Post/Author/DateTime	Post
rhflyweyr 06-19-06, 11:14 AM	Im just wondering when Rogue/Assassin... Sorceror/MindBender.... or Ranger/Champion of Corellian Larethian became character concepts. This isnt a specific rant, and isnt meant to target anyone in particular. But, as I read more and more posts, i get the feeling that people actually think these builds are character concepts. Heres some examples of character concepts I sent to my DM when we were trying to fit a character into a campaign. It should be noted that we basically determined that the group needed an arcane caster, so expect all three of these to be that: 1) Initiate of the Sevenfold Veil (Complete Arcane): Build would be with Wizard 9, Sevenfold 2. The character would be LG (more good than lawful), truely believing that magic is a gift granted to protect those who are less fortunate. Likely a female character (possibly half-elf) with a high charisma, an artist (craft painting or something like that) and a singer. She, however, would likely not be extremely talented in these. She cares for beauty and art, but approaches it through study. A wrong way and a right way. Her internal struggle would be between these logical and artistic sides of her. 2) Mage of the Arcane Order (Complete Arcane): Build would be a Wizard 5, MAO 6. Human, male. Engrossed in study, works with the order, and usually spends his time in relative isolation. Works for the good of the Order, things that don't help it dont matter, things that hurt it are... evil? Alignment would be LN leaning towards good. Would fit well with plot introduction: asked to go by the order from the college, etc etc. He has little actual adventuring experience and would likely down the road come to a realization that he has been misguided all these years... character ending would likely be this talented and knowledgable wizard giving it all up to bartend in a local tavern. 3) Wild Mage (Complete Arcane): Build - Wizard 5 WM 6. Human, male: short unemposing and generally smelly. Constantly carries decks of cards, coins, and dice (symbols of chaos and randomness). Generally quite aloof (im going for kind of a... mad, obsessed mathematician). Once the party alerts him to the fact he is needed, always willing to help (NG, but with a short-sighted view of good). Signature move: accidently throwing his deck of cards everywhere when he is doing the somatic component to a spell). He would intentionally have a low concentration and wisdom. Despite the build... id likely have him with a reasonable charisma (when he cares to be charismatic) and a high intelligence (naturally). Commonly would madly scramble for paper to write down some random thought which would make no sense to anyone but him, laugh uncontrollably and then hold up a random card proclaiming that chaos finally made sense, or preach in the center of a crowd about how people's lives are pointless until they see the chaos around them. He could be worked into the plot naturally, i think, because he would fit with the party element that isnt used to this organized rigid region. Dont get me wrong, how you build the character can make a big difference... but training is hardly personality. I guess I am just wondering if i am alone here... do people really consider a class and prestige class a well thought out character?
Comus 06-19-06, 12:02 PM	Well, a build is the crunchy part of the character concept. For the most part, aside from the charater development board, what people are asking about - and how they're being answered - is the crunch. Oftentimes, a character's personality and background would require a lot of campain information to explain, so we just see the numbers. Additionally, many people come here because they want to know what others think of a build, which means that they probably haven't finished the character yet. Most players I know build the character first, then worry about the fluff later, so they might not have gotten around to it.