tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post4849102328422055630..comments2023-10-14T03:58:59.333-06:00Comments on The Tao of D&D: TwinsAlexis Smolenskhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10539170107563075967noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-57944985457125202812016-01-08T08:46:11.402-07:002016-01-08T08:46:11.402-07:00Bouncing back to this after rattling it around in ...Bouncing back to this after rattling it around in my head and comparing it to my own life: if you wanted to tweak these rules further for fraternal twins, I might suggest allowing 2-for-1 point attribute trades between fraternal twins, but on the same stat. (E.g. Brenda increases her starting Charisma by one, Bruce decreases his by two.) <br /><br />My twin and I, partly out of chance and partly out of a desire to differentiate ourselves, found ourselves designated as the 'lead' twin in different situations. Jeff was the social one, and took the lead in founding new friendships or planning events; I was the book-schooling one who went for the grades. That was a natural tendency, maybe, but the presence of the other one reinforced it: I didn't flex my social muscles until college in part BECAUSE I had someone there to pick up the slack for me, and vice versa. Supporting the weaker twin - doing the studying or social-networking for two (or theoretically other activities, like fighting the bullies or being the athlete or being the one with common sense and a cool head) is why I think this makes sense as a boost for one at the expense of the other.<br /><br />I would limit this to one boost per twin: I didn't become socially inept because I leaned on him as a kid and he is a very smart guy who has become even more so after we became independent adults by putting his training and effort in there - but the effect was there so I figured I would share the thought.Jonathonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424548045152722964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-89315552907611636892015-12-27T15:59:57.389-07:002015-12-27T15:59:57.389-07:00Whenever possible, I don't balance any of the ...Whenever possible, I don't balance any of the background issues for specific races or classes. Exceptions are appearance, issues with weapons (classes that can't use/do use) and spell abilities.<br /><br />Sorry Fuzzy, I have zero interest in balancing twin possibilities in the favor of elves, humans or dwarves. ECH. Why say that any race is more "likely" to have twins?<br /><br />Based on scientific evidence? Hmph.<br /><br />As far as humanoids, perhaps. But I don't roll on the background generator for most of the mooks the party encounters (in fact, I can't think of an exception).Alexis Smolenskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10539170107563075967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-78097989115386558432015-12-27T15:37:06.367-07:002015-12-27T15:37:06.367-07:00Nice! You're absolutely right about the potent...Nice! You're absolutely right about the potential for interesting story elements; if a ne'er-do-well brother or sister (or cousin, etc.) might lead to an adventure opportunity, someone who is even closer to a player character could have even more possibilities for doing so.<br /><br />I get the feeling that the chances of identical or fraternal twins might be altered depending on race; if so, how might this fit in to your campaign (not only for demihumans, but for other humanoids)?Fuzzy Skinnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10606454596061907461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-83185897426972109752015-12-27T11:54:42.315-07:002015-12-27T11:54:42.315-07:00Speaking as someone who has a fraternal twin but c...Speaking as someone who has a fraternal twin but cannot remember ever encountering even the possibility in character-generation rules before, I applaud you (and your players) for this. <br /><br />I particularly like the traits-in-same order aspect of fraternal twins; while there can be great variation it is a good way to reflect the probably-identical rearing they had. They would have had the same required chores, same opportunities for training or education, learned the same jokes at the same time, and so on. It's really well done.<br /><br />There are ways I might consider meddling with it, but none that I wouldn't want to put more thought into before suggesting.Jonathonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424548045152722964noreply@blogger.com