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Ponies and Possibilities; MLP + D&D3.5 = ? [Interest Check]

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SOCR Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Get out of here, STALKER
#1: Aug 18th 2011 at 10:01:33 PM

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Perils and Ponies: Champions of Friendship

Millenia ago, three Divine Dragons created the world: Syberis, Eberron, and Khyber. Between them sprang the Sky, Earth and Underdark and everything therein contained. Eberron created the continent of Coltvaire, and upon it rose Ponykind. Their leaders, Celesita and her younger sister Luna, asked each of the dragons a favor to aid Ponykind in their first steps on this new world; for light, protection, and shelter. In response Syberis created the sun for Celestia and the twelve moons for Luna, Eberron ensured Coltvaire would be secluded from outside threat by storms and treacherous seas, and Khyber promised that should anypony need, the Coltvaire Underdark would be hospitable and free from danger. Celestia was made to be Coltvaire's eternal ruler, and Luna made as an emissary of Ponykind to the world at large. In return, Celestia and Luna brought to Ponykind twelve special Cutie Marks- called Dragon Marks, as they were gifted by Syberis- so the Dragons could always maintain a presence amongst Ponykind. Celestia ruled over Coltvaire for a thousand years, and her kingdom, Galloway, was peaceful and prosperous.

...Or so holds the traditions of the Dragonmarked Stables. A little more than a hundred years ago Galloway fractured when Princess Celestia mysteriously vanished and there are no records that Luna ever existed; nopony to turn to who could pick up the crown. The time since has been marred by increasing tension between the nations of Coltvaire as they struggled to gain the throne, while the Stables consolidated power and formed guilds controlling the Coltvaire economy. An unseen force slowly drove the countries against each other and eventually, despite common sense and all things Pony... war broke out. The fighting continued until two years from the current time, until finally the ponies of Coltvaire together decried the violence, shouting that Celestia desired love, not strife, and the violence between ponies now would shock her. It was doing disservice to her memory, as it had already marred the land of her rule. In mutual understanding of this undeniable truth, humble and reigned in the leaders of each nation came together to sign an armistice; the Treaty of Friendship. The strife was called the Last War, in the hope that Ponykind would never see conflict amongst its constituent nations again.

But the traditions are fading, and forgotten. Ancient ruins are surfacing, revealing a language only known as 'Common', named for the fact it is the common thread between the archeological finds. Any pony worth their salt seeks to learn this language, if only to try and understand the utterly alien civilizations the ruins depict. The Underdark is no longer safe for ponies, threats innumerable having cropped up during the Last War, and who knows what else it has sheltered besides Ponykind. Some ponies say this was a sign that the Three Dragons gave up on Ponykind because of the vicious fighting, and their protection no longer applies. It is said that there was a Thirteenth Moon once, and its destruction signifies Syberis has already reneged on the ancient deal. If Khyber followed suit, last but not least would be Eberron, and some ponies fearfully look to the coastline in anticipation of the next great threat. Rumors persist of a Thirteenth Dragonmark, sinister in nature and ideal, all while the forces that sparked the Last War are still in play...

The Treaty may still crumble, plunging Coltvaire back into hated battle again. The continent needs adventurers willing to seek out trouble and reveal secrets. It needs guardians of peace and love. Coltvaire needs Champions of Friendship.

Are you the pony for the job?

Rules Alterations from Eberron and D&D

Friendship Points

Friendship points replace Eberron's normal Action Points. 'Action Point' and 'Friendship Point' are interchangeable terms. Below are the rules for Friendship Points, with alterations to the normal rules in gold

A character may spend an Action Point to aid any other character, PC or NPC. Only characters with the 'Cutie Mark' racial feature have Action Point totals. NPC characters with this racial feature naturally have Action Point totals without requiring Heroic Spirit. More than one character can spend an action point towards any action this would be valid, the results cumulative. Only one point per ally can be spent.

Characters have action points equal to five plus half their character level, rounded down. Level one characters have 5, level two and three characters have 6, level three and four have 7, etc.

The following actions are possible for the indicated amount of AP:

  • 1 point to modify another player's d20 roll. Upon spending an action point, 1d6 is rolled and added to the total. At level 8 this becomes the best of 2 d6. At level 15 this becomes the best of 3 d6.
  • 1 point to allow another character's use of any limited-use class ability.
  • 1 point to Stabilize another dying character (Any further points invested in this manner each increase that character's HP by one, to a max of 0)
  • A point may not be spent to hasten Infusion casting time

Dragonmarks

Dragonmarks in Equerron are alternate Cutie Marks; only Ponies may have them, and of them only nobles. There are no grades, and the only marks represented are Least, which behave as Greater. Syberis marks do not exist. Player characters may not have one. On NPC ponies they replace the cutie mark on the left flank- nobles are therefore ponies with different markings on their left and right flanks.
  • Earth Pony:
    • Handling
    • Hospitality
    • Detection
    • Shadow
  • Unicorn:
    • Scribing
    • Healing
    • Making
    • Warding
  • Pegasus:
    • Storm
    • Sentinel
    • Passage
    • Finding

Character Creation Rules

Pegasus Unicorn Earth Pony
  • No evil alignments
  • All starting gold not spent is lost
  • Cannot purchase martial weapons in your starting equipment, and light armor only. There will be chances to procure weapons and armor IC. (Hooves work for Unarmed Strike, Unicorns get their horn as a Natural Weapon.)
  • Starting feat cannot be a weapon proficiency or combat related
  • 'Ride' skill will be reversed; how well you can move with a passenger.
  • If your INT score is 13 or higher you can learn Common.
  • Pegasi automatically gain the 'Hover' feat in addition to their starting feat.
  • Cutie Mark Racial Feature: When using skills or powers in line with their Cutie Marks, ponies may always take 10, even in combat or when stressed. If they choose to roll, any 20 is considered a Critical Success with spectacular, magical results (such as a sonic rainboom). Up to three skills may be thus modified, and receive +1 as a result.

Unicorn's Extended Mage Hand Rules

  • Should the spell merely require pointing (IE Mage Hand), the unicorn uses its horn opposed to any hoof. Pointing the finger only requires the horn to be level with the target. Progressively more dramatic or emphasized pointing require more of the unicorn's center of mass to be in line with the target, to the classic 'arm sweep' would require the unicorn's horn, head, neck and spine all in-line with the target. This means that spells with such somatic components at the simplest level can be used even when bound; the unicorns head still has limited mobility. However even when not normally hampered the more exaggerated movements require more body interaction, in this case partial use of all four legs. This should be taken into account when casting spells with somatic components.
  • A unicorn's racial Mage Hand is modified to achieve the following: Objects cannot be merely lifted but manipulated, any action that requires deft control can be achieved. As long as Mage Hand is active, if a unicorn passes a Concentration check equal to the skill check they are making they can circumvent the -10 Non-Dextrous penalty. If this requires multiple Concentration checks to successfully perform an action they must all be passed.

Characters

Available Character Slots

Current Characters

Reserved Characters

  • Neopie's Earth Pony Knight

Original Post

Alright, here's an idea that's been stuck in my head the past week, talking with some fellow tropers about stat-based roleplays and an Archive Binge on My Little Pony

Roleplays like 'Imperium of Man comes to Gensyoko' shows that combining two very different things can have awesome results. Friendship is Magic has shown that MLP is itself a Fantasy Kitchen Sink that is not devoid of conflict, trouble, and hazards. Eldritch locations like the Everfree Forest and great beasts like Ursa Major are fixtures that are best avoided, lest misfortune and trouble befall those who come across them. Lots of adventures just waiting to happen. Most interesting, it gives us a setting where, internally, combat is rare (but not unheard of, see the honor guards Celestia has- cultures don't develop those from nowhere) and is a last-resort measure for solving conflict, but a measure nonetheless.

My limited exposure to D&D has shown it to be both boundless and possibly very silly, and I'm not quite sure which of those two elements connected to MLP in my mind. But after doing some research on it, and some helpful links from fellow tropers... the connection isn't unprecedented. There are three pages of rulebook made for each of the three races of Ponies for player character creation based on Pathfinder. Using this as a starting point I'm planning on creating more modifications to 3.5 rules and combat mechanics. Eventually, I'd like to actually play through a campaign

My problem at the moment is unfamiliarity with either source material. I never got that much into D&D and it's been a year since I touched it. I'm only familiar with MLP to the extent of the first season of the show. I'd need some help; people who would be interested and willing to chip in ideas, and people familiar with one or both components.

But first thing is first: who would be willing to join me on such a ridiculous adventure?

edited 23rd Aug '11 1:28:39 PM by SOCR

How can you be in two places at once when you're not anywhere at all?
Colonial1.1 Purveyor of Obscurity from The Marvelous River City (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
Purveyor of Obscurity
#2: Aug 18th 2011 at 10:03:37 PM

...Would ye be disappointed if I jumped at the chance to play a Griffin, lass?

"He could not know it. For it was not all a joke."
SOCR Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Get out of here, STALKER
MystyGlyttyr Bitch pills from Ship's Harbor Since: Oct, 2010 Relationship Status: Crazy Cat Lady
Bitch pills
#4: Aug 18th 2011 at 10:05:56 PM

If for no other reason than sheer morbid curiosity. [lol]

Easing back into life one step at a time
deathpigeon Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: One True Dodecahedron
#5: Aug 18th 2011 at 10:06:13 PM

Hmm... I'm more used to 4ed, but this seems interesting... Also, there's only one season right now, so you aren't missing much. I would be willing to join you on this adventure and help advise on MLP related stuff, though.

SOCR Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Get out of here, STALKER
#6: Aug 18th 2011 at 10:09:35 PM

btw, the previously mentioned racial pages...

Pegasus Unicorn Earth Pony

edited 18th Aug '11 10:10:06 PM by SOCR

How can you be in two places at once when you're not anywhere at all?
SullenFrog (Elder Troper) Relationship Status: I wanna know about these strangers like me
#7: Aug 18th 2011 at 10:13:35 PM

I've had some decent experience with 3.5e, though you'll forgive me, lacking the core rulebooks, if I can't recall every single rule or regulation off the top of my head. I'm willing to help out, though be advised that I am also in the process of devising an RP of my own; as such, my attention may be split.

The Danse Macabre Codex
MystyGlyttyr Bitch pills from Ship's Harbor Since: Oct, 2010 Relationship Status: Crazy Cat Lady
Bitch pills
#8: Aug 18th 2011 at 10:17:45 PM

...and I will be playing the part of the already completely baffled person who has no idea what any of this means. [lol]

Easing back into life one step at a time
SOCR Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Get out of here, STALKER
#9: Aug 18th 2011 at 10:24:31 PM

I am also planning on using the 'cutie mark criticals' rule on roll modifiers from here, as well as what it mentions about Earth Pony magical ability from the Reddit article it links.

How can you be in two places at once when you're not anywhere at all?
SullenFrog (Elder Troper) Relationship Status: I wanna know about these strangers like me
#10: Aug 18th 2011 at 10:25:15 PM

Might I make a suggestion? If we're going by 3.5 rules, all our characters will have exceedingly low hit point values when starting out, particularly if they're playing sorcerers or wizards; perhaps we could take a leaf out of the Star Wars Saga Edition RPG (basically the bridge between 3.5 and 4.0), wherein at first level the characters receive triple the maximum hp of a single hit die in addition to their Constitution modifier (for example, so long as their CON isn't low enough to have a negative modifier, a Pony Wizard would start off with at least 12 hit points at first level)?

The Danse Macabre Codex
SOCR Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Get out of here, STALKER
#11: Aug 18th 2011 at 10:26:52 PM

Well the few times I played games they subverted that by starting everyone at level 5, but that sounds like a good idea to me. Would that just dictate starting HP, and we'd carry that until we meet D&D's HP levels (keep track of it and what our HP would be normally, and use whichever is higher), or would that be a fixed base point?

edited 18th Aug '11 10:27:14 PM by SOCR

How can you be in two places at once when you're not anywhere at all?
Bindlestick Aww, son of a bitch from Mad Hole, country of the Screamers Since: Feb, 2011 Relationship Status: Anime is my true love
Aww, son of a bitch
#12: Aug 18th 2011 at 10:28:47 PM

I'm game.

This is an excellent idea, right here. But, then again, I'm not a terribly good judge of these kinds of things.tongue

"You have more than enough potential. So tell me what is the one wish that would make your soul gem shine." -Mitt Romney, probably
SullenFrog (Elder Troper) Relationship Status: I wanna know about these strangers like me
#13: Aug 18th 2011 at 10:37:19 PM

It's a fixed base point in Saga Edition; upon reaching second level and every level thereafter, health increases as normal (i.e., role one appropriate die + Constitution modifider and add that to your maximum total).

For example, Stern Heart the Earth Pony Paladin has a d10 (ten-sided die) hit die and a CON of 12 (+1); thus, at first level she starts out with 31 hit points. Upon reaching level two, however, when it is time to roll for a health increase she only roles a 3—and so, while she had the potential to reach a maximum of 42 HP at level 2, this Pony Paladin has only had her health go up by 4 (3, the result of her player's roll, and the +1 Constitution modifier) for a total of 35.

Similarly, a Rogue or Bard would have a base hit point total of 18, a Druid or Cleric would have 24, and a Sorcerer or Wizard, as already noted, would have 12.

That clear things up for you, SOCR?

It may seem extravagantly large for D&D, but in Star Wars it was justified; there, any old blaster pistol bought on the black market could inflict anywhere from 3-18 points of damage right from the get-go, meaning that without this system it was extremely likely for any character to be killed in a single hit at first level.

edited 18th Aug '11 10:39:51 PM by SullenFrog

The Danse Macabre Codex
SOCR Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Get out of here, STALKER
#14: Aug 18th 2011 at 10:40:08 PM

Being D&D-based we don't really need too many characters, would be a detriment in fact, but we also have to figure for people dropping.

It'd be a big help for me if you'd put up preliminary character ideas so I can look at the specific classes and feats that may have to be altered instead of sifting through everything? Feel free to use any supplemental materials you can get your hands on.

I plan on a Pegasus Scout, myself. I'll have to redesign my usual build though, since normally I spec for, heh, mounted combat.

Yeah I can see that Sullen, but will we be facing weapons like that here? A low initial HP total may be beneficial- an OOC reason to avoid unnecessary combat, to keep in the MLP feel.

edited 18th Aug '11 10:42:56 PM by SOCR

How can you be in two places at once when you're not anywhere at all?
Bindlestick Aww, son of a bitch from Mad Hole, country of the Screamers Since: Feb, 2011 Relationship Status: Anime is my true love
Aww, son of a bitch
#15: Aug 18th 2011 at 10:42:12 PM

I was planning on rolling a Binder, though how that could be adapted for ponies I have no idea.

Now I need to think of something less stupid.

"You have more than enough potential. So tell me what is the one wish that would make your soul gem shine." -Mitt Romney, probably
SOCR Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Get out of here, STALKER
MystyGlyttyr Bitch pills from Ship's Harbor Since: Oct, 2010 Relationship Status: Crazy Cat Lady
Bitch pills
#17: Aug 18th 2011 at 10:45:50 PM

Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...

...uh. This is that same feeling I used to get in algebra and why my mother and I both used to grouse that the alphabet and numbers should be kept separate but equal. [lol]

Easing back into life one step at a time
Bindlestick Aww, son of a bitch from Mad Hole, country of the Screamers Since: Feb, 2011 Relationship Status: Anime is my true love
Aww, son of a bitch
#18: Aug 18th 2011 at 10:46:07 PM

Wasn't planning on it.

"You have more than enough potential. So tell me what is the one wish that would make your soul gem shine." -Mitt Romney, probably
SullenFrog (Elder Troper) Relationship Status: I wanna know about these strangers like me
#19: Aug 18th 2011 at 10:46:45 PM

Well, it was just a suggestion on my part; feel free to include or discard it at your leisure.

I'm turning in now, then; maybe I'll come up with a proper idea for a character in the morning.

The Danse Macabre Codex
SOCR Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Get out of here, STALKER
#20: Aug 18th 2011 at 10:46:58 PM

Mysty, we can walk you through the character creation process. it's... involved, but not difficult XD

Point buy or rolls, to determine stats?

How can you be in two places at once when you're not anywhere at all?
SullenFrog (Elder Troper) Relationship Status: I wanna know about these strangers like me
#21: Aug 18th 2011 at 10:48:22 PM

I prefer rolls, to be perfectly honest; a useful page to handle said rolling can be found here.

Now then, goodnight.

The Danse Macabre Codex
MystyGlyttyr Bitch pills from Ship's Harbor Since: Oct, 2010 Relationship Status: Crazy Cat Lady
Bitch pills
#22: Aug 18th 2011 at 10:48:53 PM

Yeah, I'm starting to think I'd need massive handholding through this entire thing, maybe it'd be better left to those who know what the hell they're doing.

Easing back into life one step at a time
Bindlestick Aww, son of a bitch from Mad Hole, country of the Screamers Since: Feb, 2011 Relationship Status: Anime is my true love
Aww, son of a bitch
#23: Aug 18th 2011 at 10:51:00 PM

Trying to decide between a Monk, a Bard, or a Binder, which, again probably won't be allowed.

I'll probably go with the Bard.

"You have more than enough potential. So tell me what is the one wish that would make your soul gem shine." -Mitt Romney, probably
SOCR Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Get out of here, STALKER
#24: Aug 18th 2011 at 11:07:33 PM

Alright, we'll roll for stats. 4d6, drop the lowest value, six sets. Assign each set to the stat you'd prefer.

  • [6, 5, 5, 3 ] = 16
  • [5, 5, 3, 1 ] = 13
  • [4, 3, 1, 1 ] = 8
  • [5, 3, 2, 1 ] = 10
  • [6, 5, 4, 4 ] = 15
  • [6, 2, 2, 1 ] = 10

edited 18th Aug '11 11:21:33 PM by SOCR

How can you be in two places at once when you're not anywhere at all?
MystyGlyttyr Bitch pills from Ship's Harbor Since: Oct, 2010 Relationship Status: Crazy Cat Lady
Bitch pills
#25: Aug 18th 2011 at 11:09:43 PM

Because SOCR told me to.

1. (4, 4, 2)

2. (5, 4, 1)

3. (2, 3, 1)

4. (6, 3, 2)

5. (6, 6, 6) (eep)

6. (1, 2, 1)

Easing back into life one step at a time

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