Topic: Some love for Dwarves
Hi,
I've had a read through the game and am looking forward to our first session on Thursday. I really liked the writeup for the dwarves, I found it quite evocative, but find the class a bit bland. I realise that get very good saving throws and the best Hps but I'm not sure that only being the best at not dying is that fun without something else.
But I wanted to make sure it didn't step on anyone elses toes. Fighters are the only one who go up in attack bonus, specialists get skill points etc. So it couldnt be a permanent increase in one of those, but as there arent alot of mechanics in the game it would probably have to be along those lines.
So I thought what is particullary dwarvish. Ancestors. So how about an ability for dwarven adventurers to be able to summon the spirit of dead ancestors to "aid" them in their endevours?
I was thinking it could work something like this. For every two character levels, round up(maximum say 6), the dwarf could summon one ancestor to aid him during the day. He needs to be able to speak and move his arms around much like a wizard. The spirit would have to have a name and maybe a nickname, etc, that helps explain why he is summoning that spirit right now.
The only mechanical in game effect I can come up with at the moment is a bit dull. How would +1 to a d6 roll for any activity for level 5 or under and +2 for above level 5.
For combat rolls I was thinking maybe +1 to hit for each character level that drops by one each succeeding round until it reaches 0. Only one spirit may be summoned per encounter.
So a 5th level dwarf would be able to get assistance three times per day. In combat he would get +5 to hit in the first round, +4 in the second etc until 0. For other actions he gets +1 on his die roll(which in most instances mean he doubles his chance!).
Creative players and GM's would be able to find other uses for these spirits. Maybe they could answer questions or help find things or even ask the character to do things for them.(Beats meeting in an inn before every adventure)
An ancestor could only be summonned when the character has time to react so in a fight is fine, but not to help with a saving throw or surprise check.
I dont think it is over powerful and certianly not as good as fighters and specialists but compared to the nothing they currently get.
Any thoughts or suggestions? The numbers I have above are totally changeable having had no testing!
thanks
Aaron C