Half Dragon Paladin [Archive] - Wizards Community

Half Dragon Paladin [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Swefrid
10-07-04, 11:11 AM Hey guys, I'm looking for a little bit of help with the developement of my new character.

Ahenobarbus :
Race: Half Bronze Dragon/Half Wood Elf
Class: Paladin of Lendys (might switch to Bahamut)
Stats: Str 21, Dex 14, Con 19, Int 13, Wis 15, Cha 18
Feats: Power Attack
Level: Pal 1

I was thinking about taking Paladin 2, and then going into Half Dragon Paragon and, eventually either Platinum Knight, or (if I switch diety) Vassal of Bahamut.

Any advice on how best to play this character? The rest of the party consists of a Dwarf Samurai 4, Gray Elf Cleric/Diviner, and a Wood Elf Ranger/Sorcerer.
SearcherOmega
10-07-04, 03:22 PM Well, for starters, is there any reason they'd want to switch deities?

Since you didn't mention a character alignment, I whipped out Draconomicon and looked at the two deities you spoke of -- apparantly you're playing a Lawful Good character (though paladins are usually LG, Unearthed Arcana has variations that allow other alignments, so I couldn't be sure) in a party with a Samurai (Lawful) and a few other members who pass off to me as either Neutral to Lawful good and Chaotic Good (Rangers and Sorcerers have a huge tendency towards Chaotic alignments for some reason. :rolleyes:).

Looking at your mental stats -- INT 13 WIS 15 CHA 18...

Int 13 translates to an IQ of about 122 in my book*, meaning your character's wit should be above average. You're the student who consistantly gets A's and B's, maybe a single C in a subject you didn't like -- no 4.0 GPA supergenius, but above average. Your plans would be good enough to fool a normal person, and you're a bit more talented than most would be.

With a wisdom of 15, you're definitely a better judge of character than Joe Commoner. Rash decisions would be uncommon of you, both because you're lawful and because you're wise. In addition, brass dragons have an innate tendency towards lawful alignments. A wise and lawful character hears their opponent out before passing judgment, but doesn't lower their guard. They're good judges of motive -- from both a statistical and a roleplaying point of view, I recommend you take some ranks in Sense Motive.

Eighteen Charisma is definitely going to be one of the hallmarks of your character's personality, though. Your character would probably be a great speaker, be able to convey very intricate concepts clearly and tactfully, and be able to well arguments with ease. High charisma represents being able to go to extremes, from making the BBEG shrink back in fear to being able to calm a worried kitten. As a dragon, you probably have a natural flare for this.

Outside of statistics -- You are Lawful Good. Currently, you are worshipping a Lawful Neutral deity which, in itself, is not a bad thing. However, there may be several character reasons that could influence you to switch to Bahamut from Lendys. To outline the largest differences between the two:

Lendys is the ultimate justice-bringer of dragon-kind. He is worshipped by dragons of any lawful alignment because they enjoy the order he brings. This means that both the Chaotic Evil orc who burns down a home and slaughters those who live in it and the Chaotic Good rogue who snatches an apple from the merchant stand to feed a hungry child are enemies of Lendys.

Bahamut is, by comparassion, very disapproving of evil in all its forms. While Lendys would turn his head from corrupt law benefitting the wicked, Bahamut finds such self-centered behavior detestable. Unlike Lendys, who is apathetic to class and status, Bahamut has a sympathy for the downtrodden and those less fortunate than himself.

Lendys represents a greater focus on law than good in a paladin, and Bahamut represents a greater focus on good than law in a paladin. People have shifts in world view all the time -- why not a half-dragon?

Aside from that, I'm not sure what else you were looking for. Hope that helps!
Swefrid
10-07-04, 05:20 PM Thanks for the advice....just a couple of minor things:

1) He's a Bronze dragon, not Brass. (you got the description right, but the metal was wrong ;) )

2) The samurai is also LG, the other two are CG

3) the change it diety would happen before play began, it has more to do with the PrC's available.

4) This guy is definately more of an honor/law/justice paladin than a "good" paladin, which fits nicely both with Lendys and being Bronze.
Morka
10-07-04, 08:00 PM I don't have Draconomicon; does being an half-dragon automatically imply one of your parents was a dragon and the other one an elf, or could you be the offspring of two half-dragons? Since I doubt the later could be true, I'll go only with the former. Why a bronze dragon would mate with a Wood Elf? Perhaps that dragon's lair was in some lake, near the wood elves tribe? One of the elves, especially good swimmer, could have befriended the dragon... Whoever the mother, is the father aware that they conceived a child together? Bronze Dragons are strong toward the traditionnal, so the bronze dragon could have been ostracized by the Bronze Dragons society when they learn he or she mated with a Wood Elf...

As for your character, why is he a paladin? Does he has some specific evil to fight? Where did he grow up? If he grew up in the wood elves tribe, I doubt he would be a follower of Lendys, since wood elves tend to be chaotic: your character should have had a really hard time in his youth!
Needle
10-07-04, 08:28 PM How half-dragon is he?

Does he merely have a few draconic traits? (as in, favoring the elf side) Or does he favour the dragon side? (think lizardfolk or Draconians from Krynn). His appearance would likely dictate most peoples initial reaction to him.
Swefrid
10-07-04, 09:03 PM Definately tends more to the draconian/lizardman look. I picture an elvish face/ears, but instead of hair, the crest of a Bronze dragon and chin barbs. His overall skin/scale pattern very closely matches that of an Bronze dragon, which ironically enough, isn't too dis-simmilar from the mottled look of most Wood elves.

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/draco_gallery/75677.jpghttp://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/draco_gallery/75568.jpg
(Bronze is the one on the left-hand side of the middle row.) (See top rendering for skin tones.)
He was raised primarily by his Wood Elf mother, but has had some contact with his Dragon sire. The Wood elf community is from a coastal, temperate rainforest (think Haida).

He voluntarily left his home when he felt the call from Lendys, of whom his sire (and entire dragon clan) devoutly follows. Potential to bring justice to evil dragons was seen in him both by his sire and Lendys, and he was willing to accept the offer.

This is all I really have at this point, but I think it will be enough for an outline/backstory which allows for expansion as the campaign dictates.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Swefrid 10-07-04, 11:11 AM	Hey guys, I'm looking for a little bit of help with the developement of my new character. Ahenobarbus : Race: Half Bronze Dragon/Half Wood Elf Class: Paladin of Lendys (might switch to Bahamut) Stats: Str 21, Dex 14, Con 19, Int 13, Wis 15, Cha 18 Feats: Power Attack Level: Pal 1 I was thinking about taking Paladin 2, and then going into Half Dragon Paragon and, eventually either Platinum Knight, or (if I switch diety) Vassal of Bahamut. Any advice on how best to play this character? The rest of the party consists of a Dwarf Samurai 4, Gray Elf Cleric/Diviner, and a Wood Elf Ranger/Sorcerer.
SearcherOmega 10-07-04, 03:22 PM	Well, for starters, is there any reason they'd want to switch deities? Since you didn't mention a character alignment, I whipped out Draconomicon and looked at the two deities you spoke of -- apparantly you're playing a Lawful Good character (though paladins are usually LG, Unearthed Arcana has variations that allow other alignments, so I couldn't be sure) in a party with a Samurai (Lawful) and a few other members who pass off to me as either Neutral to Lawful good and Chaotic Good (Rangers and Sorcerers have a huge tendency towards Chaotic alignments for some reason. :rolleyes:). Looking at your mental stats -- INT 13 WIS 15 CHA 18... Int 13 translates to an IQ of about 122 in my book*, meaning your character's wit should be above average. You're the student who consistantly gets A's and B's, maybe a single C in a subject you didn't like -- no 4.0 GPA supergenius, but above average. Your plans would be good enough to fool a normal person, and you're a bit more talented than most would be. With a wisdom of 15, you're definitely a better judge of character than Joe Commoner. Rash decisions would be uncommon of you, both because you're lawful and because you're wise. In addition, brass dragons have an innate tendency towards lawful alignments. A wise and lawful character hears their opponent out before passing judgment, but doesn't lower their guard. They're good judges of motive -- from both a statistical and a roleplaying point of view, I recommend you take some ranks in Sense Motive. Eighteen Charisma is definitely going to be one of the hallmarks of your character's personality, though. Your character would probably be a great speaker, be able to convey very intricate concepts clearly and tactfully, and be able to well arguments with ease. High charisma represents being able to go to extremes, from making the BBEG shrink back in fear to being able to calm a worried kitten. As a dragon, you probably have a natural flare for this. Outside of statistics -- You are Lawful Good. Currently, you are worshipping a Lawful Neutral deity which, in itself, is not a bad thing. However, there may be several character reasons that could influence you to switch to Bahamut from Lendys. To outline the largest differences between the two: Lendys is the ultimate justice-bringer of dragon-kind. He is worshipped by dragons of any lawful alignment because they enjoy the order he brings. This means that both the Chaotic Evil orc who burns down a home and slaughters those who live in it and the Chaotic Good rogue who snatches an apple from the merchant stand to feed a hungry child are enemies of Lendys. Bahamut is, by comparassion, very disapproving of evil in all its forms. While Lendys would turn his head from corrupt law benefitting the wicked, Bahamut finds such self-centered behavior detestable. Unlike Lendys, who is apathetic to class and status, Bahamut has a sympathy for the downtrodden and those less fortunate than himself. Lendys represents a greater focus on law than good in a paladin, and Bahamut represents a greater focus on good than law in a paladin. People have shifts in world view all the time -- why not a half-dragon? Aside from that, I'm not sure what else you were looking for. Hope that helps!
Swefrid 10-07-04, 05:20 PM	Thanks for the advice....just a couple of minor things: 1) He's a Bronze dragon, not Brass. (you got the description right, but the metal was wrong ;) ) 2) The samurai is also LG, the other two are CG 3) the change it diety would happen before play began, it has more to do with the PrC's available. 4) This guy is definately more of an honor/law/justice paladin than a "good" paladin, which fits nicely both with Lendys and being Bronze.
Morka 10-07-04, 08:00 PM	I don't have Draconomicon; does being an half-dragon automatically imply one of your parents was a dragon and the other one an elf, or could you be the offspring of two half-dragons? Since I doubt the later could be true, I'll go only with the former. Why a bronze dragon would mate with a Wood Elf? Perhaps that dragon's lair was in some lake, near the wood elves tribe? One of the elves, especially good swimmer, could have befriended the dragon... Whoever the mother, is the father aware that they conceived a child together? Bronze Dragons are strong toward the traditionnal, so the bronze dragon could have been ostracized by the Bronze Dragons society when they learn he or she mated with a Wood Elf... As for your character, why is he a paladin? Does he has some specific evil to fight? Where did he grow up? If he grew up in the wood elves tribe, I doubt he would be a follower of Lendys, since wood elves tend to be chaotic: your character should have had a really hard time in his youth!
Needle 10-07-04, 08:28 PM	How half-dragon is he? Does he merely have a few draconic traits? (as in, favoring the elf side) Or does he favour the dragon side? (think lizardfolk or Draconians from Krynn). His appearance would likely dictate most peoples initial reaction to him.
Swefrid 10-07-04, 09:03 PM	Definately tends more to the draconian/lizardman look. I picture an elvish face/ears, but instead of hair, the crest of a Bronze dragon and chin barbs. His overall skin/scale pattern very closely matches that of an Bronze dragon, which ironically enough, isn't too dis-simmilar from the mottled look of most Wood elves. http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/draco_gallery/75677.jpghttp://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/draco_gallery/75568.jpg (Bronze is the one on the left-hand side of the middle row.) (See top rendering for skin tones.) He was raised primarily by his Wood Elf mother, but has had some contact with his Dragon sire. The Wood elf community is from a coastal, temperate rainforest (think Haida). He voluntarily left his home when he felt the call from Lendys, of whom his sire (and entire dragon clan) devoutly follows. Potential to bring justice to evil dragons was seen in him both by his sire and Lendys, and he was willing to accept the offer. This is all I really have at this point, but I think it will be enough for an outline/backstory which allows for expansion as the campaign dictates.