4E PLANESCAPE FACTIONS UPDATES
I think that some faction abilities could go be used as themes (others can simply be Boons as described in DMG2), similar to this. As I certainly see some faction abilities as an extra encounter ability. Though I'd have to find out more about how DS 4e handles things.
I think of the boons as described in dmg2 is a very good option.
I don't know very well the dark sun themes mechanics to say if it is good. Are they utilities or attacks?
Wow, that otogi guy copied WORD FOR WORD my post about the new faction abilities, he even kept the mistakes I made, like saying "sense motive" instead of "Insight." Now that I remember, I think someone asked for permission to repost my work, but it would have been nice to get some freakin' credit. Just a line saying "Inspired by Degausser, his thread on wizards is here (link)"
Well, first time that I am aware of that someone stole my work online. Ho-rah. Anyway, thanks for clearing that up Catland.
I did try to contact you several times about the abilities, and while I did publish it without your promition (scummy enough), but I that would put your name down. It turns out that I actually forgot your name, or it wasn't listed anymore, so I either couldn't or didn't (rather pathetic). So, to make this better, we can do one of two things:
I can edit the post to add your name on the article (citing which parts of the article you made), and if you can give me some links, post your other material. Or, I can delete the page, give you back the material, include my material if you want it (except for the Cyclers and Mercenaries, they belong to someone else) as well as any other material I created not already taken by the Planewalker community so that you can post it under your name.
Of course I could see there being other themes independent of faction and more based on planar origin, such as Limbo shaper or Abyss Spawned or even Hive Born or Undersigilian. But I'd see the idea of "Faction Themes" probably being one of the more prevalent ones across the planes. I don't know the full mechanical implications of themes yet, as they haven't being described yet. But beyond a new encounter power, they have some prereqs (so that Wizards for example can't become Gladiators, but Swordmage might be able) and there's feats and paragon paths that use themes as prereqs and powers that class powers can be substituted with.
Of course I could see there being other themes independent of faction and more based on planar origin, such as Limbo shaper or Abyss Spawned or even Hive Born or Undersigilian. But I'd see the idea of "Faction Themes" probably being one of the more prevalent ones across the planes. I don't know the full mechanical implications of themes yet, as they haven't being described yet. But beyond a new encounter power, they have some prereqs (so that Wizards for example can't become Gladiators, but Swordmage might be able) and there's feats and paragon paths that use themes as prereqs and powers that class powers can be substituted with.
The "Themes" idea looks very good for planescape factions but until we don' know the full mechanic we can't update the work. I think utility powers are better of attack power for factions.
Then, this is all we know about Themes:
# Rather than a Gladiator (for example) being a Fighter-type - use the theme to make your Fighter, or Swordmage, or Barbarian, etc into a Gladiatorial fighter.
# Get a theme Encounter Power at 1st level.
# Substitute powers for higher levels
# Some restrictions in place to keep characters from under-powering themselves with mis-matched themes that don't fit their Roles.
# Themes are pre-reqs for some feats and paragon paths.
# If you think of your current character as having two legs "Class" and "Race" - a Theme is a "third leg" that gives you new options - without diminishing your character's other purposes.
# Roles are your purpose in combat. Themes are your purpose in the world.
# Gladiator is something of a controller - can sort of backdoor someone into a Martial Controller.
# Themes started as a feat - evolved to be something you get for free in Dark Sun
# Themes MAY make it into 4E General/Core.
I think that some faction abilities could go be used as themes (others can simply be Boons as described in DMG2), similar to this. As I certainly see some faction abilities as an extra encounter ability. Though I'd have to find out more about how DS 4e handles things.
Here it is my first attempt to use Factions as Theme.
You can see it in the first topic page: Cipher Theme.pdf
Please feedback for comments and revisions.
Bye
Wow I didn't realise this site was still going glad it is 
. After a long absence I've rekindled my love affair with the Planescape Setting and I'm in the early stages of running a Scape campaign in 4E. Like I'm sure a lot of you do I've always had a fondness for the Factions and they usually play a big part in my games.
Anyhoo Catland I've really liked your work on bringing the Factions back in line with the new edition. I'm pretty dire when it comes to crunch. As Kobold Avengers already mentioned I really like the idea of 'Themes' being a good mechanic for the factions it just seems to be a natural fit in my head.
I know the DS stuff is not quite here yet but I looked over the Cipher and think that this could be the way forward for representing factions in 4E. I'm keen to put them to a play test on my guys and girls.
I've only got a Signer in the current party the rest still stinking of the Prime and thoroughly Clueless. I'm expecting some recruitment drives in the near future.
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I don't get no respect. My gate key locked the portal.
So Dark Sun has "Themes" for characters which give them an extra Encounter Power at 1st level. The Themes in Dark Sun are things such as Veiled Alliance, Templar, Gladiator, Elemental Priest, and Wilder (as in the 3.5e Psionic Class). Defiling is incidentally an ability that all Arcane characters can get.
I think that some faction abilities could go be used as themes (others can simply be Boons as described in DMG2), similar to this. As I certainly see some faction abilities as an extra encounter ability. Though I'd have to find out more about how DS 4e handles things.