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MalariaMoon
Learned Scribe
324 Posts |
 Posted - 31 Mar 2012 : 06:55:51
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Hi All,
I'm statting up one a Moonstar agent from Cloak and Dagger described in passing as a former 'Blood Warrior of Manshaka'. Some investigation in Lands of Intrigue describes the Blood Arena of Manshaka in Calimshan, so I'm guessing a Blood Warrior is some kind of gladiator.
I don't think much more lore exists beyond these evocative names, but I'd like to build on the idea by creating a 'Blood Warrior of Manshaka' feat. Has anyone got any cool ideas about what such a feat might let you do? Something combat orientated, gladiatorial in style?
Furthermore, anyone know of any lore regarding Blood Warriors that I might have missed?
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7970 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2012 : 07:02:02
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| Blood Warriors might also be some group dedicated to Tempus. They might even be somehow involved the Blood War of the fiends, although this seems unlikely. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Diffan
Great Reader
USA
4429 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2012 : 13:01:09
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What edition are we talking here?
Also, would you want to explore Prestige Class/Paragon Path options instead of just a feat? |
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MalariaMoon
Learned Scribe
324 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2012 : 16:18:38
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Edition wise I'm looking at Pathfinder.
I considered a Prestige Class, but figured a feat would be more appropriate for this character. I'm figuring a feat would represent "I fought in the Blood Arena of Manshaka and lived to tell the tale," whereas a Prestige Class suggests a greater commitment in time and ideology.
Of course, having survived the Blood Arena the character has learnt a battle trick (or two) which is represented by the feat. |
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Diffan
Great Reader
USA
4429 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2012 : 17:42:31
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Ok, couple of suggestions:
- Bonus to damage when opponent is flat-footed or to your CMB when performing a combat maneuver. This illustrates your ability to take greater advantage of a foe in a precarious position.
-Combat benefits (attack/damage) when you reduce an enemy to below 1/2 their HP. This illustrates bloodshed imposed on your foe.
-Temporary Hit Points = 1/2 your level when you drop a foe to 1/2 HP or fewer. This illustrates your renewed energy and bloodlust when you hurt foes.
-Gain the benefits of Imprived Critical feat when you attack a foe whose denied their Dexterity bonus to their AC or if your flanking a foe.
Hope some of this helps :-)
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MalariaMoon
Learned Scribe
324 Posts |
Posted - 01 Apr 2012 : 13:38:07
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Thanks Diffan; mechanically these are great, but I guess I'm looking for some flavour too. Lorewise I think we enjoy a blank slate concerning exactly what a Blood Warrior is, I'm looking for something that throws up some cool ideas and a possible feat to define them mechanically.
Forgive my vagueness! |
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MalariaMoon
Learned Scribe
324 Posts |
Posted - 09 Apr 2012 : 10:39:35
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This is what I came up with in the end:
Blood Warrior of Manshaka
In Manshaka, the notorious City of Sin, slaves fight one another in the Blood Arena for the amusement of the decadent populace. The crowd hungers for blood, favouring those whose weapons paint the gladiatorial sands crimson. You have fought in the Blood Arena and won your freedom, and you have also learnt how spilling the blood of your foes can turn a fight in your favour.
Prerequisite: Base Attack Bonus+5, you must have fought at least five battles within one of the Manshakan Blood Arenas.
Benefit: When wielding a melee slashing weapon, you can attempt to blind nearby foes with sprays of blood when you land a hit. Attempting this special attack incurs a -4 attack roll penalty, but if successful, a single foe within 10 of the creature is blinded by the spray of blood, unless it makes a successful Reflex save (DC 5+ damage done). A full round action is required to wipe the blood from an affected creatures eyes, ending the effect. The creature targeted by this special attack cannot be the same creature you wound with your weapon.
Furthermore, you gain +2 bonus to Intimidate checks made to demoralise an opponent against any creatures you witness you successfully blind an opponent with the blood of a foe.
This feat cannot be used against creatures which do not have any blood in their bodies (such as most undead and many extraplanar creatures). Furthermore, using this feat may have unforeseen effects against creatures with a special blood (such as acidic or burning blood), as determined by the DM.
Special: A fighter may select this feat as a bonus feat.
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3737 Posts |
Posted - 09 Apr 2012 : 15:41:59
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-I might adjust the part (DC = 5 + Damage Done). There's a bunch of reasons: At higher levels, obviously, you're going to be doing massive amounts of damage and on a critical, you do x2/x3/x4 and that'd artificially boost the DC even more.
-Maybe have the DC only as the physical damage done (weapon + STR), factoring out stuff like magic and whatever else. |
(A Tri-Partite Arcanist Who Has Forgotten More Than Most Will Ever Know)
Elves of Faerūn
Vol I- The Elves of Faerūn
Vol. III- Spells of the Elves
Vol. VI- Mechanical Compendium |
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Kilvan
Senior Scribe
Canada
894 Posts |
Posted - 09 Apr 2012 : 17:28:18
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Yeah, any DC on damage done, and there are a few of them in canon mechanics, is kinda useless at higher level or against critical hits. Even a dragon would need a 20 to succeed against a strong axe-wielder fighter who crits.
I would also add some penalties against larger foes, maybe -2 per size category, and specify that some types of creatures are unaffected (construct/plant/ooze/undead probably). |
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MalariaMoon
Learned Scribe
324 Posts |
Posted - 09 Apr 2012 : 18:25:38
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quote:
Originally posted by Lord Karsus
-I might adjust the part (DC = 5 + Damage Done). There's a bunch of reasons: At higher levels, obviously, you're going to be doing massive amounts of damage and on a critical, you do x2/x3/x4 and that'd artificially boost the DC even more.
-Maybe have the DC only as the physical damage done (weapon + STR), factoring out stuff like magic and whatever else.
That's a fine idea, thanks! |
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Diffan
Great Reader
USA
4429 Posts |
Posted - 09 Apr 2012 : 20:55:48
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I don't thinke a DC is required for this feat to work well. The condition imposed is already balanced by the fact that it can't be used during single-enemy encounters, has a -4 penalty to the attack, has a specific weapon requirment, and a prerequisite of BAB +5 and a special event/place to be obtained. Adding another layer of complexity (a DC check) makes the feat under-powered. Instead, make the condition slowly go away unless the target wants to spend a Full-Round action cleaning it off. You can also add a second balancing factor as using this special ability requires a standard action to perform (so you can't full-round attack using this ability). It could read:
Benefit: When wielding a melee slashing weapon, you can attempt to blind nearby foes with sprays of blood when you land a hit. Attempting this special attack requires a standard action and imposes a -4 attack roll penalty. If successful, a single foe within 10 of the creature is blinded by the spray of blood. The blindness is reduced to 20% concealment a turn later and completley removed the round after. A full round action can be used to wipe the blood from an affected creatures eyes, ending the effect. The creature targeted by this special attack cannot be the same creature you wound with your weapon.
Furthermore, you gain +2 bonus to Intimidate checks made to demoralise an opponent against any creatures you witness you successfully blind an opponent with the blood of a foe.
This feat cannot be used against creatures which do not have any blood in their bodies (such as most undead and many extraplanar creatures). Furthermore, using this feat may have unforeseen effects against creatures with a special blood (such as acidic or burning blood), as determined by the DM.
Special: A fighter may select this feat as a bonus feat.
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MalariaMoon
Learned Scribe
324 Posts |
Posted - 10 Apr 2012 : 16:02:29
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| Diffan I think that's a great rejig, and I know you know your stuff, so I'll be using this version for my character. |
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Blood Warrior of Manshaka (feat?)
