Middle-aged Adventurer [Archive] - Wizards Community

Middle-aged Adventurer [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
BadOmen
10-14-07, 07:13 PM Hi all,

I'm thinking of a fighter type concept... former town tough, turned town guard/caravan guard. Now in his mid thirties, he's settled down, though not to willingly.

His wife is very, very fertile, and as such they have almost a dozen kids. She also has a big hearth, and the tendency to take in any strays or orphans that turn up. So add a half dozen fosters/adoptions on top of that.

The caravan guard salary wasn't cutting it any more, so he's turned to adventuring. Higher risk, but it gets him out of the house, and brings in more scratch.

Due to his circumstances, he always has slightly run-down/second hand equipment. He can never afford to buy new equipment, as all his earnings are sent back to his wife.

His background lends him to using a halberd/spear and a club. Fairly affordable, easily replace-able weapons. Armour is whatever he can scavenge.

He's not above a little tomb-raiding, or other questionable activities, so long as the risk is acceptable. Every decision is balanced against the chance of him getting killed, and not being able to provide for his family.

Cash conscious, but not greedy. A good hearted guy, who's desire to help people is nearly always in conflict with his desire to get paid.

Any thoughts/additions/suggestions?

BadOmen
The_Shaman
10-14-07, 08:52 PM Sounds good so far. How close is he to his family? I mean, it seems like he is taking pains to provide for them, but he's not that willing to always stay in the house... It might be an interesting twist if one of his older children decides to learn the trade too ;) .
The_Shaman
10-14-07, 09:00 PM DP
BadOmen
10-15-07, 10:31 PM Any thoughts regarding skills and such?

I picture him as having a little bit of everything for skills... not a skill monkey for sure, but having a fair number of ranks in sense motive (tavern tough and town guard), diplomacy (husband), Spot (tough, guard and Dad), Survival (caravan guard), Intimidate (tough), Craft Leather (patching armour, saddles and the like), Handle Animal (caravan guard), Ride and so on.

Ideas for feats?
The_Shaman
10-16-07, 10:34 AM Hmm, feats would probably be defensive and awareness-related, say combat expertise and those that depend on it, improved initiative, combat reflexes, dodge/mobility if he is agile enough, possibly endurance (if your campaign has any use of it), armor or shield specialization of any kind... What kind of weapon is he using? I usually imagine caravan guards with something cheap and functional, say spear, polearm, mace + shield. Power attack and WF/Spec/Mastery are also useful, although they wouldn't tie in so well with the concept of this character... I perceive him as someone who's willing to fight for money, but wants to survive first.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
BadOmen 10-14-07, 07:13 PM	Hi all, I'm thinking of a fighter type concept... former town tough, turned town guard/caravan guard. Now in his mid thirties, he's settled down, though not to willingly. His wife is very, very fertile, and as such they have almost a dozen kids. She also has a big hearth, and the tendency to take in any strays or orphans that turn up. So add a half dozen fosters/adoptions on top of that. The caravan guard salary wasn't cutting it any more, so he's turned to adventuring. Higher risk, but it gets him out of the house, and brings in more scratch. Due to his circumstances, he always has slightly run-down/second hand equipment. He can never afford to buy new equipment, as all his earnings are sent back to his wife. His background lends him to using a halberd/spear and a club. Fairly affordable, easily replace-able weapons. Armour is whatever he can scavenge. He's not above a little tomb-raiding, or other questionable activities, so long as the risk is acceptable. Every decision is balanced against the chance of him getting killed, and not being able to provide for his family. Cash conscious, but not greedy. A good hearted guy, who's desire to help people is nearly always in conflict with his desire to get paid. Any thoughts/additions/suggestions? BadOmen
The_Shaman 10-14-07, 08:52 PM	Sounds good so far. How close is he to his family? I mean, it seems like he is taking pains to provide for them, but he's not that willing to always stay in the house... It might be an interesting twist if one of his older children decides to learn the trade too ;) .
The_Shaman 10-14-07, 09:00 PM	DP
BadOmen 10-15-07, 10:31 PM	Any thoughts regarding skills and such? I picture him as having a little bit of everything for skills... not a skill monkey for sure, but having a fair number of ranks in sense motive (tavern tough and town guard), diplomacy (husband), Spot (tough, guard and Dad), Survival (caravan guard), Intimidate (tough), Craft Leather (patching armour, saddles and the like), Handle Animal (caravan guard), Ride and so on. Ideas for feats?
The_Shaman 10-16-07, 10:34 AM	Hmm, feats would probably be defensive and awareness-related, say combat expertise and those that depend on it, improved initiative, combat reflexes, dodge/mobility if he is agile enough, possibly endurance (if your campaign has any use of it), armor or shield specialization of any kind... What kind of weapon is he using? I usually imagine caravan guards with something cheap and functional, say spear, polearm, mace + shield. Power attack and WF/Spec/Mastery are also useful, although they wouldn't tie in so well with the concept of this character... I perceive him as someone who's willing to fight for money, but wants to survive first.