Author Topic: [D&D 3.5] Low magic campaign world, interest check.  (Read 21919 times)

Offline ariasderros

  • Epic Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 2507
  • PM me what you're giving Kudos for please.
    • View Profile
[D&D 3.5] Low magic campaign world, interest check.
« on: October 15, 2012, 07:08:42 PM »
Thor had Mjölnir and Mejingjard. Cú Chulainn had Gáe Bulg. Most of the D&D game I've seen, the magic item list for a character is longer than the skill list.

In most mythos, and for that matter video games, the people with magic are really rare.
"Oh, you can use an Evoker to use your Persona? So can everyone else noob!"
"Wow! The guild seal reacted to you! Just what we need around here, another Hero."
^These didn't happen.

So I got to thinking, what would it be like to have a campaign world where the PC's were really something special. Not unique (there are always others, including those that came before), but definitely rare, special, and different. Less than 1/10,000 even getting a reaction from a basic magic item.

What if, instead of having a laundry list of little trinkets, you had just a few magic items that really defined your character. Your personal regalia, if you will.

Where you can't just go to "ye olde magic mart" in "Big city A" to get your magic item upgraded for a few GP. Rather you had to go and slay Coinchenn yourself, and take the bones to Scáthach as payment for her to upgrade your stuff (she wanted the bones to make a spear for her apprentice, of course).

What would this world be like? How would the races act toward one another? How would they react toward the people who had these scary powers? Powers that common folk and nobles alike needed around to fight off monsters with terrifying powers, as well as those who were using their power for ill purpose.

Where your powers were rare, but horrid monsters for you to use them on were not.

Because the Arcana is Lost.


Interesting?
Because, umm... I might have quite a bit prepared for this.
I also have other Houserules.
Let me know  :bigeyes

Warning: I DM in "hard mode" at the start of a game, to whit:
  • The world operates without much overall CR fluctuation. Which means that as you get to higher levels, the harder you'll have to search for a decent challenge, whereas at the start most fights will seem "Nintendo Hard" or even "Gygaxian" (though I hate that term's inaccuracy).
You are starting at level 3. CR base is 8.
My new Sig
Hi, Welcome

Offline Quillwraith

  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 867
    • View Profile
Re: [D&D 3.5] Low magic campaign world, interest check.
« Reply #1 on: October 15, 2012, 07:28:17 PM »
Looks fun!

Offline Jackinthegreen

  • DnD Handbook Writer
  • ****
  • Posts: 6176
  • I like green.
    • View Profile
Re: [D&D 3.5] Low magic campaign world, interest check.
« Reply #2 on: October 15, 2012, 07:49:42 PM »
Depending on how the other games I'm in go, I think I'd be interested.  Mostly it's a case of me wanting to get experience with games that are hard so I can give first hand information about how they work.

Offline ariasderros

  • Epic Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 2507
  • PM me what you're giving Kudos for please.
    • View Profile
Re: [D&D 3.5] Low magic campaign world, interest check.
« Reply #3 on: October 15, 2012, 08:02:26 PM »
Depending on how the other games I'm in go, I think I'd be interested.  Mostly it's a case of me wanting to get experience with games that are hard so I can give first hand information about how they work.

(A) Didn't think that'd be a draw point.
(B) What do you mean by "how they work"?

Hard campaigns = you good, your enemies better.

You'd be surprised how many mages I've lost in IRL campaigns despite "scry and fry" tactics because unconventional enemies coming at them "sideways". Of course, tactics like that would be seriously over-powered in most of the campaigns I'm in, but it illustrates the point. For more information, please read Osle's guide [3.5]Being Ra's al Ghul-Oslecamo's guide for DMs to improve their monsters.
My new Sig
Hi, Welcome

Offline SorO_Lost

  • Epic Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 7197
  • Banned
    • View Profile
Re: [D&D 3.5] Low magic campaign world, interest check.
« Reply #4 on: October 15, 2012, 09:47:01 PM »
Sounds like Shape Soulmeld became a really useful Feat.

Offline ShadowViper

  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 850
  • Don't go looking for snakes, you might find them.
    • View Profile
Re: [D&D 3.5] Low magic campaign world, interest check.
« Reply #5 on: October 15, 2012, 09:51:08 PM »
Hmm sounds interesting, no idea what I'd play.

Pathfinder(please!)?

Edit: More interested after reading house-rules!  :D
« Last Edit: October 15, 2012, 10:00:05 PM by ShadowViper »
I hear it's amazing when the famous purple stuffed worm in flap-jaw space with the tuning fork does a raw blink on Hara-Kiri rock! I need scissors! 61!

" 'Giving up' kills people. When a person refuses to give up, he earns the right to walk down the road of humanity." - Alucard

Offline Jackinthegreen

  • DnD Handbook Writer
  • ****
  • Posts: 6176
  • I like green.
    • View Profile
Re: [D&D 3.5] Low magic campaign world, interest check.
« Reply #6 on: October 15, 2012, 09:56:43 PM »
Depending on how the other games I'm in go, I think I'd be interested.  Mostly it's a case of me wanting to get experience with games that are hard so I can give first hand information about how they work.

(A) Didn't think that'd be a draw point.
(B) What do you mean by "how they work"?

Replace "how they work" with "how they are played relatively differently from what most would call 'normal' play" which so far is all I've been used to as far as tabletop goes.  With PBP none of the games I've participated in (which are exclusively here) have been going long enough for me to get a real feel for things.

Offline InnaBinder

  • Legendary Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1244
  • Onna table
    • View Profile
Re: [D&D 3.5] Low magic campaign world, interest check.
« Reply #7 on: October 15, 2012, 10:10:35 PM »
I'd love to play, depending on available sources.

Read the houserules.  Looking at a Human Binder. EDIT: With a Major Djinni Bloodline, assuming you agree with JWO's Consolidated Binder Handbook on this:
(click to show/hide)
« Last Edit: October 16, 2012, 12:17:33 PM by InnaBinder »
Arguing on the internet is like running in the Special Olympics.  Even if you win, you're still retarded.

shugenja handbook; talk about it here

Offline McPoyo

  • Legendary Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1086
    • View Profile
Re: [D&D 3.5] Low magic campaign world, interest check.
« Reply #8 on: October 15, 2012, 10:18:10 PM »
I may be up for it, depending on source allowances.

Offline VennDygrem

  • Epic Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 4587
  • Exceptionally Average
    • View Profile
Re: [D&D 3.5] Low magic campaign world, interest check.
« Reply #9 on: October 15, 2012, 10:35:02 PM »
Would sirpercival's Sublime Rogue be an allowed class? I've been itching to play a rogue/sneaky character for a while, but I'm also really interested in that homebrew version as it could definitely keep it on par with a spellcaster in a low-magic world.

--edit--
Ahhhh, there are more than enough people interested. I may as well back out. If you end up needing another player, though, I'll keep an eye on things. ;)
« Last Edit: October 15, 2012, 10:42:45 PM by VennDygrem »

Offline Pimpforged

  • Member
  • **
  • Posts: 55
  • Can't be simp-in when you out street pimp-in!
    • View Profile
Re: [D&D 3.5] Low magic campaign world, interest check.
« Reply #10 on: October 15, 2012, 10:37:58 PM »
Not sure if there's room left for this, but if there is color me interested.

Edit: I would probably be going with a Warlock build of some sort
« Last Edit: October 15, 2012, 11:30:08 PM by Pimpforged »

Offline sirpercival

  • Epic Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 10855
  • you can't escape the miles
    • View Profile
Re: [D&D 3.5] Low magic campaign world, interest check.
« Reply #11 on: October 15, 2012, 11:20:14 PM »
Ack!  I was busy and didn't see this till now... arias I already told you I was interested, hopefully there's still room for me.

I'd be playing one of my many martial adept homebrews.  Maybe a warcrafter.  That'd be fun... :D


EDIT: Alright.  So my four options would be Warcrafter, Wyrm Warrior, Wardancer, and Cycle Warden. (Leaving aside Sublime Rogue, Hylian Warrior, Gerudo, and the Magipunk adepts.  Holy crap I write a lot of martial adepts...)

My first choice would be a Warcrafter (focusing on Perplexing Essence & Impromptu Virge, probably), but I dunno if crafting will really gel with the low-magic part of this.

After that... I'm kinda split equally between the other 3.  Cycle Warden is pretty clearly a ranger substitution, and Wardancer is kind of a skirmishy class (lots of movement).  Wyrm Warrior can fill pretty much any martial role, due to modularity with the ideals.
« Last Edit: October 16, 2012, 09:26:12 AM by sirpercival »
I am the assassin of productivity

(member in good standing of the troll-feeders guild)

It's begun — my things have overgrown the previous sig.

Offline ariasderros

  • Epic Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 2507
  • PM me what you're giving Kudos for please.
    • View Profile
Re: [D&D 3.5] Low magic campaign world, interest check.
« Reply #12 on: October 16, 2012, 10:29:45 AM »
I, did not expect this much of a response. Especially not this quickly.
Anyone know the real excited-happy-clap that Sokka did in the store in his training episode when he said "Yay! shopping!"?
Yeah, I totally just did that.

Anywho. IRL I limit the play-group to 6. I don't see any reason to change on that stance as yet for PbP.
Since SirP had expressed his interest in a PM upon reading the campaign info:
OK, the campaign looks awesome, and I want in.  I'd have to see how the item rules work in practice.  Love the link to the Discipline Compendium, that's hilarious.

Now I can't decide if I want to play a Warcrafter, a Cycle Warden, or a Wyrm Warrior.  :D
Note the date there. Yeah, he gets first bid.  :cool

This leaves the current play-list as: Sir Percival; Quillwraith?; Jack?; ShadowViper; IB; McPoyo
And current reserves (don't despair guys, we'll see if all of the above do join) as: Venn; and the guy who has Flash as his avatar, cool move pimpforged, cool move; GS.


Sounds like Shape Soulmeld became a really useful Feat.
:whistle
That said, Psycarnum Infusion tricks are on my short-list of thou shalt not.

Pathfinder(please!)?
No.
Thread has [D&D 3.5], because that is what I'm using. I realize there is a lot of cross compatibility, but it is not universal.
THAT SAID: If I can find the info for something you want (like it is in the PF SRD), then I'd likely allow it just the same as I would homebrew stuff.

I may be up for it, depending on source allowances.
Character Generation

Allowed Content: Any / all, but it must be run by me. WotC, 2nd party, 3rd party, Dragon, Homebrew, 3.X, some of the 3.0 may be used instead of the 3.5, by approval. No dungeon, due to my lack of possession of it.

Starting Level: 3rd
Starting Wealth: 2,700gp on starting gear. Max of one magic item. Gear subject to approval.
Starting Stats (before adjustments): 96 point buy; or array of 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18
Hit Points: Maxed on all dice
That's the quick list, there is more in My Sig thread, linked to the relevant post in the OP.
Seriously, unless you are flat out obsessed with spells that I won't allow (Ghoul Glyph is the only one I can think of below level 6, off the top of my head) or abusive tricks (TO), then chances are I'll allow it. Caveat: many things, like early entry tricks into PrC's, would have to be done in-game.

Would sirpercival's Sublime Rogue be an allowed class?
Yes.

Sir P, you get your own post  :rolleyes
« Last Edit: October 16, 2012, 11:05:03 AM by ariasderros »
My new Sig
Hi, Welcome

Offline sirpercival

  • Epic Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 10855
  • you can't escape the miles
    • View Profile
Re: [D&D 3.5] Low magic campaign world, interest check.
« Reply #13 on: October 16, 2012, 10:48:47 AM »
Since SirP had expressed his interest in a PM upon reading the campaign info:
OK, the campaign looks awesome, and I want in.  I'd have to see how the item rules work in practice.  Love the link to the Discipline Compendium, that's hilarious.

Now I can't decide if I want to play a Warcrafter, a Cycle Warden, or a Wyrm Warrior.  :D
Note the date there. Yeah, he gets first bid.  :cool

This leaves the current play-list as: Sir Percival; Quillwraith?; Jack?; ShadowViper; IB; McPoyo
And current reserves (don't despair guys, we'll see if all of the above do join) as: Venn; and the guy who has Flash as his avatar, cool move pimpforged, cool move.
Sweeeeeeeet. :D

Quote
Sir P, you get your own post  :rolleyes
Lol.
I am the assassin of productivity

(member in good standing of the troll-feeders guild)

It's begun — my things have overgrown the previous sig.

Offline ariasderros

  • Epic Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 2507
  • PM me what you're giving Kudos for please.
    • View Profile
Re: [D&D 3.5] Low magic campaign world, interest check.
« Reply #14 on: October 16, 2012, 10:53:27 AM »
...  Holy crap I write a lot of martial adepts...)
An absolutely ludicrous understatement.

Quote
My first choice would be a Warcrafter (focusing on Perplexing Essence & Impromptu Virge, probably), but I dunno if crafting will really gel with the low-magic part of this.
The world is low-magic. You are not. You are Gilgamesh, you are Siegfried. And yes, some of the people in the various epics and legends did do things that would have the D&D equivalent of having scrolls and potions. Just not Anklet of Translocation and a Vest of Freedom and a Tooth and a ...[I'll spare you all of my spellthief's gear list].
And while those people always took the background role to the epic heroes, that can be changed. By you.

That said, bear in mind:
(click to show/hide)
So being able to really use IV would depend on you finding a Major Schema.
I, uh, wouldn't start holding your breath for that any time soon. Major Schema are going to be freaking rare, hard to find out about, hard to find, and, well you get the point. If is was easy, someone else would've done it already.

That said, the other three would all be quite the show.

Quote
After that... I'm kinda split equally between the other 3.  Cycle Warden is pretty clearly a ranger substitution, and Wardancer is kind of a skirmishy class (lots of movement).  Wyrm Warrior can fill pretty much any martial role, due to modularity with the ideals.
The seasons pass differently in different areas of the world, due to minor lingering effects of the maelstrom that ended magic for a long time (and because I said so and used that as my excuse). And having read over CW, I'm not entirely clear how it would all interact.

The other two I've read over as thoroughly as I have Warcrafter, which you know from my comments how that is. They're good to go.
My new Sig
Hi, Welcome

Offline geniussavant

  • Legendary Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1726
  • Neither genius nor savant, mostly just confused
    • View Profile
Re: [D&D 3.5] Low magic campaign world, interest check.
« Reply #15 on: October 16, 2012, 11:00:06 AM »
I'm throwing in my name as a reserve. I'm always game for some fun.
Smile beautiful. It's not as bad as you think.
I usually post from my phone. Please excuse any typos. I swear, they're the phone's fault.

Offline sirpercival

  • Epic Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 10855
  • you can't escape the miles
    • View Profile
Re: [D&D 3.5] Low magic campaign world, interest check.
« Reply #16 on: October 16, 2012, 12:43:37 PM »
I think I'll probably go with a Wyrm Warrior with all that in mind.  I could play a Twisted Vellum/Mystic Brew Warcrafter, but... I don't think so, at least at this point.

What's the deal with psionic items?  Are they the same issue?  Because I'm planning a psionic version of Impromptu Virge (dorjes and psicrowns), which will be going to one of the gem dragon ideals; I'd take that Ideal, but if I won't be able to get d's and pc's, then whatev.

I'll have some sort of build stub up soon.
I am the assassin of productivity

(member in good standing of the troll-feeders guild)

It's begun — my things have overgrown the previous sig.

Offline McPoyo

  • Legendary Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1086
    • View Profile
Re: [D&D 3.5] Low magic campaign world, interest check.
« Reply #17 on: October 16, 2012, 01:14:19 PM »
Thoughts on items of legacy? Custom ones, not the horribad pre-mades.

Also, have you ever seen the way magic items are handled in the Midnight campaign setting? Seems kind of similar, though not the same, as what you're going for.

Offline phaedrusxy

  • DnD Handbook Writer
  • ****
  • Posts: 10708
  • The iconic spambot
    • View Profile
Re: [D&D 3.5] Low magic campaign world, interest check.
« Reply #18 on: October 16, 2012, 01:15:00 PM »
I'll submit an Unbodied for the backup PC list. :D
I don't pee messages into the snow often , but when I do , it's in Cyrillic with Fake Viagra.  Stay frosty my friends.

Offline McPoyo

  • Legendary Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1086
    • View Profile
Re: [D&D 3.5] Low magic campaign world, interest check.
« Reply #19 on: October 16, 2012, 01:27:03 PM »
Hmm. Maybe I'll finally play a dread necro JPM...