Player Characters under 15? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Player Characters under 15? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
ericSHINRA
07-16-06, 10:30 PM Ok, the starting age for Humans in the PHB is indicated as 15 but in terms of backstory is it really unrealistic to have a character take a level in rogue, sorcerer or even fighter before that age?

I'd like to play a character under 15 in my next campaign so I'm wondering from a character developement standpoint how I should go about this task.

Obviously he won't be high level but I intend to play a character with a good deal of potential in terms of growth and maturation.

That being said, I'm wondering if anyone has an idea of what kind of backstory I could propose to my DM.

Any other thoughts on on this issue would be of great help.
Robert_Fox_Kitsune
07-17-06, 07:55 AM Considering the setting-

Okay. The thing is this is always a medievil sort of setting. Quite frankly, it dosn;t matter if your 15 yewar old is an epic level wizard, somehow. You WILL be treated like a child ingame by ostr people, including uch of your party

As long as you're prepared for that, its a good concept. One thing, I would not make the kid a fighter, as I think there are penalties for strength on children

You could do a classic setup- eg "My parents were killed by the BBEG- I want revenge" or "I grew up on the streets, and 've learnt how to do the right thing"

Whatever you do, Just be prepared for the treatment
FiestFan
07-17-06, 08:59 AM A street urchin, having never known his parents, is a good candidate for Rogue levels at a pretty young age. (Jimmy the Hand, anyone?)

Similarly, a child of war would have ample opportunity and an appropriate environment to learn the craft of a Fighter at an age as young as, say, 13. ('My father has trained me every day in the use of this weapon for the defense of my people. Now, I proclaim myself ready to honor that training').

A secluded monastary could produce a wunderkind Monk at age 10 - 12, as a sheltered Druid's grove could end up the home of a young person able blend into and protect the natural world early on.

One could begin manifesting Sorcerous or Psionic powers at any age, from infancy (no fun to roleplay unless you think 'goo goo gah gah' is witty dialogue) to puberty's onset.

The difficult options, to my mind, are Paladin, Cleric, and Wizard, which require a degree of training and indoctrination that's difficult to justify in younger than standard PCs.

In addition to the reactions of other people, you'll need to work with your DM to come up with appropriate age category adjustments for a younger-than-standard character.
MasterOfPsychic
07-17-06, 11:46 PM One thing that people seem to forget a lot of the time is that there were no such thing as 'teenager' during the middle ages. In other word, you go from child to adult. So at one point your kid turns adult straight. He is still treated as youngling in any case, so it would not be convenient in any case, but it could be fun to roleplay.

Being the party face would be hard, however. And some people wouldn't risk the life of a kid by hireing him for a mission.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
ericSHINRA 07-16-06, 10:30 PM	Ok, the starting age for Humans in the PHB is indicated as 15 but in terms of backstory is it really unrealistic to have a character take a level in rogue, sorcerer or even fighter before that age? I'd like to play a character under 15 in my next campaign so I'm wondering from a character developement standpoint how I should go about this task. Obviously he won't be high level but I intend to play a character with a good deal of potential in terms of growth and maturation. That being said, I'm wondering if anyone has an idea of what kind of backstory I could propose to my DM. Any other thoughts on on this issue would be of great help.
Robert_Fox_Kitsune 07-17-06, 07:55 AM	Considering the setting- Okay. The thing is this is always a medievil sort of setting. Quite frankly, it dosn;t matter if your 15 yewar old is an epic level wizard, somehow. You WILL be treated like a child ingame by ostr people, including uch of your party As long as you're prepared for that, its a good concept. One thing, I would not make the kid a fighter, as I think there are penalties for strength on children You could do a classic setup- eg "My parents were killed by the BBEG- I want revenge" or "I grew up on the streets, and 've learnt how to do the right thing" Whatever you do, Just be prepared for the treatment
FiestFan 07-17-06, 08:59 AM	A street urchin, having never known his parents, is a good candidate for Rogue levels at a pretty young age. (Jimmy the Hand, anyone?) Similarly, a child of war would have ample opportunity and an appropriate environment to learn the craft of a Fighter at an age as young as, say, 13. ('My father has trained me every day in the use of this weapon for the defense of my people. Now, I proclaim myself ready to honor that training'). A secluded monastary could produce a wunderkind Monk at age 10 - 12, as a sheltered Druid's grove could end up the home of a young person able blend into and protect the natural world early on. One could begin manifesting Sorcerous or Psionic powers at any age, from infancy (no fun to roleplay unless you think 'goo goo gah gah' is witty dialogue) to puberty's onset. The difficult options, to my mind, are Paladin, Cleric, and Wizard, which require a degree of training and indoctrination that's difficult to justify in younger than standard PCs. In addition to the reactions of other people, you'll need to work with your DM to come up with appropriate age category adjustments for a younger-than-standard character.
MasterOfPsychic 07-17-06, 11:46 PM	One thing that people seem to forget a lot of the time is that there were no such thing as 'teenager' during the middle ages. In other word, you go from child to adult. So at one point your kid turns adult straight. He is still treated as youngling in any case, so it would not be convenient in any case, but it could be fun to roleplay. Being the party face would be hard, however. And some people wouldn't risk the life of a kid by hireing him for a mission.