Post/Author/DateTime	Post
samoosa691 08-06-03, 11:48 AM	hey guys i'm looking for ideas on how to role play a diplomat (bard specific) i'm going for the kind of character to only fight if you have to thus the spell list sleep and expeditious retriet come in to play, we're at level 2 using 3.5 edition and I have the following stats: female human feats presice, point blank str 14 dex 16 con 14 int 10 wis 10 cha 17 if you need any other information feel free to ask.., skills are mainly into diplomacy and perform...
Tzalice Minoladir 08-06-03, 12:22 PM	if it's not a fighting charrie, why do you need the bow feats? I'd go for the one from FRCS that gives a _2 to diplomacy and something else (forget it's name). also, I'd have put more into intelligence and less into strength. Just me though. This guy sounds smarter and more keen than smashy.
klyre 08-06-03, 01:41 PM	Negotiator feat in the PHB gives +2 to diplomacy and sense motive.
samoosa691 08-06-03, 02:08 PM	the reason for the bow feats was in case I had to fight.., I don't want to be defensless...
Freya 08-06-03, 02:46 PM	In a similar situation, I used one of my beginning feats for a weapon ability and the other for flavor or class ability. Using one for Point Blank Shot is reasonable...implying that your character is more than simply proficient. Using both feat slots to get Precise Shot implies that this character is very ready for combat, instead of it being a last resort. Get PBS and use the other for Negotiator or some Bard specific feat. You don't need both feats to rise above 'defenseless'. And yeah, that 10 Int will hurt your diplomat-specific skills like Diplomacy, Sense Motive, Bluff, various Knowledges, etc. These are the areas where your character should shine. If you did point-buy, try trading out some points in Con and Str to bulk up Int.
Tzalice Minoladir 08-06-03, 03:00 PM	actually, I'd flat out switch the con/str to int/wis *shrug* that's just me, roleplay characters usually aren't too strong or fortitudinal *made up a word* he seems too combat oriented for his description. If he gets in a fight, he's not defenseless, he can negotiate his way through it and probably has a body guard and treaties protecting and assuring his safety.
Dougan Axehammer 08-07-03, 01:01 AM	About the mechanics. You wish this character to be a non-combatant. But your selection of attributes and feats imply that he very much intends combat. This does not a diplomat make. What we (or at least I) suggest is the following: Str 10 Dex 14 Con 10 Int 14 Wis 16 Cha 17 Alignment: up to you (but I recommend NG.) Feats: Negotiator, Skill Focus (diplomacy) Skills: Decipher Script (3 ranks), Diplomacy (5 ranks), Gather Info (4 ranks), Know - History (2 ranks), Know - Nobility (2 ranks), Listen (2 ranks), Perform - Oratory (4 ranks), Perform - Wind Instruments (3 ranks), Profession - Scribe (1 rank), Sense Motive (5 ranks), Speak Language (5 ranks), Spellcraft (3 ranks), Spot (1 rank) Gear: Rapier, Light Crossbow, Studded Leather, Adventurer's Pack, Crossbow Bolts (10), Spell Component Pouch, a wind instrument Spells Known: 0-level: Dancing Lights, Daze, Lullaby, Message, Prestidigitation; 1st level: Sleep, Summon Monster Your most important skills as a diplomat is Diplomacy (of course), Sense Motive (to understand the intent of each party), and Speak Language (diplomacy for different races or first encounters); as you can see I've maxed these out. You now need to pick seven languages that your character can use when speaking. It might be a good idea to pick a wide range of languages, if only to make transistion from new language to new language easier. Gather Information is also a valuable skill to coax each party as to their true intentions, their reasons, their desires, etc. so that you can reach a mutually beneficial agreement for all involved. (I might use a rule-0 synergy bonus for Sense Motive to Gather Information.) The rest are either for flavor, or to make the bard's abilities feasible. Combat tactics... While your goal is to avoid combat, it sometimes becomes necessary to defend yourself and/or your entourage (i.e. the party). When it occurs, stand in the back, behind the main combatants. Cast Lullaby and Sleep to subdue some enemies and Summon Monster I to eliminate some of the more troublesome enemies (also think personal bodygaurd). When those fail, whip out your crossbow and provide cover fire. Use the rapier only when it becomes absolutely necessary. Roleplaying... Given the skills and spells, roleplaying becomes fairly easy; and you have at least two options available to you. The one that occurs most easily to me is to play him as a soft, pacifistic (NG) type. He doesn't want to fight, he wants to talk. The second one that occurs to me is in reality he (LN) is a coward at heart, and uses the art of diplomacy and the letter of contracts to get out of dire circumstances and avoid getting killed. He'd be arrogant and self-righteous, right up until the point where he is getting attacked and hurt; then he becomes whimpering and indignant. But be careful with this, it can get really annoying.
Tzalice Minoladir 08-07-03, 12:09 PM	I have to say Dougan, that's a nice job. Have a :cookie:
Dougan Axehammer 08-07-03, 02:46 PM	Originally posted by Tzalice Minoladir I have to say Dougan, that's a nice job. Have a :cookie: Thank you.
samoosa691 08-09-03, 06:00 PM	although your recommendations are good.., even though I stated that I wanted to be a diplomat, my stats are permanent we started.., I just wanted ideas on role playing a particular diplomat... but thanks for the tips..
Dougan Axehammer 08-10-03, 11:25 PM	Well, he may not be your typical diplomat. Maybe he is the kind of diplomat who wades through a battlefield or a warzone to talk everyone down, using his Archery skill as "diplomatic" support. In which case he might be a bit of the ambitious type, encouraging the party to take excursions into heavily conflicted zones. He would be a very diligent diplomat, never giving up in even the most hopeless of circumstance. He would be never deterred from making peace in war torn land. He will likely help anyone who is in need of assistance, whether it be friend or foe, knowing that he could be turned on at any moment. And he'd never worry about it because he has a bow and an arrow in case things go wrong.
ThorvaldHafgrimsson 08-11-03, 11:23 AM	Be honest. If you get a reputation for honesty, that will go a long way to make you more believable when you suggest a truce or make an attempt to open a negotiation. Look at the situation. Find common ground when you can. If a solution exists where both (or all) sides profit, then it is easier to get them to agree. Pay attention. Some problems have a solution already existant, and if you watch you might see them. If you don't watch, you won't. Be creative. Think outside the box. If anyone can see something, they already would have the solution in place. Be fair. Even if you want something, if you realize that you cannot have it unless you expoit someone then you have to do without. The converse is don't let them take advantage of you. BOth halves must be met to be fair.
samoosa691 08-12-03, 02:48 PM	wow I like these.., hey is this wrong for a character to loot bodies that are "evil"?, even though it disrespects certain cultures?, cause I mean I respect people who are "good" and leave their tresures with them, but goblins, orcs, and such I loot like crazy.., is this wrong my alignment is CN (leaning towards good)....
Dougan Axehammer 08-13-03, 11:29 AM	Originally posted by samoosa691 wow I like these.., hey is this wrong for a character to loot bodies that are "evil"?, even though it disrespects certain cultures?, cause I mean I respect people who are "good" and leave their tresures with them, but goblins, orcs, and such I loot like crazy.., is this wrong my alignment is CN (leaning towards good).... No, it wouldn't. But then, to your character, good to you would be whether or not something is valuable enough to loot. You would loot everybody, indiscriminately, without regard for friend or foe.
RaKhan 08-15-03, 01:46 AM	Play your female bard like a rock star who knows how to be a military captain. Her music style should be bent towards a beyond-her-years hard rock with a mithril guitar that can double as a club that won't break (neither the cavity, neck, nor strings). Said guitar should give you an additional +2 bonus to your Perform (guitar) checks. It should also increase the Spell Power of your spells by at least +1 (both +1 to your caster roll to overcome SR and +1 to your spells DC to overcome resistances).
samoosa691 08-15-03, 11:39 PM	hmm..., i shall try your ideas out in the next session.., any other suggestions are welcome..., i think I'm going to pick up a mithral flute or mithral guitar.., heehe
Trydan 08-21-03, 09:35 AM	Three completely unrelated points... Bards don't have to play instruments. Take "Perform (oration)" or something. And, try throwing in intimidate. I don't mean threats, violence, etc., but more subtle techniques. E.g. a lawyer isn't usually violent, but they can be pretty intimidating. Do make sure you have a weapon. I played a bard who was an investigative reporter. No music. No combat. Big on bardic knowledge and with lots of relevant skills. And then we got into a fight. Well, those darts were great RP, but I did let the party down. The others couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry at my 1-2 points of damage each turn (I had a strenght penalty too). I'd suggest a crossbow for a weaker/less-combat character. Hope that helps...
samoosa691 08-21-03, 12:48 PM	I guess you didn't really read the whole message about the light xbow... so far i've been having a lot of fun here's what's been hapenning: we already leveled up twice so that is good I have an experiencve that i'll never forget.... I took a drug for fun and got a wee bit "high" then I went to a berlesk house for some "fun" didn't sleep with any guys it was the girls I went after I had a good night, but unfortunately got all my stuff stolent... lol had to rebuy my stuff but that's ok it's all good it's too bad my character isn't greedy or anything otherwise we would have gotten more gold... I plan on using a lot of tacticts when it comes to negotiating and stuff.., as always your thoughts are appreciated thanks guys..