Seeten said:
No 1 Here:
I like you.
That is all.
See, that's why I can't completely hate on the DE as an option. I know it will be done well, even if it's not to my taste.
Who's excited about the Dark Eldar career path?
N0-1_H3r3 said:
Blood Pact said:
I believe one of the writers commented that they had spent some time working out this issue to their satisfaction. As the
thirst
of Slaanesh is intrinsically tied to Power from Pain.
Speaking as both the writer of the Dark Eldar Career Path in Soul Reaver, and a fan of the Eldar (as a whole) for the majority of my gaming life, I would honestly be ashamed if I didn't weave the threat of She Who Thirsts into a Dark Eldar character, given that it is one of their primary motivations. And, quite frankly, writing about Dark Eldar is really satisfying and fun.
I imagine that those who choose to play a Kabalite Warrior will end up rejoicing in the dread and agony they inflict. Let suffering be your wine, and terror be your meat; sup upon the torment and woe you inflict as an artist basks upon a completed masterpiece. Craft sculptures of ruined flesh and spilled blood, and compose melodies of the screams and cries of those who stand in your way.
That sounds absolutely delicious!
N0-1_H3r3 said:
I imagine that those who choose to play a Kabalite Warrior will end up rejoicing in the dread and agony they inflict. Let suffering be your wine, and terror be your meat; sup upon the torment and woe you inflict as an artist basks upon a completed masterpiece. Craft sculptures of ruined flesh and spilled blood, and compose melodies of the screams and cries of those who stand in your way.
IMHO this is why I see DE as a more BC character than a RT character. Yes RT has pirates, it has Cold Traders, it has Hereteks and Charlatans and Secessionists (so does BC, but I'm not playing that), but frankly, all of them can also be easily crafted to work with all the other Classes in RT. DE, it seems, needs nothing but BC type characters to coexist with. Instead of me tailoring a campaign to possibly include all the aspects of a RT's entourage, I'm going to have to tailor a BC RT game to tailor to a DE character. Where is the fun in that? I don't foresee DE's being permanent party members. More like, "I have something you want, you have something I want. Let's agree to play nice until one of us gets the upper hand. Deal?" A Charlatan can stay hidden on a pious RT's group forever (unless discovered). Same thing with all the other previously mentioned archetypes. A DE PC cannot be hidden to play with a diverse group. And if I do include one in a group, obviously the DE PC is going to have to have the upper hand in order to remain useful, or else he/she is dead. Could be great RPing event and it could be an awesome story of a lifetime. Not sure yet, but I have my doubts.
I'm probably wrong here, but hey, it's just my opinion. I sure hope they have some ideas for me to include them in any game I play because I can't think of to many.
On a lighter note, I still love you RT.
That's wonderful to hear, N0-1_HER3!
Personally, I'm looking forward to the Dark Eldar career for two main things; running an all Dark Eldar game, and dissecting their crunch to build homebrew stuff. I'm such a sucker for the idea of a Kabal zooming around in their little Torture Cruiser in search of slaves and infamy! That said, I do wonder how they'll integrate into Rogue Trader crews. I see the Kabalite Warrior fitting in best as a hired mercenary/interrogator; he or she would be lightning quick and armed with some pretty deadly weapons, and a steady source of victims to keep the Thirst at bay should keep them loyal to the captain.
It should be exciting!
The Kabalite Warrior sounds really interesting. Problem is that most people won't be able to roleplay it true to lore, which is perfectly ok in an annoying way. I'm expecting most people will play it as like a simple misunderstood Drizzt/Twilight Vamp emo character. Or they going to try to act crazy, but just up as a zany Fish-Malk who does stupid and silly stuff and passes it off as being crazy. Then there's going to be the people who pointlessly act like homicidal manics and just run around killing anything for no reason.
Nameless2all said:
IMHO this is why I see DE as a more BC character than a RT character. Yes RT has pirates, it has Cold Traders, it has Hereteks and Charlatans and Secessionists (so does BC, but I'm not playing that), but frankly, all of them can also be easily crafted to work with all the other Classes in RT. DE, it seems, needs nothing but BC type characters to coexist with. Instead of me tailoring a campaign to possibly include all the aspects of a RT's entourage, I'm going to have to tailor a BC RT game to tailor to a DE character. Where is the fun in that? I don't foresee DE's being permanent party members. More like, "I have something you want, you have something I want. Let's agree to play nice until one of us gets the upper hand. Deal?" A Charlatan can stay hidden on a pious RT's group forever (unless discovered). Same thing with all the other previously mentioned archetypes. A DE PC cannot be hidden to play with a diverse group. And if I do include one in a group, obviously the DE PC is going to have to have the upper hand in order to remain useful, or else he/she is dead. Could be great RPing event and it could be an awesome story of a lifetime. Not sure yet, but I have my doubts.
I'm probably wrong here, but hey, it's just my opinion. I sure hope they have some ideas for me to include them in any game I play because I can't think of to many.
On a lighter note, I still love you RT.
There's are several lore reason for why BE's aren't in Black Crusade. The main reason is that while they're sadistical bastards who gain strength through pain, Dark Eldar hate Chaos in ways other races can't even fathom. Other than Slannesh cultist DE's have never cannonically teamed up with any forces of Chaos to my limited knowledge. Dark Eldar have been known to act as mercanies so it kinda makes sense for a Rogue Trader to pick up a DE who can keep The Thirst underwraps as extra muscle/shock factor.
I'm looking forward to them, and there's already one player in my group keen to play one.
My group is based around everything in Hostile Acquisitions (not Secessionists and not quite far enough in to build a Criminal Reputation yet, more like Jack Sparrow-styled Pirates), and already includes an Ork Freebooter, so a Dark Eldar would fit right in.
Also, if he starts feeling like getting 'stabby', the Rogue Trader will probably send him down to what's affectionately known by the group as the Mutant Deck.
Mutant Deck is often used in my games (player's choice, not mine) as a punishment ("Clean the Mutant Deck" being popular), a recruitment centre if necessary, and soon a Dark Eldar rehab centre.
I don't think DE are going to be much of a problem as long as they're limited. I love these sadistic gits but having two many in one group of players will just be asking for trouble. It'll also depend on whether the GM wants to run a straight laced Imperial campaign or is will to let the party go a bit mad with the law breaking.
My first session as our group's RT is going to be a bar fight to see if I'm dragged onto the bridge of the ship to meet the crew by arbitrators or PDF stormtroopers so eventually having a kabalite join my little crew of pirates isn't going to be much of a leap. However if we had a couple of clerics in the party, something would have to happen to the both of them first or the whole game could easily be derailed.
I suppose whatI'm saying is that I don't see why people are worried about the Kabalites as long as the build of the group and the campaign fits certain parameters.
Oh hey, a ton of dark Eldar enemies got thrown into Only War.
This pleases me.
Slightly on-topic; Path of the Renegade is really bad, don't buy it.
I suppose in the right sort of (mostly human) group they would fit in well enough - in a very piratical and ruthless group, who are very bloodthirsty in the way they go about their business.
To be honest, I do understand why some people might like to have a Dark Eldar mercenary on their ship (good fighters, probably a lot of esoteric knowledge, and probably very good at dealing with mutinous ring leaders etc) - to be honest, I see a Dark Eldar as less problematic in that regard than an Ork on board - just thing about the problems of spores in the life sustainer…
I see Dark Eldar as having 'unnatural' thirsts, but also capable of intelligent and rational thought (as well as, if wearing a big cloak, being able to more-or-less pass as a human, I suppose). To certain a-moral rogue traders, one would be an attractive mercenary.
As I said earlier, I never really enjoyed playing evil characters, I like to feel I am making a make-believe world a better place, in some small way, but then, on the other hand, I can appreciate why people want to smash stuff up - it takes all sorts!
I only hope craftworld (or even Exodites! woo-hoo!) turn up. A ranger/pathfinder career would be a very good starting point, and one I find a strange omission (given that one can play an Ork Mekboy).
Anyway, all best for now,
David.
Plushy said:
Oh hey, a ton of dark Eldar enemies got thrown into Only War.
This pleases me.
Slightly on-topic; Path of the Renegade is really bad, don't buy it.
I feel an elaborate discussion ensuing because of this statement. And I'm the one that caused it.
Do you have the 'book' Plushy?
Nameless2all said:
Plushy said:
Oh hey, a ton of dark Eldar enemies got thrown into Only War.
This pleases me.
Slightly on-topic; Path of the Renegade is really bad, don't buy it.
I feel an elaborate discussion ensuing because of this statement. And I'm the one that caused it.
Do you have the 'book' Plushy?
My roommate does.
Stats for: Wyches, Kabalite Warriors, Beastmasters, Clawed Fiends, Khymeras, Flocks of Razorwings, Wracks, Grotesques, Talos and Cronos Pain Engines, Hellions, Reavers, Venoms, and Raiders. Given that Black Crusade has Incubi and Mandrakes, we're pretty close to the entire army list. I'm hoping the Dark Eldar aircraft make it into the Soul Reaver (I need them for my Imperial Navy game) and really want something about Haemonculi. Glorious, glorious Haemonculi. The Archon's court needs some love, too - Ur-Ghuls, Medusae, and Sslyth are great xenos on their own.
And Scourges. They'd better be playable.
Can I +1 your statement again David?
Twice in one weekend, Nameless? I must be on to something!
Anyway, it is always lovely to hear that my ramblings don't just bore people…
All best,
David.
David B said:
I suppose in the right sort of (mostly human) group they would fit in well enough - in a very piratical and ruthless group, who are very bloodthirsty in the way they go about their business.
To be honest, I do understand why some people might like to have a Dark Eldar mercenary on their ship (good fighters, probably a lot of esoteric knowledge, and probably very good at dealing with mutinous ring leaders etc) - to be honest, I see a Dark Eldar as less problematic in that regard than an Ork on board - just thing about the problems of spores in the life sustainer…
I see Dark Eldar as having 'unnatural' thirsts, but also capable of intelligent and rational thought (as well as, if wearing a big cloak, being able to more-or-less pass as a human, I suppose). To certain a-moral rogue traders, one would be an attractive mercenary.
As I said earlier, I never really enjoyed playing evil characters, I like to feel I am making a make-believe world a better place, in some small way, but then, on the other hand, I can appreciate why people want to smash stuff up - it takes all sorts!
I only hope craftworld (or even Exodites! woo-hoo!) turn up. A ranger/pathfinder career would be a very good starting point, and one I find a strange omission (given that one can play an Ork Mekboy).
Anyway, all best for now,
David.
I've said it elsewhere, but I'll repeat it here.
Rogue Trader seems to be the current home for playable xenos. Orks are very popular, and have a large background of mercenary work. Kroot are less popular, but also make sense working as hired muscle. Dark Eldar are honestly a pleasant surprise, but do have a past of piracy and raiding. The fact that the Eldar are a major part of the Expanse, are the xeno race most popular with the Imperium, and are probably the most famous xeno pirates in the setting makes their exclusion rather telling.
Dark Heresy, Rogue Trader, and Deathwatch were the original plan for the RPG line. Black Crusade makes sense as an alternative to three straight Imperial games. Only War was a Dark Heresy supplement that grew and grew until it became its own game. The other major Imperial bodies have/are getting books for Dark Heresy (Blood of Martyrs, Daemon Hunter, Book of Judgment, and the Lathe Worlds,) with the more obscure getting cover in Rogue Trader through things like Hostile Acquisitions and the Navis Primer.
Simply put, their next game can't be the Imperium. The biggest hole in their games is the Eldar.
I think you'll like the next game.
I sure hope so…but I have no faith that logic comes into it.
Plushy,
Yes, I had been thinking (perhaps wishfully thinking) that too - the absence of a 'normal' Eldar PC in Rogue Trader is a bit strange now, considering the playable aliens out there - I cannot help but think they are not being done because there is a bigger and more thorough Eldar book coming down the tracks…
Here's hoping.
Though, of course, I would be (moderately) happy with a Tau book.
All best,
David.