I was curious as to how folks would start up the ratling as a playable "clan" (and possibly as NPCs) in regards to the void ring.

Iirc they haven't had access to Void. At all. Unlike the naga, which had the Agasha (spelling?) which acted near identical to the Void for humans, the ratling had been cited as being unable to tap into such a source.

I haven't played the previous editions, aside from the d20 (which simply restricted some feats), so I'm curious how folks would treat them in 5e.

Void is tied to a number of things, so I was thinking of limiting ratling to 1 (or 0) void points regardless of the void ring.

The issue is that void points are fun narrative tools in 5e, and gained through a number of sources. Should they then be given a chance to gain similar effects through different means? Or gain an entirely different benefit instead of VP when the game would award VP? Or just say: "tough luck, that's the way of the ratling".

Thanks for your time and your thoughts

Clearly, they use Name points instead, invoking Great Moments of Name.

And honestly, I think that's a good balance. The major use of Void is "drawing into your deep reserves." A Nezumi finding the right moment to embody their True Name could easily be similar.

1 hour ago, Hida Jitenno said:

Clearly, they use Name points instead, invoking Great Moments of Name.

And honestly, I think that's a good balance. The major use of Void is "drawing into your deep reserves." A Nezumi finding the right moment to embody their True Name could easily be similar.

Thanks so much for this

This sorta thing didn't even cross my mind. I liked what sndwurks did with the naga, but wasn't sure how to substitute void properly.

Many thanks, kind sir.

On 12/14/2018 at 8:42 PM, Arolem said:

Thanks so much for this

This sorta thing didn't even cross my mind. I liked what sndwurks did with the naga, but wasn't sure how to substitute void properly.

Many thanks, kind sir.

This actually outlines one of my issues with Void points in the new game. Honestly, Void points are an artifact of the previous editions, where your Void Ring was very rarely, if ever, rolled directly. Instead, it served as a static cap (which could be increased via XP) on the number of Raises you could take, and how many Void points (plot and system currency) you started a given day with. I very much think they should have moved towards embracing the nomenclature of the LCG in this case, and called them Fate, and uncoupled them from Void entirely.

Still, mechanically, not giving Ratlings Void points in the new system would be a somewhat significant disadvantage, but not a big one. Right now, Void points really aren't that great. You can spend one for an extra rolled Ring die and kept die? Okay, but any Assistance does that too. You can spend a Void point to take a Critical Strike? Hm. You can use it to sacrifice an Item or limb to reroll failed soak dice on a critical strike? Okay, that is sounding like a Ratling. Spend a Void point to wake up when you would be attacked while asleep? Definitely a Ratling thing to do.

So, if you wanted to go with Name points over Void points as something mechanically distinct for Ratlings?

Each Ratling has a Name, which serves as their social standing in their own society. This takes the place of Status. A Ratling has a number of Name points equal to their ranks of Name (Name score divided by 10, round down), which refresh at the start of every scene. Name can only be spent to avoid Critical Strikes or awaken to danger. Instead of ninjo and giri, Ratlings face a Yesterday and a Tomorrow. Yesterday represents the glorious legends of their people, the great Name they are chasing to achieve. Tomorrow represents the challenges they must face and flee from, which conspires to destroy them. When a Ratling is given the opportunity to speak to their Yesterday and foregoes it, they gain Strife equal to their ranks of Name. When a Ratling confronts their Tomorrow, they also gain Strife equal their Name. However, should a Ratling flee rather than face their Tomorrow, they set their Strife to 0.

They would need an entirely new system of Honor as well, reflecting the values of Ratling society. But those are just my five minute spitballs on a Monday morning.