Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Devil Gnasher 05-10-07, 06:54 PM	Character classes, specifically the primary spellcasters are while integral to Dungeons and Dragons, are woefully misunderstood. But if seen as archetypes and not merely as skill sets people will better understand the reasons behind these classes. The next thread of this nature will cover the secondary spellcasters. If any one wants to develop archetypes for other primary casters please post them in this thread. Also if you can think of any other archetypes just for these classes I'll include them in this post. Thank you. Cleric- The cleric class has no basis in standard pre-Dungeons and Dragons fantasy. It instead drew inspiration from the historical and legendary Archbishop Turpin as well as the Knights Templer and the monastic/priestly military orders of the Middle Ages. Male Clerics are better thought of as warrior priests/monks while female clerics are best thought of as warrior priestess/nuns. Druid- The ancient druids were Celtic priests and priestesses, mostly of a god named Dagda or "the Good God", named that for his skill in all things. Druids as a service to the Good God were required to sacrifice bulls, cows, sheep and gold along with murders, rapists and traitors. After the violent crime rate in ancient Britain and Ireland dropped some druids continued the sacrifices; even going so far as to use escaped slaves and other non-violent offenders as well as those who committed no crimes at all. Other druids discontinued the practice citing that the Good God (Dagda) commanded them to only sacrifice the worst of all possible criminals, those who violated the bodies of others, those who committed murder and those who betrayed they're people. I might make modifications to the druid class in another thread. Sorcerer- Sorcerer comes from an Old English word meaning in essence caster of lots or sortilege. It later came to mean a magician who gained his power from service towards or power over demons, daemons, devils or other creatures of the supernatural. An example of a good aligned sorcerer would be Prospero, from William Shakespeare's The Tempest. An example of an evilly aligned sorcerer would be Kefka from Final Fantasy 6. Could also be applied to those with innate magical talents. Merlin, as played by Sam Neil would be an obvious choice for a good aligned sorcerer. Wizard- A wizard is in essence a magical scientist and philosopher. While a sorcerer most often uses power borrowed from other beings, a wizard must rely upon his own knowledge, intellect, skill, cunning and magical power. Characters to base wizards upon can be found among such great scientists as Ptolemy, Archimedes or Euclid. This list could also include the alchemists of Middle Ages to modern scientists, such as Sir Isaac Newton. Obvious choices, like some versions of Merlin would make good role models as well.
Devil Gnasher 05-10-07, 07:52 PM	You can just comment if you want.
Devil Gnasher 05-11-07, 08:07 PM	Please, someone comment in this thread.
DaelricHearthsinger 05-11-07, 08:22 PM	For the mages dont forget your comic book inspirations... Doctor Strange, Doctor Fate and if your playing some kind of uncouth self trained wizard, John Constantine makes a great template to follow(maybe a beguiler?)
Devil Gnasher 05-12-07, 12:59 AM	For the mages dont forget your comic book inspirations... Doctor Strange, Doctor Fate and if your playing some kind of uncouth self trained wizard, John Constantine makes a great template to follow (maybe a beguiler?) Okay, good choices Daelric. However, would you be so kind as to give a sentance or two on them as a whole. Including some minor roleplaying tips wouldn't hurt either.
DaelricHearthsinger 05-12-07, 09:24 AM	Oh sure, let me start with my fave: The "Constantine" Template: When you look at Constantine you realize he's unlike most comic book wizards created before him. He's not about flash (i.e. no evocation, just doesn't fit that well) instead he's part conman, part hedge wizard. If its starting to sound alot like a beguiler, thats cause thats kind of close to who he is(it wouldnt not surprise me if he was the "inspiration" for the Beguiler class). For the campaign my friend is dming we are going with a straight mage but made the following schools prohibited: necro, evoc, and illusion..no flashy stuff. Play him as a crass, sarcastic bast***. Always have spells memorized to make sure your "@rse" remains in one piece. You do the right thing, but aren't afriad to do some truly screwed up things to do it. Take feats that play with this as well, silent spell, still spell, the feat from Cityscape(?) where you can make the spell appear to come from somewhere(one) else. And put a few points in bluff, sleight of hand, etc. If you need inspiration may I recomend doing a search on him...you'll find a treasure trove of info ;)
Devil Gnasher 05-12-07, 07:26 PM	Oh sure, let me start with my fave: The "Constantine" Template: When you look at Constantine you realize he's unlike most comic book wizards created before him. He's not about flash (i.e. no evocation, just doesn't fit that well) instead he's part conman, part hedge wizard. If its starting to sound alot like a beguiler, thats cause thats kind of close to who he is(it wouldnt not surprise me if he was the "inspiration" for the Beguiler class). For the campaign my friend is dming we are going with a straight mage but made the following schools prohibited: necro, evoc, and illusion..no flashy stuff. Play him as a crass, sarcastic bast***. Always have spells memorized to make sure your "@rse" remains in one piece. You do the right thing, but aren't afriad to do some truly screwed up things to do it. Take feats that play with this as well, silent spell, still spell, the feat from Cityscape(?) where you can make the spell appear to come from somewhere(one) else. And put a few points in bluff, sleight of hand, etc. If you need inspiration may I recomend doing a search on him...you'll find a treasure trove of info ;) That's pretty good Daerlic though I was thinking of some thing more along the lines of how archetypes were dealt with in 1st and 2nd edition. Take for example the Undead Master from the Complete Book of Necromancers. The Undead Master specializes in the creation of undying minions and the summoning of extraplanar allies. Above all, this necromancer craves power over others, reveling in the thrill of commanding obedient servants. The mindless undead, as unthinking and ever-faithful automatons, make perfect and unquestioning slaves that will shoulder even the most loathsome burdens without hesitation. The Undead Master enjoys dominating the feeble will of the living, subverting the dead, and controlling the fiendishly powerful. Examples of this kit can be found in a few of Clark Ashton Smith's stories. The necromancer Malygris from "The Last Incantation" and "The Death of Malygris" and the vengeful Namirrha from "The Dark Eidolon" make ideal models for this kit. Also, the DM might check out Glen Cook's Black Company series, which involves a necromancer known as the Dark Lady, who subjugates her living apprentices, creating the infamous Ten Who Were Taken. Requirements: Members of this kit may be of any non-good alignment.
Devil Gnasher 05-13-07, 11:04 PM	Please respond.
Devil Gnasher 05-20-07, 12:24 PM	Come on people, think of something, please.