Author Topic: Rules & Character Creation  (Read 6510 times)

Offline Stratovarius

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Rules & Character Creation
« on: April 21, 2014, 09:07:51 PM »
This thread is a clearing house for all of the material that people will need to generate and play characters in Arhosa. This is necessary because there is such a proliferation of options it can make it easy to miss choices that might be applicable.

Changed Rules:
  • Rules will be added as situations arise
  • Skills are replaced in Arhosa with the list below
  • Casting Defensively does not exist. Sorry casters, you've got enough power.
  • Craft, Arhosa replaces all magical and non-magical crafting. This increases the gold price of all items by 50%!
  • No templates on monsters, except those explicitly added by an ability. I.e. no Magebred Warbeast Animal Companions.
  • Town GP Limit/NPC Limit rules do not exist.
  • Delaying your action only affects the round it is delayed in. It does not reset your place in the initiative order.
  • Trapfinding is not necessary to find high DC traps.
  • Take 10/20 are removed.
  • Power Attack is -1/+2 for all weapon types.
  • Non-Lethal damage does not exist. All damage is lethal.

Character Creation:
  • This is a setting under development. Features will change during play!
  • Non-Arhosan content (content that was not created for Arhosa or referenced directly by an Arhosan feature) is not legal
  • No Unearthed Arcana, Flaws, Retraining, or Early Entry tricks.
  • 28 Point Buy.
  • Max gold at level 1, WBL gold at any other level.
  • Max HP at level 1, average HP at any other level.

Races - Base Classes - Skills - Feats - Languages - Prestige Classes - Alternate Class Features - Items - Lore
« Last Edit: June 25, 2021, 09:50:59 AM by Stratovarius »

Offline Stratovarius

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Re: Character Creation in Arhosa
« Reply #1 on: July 13, 2014, 08:06:18 PM »
Below is a list of all the races currently available in Arhosa, by the book in which they do or will appear. The class listed next to each race is the favoured class of that race, indicating which class it is most directly designed for. However, this is not to say that the race cannot be used for another class. Indeed, many races, Chanwyr, Hanian, and Pybyr especially, are designed to be as generalist as possible. Also, a small number of the races have RHD. This is also indicated next to the race.

Arhosa Campaign Setting Races:
High Caste Biyou - Arcanist
Low Caste Biyou - Champion
Flonha - Ecclesiast
Hanian - Any
Llethu - Champion or Savage, +3 RHD
Pybyr - Gallant
Yn Gyntaf - Savage

Races of Arhosa Races:
Adeg - Chronomancer
Chanwyr - Spellsinger
Cyfnewid - Totem Master
Duskscale Pybyr - Thresholder
Kier - Savage, +2 RHD

Stone and Symbol Races:
Constructed - Champion
Constructed (Furnace-Born) - Champion, +2 RHD
Tandda - Savage
Tokunnir - Runecarver

Vivisection and Resurrection Races:
Boncyff - Champion
Casglwyr - Vivisector
Gollwyd - Overlord
Hegni - Necromancer
« Last Edit: September 12, 2021, 12:59:25 PM by Stratovarius »

Offline Stratovarius

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Re: Character Creation in Arhosa
« Reply #2 on: July 13, 2014, 08:12:44 PM »
Arhosa does not use the standard D&D classes (or magic system). Instead, they have been replaced by a series of custom magic systems and base classes, some generic, but many tied to certain regions or gods. Below is the list of base classes, and which deity they are tied to.

Generic
Champion
Ecclesiast - Must choose a deity to worship
Gallant
Savage

Awyr Leuad (Sun, Sky, Night)
Thresholder - Incomplete

Challineb (Nature, Wisdom)
Runeborn
Runecarver
Totem Master
Unlettered

Drancedigaeth (Death)
Martyr
Ritual Warrior
Ritualist

Fasnachu (Trade, Arts, Luck)
Spellsinger

Hannhangnefedd (War)
None directly. All classes that use Martial Fusillades indirectly.

Lledrith (Magic, Undeath)
Arcanist
Necromancer
Overlord
Vivisector

Amserwch (Time, Creation)
Chronomancer
« Last Edit: August 05, 2020, 05:11:32 PM by Stratovarius »

Offline Stratovarius

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Re: Character Creation in Arhosa
« Reply #3 on: July 13, 2014, 08:42:42 PM »
Skills have generally been combined or replaced with a new skill. Note that what monsters Knowledge applies to has been changed.

The latest and most detailed version of this information is found in the Arhosa Campaign Setting PDF. The information below is provided only for informational purposes, but is generally kept up to date.

Combined Skills
Acrobatics - (Balance + Tumble)
Acting - (Bluff + Disguise)
Animal Affinity - (Ride + Handle)
Athletics - (Climb, Swim, Jump)
Chirography - (Decipher Script + Forgery + Speak Language)
Device Manipulation - (Disable Device + Open Lock)
Heal - Used by the Fleshgrafting system for all checks
Intimidate
Investigation - (Gather Information + Sense Motive)
Knowledge (Arcana) - Constructs, Dragons, Magical Beasts
Knowledge (Chronomancy) - Temporal subtype, Chronomancy
Knowledge (Architecture & Engineering) - (Knowledge (Dungeoneering) + Knowledge (Architecture & Engineering) + Search (for secret doors)) - Aberrations, Oozes, Runecarving
Knowledge (History) - (Knowledge (History) + Knowledge (Nobility)) - Humanoids, Spellsong
Knowledge (Local) - (Knowledge (Local) + Knowledge (Geography) + Appraise) - Giants, Monstrous Humanoids
Knowledge (Nature) - (Knowledge (Nature) + Survival) - Animals, Plants, Vermin
Knowledge (Religion) - Undead, Necromantic
Knowledge (Rituals) - Ritual subtype, Rituals
Mentalism - (Autohypnosis + Concentration)
Perception - (Spot + Listen + Search (anything other than secret doors))
Perform
Spellcraft - Used by the Ritual system for all checks.
Stealth - (Hide + Move Silently)
Thievery - (Escape Artist + Sleight of Hand + Use Rope)

New Skills
Animalism - Allows one to become an animal or gain animal traits.
Craft - Used by the Runecarving system for all checks. Replaces all magical and non-magical crafting in Arhosa.
Diplomacy - Replaced with GiantITP Diplomacy.
Spellbond - Use spells for "free", increase their duration.
Spellsong - New magic system
Use Gateway - Use the teleport gates scattered across Arhosa.
Warcraft - Use to coordinate, boost, allies

Removed Skills
Control Shape (not applicable)
Iaijutsu Focus (not applicable)
Knowledge (Psionics) (not applicable)
Lucid Dreaming (not applicable)
Martial Lore (not applicable)
Profession (Removed)
Psicraft (not applicable)
Truespeech (not applicable)
Use Psionic Device (not applicable)
Use Magic Device (Removed)
Knowledge (The Planes) - Outsiders, Elementals (not applicable)
« Last Edit: March 18, 2020, 05:29:02 PM by Stratovarius »

Offline Stratovarius

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Re: Character Creation in Arhosa
« Reply #4 on: July 13, 2014, 08:48:29 PM »
This is simply a list of all the various feat threads that can be found throughout the Arhosan universe. Whether a given thread applies will depend greatly on the class chosen for the character. Please note that almost every thread will also contain general feats that are applicable to any character, in addition to those that are specific to a given magical system.

Arhosa Campaign Setting Feats
Tome of Ritual Magic Feats
Stone and Symbol Feats
Magics of Arhosa Feats
Necromancy Feats
Fleshgrafting Feats
« Last Edit: May 28, 2020, 10:28:40 AM by Stratovarius »

Offline Stratovarius

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Re: Character Creation in Arhosa
« Reply #5 on: July 13, 2014, 10:17:06 PM »
In general, each race in Arhosa has its own native language that isn't shared with any other race, although some few races can speak languages known by the others or speak a similar language for reasons having to do with racial history. Most races receive Trade Common as a bonus language, and it is the lingua franca of trade and commerce across Arhosa, having been the common language created by the Llethu for precisely that purpose, and to unify the Arhosan Empire into a single whole. The languages of Marleath (Marletan) and the Tandda (Tanddan) are known exclusively to those who dwell within those borders. Likewise, many of the lesser languages such as Chanwyr are unlikely to be much known outside of the associated race, due to lack of use.

Trade Common
Adeg
Biyan
Chanwyr
Cyfnewid
Flonha
Gyntaf
Hanian
Kierian
Llethu
Marletan
Pybyrian
Tanddan
Tokunnir
« Last Edit: June 24, 2021, 11:42:45 AM by Stratovarius »

Offline Stratovarius

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Re: Character Creation in Arhosa
« Reply #6 on: July 15, 2014, 09:10:07 AM »
Each prestige class here is listed by the optimal entry class, or at least the expected one. This does not mean they cannot be entered by another means, but rather that this is the expected entrance. Always check the prestige class's requirements before using it in a build. Please note that the Llethu Noble prestige class can be taken right away by a character using the Llethu race. Systems not listed here do not currently have prestige classes. Classes not listed here are not legal in Arhosa.

Arhosan
Animist - Ecclesiast 3
Arbalester - Champion 3
Artillery Mage - Arcanist or Ecclesiast 3
Axethrower - Gallant 3
Beastslayer - Martial 3
Blade Savant - Champion 3
Bodyguard - Champion 3
Brigand - Gallant 3
Creator - Ecclesiast or Arcanist 3
Delver - Gallant 3
Frenzied Mind - Savage 1/Ecclesiast or Arcanist 2
Gatehunter - Any 3
Highland Soarer - Totem Master 3
Intransigent - Champion 3
Linebreaker - Champion 3
Living Sun Warden - Any Martial 3
Ophidian Stalker - Totem Master 3
Painwarper - Any Caster 3
Realist - Gallant 3
Recycler - Arcanist 3
Spellbonder - Arcanist or Ecclesiast 3
Thundercrack - Champion 3
Warcaster - Arcanist 1/Martial 2
Warleader - Champion 4

Arhosan Racial
Adeg Historian - Chronomancer 3
Biyou Arcane Scholar - Arcanist 3
Chanwyr Composer - Spellsinger 3
Cyfnewid Wildborn - Totem Master 3
Flonha Lifeweaver - Ecclesiast 3
Hanian Float Mage - Arcanist 3
Hanian Guild Mage - Arcanist 3
Kier Raider - Savage 1
Llethu Launcher - Llethu 0
Llethu Noble - Llethu 0
Pybyr Fluctator - Champion 3
Tandda Scout - Martial Gallant 3
Yn Gyntaf Tribal Champion - Savage 3

Tome of Ritual Magic
Animus Savant - Any 3
Bloodlight Preceptor - Ritualist 4
Bone Crafter - Ritual Warrior 4
Cabalistic Thaumaturge - Ritualist 3/Arcanist or Ecclesiast 3
Carcass Hunter - Ritual Warrior 4/Tribal Protector 1 (Savage ACF)
Ceremonial Butcher - Ritual Warrior 4
Hunger - Ritualist 4
Immolater Apostate - Martyr 4
Lifeweaver - Martyr 4 or Ritualist 4
Panegyric - Martyr 4
Quietus - Ritualist 7
Soul Channeller - Ritualist 4

Chronomancy
Evanescent Amplifier - Chronomancer 9
Moratorio - Chronomancer 6
Reverberator Reflexive - Chronomancer 4
Speedster - Chronomancer 4
Voyager - Chronomancer 4

Runecarving
Awakened - Runeborn 6
Blood-Spiked Fury - Savage 2/Runecarver 3
Cipher Vindicator - Any Rune 5
Concenter - Any Dwarven Focus 3
Constructed Sergeant - Champion 3
Curse Carver - Unlettered 5
Forgesouled Guardian - Runecarver 5
Haphazard - Unlettered 5
Ironguard of the Tokunnir - Any Rune 5
Runechanter - Any Rune 5
Tokunnir Stonecrafter - Runecarver 3
Unwavering Warden - Any Rune 5

Necromantic
Bombardier - Overlord 3
Boncyff Elite - Champion 3
Casglwyr Abomination - Vivisector 3
Chirurgeon - Any 3
Deathwaker - Any 3
Flesh Brute - Vivisector 3
Gollwyd Suzerain - Overlord 3
Hegni Inheritor - Necromancer 3
Hexer - Overlord 5 or Necromancer 5
Mad Scientist - Vivisector 4/Overlord 1
Multifarious - Vivisector 5
Necrotic Scholar - Vivisector 3
Numberless - Overlord 3
Osseus Legionnaire - Reaper (Necromancer ACF) 3
Ossified Warrior - Any Martial 4
Poisoner - Overlord 5 or Necromancer 5
Soulwalker - Overlord 5 or Necromancer 5
Spiritwalker - Overlord 5 or Necromancer 5
Swollen Grotesque - Overlord 5 or Necromancer 5
True True Necromancer Overlord or Necromancer 3/Arcanist 3

Spellsong
Artisan - Spellsinger 5
Earthspeaker - Spellsinger 5
Songpriest of Fasnachu - Ecclesiast 4/Spellsinger 1
Speculator - Spellsinger 6
Voice of Luck - Spellsinger 5
« Last Edit: February 11, 2024, 02:59:25 PM by Stratovarius »

Offline Stratovarius

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Re: Character Creation in Arhosa
« Reply #7 on: October 22, 2015, 06:15:00 PM »
These are the various Alternate Class Features that exist for all of the classes playable in Arhosa. Next to each link is noted the classes that have options available in that source.

Arhosa Campaign Setting - Arcanist, Champion, Ecclesiast, Gallant, Savage
Magics of Arhosa - Chronomancer
Stone and Symbol - Runeborn, Runecarver
Vivisection and Resurrection - Necromancer, Overlord
« Last Edit: March 13, 2020, 07:28:51 AM by Stratovarius »

Offline Stratovarius

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Re: Rules & Character Creation
« Reply #8 on: September 12, 2019, 09:35:49 AM »
Arhosa being the way it is, even the items are fairly unique. This means a couple things -
First, that all non-Arhosan items (even PHB ones) do need DM approval, although that's usually going to be a handwave for anything core
Second, that there are a significant number of unique Arhosan arms, armour, and magic items, which are all legal without question in Arhosa. It should be noted that the cost given for items in Tome of Ritual Magic and Stone and Symbol does not include the cost increase from the changes to crafting in Arhosa.
Third, Arhosa acknowledges and uses exotic weapons and armor far more than a normal D&D setting, as they are core features for certain classes.

Legal Item Sources
Arhosan Weaponry
Stone and Symbol items
Tome of Ritual Magic items
Magics of Arhosa items
Races of Stone - a good source for exotic arms and especially armor, most of which is legal in Arhosa
« Last Edit: May 28, 2020, 10:29:45 AM by Stratovarius »

Offline Stratovarius

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Re: Rules & Character Creation
« Reply #9 on: March 13, 2020, 07:52:12 AM »
Lore
Arhosa is a setting that exists in stories as well as in rules, with the stories providing deeper and more nuanced exploration of some of the background material as compared to the rulebooks. All told, it's approximately 160,000 words of content as currently stands. Please contact me if you'd like a free copy of any of the below.

Arhosa - Anthology comprising two novellas (Skycities of Arhosa, Machinations of Arhosa) and a short story (Warlands of Arhosa)
Arhosa II Anthology comprising about 7-8 short stories and novellas.
« Last Edit: September 01, 2023, 10:19:33 AM by Stratovarius »