Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

Any D&D/D20

Shadowrun

World of Darkness

Palladium

Other (feel free to post about it)

[MrRoboto75]

Wasn't true until second edition, when they added "non-weapon proficiencies". Other than specific things only the theif class could do.  Though in 2nd, they were an optional rule.

Even then, NWPs were much wider in scope.  Most were basically just occupations and could cover whatever duties those people could do.

[Oneir]

I find it weird that there is a growing trend of Pen and Paper RPGs with absolutely no character customization.

Preset character only RPGs... Sure you can change their name, gender, and appearance... but by large they are already made for you.

Are you talking about Powered by the Apocalypse-type games? Because in those they are made that way to help convey the themes of the game (and yes, also make it easy for someone to pick up a character and play without having to use pre-mades).

Not sure what you mean -- PBtA tends towards simple character customization (pick your stats, pick your starting moves, make any choices those moves call for, repeat when you level up), but you do have mechanical choices.

[Kadzar]

I find it weird that there is a growing trend of Pen and Paper RPGs with absolutely no character customization.

Preset character only RPGs... Sure you can change their name, gender, and appearance... but by large they are already made for you.

Are you talking about Powered by the Apocalypse-type games? Because in those they are made that way to help convey the themes of the game (and yes, also make it easy for someone to pick up a character and play without having to use pre-mades).

Not sure what you mean -- PBtA tends towards simple character customization (pick your stats, pick your starting moves, make any choices those moves call for, repeat when you level up), but you do have mechanical choices.

Yeah, I guess I didn't read the post too closely, and now I have absolutely no idea what it's referring to.

[NullForceOmega]

If people are intimidated by 3rd ed char creation, they are probably rendered catatonic by RIFTS and other Palladium titles, seriously, even Shadowrun is easy compared to those.

[Neonivek]

Nah it is that I've been looking at kickstarter projects...

and if the Pen and Paper RPG isn't an add-on or conversion for 5e/Pathfinder... It is a game that features no real character customization except picking one to two jobs (and those jobs don't level) with nothing on the side whatsoever.

Shame because some of them are very interesting... One is you are a teacher in a magic school with the focus being more on academia, social interaction, and office politics. Another is you are a thief in a cartel trying to make grand heists.

I wouldn't even mind if preset characters were standard as long as they offered some form of customization. Yet without that ingredient it just becomes a roleplaying board game. Which EVEN THEN that would be ok, but goodness would getting players be an issue.

[BlackFlyme]

The DM gave us a level after a bit of roleplay, so the Oradin finally got 3rd level spells, meaning he could cast Remove Blindness/Deafness on the Witch. Meaning we could all finally identify our loot.

We also got the mission of raiding a castle. We had been told that we had to somehow befriend all the hostile Orcs inside so that they would help us kill all the Ogres inside. However, the book gives the DM no potential methods of befriending the Orcs. In fact, any non-Orcs/Giants are to be killed on sight, so I have no idea why the potential of causing an insurrection would be given as a side-objective.

We tried yelling at them, and they responded by raining arrows down on us. Then we spent a few days hunting animals in the woods, to give as a gift to the Orcs. They take the meat, and let us in.

We came across a Dwarf in a makeshift arena, fighting off Direbears with a skillet. Not just any skillets though; it was the greatest of skillets. +1 Mithril Skillet. It's a thing. Why is it a thing? Fuck if I know. The book says it be what it is, so it do. No idea why Orcs had enchanted kitchenware. It being Mithril alone meant it's non-stick, so why would you go the extra mile to enchant the fucking thing?

We bought the Dwarf. Rather, the Witch bought the Dwarf. For 5,000 gold. Just offered it on the spot, no haggling or anything. Unfortunately, the Dwarf did not come with the skillet. So we offered to buy his gear for another 2,000 gold. We got his gear, but not the skillet. It was not his; they made the Dwarf fight with the skillet for their enjoyment.

Interesting session, to say the least.

[Rolan7]

We came across a Dwarf in a makeshift arena, fighting off Direbears with a skillet. Not just any skillets though; it was the greatest of skillets. +1 Mithril Skillet. It's a thing. Why is it a thing? Fuck if I know. The book says it be what it is, so it do. No idea why Orcs had enchanted kitchenware. It being Mithril alone meant it's non-stick, so why would you go the extra mile to enchant the fucking thing?

...Is that somehow actually a thing?  Mithril being easy to clean?  It *sounds* right.

Interesting session, to say the least.

Agreed!  Weird module, sounds like.

[Neonivek]

Honestly... I know I should have other commentary but...

I am just wondering if Mithril would even be a good material for a Skillet.

I mean, I guess it has the same or similar heat conduction that Steel/Iron/Lead does... But would its super light weight be a detriment?

[BlackFlyme]

Here's a link to a Waffle Iron, Mithral

Relevant text:

As with other mithral cookware, food rarely sticks to a mithral waffle iron.

And this isn't just a module. This is a part of an entire adventure path, which is six whole books. One path I have many problems with.

[Rolan7]

Honestly... I know I should have other commentary but...

I am just wondering if Mithril would even be a good material for a Skillet.

I mean, I guess it has the same or similar heat conduction that Steel/Iron/Lead does... But would its super light weight be a detriment?

I doubt it.  Aluminum camping cookware is very light by design, and it works well.
Heck, that's probably the inspiration.  Though aluminum isn't nostick, and is a bit fragile since it's thin.

[SOLDIER First]

That is a terrifying waste of mithril.

[BlackFlyme]

The strangest part is that it's been nerfed; it used to be cheaper. Granted, it was only nine gold cheaper, but the point stands. Especially since it no longer matches Mithral's pricing formula.

Mithril. Mithral? Or is there a Y in there somewhere? Too many ways to write it.

[SOLDIER First]

Mathraiyl?

[BlackFlyme]

Maeiouandsometimesythrill.

Shouldn't it be called a Waffle Mithral? or a Mithral Waffle Iron? Ultimate Equipment has it as Waffle Iron Mithral.

What the hell kind of proficiency do you need for a skillet anyways? The Dwarf had Catch off Guard, so that doesn't count, since that's basically Proficiency: Non-Weapon Weapons.

[SOLDIER First]

It's specifically listed as a Misc. item, though.