Post/Author/DateTime	Post
bonelock 03-06-07, 05:05 PM	Playing a 2nd lvl paladin who has multiclassed into a sorcerer. He doesn't know what these powers are and frankly doesn't want them. He really just wants to be a paladin. Will eventually learn to balance martial and sorcerer abilities but looking for suggestions on roleplay the early, difficult stages ;) ... how to break the news to the other party members, first time he casts a spell, etc..
sloth2052 03-08-07, 12:05 AM	Possibly just veiw it as another gift from your god. OR maybe your god deemed it so that you help his followers as well as destroy his enemies. My 2 cp.
BlakesTiger 03-09-07, 08:56 AM	One factor depends on which spells you chose. If they're damage dealing spells or protective spells (like Mage Armor or Shield), the following model might work: Completely ignore the fact that you have a level in sorcerer. If you're playing a Paladin who has suddenly manifested sorcerous abilities rather than learning how to develop them from a teacher, then he doesn't know that he has a level in Sorcerer. Don't even tell your fellow players, if you can get away with it. When he's in a desperate situation in battle, he suddenly manifests a spell. Example: He's worn down and in melee with a tough opponent, suddenly he "casts" Shocking Grasp, "punching" his opponent and wracking his body with electricity. He's trapped in battle with his own foes, too far away to help a good friend who is being beaten by his opponent, so the Paladin suddenly manifests Magic Missiles that fly across the field of battle to strike the opponent. Utility spells occur at random. Example: If he's human, and he enters a dark room, his Light spell suddenly goes off without any conscious effort from him. He wants to collect something from his saddle bags on the other side of camp and Mage Hand suddenly manifests and gets the item, bringing it to him. Some situations might need a little help (fudging) from your DM for things like ignoring S or V components the first time he uses a spell in order to reinforce the unconscious use of the magic. Don't abuse that, though. That's probably the most interesting way for him to break the news to his party. They would probably be asking him all sorts of uncomfortable questions (How did you do that?) that he doesn't know the answer to. He can try to ignore them or supress them once they start manifesting, but have them occur more frequently even if it isn't the most tactically wise choice (but don't throw the combat just for the effect, unless everyone's on board with helping you develop your character). Eventually he becomes morose or even depressed, spending as much free time brooding upon and praying about his new powers. Once he comes to terms with them (the "They're just another divine gift" is a good solution), then he starts purposefully using the spells and is more controlled and effective with them. The celestial heritage would probably be a good feat choice to reinforce the "divine gift" line of thought. It might be that hundreds of years ago a celestial foresaw that in the future heroes would be needed, so he seeded several families across the realm, with his bloodline, and they will rise to power when they are needed. Another interesting thought is the fiendish heritage feat, but I don't have the PHB II, so I don't know if there's a restriction to prevent Paladins from taking the feat, but that would have him very tormented as he learned the source of his power: not from the forces of good, but the very creatures he is fighting against. Those are just some thoughts.
Stormbrand 03-09-07, 06:31 PM	Cast on instinct - have the character refuse to plan around his abilities, not even know their extent, but when something comes up that a spell works for he just 'goes with what feels right.' Maybe try innate knowledge - make a knowledge arcana check, speak with utmost confidence, and have absolutely no idea where you learned the information covered by the skill role. One method I tried, was think something where someone tried to warn him about spellcasters and ended up inadvertantly teaching him his first spells. If there is a suitable cleric in the group, tell him stories of doubts, feelings and dreams as if searching for spiritual guidance.
Stormbrand 03-12-07, 08:38 PM	Another fun thought... look at the overlap between paladin and sorcerer spells. Some spells (Light, Prot vs Evil, Magic Weapon, Detect Poison, Endure Elements...) can be used by both, and others would be fitting for a paladin to use. So for more subtlety, the paladin uses a spell for a situation, and as far as he knows he is casting paladin magic. Little hints become apparant such as casting the spells more often than expected, or perhaps a spell such as Flare, which seems appropriate for a paladin to use but in later training becomes apparant that paladins cannot do that.
bonelock 03-17-07, 01:32 PM	wow some great suggestions here guys. Thanks! :)