I'm working up a campaign and one of the players wants to play a Lumi (from Monster Manual III). The problem being that I intended to start the characters out at first level. The lumi has 2 HD and a +2 LA, so its ECL is 4.
I'm thinking about taking a page from Savage Species and work up a four-level progression for the character, but before I went and did that, I'd thought I'd check in here and see if any one here has already done this kind of work . . .
I did at one time make a progression for them, though I don't think I have that any more (and my papers are 20 miles away currently anyway). However, I hope that you have read the Lumi entry thoroughly. If I recall correctly, the Lumi were the floating head guys who were very genocidal.
Just remember when building progressions to give a pause for common sense with this advice:
All ability penalties should be taken at 1st level (I don't think the Lumi have any, but a creature that has a -6 racial penalty to Intelligence has that at 1st level, not -2 at 1st, etc. etc.). A creature shouldn't get dumber (or weaker, or less charismatic) as it gains experience.
On the note of Intelligence, grant retroactive skill points to a PC as his Intelligence receives racial boosts. That way they will have the same amount of skill points as any other member of their race would have. Really, you can grant retroactive skill points anyway (though for permanent Int only, of course), and you wouldn't suffer for it.
Things that define the race (like the Lumi's immunity to vorpal weapons) should be given at 1st level (unless they are too unbalancing to game, in which case attempt to substitute in a lesser ability and replace it with the real ability later on).
If a race gives more "+2" ability boosts than its ECL, consider bumping up the level adjustment, adding more abilities if necessary. For an example of an under-LA'd creature, there is a fey creature in the MMIII (I can't remember its name) that gives absolutely rediculous ability scores for the ECL. It also has DR/silver, which is unique for a Fey creature.
That's all I can think of for now.
Hope this helps,
TK
Yeah, that was the Splinterwaif. As I recall, we gave up on trying to put together a progression for it when we got to the Damage Reduction and for some reason it had DR /Silver. What the crap?
That's all I can think of for now.
Hope this helps,
TK
It does help . . . Thanks for the input!
Having taken a look at the Lumi again, I've got a couple more recommendations:
Body of Light: This is the ability that gives the Lumi immunity to negative energy, energy drain, and popping on the positive energy plane. I suggest giving this ability at 1st level, but making the immunity to negative energy and energy drain only a +4 racial bonus on saves until 3rd level.
Spell-like Abilities: I suggest giving light and disrupt undead 3/day at 1st level, cure light wounds and glitterdust 3/day at 3rd level, and at will light and disrupt undead at 4th level.
I further suggest +2 Con, -2 Dex at 1st ECL, +2 Wis at 2nd, +2 Str at 3rd, and +2 Con and Wis at 4th. (I know that goes against what I said about only giving one +2 bonus per level, but the Lumi probably won't get anything else at 4th level other than the ability to cast light and disrupt undead at will.
One final note: The Lumi have an extra quality only listed in the statistics for the advanced Lumi: Positive Energy Aura. All that means is that if a Lumi takes levels in Cleric, he is restricted to channeling positive energy (turning & destroying/spontaneously curing wounds) regardless of alignment. This would be an (Ex) ability most likely.
That should do it, best of luck!
TK