Chimera as a playable race - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Chimera as a playable race

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
ryxis47
Aug 01, 2009 2:53:23 This probably seems like a weird idea, but after i thought it up i loved it and really wanted to try it out.

First off, it wouldn't be like the chimera featured in the monster manual. This one will be humanoid but posses several strong animal qualities as well as abilities that act similar to the genasi's multiple elemental manifestations.

As an example, think of a Chimera with its classic mix of animals (lion, goat, and serpent) but as a humanoid. One head is chosen to be dominant (like a genasi's manifestation) and that one would likely sit on the creatures shoulders while the other heads occupy other areas of the creature's body. A chimera could have a dominant lion head, a goats head protruding from one of it's shoulders and a serpent for an arm (it would still act like a regular arm) or for a tail. As long as the lion was dominant the chimera would have a specific racial encounter power related to the lion but, during an extended rest, could switch to having the goat as the dominant head, gain a different power, and have the goat and lion head switch places on it's body.

Now since i consider a chimera to be any mish-mash of animal body parts, i think players should have more options than the classic 3. This could include any animal from eagle, to shark, to scorpion and each would have a different associated power.

A player starting in this race would need to pick at least two animals from a list to combine (a chimera has to be some type of fusion) and needs to think of some way for the chimera's body to formed. This would be largely cosmetic and not actually affect gameplay. The rest of a chimera's body can just consist of body parts from the animals that make it up, such as the classic chimera having a goats hooves for feat and a lion paw-like appendage for one of its hands.

From there players could take feats to add new animals to their fusion. Some limit would likely need to be placed on this as there will likely be more animals to pick from than Genasi manifestations and you could end up with a serious monstrosity. But this may not be necessary because if a player is really willing to use all of there feats to create a fusion of 15+ animals then I guess that's there choice. (i'm not saying that there will be 15+ choices, just that's what may be possible if there were an unlimited number of choices)

I think this race could be done in a really balanced and cool way that will give players highly versatile choices and amazing ways to manipulate how there character looks or acts if they want to maybe have a different personality for each animal, maybe even have the heads talk to each other.

Anyway, input is appreciated. Feel free to comment with suggestions, possible problems that may occur, even possible animals or powers.
#2
pyromancer999
Aug 01, 2009 10:11:03 A Few Comments:

1) If you want animal-like qualities, you should probably go for a shifter warden. You get plenty of animal qualities out of the dailies for warden

2) Chimeras classicly aren't humanoid, so, while you COULD go ahead with it, it wouldn't be quite right.

3) I think that perhaps you could do some kind of humanoid that's descended from multiple races, like Mongrelmen in 3.5e. These humanoids could choose one racial power from a race, and change it after an extended rest. You could also have feats for it that would allow it to become more like its ancestors.

That's all I got to say, for now at least.
#3
ryxis47
Aug 01, 2009 13:15:18
A Few Comments:

1) If you want animal-like qualities, you should probably go for a shifter warden. You get plenty of animal qualities out of the dailies for warden

2) Chimeras classicly aren't humanoid, so, while you COULD go ahead with it, it wouldn't be quite right.

3) I think that perhaps you could do some kind of humanoid that's descended from multiple races, like Mongrelmen in 3.5e. These humanoids could choose one racial power from a race, and change it after an extended rest. You could also have feats for it that would allow it to become more like its ancestors.

That's all I got to say, for now at least.

It's not so much animal qualities i'm looking for, but a playable Chimera. It's one of my favorite creatures and the whole point in me creating it is so that I, and other people, can play as it.

As far as the humanoid thing is concerned, couldn't i just say these creatures are some sort of magically splicing between what a chimera is and a human. To me, that's seems like it would work, i don't really care if it looks like a classic chimera because i'm not sure how you could play as that seeing as it doesn't have thumbs and can't wield weapons.

Thanks for the suggestions, i just don't think that's quite the direction i want to take it.
#4
The_Silversword
Aug 03, 2009 4:15:22 It does seem like a werid idea but im not one to talk, i once played a half-beholder/Half-halfling.
#5
zoraker
Aug 03, 2009 6:53:26 why dont you try what full metal alchemist did. they had Chimeras in that. but it wasent your every day Chimera. please dont hate me if its not what you want

here is some info:

http://fma.wikia.com/wiki/Chimera
#6
ryxis47
Aug 04, 2009 11:44:01
why dont you try what full metal alchemist did. they had Chimeras in that. but it wasent your every day Chimera. please dont hate me if its not what you want

here is some info:

http://fma.wikia.com/wiki/Chimera

That's a bit closer i suppose, but i'm not sure if i would use that as the race so much as a paragon path that is avalaible only to chimera's

it has given me a lot to think about though, i'll probably make something out of it, it just won't be the race itself

for example, the paragon path would be one where the chimera could become more animal/like and lose almost all human characteristics but only for certain attacks
#7
zoraker
Aug 04, 2009 16:16:47 could make it some kind of beast man to start off with by adding some races together then adding animal caracteristics a the paragon path. dont no if this helps but take the Ferocity from the minataur from the MM, the Blood Fury from the MM. and give them a choice between the shifter powers(note change the name of the shifter powers). make there speed 5 and while they move proned they move 7 and can still hold there weapons. for there bonus skills try +2 Athletics and Acrobatics and for ability scores try +2 to dex and con. this is only a suggestion tho its all up to you
#8
Krusk
Aug 05, 2009 15:19:06 I think this might be do-able.

I would do it like so.

Choose Chimera race, unlike normal this race grants no benefits aside from language. Then I would create four different pools of animals. One called body, one called head, and one called limbs. Players must pick one thing from the body pool, can choose 3 things from the additional pools. Be it 3 heads, 2 arms and 1 head (of these 3 at least one must be a head.)

The body pool determines the torso, and in the event of 3 heads the limbs as well. The limbs pool determines the arms, maybe the legs, and maybe 2 different arms depending on the limbs chosen. You might pick snake limb, and have a snake tail for a hand, for both hands, or maybe you pick the mule legs, and have back legs that can deliver a good kick attack.

I think be default I would say medium, and 2 arms 2 legs. But maybe one set of limbs can be bat, so add in flight. Another body could be elephant, so make it large, a head like dragon for fire breath. Additionally, I would have the body and 1 head slot provide stat benefits. Maybe give limb slots a skill benefit.
#9
zoraker
Aug 06, 2009 3:36:14 well hope our suggestions do something for you give me a yarn when you do post this. im a big fan of house rules and this will be an exellent one to add to my collection
#10
dave2008
Aug 06, 2009 22:46:20 Why does the character have to be a humanoid? If I wanted to play a Chimera (and I just might), I wouldn't want some two-legged bastardized humanoid version - I would want the real thing! Since this is homebrew, why not go all the way?
#11
zoraker
Aug 07, 2009 0:05:53 welthat might be interesting. the actual chamera as a playable race. its doable but their is the thing about the equipment that troubles me. unless you come up with another way the equipment works you might have a little truble(dont worry i had a fort today about building a floating psychic brain for dnd). so a cupple of questions for you

how is the equipment gunna work for this race?

and does that mean someone can make a hydra a playable race(lol joking on that one)

one more thing it dosent have to be humoniod. people have made ooze and centaurs before(note dont dis the brain)
#12
ryxis47
Aug 07, 2009 16:50:35 that's why i originally wanted a humanoid, it just works better for the worlds that i, and my fellow dm friends, have created. Equipment isn't the only thing either, some powers don't seem like they would work coming from a beastial character.

really, i think i could solve all of these problems(largely with fluff), but i'm not sure the people i play with would be happy with it
#13
zoraker
Aug 07, 2009 16:57:02 ok cool humannoid it is. so y dont you go with the animal pool idea from Krusk and take the alchemy idea from me or magical anyway you want it and put it both together with some ideas of yours

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 ryxis47 Aug 01, 2009 2:53:23	This probably seems like a weird idea, but after i thought it up i loved it and really wanted to try it out. First off, it wouldn't be like the chimera featured in the monster manual. This one will be humanoid but posses several strong animal qualities as well as abilities that act similar to the genasi's multiple elemental manifestations. As an example, think of a Chimera with its classic mix of animals (lion, goat, and serpent) but as a humanoid. One head is chosen to be dominant (like a genasi's manifestation) and that one would likely sit on the creatures shoulders while the other heads occupy other areas of the creature's body. A chimera could have a dominant lion head, a goats head protruding from one of it's shoulders and a serpent for an arm (it would still act like a regular arm) or for a tail. As long as the lion was dominant the chimera would have a specific racial encounter power related to the lion but, during an extended rest, could switch to having the goat as the dominant head, gain a different power, and have the goat and lion head switch places on it's body. Now since i consider a chimera to be any mish-mash of animal body parts, i think players should have more options than the classic 3. This could include any animal from eagle, to shark, to scorpion and each would have a different associated power. A player starting in this race would need to pick at least two animals from a list to combine (a chimera has to be some type of fusion) and needs to think of some way for the chimera's body to formed. This would be largely cosmetic and not actually affect gameplay. The rest of a chimera's body can just consist of body parts from the animals that make it up, such as the classic chimera having a goats hooves for feat and a lion paw-like appendage for one of its hands. From there players could take feats to add new animals to their fusion. Some limit would likely need to be placed on this as there will likely be more animals to pick from than Genasi manifestations and you could end up with a serious monstrosity. But this may not be necessary because if a player is really willing to use all of there feats to create a fusion of 15+ animals then I guess that's there choice. (i'm not saying that there will be 15+ choices, just that's what may be possible if there were an unlimited number of choices) I think this race could be done in a really balanced and cool way that will give players highly versatile choices and amazing ways to manipulate how there character looks or acts if they want to maybe have a different personality for each animal, maybe even have the heads talk to each other. Anyway, input is appreciated. Feel free to comment with suggestions, possible problems that may occur, even possible animals or powers.
#2 pyromancer999 Aug 01, 2009 10:11:03	A Few Comments: 1) If you want animal-like qualities, you should probably go for a shifter warden. You get plenty of animal qualities out of the dailies for warden 2) Chimeras classicly aren't humanoid, so, while you COULD go ahead with it, it wouldn't be quite right. 3) I think that perhaps you could do some kind of humanoid that's descended from multiple races, like Mongrelmen in 3.5e. These humanoids could choose one racial power from a race, and change it after an extended rest. You could also have feats for it that would allow it to become more like its ancestors. That's all I got to say, for now at least.
#3 ryxis47 Aug 01, 2009 13:15:18	A Few Comments: 1) If you want animal-like qualities, you should probably go for a shifter warden. You get plenty of animal qualities out of the dailies for warden 2) Chimeras classicly aren't humanoid, so, while you COULD go ahead with it, it wouldn't be quite right. 3) I think that perhaps you could do some kind of humanoid that's descended from multiple races, like Mongrelmen in 3.5e. These humanoids could choose one racial power from a race, and change it after an extended rest. You could also have feats for it that would allow it to become more like its ancestors. That's all I got to say, for now at least. It's not so much animal qualities i'm looking for, but a playable Chimera. It's one of my favorite creatures and the whole point in me creating it is so that I, and other people, can play as it. As far as the humanoid thing is concerned, couldn't i just say these creatures are some sort of magically splicing between what a chimera is and a human. To me, that's seems like it would work, i don't really care if it looks like a classic chimera because i'm not sure how you could play as that seeing as it doesn't have thumbs and can't wield weapons. Thanks for the suggestions, i just don't think that's quite the direction i want to take it.
#4 The_Silversword Aug 03, 2009 4:15:22	It does seem like a werid idea but im not one to talk, i once played a half-beholder/Half-halfling.
#5 zoraker Aug 03, 2009 6:53:26	why dont you try what full metal alchemist did. they had Chimeras in that. but it wasent your every day Chimera. please dont hate me if its not what you want here is some info: http://fma.wikia.com/wiki/Chimera
#6 ryxis47 Aug 04, 2009 11:44:01	why dont you try what full metal alchemist did. they had Chimeras in that. but it wasent your every day Chimera. please dont hate me if its not what you want here is some info: http://fma.wikia.com/wiki/Chimera That's a bit closer i suppose, but i'm not sure if i would use that as the race so much as a paragon path that is avalaible only to chimera's it has given me a lot to think about though, i'll probably make something out of it, it just won't be the race itself for example, the paragon path would be one where the chimera could become more animal/like and lose almost all human characteristics but only for certain attacks
#7 zoraker Aug 04, 2009 16:16:47	could make it some kind of beast man to start off with by adding some races together then adding animal caracteristics a the paragon path. dont no if this helps but take the Ferocity from the minataur from the MM, the Blood Fury from the MM. and give them a choice between the shifter powers(note change the name of the shifter powers). make there speed 5 and while they move proned they move 7 and can still hold there weapons. for there bonus skills try +2 Athletics and Acrobatics and for ability scores try +2 to dex and con. this is only a suggestion tho its all up to you
#8 Krusk Aug 05, 2009 15:19:06	I think this might be do-able. I would do it like so. Choose Chimera race, unlike normal this race grants no benefits aside from language. Then I would create four different pools of animals. One called body, one called head, and one called limbs. Players must pick one thing from the body pool, can choose 3 things from the additional pools. Be it 3 heads, 2 arms and 1 head (of these 3 at least one must be a head.) The body pool determines the torso, and in the event of 3 heads the limbs as well. The limbs pool determines the arms, maybe the legs, and maybe 2 different arms depending on the limbs chosen. You might pick snake limb, and have a snake tail for a hand, for both hands, or maybe you pick the mule legs, and have back legs that can deliver a good kick attack. I think be default I would say medium, and 2 arms 2 legs. But maybe one set of limbs can be bat, so add in flight. Another body could be elephant, so make it large, a head like dragon for fire breath. Additionally, I would have the body and 1 head slot provide stat benefits. Maybe give limb slots a skill benefit.
#9 zoraker Aug 06, 2009 3:36:14	well hope our suggestions do something for you give me a yarn when you do post this. im a big fan of house rules and this will be an exellent one to add to my collection
#10 dave2008 Aug 06, 2009 22:46:20	Why does the character have to be a humanoid? If I wanted to play a Chimera (and I just might), I wouldn't want some two-legged bastardized humanoid version - I would want the real thing! Since this is homebrew, why not go all the way?
#11 zoraker Aug 07, 2009 0:05:53	welthat might be interesting. the actual chamera as a playable race. its doable but their is the thing about the equipment that troubles me. unless you come up with another way the equipment works you might have a little truble(dont worry i had a fort today about building a floating psychic brain for dnd). so a cupple of questions for you how is the equipment gunna work for this race? and does that mean someone can make a hydra a playable race(lol joking on that one) one more thing it dosent have to be humoniod. people have made ooze and centaurs before(note dont dis the brain)
#12 ryxis47 Aug 07, 2009 16:50:35	that's why i originally wanted a humanoid, it just works better for the worlds that i, and my fellow dm friends, have created. Equipment isn't the only thing either, some powers don't seem like they would work coming from a beastial character. really, i think i could solve all of these problems(largely with fluff), but i'm not sure the people i play with would be happy with it
#13 zoraker Aug 07, 2009 16:57:02	ok cool humannoid it is. so y dont you go with the animal pool idea from Krusk and take the alchemy idea from me or magical anyway you want it and put it both together with some ideas of yours