I think I liked Grugach for roleplay potential and the the Shadar-kai for their combat scenario potential from their defensive teleport ability.
The other two I felt satisfied, but thats about it.
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"Where words fail, swords prevail. Where blood is spilled, my cup is filled" -Cartaphilus
"I have found the answer to the meaning of life. You ask me what the answer is? You already know what the answer to life is. You fear it more than the strike of a viper, the ravages of disease, the ire of a lover. The answer is always death. But death is a gentle mistress with a sweet embrace, and you owe her a debt of restitution. Life is not a gift, it is a loan."
The sophisticated foreigner of sorts. Although I am now thinking about a Grugach that is not too smart, their gesticulation could be hilarious.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Where words fail, swords prevail. Where blood is spilled, my cup is filled" -Cartaphilus
"I have found the answer to the meaning of life. You ask me what the answer is? You already know what the answer to life is. You fear it more than the strike of a viper, the ravages of disease, the ire of a lover. The answer is always death. But death is a gentle mistress with a sweet embrace, and you owe her a debt of restitution. Life is not a gift, it is a loan."
I have mixed feelings about the shadar-kai. In my mind, they fill the same role as drow as the dark elves, but if given the choice, I would always pick shadar-kai. The sunlight sensitivity really outweighs everything.
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Yeah you are probably right, and the DM always reserves the right to disallow subraces as they see fit. But I cannot actually convince myself that anything the drow provides would be equivalent. Then I looked at the Eladrin elf and cried a little.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Where words fail, swords prevail. Where blood is spilled, my cup is filled" -Cartaphilus
"I have found the answer to the meaning of life. You ask me what the answer is? You already know what the answer to life is. You fear it more than the strike of a viper, the ravages of disease, the ire of a lover. The answer is always death. But death is a gentle mistress with a sweet embrace, and you owe her a debt of restitution. Life is not a gift, it is a loan."
Drow: +1 Cha; 120' darkvision; a utility cantrip; starting at 3rd level, a 1st-level debuff spell that recharges after a long rest; starting at 5th level, a 2nd-level utility spell with potential combat applications that recharges after a long rest; some weapon proficiencies; and Sunlight Sensitivity.
Eladrin: +1 Int; a 2nd-level defensive spell that recharges after a short rest; and some weapon proficiencies.
Shadar-kai: +1 Cha; choice of a utility cantrip, a pseudo-healing cantrip, or a damage cantrip; and a defensive ability that's probably a bit better than a 2nd-level spell and recharges after a short rest.
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"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -- allegedly Benjamin Franklin
Not even going to lie, I super would like to try an aqua elf coastal land druid. Or a two weapon fighter that wields a trident and net at the same time.
Solid UA overall. I agree the grugach are neat, rp-wise. And the shadar do, admittedly, feel a little redundant with drow on hand.
Lore for each is interesting, though personally I need a better springboard to feel motivated to pick a shadar at all; like how did my lone member of a race indentured to the Raven Queen ditch her, wind up here, learn my class skills, and decide to become an adventurer?
I need a better springboard to feel motivated to pick a shadar at all; like how did my lone member of a race indentured to the Raven Queen ditch her, wind up here, learn my class skills, and decide to become an adventurer?
That is a fair interpretation of the lore, however, I would probably play a shadar-kai as a warlock, cleric, or sorcerer devoted to the Raven Queen whom wishes for my character to banish a powerful undead or destroy something threatening the cycle of life.
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Feel like a dope for not thinking of that. Like maybe divine soul sorc or celestial warlock shadar-kai rolling up into a Curse of Strahd campaign to correct the funky life and death shenanigans of that weird pocket dimension.
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
I dislike the lore for the Shadar-kai. I'd re-fluff to the 4e Dusk Elf or the 2e star elf, and call it a day.
I have no logical argument that I would agree with, but I'll try my best anyway. I've always liked the Raven Queen, not evil, but far from good. She is the embodiment of death, but she does not kill, just escort. She and Terry Pratchett's Death probably run in the same circles, they have tea once in a while. Having a character who already has a connection with her would act as a great spring board for a celestial warlock or a grave cleric. It would also create an interesting tension if there was a necromancer in the group as my character would have a much closer relationship to the Raven Queen than other followers.
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Except the Raven Queen doesn't exist in all worlds. That's one reason I dislike tying an entire race to a god or goddess. You shouldn't HAVE to refluff around something like that. Fluffing INTO things should be up to the player. They should never have to fluff AWAY from something like this.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Except the Raven Queen doesn't exist in all worlds. That's one reason I dislike tying an entire race to a god or goddess. You shouldn't HAVE to refluff around something like that. Fluffing INTO things should be up to the player. They should never have to fluff AWAY from something like this.
If they didn't have some sort of backstory like they do, they would be boring. Having interesting stories makes for interesting hooks and fun games.
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"Where words fail, swords prevail. Where blood is spilled, my cup is filled" -Cartaphilus
"I have found the answer to the meaning of life. You ask me what the answer is? You already know what the answer to life is. You fear it more than the strike of a viper, the ravages of disease, the ire of a lover. The answer is always death. But death is a gentle mistress with a sweet embrace, and you owe her a debt of restitution. Life is not a gift, it is a loan."
Except the Raven Queen doesn't exist in all worlds. That's one reason I dislike tying an entire race to a god or goddess. You shouldn't HAVE to refluff around something like that. Fluffing INTO things should be up to the player. They should never have to fluff AWAY from something like this.
Fair, however, I can think of a few races, half-orcs, tieflings, drow, and dragonborn who are steeped in mythology. It is, of course, your choice to take it. Frankly, if you were so inclined to, you could reskin the shadar-kai to be linked to the Shadowfell and that's it; kind of the opposite of the eladrin.
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Yep, exactly. I'd rather fluff the race myself. I enjoy coming up with backgrounds. I just want the abilities, and some basics. Let me figure out the details!
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Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Tasha
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D&D Beyond FoundersHere's the link:
http://dnd.wizards.com/articles/unearthed-arcana/survey-elf-subraces
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Thank you for the link.
I think I liked Grugach for roleplay potential and the the Shadar-kai for their combat scenario potential from their defensive teleport ability.
The other two I felt satisfied, but thats about it.
"Where words fail, swords prevail. Where blood is spilled, my cup is filled" -Cartaphilus
"I have found the answer to the meaning of life. You ask me what the answer is? You already know what the answer to life is. You fear it more than the strike of a viper, the ravages of disease, the ire of a lover. The answer is always death. But death is a gentle mistress with a sweet embrace, and you owe her a debt of restitution. Life is not a gift, it is a loan."
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -- allegedly Benjamin Franklin
Tooltips (Help/aid)
The sophisticated foreigner of sorts. Although I am now thinking about a Grugach that is not too smart, their gesticulation could be hilarious.
"Where words fail, swords prevail. Where blood is spilled, my cup is filled" -Cartaphilus
"I have found the answer to the meaning of life. You ask me what the answer is? You already know what the answer to life is. You fear it more than the strike of a viper, the ravages of disease, the ire of a lover. The answer is always death. But death is a gentle mistress with a sweet embrace, and you owe her a debt of restitution. Life is not a gift, it is a loan."
I have mixed feelings about the shadar-kai. In my mind, they fill the same role as drow as the dark elves, but if given the choice, I would always pick shadar-kai. The sunlight sensitivity really outweighs everything.
Edit: please convince me otherwise.
Tooltips | Snippet Code | How to Homebrew on D&D Beyond | Subclass Guide | Feature Roadmap
Astromancer's Homebrew Assembly
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Yeah you are probably right, and the DM always reserves the right to disallow subraces as they see fit. But I cannot actually convince myself that anything the drow provides would be equivalent. Then I looked at the Eladrin elf and cried a little.
"Where words fail, swords prevail. Where blood is spilled, my cup is filled" -Cartaphilus
"I have found the answer to the meaning of life. You ask me what the answer is? You already know what the answer to life is. You fear it more than the strike of a viper, the ravages of disease, the ire of a lover. The answer is always death. But death is a gentle mistress with a sweet embrace, and you owe her a debt of restitution. Life is not a gift, it is a loan."
Drow: +1 Cha; 120' darkvision; a utility cantrip; starting at 3rd level, a 1st-level debuff spell that recharges after a long rest; starting at 5th level, a 2nd-level utility spell with potential combat applications that recharges after a long rest; some weapon proficiencies; and Sunlight Sensitivity.
Eladrin: +1 Int; a 2nd-level defensive spell that recharges after a short rest; and some weapon proficiencies.
Shadar-kai: +1 Cha; choice of a utility cantrip, a pseudo-healing cantrip, or a damage cantrip; and a defensive ability that's probably a bit better than a 2nd-level spell and recharges after a short rest.
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -- allegedly Benjamin Franklin
Tooltips (Help/aid)
Not even going to lie, I super would like to try an aqua elf coastal land druid. Or a two weapon fighter that wields a trident and net at the same time.
Solid UA overall. I agree the grugach are neat, rp-wise. And the shadar do, admittedly, feel a little redundant with drow on hand.
Lore for each is interesting, though personally I need a better springboard to feel motivated to pick a shadar at all; like how did my lone member of a race indentured to the Raven Queen ditch her, wind up here, learn my class skills, and decide to become an adventurer?
Tooltips | Snippet Code | How to Homebrew on D&D Beyond | Subclass Guide | Feature Roadmap
Astromancer's Homebrew Assembly
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Feel like a dope for not thinking of that. Like maybe divine soul sorc or celestial warlock shadar-kai rolling up into a Curse of Strahd campaign to correct the funky life and death shenanigans of that weird pocket dimension.
I dislike the lore for the Shadar-kai. I'd re-fluff to the 4e Dusk Elf or the 2e star elf, and call it a day.
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Tasha
Tooltips | Snippet Code | How to Homebrew on D&D Beyond | Subclass Guide | Feature Roadmap
Astromancer's Homebrew Assembly
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Yeah tbh I like how she sticks out as a death domain deity who isn't automatically evil. Which for some reason is a novel concept in D&D.
Except the Raven Queen doesn't exist in all worlds. That's one reason I dislike tying an entire race to a god or goddess. You shouldn't HAVE to refluff around something like that. Fluffing INTO things should be up to the player. They should never have to fluff AWAY from something like this.
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Tasha
"Where words fail, swords prevail. Where blood is spilled, my cup is filled" -Cartaphilus
"I have found the answer to the meaning of life. You ask me what the answer is? You already know what the answer to life is. You fear it more than the strike of a viper, the ravages of disease, the ire of a lover. The answer is always death. But death is a gentle mistress with a sweet embrace, and you owe her a debt of restitution. Life is not a gift, it is a loan."
Tooltips | Snippet Code | How to Homebrew on D&D Beyond | Subclass Guide | Feature Roadmap
Astromancer's Homebrew Assembly
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Yep, exactly. I'd rather fluff the race myself. I enjoy coming up with backgrounds. I just want the abilities, and some basics. Let me figure out the details!
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Tasha