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Afetbinttuzani
Senior Scribe
Canada
434 Posts |
 Posted - 28 Feb 2009 : 00:39:36
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Hi all
I'm going to try to build a Wereraven cleric PC for FR 4E and I'm looking for input.
Let's start with what sorts of racial powers she might have and how they might be handled in terms of shapeshifting.
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Afet bint Tuzanķ
"As the good Archmage often admonishes me, I ought not to let my mind wander, as it's too small to go off by itself."
- Danilo Thann in Elfsong by Elaine Cunningham |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 28 Feb 2009 : 00:49:43
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Not to be a downer or anything, but I would hazard to guess most of the regulars here are not all that familiar with the rules.
Back-story we can do a-plenty... rules, not so much.
I still hope someone does come along with a little no-how, but if not, might I suggest either the WotC forums, or better yet (if you don't want to deal with the stuff that goes on there), the EnWorld forums?
The people over at Enworld have pretty-much embraced 4e, and they are very helpful and knowledgable about rules issues. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 28 Feb 2009 00:50:24 |
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scererar
Master of Realmslore
USA
1618 Posts |
Posted - 28 Feb 2009 : 02:46:40
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I would first start with page 180 of the 4E monster manual to check out the Lycanthrope write up then page 280 for the shape change. on page 279 of the MM, there are racial traits for shifters. Not exact type stuff, but may be enough to get you started.
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Afetbinttuzani
Senior Scribe
Canada
434 Posts |
Posted - 28 Feb 2009 : 03:06:39
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Thanks, guys.
I have indeed brought this up in the ENworld forum and, I am getting some help there. I was anticipating a bit of a frosty reception here, giving the antagonism towards FR4E (which I think is justified, by the way), but I was hoping that the scribes here would at least be able to bring a Realms slant to the discussion. On that note, maybe I can push the discussion towards lore.
I was thinking of having this wereraven PC be a neutral-good priestess of Selūne, who hunts lycanthropes and other evil aligned therianthropes. What say the scribes? |
Afet bint Tuzanķ
"As the good Archmage often admonishes me, I ought not to let my mind wander, as it's too small to go off by itself."
- Danilo Thann in Elfsong by Elaine Cunningham |
Edited by - Afetbinttuzani on 28 Feb 2009 03:08:05 |
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scererar
Master of Realmslore
USA
1618 Posts |
Posted - 28 Feb 2009 : 03:10:50
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cool idea.
I found some 3E Lycanthrope lore that could possibly give you some ideas in Races of Faerun, beginning on page 143. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36965 Posts |
Posted - 28 Feb 2009 : 04:38:31
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quote:
Originally posted by Afetbinttuzani
Thanks, guys.
I have indeed brought this up in the ENworld forum and, I am getting some help there. I was anticipating a bit of a frosty reception here, giving the antagonism towards FR4E (which I think is justified, by the way), but I was hoping that the scribes here would at least be able to bring a Realms slant to the discussion. On that note, maybe I can push the discussion towards lore.
I was thinking of having this wereraven PC be a neutral-good priestess of Selūne, who hunts lycanthropes and other evil aligned therianthropes. What say the scribes?
I don't know about this thread receiving a cool reception because of 4E (admittedly, 4E is not overly popular here), but it is known we're not as on top of the rules as people on other forums.
That said... I'd start with the wereowl stats from the first volume of the Realms Bestiary by Eric L. Boyd and Thomas M. Costa. That at least gives you something to start with, and is also an avian lycanthrope.
And though you're talking about 4E, I always recommend a couple of sources for good lycanthrope stuff. SKR's Curse of the Moon, a $5 pdf, is a wonderful book with lots of rules to make 3E lycanthropes more fun and less broken. Also, Van Richten's Guide to Werebeasts (later reprinted in volume 1 of Van Richten's Monster Hunter's Compendium) is, in my opinion, the definitive source on all things werecritter. There are rules in there, but it's more about flavor and making unique critters than it is anything else. |
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Edited by - Wooly Rupert on 28 Feb 2009 04:39:08 |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 28 Feb 2009 : 05:37:53
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There are evidence of both evil Raven-types and good-aligned raven-like creatures in the Realms.
I'm mostly thinking of the natural shapeshifters in the Hordelands (the Manni, IIRC), and those Dire Corbies (I think) that live in the Underdark (that aren't shape-shifters, now that I think on it some more - neither are the Kenku... I get them mixed up).
Isn't there supposed to be a bunch of these living in Veldorn now? Granted, I only read the 4e FRCG once awhile back, but I recall thinking that it was one of the things I liked (because of the Hordelands connection).
And as Wooly has stated, NO hostility here for people looking for help. I wasn't looking to 'chase' you - I was honestly trying to help you with the only advice I could give (knowing that most of us are not 4e-savy).
Your concept sounds good - I think you may want 'it' to come from that Lycanthropic City (I think it's Myth Lharast), since a selunite connection is already established there. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 28 Feb 2009 05:41:06 |
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Afetbinttuzani
Senior Scribe
Canada
434 Posts |
Posted - 28 Feb 2009 : 06:45:30
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quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
Your concept sounds good - I think you may want 'it' to come from that Lycanthropic City (I think it's Myth Lharast), since a selunite connection is already established there.
Thanks to both of you for your encouragement and suggestions. Could you expand a bit on the above and where I might find more info on this. |
Afet bint Tuzanķ
"As the good Archmage often admonishes me, I ought not to let my mind wander, as it's too small to go off by itself."
- Danilo Thann in Elfsong by Elaine Cunningham |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 28 Feb 2009 : 16:19:13
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Page 54, Amn Booklet, Lands of Intrigue boxed set.
There may be other sources - I'm sure Sage would know.
I'll try to get a 'snapshot' of where it is up in a litle while - I just happen to be working on an Amn Map ATM. 
Basically, it's Mythal is tied to moon-worship, and over the years it attracted a large number of lycanthropes. Re-reading it now, I see that they are not neccessarily good-aligned, but the ones there now are decendents of the original 'invaders'. The city is also invisible and slightly out of sync with Faerūn, so that folks can only travel in and out of it during a full moon (and a Selunite priest is also required). Between the hundred-year skip and the Spellplague, you can pretty much spin this any way you want - the Spellplague was sure to have 'messed with' the Mythal, and the city could be visible now, or no longer requiring a priest to gain entry, or the whole thing could have beecome a city of Shifters since 3e, but otherwise normal (no more magics involved).
The beauty of 4e is that if they haven't mentioned it, you can modify things to your heart's desire without stepping all over canon. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 28 Feb 2009 23:44:16 |
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Afetbinttuzani
Senior Scribe
Canada
434 Posts |
Posted - 28 Feb 2009 : 17:42:56
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Thanks, Markustay. A map would be very helpful.
N.B. For anyone who is interested and/or who would like add their two cents worth, I have posted a draft build for a 4E Were-raven race at ENWorld: http://www.enworld.org/forum/4e-fan-creations-house-rules/242971-lycanthrope-pc-races.html |
Afet bint Tuzanķ
"As the good Archmage often admonishes me, I ought not to let my mind wander, as it's too small to go off by itself."
- Danilo Thann in Elfsong by Elaine Cunningham |
Edited by - Afetbinttuzani on 28 Feb 2009 17:45:50 |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 28 Feb 2009 : 23:26:40
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quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
Page 54, Amn Booklet, Lands of Intrigue boxed set.
There may be other sources - I'm sure Sage would know.
That's the most definitive source. I do recall some info in Grand History as well. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 28 Feb 2009 : 23:45:27
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I should have that map excerpt shortly - I'm just putting some finishing touches on the area, and I can't seem to locate one locale in source (Harvest House).
And yes, I just posted this because I editted my above post, and didn't want to confuse anyone. 
Edit: Heres the Link - I show the city as an 'X', rather then the usual city symbol, because I don't want anyone thinking its an ordinary city (considering its invisible, and somewhat in another dimension). |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 01 Mar 2009 02:26:39 |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 01 Mar 2009 : 01:29:03
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quote:
Originally posted by Afetbinttuzani
I was thinking of having this wereraven PC be a neutral-good priestess of Selūne, who hunts lycanthropes and other evil aligned therianthropes. What say the scribes?
I love it. Having seen a raven at a nearby Raptor Trust (they care for injured/orphaned birds), I can attest that they are oddly playful and amusing. Playing such a creature would probably be fun. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 01 Mar 2009 : 03:22:46
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quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
quote:
Originally posted by Afetbinttuzani
I was thinking of having this wereraven PC be a neutral-good priestess of Selūne, who hunts lycanthropes and other evil aligned therianthropes. What say the scribes?
I love it. Having seen a raven at a nearby Raptor Trust (they care for injured/orphaned birds), I can attest that they are oddly playful and amusing. Playing such a creature would probably be fun.
The wereraven PC could also be an off-shoot of the New Moon Pact from the Mistress of Night novel.
In case Afetbinttuzani isn't familiar with what I'm referring to, this brief tidbit from Tom Costa should help:- It's a "small order of warrior-priest lycanthropes in Selūnes service throughout the North and Heartlands of Faerūn. Charged to watch and defend against the darkest shadows, they aggressively take the fight to the servants to Selūnes enemies, especially Shar and Malar, such as the various Black Blood cultists and hunters of the Cults of the Moon. They are defenders and avengers, often working in secret and darkness."
See the entry for Tom Costa's "New Moon Hunter PrC" in Bestiary of the Realms Vol. 2, which summarises most of the lore about the organisation contained in the novel.
The Bestiary can be found here:- http://www.ericlboyd.com/dnd/monsters.html
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Afetbinttuzani
Senior Scribe
Canada
434 Posts |
Posted - 01 Mar 2009 : 08:08:37
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
The wereraven PC could also be an off-shoot of the New Moon Pact from the Mistress of Night novel.
In case Afetbinttuzani isn't familiar with what I'm referring to, this brief tidbit from Tom Costa should help:- It's a "small order of warrior-priest lycanthropes in Selūnes service throughout the North and Heartlands of Faerūn. Charged to watch and defend against the darkest shadows, they aggressively take the fight to the servants to Selūnes enemies, especially Shar and Malar, such as the various Black Blood cultists and hunters of the Cults of the Moon. They are defenders and avengers, often working in secret and darkness."
See the entry for Tom Costa's "New Moon Hunter PrC" in Bestiary of the Realms Vol. 2, which summarises most of the lore about the organisation contained in the novel.
The Bestiary can be found here:- http://www.ericlboyd.com/dnd/monsters.html
Thanks a million, Sage. This could be a fantastic tie-in for me. I love you guys |
Afet bint Tuzanķ
"As the good Archmage often admonishes me, I ought not to let my mind wander, as it's too small to go off by itself."
- Danilo Thann in Elfsong by Elaine Cunningham |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 01 Mar 2009 : 15:54:37
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quote:
Originally posted by Afetbinttuzani
Thanks, Markustay. Can you date this map roughly for me?
I usually just say all my maps are '3e versions' of the 2e ones, but if you need a date, the primary source for that one is the Amn booklet that came with the Lands of Intrigue boxed set, so I would have to say it is current in 1369 DR.
However, I also check more recent sources for changes as I go along, and there aren't any for that region by the end of 3e, so I would say that map should be fine right up until 1385 DR.
If we pulled-back a little bit, you'd see the Twin Towers of the Eclipse - at one point one of those Towers was destroyed, but it was immediately rebuilt (about a year at most), so when I release the full Amn map, people might have to take into consideration that lore and the exact year of their campaigns.
Locales destroyed by authors have a miraculous way of 're-appearing' almost instantly - Zhentil Keep being the ultimate example of that.  |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 01 Mar 2009 15:58:10 |
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4E Wereravens
