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#1
03-30-2010, 04:11 AM
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Useful Tips For Character Creation
There are so many questions when you are putting together your character sheet, and I want to answer as many of them as possible before the final deadline. So here is a thread of all the questions and answers I could think of when I practiced making my own character sheet for this campaign. Feel free to ignore any or all of this information. I promise not to cry. Last edited by Homestar; 03-30-2010 at 03:53 PM. 
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#2
03-30-2010, 10:54 AM
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Languages
The three primary languages of Ecchar are Common, Dwarven, and Elven. Most humans and halflings only speak Common, and most half-elves can speak both Common and Elven. Few dwarfs or elves take the trouble to learn the Common language unless they have the need to communicate with the other common races by their location or profession. It is not considered a taboo for these proud races to speak the language of humans. It is simply trivial.
__________________The Goblin language is only spoken by the savage creatures that plague the Stoneshard Mountains. They are constantly a nuisance to the dwarfs as well as the villages of other races that live near the mountains. Goblins do not usually get along well with anyone, even other tribes of their own kind, so no one really learns the Goblin language for negotiating purposes. Draconic is not a language spoken by anyone at this day and age, and if dragons do exist than they are not born with the ability to speak such a language. There are, however, writings and documents in the world that are written in the strange Draconic language, and many wealthy scholars and archeologists take it upon themselves to learn this lost language. There may be people that still speak it today, but such a thing would be rare indeed. There are other intelligent creatures in the world that use their own languages. Primordial seems to be spoken by the strange things that dwell in forests. Deep Speech is spoken by things that live deep underground. Rarer still, some creatures of the Deep North have been heard to speak Giant. Secret languages can be learned for those that want to have their own language among friends. A secret language can also be taught between trainer and dragon. Inventing such a language, however, takes time. There are also rare written texts in Supernal and Abyssal languages, but you would have to be a wealthy collector or a scholar with royal privileges to even be able to glance at one. Many superstitions abound about such texts, and few of them are good. No other language will EVER be used in this campaign. Last edited by Homestar; 03-30-2010 at 10:56 AM.
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#3
03-30-2010, 11:36 AM
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Backgrounds
Background bonuses are optional in this game. In other words you can choose a background bonus but you do not have to. Obviously the bonus must fit in with your character's actual background. For this campaign, you will likely need to stick with General Backgrounds as the others don't match well.
__________________You are allowed to choose an occupation bonus, but it must be the occupation of a member of your family. A geography background must apply to your starting location, even if you have lived in other areas before. Because of the unique nature of this campaign (you don't choose your starting location), you can wait until after the story has started and you get a feel for the place you grew up in before you decide on a background bonus. If it seems like too much hassle for a +2 bonus to a single skill, then don't worry about it. As I said, the background bonus is optional.
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#4
03-30-2010, 02:11 PM
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Skills
Skills are a huge part of DnD as they reflect a large portion of what a character can do in day-to-day life. Unfortunately you can't max them all out. Instead, you have to choose your strengths and weaknesses.
__________________Some campaigns relly heavily on Skill Check Rolls, requiring you to make several skill checks to accomplish a single task. Rest assured you won't have to roll perception, nature, insight, athletics, acrobatics, and intimidate checks every time you want to catch a fish. You will be making some skill checks, but skills are going to be important in this campaign for roleplaying purposes as well. High and low skill ranks will reflect on your dragon's growth as well. This will manifest its self in several ways, as you will learn during the game. Here are a list of all the skills and some of the uses they will have in this specific campaign. Acrobatics - Balance and coordination, developing speed and teaching skills like flying Arcana - Magical knowledge and abilities, information and lore on magical creatures that may or may not exist Athletics - Physical training and abilities, developing strength and teaching skills like swimming Bluff - Deceptions, hiding emotions, behaving as if everything is normal, and flat-out lying Diplomacy - Persuading intelligent creatures to be of a more friendly disposition, teaching manners and common courtesy Dungeoneering - Knowledge of architecture, useful for making homes or lairs as well as identifying why something is built the way it is Endurance - Resiliance, developing constitution and enduring training sessions, long trips, and harsh weather conditions Heal - Treating wounds and ailments, healing all manner of creatures and teaching them to heal History - Knowledge of the past, developing intelligence and teaching facts and nonfiction stories Insight - Empathy and intuition into personality and motivation, understanding creatures that cannot communicate with language Intimidate - Being scary and forcefull, teaching creatures to be scary or training them effectively but without love Nature - Knowledge of the natural world, teaching wilderness skills such as tracking and hunting Perception - Five senses, training in detection with sight, sound, smell, and taste Stealth - Sneaking and hiding, training to move undetected and how to hide from the perception of others Streetwise - Local knowledge and streetsmarts, urban survival and navigation Thievery - Helping yourself without getting caught, using and teaching slight of hand skills or smuggling and object through a crowd unnoticed Last edited by Homestar; 03-31-2010 at 01:53 PM.
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#5
03-30-2010, 05:13 PM
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Combat
While the roleplay/combat ratio of the game will depend largely on the individual player, you just can't raise a dragon and expect to never be involved in a fight. Combat will be handled as per the standard DnD 4th edition rules, but with the following Homebrew exceptions.
__________________Turn Order Initiative is never rolled for your dragon. Each dragon takes a turn immediately after their trainer. When we merge solo campaigns into a group campaign we will utilize the pbp order. Dragon Commands If not given any instructions a dragon will behave on its own accord. Instructing your dragon takes one minor action. This minor action includes any skill checks (such as intimidate or diplomacy) that you feel you need to persuade the dragon to act. Class Powers Regardless of your classes source of power, in this campaign your abilities come from your bond with your dragon. Thus, if your dragon becomes unconscious or is separated from you, you will no longer be able to use your class powers and features just as if you were level zero. I realize these rules are a little different so I will be flexible with players to adjust them so that they are workable and I know that you will be flexible with me as well. Last edited by Homestar; 03-31-2010 at 12:49 AM.
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#6
03-31-2010, 12:57 AM
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Other Tidbits
Equipment
__________________You will receive equipment information in your invitation PM. This will include funds to purchase your own gear, clothes, trinkets, etc. This gold is not for you to keep so any unspent gold will disappear. Rituals Because your starting at level 0, you do not receive starting rituals even if your class automatically gets them at first level. Don't worry, you will get your free rituals if you want them it will just be later in the campaign. Food and Water When traveling don't worry about packing food, water or other necessities. There may be some role playing involved in gathering or hunting but under normal circumstances that you did remember to pack supplies for you and your dragon. You will be notified in advance of special cases. Leveling Up I will be keeping track of your dragon's experience points and levels which you can check on at any time in the appropriate thread. I will also be keeping track of your experience points. I don't plan to give you constant updates on XP numbers but I will notify you immediately when it's time to level up so you can make the changes to your character sheets.
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#8
03-31-2010, 09:54 AM
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That's some useful information, indeed! I wish I'd found this thread before putting that sheet together. Now I'll have to go back and check on whether my background is legal, and change some wealth around. It should otherwise be in order, though. I think.
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#9
03-31-2010, 11:44 AM
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I may have missed it, but, I don't think you mentioned how to get the ability scores of characters. I used the point-buy system, but I think it'd be best for everyone to have it cleared up. Thanks.
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