Moving to D&D 2e

[Kenneth New]

It should come as no surprise that this campaign will be converting to D&D 2e. I will be posting many rules for conversion. I am hoping we can get all the characters converted in a manner that will feel true to the essence of their nature. It is possible that some characters may be difficult to convert. If this is the case, players may choose to redesign/reimagine the characracter or to build a new character.

I am currently thinking of converting the campaign at 5th level of experience.

I will be posting all conversion points for discussion in this thread. Once a subject has been open to discussion for a while, I will consolidate the thread and post it in the appropriate board (races, skills, classes, etc...).

[Kenneth New]

Ability Scores

Characters in Rhiada are heroes, blessed from birth with the attributes of heroes. For this reason, characters can use the heroic array of ability scores (18, 16, 15, 13, 12, 10). This array can be modified by the player, but no two ability scores can be the same.

In Rhiada, characters of any class can have exceptional strength (1 point for each level above 18). Warriors (and only warriors) automatically get 18/50 STR if they purchase a STR of 18 (10 points). Characters of other classes must pay 10 points to get an 18 STR and then 1 more point for each level of exceptional STR (11 points for 18/50, 12 points for 18/75 STR, etc...).

Exceptional Constitution modifier for hit points. In Rhiada, characters of any class can get a bonus of +3 hit points per die for a 17 CON and +4 hit points per die for 18 CON.

Charisma in Rhiada is a measure of personal magnetism and force of personality. It is unrelated in any way to physical appearance.

[Kenneth New]

Thieves

In Rhiada, all the thief skills are treated as Non-Weapon Proficiencies (see Masque of the Red Death). Any character can take them.

Backstab remains a thief class ability.

A thief gets the following bonus Non-Weapon Proficiencies:

• Pick Pockets
  
• Open Locks
  
• Find/Remove Traps
  
• Move Silently
  
• Hide in Shadows
  
• Detect Noise
  
• Climb Walls
  

Other characters who take these non-weapon proficiencies suffer a -2 penalty to use them.

Rogues get Weapon Finesse as a free weapon proficiency. This proficiency allows the character to wield saps and small blades with finesse, using their Dexterity Missile Adjustment as a bonus to their attack roll with these weapons instead of their Strength bonus to attack rolls.

[Kenneth New]

Tieflings

Tieflings are humans with an infernal taint they've inherited from demonic blood in their past. Most tieflings have one or more infernal traits that can include any of the following:

• small horns
  
• fangs
  
• claws (can do real damage or non-lethal damage with unarmed strikes)
  
• prehensile tail (has only 1/2 the character's normal STR)
  
• red eyes
  
• skin of ebon black or reddish hue
  
• a faint odor of brimstone
  
• beaded skin (like a reptile)
  
• fur
  
• barbs on the face or joints (no damage)
  
• digitigrade stance
  

All tieflings have infravision to 20 yards.

All tieflings get a +2 bonus to saves versus poison.

Any monster summoned by a tiefling gets +1 hit point per hit die.

[Kenneth New]

Literacy

All characters from Elocia begin the game with the ability to Read and Write Livonian script. A character should spend another non-weapon proficiency slot for each other script he wishes to be able read. Some examples are:

• Aikonian Script
  
• Medani Script
  
• Ilfaren Script
  
• Dweirish Script
  
• Vanir Runes
  

The following writing systems are not scripts, but have a different character for each syllable or word. They require 2 non-weapon proficiency slots each.

• Draconic Runes
  
• Old Scathan Runes
  
• Old Theran Runes
  

Old Scathan Runes are still mostly unknown. Proficiency with this system still only allows a character to read them at a very basic level.

[Kenneth New]

Non-Weapon Proficiencies

NW Proficiencies in Rhiada are not divided by class or type. Characters of any class will be able to take any NW Proficiencies.

Non-weapon proficiencies in Rhiada are divided into the following categories:

• General
  
• Military
  
• Educational
  
• Wilderness
  
• Professional
  
• Magic
  
• Rogue
  

Each character gets access to certain NWP categories based on character class. In addition, they gain access to one category of their choice. Human characters gain access to still another category of their choice.

Fighters: General, Military
Rangers: General, Wilderness
Paladins: General, Military
Priests: General, Magic
Druids: General, Magic, Wilderness
Mage: General, Magic
Thief: General, Rogue, Professional
Bard: General, Magic, Rogue

Proficiencies in the military category can be taken as Weapon Proficiencies or as NWP.

[Kenneth New]

Weapon Proficiencies

Class	Initial	New Proficiency	non-proficiency penalty
Fighter	4	3	-2
Priest	2	5	-4
Mage	2	5	-4
Rogue	3	4	-3

Proficiency choices at character creation are limited by class and background. Characters can make other choices with experience, so long as the choice is not prohibited by oath.

All characters are proficient with clubs, punching and wrestling.

Humans get to choose an additional weapon proficiency at first level.

Athamel may choose any bow (but not crossbow) regardless of class.

Rhiannel may choose any sword regardless of class.

Dweir may choose hammer or axe regardless of class.

[satori5000]

What kind of Racial ability adjustments with the Tieflings get, and what if any bonuses to skills will they get? I remember them being very adept at interaction skills and was wondering if that is because a naturally high charisma or something.

[Kenneth New]

I've been pondering racial adjustments for tieflings. I want to give them +1 CHA, but D&D 2e requires that this be balanced by a -1 to another ability. I don't know what penalty makes sense. Right now, I'm thinking of no bonus or penalty. Let me know what you think.

[satori5000]

Maybe a -1 to strength? From what I was reading, they really don't get too much into fist fights, but are better at talking or backstabbing.

[Kenneth New]

I'm okay with that. Let's make it official.

Tieflings: +1 CHA, -1 STR

[Luke Porter]

Conversion at 5th level mean I only need to have 2nd level psionics done at start and I have two levels (40,000 xp worth) of adventures to get third level powers stated up.
Sir Demitrius will be a play test for the psionics system, with your permission.

[Luke Porter]

Is the Quick Draw non-weapon proficiency (Masque of the Red Death) available?

[Kenneth New]

Demetrius can be our psionic playtest character.

[Kenneth New]

I will do a list of proficiencies available soon. But I am using the Masque of the Red Death chart as a baseline.

[satori5000]

Another question about my Tiefling; Would it be possible to get a power to mark people? It doesn't have to be any special bonus, but I really liked that aspect of my character from the previous incarnations. Minor action to mark them with "The Mark of Belial". If they die, their soul is marked for Belial.

[Luke Porter]

That spell is' wizard mark' 1st level.

[John Niska]

The spell 'wizard mark' just puts the wizard's mark upon an object. It has a range of touch. It is also a simple mark so it doesn't have any innate powers or abilities.

I don't think 'wizard mark' is the right way to convert that ability.

[Kenneth New]

I am working on a warlock/pact mage class for 2e. If you have any ideas please put them in the Warlock 2.1 discussion under D&D 2e rules.

[Luke Porter]

In reference to Thieves: what do you think about giving them 'bonus non-weapon proficiencies' to increase those proficiencies they get as bonuses? Maybe 3 every even numbered level? It is a slower increase than the RAW, but the degree of expertise starts much higher. We could even say that you cannot spend more than one slot on one skill at a time. I fear that some Thieves will be spending their precious slots that they get at every 4 levels on these skills, rather than using them like other character would (picking up Riding, or a new language or something)

[Kenneth New]

We can look at that. I actually envision most characters getting better at proficiencies they already have when they gain new proficiency slots.

Keep in mind that most thieves (especially with our point buy) will have a starting proficiency of 14-16 with all their thief skills.

[Luke Porter]

I noticed the initial competence thing on Saturday. I keep running into the fact that my characters are fairly skill intensive. I don't have them with the abilities I think of as "core" until sixth or ninth level.

[Kenneth New]

Here is a document with a write up of Priests for the Church of Light. It details the Order of the Sword, the Order of the Chalice and the Order of the Pentacle. More orders may be added later, but these are sufficient to start.

I'm posting it here for comments before posting a final version.

Attachments:

[Kenneth New]

I am considering creating a warrior-priest/holy warrior for each religion in Rhiada. While I would allow folks to play paladins from the PHB, they may seem a little blah compared to the specialty warrior-priests.

For an example, see the Swords of Light in the Church of Light document.

[Kenneth New]

Here is a document that describes my current thoughts on the Moravan Druidic Church.

Attachments:

[John Niska]

Do Moravan Rangers receive the Hide in Shadows and Move Silently NWP as bonus proficiencies?

I ask because the Moravan bard specifically says the bard does not receive the thief NWPs but the Moravan Ranger does not say one way or the other.

[Kenneth New]

My current hought is, yes.

[Luke Porter]

So, with the changes to the Feats System, I was wondering about the warrior priests in Rhiada? Would they get a bonus proficiency that can only be spent on one of the given swords and a bonus feat for Specialization, or would they need to spend one of their feats on Specialization, it is just an option for them? Thanks.

Luke

[Kenneth New]

It's an option. They have to spend a feat on specialization in order to take it.