World Building Exercise - Cataclysm of Green

[tsuuga]

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Gnorkish society recognizes two gods and a goddess, each worshiped in two aspects with two names.

The goddess is depicted as a pregnant woman sitting cross-legged. Every home contains a shrine or small statue of her, always carved out of wood and polished.

In her aspect as fertility goddess, she is called Kona. A couple who wishes to conceive gifts an item of jewelry to the goddess, it is left on the shrine or hung about the idol's neck. It is left to hang there until the resultant child turns 16; the child then takes the item of jewelry as their own and carves a copy out of wood and twine. The wooden copy is left with the idol forever. If no child is conceived or a child dies before turning 16, the piece of jewelry is to stay with the idol forever. Only midwives celebrate the festival to honor Kona, the details are kept secret.

In her aspect as harvest goddess, she is called Matr. An ear of corn is left with each statue throughout the year. Matr is honored in a festival on the night the harvest is complete. The whole clan gathers for a bonfire, the dried ears of corn are popped, and there is general revelry and drinking.

The first god is depicted as a one-eyed orcish warrior. His image is carved or painted on the door frame of every home.

In his aspect as guardian of the home, he is called Vaka. From dusk until dawn on the longest night of the year, the man of each house covers his left eye, and sits in the doorway of his home with a weapon close at hand. This is to give Vaka the night off, in thanks for his vigilance the rest of the year.

In his aspect as warrior god, he is called Rekkr. A man going to battle knocks three times on the carving to ask his protection the fight to come. Some orcs will paint a black splotch over their left eye in further reverence. After a battle, the womenfolk apply a smear of unguent and a small bandage to the carvings, in recognition that Rekkr may have taken blows in place of their loved ones. Rekkr is not called upon at other times, nor does he have a festival; it is believed that this would invite conflict. Men going to train for battle knock once to let Rekkr know there is nothing to be concerned about.

The last god is depicted as a faceless man. A bust of him is carved in a tree near each entrance to the lands claimed by the clan.

In his aspect as secret keeper, he is called Luan. Hunters rub the face of a bust in a prayer that he will reveal the hiding place of their prey; when returning from a successful hunt they leave a tally mark in the prey's blood on the tree. Luan's festival is on the spring solstice; every light in the village is extinguished from dusk till dawn, and guessing games are played.

In his aspect as god of wisdom, he is called Svinnr. He is very popular with the Wise, who often depict him as a faceless man in a robe carrying a quarterstaff; their books are usually marked thus. Svinnr's festivals are held when a new Wise is appointed. I can't seem to think of a festival or ritual for Svinnr...

Comments, suggestions?

I should really work on prestige classes for Wars, Wierds, and Wise.

No, they count as tiny for those purposes

Gotcha, I had just assumed they were medium... but that raises another question for me. How are these guys built? Pretty much like a gekko? Because they can fit into a 1-foot-square space, and still fight. They can also count as weighing 8 pounds. You should also specify that this doesn't apply to stat changes, or you'll get another 2 dex from the size change rules. I really like this as an ability on a medium creature... on a small humanoid creature, not so much.

[puppyavenger]

Gotcha, I had just assumed they were medium... but that raises another question for me. How are these guys built? Pretty much like a gekko? Because they can fit into a 1-foot-square space, and still fight. They can also count as weighing 8 pounds. You should also specify that this doesn't apply to stat changes, or you'll get another 2 dex from the size change rules. I really like this as an ability on a medium creature... on a small humanoid creature, not so much.

yep, , t's actualy given as an idea to power up kobolds in the ROTD web enhancment, also excuse my noobiness, but what a raunser ?

[tsuuga]

A Ranseur is a type of spear with a pair of spikes below the head. It's a piercing reach weapon that does 2d4 damage and x3 crits.

[Vadin]

Svinnr: They recite the entirety of the Lore Of The World for roughly a week, sharing tales of epic heroes and ancient battles and monstrous foes and wondrous treasures earned at the ends of mighty quests.

[puppyavenger]

A Ranseur is a type of spear with a pair of spikes below the head. It's a piercing reach weapon that does 2d4 damage and x3 crits.

gtoch, I'll replace long--spears with those in the battle formation. A crit againstsomeone chargin you with one of ths would kill.

[tsuuga]

Huh... My description was incomplete. They also can't attack at 5-foot range, they can't be set against a charge (sorry ). They also get a +2 bonus on disarm attempts

[puppyavenger]

Huh... My description was incomplete. They also can't attack at 5-foot range, they can't be set against a charge (sorry ). They also get a +2 bonus on disarm attempts

ah, I'll change it back, so anyone have any thoughts about the kobolds?

[Lord Tataraus]

Huh, I though ranseurs could be set against a charge, wierd. Well, Awl Pikes can be so they're still good.

ah, I'll change it back, so anyone have any thoughts about the kobolds?

Looks pretty good. You have a few grammatical and spelling errors, but that's easily fixed.

[puppyavenger]

Looks pretty good. You have a few grammatical and spelling errors, but that's easily fixed.

Hopefully fixed most of the spelling errors, I'll get Soiciety up either later tonight or tomarrow.okay it's up now, unless anyone wants more information kobolds aredone and any comments are of courser welcomed.

[Aptera]

Some thoughts on Elvish religion,

Spoiler

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Elves have many spirits and gods, which they divide into three categories:
The Male Elf, the Female Elf, and the Non-Elf (or weak. The names are interchangeable). Elves also use these categories for life, and organize most things around them. For instance the Female spirit/god of the celestial bodies, is the moon, and the male (as subservient to the female) are the stars. Both of these help the elves during the night, providing the small amount of light needed for the hunt. The sun is the Non-Elf celestial body, being the leader of the weak Non-Elfs. Elves worship other spirits like blood, body and food (female, male, non-elf) local spritis tribe spirits and others.

Just some ideas.

[Lord Tataraus]

I don't know if the sun could be "Weak" compared to the moon and stars, it just seems too backwards. I don't know how else to really do it though...with a "celestial bodies" theme that is. Of course, they could just be even more "savage" and revere no gods, seeing themselves as the sole rulers of the world. Or they might revere nature spirits and spirits of emotion, consuming the flesh of others to harness those spirits' powers. Though, I could see a monotheistic religion, believing in the great Queen Elf or something like that, but that's too Drow for me.

[Vadin]

On the elven religion thing: I think the idea of the moon representing Lady Elven and the stars being her Consorts Supreme could work (names-courtly+mythical). That, however, is at night, when Lady Elven is weaker and needs protection. During the day, she reigns as the Elven Empress, a harsh and unforgiving mistress with no need for defense. Even when the Multitude doth darken the Lady and her Consorts (clouds block out the sky), it is only a matter of time before the Queen of Elves resumes her place of honor and power in the sky. In such times, though the High Queen shall take back her throne in time, it is typically custom to cease work at such time and aid her in her quest to restore her power by ridding the world of the masses, so that the Multitude above might likewise be slain.

This would establish elves as: monotheistic, racist, matriarchal, having religious reasons to defend one's Queen (to ensure a place among the Consorts Supreme), bloodthirsty, and especially bloodthirsty when its cloudy outside (both at night and during the day, though they'd usually be asleep during the day and would usually only do this at night).

Difference between an Elven raiding party in clear sky and on a cloudy night: On a clear eve, they'll take what they need and back out with their stolen goods if the opposition proves too strong; when cloudy, they can allow no survivors and will fight to the last man without regard for personal safety.

[Lord Tataraus]

On the elven religion thing: I think the idea of the moon representing Lady Elven and the stars being her Consorts Supreme could work (names-courtly+mythical). That, however, is at night, when Lady Elven is weaker and needs protection. During the day, she reigns as the Elven Empress, a harsh and unforgiving mistress with no need for defense. Even when the Multitude doth darken the Lady and her Consorts (clouds block out the sky), it is only a matter of time before the Queen of Elves resumes her place of honor and power in the sky. In such times, though the High Queen shall take back her throne in time, it is typically custom to cease work at such time and aid her in her quest to restore her power by ridding the world of the masses, so that the Multitude above might likewise be slain.

This would establish elves as: monotheistic, racist, matriarchal, having religious reasons to defend one's Queen (to ensure a place among the Consorts Supreme), bloodthirsty, and especially bloodthirsty when its cloudy outside (both at night and during the day, though they'd usually be asleep during the day and would usually only do this at night).

Difference between an Elven raiding party in clear sky and on a cloudy night: On a clear eve, they'll take what they need and back out with their stolen goods if the opposition proves too strong; when cloudy, they can allow no survivors and will fight to the last man without regard for personal safety.

That works beautifully. And it gives a new meaning to the term "a rainy day" for the people in this world.

[Vadin]

"And it had started off like such a great day, too. The moon had been full and setting, the giant Tiku Birds had been screeching their love songs, and the caravan's load of Skyfish had been packed faster than expected. It was early morning, just before sunrise, and we'd decided to head out instead of waiting an hour or so until our originally planned time. It was only a short trip, and we all wanted to rest in our own beds that night. Oh, what fools we mortals be! A few miles down the well-worn road, we noticed trouble. The animals seemed a bit on edge, though we attributed it to the storm that had started brewing. We were only half right. When the first thunder rolled, the nightmare began. Arrows from the roadside fell with the rain and several of our guards and passengers hit the ground. It was those damned Elves! I put two and two together and knew there wasn't much chance of survival for any of us. I dove into my pocket for my 'just-in-case' talisman and focused my will on escape."


The soldier did a double-take as the wagon master disappeared and a tiny bird flew off in his place. That glance almost cost him his life, though, as an unarmored elf approached with a malicious smile. "<Meet your doom, usurper!>" the tattooed monster said with a grin. Draconic? The soldier had picked it up in the Realms while training, of course (the renowned Master Tk'chiss would speak nothing else), but where had an elf learned it? He decided the question was better left for calmer times and focused his will on his blade. He swung a few times as he and the elf, who laughed at the apparent display of theatrics, circled each other, both waiting for the other to strike. Little did the elf know he had begun the Striking Serpent technique, an ability that would let him reach his blade much farther than usually possible. As the elf's tattoos flashed a bright blue, he grew enormous muscles and became three heads taller. This display of magic would be his downfall, however, as the soldier took advantage of his foes distraction and leapt with his sword. The blade grew three times as long and easily sliced through the neck of the elf. By this time, the others of the caravan were dead, kidnapped, or had fled, and the other elves had either died or disappeared. Now that his foe had fallen, he had time to take stock of the situation. Upon inspection, the solder found the slain enemy was no more than a youth! Any victory over an elf would usually be worth a few drinks at the local pub and a substantial bounty, but this? This was no victory. This was a tired old man and a dead boy (with an air of confidence he himself had radiated years before), a boy who had had a long life ahead of him. In a particularly pensive moment, he thought, 'If only it hadn't rained, lad...if only it hadn't rained...' and walked back towards the town. Never would he speak of this day, though often would he remember it.

Some fluff for the magic class/elves.

[tsuuga]

On the elven religion thing: <snip>

Totally awesome.

Some fluff for the magic class/elves.

Also awesome.

I'll try and get something written up tonight, but no promises. My muse is hiding today.

[Vadin]

In unrelated news, have we got any artists in here? If anybody (feel free to jump in at this point, new people!) can make OotS style art, it would be awesome if we could get a few examples for each race and subrace so far. We could vote on which ones are the best and have them be the 'icons', if you will, for the different races and classes. Also, some avatars we could have available would be come.

If we don't have/can't find any artists, would you mind heading up a thread(assuming you're ok with the CoG art and avatars) asking for help in the Arts and Crafts board, Tartaraus?

[seedjar]

Just a brief thought for classes. How about a UMD specialist? Not an artificer - no crazy bonuses to magic item creation ability, or spells for that matter - but a class that allows the PC to augment the abilities of magic items, better identify them, maybe a little trapfinding/dungeoneering skill as well. The idea would be a mundane class that specializes in exploiting the remnants of the previous era, without much focus on the study of magic itself. Kind of like the way an archaeologist doesn't have to be a mathematician to understand that Egyptians used geometry to parcel their land; this improvisationalist understands how to make a wand of cure mod. wounds get two castings out of a single charge not because of his knowledge of cure spells, but because he's familiar with the way that wands were made and the conditions under which they function best. To round out it's place in the class hierarchy, I would support the magic item skills with some party face/investigative abilities (if the player needs magic items, there should be class abilities to help them find magic items,) probably mid BAB (might need to swing a sword if there aren't any spell completion items handy,) and some tactical jazz that allows a modest degree of defense/field control (like a lightweight trapsmith; improvising cover, tripwires, etc.)
Such a class might already exist for all I know; you could probably dress a trapsmith to fill the role mechanically. Game-wise, I feel like a magic item scavenger is a natural addition; they fit right in with the dwarves, but I think you could reasonably find one of these types just about anywhere in this world. Which brings up a question - anybody got a campaign-appropriate world name yet? (IE, one that works both in character and out of character without being unwieldy or too generic.)
~Joe

[jagadaishio]

Just a brief thought for classes. How about a UMD specialist? Not an artificer - no crazy bonuses to magic item creation ability, or spells for that matter - but a class that allows the PC to augment the abilities of magic items, better identify them, maybe a little trapfinding/dungeoneering skill as well. The idea would be a mundane class that specializes in exploiting the remnants of the previous era, without much focus on the study of magic itself. Kind of like the way an archaeologist doesn't have to be a mathematician to understand that Egyptians used geometry to parcel their land; this improvisationalist understands how to make a wand of cure mod. wounds get two castings out of a single charge not because of his knowledge of cure spells, but because he's familiar with the way that wands were made and the conditions under which they function best. To round out it's place in the class hierarchy, I would support the magic item skills with some party face/investigative abilities (if the player needs magic items, there should be class abilities to help them find magic items,) probably mid BAB (might need to swing a sword if there aren't any spell completion items handy,) and some tactical jazz that allows a modest degree of defense/field control (like a lightweight trapsmith; improvising cover, tripwires, etc.)
Such a class might already exist for all I know; you could probably dress a trapsmith to fill the role mechanically. Game-wise, I feel like a magic item scavenger is a natural addition; they fit right in with the dwarves, but I think you could reasonably find one of these types just about anywhere in this world. Which brings up a question - anybody got a campaign-appropriate world name yet? (IE, one that works both in character and out of character without being unwieldy or too generic.)
~Joe

A rogue with the right combination of feats could do exactly what you're proposing. One thing that I'm wondering about is how heavily high-security locations have degraded. Could the players break into a 2000 year old air-tight bank vault to find stacks of magical tomes in a safety deposit box? Could they break open a safe buried fifty feet under the earth containing the prototypes of the magic item factory that once sat above it? This could add a whole new type of treasure hunter option to the campaign setting, where a character has to fight their way through a bank vault turned kobold fief in order to reach the never-opened vault doors in the sub-basement.

[tsuuga]

A rogue with the right combination of feats could do exactly what you're proposing.

There's not actually much room for a default rogue in this setting. Communities are too small for stealing to be a valid way of life, and most are rural enough that you'd never see a trap or lock. The rogue would at least need to be reflavored from an urban assassin/thief to a more rough-and-ready Indiana Jones type Combat Archaeologist.

One thing that I'm wondering about is how heavily high-security locations have degraded. Could the players break into a 2000 year old air-tight bank vault to find stacks of magical tomes in a safety deposit box? Could they break open a safe buried fifty feet under the earth containing the prototypes of the magic item factory that once sat above it? This could add a whole new type of treasure hunter option to the campaign setting, where a character has to fight their way through a bank vault turned kobold fief in order to reach the never-opened vault doors in the sub-basement.

That sounds like a fun adventure... especially when you realize that you'll never be able to carry out even 1/4 of what's in the safe - so make a decision quick and skedaddle before they catch up with you. Now you've just got to deal with a greatly strengthened (due to magical artifacts that you didn't take) kobold nation that's annoyed at you personally

[puppyavenger]

That sounds like a fun adventure... especially when you realize that you'll never be able to carry out even 1/4 of what's in the safe - so make a decision quick and skedaddle before they catch up with you. Now you've just got to deal with a greatly strengthened (due to magical artifacts that you didn't take) kobold nation that's annoyed at you personally

I can imagine it now..remember kids, don't leave the magic enhancing ones in the hands of the mageocracy

[Vadin]

There's not actually much room for a default rogue in this setting. Communities are too small for stealing to be a valid way of life, and most are rural enough that you'd never see a trap or lock. The rogue would at least need to be reflavored from an urban assassin/thief to a more rough-and-ready Indiana Jones type Combat Archaeologist.

Since it seems like we're moving on to classes (for now-and...humans aren't statted out-can we assume they're the default human?), my two cents on the rogue thing: class options. Many more of them. In this world, you probably wouldn't find a halfling rogue who could open locks (though he would probably be great at ambushing and sneak attacking) if he was from the trees, but a rogue from the Confederacy or the Imperium, who could have grown up in a city (without skyscrapers, but with two or three story buildings not being unheard of) might be great at cracking safes and opening locks. Likewise, I think that the magic-item specialization could be a useful substitution for sneak attack. So he didn't learn where to hit the enemy for that extra damage; he learned how to make this Fireball Fist shoot without using up any charges every now and then. With enough options, all varieties of rogues (from assassins to Indiana Jones to hobbits with jewelry) could be feasible.

[puppyavenger]

Since it seems like we're moving on to classes (for now-and...humans aren't statted out-can we assume they're the default human?), my two cents on the rogue thing: class options. Many more of them. In this world, you probably wouldn't find a halfling rogue who could open locks (though he would probably be great at ambushing and sneak attacking) if he was from the trees, but a rogue from the Confederacy or the Imperium, who could have grown up in a city (without skyscrapers, but with two or three story buildings not being unheard of) might be great at cracking safes and opening locks. Likewise, I think that the magic-item specialization could be a useful substitution for sneak attack. So he didn't learn where to hit the enemy for that extra damage; he learned how to make this Fireball Fist shoot without using up any charges every now and then. With enough options, all varieties of rogues (from assassins to Indiana Jones to hobbits with jewelry) could be feasible.

Confederacy? Imperium? we need to detail human culutres some more,and for wizards, may I suggest varient spell-books being common?

[Vadin]

Ah. Right. I believe the Confederacy and such has been briefly mentioned elsewhere. They're a mixed race group (but mostly humans) of small to medium size cities centered in the plains area. Mostly they just want to survive without going to too much trouble. They won't start any wars or anything, and they're advanced enough to have a few monasteries scattered around within their borders and a university of magic in the capital (for 0-4th level spells and the associated levels of casters-nobody too powerful around there).

The Imperium, on the other hand, is an island based, heavily militant, group of humans on the Western Isles who strive for advancement and stability. Very lawful. They blame the Growth on the previous civilization and seek to rebuild the world, but not in the same way as before. Their ideal world is lawful and rigid, with no room for anything crazy or wild that might cause some unforseen tragedy like before. "Out with the Old, nice and fast, in with the New, good and slow." is their motto. The only other cultures they come in contact with are the dwarves on the western shore of the island and the various aquatic races that lie around the islands.

Others' thoughts?

[puppyavenger]

Ah. Right. I believe the Confederacy and such has been briefly mentioned elsewhere. They're a mixed race group (but mostly humans) of small to medium size cities centered in the plains area. Mostly they just want to survive without going to too much trouble. They won't start any wars or anything, and they're advanced enough to have a few monasteries scattered around within their borders and a university of magic in the capital (for 0-4th level spells and the associated levels of casters-nobody too powerful around there).

The Imperium, on the other hand, is an island based, heavily militant, group of humans on the Western Isles who strive for advancement and stability. Very lawful. They blame the Growth on the previous civilization and seek to rebuild the world, but not in the same way as before. Their ideal world is lawful and rigid, with no room for anything crazy or wild that might cause some unforseen tragedy like before. "Out with the Old, nice and fast, in with the New, good and slow." is their motto. The only other cultures they come in contact with are the dwarves on the western shore of the island and the various aquatic races that lie around the islands.

Others' thoughts?

for the confederacy, maybe they're the ones the kobolds sell thier mtal to. After all, there aren't that many entrpeneurs looking for opertunities in the sewers, so maybe they have a tradeing outpost in one of the confederate towns?

[Vadin]

I could see that happening. The Confederacy has to get metal somewhere (or do they?), and they're too far away from any dwarves. A Kobold surface outpost in the capital of the Confederacy would be fairly feasible. It would also protect both of them. Kobolds get attacked by some sewer monsters, Confederacy sends some soldiers down to help. Don't wanna lose their metal, right? Confederacy gets attacked by a large group of elves in one of their once-in-a-decade get-togethers, the Confederacy's allied Kobold fiefdom helps out with magic. Kobolds can't lose their business, of course, and they don't want to be next. Works out great for everybody. It should be noted, however, that those Kobolds who sell inside the Confederacy's capital would be the envy of most all the other fiefdoms.

[Lord Tataraus]

There's not actually much room for a default rogue in this setting. Communities are too small for stealing to be a valid way of life, and most are rural enough that you'd never see a trap or lock. The rogue would at least need to be reflavored from an urban assassin/thief to a more rough-and-ready Indiana Jones type Combat Archaeologist.

Which is exactly why I suggested to (and did) replace the rogue with the scout. That is exactly what the scout is. Plus, I think the halflings would have favored class scout with the mounted scout variant (possibly).

That being the case, I suggest that the magic item specialist be a variant of the scout.

As for the Confederacy and the Imperium, they were both mentioned and approved, but more in depth description is needed.

For the name of the world, I have begun thinking about that too since we need one at this point. So, I've come up with a few possibilities: Verrid (or Virrid), Terop, Lukar. I personally like Verrid/Virrid, but I'll leave that up to you guys, if anyone can come up with other names, we'll add them to the list and vote.

As for getting artwork, that would be awesome, however, I have past experience with requesting artwork and I didn't get much and that was for the Avatar D20 project.

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

I vote for Verrid, as it has the "ver" bit, which means green in my head.

[Lord Tataraus]

I vote for Verrid, as it has the "ver" bit, which means green in my head.

Well, I took it from the latin word for green: viridis, so that makes sense and slightly inspired by the old norse word for world: verfold. It just fit too well.

[tsuuga]

I vote for verid, with one 'r'. It just looks better to me. Also Verfold would be a great name.

I'm working on making up some tattoos for the Red Elves. The way I'm thinking of working it is heavily based on psionics: By taking the "Tatooed" feat, you learn to harness some form of energy blah blah you get power points equal to your level. Tattoos are magic items, which must be activated by paying power points as if you were manifesting. If you want to augment it, that cost is factored in when making the tattoo, and you can only use it with that augmentation. In general, the cost of these tattoos is that of a psicrown (375*1/2 the number of PP spent rounded up*number of PP spent). So a tattoo of Catfall (10 ft.) would cost 375 gold and 1 PP to activate. That particular example is a bit much, but something like Claws of the Beast (5d6) costs 64125 GP, and you can only activate it at level 19.

You would also be limited to one active at a time (without a feat), and I would probably add a feat giving you an extra 1 PP per level (but limiting you to spending no more than your level per round). Maybe even a prestige class which gives you access to specialized tattoos... or latent affect ones... and extra PP.

EDIT: the great thing about non-lootable magic items is it lets you throw humanoids at your characters all day, and keep some semblance of wealth by level.

[Lord Tataraus]

That tattoo idea sounds really good. How about we allow for arcane, divine and psionic tattoos? We could just use the spell point system for all magic or just allow sorcerers, rangers druids, etc. to expend a spell to gain the correct number of effective spell/power points to use the tattoo.

Also, on the topic of alternate spell books, I don't really know if they are needed, only wizards use them and those are rare and learn from ancient tomes anyway. However, in the Confederacy, their might be wizards who would take on a more monk-like approach. They would just use tattoos or staves. Not the magic item staff, but a spell book written on a staff in symbols, somewhat like ancient Chinese texts that where written on bamboo plates which is part of the reason they use characters instead of letters. With characters, you can fit a lot more on a piece of wood, so a wizard would start out with a staff which has all their spells carved into it. The staff would be able to hold the minimum number of spells and all the extra spells would need to be tattooed. What do you think? We could even add on the the Imbued Staff variant where the staff is the spellbook and familiar.