Mr. R

So a new system from Killer Shrike for making Runes http://www.killershrike.com/FantasyHERO/HighFantasyHERO/MagicSystems/runecrafting.aspx So my first PC is non traditional in that SHE does not sculpt, but is a whitesmith (ie tin smith but can work all the lighter metals like silver) So her items are basically jewelry. And still there is a lot to improve! Note I left the Rune list blank. That is intentional as I will be posting some suggestions in a bit. Also those who point to how it is similar to the PFRPG Diabolist, I say that this Build is MUCH more powerful and diverse. As always the GM should have a list of starting Runes, but as time progresses, new ones will be added that need to be vetted. And when was the last time you had a diabolist use a Heal Rune?

I guess you can call him a man who has gone native, EXCEPT for the fact that there is no such thing as native in the setting. Thus ends my Totemic Shaman PCs. Next up, Runemasters!

The story of Trixie. From the Far Eastern Islands she came to trod the thrones of the Basin Kingdoms beneath her callused feet! So Trixie is my attempt at a more ... experienced Totem Shaman. I paired it with a Rogue Package he had ( examples forthcoming ) to make a mage / thief type. As it is, though she is very capable, there is still a lot of room for improvement!

I have noticed one thing about this Totemic Magic type, it that it is perfect to make those Warrior/Rogue - Mage types. Since the cost is so low and the powers broaden rather than grow in power, this allows the PC to have a solid number of abilities that are useful but not overpowering. My next PC will merge Totem Shaman with a Rogue archetype. And I made her fairly experienced (like 280 +) so that she had a nice number of skills and powers!

Now for a boy and his.... CAT? And So very much a beast master type, but with a lot of room to grow!

The next set of NPC will use this system by Mr. Shrike http://www.killershrike.com/FantasyHERO/HighFantasyHERO/MagicSystems/TotemicShamanism.aspx This is a fairly cheap system, but as he says this a system where the person broadens their abilities rather than more power. So I present Huldra. Mother, Widow, New Shaman I am tired of the pc being a teenager or young adult. So how about a mature person being chosen for a new position, and thus Huldra. Huldra is a mature woman (I would surmise between 38-43 years of age) I like the thought of someone undertaking a totally new roll in life when they should be getting into their relaxing years. In a group she would be the wise older council because of her age. Also I can see a number of skills she should have being justified by being a wife and mother all these years. In fact the roll playing hooks are popping into my head as we speak!

I have read enough fantasy where mages are part of the city guard.... Note she is at the moment a very support person. With some experience and some good Matrices choices (AE version of the chains, Knockout version of EB, stronger Mage Hand) she could be a much more effective member of the Watch! Also I can see her being sent on a mission with a Rogue (non mage) member of the watch on some sort of investigation in the surrounding area.

No system just ideas that popped into my head as I was thinking what kind of runes to give my future Runemaster. Even a quick and dirty example . Plus I am familiar with Palladium's FRPG diabolist and always felt he was too limited. Like why no heals? No detects? Poisons? Cure Poisons / diseases? Create Water (I read that one in a novel and went WTF?) If you can do an alarm, why not a sound damager? And NO Entangles? SO I want as many ideas as possible so I can create those whacky runes that could be so much fun. Like: Rune of Celebration Will create a zone around the rune that will keep people in a positive state of celebration for the next five hours. Mind Control 8d6 AE extended(+1.5) Telepathic (+.25), one emotion only (positive happiness)(-1) 1 Charge with a 5 hour duration (-0.5) and usual rune limitations (like it still takes a few hours to carve into the floor)

I like that one. A transform?

So we have runes of Fire Ice Agony Sleep Alarm Protection (FW) Darkness Light Poison Sound Detection Anti Teleport Change Environment Fear Healing Any other ideas?

Inspiration for this NPC is from RoleMaster and their Lay Healer Class. Also I wanted to see what it would look like if they started with two Matrix Pools and not one. I can see where it could lead to a lot of versatility. As it is, he can do a fair number of effects. And there is a great deal of room for improvement.

Understood! Edit. Good News. My copy of 6th Ed has a lion template in it. I'll modify that a bit for 5th Ed rules and .... Hello Leopard!

I need stats for a Leopard (big cat) that I plan to use as a follower for a totem shaman that I plan to make. My Hero bestiary is deep in storage and .... I don't want to go digging for it. So if a kind soul give me a heads up for your average plains type leopard?

One thing I found making these NPC is that what I thought OK for the End Batteries is a bit low. For some like the Grandmere style that has 0 end or the Dasao style that has 1/2 end a 100 End with 10 Rec is real good, maybe even overkill. For Vorba style, it is a bit LOW. Also you may note the higher Power Skill levels in the skills. That is so their modified roll is still within a degree of success. Ridel has powers at 50 AP so a - 5 to roll. At PS 19- this is a 14- chance (or 90% chance). Some talk about not liking the chance to fail at a spell, but other than doing a DnD treatment, or an Earthdawn idea of hanging spells (Delayed Activation) then spells become more like superpowers. Accordingly I am modifying my stance about Skill Rolls maximums to take into account minuses. Note I would allow Ridel to get a Power Skill of 20- (modify to a 15-) But no higher. But that is JMHO!

So the third example is an experienced version. Very experienced. I also gave him a few magic items. One thing you will notice is the LARGE matrix pool. This means he can keep two Matrices up at a time, like For. Fd. and EB, or For. Fd and Growth or Invis. and Ego Attack. Even with all this, there is room to improve

I just thought of something. This would be perfect for all those small utility spells that mages seem to cart around. Light (Images) Magnetic North (Bump of Direction) Mages Tongue (Universal Trans) See in the Dark (Nightvision/ Infravision) Any other ideas?

Next up a more.... sneaky type mage For improvements getting the rest of the Martial Arts package, become a little tougher (con 13, PD 4, ED 4) and improve the power of the Matrix Pool (MP 40 and all slots to 40 AP)

Its a Talent- Base cost 5pts Adder- Range Discriminatory and Sense +12 Total cost 17 pts Allows you to sense magic at range and tell about different types. Like I plan to add Totemic magic and Rune Magic. This could tell the difference. Also it can give you info about what kinds of magic and what styles are being used (different style have different feels based on the advantage/disadvantage of each style!

It is a valid comment. 125 pts is NOT a lot to make a character on. On most of the mages I have a 3 PD and ED. Also they have a dearth of Skills, and a talent called Mage Sight. If this was my PC I'd be looking at +1 to PD and ED, +1 to SPD (not a deal breaker), at least 9 pts in skills, POSSILBY +1 Overall, and Magesight (17 pts). So at minimum 28 pts! Top end 48 pts!

These NPCs will be using a magic system I got from Killer Shrike http://www.killershrike.com/FantasyHERO/HighFantasyHERO/MagicSystems/Metier.aspx And so I present the first, Any constructive criticism welcome and appreciated!

He said What I was going to say. What niche do elves play in your mind, and construct a human kingdom that mirrors that. You could do the same with dwarves, a human kingdom of hardy human miners who are expert craftsman and fierce warriors. (If anyone scoffs at that, point to Switzerland).

I don't think point totals would help too much. It is possible to create a Champions Character that costs 600 pts, but he has Normal Characteristics, no powers and just skills, contacts and favours. Compare that to the original Doc D who clocked in at 600 pts. One is a very behind the scenes type and the other is Doctor Doom, fight at your own risk. I think a better set up is something like the rule of X. Set up some base points like the following: Attack 30 active points (45 with advantages) [ this gets you 6d6 EB AP or a 2d6 RKA Explosion, etc] Defenses 10-20 points (25 with advantages) [ this gets you 6pd, 6ed + 6/6 armour + 3/3 Combat luck] OCV/DCV 3-6 (up to +3 with skill levels and or Martial Arts) SPD 3 [ starting mages may have 2, elite warriors 4] Then you can gauge your party in compared to the opposition! Just a thought!

I'll be posting them in the near future as soon as I get a few in storage!

I have been making a few FH NPCs to test if it is feasible, and trying to stay at about 125 pts (5th ed) is HARD. I don't want them to be too competent, but giving them even a modicum of power adds up real fast. The only good point is that I can easily see where I would spend future points if I was a caster!

Thank you. Made two NPCs so far, both using the Metier system. I am pleased to say both are turning out pretty different due to the style and the personalization/ individual signature. BUT 125 is NOT a lot of points. Are they capable? Yes! Are they powerful? NOPE! Got a long way to go to get there. I think my third NPC will be about 250-275 to see what a more competent build will look like!