Classical Literature Meets D&D [Archive] - Wizards Community

Classical Literature Meets D&D [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
DemonDragonJ
11-24-04, 08:30 PM If King Arthur and Merlin were Dungeons and Dragons characters, what do you think they would be?

I think that Arthur would be a 25TH-level paladin, and Merlin would be a 15TH-level druid/15TH-level wizard.

What do you think?
Jarlaxle_The_Rogue
11-24-04, 08:35 PM honestly I don't think they would be statted that high of a level.

I think Arthur was probably a Paladin 14 and Merlin a Druid 22-26.
DemonDragonJ
11-24-04, 08:54 PM Perhaps I made them a bit too powerful; it is just that they are such legendary figures, that you would expect them to be at very high levels.
allenchan
11-24-04, 08:59 PM Perhaps I made them a bit too powerful; it is just that they are such legendary figures, that you would expect them to be at very high levels.

When everyone else is a level 1 commoner, a level 4 fighter can seem like a god.
Felonious Monk
11-24-04, 08:59 PM Remember how legendarily powerful high-level fighters are. Swinging powerful blows every two seconds or so, able to take fifteen to twenty slashes with a blade before falling, and generally being the center of any combat they're in.

One thing that King Arthur movie reminded us of (other than that no one should watch Bruckheimer movies for the plot)- it's a human story, about flawed men, no matter which version you subscribe to.

I wouldn't even say Arthur is a paladin; I'd say Ftr 15 or so. With nifty magic items ;) .
Jarlaxle_The_Rogue
11-24-04, 09:02 PM Well, we have no DnD stats from the story to base them off of, so its hard to say, I just don't like the idea of 25 level Paladins. Don't ask why (I don't even know why). And yes even my stats are probably a bit hight but I like them around that level.
Wildonion
11-24-04, 09:13 PM Tim- Level 20 Scottish Evocer (Even though he says he is an enchanter, he does no enchanting)
Vix Damnul v2
11-24-04, 09:59 PM The 2nd ed book dieties and demigods, i think it was, had the stats for the whole arthurian crew, but i can't remember them offhand. I think it's one of the free downloads on this page, so if you really want, download, convert, and let the smoting begin.
Callista
11-24-04, 10:04 PM Yeah, in most legends, Arthur is no paladin. He is, however, very charismatic, and definitely good aligned. I would probably say Fighter10/Noble10.

Several of his knights could qualify for Paladin status, though. Gawain, especially.

I agree with the Merlin=Druid idea, though I'd probably give him a wizard level or two as well, specializing in Illusion.
Doug McCrae
11-24-04, 11:59 PM Galahad's the archetypal paladin.
caeruleus
11-25-04, 12:16 AM According to the 1e Deities & Demigods, Arthur was a 14th level paladin and a 5th level bard. Merlin was a 14th level druid, a 15th level magic-user, and a 10th level illusionist, with psionic ability.

According to the 2e Legends & Lore, Arthur was a 16th level paladin and a 5th level bard. Merlin was a 17th level wizard and a 14th level druid.

The 1e bard makes at least a little sense, since it had a Celtic flavor. Not the 2e (or 3e) bard.

But I would say that Arthur was more of a fighter. And I'd say Merlin was part druid, and part bardic sage (one of the variant bards from Unearthed Arcana, which I think has a slightly more Celtic feel).
DemonDragonJ
11-25-04, 09:48 AM If Robin Hood was a D&D character, I think that he would be a rogue/ranger.

If Dracula was a D&D character, I think that he would be an aristocrat/lifedrinker/blackguard.

If Gandalf were a D&D character, I think that he would probably be a wizard or sorcerer, with maybe a level or two of fighter.

Legolas and Aragorn would be ranger/fighters, and Gimili would be a pure fighter.

If you could name any other character from classical literature whom you think would make a good D&D character, please do tell me.
caeruleus
11-25-04, 01:11 PM If you could name any other character from classical literature whom you think would make a good D&D character, please do tell me.

If you're using D&D instead of Conan the Roleplaying Game, then R. E. Howard's Conan would be a barbarian/rogue/fighter, I think.

Michael Moorcock's Elric would be hard to do in D&D. He'd have some levels of aristocrat. Some fighter levels, perhaps, but not necessarily. Wizard or sorcerer don't quite capture the sort of magic he had. While the mechanics of the new warlock class (from Complete Arcane) also don't quite fit, the whole thing about getting powers from fiends fits quite nicely.

I've often thought of Aragorn as being a ranger initially, and then gaining levels of paladin when he becomes more fixed on becoming king. (This makes more sense with the books, not the movies.)
Callista
11-25-04, 07:03 PM Yeah, the "hands of the king are the hands of a healer" thing makes sense with paladin levels.

Anyhow. Hmm... Greek mythology:

Jason: Rogue/Ranger
Medea: Wizard/Rogue

Hercules: Epic Barbarian

Theseus: Monk (or perhaps Fighter specializing in unarmed combat)
Wizard_Of_Arl
11-26-04, 12:47 AM Greek:

Odysseus: 26th level barbarian

Tolkien:

Gandalf(white): 15th level sorcerer/9th level fighter/5th level loremaster (with a permanent stoneskin spell placed on him)

Gandalf(grey): 10th level sorcerer/9th level fighter/3rd level loremaster

Radagast: 18th level druid

Saruman: 18th level sorcerer/4th level loremaster

Aragorn: 7th level ranger/6th level paladin

Gimli: 8th level fighter

Legolas: 15th level ranger

Frodo: 1st level aristocrat

Sam: 1st level expert/1st level warrior

High Nazgul: 12th level necromancer/15th level fighter

Other Nazgul: 8th level necromancer/ 10th level fighter

Elrond Half-elven: 10th level sorcerer/4th level fighter/6th level loremaster

Galadriel: 21st level sorceress

Denethor: 10th level expert/3rd level fighter (very high knowledge skills)

Eowyn: 9th level fighter
caeruleus
11-26-04, 02:07 AM Wizard Of Arl, pretty good list. I have one point about one, though:

Elrond Half-elven: 10th level sorcerer/4th level fighter/6th level loremaster

Since Elrond could heal, do you (or does anyone else) think he should have levels of cleric?
Callista
11-26-04, 10:21 AM I would say both druid and cleric. Elrond has a huge connection with the natural world, as do all elves; and he's pretty much the best healer in that world (not counting near-divine Gandalf, other Maiar, the Valar, and of course fully divine Eru).

But it's a book, anyway; and it's really hard to translate things like that to D&D.

I wonder how Gollum would stat out? Rogue, probably... halfling, with some sort of modifications from the BoVD...
Wizard_Of_Arl
11-26-04, 03:47 PM it would be alot easier to use the spellcaster, warrior, and expert classes from unearthed arcana to stat lotr characters, but yeah i think elrond would be a cleric or druid rather than a sorcerer
Walden
11-29-04, 01:38 AM If Dracula was a D&D character, I think that he would be an aristocrat/lifedrinker/blackguard.

If anyone is looking for Dracula in a D&D format, try the new 3e Ravenloft book Masque of the Red Death. The book does have some unique rules, so minor adjustments may be necesssary.
MadApplejack
11-29-04, 09:28 AM Greek:

Odysseus: 26th level barbarian

Achilles might be a barbarian, but not Odysseus. Odysseus was a rogue, without a doubt. His greatest virtue was his skill. He was especially gifted at bluffing. :teach:
nyysjan
11-29-04, 10:18 AM Dracula would be class:aristocrat/fighter/Rogue with vampire template
and im talking about the bram stocker's bloodsucker

Vlad Tepes would be aristocrat/fighter/barbarian

and Frodo was 1st level commoner or rogue

btw how many ways can you spell rogue/rouge/rogeu etc
Draco Strang
11-29-04, 12:02 PM Tim- Level 20 Scottish Evocer (Even though he says he is an enchanter, he does no enchanting)

If you don't watch it, Tim will enchant your pants off.
Sulaco
11-29-04, 12:33 PM What do Arthur, Merlin, Dracula et al have to do with ancient Greco-Roman literature?
caeruleus
11-29-04, 02:12 PM What do Arthur, Merlin, Dracula et al have to do with ancient Greco-Roman literature?

Should we be expecting a punchline to follow?
Sulaco
11-29-04, 02:26 PM Should we be expecting a punchline to follow?

The Classical period is that to which I referred. As far as I know Dracula, Merlin, Arthur etc. have nothing to do with it and there is no mention of any of them in Classical Literature (eg. The Illiad, The Odyssey).
DemonDragonJ
11-29-04, 06:20 PM If the One Ring were a D&D item, what would it be? I think that it would be an intelligent ring of invisibility that made the wearer immortal, was neutral evil in alignment, and would have an ego score of about 50 (^_^).
Farland
11-29-04, 06:27 PM The One Ring would be much more than a ring of invisibility. That is a side effect of the fact that the ring draws much of its power from creating a link to the wraith world. The one ring allowed domination or some similar effect on anyone who wore the lesser rings, and it also amplified the natural powers of its wielder (not wearer) manyfold. I suspect that it also acts as a rod of rulership or something similar. I'm sure it has more powers in the hands of Sauron or someone else powerful enough to unlock it, like Galadriel or Gandalf.
Miles Vorkosigan
11-29-04, 06:34 PM an ego score of about 50 (^_^).
I don't think so, since Bilbo and Frodo were able to conquer it on occasion.

Wizard of Arl, one question, why did you give poor Gimli 8 fighter levels while you gave Legolas 15. I know the movies show Legolas doing some really incredible things, but in the book Gimli is definetly his equal in combat, if not greater.

Sorry to sound like a big geek (I'm really a medium-sized one)

-MVK

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
DemonDragonJ 11-24-04, 08:30 PM	If King Arthur and Merlin were Dungeons and Dragons characters, what do you think they would be? I think that Arthur would be a 25TH-level paladin, and Merlin would be a 15TH-level druid/15TH-level wizard. What do you think?
Jarlaxle_The_Rogue 11-24-04, 08:35 PM	honestly I don't think they would be statted that high of a level. I think Arthur was probably a Paladin 14 and Merlin a Druid 22-26.
DemonDragonJ 11-24-04, 08:54 PM	Perhaps I made them a bit too powerful; it is just that they are such legendary figures, that you would expect them to be at very high levels.
allenchan 11-24-04, 08:59 PM	Perhaps I made them a bit too powerful; it is just that they are such legendary figures, that you would expect them to be at very high levels. When everyone else is a level 1 commoner, a level 4 fighter can seem like a god.
Felonious Monk 11-24-04, 08:59 PM	Remember how legendarily powerful high-level fighters are. Swinging powerful blows every two seconds or so, able to take fifteen to twenty slashes with a blade before falling, and generally being the center of any combat they're in. One thing that King Arthur movie reminded us of (other than that no one should watch Bruckheimer movies for the plot)- it's a human story, about flawed men, no matter which version you subscribe to. I wouldn't even say Arthur is a paladin; I'd say Ftr 15 or so. With nifty magic items ;) .
Jarlaxle_The_Rogue 11-24-04, 09:02 PM	Well, we have no DnD stats from the story to base them off of, so its hard to say, I just don't like the idea of 25 level Paladins. Don't ask why (I don't even know why). And yes even my stats are probably a bit hight but I like them around that level.
Wildonion 11-24-04, 09:13 PM	Tim- Level 20 Scottish Evocer (Even though he says he is an enchanter, he does no enchanting)
Vix Damnul v2 11-24-04, 09:59 PM	The 2nd ed book dieties and demigods, i think it was, had the stats for the whole arthurian crew, but i can't remember them offhand. I think it's one of the free downloads on this page, so if you really want, download, convert, and let the smoting begin.
Callista 11-24-04, 10:04 PM	Yeah, in most legends, Arthur is no paladin. He is, however, very charismatic, and definitely good aligned. I would probably say Fighter10/Noble10. Several of his knights could qualify for Paladin status, though. Gawain, especially. I agree with the Merlin=Druid idea, though I'd probably give him a wizard level or two as well, specializing in Illusion.
Doug McCrae 11-24-04, 11:59 PM	Galahad's the archetypal paladin.
caeruleus 11-25-04, 12:16 AM	According to the 1e Deities & Demigods, Arthur was a 14th level paladin and a 5th level bard. Merlin was a 14th level druid, a 15th level magic-user, and a 10th level illusionist, with psionic ability. According to the 2e Legends & Lore, Arthur was a 16th level paladin and a 5th level bard. Merlin was a 17th level wizard and a 14th level druid. The 1e bard makes at least a little sense, since it had a Celtic flavor. Not the 2e (or 3e) bard. But I would say that Arthur was more of a fighter. And I'd say Merlin was part druid, and part bardic sage (one of the variant bards from Unearthed Arcana, which I think has a slightly more Celtic feel).
DemonDragonJ 11-25-04, 09:48 AM	If Robin Hood was a D&D character, I think that he would be a rogue/ranger. If Dracula was a D&D character, I think that he would be an aristocrat/lifedrinker/blackguard. If Gandalf were a D&D character, I think that he would probably be a wizard or sorcerer, with maybe a level or two of fighter. Legolas and Aragorn would be ranger/fighters, and Gimili would be a pure fighter. If you could name any other character from classical literature whom you think would make a good D&D character, please do tell me.
caeruleus 11-25-04, 01:11 PM	If you could name any other character from classical literature whom you think would make a good D&D character, please do tell me. If you're using D&D instead of Conan the Roleplaying Game, then R. E. Howard's Conan would be a barbarian/rogue/fighter, I think. Michael Moorcock's Elric would be hard to do in D&D. He'd have some levels of aristocrat. Some fighter levels, perhaps, but not necessarily. Wizard or sorcerer don't quite capture the sort of magic he had. While the mechanics of the new warlock class (from Complete Arcane) also don't quite fit, the whole thing about getting powers from fiends fits quite nicely. I've often thought of Aragorn as being a ranger initially, and then gaining levels of paladin when he becomes more fixed on becoming king. (This makes more sense with the books, not the movies.)
Callista 11-25-04, 07:03 PM	Yeah, the "hands of the king are the hands of a healer" thing makes sense with paladin levels. Anyhow. Hmm... Greek mythology: Jason: Rogue/Ranger Medea: Wizard/Rogue Hercules: Epic Barbarian Theseus: Monk (or perhaps Fighter specializing in unarmed combat)
Wizard_Of_Arl 11-26-04, 12:47 AM	Greek: Odysseus: 26th level barbarian Tolkien: Gandalf(white): 15th level sorcerer/9th level fighter/5th level loremaster (with a permanent stoneskin spell placed on him) Gandalf(grey): 10th level sorcerer/9th level fighter/3rd level loremaster Radagast: 18th level druid Saruman: 18th level sorcerer/4th level loremaster Aragorn: 7th level ranger/6th level paladin Gimli: 8th level fighter Legolas: 15th level ranger Frodo: 1st level aristocrat Sam: 1st level expert/1st level warrior High Nazgul: 12th level necromancer/15th level fighter Other Nazgul: 8th level necromancer/ 10th level fighter Elrond Half-elven: 10th level sorcerer/4th level fighter/6th level loremaster Galadriel: 21st level sorceress Denethor: 10th level expert/3rd level fighter (very high knowledge skills) Eowyn: 9th level fighter
caeruleus 11-26-04, 02:07 AM	Wizard Of Arl, pretty good list. I have one point about one, though: Elrond Half-elven: 10th level sorcerer/4th level fighter/6th level loremaster Since Elrond could heal, do you (or does anyone else) think he should have levels of cleric?
Callista 11-26-04, 10:21 AM	I would say both druid and cleric. Elrond has a huge connection with the natural world, as do all elves; and he's pretty much the best healer in that world (not counting near-divine Gandalf, other Maiar, the Valar, and of course fully divine Eru). But it's a book, anyway; and it's really hard to translate things like that to D&D. I wonder how Gollum would stat out? Rogue, probably... halfling, with some sort of modifications from the BoVD...
Wizard_Of_Arl 11-26-04, 03:47 PM	it would be alot easier to use the spellcaster, warrior, and expert classes from unearthed arcana to stat lotr characters, but yeah i think elrond would be a cleric or druid rather than a sorcerer
Walden 11-29-04, 01:38 AM	If Dracula was a D&D character, I think that he would be an aristocrat/lifedrinker/blackguard. If anyone is looking for Dracula in a D&D format, try the new 3e Ravenloft book Masque of the Red Death. The book does have some unique rules, so minor adjustments may be necesssary.
MadApplejack 11-29-04, 09:28 AM	Greek: Odysseus: 26th level barbarian Achilles might be a barbarian, but not Odysseus. Odysseus was a rogue, without a doubt. His greatest virtue was his skill. He was especially gifted at bluffing. :teach:
nyysjan 11-29-04, 10:18 AM	Dracula would be class:aristocrat/fighter/Rogue with vampire template and im talking about the bram stocker's bloodsucker Vlad Tepes would be aristocrat/fighter/barbarian and Frodo was 1st level commoner or rogue btw how many ways can you spell rogue/rouge/rogeu etc
Draco Strang 11-29-04, 12:02 PM	Tim- Level 20 Scottish Evocer (Even though he says he is an enchanter, he does no enchanting) If you don't watch it, Tim will enchant your pants off.
Sulaco 11-29-04, 12:33 PM	What do Arthur, Merlin, Dracula et al have to do with ancient Greco-Roman literature?
caeruleus 11-29-04, 02:12 PM	What do Arthur, Merlin, Dracula et al have to do with ancient Greco-Roman literature? Should we be expecting a punchline to follow?
Sulaco 11-29-04, 02:26 PM	Should we be expecting a punchline to follow? The Classical period is that to which I referred. As far as I know Dracula, Merlin, Arthur etc. have nothing to do with it and there is no mention of any of them in Classical Literature (eg. The Illiad, The Odyssey).
DemonDragonJ 11-29-04, 06:20 PM	If the One Ring were a D&D item, what would it be? I think that it would be an intelligent ring of invisibility that made the wearer immortal, was neutral evil in alignment, and would have an ego score of about 50 (^_^).
Farland 11-29-04, 06:27 PM	The One Ring would be much more than a ring of invisibility. That is a side effect of the fact that the ring draws much of its power from creating a link to the wraith world. The one ring allowed domination or some similar effect on anyone who wore the lesser rings, and it also amplified the natural powers of its wielder (not wearer) manyfold. I suspect that it also acts as a rod of rulership or something similar. I'm sure it has more powers in the hands of Sauron or someone else powerful enough to unlock it, like Galadriel or Gandalf.
Miles Vorkosigan 11-29-04, 06:34 PM	an ego score of about 50 (^_^). I don't think so, since Bilbo and Frodo were able to conquer it on occasion. Wizard of Arl, one question, why did you give poor Gimli 8 fighter levels while you gave Legolas 15. I know the movies show Legolas doing some really incredible things, but in the book Gimli is definetly his equal in combat, if not greater. Sorry to sound like a big geek (I'm really a medium-sized one) -MVK