an Ask a stupid Question thread around here about a year ago, in which I asked "would a Warforged infected with Lycanthropy be a Transformer?", so I may have beat you there after-all. ;)
Yeah, well mine's an actual playable PC, rather than requiring the PC to be infected with lycanthropy, so nyah! :P
Incidentally, I just found out that the Druid multiclass feat gives the character the Wild Shape power. Now that's interesting. So with that feat one would be able to play any class and still be able to transform. Sweet. Could have an entire party of Transforged, all with different classes.
No.
Since Warforged do not actually have a sex, wouldn't they also be Transgender? :P
-Asexual, with a gender personality determined at birth (?), by whoever created it (?).
Well, that's assuming a warforged could find someone sexually attractive without hormonal production, but since they nonetheless feel things, it's not completely ruled out that physical attention could bring them pleasure even if it wasn't derived from basic procreational needs.
Asexuality is the lack of sexual attraction. Neuter would be more technically accurate when the limitation is first and foremost physical.
Well, that's assuming a warforged could find someone sexually attractive without hormonal production, but since they nonetheless feel things, it's not completely ruled out that physical attention could bring them pleasure even if it wasn't derived from basic procreational needs.
-Asexual in the type of reproduction they go through, not the "attraction" thing.
You know... like Corellon.
Who knows? Maybe he's a Warforged.
They'll probably spring THAT on us in 5e....
And this is what hapens when a Warforged tries to 'pick it's sex' -
Its sure ain't pretty... don't let this happen to YOU!!!
-Asexual in the type of reproduction they go through, not the "attraction" thing.
Asexual may not be proper for Warforged either. They do not self-reproduce, so they simply lack sexuality.
I like Eberron, but I'm surely no expert. From what I understand, the process of making them is now lost.
Doesn't that mean, eventually, there will be no more because of attrition? They are a doomed race!
And yeah... that question would probably be better asked over in the Eberroron area... see what 4e has done to us? We've all become Transettinguals!
Hmmmm... do they reproduce at all?
-I was just about to ask the same question.
Golems?
Do we?
I looked in the Eberron CS and it says that they do not reproduce and the major source of their creation is gone. However, there are two secret warforged forges. I don't play Eberron, so the people they are talking about are pretty meaningless to me. So they are not really a doomed race, but they should be and are probably thought to be because both of the sources are secret.
Correct, they do no reproduce, and are created. I think the tale was creation was banned, but not specifically lost.
There are known (but not located) creation forges, but I'm pretty sure the right people, cash and resources could create another.
I'm all for Eberron-like things in my world. There was a prestige class, I fail to recall, that looks just like the Borg in Eberron. We also have low yield gun powder for muskets, cannons and the like. They really do little more than a wand, fireball or bow, in terms of damage, but serve for a setting effect.
I'm a huge Firefly fan, so the idea of western-sci-fi-fantasy is right up my ally.
Old West meets Anchorome, with those nasty gunslinging' Halflings and the Shou-built railroad under construction....
My main town was called Headstone, and I even had a Doc Hobbitay and a Wyatt Elf. :D
So, if Optimus Primal is a warforged...Does Megatron serve Bane?
No, he only serves himself.;)
No, he only serves himself.;)
I thought he would pretend to serve Bane until Megatron could steal the Black Hand's power? :D
EDIT: A thought occurs! If we can have transformers, then why can't we have Power Rangers?!
I needs me to have someone stat out a morpher and zords for 4e...
Also, Zordon should be a deity in service of Ioun/Oghma...
I did have a monk try to invent teh Shoryuken once...as well as teh Tatsumaki Sempukyaku. Fit with his theme since his ki blasts we Hadoukens
Also, for some unkown reason, every bard in our realms only knows how to sing heavy metal songs
I put Batman in a game once. :P
I created a build for Batman for a d20 Modern game once. We were only level 10 in the game, so it was early in Bruce's career. The final goal to get 'everything' I needed was to reach level 90. Remember, this was d20 Modern (not future/arcana/etc.), so it was much harder to make a superhero like that. M&M, of course, makes it much easier... :P
Yeah... I'm WAY too into cartoons.............. still. :embarrass
Also, for some unkown reason, every bard in our realms only knows how to sing heavy metal songs
Also, for some unkown reason, every bard in our realms only knows how to sing heavy metal songs
I had a bard play Metallica on the panpipes once. :D
It was because she was pretty much a useless character except as entertainment.
nice! Now then, we must answer the following question: How does every bard in the realms trade in their loot for an electric guitar and mic?
That would be an Eldrith Guitar, crafted by Elves in ancient times. The knowlege of their creation has been lost, and only a few, rare specimens remain in the treasure vaults of Evermeet (although one could turn-up in a dungeon...)
Aside from their many rumoured abilties that include self-playing and the abiltiy to to teach and learn new songs, each contained the spells Pyrotechnics and Amplify. Each abilty uses one charge, and they came with 666 charges.
There is rumored to be a an artifact called Stratocaster's Duel-Neck, which is an even more powerful version of these.
That would be an Eldritch Guitar, crafted by Elves in ancient times. The knowlege of their creation has been lost, and only a few, rare specimens remain in the treasure vaults of Evermeet (although one could turn-up in a dungeon...)
Aside from their many rumoured abilties that include self-playing and the abiltiy to to teach and learn new songs, each contained the spells Pyrotechnics and Amplify. Each abilty uses one charge, and they came with 666 charges.
There is rumored to be a an artifact called Stratocaster's Duel-Neck, which is an even more powerful version of these.
quoted for awesomeness
Volo's Guide to Magic also talked about the Lifeblend and Evolve spells, responcable for creating the Owlbear and numerous experimental horrors.
I think I'm in love.
I've adapted quite a few things from there... I wish they would do a D&D setting based on it.
Then again, the MtG guys probably won't let any of the D&D guys come anywhere near their KEWL toys. :P
At least, if they're smart they don't.
Also, for some unkown reason, every bard in our realms only knows how to sing heavy metal songs
As well they should. I can just picture this being played in the Moonshaes or Ruathym. (Viking-like party!)
Heck, I'll have metal as a musical genre originate from Abeir.
Wonder how Milil will react to it...
And if you nead a god for your new-found religion, look no further then Tyr's ol' buddy....
cookie to whomever gets the reference
Considering we are discussing Dexter's Lab at this point (a child super-genius who comes up with incredibly advanced devices), not to mention a group of super-heroes, I would say we are most certainly on ropic. :D
And the Justice Friends also made an appearance on the Power puff Girls, along with Monkey (who also originated on Dexter's Lab). They all existed within the same continuum (I believe all Nicktoons do).
And here is Val Hallen, Viking God of Rock -
:P
-But seriously. Tie it back to the Forgotten Realms, in some manner, shape, or fashion.
I think this will make a great question for Ed.
Bard holding the Stratocaster: "Ready to Rock?!!?!"
Milil: "Go on."
Bard holding the Stratocaster: "Trollhammeren!!!" *plays the riff*
Milil, frowning: "And?"
Bard holding the Stratocaster: "Not good?"
Milil: ... "I have heard better warcries."
Bard holding the Stratocaster: "Hells!!"
Milil: "Indeed" *proceeds to send the bard to Dis to the Iron Maiden*
:P
now I wonder about the other planes ...
Acheron would be suited for this type of music, Dis or even Ysgard, I don't see it
now I wonder about the other planes ...
for the Grey Waste (Annwn) Radiohead, Abyss I don't know
Dwarven Battlerager with an Experimental MIRV and a ton of Mini-nukes!
for the Grey Waste (Annwn) Radiohead, Abyss I don't know
right, industrial for Mechanus, Pandemonium would have the worst music
Do ya think Drizz't's pirate friends would like Alestorm?
Who doesn't like Alestorm?
A: Only those who haven't heard of them yet.
And this thread has got me in the mood to play some Tom Petty at my next gaming session. That particualr song seems appeopriate these days.
I saw him in concert, BTW, in a very small venue... truly awesome.
What does he have to do with the Realms?
Because "all the Vampires walkin' through the valley"
Okay... at least it was D&D... sort of...
Who doesn't like Alestorm?
A: Only those who haven't heard of them yet.
We are Heavy Metal Pirates
We sail across the sky
In our battleships of cosmic steel
We're the terror up on high
We are Heavy Metal Pirates
Our cutlasses are true
So give us all your treasure
Or soon we'll come for you
...I don't like pirates but these guys are awesome
We are Heavy Metal Pirates
We sail across the sky
In our battleships of cosmic steel
We're the terror up on high
We are Heavy Metal Pirates
Our cutlasses are true
So give us all your treasure
Or soon we'll come for you
...I don't like pirates but these guys are awesome
With a hi, hi, ho, and a hi, hi, hey
We're hoisting the flag to be free.
we steal the show
Jolly Rogers go!
We are Wolves of the Sea!
:D
What does he have to do with the Realms?
Because "all the Vampires walkin' through the valley"
Okay... at least it was D&D... sort of...
-Thank for trying. You saved this thread for another day or so.
Elminster: I know kung fu.
Drizzt: Really? Show me...
So let me just answer by saying what I'd do, if as DM I was setting up a far-future Realms campaign.
I see the Silver Marches and Waterdeep as both growing in size, wealth, and population, despite the batterings of orc hordes.
I see certain critters (dragons) as being far rarer, thanks to reactions to the flights of dragons that cause an "exterminate on sight" attitude in many humans.
I see strong surface dwarf and elf realms on the mainland, and the collapse of Thay into small, warring holds. I see Sembia trying to swallow both Westgate and the Dales, and failing to swallow Cormyr, which now has a large wealthy merchant class and overcrowding.
I see Impiltur and Thesk and Aglarond also expanding, with much local lawlessness and warfare . . . and everywhere, I see powerful mages exterminated, and those who do have magic keeping a lower profile (adviser to throne rather than on throne, local healer and sage rather than local tyrant).
[...]
I see fewer gods, and all of them having less power and influence, as general wealth and technology increases, and "the common folk" make praying increasingly a "say and do this for good luck on the way home, and then say and do this to this other god before bed" matter-of-fact affair rather than obeying priests to the death.
I see lots of new, small realms, and warfare between them.
And I'm not sure I'd want to see much more of a Realms like that, or play in them. Yet as I said at the outset, this is merely one possibility among literally thousands.
Spaced by me for ease of reading. It's not that relevant to the subject at hand, but it's better than what's been posted for the last page or so...:P
...Would Elminster go even more crzy if he found out Mystra was a machine designed to keep him and the rest of the world obediant while using their body heat for energy???
The Mystra Matrix... VERY cool.
Actually, the Weave itself would be the Matrix... that would work...
Then all of the magical creatures would be apps running on the Weave Interface, much as those 'oddballs' were in the later Matrix movies.
Works for me... until Akadinet grows self-aware and we have a Rise of the Warforged. Automatons vs the Weave paradigm... not exactly the Realms, but intersting none the less.
Unless the Mystrix is the same as Akadinet (they merge) the Warforged Terminators become Cybermen... in which case the Chronomancer would have to return to save the day before everyone is assimilated into the Arcano-collective. :D
One of my favourite things to do when creating a game is to mix genres. With Sci-Fi being a very dominant one of those. A current 4e game I am running you could call a opposite-Shadowrun in some regards. In that is more cyberpunk elements placed into a fantasy world rather then the reverse. So got firearms, mecha, electronics, ley-line internet, trains, hacking people, etc.