Unearthed Arcana and what it brings to the table

Dungeons & Dragons The Royal Library
1

For months, nay years I have seen so much argueing on this forum. One person wants something done one way and ofcourse another person completely disagrees with that other person. I mean this has gone nowhere, fast.

Now that bloodline rules are officially printed in a Dungeons & Dragons book, and that material is Open Game Content. I think its time to settle. This argueing hasn’t really accomplished anything. Sometimes, you simply got to settle and then let everyone else do house rules. Some act like if it isn’t done their way, then they are still stuck with the what it says in the pdf.

Stuff that has been brought to the table that I see as useful to Birthright.

Generic Classes, Expert, Spellcaster, and Warrior. I think these could be expanded upon for example add Noble to it. How many times have I seen the discussion of wether or not elves should have druids, or wizard, or both? That same arguement has been going on for awhile. Well if we simply designate generic classes as core to the Birthright setting. It solves the problem, and if others dont like it, they can house rule it.

Defense, VP/WP/, Armor Damage Reduction. Just a suggestion, as Birthright has always been more gritty then normal D&D, atleast how I have seen it. This may do well to not only show that, but to distance itself from other campaign settings.

There is other stuff that could work.

2

Indeed, you are right that some of the things that have been so heavilly discussed over all this time should not have been so…

In any case, I’d like to address what you mention here:[ul][li]I am integrating the following variant rules in my campaign that I now design (so as to mention an example of house rules plus variant rules application):[list][*]Vitality & wound points.[/li][li]1s on attack rolls count as a -10 penalty, critical fumble occurs only if your BAB is not at least +10.[/li][li]20s on attack rolls count as a roll of 30.[/li][li]Armour piercing, armour damage reduction, and defence bonus.[/li][li]Sovereign Stone’s spell-casting system, with a more medieval/D&D magic style (not-elemental related, but form based [arcane, nature, and clergy magic, the last two accounting as divine magic]), and using my own variants of the base classes.[/li][/ul][li]Aside from that, BR has always been a bit of a more “militantly proper” setting than GH, and especially FR, and some of the Unearthed Arcana rulings could be very useful (imagine an artillery unit that deals 1d4 wound point damage on a clear shot, but has all the penalties it had in BR 2e [need of cleaning the cannon every time the unit made a natural attack roll of 1, and so on] :slight_smile: ). However, it is really another “house rule” matter or, to put it in the best way, a variant on the original rulings.[/li][li]Another example of things that have been thought over (but not on a level they would make it in the BRCS) include Defence bonuses, armour piercing weapons, etc.[/li][/list]

3

Out of all that should be blamed, its the authors of it. They never put their foot down and say “this is how its going to be, if you dont like it house rule it”. Instead they are too worried about offending people.

The writers either need to start cracking down and getting it done (which should have been done along time ago), or they should hand the project over to someone else.

4

I disagree.

There was some contention at first, but the authors have made it quite

clear what their intentions for the BRCS are. I`m not saying I agree

with those intentions, but I think they`ve been well established.

–Lord Rahvin

5

Oh yeah? Then explain why it isn’t out. The last update was a year ago. I can write an entire novel in less then a year. I am sure it doesn’t take them that long to do some rewriting in something they already have practically written up.

They should hand it off to someone else if they can’t actually get it done.

6

I really like the variant class abilities presentes in Unearthed Arcana. I already use the “nature aspect” variant of a druid and the rage variant for a barbarian.

I also like the changes in class abilties. Perfectly fitting for a cleric of Cuiraécen for example is: Lose the turn undead ability, gain the smite evil ability and Aura of Courage of a paladin (if chanelling positive energy)…

7

> Oh yeah? Then explain why it isn`t out. The last update was a year

ago. I can write an entire novel in less then a year. I am sure it

doesn`t take them that long to do some rewriting in something they

> already have practically written up.

>

> They should hand it off to someone else if they can`t actually get it

done.

I agree with your second point, not your first. There`s no reason the

team shouldn`t “hand it off” or otherwise if they feel its necessary,

nor do I think there should be stopping anyone from taking what`s

already written and finishing their own version for distribution among

the birthright community.

But it really doesn`t matter if you thing the BRCS is progressing too

slowly or not. And The Team has been plenty courteous in apologizing

for the delays and I`m sure being active on these boards slows their

progress some. As does the more modular design we as a community

requested, where we work out an issue before moving on to the next. I

dont really follow the BRCS progress, but I think theres been some

work on bloodlines that`s been going on recently.

I myself have been working the same amount of time on my own adaption of

Birthright, but I`ve got nothing even close to a finished product as

this team has produced.

Theres been no evidence that this team cant “get it done”, though

perhaps they cant do it to everyones liking (such as mine).

In summation, I believe your accusations directed toward the BRCS team

are unkind and unfair. Theyve established a goal and theyve sought to

meet it. Now if I have a problem with its content or you have a problem

with its development, that really has nothing at all to do with the

BRCS`s vision, motiivation, or ability. Not only is it outside our

jurisdiction to set such standards of judgement, but I think by all

commonly acceptable standards they`ve done a decent job.

If they take the next ten years to make another page or they just drop

it all now and declare theyre done as is, theyve done an decent job at

giving life to their initial vision and should feel proud.

–Lord Rahvin

8

----- Original Message -----

From: “Ariadne” <brnetboard@BIRTHRIGHT.NET>

Sent: Friday, February 20, 2004 9:47 PM

> I really like the variant class abilities presentes in Unearthed Arcana.

I`ll certainly have to take a look during my March visit to the game store.

Along simialr lines, I pikced up Fantasy Flight`s Wildscape, part of their

Legends and Lairs series. Its a handbook for wilderness adventures and

chartacers. They produce nearly a dozen druid and ranger varients (not

whole class write ups, but modular lists you can plug in).

Some other goodies include special terrain types and basic terrain rules.

For example, special forest types include faerie, gloom, opression, and and

sentience. Once can immediatly plug these into the Spiderfell (Oppression

and Sentience), Sielwode (Faerie), and so forth.

Kenneth Gauck

kgauck@mchsi.com

9

Ecliptic: you had me initially, but you go too far. Yes, the project may have stalled in part due to the team’s inability to arbitrate with finality but you must be aware of the many other reasons. Further I will not “blame” them for their idealistic need to adhere to the concept of a “community project”, I sympathise with them.

I understand your frustration, but, ultimately, there is no-one to vilify here. Your core statements, time to settle, publish and be damned, etc I agree with but your tone is too much.

CM.

10

Originally posted by ecliptic@Feb 21 2004, 04:17 AM
[b] Oh yeah? Then explain why it isn’t out. The last update was a year ago. I can write an entire novel in less then a year. I am sure it doesn’t take them that long to do some rewriting in something they already have practically written up.

They should hand it off to someone else if they can’t actually get it done. [/b]

Moderator advisery: Ecliptic, please soften your words. There is no need to attack somebody on this board…

11

ecliptic schrieb:

>This post was generated by the Birthright.net message forum.

> You can view the entire thread at:

> http://www.birthright.net/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=2&t=2283

>

> ecliptic wrote:

> Oh yeah? Then explain why it isn`t out. The last update was a year ago. I can write an entire novel in less then a year.

>

Today is Februarry 21st 2004.

Would someone please note in his calendar for the 21st February 2005 to

remind me that I can go and download the excellent written and exciting

new Birthright novel that our friend here has written and uploaded for

free for us to read?

bye

Michael

12

Originally posted by ecliptic@Feb 21 2004, 04:17 AM
[b] Oh yeah? Then explain why it isn’t out. The last update was a year ago. I can write an entire novel in less then a year. I am sure it doesn’t take them that long to do some rewriting in something they already have practically written up.

They should hand it off to someone else if they can’t actually get it done. [/b]

My dear ecliptic, I’d be happy to let you know that anyone that doesn’t suffer from some form of physical handicap could probably hack out a novel in less than a year. In fact, I think most people could even manage to hack out multiple novels in a year.

If you ever were to find yourself in a context where you’d have to work in what is called, with a somewhat pedestrian fashion, a ‘team,’ you might be surprised to learn that you might spend more time debating the overall project, coming up with ideas, and revising drafts than you actually would hacking new material. Your payment for all those hours also comes out to $0. Congrats. That might mean other commitments will occasionally take priority. Like, work. You might even want to play games, not just write rules for them.

Now, would your post be considered an application to join the team? If so, I’d advise you to 1) show your ability to work in a team context over a long period of time (you must obviously be very good at this) and 2) you should hack out some material to show off how good you actually are.

So, either start making your hackwork, or kindly moderate your tone a bit.

If you wish to complain about tardiness, please direct your complaints primarily at me, since I’m the tardiest tard there is.

13

More in general as to what Unearthed Arcana brings to the table, I’d say it’s a whole lot - not the least of which is a very strong reaffirmation of the sections on creating or customizing stuff set forth in the core books, such as ‘customizing your character.’

Since the material is all OGL, it may be well worth a good, long look as to what is suitable to adapt for the BRCS, if not as a standard rule, then as a variant.

The bloodline section I don’t find to personally fit the Birthright idea of a bloodline all that well - while it is supposedly inspired by Birthright, the implementation is a good step away from Birthright, and it doesn’t ‘do’ all the things the Birthright bloodline system should do, especially with regards to ruling realms. Mechanically, it looks fine and balanced, and I suppose you could make it fit the setting with some effort. Personally, I’d say the material that was published in Dragon is far superior in terms of how well it fits with the setting and the rules, if you’re looking for something with an ‘official’ stamp given out by WotC or a WotC licensee.

Now, the incantations section looks like an interesting alternatative mechanic for incorporating realm spells - extending the casting time a fair bit, of course, and allowing for longer breaks.

Wounds/vitality, armor as DR and so forth are classic variants, of course, which a lot seem to think fits the setting better. Of course, the wounds/vitality system in UA is full of holes.

I haven’t taken too much of a look at the rules for reputation and honor and such, but they seem to be a bit soft, and not really have all that much mechanical significance.

Taint might fit as an alternatative way of handling Azrai bloodlines.

Some of the Spelltouched feats might be cool as blood abilities.

Unearthed Arcana brings a whole lot to the table, not the least of which is apparently a push towards a more open game philosophy from WotC. Game design-wise, it’ll hopefully have a positive effect on the various online D&D communities as well.

14

Ariadne schrieb:

>This post was generated by the Birthright.net message forum.
> You can view the entire thread at:
> http://www.birthright.net/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=2&t=2283
>
> Ariadne wrote:
>

Originally posted by ecliptic@Feb 21 2004, 04:17 AM
Oh yeah? Then explain why it isnt out. The last update was a year ago. I can write an entire novel in less then a year. I am sure it doesnt take them that long to do some rewriting in something they already have practically written up.
>
> They should hand it off to someone else if they can`t actually get it done.

> Moderator advisery: Ecliptic, please soften your words. There is no need to attack somebody on this board…
>
Except Gary of course… [crowd cheering in the background: We hate
Gary…] :wink:
bye

Michael

15

Mark_Aurel schrieb:

>This post was generated by the Birthright.net message forum.

> You can view the entire thread at:

> http://www.birthright.net/forums/index.php…=2&t=2283<br />
>

> Mark_Aurel wrote:

>

Originally posted by ecliptic@Feb 21 2004, 04:17 AM
[b] Oh yeah? Then explain why it isnt out. The last update was a year ago. I can write an entire novel in less then a year. I am sure it doesnt take them that long to do some rewriting in something they already have practically written up.

>

> They should hand it off to someone else if they can`t actually get it done. [/b]

My dear ecliptic, Id be happy to let you know that anyone that doesnt suffer from some form of physical handicap could probably hack out a novel in less than a year. In fact, I think most people could even manage to hack out multiple novels in a year.

I can´t. Even considering the much less difficult stuff that we had to

write back at school I had my greatest problems when it came to writing

good essays or whatever was needed…

If you ever were to find yourself in a context where youd have to work in what is called, with a somewhat pedestrian fashion, a team,` you might be surprised to learn that you might spend more time debating the overall project, coming up with ideas, and revising drafts than you actually would hacking new material.

>

You are making assumptions here if you don´t know ecliptic personally…

> Your payment for all those hours also comes out to $0. Congrats.

>

From my side they could have the eternal worship as demi-gods if they

manage to actually get something that is reasonable, and the majority of

the community likes it :slight_smile:

bye

Michael

16

Originally posted by ConjurerDragon@Feb 21 2004, 06:20 PM

Except Gary of course… [crowd cheering in the background: We hate Gary…] :wink:

Tssss, tssss, tssss :wink:

17

At 05:49 PM 2/21/2004 +0100, Michael wrote:

>Except Gary of course… [crowd cheering in the background: We hate

>Gary…] :wink:

Hey, that`s not very… oh… yeah, right.

Gary

18

Ariadne schrieb:

>This post was generated by the Birthright.net message forum.

> You can view the entire thread at:

> http://www.birthright.net/forums/index.php…=2&t=2283<br />
>

> Ariadne wrote:

>

> Tssss, tssss, tssss :wink:

>

I can stand 3 Tsssss - but to send it twice is too much for me I

surrender…

Just in case: It was your intention to send your message twice and you

don´t have some virus on your PC that did this?

Something completely different: Has someone else noticed that the small

snail that “Spongebob” (the TV cartoon) keeps as pet is named Gary? :wink:

bye

Michael

19

I MUST protest.

I think this Gary-hating thing has gone too far!

I hereby start the counter-hate-Gary movement. Dedicated to hating all

Gary-haters.

Cheers

Bjørn

-----Original Message-----

From: Birthright Roleplaying Game Discussion

[mailto:BIRTHRIGHT-L@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM] On Behalf Of Gary

Sent: 21. februar 2004 21:39

To: BIRTHRIGHT-L@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM

Subject: Re: Unearthed Arcana and what it brings to the table [2#2283]

At 05:49 PM 2/21/2004 +0100, Michael wrote:

>Except Gary of course… [crowd cheering in the background: We hate

>Gary…] :wink:

Hey, that`s not very… oh… yeah, right.

Gary

Birthright-l Archives:

http://oracle.wizards.com/archives/birthright-l.html

20

Originally posted by The Green Knight@Feb 21 2004, 09:40 PM
[b] I MUST protest.

I think this Gary-hating thing has gone too far!
I hereby start the counter-hate-Gary movement. Dedicated to hating all Gary-haters.
[/b]

I think it’s become obvious that we need a poll.

If we get a two thirds majority in favour of hating someone else, we can then take submissions from the community as to who we should hate instead; otherwise we can all be generic Gary haters and anyone who doesn’t like it, can house rule it.

CM.

PS.

At some stage, it’d be nice to know who Gary is - but as this is an internet forum, facts are not absolutely necessary for construction of an opinion. :blink: