File 128625808753.jpg - (101.44KB , 600x770 , elfwarrior.jpg )
Anonymous 2010/10/04(Mon)22:54 No. 4798 ID: 7afa6e

Alright guys, I've got a little project I'd like input on. Eventual aim is a race for D&D 3.5, maybe a prestige class to go with them.

Now, the purpose of this race is, in the main, to be dead. Extinct, or just waiting to be so. Maybe two dozen individuals remaining. See, I've kind of fixated on the idea of playing a paladin who's the last of his kind, the itinerant warrior who wants to leave a good reputation for his people and go out in a blaze of justice. So, elves are always the dwindling race in a lot of settings, so why not? It'll be a kind of elf. How did they become extinct, then? Well, a war would fit with the eventual aim. If they were all killed in a war, though, it would make sense if they were a warrior culture. Let's say a mix of ranger-y and paladin-y types, shiny knights and white gleaming fortifications and towers, sort of thing. Less arcane magic, more divine magic. To go with the bright holy light and plants sort of theme, and to go well with crusading warriors and such, call them sun elves. And to associate with that, let them be blonde and dark-skinned in appearance. A bit taller than normal elves.

Now they're getting a little mary-sueish, so what flaws can we give them? "Arrogance" is the terrible answer that is default for elves, so let's go the opposite way; they're warriors, they need to take orders and do chores, so they don't give themselves airs, and when they're off duty they're laid-back, fun types. But that's not a flaw. Take it further: they're hedonists. Ale and wenches times a hundred. Let them have been famous for their drugs, alcohol and promiscuity. Let them be focused and competent in military situations, but hotheaded and casual in everything else. For a bit more, add another "warrior" failing; they're looters, totally shameless about taking stuff from their enemies. There's a tendency a paladin would have to work against. But balance, again, so give them another good point - they do genuinely like other races. In fact, that's why they're so willing to fight the various monsters that inhabit most settings, and why they were offed, taking the hits other people should have suffered.

That's the idea I have so far. So what sort of stats should they have? I was thinking of eliminating the constitution penalty, maybe taking a hit to Wisdom instead. Change favoured class to ranger or fighter. Otherwise, the martial training and keen senses seem to work well. Any other notes on what they should be like, or how to improve them? Making elves that appeal is a difficult feat.

The prestige class, if it ever goes that far, would be based off combining rangers and paladins into one; doubling up the companion and the mount into one creature, maybe, smiting evil with archery, spell progression. I'm not sure. Perhaps there's already something similar out there.