Questions on character creation

[Imperious]

I just registered with Layonara and it looks very promising, but I have a couple of questions before I create and submit a character.

1) What does "ECL" stand for at the end of the description of each subrace? I think i've seen that before but I'm completely blanking out...

2) How much leeway is there in deciding to become a class that you didn't specify when you submitted your character at the beginning?  I ask because part of the role-playing experience for me is not knowing every detail of my character when they're first created. Sometimes through actions and events, they change on their own, perhaps moving in directions I didn't see or imagine at the beginning. I have created fighters only to have them become clerics.  I don't necessarily intend for this to happen from the outset, but I'd be interesetd in knowing if that's possible.

Thanks.

Imperious

[Talan Va'lash]

ECL stands for Equivalent Character Level or something.  Basically, some subraces are better than the normal races, either having higher stats or special abilities/immunities.  ECL is used to balance them.  A level 6 character with an ECL of 3 gains xp from a given monster as if they were a level 9 character.  The main effect this has is that you level slower with a higher ECL.

To start taking levels in a class that you hadn't submitted for you have to resubmit an updated bio with the things that have happened to your character up to that point, since the original bio supporting why the character is going in that direction.  A CDQ may be involved in the transition.  PrCs must be applied for later on (when you're ready to take the PrC) and a CDQ is always involved for PrCs.

[IceDragonDuvessa]

Talan Va'lash - 6/14/2005  2:23 AM

and a CDQ is always involved for PrCs.

Not always.. but often. Sometimes they are allowed without a cdq if the character development thread and RP has been apropraite. Often though, people choose to have them.