Princess PC [Archive] - Wizards Community

Princess PC [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Pavitra
02-19-07, 08:09 PM I can't find any discussion about this....

I'm thinking of playing a 'princess' type character/role: low combat if any, mostly focusing the gameplay/challenges on dealing with diplomatic issues, trying to keep on good terms with neigboring kingdoms while looking out for the good of my own people.
I feel there's a lot to be explored here, and I'm interested in seeing what other people can suggest in terms of what type of challenges such a character might have to face, what different types of personalities would fit well with the class, etc.
Doomed_Penguin
02-19-07, 08:12 PM Maybe a Bard acting as a diplomat, or just a healer. Healer works really well, IMO, but I don't know about it's social skill selection.
NerdNumber1
02-19-07, 08:20 PM Princesses would have the aristocrat class. Some latent sorcerous powers emerging could add some fun roleplaying moments (charms help with diplomancy, and it would give an edge against assassins). Oh its just a little girl...BOOM!
Starchaserva
02-19-07, 09:46 PM Out of the core classes, I'd say that Bard with maybe a level or rogue or sorceror (perhaps representing a rebellious/magical side that she keeps hidden) It really depends on what you want for the character's personallity. Even Cleric or Ranger might be a good idea, depending on the kingdom she's growing up in. What's the background?
trickydevl666
02-19-07, 10:25 PM For a fun idea... maybe beguiler? You may be a princess, but you find that you are naturally adapt at using illusion and enchantments.. along with the skill points to feed into your social skills... either that or Bard... but I like the beguiler ^^
Anansi
02-19-07, 11:35 PM Since you're looking to play a diplomatic character, obviously the "selfish spoiled sociopath" goes out the window. It would make sense to make your character lawfully aligned, since she would likely be using diplomatic/legal means to achieve her goals. Neutral and chaotic types might be more conductive to "back room" dealing, as would a lawful evil princess.

An evil ruler, in the context of your original post, would likely seek to form alliances and agreements with other nations that benefitted yours most (such as creating trade deficits, intimidating them with the threat of military invasion, cultural imperialism, etc.) but would also likely make harsh demands of her subjects as "payment" for keeping them safe and comfortable (i.e., high taxes, draconian laws, etc.). In other words, the proverbial "iron fist in a velvet glove."

In terms of what class you should pursue, magic-users and bards are not your only options. Theoretically, any class could fit the bill except maybe druids and rangers. A barbarian could be the daughter of the chieftain, forced to replace him when he dies, which would cause an interesting controversy if the rest of the tribe doesn't want a "weak" woman ruling them. Alternatively, that tribe could be matriarchial (like amazons) and you could be the rightful ruler. A ranger or fighter might also work well for an amazon-like tribe.

Unless your home nation is a theocracy, I'd steer clear of cleric, though. However, cleric does become a viable option if you're simply a member of the ruling family, and not the actual ruler of the kingdom. A paladin would be the archetypal (sp?) knight-protector of the realm, though it would be interesting to see how you could explain a woman in that position in a society based on medieval Europe (I'm assuming this to be the case with your campaign world).

Rogue isn't such a far cry, since medieval nobles tended to be a lot more well-rounded than their subjects and the rogue class does offer a great deal of versatility. Bards would be much like the artistic, educated noblewoman.

Wizards and sorcerers would fit well in the ruling family's court as an alchemist or vizier. If your home country is a magocracy then perhaps your whole family has spellcasting ability.

Also, the Noble's Handbook from Green Ronin publishing offers a new noble base class (designed for 3E, but easily adaptable to 3.5E) plus advice on how to portray a character from the upper crust.

I would suggest talking to your DM about this. Find out about the systems of government used in your campaign world as well as its politics, political history and other elements that would be important for an aristocratic PC.
scrollreader
02-21-07, 12:16 PM I had a PC play a similar concept in Eberron. She was a bard/dragonmark heir. She had the mark of storms. Which is quite scary and useful. That, and her social skills were important to the party, and her position as heir apparent to her House (after some time and several levels) gave her alot of oomph to play with.
Aramist
02-21-07, 03:53 PM Here's something to play with but not too seriously: What if she were an aristocrat but a powerful (good) humanoid who will rule that race when she comes of age like perhaps a Cloud Giant(With Polymorph potions of course) and that way she can add to the party and battle and have alot of prestige at court Or a dryad, or Satyr for fun something like that.

Or of course you can be normal and just become a palidin which can show she triumphes for her country, and instead of a religious order a particular god favors the royal bloodline with divine powers

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Pavitra 02-19-07, 08:09 PM	I can't find any discussion about this.... I'm thinking of playing a 'princess' type character/role: low combat if any, mostly focusing the gameplay/challenges on dealing with diplomatic issues, trying to keep on good terms with neigboring kingdoms while looking out for the good of my own people. I feel there's a lot to be explored here, and I'm interested in seeing what other people can suggest in terms of what type of challenges such a character might have to face, what different types of personalities would fit well with the class, etc.
Doomed_Penguin 02-19-07, 08:12 PM	Maybe a Bard acting as a diplomat, or just a healer. Healer works really well, IMO, but I don't know about it's social skill selection.
NerdNumber1 02-19-07, 08:20 PM	Princesses would have the aristocrat class. Some latent sorcerous powers emerging could add some fun roleplaying moments (charms help with diplomancy, and it would give an edge against assassins). Oh its just a little girl...BOOM!
Starchaserva 02-19-07, 09:46 PM	Out of the core classes, I'd say that Bard with maybe a level or rogue or sorceror (perhaps representing a rebellious/magical side that she keeps hidden) It really depends on what you want for the character's personallity. Even Cleric or Ranger might be a good idea, depending on the kingdom she's growing up in. What's the background?
trickydevl666 02-19-07, 10:25 PM	For a fun idea... maybe beguiler? You may be a princess, but you find that you are naturally adapt at using illusion and enchantments.. along with the skill points to feed into your social skills... either that or Bard... but I like the beguiler ^^
Anansi 02-19-07, 11:35 PM	Since you're looking to play a diplomatic character, obviously the "selfish spoiled sociopath" goes out the window. It would make sense to make your character lawfully aligned, since she would likely be using diplomatic/legal means to achieve her goals. Neutral and chaotic types might be more conductive to "back room" dealing, as would a lawful evil princess. An evil ruler, in the context of your original post, would likely seek to form alliances and agreements with other nations that benefitted yours most (such as creating trade deficits, intimidating them with the threat of military invasion, cultural imperialism, etc.) but would also likely make harsh demands of her subjects as "payment" for keeping them safe and comfortable (i.e., high taxes, draconian laws, etc.). In other words, the proverbial "iron fist in a velvet glove." In terms of what class you should pursue, magic-users and bards are not your only options. Theoretically, any class could fit the bill except maybe druids and rangers. A barbarian could be the daughter of the chieftain, forced to replace him when he dies, which would cause an interesting controversy if the rest of the tribe doesn't want a "weak" woman ruling them. Alternatively, that tribe could be matriarchial (like amazons) and you could be the rightful ruler. A ranger or fighter might also work well for an amazon-like tribe. Unless your home nation is a theocracy, I'd steer clear of cleric, though. However, cleric does become a viable option if you're simply a member of the ruling family, and not the actual ruler of the kingdom. A paladin would be the archetypal (sp?) knight-protector of the realm, though it would be interesting to see how you could explain a woman in that position in a society based on medieval Europe (I'm assuming this to be the case with your campaign world). Rogue isn't such a far cry, since medieval nobles tended to be a lot more well-rounded than their subjects and the rogue class does offer a great deal of versatility. Bards would be much like the artistic, educated noblewoman. Wizards and sorcerers would fit well in the ruling family's court as an alchemist or vizier. If your home country is a magocracy then perhaps your whole family has spellcasting ability. Also, the Noble's Handbook from Green Ronin publishing offers a new noble base class (designed for 3E, but easily adaptable to 3.5E) plus advice on how to portray a character from the upper crust. I would suggest talking to your DM about this. Find out about the systems of government used in your campaign world as well as its politics, political history and other elements that would be important for an aristocratic PC.
scrollreader 02-21-07, 12:16 PM	I had a PC play a similar concept in Eberron. She was a bard/dragonmark heir. She had the mark of storms. Which is quite scary and useful. That, and her social skills were important to the party, and her position as heir apparent to her House (after some time and several levels) gave her alot of oomph to play with.
Aramist 02-21-07, 03:53 PM	Here's something to play with but not too seriously: What if she were an aristocrat but a powerful (good) humanoid who will rule that race when she comes of age like perhaps a Cloud Giant(With Polymorph potions of course) and that way she can add to the party and battle and have alot of prestige at court Or a dryad, or Satyr for fun something like that. Or of course you can be normal and just become a palidin which can show she triumphes for her country, and instead of a religious order a particular god favors the royal bloodline with divine powers