NEW LOTS IN LIFE

 The Classifieds

Pit Scrapper
"Steam, Iron and Blood run through my veins. Do I like Science?
Sure do, but only if gives me something new to whoop yar arse with."

Danite Zealot
"So I hear your new in town...Haven't seen anything unusal have you?
Creature's roaming at night, you don't say?
I wouldn't want you to go back home with nothing good to say about
this City. Come, I'll by you a drink, and help you forget all about your troubles.."

Noble Explorer
"Pip pip! I say lads that the peak is now in our reach, Let's not dilly dattle
too much. I know things look bleak, with Johnson falling to his death and
poor old George loosing his arm...and leg, but (Queen) Mom is expectin'
some (pictures) snaps with the sun up, so Tally HO !"

Soulographer
"Let me take your photo for the paper sir, I say you look rather unwell.
Little pale I'd say, don't worry this'll be over in a moment, just stand still..."

 


Little Bigfoot (Race)
"Hoowdi..pardner...Me Gil. I like woods, you need to go I take
there. No city please, no like many peoples. Hair?
Yes, me like Gil's hair, thanks ya."

 


 

A WORD ON PRESTIGE CLASSES

Every now and than you turn down a new road in life, either called by fate, faith, or just fun.

In the world of Deadlands taking on a new role in life should not be taken lightly. 

Unlike other settings, many of the Prestige Classes available have consequences that may make life a little less bearable for the character.  Just as privilege is balanced with duty, power is balanced with being an outcast.    My Prestige classes are no different; choose wisely when you pick a new lot in life.  Make note that the following classes are for Deadlands, but if you wish to modify them for other environments go ahead.

The “Pit Scrapper” (and associated augments) is loosely based on a template that Pinnacle did for the original City O’ Gloom box set, and the “Danite Zealot” is based on the superb ideas of the writers of that fine box set; You may want to take a gander at it to see how these two can incorporate into you game play (Yes this is a free plug, so?).  If they come out with something similar for the new system let me know I’ll need to modify mine.   

 One of the Major advantages to players taking Prestige Classes is that I allow them to take more than one at a time, though I set an upper maximum number of additional classes based on an average of their intelligent bonus and wisdom bonus +1 (thus if Jim has an Int 13 (+1), and Wis 15 (+2) he may take up to ((1+2)/2)+1 or 2 classes in his lifetime.

Of course you must make sure that Prestige Classes or Base Classes do not conflict with each other.  Taking a Danite Zealot and a Scrapper with a base of Shaman just won’t work…no way, no how...at least not without multiple personalities.

My main stipulation to taking a Prestige Class is that there must be a storyline explanation behind your choice; preferably making the character play out the lead up to the change at least for a session or two.  Just saying,  “today my busty bar maid is becoming a nun” just doesn’t cut it. “After a brush with death and being saved by a man of the cloth the busty bar maid now strives to repent her soul by seeking to cleanse herself at the St. Mary’s Nunnery” is a little better.

RACES

For the most part Deadlands is for humans, even if you’re a dead one.  Everything else is either scary or deadly. 

However by looking into a few native myths I have seen there indeed could be a lot more than just humans on the earth that are sentient and full of personality, rather than just “me eat brains”.

The biggest problem of introducing new races is the possibility of imbalance in the game.  Some of my playable races are far from having the power of other fantasy type races so if you want to introduce them into other settings consider upgrading their power base. 

The other problem with being from another race is the fact that human folks don’t take kindly to things they don’t understand. In a world of  “hang first, ask questions later” getting lynched when walking into town is a real possibility when you have a tail or wings. Even human looking alternate races will need a way to conceal their appearance.