Post/Author/DateTime	Post
kaoswarrior 01-16-07, 04:42 AM	Ok, I got a background in mind for a character and am wondering what class/classes to go through to make it fit... Coin was stillborn to a kind farm family, whom two weeks prior to his unfortunate birth showed hospitality to a mysterious traveller. The stranger disapeared the next day leaving a note which read as follows... "I thank you for your hospitality and will grant you this boon - when your son is born, place this coin upon his brow and his life shall be blessed" Fearing sorcery (the world involved has been ruled by evil mages and thus sorcery is viewed as 'suspect') the farmer and wife left the note and coin where it sat until the day of birth. Remembering the words in the note the farmer places the coin on his stillborn sons head and the child lets out his first cry... So - any ideas? - I usually play social rogues, maybe with a bit of flair in there somewhere - any suggestions would be appreciated.
Adolph_Kheebler 01-16-07, 09:30 AM	Well the character obviously has to be a sorcerer. Or at least some kind of spontaneous arcanist. Beguiler might work depending on personality. I really need more to work with than just he story of his birth. I can't give good suggestions until I knew more of his story and personality.
Adrian_Crane 01-16-07, 10:38 AM	Hmmm...I'd say you have to have magic of some sort in there, whether Arcane or Divine, and I agree that spontaneous casting seems the way to go. The old man could have been one of the good gods just checking things out, and the coin was a holy symbol--bam, Favored Soul / Paladin. Could even be a "forgotten" god if you REALLY want to make things interesting. Hell, he could even be evil and looking to ensnare followers--this way he gets the parents, who are greatful, and who he can dispose of when they've served their purpose. He also gets the kid (who may or may not quest to free himself from the curse and free his family before it's too late). It's a ready-made adventuring career! For a less-sinister, more specific calling, the man could be a representative of Olidamarra. Flip the coin before placing it on the boy's head, and see how lucky he is (in his case, he won out; maybe say the alternative was death). This one sets you up for an interestingly pious Rogue type if you want to stick to that class. The Luck feats from Complete Scoundrel would also fit well. Or...the old man could instead be a polymorphed dragon. The coin is a trinket of his that he's imbued with some power and he either wants to gift to a worthy recipient (good dragon) or test it out (evil dragon). Bam, Sorcerer / Dragon Shaman, etc. Could even lead to Dragon Disciple or such.
lastknightleft 01-16-07, 03:42 PM	Warlock... the stranger passing through was a demon or such and the "fortune" was the evil power he would bring to the world through his warlockery lol
lastknightleft 01-16-07, 03:43 PM	"blessing" rather, i would view the ability to eldritch blast anyone i met a blessing
kaoswarrior 01-16-07, 04:16 PM	Happy go lucky guy, celebrant - loves people and having fun. Going for a good/freedom character who makes friends easily and deeply... Like the Idea of 'Luck' feats (sadly don't have the book yet) and that would fit the coin idea... Was going to have him make decisions with a flip of a coin - the same coin that gave him life. Warlock wouldn't feel right... dark oppressive power - not very 'blessing'... useful and enjoyable yes, but not a benevolent blessing. My GM is going to ride this background heavy and hard (I am already applying soothing cream to my character sheets in anticipation) and the more information I give him the better my gaming experience will be!! I have been charged with being too 'CN' - so I am considering Chaotic Good - Doesn't quite understand all these rules, but only breaks the ones that seem wrong. Keep up the advice Guys - you can only help me (unless you abuse the word pie... then I get mad!) Peace.
Rathmun 01-16-07, 09:14 PM	I see all these suggestions for spontaneous arcane/divine, and I agree, but the coin symbology brings a PrC to mind that would be excellent flavor. Fatespinner, the class is written to progress arcane casting, but it could very easily be adapted to fit divine, and thus favored soul. Here is my take. the mysterious figure was in fact Olidamara in disguise, and he chose this child as a favored soul before he was born. As he grew, he found that he could make luck stand on it's head, and spin fate to his whim. Fatespinner may not be the strongest class, but in this case, the flavor is perfect. Wild mage is likewise a class that would be easy to convert to divine, and also something that Olidamara would love. something like favored soul 5/wild mage 3/fatespinner5/wild mage 7 would be very tasty as a chosen of Olidamara. it has that whole beloved of fate thing going for it.
Adrian_Crane 01-16-07, 10:17 PM	Oooh, I like the fatespinner idea. Perhaps a Rogue/Arcane Trickster/Fatespinner type of deal? He's still a "divine agent" of Olidammara in his own way, since just by BEING roguish he's representing his deity.
Herobane 01-16-07, 11:43 PM	Why not, every time he drops negative, roll the d% with a 10% chance of auto-stabilizing? Kind of a gift-from-the-gods type thing. Just a suggestion.
Darth Sephiroth 01-17-07, 12:19 AM	Interestingly enough, I had a character with a similar backstory, in the end the effects that gave him life made him immortal and unable to perminantly die even though he wanted to. Another thought is that instead of the autostabilization thing you could simply not take a negative level when brought back to life.
kaoswarrior 01-18-07, 02:34 PM	Okay, so far a lot of good advice - I have time to plan this character out so here are the questions my DM asks me to answer and what I have put down as yet. About Your Character – Coin Question 1 What character class would you play? Some type of Rogue, or Caster (not 100% decided) Question 2 What race would your character be? - Human (Unless something else fits the flavor) Question 3 What alignment would your character be? - Good aligned Question 4 What Sex would your character be? - Male Question 5 What is your characters name? - Coin Rhodale Question 6 Describe what your character looks like (not clothing). Send a picture if you like. - See picture. http://images.google.co.uk/images?q=tbn:nBOgCxCC2FP36M:http://zhurnal.lib.ru/img/r/rogue Question 7 Describe your characters personality (how they act etc). Note conflicts of nature if needed, for example if your characters lawful will she still steal something if needed and/or she can justify it to herself? - Has never taken his life for granted, knowing that he is there for some reason beyond the farmstead he called home and seeking new experiences in the large world that surrounds him. Question 8 Why did your character take up her chosen class/profession? Was she trained from birth, forced into it? How did that lead on to wanting to adventure? Be descriptive and serious (If your character has no reason to adventure then there’s no point playing her). - Has always felt driven to this class, as though guided by unseen hands and taught by an unseen tutor. Question 9 Does she have any fears or worries? Does she have any religious beliefs, why? - Fears letting people down, secretly never ‘connected’ with his parents – felt separate from their lives. Question 10 Describe your characters family and how well your character gets on with them. - An only child, and almost not even that – Coin seemed as normal as every other youth in his village, but deep down was a troubled child who always felt as though he did not belong with his parents. Question 11 What caused your character to become an adventurer to begin with? - Wanderlust and a touch of fate. Question 12 For what reason do they adventure? - He feels driven to experience all he can and is certain that there is some reason he is alive beyond the blessing his parents spoke of. Question 13 What is your character known for? What deeds and quests have they accomplished? - Where he is known, it is as a friendly easygoing childlike guy, who will step in where he feels he is needed. Question 14 Do any of the characters possessions possess special value in your characters mind? Why is this? Where did they receive the item? - A wooden coin, the same coin that was his blessing – seemingly worthless Coin rarely makes a decision without consulting it. Question 15 What is your characters greatest achievement to date? - Living Question 16 Has your character ever failed at something important or caused trouble where they meant to do otherwise? - His luck seems to go both ways, an accident in his youth seemed to leave him for dead – however he recovered quickly and could even be said to have come through it stronger than before. Question 17 Has your character ever died, if so what caused this death and did your character seek revenge/retribution? Give separate examples for multiple deaths. - Stillborn, given life by unknown means – Near death experience (unknown how close – was out for a day with no memory or dream) at young teens. Question 18 Does your character have any superstitions? Do they revere/fear a certain creature type? Do certain signs/portents mean different things to your character? - Celebrates life, friendship and honour – has an aversion to ‘Undead’ feeling an unnatural connection through his stillbirth. - Any ‘Coin’, ‘Luck’ or ‘Fate’ sign will grab his attention and his eyes are always drawn to their images in whatever he surveys – it was said that Coin could pick a silver coin from a water barrel full of coppers at the Harvest Faire. Question 19 What are your characters dreams/goals? How does she plan to achieve them? - Mostly – He seeks to understand why he lives… also to fulfil whatever grand destiny lays before him. Question 20 Does your character have any special hatred or love of other races/cultures? Which ones and why? Give separate examples for multiples. - The undead feel ‘strange’ to him, beyond their natural effects on the living. -------------------------------------------------- Well, thats all I got for now - keep on firing those ideas at me, I am checking every option. Peace out Guys!
Fatalis_902 01-18-07, 05:33 PM	Warlock, if you are gonig arcane. Favored Soul, Paladin, or, if you're really looking for a stretch, Spirit Shaman, and you could say that the traveller had been some physical manifestation of the spirit world. But that's a strecth, and you may want to make sure your DM undertstands that you wouldn't try to change any rules on Gaurdian Spirits.
1DHandful 01-18-07, 09:31 PM	No idea if you can access it, but extreme explorer (ECS) seems like a good fit. Splash in the destiny feats from RoD for more 'death-defying' feel.
Khandar 01-19-07, 12:40 AM	If you want the whole "luck" theme, how about a Hexblade. He happens to have incredible luck, but brings misfortune upon everybody else.