character suggestions for Eyes of the Lich Queen [Archive] - Wizards Community

character suggestions for Eyes of the Lich Queen [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Melvin the Mediocre
04-27-07, 11:13 AM Although I have been running games in Eberron for 2 years or so, I have NEVER actually gotten to play in the setting. But finally I have found a player willing to step up and run the Eyes of the Lich Queen.

I have so many character concepts I want to run I can't figure out which one to go with. So I'm wondering if some of you with the mocule can nudge me towards or away from any of the ideas below with out giving away any spoilers for the module. I want something that really captures Eberron as I do get chances to play in lesser settings. :)

First idea is a LN cleric of BoV that will turn into a Bone Knight at level 6. In the past he was deeply loyal to the King, but when his religion was turned illegal in Korth, he was shocked to the core, and left the city rather than abaondon his religion. Race is giving me trouble on this one, It could easily be human, elf, or Dealkyr 1/2 Blood. If human, I would take the least mark of passage but hold no ties to the house at the start of the game. Elf would be cool as he could have ties back to the old world and it would really explain why he was so shaken by the kings decree. 1/2 bloods are just cool. And mixing 1/2 blood with Blood of Vol should open up some cool things in the game. The sort of outsider feel to him could also play a big part in his emotions following the barring of his religion in Korth. Somehow I want this guy to still be loyal to Kaius, or at least I want him to want to be loyal...

Second idea is a goblin druid who rides around on his wolf companion. He sees himself as a knight protector of the goblin way of life, largely because he is ignorant of the fact that the druid tradition comes from dragons and orcs.

Third idea is easy enough: A kobold arcane trickster whose come up from the depths to study the dragon marks role in the prophesy. I'm afraid this guy is going to be really weak though.

Foruth, a "base-class milkshake" shifter. Ranger 1, Fighter 2, Barbarian 1, Cleric 1, Were touched master next. Should the campain go past the adventure arc, he'll head into impure prince next. This is an older guy who joined the Aundair army before the Reaches revolted. When the war ended and he returned home, he was shocked the split and still harbors deeply divided loyalties.

A 1/2 orc or hobgoblin psionic warrior. I'm not to sure on a back story here as of yet, but a self enlarging spiked chain wielder who likes to trip does sound appealing. But I REALLY want to get my character into the unigueness of Eberron.
Jonasty
04-27-07, 11:48 AM First of all congrats on getting to play! I've been running Eberron as well and I still have yet to get to actually play in it either as my friends run homebrewwed stuff when they run.

As to your suggestions:
1. Cleric of BoV - NO NO NO! :) This shouldn't be a spoiler given the name of the adventure itself but playing someone with ties to BoV will really throw a wrench into the adventure as they figure prominently in it. While the Bone Knight is a pretty cool PrC, taking that specific religion would really create problems, at least in my opinion although your DM might see it as an interesting opportunity instead.

2. Goblin Druid - This could be a fun one. No real opinions on it other than that. I would look into Faiths of Eberron if you were to play any divine-based class as that book offers a lot of flavor stuff for Eberron along with some nifty new tricks/Prcs/feats/etc.

3. Kobold Arcane Trickster - Never been a big fan of kobolds as PCs so can't really offer advice on this one.

4. Shifter Milkshake - As to the backstory/concept of this one, it sounds really well thought out and I would appreciate this kind of character in my own game. As to the mechanics of it, that would be something that might take some tinkering, especially the cleric part as Shifters do take the hit to Cha and Wis I believe it is.

5. Half-orc Pschic warrior - Could be fun. If your DM approves, you might want to look at half-giant or the Eneko (from secrets of sarlona) races. They would add a distinctly exotic feel on top of playing the psychic angle.

My biggest advice, which my doom fearing PCs like to bring up when I run EotLQ, is that like most published adventures, EotLQ is designed/created around the idea of the standard party build i.e. the healer, the fighter/tank, the trappy rogue, and the spellslinger. Missing one of those elements will probably hurt you when playing this. One character took an Artificer cohort just to make up for the lack of a rogue with trapfinding in the party. THat would be the thing to keep in mind when you and your other party members are doing character design.

Good luck and I hope some of this might have helped.
Melvin the Mediocre
04-27-07, 11:56 AM As to your suggestions:
1. Cleric of BoV - NO NO NO! :) This shouldn't be a spoiler given the name of the adventure itself but playing someone with ties to BoV will really throw a wrench into the adventure as they figure prominently in it.

Thanks, I will definatley check with the DM then. I was guessing that the Emerald Claw figured prominiently into the adventure, and thought that his loyalty to Karnath and confusion over the law changes might be answered in the adventure.

As far as kobold go, the strength penalty is pretty severe to be sure. But the small size and 30' movement, combined with a (slight) natural armor bonus make it a decent, though far from great, race for PCs. This guy is really all about the fun of the concept. I am a little concerned about combining a weaker race with a weaker class combo. I suppose he could be an artificer.
Hideous Phidias
04-27-07, 02:52 PM First idea is a LN cleric of BoV that will turn into a Bone Knight at level 6. In the past he was deeply loyal to the King, but when his religion was turned illegal in Korth, he was shocked to the core, and left the city rather than abaondon his religion. Race is giving me trouble on this one, It could easily be human, elf, or Dealkyr 1/2 Blood. If human, I would take the least mark of passage but hold no ties to the house at the start of the game. Elf would be cool as he could have ties back to the old world and it would really explain why he was so shaken by the kings decree. 1/2 bloods are just cool. And mixing 1/2 blood with Blood of Vol should open up some cool things in the game. The sort of outsider feel to him could also play a big part in his emotions following the barring of his religion in Korth. Somehow I want this guy to still be loyal to Kaius, or at least I want him to want to be loyal...

Second idea is a goblin druid who rides around on his wolf companion. He sees himself as a knight protector of the goblin way of life, largely because he is ignorant of the fact that the druid tradition comes from dragons and orcs.

Third idea is easy enough: A kobold arcane trickster whose come up from the depths to study the dragon marks role in the prophesy. I'm afraid this guy is going to be really weak though.

Foruth, a "base-class milkshake" shifter. Ranger 1, Fighter 2, Barbarian 1, Cleric 1, Were touched master next. Should the campain go past the adventure arc, he'll head into impure prince next. This is an older guy who joined the Aundair army before the Reaches revolted. When the war ended and he returned home, he was shocked the split and still harbors deeply divided loyalties.

A 1/2 orc or hobgoblin psionic warrior. I'm not to sure on a back story here as of yet, but a self enlarging spiked chain wielder who likes to trip does sound appealing. But I REALLY want to get my character into the unigueness of Eberron.

I am in the same boat as you, always an Eberron DMand never a Player. I hate the fact that the others in my group like Eberron, but when they run a campaign they never run eberron even for the one shots we sometimes do.

I like the idea of the Bone Knight but I could change a few things I would make him a Paladin. Also remeber the Blood of Vol was not outlawed in Karrnath only the Order of the Emerald Claw was. Be a bone Knight of the new order, without any ties to the OoEC. Be out of Fort Bone on a mission for the King. You may still be of the Blood of Vol but that does not mean you can not fight along side adventure that may go against her. Besides does your character know that he will have to fight the forces of Vol. And think of the roleplay you could have, will you be a fallen paladin or will you keep the faith.

The goblin Druid needs to go. Maybe fun but the character screams kill me.

The Kobold mage could also be fun too. I would drop the arcane trickster though. I would look at the Dragon Prophet or the Cataclysm Mage. I think they fit a characterthat studies dragonmarks better then an arcane trickster. Look at the books dragon magic and races of dragon for the best build of theis type of character.

The shifter needs to pick a class and stick to it. I like the weretouch master idea, it is the way I would go with a shifter. I think you want a wild man of the cloth. I would go monk ranger or paladin for this on this one. There are many variants for the monk that you may like. You can have a raging monk or one with a smite. I also let one of my players use his shifter as his weapon style feats as a ranger, you maybe able to do this too. Look to crystal keep to see what I mean. I like the back story for this one as much as the bone knight. Aundair fought Karrnath undead and paladins of the flame in the war so he could be on the fence to who is more evil.

The hobgoblin Psychic warrior is not a bad idea but you may want to look at the hexblader or the Samuria classes for him. If you truly want the psychic warrior I would go warforged with the adamantine body feat.
Melvin the Mediocre
04-27-07, 03:10 PM First of all, thanks for the input!

Also remeber the Blood of Vol was not outlawed in Karrnath only the Order of the Emerald Claw was.
BoV was outlawed in Korth. Emerald Claw was outlawed all through Karnath.

The goblin Druid needs to go. Maybe fun but the character screams kill me. I couldn't disagree more. But respectfully. ;)

The Kobold mage could also be fun too. I would drop the arcane trickster though. I would look at the Dragon Prophet or the Cataclysm Mage. .
I've condisered those classes, but kobolds just scream out for rogue. Plus "all the dragon's want to kill you" sort if puts a damper on the class for me. I can see why others would think it fun though.

The shifter needs to pick a class and stick to it.
The concpet I have this guy really needs all those classes. I know its seems odd, but he's a complex one. And the amount of typing it would take to fully explain him is more effor than I am willing to put forth. :)

But what I'm really looking for in this thread is how much the concepts will fit in with the particular module, not just is the character good.
Hideous Phidias
04-27-07, 03:37 PM Can you give us more about what you are trying to do with the shifter. Maybe a quick build of classes skills and feats.

And have you thought about the Elves. A Valenar Elf would fit well.
sorreahdarkhart
04-30-07, 04:18 AM I like most of your character ideas, but I'm against the Karrn man for having ties with the Blood of Vol. Since you are primarily dealing with them, it can make playing this character a whole lot harder. His story assumes he doesn't turn away from his faith, so I'd assume he has some moral compunction to "not kill his breathern". I'd move on.

The goblin druid's okay, (mind you, I love playing underdog-type characters) but I'd change his race to an orc, as the class suits orcs better than it does goblins (it seems goblins are more low-class soldiers to me in the setting anyways). You'll have a harder time trying to find a reason for this character to go with other PCs on the adventure.

I think you should stick the kobold with the wizardly class, but change it to more of a warmage-type character. Considering you are trading into one of the more weaker races, he needs to be able to dish out a reasonable amount of damage. That, or make him a sorcerer. He's the most likely of your four to do this adventure, simply because it deals with the draconic prophecy to a certain extent.

I can't say much on the shifter. Like Phidias, I'd have to see a backstory or something on why he jumps from class to class. I've got nothing for this one.

I'll make a pitch for the changelings. You've got a changeling rogue (who'd probably take the shadowdancer PrC) working for the Tyrants in Sharn when someone higher in the organization catches word of an expedition to the dragon land of Argonnessen. Thinking that there might be valuable information to be had from this, he/she sends the PC out to more or less fit in with the rest of the expedition (the other PCs). The information that the Chamber has about this adventure could be what perks the Tyrant's interest in it. That information would be awfully valuable to the Blood of Vol/Order of the Emerald Claw, and they'd probably pay well to do it.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Melvin the Mediocre 04-27-07, 11:13 AM	Although I have been running games in Eberron for 2 years or so, I have NEVER actually gotten to play in the setting. But finally I have found a player willing to step up and run the Eyes of the Lich Queen. I have so many character concepts I want to run I can't figure out which one to go with. So I'm wondering if some of you with the mocule can nudge me towards or away from any of the ideas below with out giving away any spoilers for the module. I want something that really captures Eberron as I do get chances to play in lesser settings. :) First idea is a LN cleric of BoV that will turn into a Bone Knight at level 6. In the past he was deeply loyal to the King, but when his religion was turned illegal in Korth, he was shocked to the core, and left the city rather than abaondon his religion. Race is giving me trouble on this one, It could easily be human, elf, or Dealkyr 1/2 Blood. If human, I would take the least mark of passage but hold no ties to the house at the start of the game. Elf would be cool as he could have ties back to the old world and it would really explain why he was so shaken by the kings decree. 1/2 bloods are just cool. And mixing 1/2 blood with Blood of Vol should open up some cool things in the game. The sort of outsider feel to him could also play a big part in his emotions following the barring of his religion in Korth. Somehow I want this guy to still be loyal to Kaius, or at least I want him to want to be loyal... Second idea is a goblin druid who rides around on his wolf companion. He sees himself as a knight protector of the goblin way of life, largely because he is ignorant of the fact that the druid tradition comes from dragons and orcs. Third idea is easy enough: A kobold arcane trickster whose come up from the depths to study the dragon marks role in the prophesy. I'm afraid this guy is going to be really weak though. Foruth, a "base-class milkshake" shifter. Ranger 1, Fighter 2, Barbarian 1, Cleric 1, Were touched master next. Should the campain go past the adventure arc, he'll head into impure prince next. This is an older guy who joined the Aundair army before the Reaches revolted. When the war ended and he returned home, he was shocked the split and still harbors deeply divided loyalties. A 1/2 orc or hobgoblin psionic warrior. I'm not to sure on a back story here as of yet, but a self enlarging spiked chain wielder who likes to trip does sound appealing. But I REALLY want to get my character into the unigueness of Eberron.
Jonasty 04-27-07, 11:48 AM	First of all congrats on getting to play! I've been running Eberron as well and I still have yet to get to actually play in it either as my friends run homebrewwed stuff when they run. As to your suggestions: 1. Cleric of BoV - NO NO NO! :) This shouldn't be a spoiler given the name of the adventure itself but playing someone with ties to BoV will really throw a wrench into the adventure as they figure prominently in it. While the Bone Knight is a pretty cool PrC, taking that specific religion would really create problems, at least in my opinion although your DM might see it as an interesting opportunity instead. 2. Goblin Druid - This could be a fun one. No real opinions on it other than that. I would look into Faiths of Eberron if you were to play any divine-based class as that book offers a lot of flavor stuff for Eberron along with some nifty new tricks/Prcs/feats/etc. 3. Kobold Arcane Trickster - Never been a big fan of kobolds as PCs so can't really offer advice on this one. 4. Shifter Milkshake - As to the backstory/concept of this one, it sounds really well thought out and I would appreciate this kind of character in my own game. As to the mechanics of it, that would be something that might take some tinkering, especially the cleric part as Shifters do take the hit to Cha and Wis I believe it is. 5. Half-orc Pschic warrior - Could be fun. If your DM approves, you might want to look at half-giant or the Eneko (from secrets of sarlona) races. They would add a distinctly exotic feel on top of playing the psychic angle. My biggest advice, which my doom fearing PCs like to bring up when I run EotLQ, is that like most published adventures, EotLQ is designed/created around the idea of the standard party build i.e. the healer, the fighter/tank, the trappy rogue, and the spellslinger. Missing one of those elements will probably hurt you when playing this. One character took an Artificer cohort just to make up for the lack of a rogue with trapfinding in the party. THat would be the thing to keep in mind when you and your other party members are doing character design. Good luck and I hope some of this might have helped.
Melvin the Mediocre 04-27-07, 11:56 AM	As to your suggestions: 1. Cleric of BoV - NO NO NO! :) This shouldn't be a spoiler given the name of the adventure itself but playing someone with ties to BoV will really throw a wrench into the adventure as they figure prominently in it. Thanks, I will definatley check with the DM then. I was guessing that the Emerald Claw figured prominiently into the adventure, and thought that his loyalty to Karnath and confusion over the law changes might be answered in the adventure. As far as kobold go, the strength penalty is pretty severe to be sure. But the small size and 30' movement, combined with a (slight) natural armor bonus make it a decent, though far from great, race for PCs. This guy is really all about the fun of the concept. I am a little concerned about combining a weaker race with a weaker class combo. I suppose he could be an artificer.
Hideous Phidias 04-27-07, 02:52 PM	First idea is a LN cleric of BoV that will turn into a Bone Knight at level 6. In the past he was deeply loyal to the King, but when his religion was turned illegal in Korth, he was shocked to the core, and left the city rather than abaondon his religion. Race is giving me trouble on this one, It could easily be human, elf, or Dealkyr 1/2 Blood. If human, I would take the least mark of passage but hold no ties to the house at the start of the game. Elf would be cool as he could have ties back to the old world and it would really explain why he was so shaken by the kings decree. 1/2 bloods are just cool. And mixing 1/2 blood with Blood of Vol should open up some cool things in the game. The sort of outsider feel to him could also play a big part in his emotions following the barring of his religion in Korth. Somehow I want this guy to still be loyal to Kaius, or at least I want him to want to be loyal... Second idea is a goblin druid who rides around on his wolf companion. He sees himself as a knight protector of the goblin way of life, largely because he is ignorant of the fact that the druid tradition comes from dragons and orcs. Third idea is easy enough: A kobold arcane trickster whose come up from the depths to study the dragon marks role in the prophesy. I'm afraid this guy is going to be really weak though. Foruth, a "base-class milkshake" shifter. Ranger 1, Fighter 2, Barbarian 1, Cleric 1, Were touched master next. Should the campain go past the adventure arc, he'll head into impure prince next. This is an older guy who joined the Aundair army before the Reaches revolted. When the war ended and he returned home, he was shocked the split and still harbors deeply divided loyalties. A 1/2 orc or hobgoblin psionic warrior. I'm not to sure on a back story here as of yet, but a self enlarging spiked chain wielder who likes to trip does sound appealing. But I REALLY want to get my character into the unigueness of Eberron. I am in the same boat as you, always an Eberron DMand never a Player. I hate the fact that the others in my group like Eberron, but when they run a campaign they never run eberron even for the one shots we sometimes do. I like the idea of the Bone Knight but I could change a few things I would make him a Paladin. Also remeber the Blood of Vol was not outlawed in Karrnath only the Order of the Emerald Claw was. Be a bone Knight of the new order, without any ties to the OoEC. Be out of Fort Bone on a mission for the King. You may still be of the Blood of Vol but that does not mean you can not fight along side adventure that may go against her. Besides does your character know that he will have to fight the forces of Vol. And think of the roleplay you could have, will you be a fallen paladin or will you keep the faith. The goblin Druid needs to go. Maybe fun but the character screams kill me. The Kobold mage could also be fun too. I would drop the arcane trickster though. I would look at the Dragon Prophet or the Cataclysm Mage. I think they fit a characterthat studies dragonmarks better then an arcane trickster. Look at the books dragon magic and races of dragon for the best build of theis type of character. The shifter needs to pick a class and stick to it. I like the weretouch master idea, it is the way I would go with a shifter. I think you want a wild man of the cloth. I would go monk ranger or paladin for this on this one. There are many variants for the monk that you may like. You can have a raging monk or one with a smite. I also let one of my players use his shifter as his weapon style feats as a ranger, you maybe able to do this too. Look to crystal keep to see what I mean. I like the back story for this one as much as the bone knight. Aundair fought Karrnath undead and paladins of the flame in the war so he could be on the fence to who is more evil. The hobgoblin Psychic warrior is not a bad idea but you may want to look at the hexblader or the Samuria classes for him. If you truly want the psychic warrior I would go warforged with the adamantine body feat.
Melvin the Mediocre 04-27-07, 03:10 PM	First of all, thanks for the input! Also remeber the Blood of Vol was not outlawed in Karrnath only the Order of the Emerald Claw was. BoV was outlawed in Korth. Emerald Claw was outlawed all through Karnath. The goblin Druid needs to go. Maybe fun but the character screams kill me. I couldn't disagree more. But respectfully. ;) The Kobold mage could also be fun too. I would drop the arcane trickster though. I would look at the Dragon Prophet or the Cataclysm Mage. . I've condisered those classes, but kobolds just scream out for rogue. Plus "all the dragon's want to kill you" sort if puts a damper on the class for me. I can see why others would think it fun though. The shifter needs to pick a class and stick to it. The concpet I have this guy really needs all those classes. I know its seems odd, but he's a complex one. And the amount of typing it would take to fully explain him is more effor than I am willing to put forth. :) But what I'm really looking for in this thread is how much the concepts will fit in with the particular module, not just is the character good.
Hideous Phidias 04-27-07, 03:37 PM	Can you give us more about what you are trying to do with the shifter. Maybe a quick build of classes skills and feats. And have you thought about the Elves. A Valenar Elf would fit well.
sorreahdarkhart 04-30-07, 04:18 AM	I like most of your character ideas, but I'm against the Karrn man for having ties with the Blood of Vol. Since you are primarily dealing with them, it can make playing this character a whole lot harder. His story assumes he doesn't turn away from his faith, so I'd assume he has some moral compunction to "not kill his breathern". I'd move on. The goblin druid's okay, (mind you, I love playing underdog-type characters) but I'd change his race to an orc, as the class suits orcs better than it does goblins (it seems goblins are more low-class soldiers to me in the setting anyways). You'll have a harder time trying to find a reason for this character to go with other PCs on the adventure. I think you should stick the kobold with the wizardly class, but change it to more of a warmage-type character. Considering you are trading into one of the more weaker races, he needs to be able to dish out a reasonable amount of damage. That, or make him a sorcerer. He's the most likely of your four to do this adventure, simply because it deals with the draconic prophecy to a certain extent. I can't say much on the shifter. Like Phidias, I'd have to see a backstory or something on why he jumps from class to class. I've got nothing for this one. I'll make a pitch for the changelings. You've got a changeling rogue (who'd probably take the shadowdancer PrC) working for the Tyrants in Sharn when someone higher in the organization catches word of an expedition to the dragon land of Argonnessen. Thinking that there might be valuable information to be had from this, he/she sends the PC out to more or less fit in with the rest of the expedition (the other PCs). The information that the Chamber has about this adventure could be what perks the Tyrant's interest in it. That information would be awfully valuable to the Blood of Vol/Order of the Emerald Claw, and they'd probably pay well to do it.