Post/Author/DateTime	Post
MeepoTheMighty 09-08-03, 04:30 PM	I'm currently playing a half-orc barbarian/fighter. My DM uses insane rolling methods (d10+10 7 times, drop lowest stat), so I ended up with the following stats at level 4: Str: 23 Dex: 20 Con: 18 Int: 16 Wis: 14 Cha: 12 Yes, I know they're obscenely high, but my DM is crazy. The character was raised among an orc tribe and due to his human heritage and cleverness acted as a sort of liason between the orcs and nearby humans. At one point, he was captured by a band of slavers and ended up fighting as a gladiator. Now, the part that's really tripping me up is this 16 intelligence. Most of the half-orcs I play end up with intelligence in the range of 6 or so. How do you effectively play someone who's probably smarter than I am, but illiterate? (I know he didn't need to stay illiterate once he took the fighter levels, but I decided to anyways.) My usual barbarian tactics of "rage and hack" don't really seem all that fitting for such an intelligent character. He has the Expertise feat, which I rationalize as his gladiator side trying to draw the fight out as long as possible. So, how would you reccomend playing a clever barbarian? Any hints?
MrNiceGuy 09-08-03, 04:47 PM	Any way you could switch the Int and Cha? That could be real interesting, as you would conceivably have a character who thru a combination of strength of arms and strength of personality, could unite a number of Orc tribes and drive the humans before them like cattle... Paul
MeepoTheMighty 09-08-03, 05:00 PM	I'm doing the whole Spiked Chain/Improved Trip schtick, and I need at least a 13 Int for Expertise :)
MrNiceGuy 09-08-03, 05:29 PM	I'd suggest clever and ambitious - Barbarian would be a good starting class, but I'd multi-class him. He's smart enough to realize the value in learning different trades and has the strength of will to do it. He's uncultured and rough around the edges, but he learns quickly - he doesn't make the same mistake twice, and if he's in an unfamiliar situation, he has the sense to think before he acts. He may put his foot in his mouth once in a situation, but only once! He is also smart enough to realize that people will underestimate him and treat him as a fool because of the way he looks - he's also smart enough to give them what they expect when it benefits him. You have a cool opportunity here w/ this character! Paul
Feallmharaigh 09-08-03, 11:36 PM	Your DM is insane
Morka 09-09-03, 09:43 AM	You are probably too proud to learn to read. Consider that the books are for the weaks. Insult all the wizards you see about their minuscule biceps. But in fact, feel jealous of them. Listen carfully everyone you may encounter, this is a good way to learn knowledges without reading. You may as well take some cross-class level in spellcraft, only to ridiculize wizards: "Heh! Don't fool me, I know you are casting an illusion spell, not a summoning!" To continue this idea, you should give more respect to sorceror, because they don't learn their magic in books.
Trydan 09-09-03, 10:11 AM	I'd shuffle Int: 16 Wis: 14 Cha: 12 into Int: 14 Wis: 12 Cha: 16 That's still enough Int to get access to the feats, but the emphasis is shifted to the leadership of Cha (esp. Intimidate!) Wisdom doesn't need to be that high, does it? Then go with some of the other ideas posted here