Post/Author/DateTime	Post
PsychicKid 01-14-07, 09:05 PM	We recently started a new game, all of us at level 4. I play a CN human fighter, so let me explain his backstory. My character goes by the name of "Harek", but his true name is Sir Kou Duhanes Tenshi II. His father was Lord Kou Duhanes Tenshi I. His mother was Madame Susanne Isabella Tenshi. Both his mother and father were very wealthy and married at a young age. They gave birth to Kou when they were in their early 20s. Kou was taught his studies privately from a specially hired tutor, and had an interest in the way of the sword, and had a private teacher just for that, named Fihtar McWorrier (gogo 8bit-theatre). He was not the smartest person alive, but his tutor helped him learn how to read and write in Common, perform basic math, and taught him various other general studies. When he was 14, a scheming group of wizards had pulled strings from behind the curtain and forced the Tenshi family into bankruptcy. His mother comitted suicide and his father went insane. The family fell into ruin, and Kou packed up his things, his sword and equipment, and stole off into the night on his favorite horse. He adopted the name Harek and let his hair grow out more to hide his identity. However, hidden on his left hand, is a tatoo of his family that will remain with him forever. If discovered, he could be in serious trouble. His tutor had been laid off and continuted work elsewhere, and Fihtar had vanished mysteriously afterwards. Currently he is 16 and tends to be a bit of a loner. He's still very young, and still hasn't recovered yet from having his entire life and his home stripped away from him suddenly. He knows that about the Wizards that ruined his family name, but not who they are specifically. The campaign world is ruled by a massive empire, so he is suspicious of them. He focuses on a longsword and shield combo, and wears black full plate. He rarely shows his face in public as he doesn't want anyone to bother him, and rarely takes off his left gauntlet except when necessary, for fear of someone recognizing his symbol. Right now there is a CN elven (or half-elf, I can't remember.) rogue, a (possibly CN) halfling rogue, a human cleric of pelor (whom plays the whole "naive high-pitched annoying 18 yearold girl" part, and can't add in real life), and the other guy who gets on everyone's nerves. He was only at 1 of 2 of the current games, so I can't remember his class. What would be the best way to act with my character? Obviously he was brought up in a very nice environment. His parents were strict about his studies, but they weren't completely overbearing about it. He had a strong connection with Fihtar, and they have actually just met up recently in the Imperial Capital. Although the party now knows Fihtar trained him, they don't know his connections to the Tenshi family. There's some friction between myself and the Elven Rogue, because he now possesses a magic gauntlet with a raygun in it. My character believes that it could be tied to the Wizards somehow. Although myself and the Elf havn't actually fought, we've exchanged remarks and even drew our swords at each other, but that's as far as it has gone. I still need his lock-picking skills and he needs my meat-shieldy-ness. I was thinking I could act out my character as being somewhat gruff and rude around the common folk, being rather ticked at losing everything, but still experience taste in fine foods in wines. He might not make a huge deal out of it, but he'll order the best cut of meat and finest tasting wine in a restaurant no problem. I can also see him acting polite and dignified around royality, just not the common folk, or heck even the rest of the PCs. Obviously he was brought up in an environment that would scream "Respect those higher than you". But, he would also probably hate the Empire because of the Wizard's possible ties to it. Suggestions? Thoughts? Need some help here!
Blackened_Blade 01-15-07, 12:20 AM	Well given the general lack of knowledge of your campaign setting and the exact nature of the nobility from which your character hails, making extreme suggestions would be unadvised. From what I got from your description, I figure your character would be somewhat paranoid, perhaps even xenophobic. His chaotic nature is obviously not reflected around higher society. That may need to be addressed. Has he sworn vengeance against the wizards who destroyed his family? If this was the case, I may suggest an alignment change to Lawful Neutral or perhaps just plain Neutral. You mentioned a course quality that becomes manifest amongst commoners, something vulgar (nothing sexual). This does not necessarily conflict with a lawful alignment, as many lawful persons are often arrogant in different social circles. As to how your character would act in actual society... that’s a far more interesting question. Consider having a slip every once and a while in your speech. Example, a bartender is serving presumably fine wine (in line with what your character expects) and spills some over your character. While you've said that the PC grew up in a relatively nice home, let’s face the facts: power corrupts. He may call the bartender something along the lines of "clumsy peasant" or something that reveals the arrogance of a noble life. You mentioned an elven rogue with a (Did I read this right?) raygun gauntlet. This conflict ties in directly with the paranoia. You could end up resolving this with arms. That option could lead to an overall disintegration of the party. Consider an alliance with the other rogue. This could lead to an interesting role-playing twist as the two of you try to figure out the elf's involvement. On a side note, consider asking your DM for a side feat called Educated. It’s from the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting. Basically, every knowledge skill is a class skill and gives something like a +2 bonus to two of the knowledge skills. Since it’s a relatively minor feat, ask for him to give it as a freebee with an extra 2 skill points that can only be spent in knowledge skills. It would just be an interesting addition. Cross class skill limit applies normally. The exact nature of the Empire would have been useful. It is the dominate force of the campaign world. But what does that really mean? Is it some super organized or in some loose confederation? Does it cover the whole world, or just one continent? How powerful was your character's family? This probably would have been useful in figuring out what kind of attention your character would expect to receive on average. What about storyline development? Remember the wizards who destroyed his family may still have an agenda surrounding your character. Why was your character alive and why was it necessary to ruin his family financially? What is your character’s long term plans concerning vengeance? Well, unless you want to give more information, that’s my say.
PsychicKid 01-15-07, 10:29 AM	Yes, he has sworn vengeance against the wizards who destroyed his family, but he's been on the run for the last two years for fear of being discovered. He hasn't been directly chasing them, since obviously a group of wizards who brought down a very wealthy and powerful family could probably make poor level 4 Harek explode by looking at him, but he's still trying to gather clues without being noticed. I'm not so sure about an alignment switch just yet. I think I will stick with CN for a little while longer, but I will still consider your suggestions once I feel my character out more. And yes. The elven rogue does have a magical gauntlet with a raygun of ownage in it. The friction between us was a lot less in last game than in the first game, mostly because we had to trek through a large sewer. I still think he has a bit of trust I can work at, since I was trapped in the jaws of a large crocodile, and he very well could have killed me with the raygun. Instead he mortally wounded the crocodile and I was able to escape. Then again, if I had the option of killing something that could very well eat me, I would do it too, no matter who was in its mouth. As for the other rogue, he seems to have been siding with the other rogue, so it's a kind of 2 on 1 here. But since he has only been at one of two games, I can try to earn his trust too. I will look into the feat Educated. I'm a fighter so I can easily spare for it. I had already taken Knowledge Nobility and Royality as a CC skill, but I'll still check it out. The Empire seems to be very well organized and extremely powerful. Dragons are plentiful and very common in this world and can even mix in and live with humans. Dragons of just about every color and alignment are working with the Empire. I do know for a fact they completely control the continent we are on, but I'm not sure about the whole world. I'll have to ask. There used to be a kingdom with a very benevelont king who used to rule before the Empress (yes Empress) took over. As far as my family's exact amount of power (or lack thereof now :P), I havn't ran that by the DM yet, or really decided on it. I was thinking that they had very large influence over a small region with a couple of towns or a medium size city, and would also attend meetings, hearings, all that fun boring business stuff with the higher-ups. Even though they wouldn't have a super-huge amount of power, they would still be recognized in the courts and whatnot. I'll be honest here. I have not thought of a reason why the wizards have decided to ruin Harek's family. The way I see it, I shouldn't know. I gave some information to my DM, and he's a very creative one. I think he has some plans in mind for me concerning the wizards, their overall scheme, their exact connections to my family, to the Empire, etc. I figured if I don't know it, Harek won't know it. Because truthfully, he DOESN'T know. All he knows is that a group of wizards bankrupt his family, his mother killed herself, his father went insane, all of the servants left, and he had no choice but to flee, for fear of his own life. I'm afraid if I know, then that bit of OOC knowledge will constantly be nagging at me while I roleplay him, and sometimes too much knowledge is a bad thing, which can lead to unintentional metagaming.
Blackened_Blade 01-15-07, 04:57 PM	What have the last sessions been focused on: pure combat or intrigue? If its basically pure combat with a few splashes of role-playing, the rogue is probably on your side. Intrigue could be very different. Consider what I said in my previous post: why is your character alive? I mean, you said it yourself; they could basically blow you up if they wanted to. Is your character just not a threat? If you think so, then chances are they are just ignoring you. But then why leave you alive for vengeance? Why not just finish the job? Continue to consider the possibility that you and possibly your whole party are being manipulated. This paranoia may at first seem to be metagaming, but its not. Have non-combat sessions every now and again. You mentioned that the Empire was highly organized, that means records. By searching through achieves and generous use of the Gather Information skill (supplemented by one or both of the rogues) to find people who had something to do with your family's finances. Perhaps you'll stumble on some secret project your father was working on or financing through clandestine means. Maybe show this little dialog with your DM, to give him ideas. Even the most creative minds sometimes need an outside perspective and outside ideas for creating a great campaign. Ask if you can do a "feat rebuild," basically just saying that instead of having a certain feat at level 1, you had educated. This can be useful in minimizing cross class skills. Also make a point that the fighter class has the lowest skill progression in the game and that you can't afford to spend two points for one skill point in cross class skills. But remember this above all else: to not try to hijack the campaign for your sake. There are other characters too. If the party shows interest or if the DM is giving your background focus, then by all means lead the way. If not, then it’s still an interesting sub-plot.
Blackened_Blade 01-15-07, 07:26 PM	1. Actually, some statistics would be nice. You know, ability score, feat selection, and so on. Nothing extensive, just a vague idea.
PsychicKid 01-16-07, 07:38 PM	I have them typed up in my signature.
PsychicKid 01-16-07, 07:41 PM	Well, my signature won't display, and the edit feature won't work, sooo: LVL 5 STR 16 DEX 12 CON 14 INT 10 WIS 11 CHA 10 (25 point buy system) Current feats are Quick Draw, Weapon Focus/Specialization Longsword, Power Attack, and Improved Sunder. My equipment consists of Longsword+1, Morningstar, Dagger, a mysterious magical Longsword, a Light crossbow, a +3 Full Plate, a Heavy Steel Shield, and a +1 Cloak of Resistance, along with other general adventure gear.
Blackened_Blade 01-16-07, 11:37 PM	Mate, I'm going to be frank. The problem with improved sunder is that it often destroys treasure. At earlier levels, it is often easier to just kill opponents outright. Quick Draw is a pretty bad feat too. The trade in system offered in the Player's Handbook II could give you an alternative. Basically, spend about one hundred gold or more to change your feats. Since your are using primarily Core Rulebooks by the looks of it, I'd get Combat Reflexes and Cleave. Combat Reflexes and Cleave give you more attacks per round overall (since attack progression results in hit to attack ratio, taking down two or more targets becomes relatively easy at mid-to-high levels). The later feat progression I would suggest is the Dodge, Mobility, Spring attack cluster. Purchase Gloves of Dexterity to increase your AC and gain access to these feats. Since your party is already quite mobile, Spring Attack and Mobility would be great for repositioning in order to maximize Sneak Attack capacity. By the way, you have very, very good gear for your level. The mysterious magical long sword I can buy into easily (good plot device for later in the campaign). The +3 Fullplate, however, I find to be something far to generous. But its not my game to run. Well, that’s enough meddling for me for one night.
PsychicKid 01-17-07, 08:54 PM	I didn't really want feat advice though. I just thought you needed what I had to get a better idea on how my character operates in combat, which can help build his personality.
Blackened_Blade 01-17-07, 10:32 PM	My apologies, I did not mean to so blatantly encroach your original design and desire to advance the character in the role playing sense. In that case, I will operate within the tools given. Consider then the feats you have chosen and their nature. All of the feats are designed to maximize combat potential. The impression given is relatively aggressive character who views the best defense as a good offense. Quick Draw suggests that your character is prepared for the occasional unexpected fight. It would imply that your character was attacked without warning and has developed lightning reflexes as a result. Power Attack and Improved Sunder imply an underlying brutality if you will. He possesses the urge to break things, particularly through force of arms. The latter term works well with your character’s background, his family being ruined by the plotting of a cabal of wizards. Weapon Focus and Weapon Specialization could be taken as a means of showing the reliance on the “mysterious magical longsword.” It’s probably a family heirloom with which your character has trained with for years. In addition, it is the only remaining item of your once powerful family and you are thus sworn to protect it. Those are how these feats could relate story-wise. The physical ability stats are somewhat stereotypical to the fighter class, however. The high strength and constitution are a result of years of vigorous training and a life on the run. The average charisma and intelligence scores would imply a rather dull or course personality. The slightly higher wisdom score could result in occasional moments of insight with regards to philosophy, what a person says, or even when remarking on the landscape. Well, I think that’s about all I have to say about this. Perhaps someone will come along and revitalize this thread. I’ll check up every now and again.
PsychicKid 01-18-07, 06:32 PM	No problem. I realize you are only trying to help and I do appreciate it. I'm still looking into Improved Sunder's useful-ness because like you said, it could ruin certain useful items, however, if I am able to disarm my foe, it's possible to take them hostage and get some good info or even cash out of it.