Post/Author/DateTime	Post
willpower 01-27-06, 02:47 PM	I wasn't sure if I should put this into character optimization, or development, so I put it in both. I have a character I am bringing back into my current D&D campaign that I used originally in the game, but who had left for various reasons. The problem I am seeking help with is trying to make the character as close to what he was as possible. This would normally be no problem to do, but this campaign started out using the Fantasy Hero system from Hero Games, and then switched to D&D. The character was a young wizard, and due to the FH system his magic was much more focused than a normal Wizard in D&D's magic is. He would summon shadow creatures who would produce various effects. For instance he would cast a wall of shadows, which would be many shadow creatures all banded together and guarding an area to keep others out. The difference with FH is that characters would have a narrower variety of spells, but be able to use them much more often. This sounds like a Sorceror to me, and I think I could get a lot of the elements right for him as such, but its not as simple as just spells. The character was a very book wormish nerdy sort. Incredibly intelligent, but very unlikable. Since he had shown himself to be such a natural at magic, he had grown cocky, and buligerent. He didn't always listen to others, and liked embarrassing others. He also played practical jokes a lot. This whole part of him means he really should be really intelligent, but have a very low Charisma. This makes him sound much more like a Wizard. I am not sure if anyone knows any classes that cast like a sorceror, but use intelligence instead of Charisma. If there are any such class that would be incredibly helpful. If not, does anyone have any idea as to what might work the best for this character? A. P. S. Left out one thing. One of the big things I liked about him originally, is he was a summoner in the fact that he would summon creatures for useful effects, but didn't actually have the actual summon creature spell. I have already cleared this part with my DM, and he will allow the theme for the character that most spells are brought about by summoned beasts that perform a certain task for him. For instance, he might use Magic Missile, but instead of being actual missile, he would summon multiple shadows that would go attack where I told them and then disappear.
Fabius Maximus 01-27-06, 05:00 PM	That sounds like a wizard with the Spell Thematics feat from the Players Guid to Faerun to me. It allows the caster to choose a theme for his spells, which could be shadows in your case. It does not limit your choice of spells, though. But every spell can be explained through that.
willpower 01-28-06, 05:17 AM	Thanks, thats a good suggestion, and I might look into it. I think I have that covered though, taking the Shadow Weave Magic Feat. On the Optimization board they suggested I just make a bookish Sorceror, since a High Charisma does not necessarily mean he is likable. A.
Fabius Maximus 01-28-06, 10:35 AM	Thanks, thats a good suggestion, and I might look into it. I think I have that covered though, taking the Shadow Weave Magic Feat. On the Optimization board they suggested I just make a bookish Sorceror, since a High Charisma does not necessarily mean he is likable. A. There is a problem with that, though: The RAW doesn't support the "bookish" sorcerer because he only gets one Knowledge skill as a class skill. The Shadow Weave Magic feat is nice, but it does not change the visuals of your spells, which Spell Thematics does. The best thing about a wizards with Spell Thematics is that can learn all spells and use them with the feat. To limit his spell list, you could make him an illusionist, like someone suggested in the other thread.
Sluagh 01-28-06, 11:16 AM	That just means that he may have to invest skills into cross-class... that doesn't mean that RAW doesn't support the idea, it just isn't optimal, skill allocation-wise. If it works for the character flavour, I don't see how it isn't supported. To me, the way to answer this question is simply this: Is my magic innate, or learned? If the former; Sorcerer, if the latter, Wizard. Basically, are you exploring what you are capable of creating, or are you exploring and building knowledge to turn into power? There's no reason a Wizard's spells can't be limited in number or in theme; that's really player choice if you are wanting to limit the spells in your spellbook... that's a roleplaying choice. However, from the sounds of it; with the limited number of spells, but more of them to cast a day, Sorcerer is fitting. I also advocate Sorcerer as I, personally, prefer spontaneous casting :P
Pandaemoni 01-28-06, 04:11 PM	That just means that he may have to invest skills into cross-class... that doesn't mean that RAW doesn't support the idea, it just isn't optimal, skill allocation-wise. If it works for the character flavour, I don't see how it isn't supported. To me, the way to answer this question is simply this: Is my magic innate, or learned? If the former; Sorcerer, if the latter, Wizard. Basically, are you exploring what you are capable of creating, or are you exploring and building knowledge to turn into power? There's no reason a Wizard's spells can't be limited in number or in theme; that's really player choice if you are wanting to limit the spells in your spellbook... that's a roleplaying choice. However, from the sounds of it; with the limited number of spells, but more of them to cast a day, Sorcerer is fitting. I also advocate Sorcerer as I, personally, prefer spontaneous casting :P He could take the Adept Learner (Races of Destiny) feat at 1st level if he's human...then he could buy cross class skills at a 1 rank : 1 skill point ratio. Even better, Adept Learner and either Bard 1 or Human Paragon 1 (taking all the knowledge skills he wants as class skills). Then, functionally, all the knowledge skills become class skills (because you max ranks = CL + 3 andyou can but they at a 1:1 ratio because of the feat, plus extra skills points to start, plus better hoit points).
Sluagh 01-28-06, 05:33 PM	There ya have it. I keep forgetting about some of the feats and such... for some reason, they just don't stay in my mind for furthering character concept and get placed over into that "character mechanic" part of my mind. Not sure why that happens exactly.
Jon of the North 01-28-06, 09:03 PM	Make him a sorcerer, give him high Cha, still make him a jerk. He just has a very forceful personality or he can turn on the charm when he needs to. Like a playground bully who sucks up to the teacher. As for spells, talk to your GM, he might allow the flavor variotions (sp?) you mentioned. Good luck PS almost forgot, be careful how you play him. If you get on the nerves of the Rogue who wants to become an assasin...hired killer, don't blame me when he slits your throat in the middle of the night.