OOC Thread for all non-IC discussion and all non-approved character sheets.  For any rules debates, please take it up with me in PM.<br/><br/>Thank you.<br/><br/><span class="bbc_u">House Rules</span><br/><br/>1.  In regards to the level adjustment system:  I for the most part would rather have people play characters they'd enjoy, and not have them be restricted (or feel restricted).  So for certain races that are within reason, I overlook and disregard the level adjustment.  Meaning that for the duration of the game, you will be treated just like as if you had chosen one of the core races from the Player's Handbook.  More powerful races such as minotaurs, which may have a more significant impact on lower level portions of campaigns; I allow players to still take a player class at 1st level.  However, in order to counter the impact the more powerful creature can make in earlier stages, I do impose a 10% XP penalty per LA.  This penalty is removed completely once the party obtains a level equal to your ECL.  Reductions in the penalty depend on the campaign flow, and even removal of the penalty may be done early at my discretion.<br/><br/>This rule is not intended to encourage or discourage players from choosing "abnormal" races.  However, having been on both sides of the table and after examining things; I have found it much easier to make for allowances, rather than have a classless player potentially hinder a party.<br/><br/>2.  People will either accept or hate this one, but I don't think any of the multiple versions of the Bladesinger prestige class represent what a Bladesinger is supposed to be.  Well, let me rephrase that... none of them really represent what they were presented as capable of, when held up to their first introduction in the<em>Complete Book of Elves</em>from 2nd Edition.  They were your front line, battle wizard, capable of dancing straight into the enemy ranks and throwing a lightning bolt into their face.<br/><br/>Now I'm not going to get into the rule differences between the two editions.  And quite frankly, mechanically in all honesty the Bladesinger could have essentially remained the same.  Thus after several revisions, mass battle tests using my epic level Bladesinger (with the help of my friend who has created some of the craziest monsters), and after a short campaign test beginning at level 1.<br/><br/>This is my current revision of a character class version of the Bladesinger.<br/><br/>http://grimstonestudios.com/files/bladesinger.html (http://grimstonestudios.com/files/bladesinger.html)<br/><br/><br/>3.  The Laws of Realism.  While the D&D world (or worlds as it may be, as these rules were written to be non-campaign setting specific) is a world of fantasy, where magic often governs and makes things we even in modern times can only dream of...well a reality.  I still like to remind players that they aren't immortal, that their characters are still mortal beings.  Now, that doesn't mean I'm going to throw death traps or dragons out of the woodwork at people...no, that would just be plain well...rude.  And make the experience not fun.<br/><br/>I'm more talking about the simple mechanics that even experienced DMs forget (I'll be the first to be admit I do...and I have this rule on my own personal list) to have players actually take care of their characters.  Rations aren't tracked, they walk into town and go see the king smelling like pigs.  While things like that I suppose you can overlook and say they are assumed to be taken care of, sometimes however I think it becomes taken for granted.<br/><br/>That same 1 week trail rations you had at 1st level, has lasted you the entire campaign...and you're now 10th level.  And it's now months or even say a year (or more) later for your party.  Again not like it would probably affect the outcome that much (or at all), but certain little things I think get take for granted and they shouldn't be.<br/><br/>So what about other things, such as trying to jump across pits?  If your Jump check says you can do it, I'll allow it.  Now, we all know some of that isn't "humanly" possibly in reality...but we're playing a game of fantasy and we're talking about heroic people...so I'll let stuff like that slide.<br/><br/>It's some of the other stuff, that people can easily say "Well it is a magical world, isn't it?"  One thing, I won't do is let this ever get in the way of the story and this is not intended to over burden anyone with unnecessary work.  It is however, just something that is part of the world that your character lives in.<br/><br/><br/><br/><strong><span class="bbc_u">When Darkness Falls - D&amp;D 3.5</span></strong><br/><br/><em>Player's Campaign Intro</em><br/>What inspired each of you to seek the open road and life of an adventurer is a story itself.  Ever traveler in these lands knows of the adventurer's guild known oddly enough as The Traveler's, their members are amongst the elite, bard's tell stories of their feats.  It is whispered however, that a threat looms on the horizon that perhaps not even The Traveler's can stop.  Of course, not every powerful wizard or swordsman belongs or claims membership with them, so maybe or maybe not this rumored danger will be stopped.<br/><br/>But as you check your pack and set out on the road for the first time, you wonder if it would be best to seek out one of their guild representatives.<br/><br/><span class="bbc_u">Additional Game Info</span><br/><br/>Our story will begin with everyone deciding if they wish to seek out The Traveler's or not.  Player's will begin at their individual homes (or point of origins), so unless they agree to have grown up together, the group will begin apart.<br/><br/>The only common whisper of activity throughout the land is that an ancient evil has begun to gather power again.  Of course, such whispers can often be dismissed as "old wives" tales...but it seems kingdoms have been calling forth the finest adventuring companies to investigate the rumors.<br/><br/><em>The campaign itself will begin in Toril (The Forgotten Realms).  But as the only spoiler, dependent on choices made it can spill over to other worlds.</em><br/><br/><span class="bbc_u">Character Creation Info</span><br/><br/><strong>Allowable Source Material:</strong>Most official 3.5 sources (this includes the use of the d20 SRD (http://www.d20srd.org); for those without access to 3.5 books, all Forgotten Realms 3.x sources (for 3.0 material not found in any 3.5 source, please consult me first), 2nd Edition Forgotten Realms - Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue (if you have access to it; just for flavor...I'll use it throughout the game), d20 Book of Erotic Fantasy (usage will be allowed with approval; though sexual situations unless using a spell or an ability will be roleplayed NOT rollplayed).<br/><br/><strong>Disallowed Source Material:</strong>Tome of Battle and Tome of Magic (No classes or prestige classes may be used from these sources.  Feats, magical items, etc...will be examined on a case by case basis)<br/><br/><strong>Usage of 3.0 Material:</strong>In general no, except in cases when no 3.5 update was made, then depending on what is being requested either a general judgement will be passed or a case by case decision will be issued.<br/><br/><strong>Racial Abilities/Traits:</strong>Please the ones from the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting (with the exception of any updates made in the 3.5 version of the Player's Guide to Faerun) for any elf, dwarf, gnome, halfling, and human.  All others use the appropriate 3.5 source (unless an entry is given in a Forgotten Realms source).<br/><br/><strong>Ability Scores:</strong>32 point buy<br/><strong>Starting Level:</strong>1st<br/><strong>Starting Gold: </strong><br/><br/>Half normal for character class (for low class backgrounds)<br/>normal for character class (for middle class backgrounds)<br/>1.5x normal (for upper middle class backgrounds)<br/>2x normal (for noble or wealthy backgrounds)<br/><br/>This page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Forgotten_Realms_deities) shows the deities of the Forgotten Realms, so for any character choosing to worship a specific deity and not just a "shamanic" spirit or the idea of a deity, should choose from here.  The deities themselves of course know when they are being worshiped, even if those who only worship the idea of a deity or greater power do not worship them by name.  Worshiping the idea that a greater power for example gives mortals the ability to use magic, and grants you with your gift is worshiping Mystra even if you don't send your prays directly in her name.  Provided you do not send your prayers to any of her rivals of course and/or using the Shadow Weave to cast spells.<br/>