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Post by keith418 on May 24, 2012 10:06:01 GMT -6
When a monster drains an 'energy level" - as we see mentioned in Greyhawk and elsewhere, what does that mean?
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Post by Finarvyn on May 24, 2012 11:06:41 GMT -6
It's supposed to represent a level, e.g. a 4th level character who has an energy level drained is now effectively 3rd level. Scale back hit dice, number of spells cast, and any other benefits. I believe the XP total is supposed to reset to the lowest XP total in the chart for the new level as well.
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Post by keith418 on May 24, 2012 12:11:46 GMT -6
Thanks! The "energy" part was what was confusing me.
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Post by aldarron on May 24, 2012 12:38:29 GMT -6
Thanks! The "energy" part was what was confusing me. "level" is more or less short for life energy level. You will see both "life level" and "energy level" here and there throughout OD&D. The term is also used in Outdoor Survival.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2012 11:47:01 GMT -6
Mmmm, tasty, tasty PC levels...... OMNOMNOMNOMNOM!
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Post by Malchor on Sept 21, 2021 16:01:26 GMT -6
Interestingly, Shadows specifically drain one point of strength temporarily:
I'm currently on the fence about making Energy Level drain for undead more like this: 1–2 Strength and Constitution drain, perhaps with a longer recovery period of 1 point/day. Might even add a % chance per day based on Con if the point is recoverable. On the one hand, this can leave more of a scar, on the other hand, I dislike the idea of the party getting knocked down in class levels so much that they have to go searching for XP to level back up.
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Post by jeffb on Sept 21, 2021 19:51:32 GMT -6
Interestingly, Shadows specifically drain one point of strength temporarily: I'm currently on the fence about making Energy Level drain for undead more like this: 1–2 Strength and Constitution drain, perhaps with a longer recovery period of 1 point/day. Might even add a % chance per day based on Con if the point is recoverable. On the one hand, this can leave more of a scar, on the other hand, I dislike the idea of the party getting knocked down in class levels so much that they have to go searching for XP to level back up. This is similar to the idea of how energy drain works in 3.X, but they can lose a level permanently if they are very unlucky with the dice Courtesy of www.d20srd.org/index.htm
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Post by howandwhy99 on Sept 21, 2021 20:54:26 GMT -6
I would put a number of Lawful temples in the game. Not just to allow Raise opportunities for a cost, but the kind of Restoration or Remove Curse cures as well. Then sell some healing potions, holy water, and Protection Scrolls.
If they are not careful it can devour their savings. Then ask for tithes. 😀
EDIT: I believe all the PC classes need NPC classes to support their professions in the game, including adventuring characters. - Fighting-Men need smiths, but also specialty smiths for arms and armor crafting. - Magic-Users require alchemists to collect their spell ingredients, provide materials for enchanting items, not to mention all those inks for spellbooks. Bookbinders are secondary. - Clerics need non-adventuring NPC clerics. Like all the subclasses, clerics are part of a social faction who support them and they support in kind.
I find it's important to sprinkle a sufficient number of all of these NPCs in the game world or the game can run a little wonky. - Not to mention all those other NPC classes who grow or craft stuff to buy, or provide services as Hirelings.
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Post by Mordorandor on Sept 22, 2021 16:23:34 GMT -6
Interestingly, Shadows specifically drain one point of strength temporarily: Also interesting that Shadows weren’t considered undead at the time. Curious to know why they were the only monsters at the time to get such powers. Or, the only ones to be published at the time. Perhaps a play-test consideration? “Wonder if ability damage would be cool?”
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2021 17:31:05 GMT -6
Interestingly, Shadows specifically drain one point of strength temporarily: I'm currently on the fence about making Energy Level drain for undead more like this: 1–2 Strength and Constitution drain, perhaps with a longer recovery period of 1 point/day. Might even add a % chance per day based on Con if the point is recoverable. On the one hand, this can leave more of a scar, on the other hand, I dislike the idea of the party getting knocked down in class levels so much that they have to go searching for XP to level back up. It's kind of endearing in a way, you know, seeing so many things that are supposedly fresh and innovative in the OSR having roots in the mid-seventies. (In this case, there's this popular idea of "attacking every part of the character sheet", not just HP.)
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