Any Races/Characters Classes based on David Gemmells Drenai series for DnD ?

[Hackenslash]

Hello All,

I was wondering if anyone has created a campign based on David Gemmells Drenai series of Books. It would be facinating to see what class Waylander would be, What level Fighter Druss was and what character class would the "Thirty" be, and of course all the other characters and enemies from this brilliant and action packed series of sci.fi books. I would imagine it would probably be a "Low Magic" campaign and would be very gritty and dark, alot like the old Warhammer Fantasy Roleplaying Game. Any thoughts form all you ENWorlders would be appreciated. Cheers all

 

[Aelryinth]

Druss is a barbarian fighter in the Conan mold...definitely starting as a barbarian, and then getting advanced training.

He was probably hitting that level 20 mark at the time he died.

Waylander? F/4 rogue/10 a/10...he's definitely repented from Evil, but he's an Epic Level assassin, able to terrify immortals...He was a soldier before he was a tracker and slayer of men.


The Khan character was simply a very high level straight fighter.

It's a very classic low magic campaign, where high level people can die very quickly. High ability scores too, in many cases, which is suitable if you have low magic.

==Aelryinth

 

[Hackenslash]

Interesting !!!

Thanks for posting your reply Aelryinth !

Yeah I would definitely agree with the Low Magic setting. I am surprised that you say Druss would start as a Barbarian, as I would have thought straight Fighter all the way, but definitely Epic Level when he dies. What are your thoughts on the "Thirty" priest hood. I was thinking more like Psychic Warrior/Priest Multi Class. Serbitar the Albino was definitely my favorite. Wonder what levels he reached. Any other thoughts or character definitions, please let me know. Has anyone actually played a campaign based on David Gemmells Drenai World ? Thanks in advance.

 

[Aelryinth]

The Thirty. Hmm. The Problem with the Thirty is the interpretation of the power they serve. They work equally well as Paladins serving a greater power, with a few clerics mixed in, as well as Psychic Warrior/Psions.

Their whole trappings, and those who tap into the same energies, are all religious, which smacks of a Divine Yahweh-like prescence, specificially inimical to demons and the like. They also get off some pretty high level effects in combinations....astral spells, Miracles (reverting the entire bestiamorphed Army, fighting as spirits after dying).

I'd probably have to present them as mixed fighter/clerics, given their martial edge. I'd love a psionic approach, but the religious angle is too strong to ignore...and it's not really a monastic viewpoint, that's only there because they are isolated from normal folk.

I suppose they could be highly spiritual Psions, but that's almost the opposite of what the class is supposed to be. It could be plausible.

It would make perfect sense for the 'least perfect' among them to be the best 'fighter'...paladin, fighter, psy warrior...and the least adept cleric/psion. The real spellcasters follow the real fighter into the fray, and he can use their energies to supplement his own. He becomes the 'champion' by dint of knowing when to use the powers they have, as opposed to knowing the powers themselves. The point of the spear, as it were, guiding it as they provide the mental muscle.

Druss is definitely a barbarian...go back and read his first fight. He starts out as a woodsman and farmer and hunter, and in his first fight he picks up an axe and on murderous rage and sheer talent rips apart the enermy...he has no training to speak of, only the enhanced Rage of his axe. He beats up the big Wrestler later on by pure fearlessness and ignoring pain....who then goes on to teach him REAL fighting skills. He also becomes a soldier after this.

So he's a barbarian/fighter, probably 12/8 or so, maybe 10/10. You could make a real case for him being epic levels, too. I think his specialty is Devastating Critical...

===Aelryinth

 

[Hackenslash]

Excellent View Point on the Thirty and....

Hello again Aelryinth,

I thought your view point on "the Thirty" was bang on target. Definitley Fighter Clerics but maybe even Psy Warrior/Clerics ?? You have now convinced me that Druss started off as a Barbarian, it does actually make perfect sense if you read his first book again, which I did recently. But, I would have to say that he would definitely be beyond 20th level even before the "Legend" Book. How about a few levels of the "Foresaker" PrC after he banishes the Demon from his axe and his resistance to the "thirty" tring to contact him on Dros Delnoch in the Legend book. I think he was more like 40th Level (Epic Levels included) as his fighting ability is just so awesome and demorolising to his enemies and the way he just stands there and holds his ground no matter what, as in the short story of "Skeln Pass". I would say he would be the Quintessential Warrior in every aspect. Is there not a Legend class that you can be in DnD somewhere ? I heard that there was, is it in the Epic Level hand book ? Druss would most certainly fit into this class. What classes/levels do you reckon Asta Khan is ? Shaman, obviously, but what type and what spell lists, ? And do you reckon that the Joinings are Lycanthropes ? Also, what Alignment would you say Druss was or you you say that he went thru a few changes over the years. What cleass would you say his buddy Seiben was ? Any other views or comments would be appreciated. Thanks again

 

[Lord Vangarel]

Hi Hackenslash

The Legend prc is in the Mongoose book. You can have a look at mine on Thursday if you want.

 

[Aelryinth]

Cleric/psion is overdoing it for the Thirty...it spreads out their skills too much. Psion gives them the flexibility/meditiation aspect of their group, but clericism gives them the Divine Aspect of the One and all.

NO, Druss wasn't level 40. If he was, he'd run the whole bloody world. A 20th level fighter can stand against an army of level 1-3's with absolutely no problem. Give him an adamantine axe, Power Attack, and stand back and watch the fun.

I picture him as CG...he's not lawful, but he's got a very firm code of honor, and is perfectly willing to break the law beating the head in of someone who has offended his values...at the same time being remarkably openminded and willing to let stuff slide that doesn't concern him.

Forsaker levels is indeed a suitable flavor thing, you could throw it in...however, he's not anti-magic, he's just a stubborn mule. Toss in Iron Will and you are doing OK. Penetrate Damage reduction explains away how he can hurt other magical creatures.

Making the Joined forced Lycanthropes is a pretty good approximation of what they are...although DR shouldn't be there. They are just big, mean and strong...a cat's HD and stat boosts turns a skilled 4HD fighter into a truly impressive creature!

Druss is less a Quintessential Warrior then he is a Quintessential barbarian Axeman He never really fought a true master swordsman at his level of ability, he wasn't a duellist...he was a mass combat expert and really good at it, even though his sheer power made him a good Champion. It even points out against the Horde champion that axe guys have severe disadvantages against sword guys...the idiot just underestimated a 60 year old man.

Asta Khan would be a priest to dark gods...or an Evil Psionicist, depending on how you portray the Thirty. He definitely doesn't have the power to oppose them, so his gifts should all be of the less violent sort, regardless. And he doesn't have their communal power and interreliance.

I am trying to remember who Seiben was and can't quite remember It's been awhile.

The Drenai world would make a great low magic world where you can start justifying feats like are found in the OA books...double dmg from str for TH weapons, more bonuses to Hit, TH carryovers to the next blow for successful attacks, etc.

Epic levels are levels for engaging truly monstrous foes and taking fights to incredible levels...a level 20 fighter in our comprehension would be almost unbelievably skilled, beyond anything obtained in 'reality'....and that includes Bruce Lee~! We just can't picture someone who is THAT good. But someone that good going up against average 2-3rd level warriors? He'd take them apart for hours.....just think of the difference in HP, and they'd likely get dropped with one swing, since their AC is so low and he'd hit Power Attacking for +10 with EVERY SWING. Add in some DR to that mess and Druss would just be a Holy Terror on any battlefield....and so would any level 20 fighter

Remember, in D@D, we are making guys JUST LIKE HIM. Don't think he's better then what a character can be....Druss was probably Epic given that he became a Legend, and was such a force....but 40th level? That's better then the Gods, and he was never portrayed as THAT good.

In the modern world, the very BEST fighters we have are probably in the 10-15 category...we probably don't have anyone of higher level, simply because we dont' have those fighting traditions anymore, and Druss fought his whole life in a world of men.

Level 20 is an awesome acheivement for any warrior...don't denigrate it by making him HAVE to be Epic to justify what he did.

==Aelryinth

 

[Hackenslash]

I humbley bow down to your logic......

Hello again Aelryinth,

I must admit you do have a convincing arguement for Druss not being 40th level. Thanks again for that clarification. But I think at least 1 level of the Legend epic class from Mongoose is called for as he is a "Legend" afterall. Cheers for the feedback mate !!!

 

[Khorod]

There's a problem with D&D David Gemmel. Unlike so many things, his books actually reflect the abilities of people without experience-based gradations.

Druss was a woodcutter, but based on natural ability he was at least a 3rd level fighter.

Waylander, as he said it, simply always hits. His dexterity isn't 30, but his bonus to ranged combat is certainly like +10, BEFORE LEVELS.

And finally, people can essentially retire from leveling while still fighting in wars and adventuring- they simply reach the limit of their abilities and stop gaining new powers and tricks.

So, I suppose what I'm saying is that a group of exceptional characters in this world should start out as 5th level characters, with attendant experience. People like Waylander and the girl he picked up can be skimmed over.

The key here, is that people are what they are. Adventuring doesn't grant them powers, it changes their personalities, and often grants them motivations to become better at fighting. The typical experience system should be tossed out- leveling done as a story event.

 

[Grishnak]

Hey Aelryinth I dont suppose you've thought about the Krayakin in Winter Warriors and the swordsman cant remember his name for the life of me. Not Nogusta but I'd like to see what you think of him aswell