Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 glak2 Jul 15, 2009 10:32:46	First of all, here is my inspiration: http://povorot.deviantart.com/art/The-Hunt-113165499 http://povorot.deviantart.com/art/Neolithic-125835634 http://povorot.deviantart.com/art/The-Big-Man-113165684 http://povorot.deviantart.com/art/Bronze-Age-118833770 These all come from ~povorot on deviantrART. The art and concept are all his own, I'm just refluffing them for my campaign. Ok so these guys are fast, predatory, spiteful raptor people. Long ago they were the dominant life form, presiding over a world of dinosaurs. Armageddon came and the few survivors reverted to a rather animalistic existence. They hate and are hated by their god, the feathered serpent. ------ Average Height: 4'2" - 4'9" Average Weight: 80-130 lbs Ability Scores: +2 Constitution, +2 Dexterity Size: Medium Speed: 7 squares Vision: Normal Languages: Common, Draconic Skill Bonuses: +2 Religion, +2 Athletics Corvid Accuracy: Same as Elvish Accuracy, see PHB Saurian Heritage: Same as Draconic Heritage (+Con on surge value), see PHB --------- Ok that is what I have so far. However I am going to give them beak weapons which will be better than one handed weapons (but not as good as two handed) and they will be able to use off-hand weapons in their hands. They won't have much in the way of ranged weapons. Thus overall this is a disadvantage, though not as much as "being small" if for the halfling. The question is, are they overpowered or underpowered? I'm thinking that they need a minor but flavorful ability to round them out. btw these guys will be in the same campaign as my treemen: http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=1216570
#2 pluisjen Jul 15, 2009 17:00:50	Don't give them natural weapons... no races have them, and many deserve them more then this one Just base their racial power on them pecking something (instead of Elvish Accuracy, which I don't understand considering the fluff) Also I'd give them two minor abilities, mainly for fluff purposes. Maybe something based on them hating their god, or something because of their ancient history (rerolling history checks maybe, although that could be rather powerful) Have you read Fireclave's guide? It's really quite excellent if you want to understand 4e race design http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=1190844
#3 glak2 Jul 15, 2009 17:42:03	I'm definitely not giving them a natural weapon but I can see how you were confused by my post. By beak weapons I meant that they mount the weapons on their beak. If you look at the pictures you'll see them with beak mounted weapons. I haven't worked out the exact mechanics yet but right now I am assuming that it will be a minor disadvantage, half as bad as the halfling's "being small". So giving them a peck attack wouldn't make sense, because Corvid warriors hold their weapons with their beaks. I could give them an attack with their big sickle claws but because that would be better for some classes than others I decided to make a feat representing that. Something along the lines of: whenever you bloody an adjacent creature deal damage equal to your Strength modifier to it. I would like to replace the elven accuracy with something else, but I am having trouble coming up with ideas. It does kind of fit though, as reptiles and birds have superior vision to mammals, at least during the day. Here's a crazy idea: I could give them speed 4 and give them a standard and two move actions per turn, instead of a standard, move, and a minor. Probably overpowered though... I have read Fireclave's guide. It is most excellent and this race sticks to its guidelines with the exception of the beak stuff. However because this race is not humanoid I see no problem with doing something a little unusual. My campaign will have 100% homebrewed content so I will make the non-humanoid form work with classes/equipment/feats/etc...