Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Jagyr Ebonwood 01-26-07, 03:51 PM	So, can someone tell me why the aristocrat has full martial weapon and full armor/shield proficiency? I can buy the "Nobles can afford to spend time learning extraneous skills" argument only to an extent... What's the default class for the limp-wristed aristocrat who can't wield a sword to save his life but has lots of social skills? Expert? Someone give me a reason that will convince me that the aristocrat deserves the warrior's hit die and combat proficiencies.
claypigeons 01-26-07, 04:05 PM	I imagine that the warrior is supposed to represent the local police/militia. Perhaps even the "average" trained soldier. The aristocrat can encompass a range of people. The king that inherited his throne, the "knight" that is knight by title only. These people would be trained for what they will likely never do, by tradition I guess.
Sul_Zain_Aserbet 01-26-07, 04:08 PM	Hmm, good question. I could justify the noble's martial and armor proficientcies a few ways i suppose. Historically speaking, aristocrats came to be in the hereditary position that they are in by offering protection to people (i.e., protecting people from bandits, visigoths, etc). This in turn helped to create (amunst a great many other things) the system of fueldalism and manorism we read about in the history books. If Wotc is pulling thier inspiration from this source, then it makes a great deal of sense that they are so trained. Especially by the times of the high middle ages, when it was considered a nobleman's duty to learn the sword, and primarily nobles filled the ranks of authority within the military. The limp wristed aristocrat you meantion describes (in a broad and general way) nobles removed from this philosophy, who have a high degree of vassels to pull from, or become compliant through luxury (which happened to a great many nobles, easpecially by rennaisance times.) The expert class sounds fine for this breed of aristocrat, where intrigue is more of a threat than visogoths, moors, or huns. As far as the warrior class goes, think of them as mercenaries or professional swordarms. That come from a commoner's background, know what they need to know, and have experience without the benefit of working with trained martial master.
jaelis 01-26-07, 04:12 PM	What's the default class for the limp-wristed aristocrat who can't wield a sword to save his life but has lots of social skills? Expert? An aristocrat with a Str of 8, a Cha of 14, who carries only a dagger, and who took the Persuasive and Negotiator feats.