Hello Akira,

I was asked to wait a couple of weeks for people to regroup from the Holidays, so I figure sometime in the week after next.

I'll post a head's up a few days prior.

Was there something in particular that you're looking for?

Henry,

Right now I have one of the val'Sosi characters. As cool as it would be to play a psionic ssressen (and it really would be cool, especially with the Ssethregore book re-release), I'm not entirely sure I have the time to devote to a third character. Ideally, I'd like to see something that would benefit one of my existing characters...a dwarven flavoured reward would be great.

I think from an RP perspective it would be incredible for a dwarven character to get to apprentice under a master smith. I'm not sure exactly what the in-game effects would be. Some sort of reputation bonus perhaps, maybe a bonus to craft rolls? Perhaps some certed smith's tools, or access to the other apprentices (for bonuses) when crafting?

Another thing I would be very interested in seeing would be an opportunity to found a small temple/shrine in the First City. Mechanically I would think it would be almost identical to the shopkeeper's reward. Rurik would love an opportunity to spread the (true) worship of Nier in a more official sense.

I haven't had much time to think this one through yet, but there are a number of paths which are restricted by nation (Centurion, for instance). Perhaps a cert which shows that you spent a period of time in that nation, enough to meet a nationality requirement. I'm not sure whether the nations of Arcanis ever do troop swaps as party of diplomatic efforts, but in real life you do occasionally have military officers spending time with other nation's forces in an attempt to build relations.

Just a few thoughts

This is a very personal request and comes from some recent discussions. I think a great add-on which I think could benefit both the player base and the game as a whole is the ability to "Create your own mechanic"

Here's how it would work (2 tiers of add-ons)
1) For the price of an add-on you are allowed to create one Talent, Spell, or Maneuver. This has to be balanced and approved by PCI, but it would be immediately available to your character. Then after a 'period of uniqueness' your character is allowed to teach others. This would take the form of a campaign 'supplement' with the new rules available.
2) For a higher price you can design a background, path, or fighting style.

There might need to be some refinement, but that's what I'm thinking. It would give players a chance to really have unique abilities, but after a time it would also expand the game rules.

Now I know folks can submit ideas to PCI for official release, but the release schedules don't really allow for these to be released on a regular basis.

What are your thoughts on something like this?

John

John,

Henry has actually mentioned at least once or twice now that he was against that sort of a backer tier.

I guess where mine differed was you are writing up a talent, spell, etc. for your own character. Not a general purpose one (at first).

Fair enough though. I'm running low on what else to offer outside of physical things like spell/maneuver cards, dice, dials, etc.

John

I think I posted this somewhere else, but how about a Dwarf/Gnome talent similar to whatever the Elorii get for "Visions of Lives Past" for having had a taste of their 'former selves' in Condemnation. It doesn't have to be overpowered, maybe a "once per day (duration: scene), receive your tier as a bonus to any knowledge checks that stacks with all other static bonus'" to represent their having opened their minds somewhat in the process?

Gentlemen,

Thank you for your thoughts.

@Cody The elorii Incarnations reward works becasue of the unique nature of the elorii; the same cannot be said for the dwarves or gnomes. Going through the World Gate doesn't stir "ancient memories" because they just don't have any.

@Akira - THe issue I have with the Master Smith option that you mention is that it would effectively take a character out of play. Such an apprenticeship would require a considerable amount of time to complete. If taken as a background, then what would be the real benefit? Crafting of items, etc is not supported by the campaign, so I don't see it being worth the money spent.

I did have an idea of having a family rune that can be placed on an item owned, but am unsure I can come up with enough unique runes to satisfy the possible demand. I know we only have one dwarf on that survey Josh did a while back, but I'm sure there are more out there.

I would also prefer not to pen up the playerrun temple idea because again it would take a character out of the campaign (time requirements) and religion plays a major part of the dynamics of the First City and I've balanced everything as I want it for the moment.

Lastly John - Your idea is an interesting one, but again I'm concerned that a player would plunk down money expecting to get something they truly want and then its rejected because of balance issues or some other problem. Then what?

I'll keep brainstorming, but thank you for your input.

Perhaps since the campaign runs through January, you could have those people interested in the add-on for a custom mechanic submit them early or at least an idea of what they would like. I know it's a lot of work, but I can think of several folks who would be interested. I would view it at around the $50 / $75 mark myself. You are right though, that if someone wanted something outrageous that would be a problem.

How about offering some more unique mounts (I've heard rams bandied about by certain dwarves) or animal companion options for characters? Maybe a hellsteed (Which I would love since I worked with Mortimer a couple BI's back), or other exotic animals.Things that are not likely to be offered under normal play in the campaign.

Could you go into a little more detail about what benefits (if any) owning a store would have? Is it a source of small income each adventure? Is it a discount on merchandise? That might help me come up with more ideas similar but different.

John

Hello John,

I've given some thought to a dwarven steed, but want it to have some sort of mechanical difference from a horse other than just cosmetic.

As to the store, ther ewon't be any income, I don't think, as in keeping with the philosophy of keeping bookkeeping to a minimum as most players want, the income and the upkeep will wash out. Maybe a small stipend or something of that nature, but I need to speak with the LoA Staff to finalize that.

As far as another beenfit, besides the intangible one of having an entry in the book, it would depend on the type of business. For example: Gambling/drinking house? A +1 or 2 to your Streetwise; that sort of thing.

This is very cool also and could be dependent upon the type of business. An antiquities/curio shop might garner a bonus on Knowledge (History) or (Myths and Legends) checks, while a weapons shop might garner bonuses on Appraise for weapons and armor. There are a lot of possibilities. I didn't realize there would be mention in the book, that makes it even better and I'm glad I got that option

John