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As I putter away at the classes I'm building I put together this new race tonight. I thought it came together pretty well, and I'd like some thoughts on it.
They're a Draconic inspired race.
I present the Drahgosk V.1
NEW RACE DRAHGOSK (humanoid, dragon): (10 RP): The Drahgosk are thought to be one of the rarer races of Allaria and the Drahgosk are generally inclined to keep the overall opinion of others that way. They are not known for their patience with those intruding into their personal affairs and more than one nosy interloper has been found with their nose removed from their face as the first warning. They are highly prized as bodyguards, bounty hunters and mercenaries because once a Drahgosk takes up a contract he sees it through unto his death, and woe to the fool who betrays that contract. The Drahgosk consider themselves, above all else, professionals and to be dishonored by a client is not to be countenanced. Generally this lesson only has to be taught to those who have not heard of their reputation, but there has been the occasional nobleman who thought that the rumors of their deeds toward oathbreakers were just that, rumors, only to find out later that the Drahgosk take only one thing more seriously than the hunt and that is vendetta.
The Drahgosk as a people have a very rigid society based on meritocracy and achievement. One is not recognized until one has completed their first hunt, which is generally a dangerous animal. It is after this that the Drahgosk is given their wandering name and set forth to earn their huntsname, the name that will be recorded in the Scrolls of Time. The Laws of the Hunt are the laws of life for the Drahgosk and few ever turn from those traditions. Once the prey is chosen the hunt must come to fruition and only extraordinary circumstances allow the hunter to cease to target his prey. Though the wise hunter knows when to strike and when to be patient. Male and female may participate in the Hunt as long as the Laws are kept true.
It was assumed at one point that the Drahgosk worshipped Echidna, the mother of all monsters, but this was quickly put to rest by the Drahgosk themselves when they stated that not only did they NOT worship her, but that she was their mortal enemy. They, in fact, followed a being they called Drohanna the Great Silver Claw and would speak no more on the subject except to say that Drohanna's teaching brought order to their lives and saved them from extinction at the hands of Echidna.
The typical alignment of the average Drahgosk is Lawful Neutral.
Racial Qualities:
Darkvision 60ft
Low Light Vision
Immune to magical sleep effects and paralysis effects
Drahgosk eat breathe and sleep
+2 Str, +2 Wis, -2 Cha (the Drahgosk are strong and perceptive but their single mindedness can be off putting to other races, especially the ones being hunted)-(0 RP)
Standard Languages: Draconic, Common (Orc, Dwarf, Elf, Giant) (0 RP)
Normal Speed: 30 ft (0 RP)
Racial Traits:
Fearless: +2 on all racial saving throw bonuses vs. fear (1 RP)
Natural Armor: +1 Natural Armor bonus (2 RP)
Improved Natural Armor: +3 Natural Armor Bonus (3 RP)
Stalker: Perception and Stealth always class skills (1 RP)
Bite 1d3 (1 RP)
Slapping Tail 1d8 + 1-1/2 times Str mod (3 RP)
Claws (2 RP)
Scent (4 RP)
Elemental Vulnerability: Acid (-2 RP): The Drahgosk know that they're weakness to acid may not be as well known to outsiders as it is to their mortal enemies, the clergy of Echidna, but they do know that in time it will get out. They accept this as part of the hunt. Every hunter must face their end and their greatest fear and only the truly legendary hunter will overcome both.
Perfect setup for a monk...
Str: 14
Dex: 16
Con: 14
Int: 10
Wis: 16
Cha: 6
AC of 19 right out of the gates... I'd probably do a Monk of the Sacred Mountain and play one tough SOB.
[not very optimized I know, just a quick glance]
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Perfect setup for a monk...
Str: 14
Dex: 16
Con: 14
Int: 10
Wis: 16
Cha: 6AC of 19 right out of the gates... I'd probably do a Monk of the Sacred Mountain and play one tough SOB.
[not very optimized I know, just a quick glance]
True. I kind of intended the Drahgosk to be primarily a physically tough race. It's a part of their culture. Physicality is part of the hunt, and if you can't take a beating then you're weakness as a hunter will get you killed. It seems like a harsh way to think, but that's just their culture. Rigid societal structure and iron codes of honor when on the Hunt. That's how they've survived. I guess you could say they were extreme lawful neutral with heavy emphasis on order, but I could see arguments for lawful evil as well. Their version of kindness isn't the same as, say, an Elf's.
I'm thinking about putting in a cultural caveat on their elemental vulnerability. Just based on their honor codes, to me anyway, it seems like they'd leave that weakness open. Kind of like giving their opponent a fair shot at defeating them if they have the ability. Honor demands a fair fight and removing every weakness and every flaw is contemptable in their eyes.
It's a part of their culture. Physicality is part of the hunt, and if you can't take a beating then you're weakness as a hunter will get you killed.
AC just means you don't take damage. Describe it as you like ;)
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But I like the theme. And +1 to the vulnerability.
Pardon me if this comes off as a bit ignorant: the setting-specific stuff in the fluff is unfamiliar to me.
I do like the flavor of the race. The only thing that kind of doesn't quite ring true for me (though of course this is very personal) is that I've never thought of D&D/PF dragons as very feral. They're not pack hunters; they're solitary, aristocratic creatures who just happen to inhabit the flesh of giant element-breathing godlizards. No of course, there's nothing in the fluff saying that they're descended from those types of dragons, and of course there are many more. I'd definitely rather play one of these than a kobold, the similarities and above all differences from which I found especially appealing.
That said, they do seem like they'd make utter melee monsters. Aside from monks, I could imagine Draghosk barbarian or battle cleric getting up to all sorts of death-dealing. Not to say it's unbalanced, it's just a very strong melee choice. Could even forego heavier armor and just focus on dex and natural armor with all those natural attacks. Anyway, I think it's a cool race, flavorful and strong but not overpowered. Any race who makes an ideal monk is OK in my book, as monks are ever in need of a helping hand. :)
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Pardon me if this comes off as a bit ignorant: the setting-specific stuff in the fluff is unfamiliar to me.
I do like the flavor of the race. The only thing that kind of doesn't quite ring true for me (though of course this is very personal) is that I've never thought of D&D/PF dragons as very feral. They're not pack hunters; they're solitary, aristocratic creatures who just happen to inhabit the flesh of giant element-breathing godlizards. No of course, there's nothing in the fluff saying that they're descended from those types of dragons, and of course there are many more. I'd definitely rather play one of these than a kobold, the similarities and above all differences from which I found especially appealing.
That said, they do seem like they'd make utter melee monsters. Aside from monks, I could imagine Draghosk barbarian or battle cleric getting up to all sorts of death-dealing. Not to say it's unbalanced, it's just a very strong melee choice. Could even forego heavier armor and just focus on dex and natural armor with all those natural attacks. Anyway, I think it's a cool race, flavorful and strong but not overpowered. Any race who makes an ideal monk is OK in my book, as monks are ever in need of a helping hand. :)
Well the setting specific stuff is for the campaign setting I'm developing. I'm trying to establish my own flavor on things, and put my own little spin on a few areas.
The Drahgosk ARE melee monsters. That's how they like it, that's the way of the hunt. That's the Law of the Hunt. Don't think of them as being feral so much as Predator lite. They have very strict laws by which they conduct a hunt, and any who violate those laws are subject to rather unpleasant punishments. These aren't one of the races you'd run into all the time, but when you did it would be an "oh crap" moment. I got the idea by wondering what would happen if you combined the strength of a T-Rex, the cunning of Velociraptor and the intelligence of a Human. Big, tough, cunning, though not terribly charismatic.
They make pretty nasty empyreal sorcerers with a wis bonus and that nat armor as well. Also inquisitors.
I'd play one as a fancy bard. The outcast of his race.
...of course then the DM would strike with a bolt of lightening for making a mockery of all the future encounters with these guys...
(w/ Evasion I can Ref for none.. unless I DID do the Sacred Mountain Arch)
Other PCs would just crack jokes at them instead of be fearful, even if there WERE getting their butts handed to them.
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I'd play one as a fancy bard. The outcast of his race.
...of course then the DM would strike with a bolt of lightening for making a mockery of all the future encounters with these guys...
(w/ Evasion I can Ref for none.. unless I DID do the Sacred Mountain Arch)Other PCs would just crack jokes at them instead of be fearful, even if there WERE getting their butts handed to them.
See as the DM I wouldn't strike your character down with a lightening bolt. I would, however, make sure that you knew that in abandoning the Laws of the Hunt that the rest of your Clutch (family) would have at least one or two hunters looking for you. They'd see it as you being an Oathbreaker if you weren't using those skills to infiltrate and hunt your prey. It's not like you'd encounter them every session, but it's something that you'd have to be on the lookout for because this is the kind of thing that the Drahgosk take very seriously.
Now in saying that I wouldn't be trying to be a jerk, and I wouldn't bar you from playing the concept. It could, in fact, be cool if done right, but the culture of the race does have to taken into consideration as well from the DM's perspective and your Clutch would definitely have a reaction to your character's choice in profession.