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| #1dnd20Dec 27, 2008 1:04:02 | I have a race in my homebrew campaign known as avians. They are a rare breed of bird-like humanoids known for their great skills in whatever profession they strive towards. In the game, when the PCs do get into fights with them I use manipulations of the harpy and angel templates (depending on level). However I'd like to make them a playable race if my players want. Here is what I have so far, any comments or suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated. Avian Racial Traits Average Height: 5´ 2˝–5´ 10˝ Average Weight: 90–110 lb. Ability Scores: +2 Strength, +2 Dexterity Size: Medium Speed: 6 squares, Fly 8 (Overland Flight) while unencumbered Vision: Low-Light Languages: Common, choice of Elven or Dwarven (see Homeland Heritage) Skill Bonuses: +2 Perception, +2 Diplomacy Aerial Weapon Proficiency: You gain proficiency with the longbow. Smooth Descent: You gain a +5 bonus on checks to prevent falling damage Weightless Preference: If you are proficient with any heavy armor, you gain a +1 bonus to AC while wearing light armor. Homeland Heritage:Choose a native Heritage: Mountain or Woodland. Your pre-heroic life grants you certain bonuses depending on where you were born. Mountain Heritage: You spent your pre-heroic life in the mountains. Because of this you know Dwarven as your secondary language. Woodland Heritage: You spent your pre-heroic life in a forest or other heavily wooded area. Because of this you know Elven as your secondary language. Winged Fighter: Once per encounter, you can use either the Aerial Charge power or the Wing Gust power. Aerial Charge You leap into the air and dive at your enemies Encounter Standard Action Melee 1 Effect: You fly directly upwards a number of squares equal to your fly speed. You may then charge an enemy. You may charge a distance equal to your fly speed. Wing Gust Stretching back your wings you release a large gust of air that sends your enemies backwards. Encounter ► Force Standard Action Close blast 3 Targets: All creatures in area Attack: Strength vs. Reflex, Constitution vs. Reflex, or Dexterity vs. Reflex Hit: 1d4 + Strength modifier damage and the target is pushed 1 square Increase to 2d4 + Strength modifier damage at 11th level and to 3d4 + Strength modifier damage and 2 squares at 21st level. Special: When you create your character, choose Strength, Constitution, or Dexterity as the ability score you use when making attack rolls with this power. This choice remains throughout your character’s life and does not change the power’s other effects. Tactful warriors and skilled masters in most all fighting styles, Avian’s are a race bred to survive. Many myths tell that Avians were the primordial answer to Angels, though most Avian scholars believe these stories came about, and continue to be circulated, due to Avian pride. Many stories also claim that the Raven Queen herself is an avian, though some consider this blasphemous. Play an Avian if you want: *to take to the skies *to be a skillful and proud master of a fighting style *to be a member of a race that favors almost all martial classes Physical Qualities Avians combine the features of human and raptor, having the build of a lanky yet stout humanoid but with talon-like feet and a wingspan equal to their height. They come in a variety of colors along the white, brown, and black spectrum, though some younger avians are known to dye their wings in exotic colors. Their heads remain very birdlike, with a sharp beak, piercing eyes, and tufts of feathers that are groomed into different styles. Their feathers cover most of their bodies, though their hands and feet resemble the tough claws of most birds of prey. When not in battle situations, Avians are known to dress in light clothing such as cloth and silk. A common tradition among many woodland avians is a necklace known as the Connections Pendant. The necklace carries token feathers, normally no more than three, of significant family members, usually the mother, father, and spouse. Many mountain born avians are known to have an heirloom family weapon, normally a longbow, that can be traced back many generations. Playing an Avian Avians are a generally rare race that does not commute much with major cities. Those that do are greeted with either much caution or great admiration. It is not uncommon to find an avian being used as a status symbol inside a royal court. Few avians accept such belittling statuses, and those that do often have ulterior motives for doing so, such as training with the royal’s militia. No matter where their heritage lies, avians are bred to survive anything. Early in age they are taught how to wield all manner of light weapons and how to aim a bow in high winds. Historians aren’t really sure what it is the avians are planning for, and in fact many avians wouldn’t be able to answer that question either. The few avians who don’t take interest in training the body can often be found training the mind. Avians are known to make excellent scholars and craftsmen due to their attention to detail and constant need to improve. Avians who takes these paths are known to make great linguists, as learning new languages is a difficult task for the beaked race and presents a great challenge for them to overcome. Avian mages are rare due to lack of available teachers. Those that do take up the arcane arts tend to leave their homes in search for those that can help them continue learning their skill. Those avians that do walk the path of the mystical arts are highly devoted studiers and many refuse to end their training until they’ve designed their own ritual. The avian clergy holds some power in the avian society, though not nearly as much as it does in other races. Avian clergy tend to practice the teachings of Kord, Ioun or Avandra, blessing the skilled warrior, the talented learner, and the free spirit. Avians born with black feathers are known to worship the Raven Queen, believing their feathers to be a symbol of her divine favor. Because of the shape of their hands, many of the weapons that avians use need to be custom made in order to retain the same proficiency. Avian armor is crafted to allow for their tail feathers to remain in use, which would otherwise make flight a lot more difficult. They prefer to wear very light armor and use light weapons in order to prevent hindrance during flight. However, there are a few very dedicated warriors known to dress themselves in heavy battle armor. Avian Characteristics: Prideful, studious, sheltered, reserved, calculating, militant, quick-witted, perfectionist, perceptive Avian Male Names: Aleron, Errol, Ephram, Raash, Trent, Vulco Avian Female Names: Clara, Clymene, Iglenna, Raven, Risa, Valara Avian Adventurers Three sample avian adventurers are described below: Aleron was born in a woodland home constantly threatened by harpies living in the mountains near the coast. His people consider the harpies to be lesser creatures, bastard versions of their form. Since his birth he has trained every day from dusk till dawn’s light in order to perfect his ability with the bow. When he’s not training, Aleron is a known playboy and likes to show off his skills to the avian females, in hopes of one day adding a third feather to his Connections Pendant. Valara enjoyed wondering off and exploring the deepest tunnels of her mountain home at a very young age. She grew so accustomed to it that her landings are as soft as a whisper, and flight as quiet as a summer breeze. She has mastered the use of a dagger, which gets her out of trouble when she routinely comes in contact with Underdark monsters. She likes to boast that her daggers came from the fangs of a purple dragon, though few actually believe her. Raven was born in the mountains, but soon learned that training in weaponry simply wasn’t for her. After her mother passed away, Raven left her rocky home and took up residence in a large nearby city. It was there that she learned of her gift for magic and was accepted into the mage’s guild. Though she was very astute and a fast learner, she couldn’t get rid of the nagging feeling that she was only admitted based on the status her being there would provide. The Homeland Heritage thing will affect later feats unless anyone has other stuff that could be added. Also, if Rakshasa are big cat humanoids and Raavasta are fox-like humanoids, what's a better name for this race? |
| #2pigknightDec 27, 2008 1:17:07 | The elves have a speed of 7 on the ground. The max fly speed I would give a PC race is 1 or 2. Flying allows for an extremely greater tactiful advantage than most people give it credit for. A +1 to AC is a lot. 2 racial powers? |
| #3dnd20Dec 27, 2008 16:30:10 | The elves have a speed of 7 on the ground. The max fly speed I would give a PC race is 1 or 2. Flying allows for an extremely greater tactiful advantage than most people give it credit for. They can't fly in combat with Overland flight. Trust me, I remember trying to DM characters with flight and if they had it in combat it was pretty busted. Outside of combat didn't really create a lot of problems. A +1 to AC is a lot. I'm playtesting that one still, it might get dropped. The problem is that it's giving everyone that takes the chainmail feat an extra +1 AC. So on Rangers and Barbarians it's pretty nice because a 13 STR and CON isn't that out of the ordinary. It would take a Rogue and Swordmage two feats, so I consider that a balance (the Swordmage AC is so unbalanced anyway that the +1 doesn't feel like it will matter). As far as Barbarians, the ones I've built have had **** poor AC so far so I don't think it will take them to tank. The real problem is the Rangers, and that's where my current playtesting comes in. I'm hoping to find a few people to help playtest. 2 racial powers? Drow have two as well. Though I'm thinking that if they keep the +1 AC they should only have the one where as if I drop the +1 AC keep it at two. |
| #4pigknightDec 29, 2008 1:37:26 | They can't fly in combat with Overland flight. Trust me, I remember trying to DM characters with flight and if they had it in combat it was pretty busted. Outside of combat didn't really create a lot of problems. It's confusing, might want to clarify in the stat block. I'm playtesting that one still, it might get dropped. The problem is that it's giving everyone that takes the chainmail feat an extra +1 AC. So on Rangers and Barbarians it's pretty nice because a 13 STR and CON isn't that out of the ordinary. It would take a Rogue and Swordmage two feats, so I consider that a balance (the Swordmage AC is so unbalanced anyway that the +1 doesn't feel like it will matter). As far as Barbarians, the ones I've built have had **** poor AC so far so I don't think it will take them to tank Swordmage AC is perfectly fine. +1 AC is a lot, just drop it. Drow have two as well. Though I'm thinking that if they keep the +1 AC they should only have the one where as if I drop the +1 AC keep it at two. But they can only use one at a time. |
| #5griffonheartDec 29, 2008 12:58:16 | Same with theses guys. Once per encounter they can use either... It is an easy line to miss but it is in there. Beyond that I would love it if someone would please explain to me why winged races always get bow profs? It seems to me like it would be nearly impossible to fire a bow while airborn, especially if your wings come from somewhere in the neighbourhood of the shoulders. I want to see winged races with spear and/or javelin proficiencies. Now that is a weapon that makes way more sense to me. |
| #6xxphilosopherxxDec 29, 2008 12:58:46 | Wing Gust Why does this have the Force descriptor? As far as i can tell, it's a simple (though powerful) gust of wind. It probably shouldn't have this unless there's some kind of magical force akin to Magic Missile present in the blast, otherwise it would also be usable with the Inescapable Force (?) feat. |
| #7dnd20Dec 29, 2008 17:15:56 | Sorry, I wasn't posting a lot of the updates here but here is the current build after taking in a lot of advise. Flavor and stuff was changed too but I won't post that now. As for the question about winged races and bows, I fixed mine to hand crossbow after someone showed me to my face that longbow, in flight as you said, makes no sense. I like the spear/javelin idea, but I think the idea is that they want to tactically stay outside of battle as much as possible, and if you have to throw your weapon you have to got get it back somehow... Avian Racial Traits Average Height: 5´ 2˝–5´ 10˝ Average Weight: 90–110 lb. Ability Scores: +2 Dexterity, Choice of +2 Constitution or +2 Wisdom (See Homeland Heritage) Size: Medium Speed: 6 squares, Overland Flight 8 while unencumbered* Vision: Low-Light Languages: Common, choice of Elven or Dwarven (see Homeland Heritage) Skill Bonuses: +2 Perception, choice of +2 Dungeoneering or +2 Nature (see Homeland Heritage) Smooth Descent: You gain a +5 bonus on checks to prevent falling damage Aerial Weapon Proficiency: You gain proficiency with the hand crossbow. Weightless Preference: If you are proficient with any heavy armor, you gain a +1 bonus to AC while wearing light armor. Homeland Heritage: Choose a native Heritage: Mountain or Woodland. Your pre-heroic life grants you certain bonuses depending on your heritage or lifestyle Mountain Heritage: You possess many qualities and customs of the mountain-born avians. Because of this you know Dwarven as your secondary language. You get +2 Constitution as your secondary ability score bonus and have +2 Dungeoneering as your secondary skill bonus. Woodland Heritage: You possess many qualities and customs of the forest-born avians. Because of this you know Dwarven as your secondary language. You get +2 Wisdom as your secondary ability score bonus and have a +2 Nature as your secondary skill bonus. Winged Fighter: Once per encounter, you can use the Aerial Charge power. Aerial Charge You leap into the air and dive at your enemies, then push yourself out of range. Encounter Standard Action Melee 1 Effect: You fly directly upwards a number of squares up to half your fly speed. You may then charge an enemy. You may charge a distance equal to your fly speed. You don't take opportunity attacks during the charge and end the charge on the ground. After the charge you may shift a number of squares equal to your Dexterity modifier. Right now the possible changes look like they might happen: +1 AC bonus will be moved to a feat. That way light armor wearers have to take, at the least, two feats to get the bonus. Rangers would need two but a rogue would need three. Woodland Heritage stuff will just get deleted. Anyone taking the Woodland Heritage pretty much becomes an elf that can fly, but not even that good of an elf. Skill bonuses become Perception and Athletics. Flavor-wise it's so they climb better so that they can take flight easier. This one is still getting tossed around but if the Heritage thing goes away, the secondary skill will become something static and I don't want to reserve them to either homeland. If both those changes happen, I think I'll need to add something, otherwise all they really have besides the encounter power is flight. I don't know how much Overland Flight adds to the race's overall value and I'm still trying to gauge it. The current ideas are something along the lines of hindering terrain avoidance like Wild Step or a simple +1 racial bonus to Reflex. If I enact all those changes here is what we have: Avian Racial Traits Average Height: 5´ 2˝–5´ 10˝ Average Weight: 90–110 lb. Ability Scores: +2 Dexterity, +2 Constitution Size: Medium Speed: 6 squares, Overland Flight 8 while unencumbered* Vision: Low-Light Languages: Common, choice of one other Skill Bonuses: +2 Perception, +2 Athletics Smooth Descent: You gain a +5 bonus on checks to prevent falling damage Aerial Weapon Proficiency: You gain proficiency with the hand crossbow. Winged Fighter: Once per encounter, you can use the Aerial Charge power. Aerial Charge You leap into the air and dive at your enemies, then push yourself out of range. Encounter Standard Action Melee 1 Effect: You fly directly upwards a number of squares up to half your fly speed. You may then charge an enemy. You may charge a distance equal to your fly speed. You don't take opportunity attacks during the charge and end the charge on the ground. After the charge you may shift a number of squares equal to your Dexterity modifier. *Overland flight is meant to be used outside of combat. A creature loses its minor, immediate, and standard actions while flying at its overland flight speed, and can use its move action only to fly. It flies the specified number of squares with a single move action. If it takes actions to do anything else, it crashes. Like I said, I don't know what flight adds, so I think I need to add one more thing. |
| #8dnd20Dec 29, 2008 21:08:18 | I've been looking for help on multiple forums and it's tiring to keep updating all of them. So from now on I'm going to just update the one: Avian (4e Race - D&D Wiki) Feel free to post any comments and suggestions here though, I'm still looking for opinions and thoughts! As always, thanks for any that help! |
| #9duel_mastaJan 02, 2009 0:01:07 | Is this similar to those MTG guys? If it is, I love those guys. |
| #10melloredJan 02, 2009 13:39:56 | They should take -1 to move while in heavy armour, rather then the +1AC for light armour, you can have a feat remove the penalty. Also, you may want to just have +2 Int and remove the Con bonus. I have trouble thinking of birdmen having high Con, and it might help balance out having flight. Another option (perhaps a PP), is allowing off-hand weapons to be used during flight. |
| #11posephJan 02, 2009 22:32:30 | They should take -1 to move while in heavy armour, rather then the +1AC for light armour, you can have a feat remove the penalty. I disagree with this. 4e, so far, has been all about rewarding players for building their characters correctly, not punishing them for building their characters incorrectly. However, I don't think that they should gain a bonus to AC in light armor. As has been said multiple times in this thread, +1 AC is a lot, and can sometimes mean the difference between going down and staying up. As for gaining some sort of benefit for staying in light armor, you could just say they being able to feel the world around them better gives them a +1 bonus to speed, or gives them a +2 bonus to saving throws. Not sure if this helps, but I can't think of a situation where tossing around ideas didn't make a race (or anything for that matter) better. Other wise, I think that this race is good, and I like the way that you handled a controlled descent, without completely negating the threat of falling damage. Good luck with perfecting the race. -Poseph |
| #12dnd20Jan 06, 2009 8:29:04 | Other wise, I think that this race is good, and I like the way that you handled a controlled descent, without completely negating the threat of falling damage. Good luck with perfecting the race. http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Avian_(4e_Race) Is that from the new change that's similar to the dwarf prone ability or the original where it was just a bonus? A lot has changed. The race went from +2 Str, +2 Dex to +2 Con, +2 Int due to flavor! As for the AC thing, it looks like it might be a paragon feat, though I might change it to a heroic feat that gives +1 racial bonus to reflex. I like your idea though too, because I was considering dropping their base speed to 5. |
| #13dnd20Jan 06, 2009 8:31:24 | Considering Feats: HEROIC Birds of a Feather Prerequisites: Avian, ranger, Beast Mastery Benefit: If your animal companion is a raptor it gets a +1 bonus to damage rolls whenever you use a power with the Beast keyword Mountain Avian Practice Prerequisites: Avian, smooth descent racial feature Benefit: You get a +1 bonus when making a saving throw to prevent falling damage Special: You cannot take this feat if you have already taken Forest Avian Maneuvering Forest Avian Maneuvering Prerequisites: Avian, aerial assault racial power Benefit: When you use your Aerial Assult power you can shift an additional square Special: You cannot take this feat if you have already taken Mountain Avian Practice Ferocious Dive Prerequisites: Avian, aerial assault racial power Benefit: When you pass through an enemies square with your aerial assault power that enemy must make a saving roll or be knocked prone. PARAGON Weightless Preference Prerequisites: Avian, trained in a heavy armor Benefit: You gain a +1 racial bonus to AC while wearing light armor. Aerial Fighter Prerequisites: Avian, Dex 15 or Str 15 Benefit: You gain Fly 4 (clumsy) Special: A clumsy flier takes a –4 penalty to attack rolls and defenses while flying. This creature is ill-suited to flying in the air. EPIC Like the Wind Prerequisites: Avian, Aerial Fighter feat Benefits: You take no penalty to attack rolls made while flying in battle. Your penalties to defenses remain. I'm REALLY adamant about not giving them just straight flight in combat. Any thoughts? |
| #14dnd20Jan 06, 2009 9:58:09 | Also, you may want to just have +2 Int and remove the Con bonus. I have trouble thinking of birdmen having high Con, and it might help balance out having flight. I don't know how powerful flight outside of combat actually is yet. I'm playtesting it for the first time tonight and hope to see. I really only see it negating a few athletic rolls and some other possible skill rolls. The avian character doesn't have to jump over the ravine, but I'm sure there are plenty of ways to challenge them just as much. Our DM is starting the game off with me getting snared by a net and dropping through a roof. It is DUNGEONS and Dragons for a reason. As for the Con bonus, it's less about them being really sturdy and more about them having a large enough resolve to not back down from the challenge. When I gave them Con/Int it was to mold them around the Warlord and Swordmage, both of which have flavor that matches the avian's perfectly. Another option (perhaps a PP), is allowing off-hand weapons to be used during flight. Well they aren't denied this right now... Is this similar to those MTG guys? Their appearances are molded around those guys yes. I don't really know what sort of flavor those guys have in the MTG verse though. I always loved using them. |
| #15xxphilosopherxxJan 09, 2009 18:19:25 | Mountain Avian Practice It seems the first feat was intended to reference to the second, but does not. There must have been a name change somewhere along the line. |
| #16dnd20Jan 11, 2009 14:39:24 | Yeah it was, I'll fix that. I'm starting to think the racial power needs to be a daily. It also might need something like Special: You can only use this power if your movement is not impeded and you would normally be able to fly. Because I see a battle in a small cramped corridor and SURPRISE! the avian is now behind the entire line of enemies |