Kensai Character [Archive] - Wizards Community

Kensai Character [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Ponderosa
10-10-04, 04:50 PM First of all, hi everyone! Long time lurker, first time poster, and I could use some help.

I'm going to be creating a new character for a game I'm in soon, and I've always liked the Kensai PrC. My character would be a high level (about 10th) Human Paladin / Kensai. The only problem is, that class and prestige class seem too rigid and stern as people.

I just can't think of any good personality for that character, besides just another absolutely devoted, heroic paladin. Can anyone help me think of a way to spice up the character? I want make him seem more real and human, as well as more interesting. Just some general roleplaying advice, background ideas, or character conflicts and the like would be great.
TheMightyMcClaw
10-10-04, 06:59 PM Mayhaps instead of making in more human, try and make him less human. That is, play a demihuman race that one wouldn't associate with stern heroic paladins. Simply by being an orc, gnome, or goblin, you could add a lot of spice to the character. I particularily like the idea of a noble, heroic goblin or kobold.
Righetti
10-10-04, 08:49 PM The Kensai is a detached person, play with little emotion with the exception of vengence and honor, also you need to judge you opponent, if they are not worth fighting you dont fight them unless there is no other option, never draw your sword(or other Kensai special weapon[witch doesnt make sense as the Kensai is a Sword-Saint]) unless you opponent has initaited hostilities against you. Basically the Kensai PrC is supposed to be slightly aloof and withdrawn especial during combat, but the Kensai is not a fanatic, the Kensai just wants to understand all aspects of the weapon he weilds and the methods in which he weilds it, the best way to do so is to fight better and better opponents.
Zucch69
10-12-04, 04:18 PM Im sorry, but I dont believe that applies to all situations, espically when it comes to a paladin/kensai. A paladin, well depending on his god, is naturally altruistic and wishes to better the position of good people who have no other means of defending/helping themselves. He would see himself as not only a servant of his deity, but as a protector and possibly a father-figure for the people around him. As such he would treat them with kindness, and when needed would use his clout to settle disputes as well as defend the realm from more...evil threats. So how I see a paladin/kensai is someone who loves good to such an extreme that he would do anything to defend at promote its growth.

At least, thats how I see it.
Needle
10-12-04, 11:31 PM Mayhaps instead of making in more human, try and make him less human. That is, play a demihuman race that one wouldn't associate with stern heroic paladins. Simply by being an orc, gnome, or goblin, you could add a lot of spice to the character. I particularily like the idea of a noble, heroic goblin or kobold.

Good idea.

I love Kobolds... be a heroic Kobold Kensai paladin! sufficiently different and cool ^_^
Ponderosa
10-13-04, 02:04 PM Nah, I don't like playing monster characters. Granted, a kobold kensai would be pretty funny, but I'd rather think of some way to make a Paladin/Kensai interesting.
Cantankerous
10-16-04, 05:21 AM Just keep in mind that all Paladins don't have to be stuffed shirts. They are individuals. They can have a sense of humor and even a sense of mischief. As long as they are not violating Paladial code restrictions, they're fine, and the Paladial Code restrictions aren't that onerous. Too, the Kensai doesn't need to be emotionless. He can appear emotionally distant, but does not need to.

The emotionally distant bit holds for the Samurai ideal as well, but people are people. Think of the Last Samurai (if you've seen that film). There is a time (on the battlefield) for the stern and emotionless demeanor, but it is un-needed and unwarranted to think that it must be carried through at all times. Remember the scene during the kabuki performance. Even the exemplar of the way of Bushido that he was, the clan Lord joined right in, good humoredly, and acted like a human being, instead of a charictature of one.

Paladins can, maybe should, demonstrate a love of life. They don't have to be moon eyed, poorly skilled troubadors under fair ladies window, or uptight, priggish, self righteous idiots. They can be as fun loving as any chaotic good Ranger. Law does not mean dour. It means that you put the group first in your prioritizing. Good does not mean stuffy or judgemental or self righteous. It means that you place a high value on the sanctity of sentient life.

Isshia

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Ponderosa 10-10-04, 04:50 PM	First of all, hi everyone! Long time lurker, first time poster, and I could use some help. I'm going to be creating a new character for a game I'm in soon, and I've always liked the Kensai PrC. My character would be a high level (about 10th) Human Paladin / Kensai. The only problem is, that class and prestige class seem too rigid and stern as people. I just can't think of any good personality for that character, besides just another absolutely devoted, heroic paladin. Can anyone help me think of a way to spice up the character? I want make him seem more real and human, as well as more interesting. Just some general roleplaying advice, background ideas, or character conflicts and the like would be great.
TheMightyMcClaw 10-10-04, 06:59 PM	Mayhaps instead of making in more human, try and make him less human. That is, play a demihuman race that one wouldn't associate with stern heroic paladins. Simply by being an orc, gnome, or goblin, you could add a lot of spice to the character. I particularily like the idea of a noble, heroic goblin or kobold.
Righetti 10-10-04, 08:49 PM	The Kensai is a detached person, play with little emotion with the exception of vengence and honor, also you need to judge you opponent, if they are not worth fighting you dont fight them unless there is no other option, never draw your sword(or other Kensai special weapon[witch doesnt make sense as the Kensai is a Sword-Saint]) unless you opponent has initaited hostilities against you. Basically the Kensai PrC is supposed to be slightly aloof and withdrawn especial during combat, but the Kensai is not a fanatic, the Kensai just wants to understand all aspects of the weapon he weilds and the methods in which he weilds it, the best way to do so is to fight better and better opponents.
Zucch69 10-12-04, 04:18 PM	Im sorry, but I dont believe that applies to all situations, espically when it comes to a paladin/kensai. A paladin, well depending on his god, is naturally altruistic and wishes to better the position of good people who have no other means of defending/helping themselves. He would see himself as not only a servant of his deity, but as a protector and possibly a father-figure for the people around him. As such he would treat them with kindness, and when needed would use his clout to settle disputes as well as defend the realm from more...evil threats. So how I see a paladin/kensai is someone who loves good to such an extreme that he would do anything to defend at promote its growth. At least, thats how I see it.
Needle 10-12-04, 11:31 PM	Mayhaps instead of making in more human, try and make him less human. That is, play a demihuman race that one wouldn't associate with stern heroic paladins. Simply by being an orc, gnome, or goblin, you could add a lot of spice to the character. I particularily like the idea of a noble, heroic goblin or kobold. Good idea. I love Kobolds... be a heroic Kobold Kensai paladin! sufficiently different and cool ^_^
Ponderosa 10-13-04, 02:04 PM	Nah, I don't like playing monster characters. Granted, a kobold kensai would be pretty funny, but I'd rather think of some way to make a Paladin/Kensai interesting.
Cantankerous 10-16-04, 05:21 AM	Just keep in mind that all Paladins don't have to be stuffed shirts. They are individuals. They can have a sense of humor and even a sense of mischief. As long as they are not violating Paladial code restrictions, they're fine, and the Paladial Code restrictions aren't that onerous. Too, the Kensai doesn't need to be emotionless. He can appear emotionally distant, but does not need to. The emotionally distant bit holds for the Samurai ideal as well, but people are people. Think of the Last Samurai (if you've seen that film). There is a time (on the battlefield) for the stern and emotionless demeanor, but it is un-needed and unwarranted to think that it must be carried through at all times. Remember the scene during the kabuki performance. Even the exemplar of the way of Bushido that he was, the clan Lord joined right in, good humoredly, and acted like a human being, instead of a charictature of one. Paladins can, maybe should, demonstrate a love of life. They don't have to be moon eyed, poorly skilled troubadors under fair ladies window, or uptight, priggish, self righteous idiots. They can be as fun loving as any chaotic good Ranger. Law does not mean dour. It means that you put the group first in your prioritizing. Good does not mean stuffy or judgemental or self righteous. It means that you place a high value on the sanctity of sentient life. Isshia