Working on birdmen: Four-Talon question

[Verrain]

So I've been working on a set of lifepaths for birdmen using the Aarakocra from D&D as a starting point.

One of the things I liked was that the feet of the birdman is the same as the hand in that all four have an opposable thumb and can be used for holding things or fighting or whatever.

One of the things they mention is that these birdmen commonly lay on their back when performing tasks so they can bring all four hand to bear on the problem. Similarly when they bring all four limbs to bear in combat, basically if on their back or diving from the air, they would get extra attacks.

So I have been pondering how to bring this into Burning Wheel stats. My first thought was to simply lump it all under a skill called Four-Talon Training.

When used in conjunction with am artisan skill like weaving, it would allow open ended die rolls or maybe reduce the time or obstacle of the task at hand.

When used in conjuction with a martial skill, it cancels the penalty for attacking while prone if on your back. When diving from above, it would give bonuses to Aerial Charge/Tackle manuvers.

That all seems way to clunky though. I think the combat parts should remain a Training skill.

As for the artisan part, I can't decide if that should be a seperate training skill, a trait you pay for, or simply a racial trait that the birdmen are born with.

What do you all think?

[Thor Olavsrud]

Is it something that these creatures learn how to do, or is it innate to the stock? If it's innate, it should be a trait.

[Kublai]

I would make it a Die trait. With craftsmen skills, the extra "hands" would count as a helping die. It's like having two people work on the same project at once.

In combat, an extra die to Lock, Throw, and Push. I don't think the attacking from ground penalty would be negated, as that is determined to be the result of the lack of momentum. It could act like that one special move in the Mantis Style martial art posted somewhere around here.

[eruditus]

How adept are they at accomplishing things with their taloned feet? i mean a trait that gave them prehensile feet would do the trick and you could then treat them like off-hands. Then you could have a omnidexterous trait for all four limbs.

As Thor mentioned I would have the artisan and martial traits be part of the races LPs.

[Verrain]

They already have the prehensile feet trait, the Four-Talon training was meant for those that took the time to learn to use all four feet at once.

So to answer Thor's question, basic use of all four hands as hands is innate but I think using four at once effectively is something trained.

I think the helping die for the craftsman version of this sounds great. That is exactly the feel I was going for.

The combat version I am iffy on but it is a good start.

Thanks for the advice.

[Kublai]

The combat stuff I took from the spider, which has 8 legs. He gets bonuses to Locking and Getting Inside.

[luke]

Permit me a "Goddammit?"

Goddammit, doesn't anybody read what I write? What I slave over for years?

Thanks. I feel better.

Verrain, you need to back up a moment. Are you designing a trait for an extant creature? Or are you creating a new monster? I think you're doing the latter.

THEREFORE ::flips to page 38 of his Monster Burner:: you now enter the 100 Questions process. Traits are step 8! What happened to steps 1 through 7?

Can you post a burned up Aarakokra --concept, otherness, stats, shades, beliefs and instincts, skills and attributes? Trait burning comes after that. Once we get that settled, you submit it to your group for Peer Review. Then we can get down to the business of doing LPs.

I recommend that you use the Great Spiders and Hsigo as your inspiration.

::does his best Rodney Dangerfield impression::
-L

[Verrain]

In fact, I have done all that Abzu. I choose not to reveal it until it is all complete and I am satisfied with it.

I am sure "Mr. Revision" can appreciate that.

[luke]

In fact, I have done all that Abzu. I choose not to reveal it until it is all complete and I am satisfied with it.

I am sure "Mr. Revision" can appreciate that.

:oops:

come on, post 'em. We're your peers, right?

:roll: