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Elrad
Acolyte

Switzerland
2 Posts

Posted - 20 Sep 2006 :  17:53:36  Show Profile  Visit Elrad's Homepage Send Elrad a Private Message  Reply with Quote  Delete Topic
I have a little problem:

One of my players wants to play an Avarial arcane spellcaster.
Now, normaly, that's not a big problem for me. The thing is, that I don't think that the magical might of the group should be one Magic Missle till they reach level 5.

Now, there are of course a few things I could try. First, sugest to the player to change her race. Something I don't really want to do, because I like the idea myself.

Second, I could let the group start at a higher level, with the option to buy back the first level ECL like in the Player Handbook 2. The problem here is that I really want the group to start at level 1.

Thirdly, one could somehow reduce or change the racial ablilties to reduce the ECL. Problem here would be the reason.

So, my question to you is, have you ever had an Avarial mage starting at level 1, and what were your experiences and would you choose one of the solutions above, if any.

Thank you for your input.

Kuje
Great Reader

USA
7915 Posts

Posted - 20 Sep 2006 :  18:12:29  Show Profile Send Kuje a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I've always felt that the winged elf ECL is insane. It's only 1 less then a half-celestial, which is a +4. So if it was me, I'd lower the winged elf's ECL to +1 or +2 and not keep it at the +3 that it is in Races of Faerun.

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Mace Hammerhand
Great Reader

Germany
2296 Posts

Posted - 20 Sep 2006 :  21:48:43  Show Profile  Visit Mace Hammerhand's Homepage Send Mace Hammerhand a Private Message  Reply with Quote
The other way to do it is to leave the ECL but handle it like a debt the player has to pay in XP, in session installments.

He'd level slightly slower but would still be able to catch up. e.g.: from 1. to 2nd level he has to pay a quarter of his xp to make up for the level, and continues to pay 1/4 of his xp until that "2nd" level is reached (1k XP), then he has to pay 1/2 of his xp to reach "3rd" level (2k XP) and finally 3/4 to get that 3rd ECL out of the way...

Just an idea...

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warlockco
Master of Realmslore

USA
1695 Posts

Posted - 20 Sep 2006 :  22:12:16  Show Profile  Visit warlockco's Homepage Send warlockco a Private Message  Reply with Quote
PGtF has rules in the back for powerful races with "XP Debt" basically you give a -1 penalty on to anything they would do that is a Die Roll per ECL. -1 to saves, attacks, skills, ability checks. -1 to the DCs of their spells, etc.

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Beirnadri Magranth
Senior Scribe

USA
720 Posts

Posted - 21 Sep 2006 :  01:30:55  Show Profile  Visit Beirnadri Magranth's Homepage Send Beirnadri Magranth a Private Message  Reply with Quote
or you could have the player use a different character for the first few levels adn have that character die or leave the group and be replaced by the avariel at a time when the group is ready to have that kinda of power. but otherwise handle it already like suggested.

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warlockco
Master of Realmslore

USA
1695 Posts

Posted - 21 Sep 2006 :  02:58:57  Show Profile  Visit warlockco's Homepage Send warlockco a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Something else that I do, is I do allow up to a +2 over the rest of the party (no more than half the party and be this way), however, if I randomly roll for something, those that are given a "free" higher ECL get more numbers assigned to them.

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Reefy
Senior Scribe

United Kingdom
892 Posts

Posted - 22 Sep 2006 :  01:00:37  Show Profile  Visit Reefy's Homepage Send Reefy a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Does anyone else have an opinion on the ECL of the avariel? Given I have a player also wishing to play one, who has complained about this, I'd be interested to hear what other scribes think. Flying is the main contributor to the ECL, but it's comparatively less powerful as you go on, whereas something like SR that drow and svirfneblin have is always very handy.

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Elrad
Acolyte

Switzerland
2 Posts

Posted - 22 Sep 2006 :  10:07:14  Show Profile  Visit Elrad's Homepage Send Elrad a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I don't have my books with me just right now.
But if I recall correctly, the Avariel gets +1 for flying

+1 or 2 for the the ablity bonus. If it is only +1 for the ablilties, then I wonder where the 3rd level's from.
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Ergdusch
Master of Realmslore

Germany
1720 Posts

Posted - 22 Sep 2006 :  11:10:47  Show Profile Send Ergdusch a Private Message  Reply with Quote
You could restrict the racial abilities at the beginníng granting him some from level to level. e.g. the avarial has a twisted wing caused by an older accident and cannot fly for long or not at all or only in very calm conditions. at some higher level however, he gains the grace of a high-level cleric who heals that troubling infraction.

Thereby the ECL bonus drop to +1 or +2 could be explained/justified, raising it back to +3 once all racial benfits can be used to the maximum again.

Just an idea...

Ergdusch

"Das Gras weht im Wind, wenn der Wind weht."
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