Now I think all of us can agree that Bioware has crafted the closest thing to RPG nirvana as we can get. Well we thought so, and made it into a campaign setting.
As a rule I hate saying no to player ideas. I don't want to say no to a player that wants to play a teifling or a halfling.
Here are some changes and things that still need to be addressed. I love ideas and so far the community has really suprised me with creativity.
1.)Teiflings ruled the Tevinter Empire
2.)Halflings roam in caravans like gypsies sell (and stealing) as they travel around. Sometimes putting on Carnivals
3.) We went with what we like to call "Super-Happy-Funtime-Ending" for Dragon Age. Instead of one hero we went with a few. There was a Human Noble hero that became a Grey Warden commander and is in charge of all Grey wardens in Ferelden. There was a Dwarf Noble that became a Paragon. A mage that became head of the tower. The elves where given their own kingdom when Allistair became king. Loghaine did kill the Arch-demon and redeemed himself a hero in the eyes of the people.
4.)The Grey Wardens are now a sanctioned Knight Order by King Allistair.
My issues
1.)Divine magic is a little bit hard to throw in there
2.)I want to put Dragonborn in there but have no idea where and how. Was thinking about the Haven Dragon Cult as a possiblity.
Anyideas you can throw at me are appreciated.
At least they did most of the work for you. You'll just have to translate things into 4e terms.So me and my buddy Andy pulled our collective nerd powers and summoned a campaign setting for Dragon Age: Origins.
I'm doing the same, I think the setting is great.
But I didn't want to rewrite the core rules, so this is in a brief what I have done:
1) Use automatic level tied bonuses (see DMG2 / CB). This is perfect for a low magic object campaign. Magic objects will be more rare, powerful and interesting.
2) Grouped race mechanics into "cultures": simply ignore the PHB race description, but use the mechanics. This avoids balance problems, but allows anyone to play "different". So basically an "elf" can be played as an eladrin or elf. A human Ferelden noble will be playable as D&D human, half-elf (with human aspect), halfling. A human Avvar will be playable as human, goliath, longtooth shifter. And so on... This allows to put almost any race into play but preserves the "visual aspect".
3) Used the codex entries to write a "setting introduction manual" for my players.
I always change any campaign I play a little. Basicially my plan is to "Forgotten-Realms-up" my setting. Makes no sense to have dragonborn in there, so I said "Screw it, their in there".
If you consider the greenronin setting, it is more a core rule book than a real "campaign setting". You'll find a complete play system that you won't use since you aim at D&D, and a very small section on the actual setting. So, basically, it is not very useful. The best thing you can do I think is to play the game and check the Dragon Age wiki plus codex entries.
1.)Teiflings ruled the Tevinter Empire
This would probably work fine, and no one'd notice.
2.)Halflings roam in caravans like gypsies sell (and stealing) as they travel around. Sometimes putting on Carnivals
I really like this one, as it's not something that couldn't be in DA, it's just not noticed.
1.)Divine magic is a little bit hard to throw in there
Easiest way to deal would be to handwaive "divine". All divine powersource is now Arcane. Those that take on the creator's call are clerics, and have that set of powers. Those that do not choose to go the mage route...
2.)I want to put Dragonborn in there but have no idea where and how. Was thinking about the Haven Dragon Cult as a possiblity.
What was the race of the tough-guy you save at the first town? Change that race to dragonborn. They have an honor system, obviously, and they're pretty ferocious. I think it'd be a good fit for the DB's.
So this is what I am Doing.
Sten is a Dragonborn (thanks Ktulu)
Halfling idea is happening (my players love it)
Teiflings are the Tevinter Empire
No Clerics, here is way.
Since divine and arcane magic is essentially the same thing in the world I got rid of cleric and made sorcerors and wizards uber by letting them have divine spells in there catalog. I am also using the mana point optional rule to make it more Dragon Age-eyer.
Shale is a Warforged (like no one saw that)
things are still open but it will progress when we play tomorrow. I will post everything that happens.
2.)Halflings roam in caravans like gypsies sell (and stealing) as they travel around. Sometimes putting on Carnivals
I really like this one, as it's not something that couldn't be in DA, it's just not noticed.
While I like the idea, I find it too similar to dalish elves, that travel on caravans (called aravels) and are basically similar to gypsies. My choice has been to make halflings occasional offsprings of humans. Sometimes from a "normal" copule, comes an halfling. This makes them rare, unable to have babies and without a real community. The life of an halfling will be difficult due to prejudices.