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GJD
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(Date Posted:06/07/2004 19:58:12)
Looks good, and I like the concept. The knacks don't seem overpowered either.
One query, do you roll for the falcons actions seperatly, or just assume it acts on the same actions as the fencer? The journeyman ability seems to assume the former and the master the latter, unless you require one or the other of them to hold their action, or have the same action die showing?
G.
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Lightspeed RPG
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El Mono Es Malo
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(Date Posted:06/07/2004 20:00:07)
Commanding the falcon to attack is an action, unless it states otherwise (I would assume; I only had a brief moment to glance at Animal Training while writing this). The master ability is a special case. Sorry.
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danar
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(Date Posted:06/07/2004 22:01:22)
interesting. i like the concept a lot. i'd rather see the journeyman level give you a free raise to your feint (falcon) rolls instead of +1 to feint since they also get the tagging ability. i also think it'd be cooler to have your falcon roll init seperately. and i'd change the master level to give both falcon and fencer 2 free raises to hit when they attack a single target simultaneously.
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"All of our best and oldest legends recognize that time passes and that people grow old and die."
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El Mono Es Malo
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(Date Posted:06/07/2004 22:26:10)
Thanks for the input, Dana!
In response, I agree with you re: the Journeyman ability. However, I'd be afraid that the falcon attacking independently of the character would 'break' the school. You and your falcon would be attacking (Panache) number of times each. Not only that, but you're dictating all of those actions and you are working in tandem against a single foe. That said, I should give it a vigorous playtest.
I'm also thinking of replacing the Animal Training with Beat (Falcon), but I'm split on it.
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Sidhe_Shadow
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(Date Posted:06/08/2004 01:19:19)
Reply to : El Mono Es Malo
However, I'd be afraid that the falcon attacking independently of the character would 'break' the school. You and your falcon would be attacking(Panache) number of times each. Not only that, but you're dictating all of those actions and you are working in tandem against a single foe. That said, I should give it a vigorous playtest.
I'm also thinking of replacing the Animal Training with Beat (Falcon), but I'm split on it.
I don't think the falcon needs to have as many actions as you do, necessarily. The GM Guide gives the Falcon a Panache of 1, so it would make sense to give the fighter an extra Action every round, with the understanding that at least one action has to be used by the falcon (though the swordsman may use more actions for the birdy, if he wishes).
I agree with the idea of losing Animal Training as a Knack, but I don't know if Beat is the way to go. Whil impressive, I can't really see a Falcon overpowering someone's defenses and batting a sword away to strike uncontested. Using speed and cunning to do so--yes, absolutely, and you already have Feint in there. Eye Gouge (Falcon) might be an interesting way to go, allowing the birdy to improve its 3k1 attack roll over time. If you do that, you could specify that the Free Rank in lieu of guild membership is in Eye Gouge; that way, the bird begins with a 3k1 attack per the books, and can build from there.
I like Dana's alternate Master ability (especially if you add in an extra Action for the bird), but I like yours, too. Either one works well, I think, though Dana's is a bit more complimentary to the idea of rolling an extra Action Die.
One clarification, please: Does Feint (Falcon) refer to the falcon's attack (meaning it does its normal damage), or to a fencing attack by you, with the Falcon offering a distraction? I think that could use a bit of clarification, just to avoid any questions.
All in all, I like this school very much. Excellent job!
~shadow
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El Mono Es Malo
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(Date Posted:06/08/2004 01:25:45)
thanks!
The feint refers to the falcon 'going for the eyes' or some similar tactic. This is then followed up with a healthy stab by the swordsman.
I forgot about Eye gouge. Hmmm.... Although, isn't that more suited for a school that uses a miniature giant space hamster?
Beat was supposed to represent the bird clutching the opponent's wrist/weapon and dragging the sword arm wide for a moment.
I do think the idea of giving the bird it's own action die is sound. My one worry is that, with one action die to its lonesome, that it lacks the ability to interrupt or Active Defend, and that is a recipe for dead bird. Perhaps at Journeyman, instead of the FR to feint, you can lend action dice to your falcon.
School: Distinovich
Guild: No
Nationality: Ussura
Weapon Style: Fencing Weapon and Trained Falcon
Basic Curriculum: Fencing, Falconer
Swordsman Knacks: Eye Gouge (Falcon), Feint (Falcon), Tagging (Fencing), Exploit Weakness
Description: A style that focuses on flourish more than ferocity, Distinovich is rapidly becoming vogue among the noble youths of Pavtlow. An admixture of traditional falconry and sport dueling, a meeting between Distinovich students is more likely a social event than a life-or-death situation, attested to by the normally capped claws of the falcons. As with many things in Ussura, however, this style can become quite deadly once the caps come off. The school emphasizes synchronized attacks from the bird and the duelist, from a wing buffet to the face followed by a quick strike to a devastating tandem attack.
Distinovich was devised by a social club of young Pavtlow nobles and named for a friend of theirs, a sorcerer with the spirit skin of a falcon.
The style employs a sidewise stance intended to protect the gloved off-hand of the fencer, providing a safe roost for the falcon should it become winded or hurt. The sword attacks of the school seem more concerned with showmanship than lethality (at least until the falcon begins to attack the tagged areas).
Despite the lack of gravitas often associated with the school? practitioners, the school prides itself on the deep bond formed between animal and master.
The rapier is the current favored weapon of the school, though saber wielders do exist. Students tend to favor the use of a fencing ring grip, and many students prefer a pommel-heavy weapon for greater control.
The school? weakness is the emphasis on showmanship, which may cause a duelist to draw things out far too long instead of taking quick action. The falcon is also a matter of concern, since the duelist? effectiveness is greatly reduced without his companion.
Apprentice: The Distinovich Apprentice begins to form an empathic bond with his animal. They stay together nearly constantly and even at this stage move with a limited synchronicity. Each round, if the falcon is not incapacitated, you receive an additional Action Die which is rolled as normal and is to be used only by the falcon. At this level, the falcon is trained to target a mark made by the fencer. Upon making a successful Tagging attack, you may choose to forgo the normal effects of the Tagging knack. Doing so grants your falcon two unkept dice if it attacks on your next action.
Because this school is not a member of the Swordsman? Guild, its members receive one free rank in one of their Swordsman Knacks. This does not change the maximum ranks a starting character may hold in any knack.
Journeyman: The bond between fencer and predator becomes more acute and more intuitive. One of the favorite tricks of the Journeyman is to use the falcon to harry the opponent, leaving them defenseless. When making a Tagging attack, you always gain the normal benefit of the Tagging knack as well as the Apprentice ability of this school.
You are able to use Action Dice from your own pool for your falcon.
Master: The Master Distinovich and his falcon now move and think as one being. They are able to coordinate their attacks to such a degree that teacher of this style claim the falcon becomes an extension of the fencer? blade. Make an attack fencing roll at +10 TN in order to perform a coordinated strike. Resolve the attack like a fencing attack, but deal damage twice: once as per the fencer? weapon, and once as the falcon. If the attack roll fails, the TN to hit the falcon is reduced to 5 for the remainder of the phase.
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Sidhe_Shadow
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