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Thread: Birthright Diseases
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11-18-2004, 03:43 AM #1
Here's a little PDF that can be used as an adjunct to the diseases section of the DMG for the Birthright setting. It features diseases that afflict scions and the affects of the diseases upon their bloodlines, as well as diseases for the setting. This is meant as an expansion for an awnshegh I've been working on, Kettil the Leech, who will have begun life as a healer before... well, you know, stuff happens.... It could, however, be used without that character to fill out what is a pretty thin section of the D&D rules.
Comments are welcome.
Gary
Old version removed. Updated PDF is below.
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11-22-2004, 07:57 PM #2
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Nice! Something highly needed! Good job!
Robby
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11-28-2004, 08:58 PM #3
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Quite interesting - diseases that only affect scions. I like this.
The only disease I have a problem with is Wound Corruption. The idea that your bloodline derivation changes to Azrai is a bit overpowered, I think. After all, the act of bloodtheft is needed typically to cause this change, and then there are a lot of factors involved.
I would suggest that the Wound Corruption, instead of changing your bloodline, causes bloodline losses. Maybe paralysis, too. For instance, 1d4 bloodline points lost for major, 2d4 for great and 4d4 for true, plus paralysis for same number of rounds. Perhaps the affected flesh turns black and putrid.
Just an idea.
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11-29-2004, 01:40 AM #4
At 09:58 PM 11/28/2004 +0100, Benjamin wrote:
>Quite interesting - diseases that only affect scions. I like this.The
>only disease I have a problem with is Wound Corruption. The idea that
>your bloodline derivation changes to Azrai is a bit overpowered, I
>think. After all, the act of bloodtheft is needed typically to cause this
>change, and then there are a lot of factors involved.I would suggest that
>the Wound Corruption, instead of changing your bloodline, causes bloodline
>losses. Maybe paralysis, too. For instance, 1d4 bloodline points lost
>for major, 2d4 for great and 4d4 for true, plus paralysis for same number
>of rounds. Perhaps the affected flesh turns black and putrid.Just an idea.
Yeah, that`s the one I figured would probably prove the most
contentious. Not only is it a pretty dramatic effect, it`s technically a
poisoning not a disease. (One could make an argument that ichor leeches
aren`t really a disease either, I guess.) On the whole it`s the game
mechanic that I want to use, and the poisoning game mechanic doesn`t suit
the effect I was going for.
The reason I want to have it change a scions bloodline derivation
temporarily is because I want additional ways to write up awnshegh
origins. In this case it goes directly to at least one past awnshegh I
wrote up a long time ago, the Werespider, whose bloodline is polluted after
being captured and subjected to perverse "experiments" by the Spider. The
idea will possibly feature prominently in the origin of at least one and
maybe two more characters I`ve been working on.
Thematically, I think the wound corruption version of things goes along
with the general theme of temptation, perversion and mutation that Azrai`s
bloodline and original character intimates, particularly as presented in
some of the original materials. In retrospect, however, it should probably
not be as easy as coating a weapon with some blood. Comparatively, it
takes a high level spell invented by the Magian to accomplish that, or an
outright act of bloodtheft on a scion of Azrai. A little tweaking is in
order.... I made a couple of changes to other descriptions, and I like the
symptoms you suggest, so let me brainstorm a bit on this and I`ll post an
updated version of the PDF with a new disease or two and some better rules
for the wound corruption disease.
Gary
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11-30-2004, 01:08 PM #5
Perhaps, certain magical spells and hexes would change/drain/corrupt a bloodline. But I’d imagine it would be highly unlikely that a scions bloodline derivation would change permanently without bloodtheft taking place.
Also if bloodsilver weapons can drain bloodline points, cant there be other weapons that are particularly deadly to scions of a certain bloodline.
Um...........oh yeah I'm new so hi. :lol:
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11-30-2004, 07:00 PM #6
At 02:08 PM 11/30/2004 +0100, Urban fox wrote:
>Perhaps, certain magical spells and hexes would change/drain/corrupt a
>bloodline. But I`d imagine it would be highly unlikely that a scions
>bloodline derivation would change permanently without bloodtheft taking
>place.Also if bloodsilver weapons can drain bloodline points, cant there
>be other weapons that are particularly deadly to scions of a certain
>bloodline.Um...........oh yeah I`m new so hi.
Hi backatcha and welcome.
There is a spell to change bloodline derivation called Bloodline Corruption
used by the Magian to alter the bloodline of Qandar the Righteous, turning
him into the Manticore. It`s 9th level and basically performs a kind of
bloodless act of bloodtheft to permanently do the shift. This is
originally in the Blood Enemies text if you have access to it.
In the document above, the change of derivation is temporary, but can be
made permanent if during the period the scion is sick with Wound Corruption
he takes a level as an awnsheghlien--or, I suppose, if one goes through
whatever transformation game mechanic the DM uses. Even though there
aren`t a lot of scions of Azrai with major or greater bloodline strength
running around, and those that do exist aren`t the type of folk who would
likely spill their own blood with a whole lot of zeal, I think just coating
the blade of a weapon with the blood of a scion of Azrai is too easy a
method to inflict the Wound Corruption effect, so I`m thinking there should
be at least an additional cost. Possibilities:
1. An XP, gp and/or RP cost somewhat similar to magic item creation.
2. A drop in bloodline score for the donating scion of Azrai (seems too
much to me for a temporary change.)
3. Lower DC saves.
4. Eliminate major bloodline strength as a potential blood donor, so only
major and true scions of Azrai can use this ability.
Right now I`m leaning towards #1 but considering #4 as well.
As for weapons that are particularly dangerous towards scions with
particular bloodline derivations, I think that`s an interesting
possibility. I presume you mean in regards to bloodtheft, not just in
general, but one could imagine either or both possibility in certain
circumstances. There are magical weapons that are +1 and +3 vs a
particular monster type, for instance. It`s feasible for a type of
"awnsheghlien hunter" type character to envision and then either make or
have made such a weapon that was +1/+3 vs. scions of Azrai. It`s similarly
possible to imagine a weapon with something like a sielshegh gem
incorporated into it (or some other justification) that replicates the
effect of tighmaevril weapons on a scion of some particular derivation.
Gary
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12-01-2004, 11:48 AM #7
It might not be too safe, or too smart to have something that acts as bloodsilver versus Azrai tainted blood! Also, it might be bit limited in scope to pick a Bane versus one bloodline.
What you might want is something that acts like the new Wounding rules, but applies to bloodline instead (ie, every succesful attack inflcts one point of ability damage.)
The diseases seem quite cool, certainly wouldn't want to catch any of them.
What about a disease that temporarily gives a commoner bloodline? I'm thinking this would more likely be an Azrai disease, seeing as his specialty is corruption. What if the disease feeds of the body (STR/DEX/CON) to pump the artificial bloodline ever higher? And anyone that bloodthefts them gets infected.
Or a disease that responds to the divine power of healing magic by becoming stronger?
Well, just random thoughts.
Chris"As soon as war is declared, it will be impossible to hold the poets back. Rhyme is still the most effective drum."
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12-01-2004, 03:50 PM #8Originally posted by geeman@Nov 30 2004, 08:00 PM
Hi backatcha and welcome.
There is a spell to change bloodline derivation called Bloodline Corruption
used by the Magian to alter the bloodline of Qandar the Righteous, turning
him into the Manticore. It`s 9th level and basically performs a kind of
bloodless act of bloodtheft to permanently do the shift. This is
originally in the Blood Enemies text if you have access to it.
In the document above, the change of derivation is temporary, but can be
made permanent if during the period the scion is sick with Wound Corruption
he takes a level as an awnsheghlien--or, I suppose, if one goes through
whatever transformation game mechanic the DM uses. Even though there
aren`t a lot of scions of Azrai with major or greater bloodline strength
running around, and those that do exist aren`t the type of folk who would
likely spill their own blood with a whole lot of zeal, I think just coating
the blade of a weapon with the blood of a scion of Azrai is too easy a
method to inflict the Wound Corruption effect, so I`m thinking there should
be at least an additional cost. Possibilities:
1. An XP, gp and/or RP cost somewhat similar to magic item creation.
2. A drop in bloodline score for the donating scion of Azrai (seems too
much to me for a temporary change.)
3. Lower DC saves.
4. Eliminate major bloodline strength as a potential blood donor, so only
major and true scions of Azrai can use this ability.
Right now I`m leaning towards #1 but considering #4 as well.
As for weapons that are particularly dangerous towards scions with
particular bloodline derivations, I think that`s an interesting
possibility. I presume you mean in regards to bloodtheft, not just in
general, but one could imagine either or both possibility in certain
circumstances. There are magical weapons that are +1 and +3 vs a
particular monster type, for instance. It`s feasible for a type of
"awnsheghlien hunter" type character to envision and then either make or
have made such a weapon that was +1/+3 vs. scions of Azrai. It`s similarly
possible to imagine a weapon with something like a sielshegh gem
incorporated into it (or some other justification) that replicates the
effect of tighmaevril weapons on a scion of some particular derivation.
Gary
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12-01-2004, 07:50 PM #9
At 12:48 PM 12/1/2004 +0100, Chris wrote:
>What about a disease that temporarily gives a commoner bloodline? I`m
>thinking this would more likely be an Azrai disease, seeing as his
>specialty is corruption. What if the disease feeds of the body
>(STR/DEX/CON) to pump the artificial bloodline ever higher? And anyone
>that bloodthefts them gets infected.Or a disease that responds to the
>divine power of healing magic by becoming stronger?Well, just random thoughts.
Nice. I like it a lot. I think it should "feed" off the character`s
wisdom rather than any of the physical ability scores, since that would be
more in line with the corruption/temptation aspect of Azrai`s bloodline,
and maybe if the character finally succumbs to the disease s/he becomes an
awnshegh. Definitely something to think about. (Of course, it also means
I`ll have to rewrite that introduction to the disease document since it`s
no longer just about the effects of diseases upon scions, but that`s OK.)
I`m picturing this working in a campaign kind of like this: It`s the
Birthright equivalent of rabies. A character who gets this disease will
eventually become a murderous lunatic when his wisdom drops, gaining a
level in the awnshegh character class instead of foaming at the mouth. If
he cannot be cured he must be "put down." It might be the result of a
commoner committing an act of bloodtheft upon a scion of Azrai which in the
original rules didn`t transfer the bloodline.
At 04:50 PM 12/1/2004 +0100, Urban fox wrote:
>[O]nly major and true scions of Azrai can use the ability Wound
>Corruption, but could this power act in reverse, could a Scion of Azrai
>also be a victim of Wound Corruption? (or purification depending on how
>you look at it :lol:)
That`s a possibility. In general, I think this kind of effect should be
reserved for Azrai`s derivation since temptation, corruption, etc. would
appear to have been an aspect of that god`s portfolio. It would be
interesting, however, if one were to use the blood of other scions in order
to fight the disease. Imagine, for instance, a scion who is infected with
wound corruption being bled nearly to death then getting transfusions from
other scions in hopes of ridding his body of the dark humours of Azrai`s
taint. That has an interesting relationship to the setting material as
well as a pretty cool reference to historical medical techniques. That`s
one of the things I was leaning towards when writing up several of the
diseases.
Gary
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12-01-2004, 10:30 PM #10
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> I`m picturing this working in a campaign kind of
> like this: It`s the
> Birthright equivalent of rabies. A character who
> gets this disease will
> eventually become a murderous lunatic when his
> wisdom drops, gaining a
> level in the awnshegh character class instead of
> foaming at the mouth. If
> he cannot be cured he must be "put down." It might
> be the result of a
> commoner committing an act of bloodtheft upon a
> scion of Azrai which in the
> original rules didn`t transfer the bloodline.
Interesting. I`m not sure why, but I always assumed
that not everyone knew about the whole bloodtheft
deal. I figured it would be just a myth among the
aristocracy...
=====
"Royal is my tribe."
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