Woodengolem's page

When it comes to metaplot I say that at it's best it can be something for a Dm to hook his story into the greater whole of a world. It can give the give the players that feeling of being true legends and heroes within the world itself and not just this one story. I think my personal favorite example of well done metaplot was in the Iron Kingdoms Campaign Setting for 3.5. There was a great deal about the varies wars and machinations of different factions and monsters but it created a background within which the players could very well change the course of history. I felt the same way about the Dawnforge setting (though who knows how many would actually know that one).

But that's metaplot at it's best. At it's worst it stifles potential creativity and forces plays to act not in the way they intend or want but in the way that is dictated by the metaplot. The bad example I always saw was within Werewolf the Apocalypse. The Old World of Darkness. There you had one of the more powerful and terrifying entities within the world and they're losing the war. And there's nothing to be done about them losing the war. All you can do as a player is run around plugging leaks on the titanic. Within this metaplot you as the player don't have that much say even when you've shown or embraced your heroic status/destiny. The world will end because of things you have no control over.

I guess at the end of the day I think of Metaplot within a game the same way I think of railroading players. If they like the rails their on and are having a good time, then it's fine and hell even fun for you as a gamemaster cause you know where they're going. But if they aren't having fun, why are you keeping them on the rails?

GIGANTOR wrote:

Hey folks,

Anyone know of a website/book/magazine that might have an image of a Goblin with a pair of pistols? I'm looking for a character I made up in Eberron.

I always like to have a picture for each of my characters but I'm hard pressed to find one for this particular character.

Thanks in advance.

-gigantor22

Check out the Iron Kingdoms books your bound to find a Goblin with a pair of pistols. Just about everybody has a pair of Pistols in thous books.

That's exactly what I was going to say. I seemed to remember one in either the character guide or perhaps the Witchfire trilogy somewhere... Or it was a character I'd made. Or I'm slowly going mad. All equally possible.

Okay I'm gonna throw a non-mechanical thought onto this particular bonfire. Regardless of the mechanics of unlimited healing there's the story being told to be thought of. When players have been through a battle they should feel it. Wands and potions and whatnots show a literal decline as they heal themselves. There are fewer potions and charges on the wands as they heal themselves. Lets look at it from a more dramatic standpoint. Do you want your groups to just keep on powering through everything you throw at them? Or do you want to have them be challenged by the encounters? Unlimited healing regardless of the mechanics takes away from the drama of the battle itself.

But that might just be me.

Dragon Bloodline would be appropriate for Scharde.

Most of the classes could be played as-is, with little modding - they were already different then those in the standard rules. That being said, I would love to see PF Bodgers and Gunmages.

I think it would be kinda cool if PP got onboard with PF rules - simialar to what Monte is doing with Malhavoc. Presenting a 'unified front' is the best was to beat the 800 Lb. Gorilla.

I'd totally agree with you about the Dragon Bloodline for the Scharde but frankly I'd want something a little more hellishly evil. Maybe combine the Dragon and Demonic bloodlines.

Well I'm actually currently running the Witchfire Trilogy with the new Pathfinder rules.

For the races all I've done is given them the Racial Hit Points, Iosian Elves and Gobbers getting +4, Humans and Nyss Elves getting +6, Dwarves Trollkin and Orgun getting +8.
Beyond that I don't think you need to adjust the races because they're balanced unto themselves and are all unique to the IK character setting.

For the classes I've allowed the Bloodlines for the Gun Mage (only Arcane and Destined as written) and tweaked everybody's skills as need be. And I've tweaked the Travel Domain powers replacing Dimensional Hop with Longstrider a number of times per day. I've also allowed the Orisons and Cantrips unlimited numbers per day. Prompting the idea of using create water to fight fires.

I would be more then open to ideas for the other classes particularly the Fell Caller.

Hope some of this helps.

Well this comes from one who has trouble both learning languages and playing instruments, but I'd say that neither of them is easier then the other. For some people their harder for some easier. But as you learn instruments or languages it becomes easier and easier as you already know the basics. So with that said I think I agree with the one "skill" rank meaning a new instrument. Cause having done enough theatre and dealt with enough music people there is something that makes it easier once you've got the basics down.

I would also be very keen on something of that ilk.

Congratulations!

Third edition is where I started playing the game, and frankly it's sort of where I began my love of Role playing games in general. But for all the love I have for the game there are some seriously confusing aspects of the game. Vehicle Combat was commonly banned in my gaming group and the number of people willing or wanting to play deckers (renamed Hackers in 4th) was few. I mean who wants to be completely useless for an entire adventure accept for the one moment were everybody else is bored. With making the Matrix wireless it means that you need to have the hacker running around with you and adds a surreal component to the game with the Augmented Reality mechanic and idea.

From what I've seen most of the people are complaining about the lower power nature of the new mechanics. Which from my point of view makes sense. The game is supposed to be about people living outside of the law and doing battle against monolithic and indestructible corporations who use them as pawns in big games of looking for profit at any cost. (That was a long sentence) But anyway it stands to reason that you wouldn't have the ungodly power that many of the previous additions would give you access too. The new version is a much more subtle and smooth game then it's ancestors. It's a lot more about getting out by the skin of your teeth and wits then about powering through the bad guys. Think heist movie versus thriller.

But anyway I like 4th cause the lower powered feel is truer to spirit of the world in the game though perhaps a deviation from it's ancestors.

I'm actually a friend of lojakz and one of those unpredictable players he talks about, and I have to say that I do enjoy the simplicity of the system. It allows for some really bizarre bits of character actions... like out crazy barbarian with a mild obsession with crucifixion. Did I mention we're not a good party? Or even a nice party for that matter... But yeah the system is brilliant.

I came to this entry wanting to really like it. I have a love of constructs that borders on obscene at times so a character as obsessed is rather cool. The use of the stat-block at the beginning really almost killed it for me. And well it seems like aside from 'eventually' trying to take over the world he's not really doing anything that the adventurers would care about. He's sick in the head but not really evil... Now if he was trying to transfer souls by first practicing on others then that's a different bucket of trout.

I do have to say I like the idea, and the use of constructs made me happy. However he just didn't seem evil enough. Crazy but almost likeable crazy. Like the crazy gas station attendant you find out makes dolls style crazy. Maybe a little creepy... but not quite evil enough for my taste. Cause I figure you've got to be either evil or conniving and he seems more crazy.

I've personally learned that I need to be a little less spartan with my words, and I need to get to know the rules a lot better.

I'm really sorry I havent been able to comment on everyone's items. There are just too many to do this all again...

I'm generally tending to respond to ones that I recalled having interesting discussion. The ones we just generically passed over I havent responded to. Of course, that doesnt mean the item was bad. Like most, it was probably a fine item that simply didnt stand out enough.

It's all good Clark. The fact that your willing to even make the attempt makes you seriously awesome in my book. Thanks.

Woodengolem wrote:

Slayer of Midgets,

Eater of Babies,
Killer of things,
and Breaker of stuff!

Hmmm... I think you forgot "Smasher of doodads" also.

Trampler of the easily tripped!

Slayer of Midgets,
Eater of Babies,
Killer of things,
and Breaker of stuff!

If we were going to do a book of items from this (which, as far as I know is NOT in the works) we would probably contact people whose items seemed good but with some editing or other flaws and ask if they wanted to redo them. But dont bother sending in alternate versions now.

Just wanted to check. I'll probably still try and fix it but thanks a lot Clark.

On a slightly related note I'd like to say that these are the best message boards I've ever been on.

Cool. I can see where you were coming from now. And I've played characters that would love to have gauntlets that just do the special effects of your item, let alone the actual powers.

Yeah. Me too. But constructs are probably my favorite monster type... never been sure why...

But anyway.

Here's another question for those Judge type folks:

Say we wanted to do a rewrite of the item on the off chance that you guys do decide to publish them in something. Would you allow us to do a revision and then give you that one instead? I'm not interested in changing it that I might claim the rights as my own just make it what I wanted it to be. Give you guys the best item I can forge.

So Clark aside from what Starglim and Patrick said was there any other critique you had for my wondrous item? I sort of feel weird asking directly but I really want to do better on my next potential design.

Hey Thanks Starglim and Patrick. This is my first conscious effort at item design and I'm starting to see what the problems were. And well Patrick, the marble stone is on the back of the gauntlet (bad wording on my part...), it works because the equations on the gauntlet channel raw arcane energy to override the magic animating the construct, 5 times a day is because of the way the pricing logic ended up, give the PC's the ability to co-op constructs because 1. I love constructs and 2. it was an ability that wasn't really addressed anywhere else, the geas/quest is because it seemed like the only spell of a commanding nature that had enough arcane force behind it to justify the logic behind how the item works.

Guess I'll do better next time! Anybody else have some pointers? I'd be most appreciative.

I guess I was a bit quiet on the last post... (can one be quiet on a text based mode of communication?) But anyway I'd like any feedback anyone could give me on the "Golem's Knuckle" Item I threw up there. That would be awesome.

Well I'll give in. Curiosity is killing me.

Golem’s Knuckle

A full length gauntlet covered in steel plates etched with flowing runic equations. In the back of the palm is a small oval of polished marble. When activated the runes arc with raw arcane energy and the oval glows brightly.

Item takes up both Gauntlet and Bracer slots.

The wearer gains the ability to rebuke Constructs 5 times a day. They are treated as an evil cleric of the creator’s caster level for the purposes of all related checks. They use their unmodified Cha for the rebuke check.

Strong Enchantment; CL 14th, Craft Wondrous Item, Limited Wish, Geas/Quest, Price: 50,000

Thanks oh great and powerful judges.

Blergh! I wanna know! I mean patience is something good but when it's this close! Blergh!

I agree with Struan and Timault, as an aspiring writer and designer the fact that I had those judges taking the time to look over my creation is a major honor.

Thanks for doing this contest, and thanks for the consideration.

Woodengolem wrote:

For no man can say no to a Gyro.

Unless that man (or woman) is a vegetarian.

But who wants to rule them anyway? *Grin*

If one can talk to goats, then one can control goats. And control of goats is control of goat's milk, and control of goat's milk is control of feta cheese, and control of feat cheese is control of Greek food! And with control of Greek food you can take over the world! For no man can say no to a Gyro.

I've been thinking it over since the contest started but have been so busy with non-game crap that I was terrified that I wasn't gonna pull it off. But low and behold an hour before the deadline the idea burst from my head and splattered on the page. ... And now with that awkward visual I think I'm going to go and gnaw some fingers with the rest of my comrades.

It was far closer then I'm comfortable with but the button has been pressed and may the gods be kind.

Well it's better than I was expecting. I figured I was buggered.

So here's a question what time today is the cut off? I've been busy as Satan in Vegas and haven't had much time to work on this so when is the slide it under the door cut off?

I'd default to either saying something like "ruinic", "runes", or "sinewy script" however if you're looking for an established fantasy language, I'd say aim for the elvish script, as they look similar.

I hope that helps.

Thanks. That does. And thanks for the Eberron Gnomish thing Zootcat but I think I'm trying for just a little more generic.

I'm looking at possibly using Hebrew characters for the description of my item. Not spelling them out persay just saying something like "there's Hebrew Characters engraved" or somesuch. So I guess my question is, what's the fantastic equivalent of Hebrew?