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Shadowbourne

First post! Saw an advertisement for the game and immediately purchased it through Amazon. Looking forward to it's arrival!

Now...Shadowbourne.

The concept is actually one that has been difficult to accomplish in other games. The Shadowbourne is someone who can become a targets shadow. They are able to move with the target, across any surface easily(like a shadow) at the speed of the target (Shadow +Bourne: Carried). That would be the most basic application of that ability.

As it grows, the applications will expand exponentially...leading to such things as pulling others into the shadow and violently expelling them into collisions and impacts(Umbral Undertow)...sliding things into a shadow to hide them(Shadowfold)...slide rapidly from shadow to shadow, exchanging targets(Flickering and Switchshadows). One of the applications that was difficult to simulate was stealing the shadow of an attack and using against a foe. This, it seems, is an ability of the Mimic? Or at least looks like it is similar. That will make this easy to replicate(I called this Umbral Edge).

From the looks of things, this should be something I could create easily with Veil of the Void. Icing on the cake, Sci-Fantasy is my preferred genre by far.

Once I receive the book(2-3 days? Something like that), I will devour it's content and see how close I can make the Shadowbourne.

5 comments

5 Comments

Trever

Oct 05, 2019

Nice! I promise you will love the book :D!

First, FANTASTIC NAME for this idea! Love it immediately.

Second, incredible idea! The application of this idea is super easy to do so, in fact pretty much you will just have to rework the Mimic a little bit and reflavor a skill here or there to make something that will fit this idea like a glove. Maybe even combining some of the ideas within the Shade Caller Thaumatech specialization to make it even easier. Homebrew a few ability levels and BOOM you're in business!

Third, yes Mimic at 1st level in fact can reflect attacks back to the attacker. They also can move on their ally's or enemy's turn as well and can easily take the shape of a shadow. You could even go like full on and get the Expertise: Alternate Appearance and quickly transform into a shadow.

There are so many easy ways to make this absolutely incredible idea reality, I think you will be most satisfied. Also good choice on your preferred genre, it's a great one ;)

Once you get it working let me know what all you pick and if you need help making any part of it, post the ideas here or in the Homebrew section and your fellow Veiliens and I shall help you out :D

I really look forward to this idea taking life! I hope the book will bring you a lifetime of stories, and if so, keep us up to date on them :)

- Trever

Trever

Oct 07, 2019

Replying to

@rapeters217 The Dal'Kindrith are pretty vicious haha! Super fun space vampires. They will be in the first expansion book yes, along with several other darker and more sinister races, items, monsters, etc. I think they would be a great match for the Shadowbourne!

I am working on some racial based classes :D I have some fun ones in mind for some of the future free/donation releases. Hopefully your book will be there tomorrow, I look forward to you diving into it.

I have been thinking of a play by post cause those sound fun, I will look into them a bit and see how to make one :D It would be a fun way to include everyone.

rapeters217

Oct 08, 2019

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Replying to

OK...got my book...Fantastic Read so far! I have started with some of the Home Brewing. First, I will pull out things from other classes that might be helpful. Then I will Add and Flavor the build. That being said, I definitely would like some assistance on this. I would like for this to be mechanically sound as well as thematically pleasing.

Shadowbourne

Mimic: Masterful Mimicry

Physical Misdirection
Illusionary Steps
Mimic Strike
Refracted Mirage

Negotiator: The Agent

Hidden in Plain Sight

Soldier: Adaptech

Homogenization
Adaptable Attack

Thaumatech: Shade Caller

Walk in Shadows
Shift Through the Dark
Eyes of the Sharfell
Dance of Shadows

New Abilities

Shadowfighting: Combination of Mimic Strike/Physical Misdirection and Homogenization/Adaptable Attack, you are able to copy an attack either being used against you or used by an ally. This is the shadow of the attack/weapon. Damage from this shade is the same as the weapon/attack that cast it. Note: This is a shadow, as such, it must have a surface to exist/traverse in order to exist. At First Level, only Melee Attacks can be copied. At Fifth Level, Ranged Attacks are gained, and at Tenth Level the Arcane Attacks are gained.

Shadowstride: This is Walk in Shadows abilities of Shift through the Dark, and Dance of Shadows along with the New Passive Gloom Glide, the ability to surf in a cast shadow as it moves. Gloom Glide will progress to Shadowflow at later levels, allowing for the Transformation into Shadow Form, becoming a true shadow.

Flickering: Fool's Paradise with Shadow Flavor

Moving forward-Spells?

Switchshadows: Exchange Places with a Target as long as the Target Casts a shadow.

Umbral Undertow: Briefly pulls a target into Shadowflow with Shadowbourne before violently expelling target into a collision/impact(Fall Damage?)

Umbral Echoes: Illusionary Dance with Shadow Flavor

Umbral Dread: Hallucination with Shadow Flavor

Trever

Oct 09, 2019

Replying to

Glad you are enjoying it, that is my favorite thing to hear! Looks like you got a great list forming now. So let's dive into it here.

The Shadowfighting ability seems pretty balanced especially with the limitations you put on it.

Shadowstride: I would say maybe it takes a Reaction to move along it perhaps. Just so they cannot do it non-stop in combat. Makes it slightly more balanced I believe. Worth a test at least :D

Alright so diving into spells. Not sure if you have the stats and effects set for them yet but here is what I would suggest for the two you do not yet.

Switchshadows:

Difficulty: None | Contested Arcanting

Range: 2 x Movement

Duiration: Instant

Cooldown: 2 Rounds

Swap places with a target that has a shadow. If the target is an unwilling target, perform a Contested Arcanting check. On a successful check, you swap with the target.

Umbral Undertow:

Difficulty: Contested Arcanting

Range: 2 x Movement

Duiration: Instant

Cooldown: 4 Rounds

You choose a target within range and pull them to you through their shadow. You then launch them up to 8 sqs in a direction of your choosing. Upon landing or colliding with a wall, ceiling, etc. the target takes 3/4/5/6d6 + (whatever Primary Virtue you would like to add here). The target is then knocked prone.

So that's what I am thinking as a test for that :D!