|
I am in the process of building a campaign world and I am thinking of having the players choose a nation to be their homeland. This choice would do a couple of things, first it would provide a bonus language. Second, it would provide contact with that nation.
But what I am stuck on is do I restrict classes based on homelands. For example, I have a nation, the Aegrian Empire, who is based on Roman Empire, and as I envision the empire it is very magic and infantry heavy. This means that players would not be able to select Gunslinger, Ninja, and maybe the Samurai/cavalier would be out. The reasons is that the empire relies on magic not technology and that assassinations are guild controlled and legal.
What are thoughts on this?
I have done this concept with weapons alongside Weapon Group Proficiency Feats. Like Morgen said. Talk to your Players. It might go over well because of the Flavour it can generate.
Kelt Nations would have Bards and Monks. Though Monks would probably be Martial Artists.
I would make it:
If you are in the East you gain a free Exotic Eastern Weapon Proficiency. In a Hellenistic Society you get a free Weapon Proficiency Feat.
BTW: Romanesque just refers to Archetecture & Art. The actual term is Hellenistic. Which encompasses Rome, Greece, Macedon, and various others.
Romanesque when used to a person actually is in effect calling them a w****. As it refers to the fact that Rome was famous for having at least 1 Male and 1 Female Prostitute on every corner. And the Prostitutes were free.
To them yes. As the City provided Food and Housing for them.
try it backwards
have them pick the race/class they want to play then help them to find a homeland that is fitting for it in your creation
or just, you know, do what has already been mentioned and talk with your group about it instead of with thread people
|
|
I talked with one of the players and she seemed to like it, but my main idea is not to restrict the core classes, only those in the Advanced player guide, Ultimate magic and Ultimate combat since i am allowing only the hardcover books, unless the players talk to me first. I would provide a sheet with the nations well before hand, I have a world books I have been working on for a quite a while that they will have access to, in addition to a summary sheet.
Witch actually fits in with Hellenistic Cultures as well. Similar to how a Ranger might fit in.
The difference is whether they would be approached by the Familiar or would study and then gain the familiar as a special type of Wizard. Heck, I could see a Hellenistic Culture making it to where only Men could be Wizards and Women must be Witches.
I don't know if you should restrict classes based on homeland, but rather encourage classes from certain homelands.
For example - in your Rome nation - if you pick Fighter or Wizard as a class, you gain, say, a particular bonus feat that's helpful, but not overpowering (like a variant of the barbarian rage power as a bonus feat - you can throw a weapon - preferably a Pilum/Javelin - and still make your charge attack in the same charge). Fighters gain Quick Draw, Wizards get...I dunno. Spell Focus: Evocation?
I think encouraging certain builds rather than restricting builds is better. Also, the certain odd build is a fantasy trope and can be some of the most interesting characters. A Paladin from a decidedly evil nation (which would have been forbidden under the system you suggest) suddenly has a deep connection to his magic - seeing his friends all turn to evil, and just knowing, inherently, it was wrong - it drove him to run away and dedicate himself to goodness.
When possible - because it isn't always possible - favor positive reinforcement over negative reinforcement.
|
To the OP. I see no problem doing what you suggest.
Since this is a new campaign, I don't see the need to 'ask' the players what they think. However, when you recruit your players, you should inform them that there will be restrictions on weapons, classes, feats, etc based on culture, location, social rank, etc. Of course, my guess is that if a player has a character concept and back story that sounds good and that fits well into the game, you may decide to give him access to some of the restricted material.
I see too many posts by players that feel they are entitled to use anything and everything that paizo publishes. Just because books are released, they feel that GMs should allow the content into the campaign. I am an old school player and I still believe that the GM has the first and final say on everything, including what he will allow in his/her game.
My own upcoming game will be likely be set in Varisia in a modified version of Golarion. Because the game takes place in Golarion, there will be no samurai, ninjas, monks, or eastern items. I am also placing the average tech level around the same as 900 AD Europe, so there will be no guns (and gunslingers). Much of the material from books other than the Core Rulebook and the APGis also being restricted. Before the game begins, I will tell the players that the restricted content will not be known to their characters, but some may be able to be discovered as the game progresses. Some may not. I want the players to have more in the game than just an the opportunity to kill a monster and get the next powerful item. Restricting classes and feats from players means that they have to discover it or seek it out, which means eventually finding and creating relationships with NPCs. I think some excellent role play opportunities can be created from this.
I also see too many posts by players that feel they are entitled to use anything and everything that paizo publishes. Just because books are released, does not mean that GMs have to allow any part of the content into the campaign. Some players will baulk content restrictions saying it's not fair. To those players, I say 'give the game a try for a month or two'. If you don't find yourself enjoying the game at any point, it's ok to walk away and there will be no hard feelings.
So to the OP, I say good luck. The book-keeping for this sort of thing could be time-consuming, but if you can pull it off, I think that it will add t your game.
That is actually a better method. Maybe also make any non-standard class require a good background.
@RedDogMT: You might want to reread some of Golarion because AFAICT the era that would sync up with that time had trading between the Tian and Avistan.
Guns are really the only thing that would be a bit rare and probably only be in the hands of Dwarves & a rare few Humans. Most of which would be Higher Level. So more towards Very Rare Guns. That is unless you are rewriting most of Golarion's History.
That changes a LOT of Golarion's Lore...