Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Willie the Duck 02-04-07, 05:49 PM	Here's my character. It is a first level campaign. We will be starting the isle of dread set of Dungeon magazine adventures. I want to create a grizzled scout character. He's seen it all (well, being 1st level, he's been the guy that lead the high level adventuring party to the interesting thing, or watched the enemy army sweep through at a distance. He's old beyond his real years, and never believes in taking things for granted. He tries to be self reliant, and doesn't expect civilization to be there to help him out. When people start getting high powered equipment, he'll be the one that wants the lightweight or waterproof equipment instead of the extra +1 to AC or hit. He acts fatalistic and unimpressed with those that can't take care of themselves ("go to a strange island and evade dinosaurs, just what I thought the world would have in store for me. Okay wizard boy, hope you put some skill points in climb and balance, or I'm pulling you up this bluff with a rope tied around your ankle"), but secretly holds a "never let your team falter or leave a man behind" mentality. So my question is: what race, feat, favored weapon and equipment purchasing choices, along with basic background qualities, best work with this kind of rough-around-the-edges type of character?
Arcade 02-05-07, 09:42 AM	I would say you need an outdoor class, most likely ranger or scout. You want to have high wisdom and constitution to go with the self-reliant angle. Charisma will be low and intelligence and dexterity are somewhere in the middle. Race could be almost anything. Favored weapon would be something useful, but utilitarian- most likely an axe and a bow. For feats, you can take alertness, self-sufficient, toughness, run, point blank shot, power attack, or whatever other combat feat you think would come in handy. Equipment is light armor, backpack, climber's kit, rope, trail rations, bedroll, weapons, ammunition, flint, oil, torches, waterskin. You could consider at least a partial military background. You may or may not have had much training before being forcibly enlisted and then took to the Isle of Dread. The dinosaurs gave everything a much different experience and everyone either learnt quick or died. Most died. In the end, the ones who were left were worthy of respect- they took care of themselves and respected each other enough to help one another when needed. Eventually, the losses were too great and the kingdom lost interest. Technically, you're still part of the army, but no one enforces it and you do whatever you want.