New Fey Race - Ponies


Homebrew and House Rules

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Grand Lodge

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So, I saw a long time ago that someone else had done this, but, at the time, I did not play Pathfinder.

I thought it was amusing, then moved on. Now that I play Pathfinder, I took a fresh look, and decided, huh, this is way unbalanced and I would never allow it in any game I ran. Then the part of my mind that drives my insane creativity started harassing me. It said, Hey, man, you can do it better!

So I gave it a shot. Here is the pony race, suitable for Pathfinder.

My focus was on making a BALANCED race, that could stand alongside an elf, dwarf, human, or other standard race and not overpower them, or be a drag on any party they're included in.

Also a focus, try not to add more 'new rules' than absolutely required. New rules make DMs/GMs sad and/or angry. Pathfinder has enough rules, let's try to use them where possible.

RP stands for Racial Points, a construct introduced in the Advanced Race Guide, put out by Paizo, which has rules for making up new races. It helped a lot to make the base, and I went on from there.

Here you go: Link!

Good, bad, ideas, thoughts, do share!

I'm sure I've critically failed in places, but I won't spot it on my own.

* PS: Yes, this is based on a show that I shant be naming. I understand this is awful and terrible. My muse cares not.


The link doesn't work.

Grand Lodge

Gus Zagarella wrote:
The link doesn't work.

Tags added for your enjoyment!


Commissar Gerald says: Friendship is magic, and magic is heresy!!

hahaha, no but in all seriousness ponies ftw.


Nuku wrote:
Gus Zagarella wrote:
The link doesn't work.
Tags added for your enjoyment!

Thanks! :)

Grand Lodge

Nearyn wrote:

Commissar Gerald says: Friendship is magic, and magic is heresy!!

hahaha, no but in all seriousness ponies ftw.

Thanks for the kind comment. Any thoughts on the writeup? Too weak, too powerful, too complicated? All golden?


It's nice, simple, balanced, and the feats make it interesting.

Good work!

Grand Lodge

I bask in the warmth of your review.

I had one person raise concern on the ease of access of the weather pony feat, but I felt it was situational enough, and risky enough(since you had to move with the effect you're moving) to not be unbalanced.


I believe the accepted term for the unicorns' mage hand type effect is "ponykinesis".

The feat that improves it ought thus to be called "Advanced Ponykinesis".

Grand Lodge

I have not heard of this term before. Learn something new every day.


1 person marked this as a favorite.

This is...surprisingly well-balanced, suitably fluffy, and quite playable.

As a fan of a show that will remain nameless...>_>...I rather enjoy seeing the balance and fluff mix well here. It's easy to see that players can play whatever class they like (be it martial, caster, or even skill monkey) and be competent enough at it that they won't become a drain on the party.

Not suited for every campaign, but then what great transfer from whatever to PF is? I am impressed, and I mean that sincerely. I can actually envision different character types of all kinds with this race and it works.

Rarity is just the coolest, by the way. Just saying.


Dot.

Grand Lodge

TheRedArmy wrote:

This is...surprisingly well-balanced, suitably fluffy, and quite playable.

As a fan of a show that will remain nameless...>_>...I rather enjoy seeing the balance and fluff mix well here. It's easy to see that players can play whatever class they like (be it martial, caster, or even skill monkey) and be competent enough at it that they won't become a drain on the party.

Not suited for every campaign, but then what great transfer from whatever to PF is? I am impressed, and I mean that sincerely. I can actually envision different character types of all kinds with this race and it works.

Rarity is just the coolest, by the way. Just saying.

Rarity is awesome pony, it is true.

Balance was my #1 goal heading in. It's way too easy to get swept up in the urge to be 'cool' to end up creating something unsuitable for any mixed campaign.

I'm a game designer myself, so this is kind of a fun challenge for me. I just added some feats for earth ponies, but, to me, feels lackluster. Two feats that are normally limited to orcs and dwarves, and one that lets them march for extremely long distances, which doesn't come up in most campaigns terribly often.

Pegasuses get some really snazzy feat expenditure options(to say nothing of the innate advantage of flying in the first place), and unicorns can become very flavorful mages, or arcane tricksters, or a lot of things really.

Ideas?


AJ and PP, the two main Earth ponies, are completely different, and AJ is noted for her work ethic and determination. Hardy is rather suitable (note how AJ is determined and Pinkie is tough to get down), and rather than being able to run for long (which they all seem able to do just fine), try including bonuses to certain skills (climb and swim, something unicorns and pegasai won't need to do due to levitating and flying), or immunity to fatigue effects or some such.

You could change their stats to be +2 to any one (varied nature), and give them other, more general bonuses rather than specific ones (like Pegasai and Unicorns have).

Grand Lodge

The trick there is, why not take the athletic feat? Maybe I'm overthinking this. Earth ponies are the closest to human sensibilities in capability, and this just seems to shine through in the design. Perhaps I should stop trying to cram in something 'special' when they don't need it.


That's perfectly reasonable. They're already balanced fine, honestly. If you prefer the Con/Wis bonus above a static +2, it's your choice. Either way fits, honestly. I think I favor it as you have now.

Grand Lodge

Then so it is!

Maybe I'll think up a few racial items, or not. I've spruced things up with a few pictures for the fun of it, because a pony hammering things is fun for hours.


I am not gonna lie though seeing that image out of the corner of my eye... It didn't look right...

And I noticed that there is no way to TWF as a Pony.


Nuku wrote:

Then so it is!

Maybe I'll think up a few racial items, or not. I've spruced things up with a few pictures for the fun of it, because a pony hammering things is fun for hours.

I noticed. Apple Bloom is a good choice (cutest voice ever).

I had a thought for items - you could create things that are a play on the elements of harmony (make it elements of chaos/good/law/evil) and make it race-specific.


Azaelas Fayth wrote:

I am not gonna lie though seeing that image out of the corner of my eye... It didn't look right...

And I noticed that there is no way to TWF as a Pony.

Though you could Magus TWF, I think, and even with a Two-Handed Weapon (wield with mouth and use horn for spell).

That deserves further explaining - how exactly are somatic components for spells handled?

Grand Lodge

Speaking of that!

The ponies seem to be very lawfully oriented. Chaos scares them, breaking the rules confuses them. Even Pinky, the most chaotic of the bunch, is apalled at the idea of breaking a promise. Then again, Miss Dash didn't feel too bad breaking rules to protect her pride.

Harmony itself, as a concept, is more lawful than chaotic in concept(also more good than evil).

As for TWF, yea, that's... a mighty challenge for a pony, but NOT unpossible.

Option A: Unicorns with the right feats can dual wield with their horns.
Option B: The others can wield a weapon in mouth, and use hooves as unarmed secondary attacks. Be an unarmed fighter and you're ready to rock.

Grand Lodge

TheRedArmy wrote:
Azaelas Fayth wrote:

I am not gonna lie though seeing that image out of the corner of my eye... It didn't look right...

And I noticed that there is no way to TWF as a Pony.

Though you could Magus TWF, I think, and even with a Two-Handed Weapon (wield with mouth and use horn for spell).

That deserves further explaining - how exactly are somatic components for spells handled?

Oh wow, I completely missed this comment.

I've added the following:

Somatic components are handled with hoof and horn. A pony with medium or heavy encumbrance is considered to have no hoofs free for such fine movement, and cannot cast spells with somatic components. Being grappled or entangled also prevents somatic spells, as does any situation that prevents the movement of the pony's legs.

I also added a handful of pony equipment and a magic item for fun. A teamwork magic item. Are there others like that? Best I can think of off the top of my head are banners.

Grand Lodge

I've been tinkering on and off through the day. Ponies can now dual wield without fancy horn magics, with the help of a specialized saddle, though not as elegantly as those pesky humans and their blasted thumbs.

They think they're all that...

Added specifications in case someone wants to go hacking/smashing/disintegrating a unicorn's horn as a battle tactic.


I simply would have made it Double Weapons only...

Grand Lodge

I entirely stole the idea from that show that we're not naming, wherein this device was put to use in a jousting tournament, pony vs pony.

Too much?


I understand it. I just would have made the feat that allows you to use 2H Weapons to also allow you to use Double Weapons, though maybe limit it to certain ones, for TWF it might make it even less costly for a TWF Warrior.

Grand Lodge

Good call on calling out the double weapons, added a note for that.

Not sure what you mean by costly for a TWF warrior?


They already pay a lot for their main weapons. The Saddle adds another cost onto that as well.

Grand Lodge

Ah, truth. Also, easy to disarm.


Dotting to reply in more detail later.


Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber

Did you consider adding Lasagne as a natural weakness and enemy of the ponies?*

*Note: This is a joke and you might only be able to get it if you are european or watch international news^^

Grand Lodge

That joke is bad and you should feel bad.

* kidding

Grand Lodge

A new day, some new work.

Now, pony gods.


Nice work on the pony gods and the rest of it too. Will you ever do anything with villains from the show (like Chrysalis or Nightmare Moon) as evil deities?

Grand Lodge

I had been considering it, but was of mixed feelings. It seemed, to me, easier(maybe a cop out?) to employ the standard evils of the pathfinder universe, which are vast and terrible enough for any pony adventurer. Still, allowing a pony to worship Discord is amusing enough to reconsider.

Also did a writeup on ponies as companions(in case any druid, paladin, ranger or etc had it in mind to get one).


I refuse to acknowledge the latest addition to the pantheon!

Like the balance, but do feel earth ponies are getting the short end of the stick.

Grand Lodge

It's true, they're just tougher.

Suggestions?

Also did up rules for ponies as familiars, cause who doesn't want an adorable pony familiar? Forget imps, that's so last week.

Grand Lodge

Pony familiar rules got more... interesting.

I fear I may have gone too far. Feedback welcome.

As is, a 20th level wizard could have a small earth pony familiar that functions as a level 8 wizard, or a unicorn or pegasus that functioned as a level 7.

Is this on par with other good familiar choices, given their lack of powerful at wills, or is this too much?


1 person marked this as a favorite.

I have just ONE thing to say:

You people TERRIFY me! (scream, then sound of footsteps fading in the distance)

Grand Lodge

1 person marked this as a favorite.

Just checking, does 'you people' refer to fans of the show, or obsessive people that can drag an idea kicking and screaming with more detail and thought than it ever likely deserved?

Grand Lodge

A new day, fresh with possibilities, and I start it with ponies.

A lot of formatting cleanup, including a proper 'title' page, a preface, an actual explanation of the race along with description/society notes, and such like that.

Also made stats for ponies as animal companion(despite being fey), in case your GM chooses to ignore my advice against the idea(I aim to please!).

Still seeking balance feedback on pony familiars vs other good familiars.

Hope folks are enjoying.


Nuku wrote:

It's true, they're just tougher.

Suggestions?

Yeah, you just have to cook them longer.


Nuku wrote:

So, I saw a long time ago that someone else had done this, but, at the time, I did not play Pathfinder.

...
Here you go: Link!

Good, bad, ideas, thoughts, do share!

Surprisingly well done (well, I was surprised. Perhaps I should not have been ...) and they look extremely playable.

In my interaction with those obsessed with the Show Whose Name Will Not Be Mentioned In This Post (no, never seen it, but heard much of a muchness ...) the tattoo/sigils seem of great importance, but your writeup makes no mention or use of them. I would propose for your consideration removing the variable feat (something I personally prefer to be restricted to the endlessly variable Humans) and integrating something around the sigil, instead, as both additional flavor and a unique racial differentiator.

In any case, this is well done, and the thought that went into shines through.

Thank you for sharing this!

MI

Grand Lodge

Malachite Ice wrote:


Surprisingly well done (well, I was surprised. Perhaps I should not have been ...) and they look extremely playable.

In my interaction with those obsessed with the Show Whose Name Will Not Be Mentioned In This Post (no, never seen it, but heard much of a muchness ...) the tattoo/sigils seem of great importance, but your writeup makes no mention or use of them. I would propose for your consideration removing the variable feat (something I personally prefer to be restricted to the endlessly variable Humans) and integrating something around the sigil, instead, as both additional flavor and a unique racial differentiator.

In any case, this is well done, and the thought that went into shines through.

Thank you for sharing this!

MI

Hello there,

Thanks for the positive review, to start.

I do cover the sigils. They're called 'brands of destiny' and are a pretty big part of their society, and the source of that free feat(And the consumer of much of their racial points). Do a ctrl-f on brand and it should come up, peppered through the document.

I was trying pretty hard to stay away from any core race mechanic that deviated too much from the basic rules of pathfinder. What would you suggest for brand related awesome without throwing unique rules into the mix?


1 person marked this as a favorite.
Nuku wrote:
Just checking, does 'you people' refer to fans of the show, or obsessive people that can drag an idea kicking and screaming with more detail and thought than it ever likely deserved?

BOTH!!!! (shouts from a very far distance, and then runs screaming for the hills)

Liberty's Edge

*holds head in hands* "What the @#$% am I doing here?"

All honesty, good race. Won't use it, but will favorite it.


As for the "brands", I had a thought. A chain of feats that represents a brand that grants powers.

Mark of Destiny
Prerequisite: character level 1st, pony
Benefit: Although most pony brands are purely symbolic, a select few grant special powers to certain ponies. You gain a +1 luck bonus on all saving throws. This feat can only be taken at 1st level.

Typing on my phone is hard. See where you can take that.

Grand Lodge

Hrm, instead of first level only feats, why not alternative race traits that exchange the bonus feat for the special property?


Nuku wrote:
Hrm, instead of first level only feats, why not alternative race traits that exchange the bonus feat for the special property?

You could. It's basically the same - you have to do racial traits at 1st, too. But like I said, I was thinking about a chain of feats. Something that shows your destiny over time (like those human destiny feats in the ARG). Actually...a thought strikes me. Expect a post tomorrow.

Grand Lodge

The advantage, or I should say difference, of alternative race traits is that you can't grab two of them(since both would replace the bonus feat). If it's a 1st level feat, you can grab two. That's an active design choice, and definitely not the same thing.

But, it's a new day! So I present dopplegangers. Seems the ponies have a bit of an infestation problem.

While I'm at it, put in a few traits to trade in your bonus feat. Crystal ponies and Chaos hunters.

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