Bloodlines as Themes

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Drinnik Shoehorn
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Bloodlines as Themes

Post by Drinnik Shoehorn »

I'm trying to convert the Legacies of the Blood stuff for 4th ed, and thought Themes were the way to go. So far I've converted the Boritisi, d'Honaire and Dilisyna families, but want to see if I can improve them in any way. I've not done alternate bloodline powers yet, as I'm just working on the basic theme features. Can anyone offer any suggestions?
The Boritsi Family

To be a member of the Boritsi family means you can trace your lineage to the ruler of Borca, Ivana Boritsi. A hearty and hale family, the Boritsi’s are blessed with longer life than most humans. They also seem more resistant to poisons and illness.

Race: Human, Half-Elf, Half-Vistani, Caliban

Starting Family Feature:

Indenture (Martial, Charm) Encounter; All Borcans know the power of the contract. By being tied to the highest noble family, you can call on the very spirit of the contract to turn foe against foe.
Highest ability Modifier vs Will; 1d10 damage, plus the target makes an immediate basic attack against one of its allies.

Level 5 ability: You gain a +2 bonus to Streetwise and Diplomacy checks, also, you can hire henchmen at half the listed price.

Level 10 ability: You gain a +2 bonus to Fort, and gain Resist Poison 10 (this stacks with any other resist poison you may have).

Drawback: If your bloodline is known to them, members of the Dilisyna family treat you as if you had an Outcast Rating of 5.

You gain a -2 penalty to defences against powers that have the Charm keyword when attacked by creatures at least 2 levels higher than you.
The d'Honaire Family

The d’Honaire family originally hail from Dementlieu. They call such luminaries as Dominic d’Honaire, advisor to Marcel Guignol, ruler of the Dementlieu, to Fracois d’Honaire, who assists in the Clangor Asylum in Darkon.

Races: Human.

Starting Family Feature;
All in the Mind (Arcane, Psychic) Encounter; Your insight into how the mind works allows you you to turn a foe’s mind against itself.
Highest ability modifier vs Will; 1d8+Int modifier damage; The Target is dazed until the end of your next turn. The Target takes a -2 penalty to attack you (save ends).

Level 5 feature:
You gain training in Insight. If you already have training in Insight, you gain a +2 bonus to the skill.

Level 10 Feature:
If you are subject to the Dazed or Stunned conditions, you may make a save at the beginning and end of your turn, even if the power does not normally allow a save.

Drawback:
Your focus and drive often put people off. You take a -2 penalty to Bluff checks.

If Dominic d’Honaire is aware of your existence, he may call you to Dementlieu to aid him. Failure to assist Dominic causes you to start losing your bloodline powers, starting with the highest level, losing one power per in-game month. If you lose all powers, you are no longer considered part of the d’Honaire bloodline.
The Dilisnya Family

The Dilisyna Family are one of the oldest families in the lands. They were at Sergei Von Zarovich’s wedding feast, the night that Castle Ravenloft was attacked and Barovia was drawn into the land of Dread. Originally hailing from Barovia, they have settled in northern Borca, a land once called Dorvinia. They are known for their treachery to allies and enemies alike.

Starting Family Feature:
Stab in the Back; (Marshal, Healing) Encounter: Requirement; You are adjacent to an enemy and an ally;
Highest ability modifier vs AC; 1W+Dex modifer, Your ally takes Dex Modifier damage and you can spend a healing surge.

Level 5 Ability:
You gain a +2 to Streetwise checks. Also, whilst in any sizeable settlement (town or larger) you can make a Streetwise check at a Hard DC to see if you can find any family members in town to “help you out”.

Level 10 ability:
You gain the Envenom daily power:

Envenom (Poison); Daily: You can make any object venomous to the touch. Anybody touching the envenomed object automatically takes 2d10+Highest ability modifier damage and is either Dazed, Stunned or Immobilized, your choice when envenoming the object.

Drawbacks;

The Dilisyna family are notoriously black-hearted; using their level 10 ability carries a 10% chance to draw the attention of the Dark Powers.

If a member of the Boritsi family recognises you as a Dilisyna, you are considered to have an Outcast Rating of -5 towards them.
"Blood once flowed, a choice was made
Travel by night the smallest one bade" The Ballad of the Taverners.
The Galen Saga: 2000-2005
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