Heralds of Xotli and other Cthulhuiod things

[Xotli]

Given Conan has some connections with HPLs world of cosmic horror and the fact I highly enjoy the Age of Conan MMO I was wondering if anyone has done a converison into this game system for the Age of Conan Class's (cheifly the Herald of Xotli and the Demonologist).

I shuold point out I have only JUST got into the PnP Conan Game and I have yet to actually get any of the books (I am waiting till after Christamss then I plan to order all of em at once). I was also wondering if you could use the books for the fluff and see use the new edition of DnD for the rule set? Has anyone done any attemtps to convert conan into the new set of rules?

Thanks for your help and hello to eveyone on the forums.

(my first post here too )

 

[DimitriX]

I have looked into it and I'm ambivalent about the idea. I was primarily looking to convert Conan into DnD 4e. Unfortunately, is designed with only a limited amount of re-design in mind. It takes a lot more work to create a new class in 4e than it did in 3.5e, which Conan is based. The magic system and the combat system in 4e are identical. So, it not possible to use the magic system from Conan in 4e. You could use wizards and warlocks, but they will feel more like magic-users in DnD than scholars in Conan. Also, Conan has classes and abilities that are geared towards excelling in social encounters (temptresses and nobles). There really isn't anything comparable in 4e. I've tried to create the temptress as a martial controller using the 4e rules. Unfortunately, that class still feels a lot like a wizard except with just different fluff.

I haven't look at other game systems, so I can't compare the difficulty of conversions to systems other than 4e. But, I've come to the conclusion that DnD 4e is fine for that game, but I think its better to keep Conan in a more flexible system.

 

[thulsa]

Given Conan has some connections with HPLs world of cosmic horror and the fact I highly enjoy the Age of Conan MMO I was wondering if anyone has done a converison into this game system for the Age of Conan Class's (cheifly the Herald of Xotli and the Demonologist).

Welcome to the boards!

First of all, while Funcom (the makers of Age of Conan) do respect the Conan stories and Robert E. Howard's vision of the Hyborian Age, they have introduced some "foreign elements", some in the interests of playability and other (I guess) to cater for a mass audience. For example, you have Priests of Mitra that cast healing spells like traditional D&D clerics, etc.

That said, I do believe that Age of Conan can be mined for ideas for a pen and paper game. I have been toying with the idea to create some new core classes for the Conan RPG (or replace existing ones) with classes inspired by Age of Conan. Will post here if I write something up.

- thulsa

 

[rabindranath72]

Oh I have done something, look here:

After reading the Alternate Hyborian Age thread, I started thinking that actually the idea might not be that bad.
If one looks at the Age of Conan computer game, for example, one gets a picture which is a bit different from the usually accepted canon, but it may be fun to play, nonetheless.

So, I came up with this (just a sketch of the races and classes). Something which is not completely D&Dish (no demihumans nor wizards, for example), but is definitely "heroic" in theme (although not superheroic: it should be limited at the heroic level of play).
Still need to workout which magic items are appropriate, and which monsters are fit.

AGE OF CONAN

A D&D 4e campaign (heroic level)

PC races (only humans)

Aquilonian

The Aquilonians are a people divided behind a front of unity, and threatened behind a show of dominance. Their kingdom, the so-called Flower of the West, is the unrivalled jewel of Hyboria.
Available classes:
· Soldier: Conqueror, Dark Templar, Guardian
· Priest: Priest of Mitra
· Rogue: Assassin, Barbarian, Ranger


Cimmerian

The Cimmerians live under a shroud of impending doom. As the Hyborian Age enters its final centuries, few people feel it as acutely as the northern barbarian clans.
Available classes:
· Soldier: Conqueror, Dark Templar, Guardian
· Priest: Shaman
· Rogue: Barbarian, Ranger


Stygian

The Stygians are an ancient, decadent people, born of a culture more than fifteen hundred years older than any of their neighboring kingdoms to the north.
Available classes:
· Mage: Demonologist, Herald of Xotli, Necromancer
· Priest: Tempest of Set
· Rogue: Assassin, Ranger


PC classes

Barbarian
Fighter (great weapon)

Priest of Mitra
Cleric (devoted). Channel Divinity feat: Ioun’s Poise (renamed: Mitra’s Poise)

Ranger
Ranger (archer)

Assassin
Rogue (trickster)

Guardian
Fighter (guardian)

Shaman
Warlock (fey pact, deceptive)

Conqueror
Warlord (tactical)


NPC classes (or at least, not suggested for PCs)

Herald of Xotli
Warlock (star pact, scourge)

Demonologist
Warlock (infernal pact, scourge)

Tempest of Set
Cleric (battle, replace damage type Radiant with Necrotic)

Dark Templar
Paladin (avenging, replace damage type Radiant with Necrotic)

Necromancer
Warlock (infernal pact, scourge, Death Master template)

Never tried it in actual play, mostly did it for fun

I might add that if you want to get less "flashy" spellcasters, you should only retain powers with the following descriptors: Charm, Illusion, Psychic, Fear, Poison, Necrotic, Conjuration and Polymorph.