Developing a Character Concept [Archive] - Wizards Community

Developing a Character Concept [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Mysteris
07-18-03, 12:11 PM Hello.

I'm writing because I'm a bit stuck for developing a character. I have the concept for her, but I don't have an idea of what class she should be. I'm hoping you can help.

Here's the concept I have: I envision her as a person who is very young and who is not entirely settled yet. She's the daughter of a happy family, but she's tired of being told what to do. She loves a good laugh and a good prank, but she's not usually malicious. Its more that she doesn't really think about consequences. She has power but she throws it about on a whim. She likes to speak her mind and she's very passionate. She's the type who will proclaim that thieves and murderers have equal rights in society too, because she doesn't like the thought of restraints or constraints of any kind. She's been sheltered from the world, seeing it through the lens of stories she hears from passing traders and such. She has no clear goals or ambition, she just wants to get out from under her parents' roof and experience some of the romance and adventure she's always heard about. She's also used to getting her way because she's both pretty and smart. "No" is not a term she's well acquainted with.

My original idea was for her to be a Psion, however, a friend recommended that Psions are tricky for beginners (I'll be a first-time player) and not everyone wants them. He recommended a Sorceress, given that I had planned to put a lot of points into her Charisma to make her a Telepath to begin with, but I'm having trouble understanding how one plays a Sorcerer (I know they're different from Wizards and that they get spells automatically or something, but I've never quite gotten the class). That's why I'm asking for help. Is my concept too complex? Too simple? Impossible to play? Would another class gel better with the idea?

Incidentally, the character is a Moon Elf, if that helps. Thanks! :)
King of Diamonds
07-18-03, 12:43 PM Your story so far leads me to think more of a bard or a rouge rather than a sorc or psion (I hate all psionics personaly). however if you tweak the story just a little it could be just about any class
Vel_Ziliuse
07-18-03, 01:24 PM The concept you have can be played in a lot of different ways.
I'll suggest two of them:

-The dexterous charismatic rogue
Spend you skill points wisely, mainly on bluff and diplomacy and don't forget hide and move silently so useful to create a lot of incredible pranks!

-The chaotic ever-smiling cleric of Tymora
This concept seems more distant from what you have in mind.
Anyway this could be an interesting choice.
I see her in this way:

A young prankster, always took her chances so she became a priestess of Tymora without even wanting.
She so trustfull in luck that she naturally obey Tymora's dogma.
Her very actions are like prayers to the Smiling Lady. So one day Tymora began granting spells to her so to set her as an example of the rewards of fortune.
She is kind of a saint of Tymora ^_^
Mysteris
07-18-03, 04:59 PM Hmmm...I hadn't even thought of bard or rogue for Amasyl (the character). I'd love to hear more about the different ways this concept could be taken.

And I like the saint of Tymora idea. That cracked me up! :D Although, I could see her worshipping Erevan Ilesere, the Elven God of Tricksters. :)
BetterButterBuddha
07-18-03, 05:15 PM I once had a friend who played a similar character. She chose to make her a sorceress, for a very simply expressed reason.

You said that this character would be used to having things done for her, because she was pretty and smart, right? Then sorceress is the way to go. When you're already being spoiled by your friends and family, there's nothing better than being further spoiled by finding out that you don't have to work that hard to be able to use magic.

Plus, sorcerers make really good chaotic characters, which is what you seem to be.

My advice: read over the sorcerer description again in the PHB to get a better feel for the class. As far as role-playing goes, emphasize her naivite, and keep in mind that most of the time, she wouldn't be expecting to have to do difficult things by herself.

...and if she's cute enough about it, it should be really fun to boss around the other party members and get them to do things for her.
Mysteris
07-19-03, 12:25 PM BBB: I'll emphasize the naivete, like you said. She won't be mean about it. She'll be the nice type of bossy, who guilts people into doing things for her. :)

I was thinking Chaotic Neutral for her as an alignment, yes. :)
Fox Lee
07-20-03, 12:36 AM Originally posted by Mysteris
BBB: I'll emphasize the naivete, like you said. She won't be mean about it. She'll be the nice type of bossy, who guilts people into doing things for her. :)

"Nice"?! :uh-huh:

I shall keep my opinions on how "nice" it is to myself, I suppose.

In answer to your question, I recommend Bard over Sorceror. The main reaosn is that Sorcerors get crappy skill points and a crappier skill list, which is frustrating if you want to have the people-skills that a charismatic person like her should probably have. My first 3E character was a Sorceror, because I wanted him to use magic, and I thought that a Charisma-based spellcaster was likely to get a skill list that would feature things like Diplomacy, Gather Information, Bluff, Perform, and other public-realtions type skills (I wanted these because the character was, amusingly enough, a sheltered and slightly spoilt noble). My fault for not looking more closely at their list when I made the character, but still - immensely frustrating XP

So, if you want the skills, I'd suggest a Bard instead. They get almost identical thematics to a Sorceror on the spellcasting front, they're naturally both Charismatic and Chaotic, they can be very fun prankster types, and they're usually a bit spoilt to start with (wanting to be in the spotlight all the time :p). They're also good party-supporters, which will make the other characters more likely to put up with her if she plans on (for lack of a better word) manipulating them. It's a natural choice for her, from the sounds of it ^_^
Mysteris
07-20-03, 03:35 PM Fox: Thanks! Now that you mention it, it does seem like a good choice for her. :)

And I only meant nice in the way that she doesn't bark orders. She's more the "Can't you do this one little thing for me, pretty please?" type. :)
Durnhelm
07-20-03, 11:24 PM hmmm. when i read ur backround/consept thingie the first class that came into mind was a bard. if you choose this path, try to talk to people a lot. it doesnt seem like combat would be her area of expertiese so be more of a diplomate. always try to find the local tavern to try to swap stories or get a good laugh. she doesnt like no, well that would describe her somewhat caotic nature, have her try to convince those who say no the other way around. just some food for thought.
Zoticus
07-20-03, 11:57 PM You could also look into a flirty little cleric of Sune.
they often mlticlass as bards as well
Trydan
07-23-03, 08:29 AM I'd recommend Bard over Sorcerer. Spend the skill points on innuendo, intimidate (but used in a if-you-don't-do-it-I'll-burst-into-tears way), diplomacy, and other social skills. Take charm-type spells. Sounds like perform (storytelling) would be good too.
dirk hightower
07-25-03, 12:11 PM While it's true that Bard is exactly where this character should be....... please disregard Fox Lee's bitter comments.

She's an old girlfriend of mine (I had to let her down easy) and that torch she's carrying makes her a little harsh at times.

The Bard's skills AND spells are all people-oriented - they are manipulitive and charismatic and seem just right for the lady you describe.
Fox Lee
07-26-03, 06:37 AM :rolleyes:

Just to clear that up (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=61110&perpage=30&pagenumber=3)

I would never get involved with somebody so male IRL ;p
Mysteris
07-27-03, 08:42 AM Fox: LOL! :)

And thanks everyone. I've decided to go with Bard after all, more of a storyteller than a musician, but with your suggesstions for the skill points added in. :)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Mysteris 07-18-03, 12:11 PM	Hello. I'm writing because I'm a bit stuck for developing a character. I have the concept for her, but I don't have an idea of what class she should be. I'm hoping you can help. Here's the concept I have: I envision her as a person who is very young and who is not entirely settled yet. She's the daughter of a happy family, but she's tired of being told what to do. She loves a good laugh and a good prank, but she's not usually malicious. Its more that she doesn't really think about consequences. She has power but she throws it about on a whim. She likes to speak her mind and she's very passionate. She's the type who will proclaim that thieves and murderers have equal rights in society too, because she doesn't like the thought of restraints or constraints of any kind. She's been sheltered from the world, seeing it through the lens of stories she hears from passing traders and such. She has no clear goals or ambition, she just wants to get out from under her parents' roof and experience some of the romance and adventure she's always heard about. She's also used to getting her way because she's both pretty and smart. "No" is not a term she's well acquainted with. My original idea was for her to be a Psion, however, a friend recommended that Psions are tricky for beginners (I'll be a first-time player) and not everyone wants them. He recommended a Sorceress, given that I had planned to put a lot of points into her Charisma to make her a Telepath to begin with, but I'm having trouble understanding how one plays a Sorcerer (I know they're different from Wizards and that they get spells automatically or something, but I've never quite gotten the class). That's why I'm asking for help. Is my concept too complex? Too simple? Impossible to play? Would another class gel better with the idea? Incidentally, the character is a Moon Elf, if that helps. Thanks! :)
King of Diamonds 07-18-03, 12:43 PM	Your story so far leads me to think more of a bard or a rouge rather than a sorc or psion (I hate all psionics personaly). however if you tweak the story just a little it could be just about any class
Vel_Ziliuse 07-18-03, 01:24 PM	The concept you have can be played in a lot of different ways. I'll suggest two of them: -The dexterous charismatic rogue Spend you skill points wisely, mainly on bluff and diplomacy and don't forget hide and move silently so useful to create a lot of incredible pranks! -The chaotic ever-smiling cleric of Tymora This concept seems more distant from what you have in mind. Anyway this could be an interesting choice. I see her in this way: A young prankster, always took her chances so she became a priestess of Tymora without even wanting. She so trustfull in luck that she naturally obey Tymora's dogma. Her very actions are like prayers to the Smiling Lady. So one day Tymora began granting spells to her so to set her as an example of the rewards of fortune. She is kind of a saint of Tymora ^_^
Mysteris 07-18-03, 04:59 PM	Hmmm...I hadn't even thought of bard or rogue for Amasyl (the character). I'd love to hear more about the different ways this concept could be taken. And I like the saint of Tymora idea. That cracked me up! :D Although, I could see her worshipping Erevan Ilesere, the Elven God of Tricksters. :)
BetterButterBuddha 07-18-03, 05:15 PM	I once had a friend who played a similar character. She chose to make her a sorceress, for a very simply expressed reason. You said that this character would be used to having things done for her, because she was pretty and smart, right? Then sorceress is the way to go. When you're already being spoiled by your friends and family, there's nothing better than being further spoiled by finding out that you don't have to work that hard to be able to use magic. Plus, sorcerers make really good chaotic characters, which is what you seem to be. My advice: read over the sorcerer description again in the PHB to get a better feel for the class. As far as role-playing goes, emphasize her naivite, and keep in mind that most of the time, she wouldn't be expecting to have to do difficult things by herself. ...and if she's cute enough about it, it should be really fun to boss around the other party members and get them to do things for her.
Mysteris 07-19-03, 12:25 PM	BBB: I'll emphasize the naivete, like you said. She won't be mean about it. She'll be the nice type of bossy, who guilts people into doing things for her. :) I was thinking Chaotic Neutral for her as an alignment, yes. :)
Fox Lee 07-20-03, 12:36 AM	Originally posted by Mysteris BBB: I'll emphasize the naivete, like you said. She won't be mean about it. She'll be the nice type of bossy, who guilts people into doing things for her. :) "Nice"?! :uh-huh: I shall keep my opinions on how "nice" it is to myself, I suppose. In answer to your question, I recommend Bard over Sorceror. The main reaosn is that Sorcerors get crappy skill points and a crappier skill list, which is frustrating if you want to have the people-skills that a charismatic person like her should probably have. My first 3E character was a Sorceror, because I wanted him to use magic, and I thought that a Charisma-based spellcaster was likely to get a skill list that would feature things like Diplomacy, Gather Information, Bluff, Perform, and other public-realtions type skills (I wanted these because the character was, amusingly enough, a sheltered and slightly spoilt noble). My fault for not looking more closely at their list when I made the character, but still - immensely frustrating XP So, if you want the skills, I'd suggest a Bard instead. They get almost identical thematics to a Sorceror on the spellcasting front, they're naturally both Charismatic and Chaotic, they can be very fun prankster types, and they're usually a bit spoilt to start with (wanting to be in the spotlight all the time :p). They're also good party-supporters, which will make the other characters more likely to put up with her if she plans on (for lack of a better word) manipulating them. It's a natural choice for her, from the sounds of it ^_^
Mysteris 07-20-03, 03:35 PM	Fox: Thanks! Now that you mention it, it does seem like a good choice for her. :) And I only meant nice in the way that she doesn't bark orders. She's more the "Can't you do this one little thing for me, pretty please?" type. :)
Durnhelm 07-20-03, 11:24 PM	hmmm. when i read ur backround/consept thingie the first class that came into mind was a bard. if you choose this path, try to talk to people a lot. it doesnt seem like combat would be her area of expertiese so be more of a diplomate. always try to find the local tavern to try to swap stories or get a good laugh. she doesnt like no, well that would describe her somewhat caotic nature, have her try to convince those who say no the other way around. just some food for thought.
Zoticus 07-20-03, 11:57 PM	You could also look into a flirty little cleric of Sune. they often mlticlass as bards as well
Trydan 07-23-03, 08:29 AM	I'd recommend Bard over Sorcerer. Spend the skill points on innuendo, intimidate (but used in a if-you-don't-do-it-I'll-burst-into-tears way), diplomacy, and other social skills. Take charm-type spells. Sounds like perform (storytelling) would be good too.
dirk hightower 07-25-03, 12:11 PM	While it's true that Bard is exactly where this character should be....... please disregard Fox Lee's bitter comments. She's an old girlfriend of mine (I had to let her down easy) and that torch she's carrying makes her a little harsh at times. The Bard's skills AND spells are all people-oriented - they are manipulitive and charismatic and seem just right for the lady you describe.
Fox Lee 07-26-03, 06:37 AM	:rolleyes: Just to clear that up (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=61110&perpage=30&pagenumber=3) I would never get involved with somebody so male IRL ;p
Mysteris 07-27-03, 08:42 AM	Fox: LOL! :) And thanks everyone. I've decided to go with Bard after all, more of a storyteller than a musician, but with your suggesstions for the skill points added in. :)