Xeph OCR

[aliceofthevoid]

Seems a bit odd to me that Xephs, despite being described as rather alien and inhuman looking, still have human-equivalent OCR in Barovia. Wouldn't it be more appropriate for it to be closer to that of elves?

[GrosslyIncandescent]

I've felt a bit conflicted on how to RP this as well.

From the Subrace thread:

Note that while xeph characters may hide their features under a helm, it is otherwise obvious at all time that they are not humans.

Other than their height/weight, this is about all that is listed for specific physical characteristics:
Dark Skin
Black straight hair
Dark eyes
Pointed ears

It also says that there is some resemblance to the Gith, but doesn't elaborate on what physical traits they might share with them.

[RedMoney]

I've combed the web looking for more extensive info on Xephs and come up with sadly very little.

[inkcorvid]

Xeph:



These ain't getting mistaken for a human.

[GrosslyIncandescent]

Xeph:



These ain't getting mistaken for a human.

These are pretty much the only images we have as examples. That said, this depicts their eyes as bright, whereas the written description says they have dark eyes. A mistake I initially made when I was relying on these vary same images for descriptions to draw from.

[mstrlzard]

I would agree they seem to fit in the OCR range of elves.

[GrosslyIncandescent]

I would agree they seem to fit in the OCR range of elves.

I certainly thought it would be higher when I made mine, based on the descriptions provided.

[aliceofthevoid]

I've combed the web looking for more extensive info on Xephs and come up with sadly very little.

Same, I can find a blurb about them in the expanded psionics handbook but i haven't been able to find any other sources from the books to try to piece it together.

[inkcorvid]

We can work it out from the OCR guide in the Ravenloft DMG

Size: Medium (+1)
Appearance: Distinctly Inhuman (+2)
Unnatural Powers (+1)

Giving an overall total of OCR 4. Aasimar are base OCR 2. Elves, dwarves and drownlings (creepy children who are actually murderous fey creatures) are base OCR 3. Drow are base OCR 5. Tieflings are base OCR 7 (in tabletop, just realising that a tiefling is in the room with you may be cause to make a horror save).

[MAB77]

This seems a reasonable approach. We'll discuss it at our next dev meeting.

[Krosenq]

Not to be that person, but judging by the images presented above, this feels like Caliban territory to me. It doesn't make sense that the ones to the left in this image are viewed as monsters by the Barovians, while this insectoid horror with glowing eyes to the right gets a pass. Bumping up the OCR to elf level would be a decent compromise that doesn't negatively affect current players of the race too much.

[MAB77]

The Dev team agrees with Inkcorvid's proposal, we'll give them a +4 OCR bump as outlined by the Ravenloft DMG guidelines.

Size: Medium (+1)
Appearance: Distinctly Inhuman (+2)
Unnatural Powers (+1)

[bestbardna]

Not to be that person, but judging by the images presented above, this feels like Caliban territory to me. It doesn't make sense that the ones to the left in this image are viewed as monsters by the Barovians, while this insectoid horror with glowing eyes to the right gets a pass. Bumping up the OCR to elf level would be a decent compromise that doesn't negatively affect current players of the race too much.

To be fair, those half-orcs are from 4e/5e, where established lore and imagery takes a backseat to making everyone pretty and accepted.

[Krosenq]

Not to be that person, but judging by the images presented above, this feels like Caliban territory to me. It doesn't make sense that the ones to the left in this image are viewed as monsters by the Barovians, while this insectoid horror with glowing eyes to the right gets a pass. Bumping up the OCR to elf level would be a decent compromise that doesn't negatively affect current players of the race too much.

To be fair, those half-orcs are from 4e/5e, where established lore and imagery takes a backseat to making everyone pretty and accepted.

Fair enough. Even so, I think the Xeph looks like a malnourished Caliban with bug-eyes 😁