Kender [Archive] - Wizards Community - Pages Merged by Solauren

Kender [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Coutts
02-19-07, 09:06 PM I've heard abit about them. what book do I find them in?
JarionSilverblades
02-19-07, 09:09 PM I've heard abit about them. what book do I find them in?

DRAGONLANCE campaign setting. Kender are crazy little.... Gnome-like race.
3DJutsu
02-19-07, 09:10 PM DRAGONLANCE campaign setting. Kender are crazy little.... Gnome-like race.

Don't forget their 'minor' form of Kleptomania
Melpomene
02-19-07, 09:20 PM Kender are the racial equivilant of the Deck of Many Things. It's a perfect way to ruin an otherwise worthwhile campaign. Just say 'no'.
Coutts
02-19-07, 09:24 PM Kender are the racial equivilant of the Deck of Many Things. It's a perfect way to ruin an otherwise worthwhile campaign. Just say 'no'.

ouch, well that doesn't sound very pleasent.
nighttree
02-19-07, 09:34 PM Actually Kender make a great addition to a game, as long as the player does his (or her) research and play's the race correctly.
WARNING: Playing a Kender takes considerable "role playing" skill, and is not for everyone.
JarionSilverblades
02-19-07, 09:35 PM Kender are the racial equivilant of the Deck of Many Things. It's a perfect way to ruin an otherwise worthwhile campaign. Just say 'no'.

I agree Kender are very annoying, but they do have their uses, I have two words for you, "Monster Bait". You want to ambush a monster, tie some bells (or meat) to a kender and let him walk around the monster filled dungeon ahead of your party. They're also the only race crazy enough (it was my PC) to let a dragon swallow them, and then once inside the dragon place a portable hole inside another portable hole.
Melpomene
02-19-07, 09:57 PM Kender have another use, too. List them as a possible player race. Then, if anyone picks them, immediately throw them out of your game, because you don't want that kind of player around messing things up. (LE side showing just a little.)
JarionSilverblades
02-20-07, 09:08 AM Kender have another use, too. List them as a possible player race. Then, if anyone picks them, immediately throw them out of your game, because you don't want that kind of player around messing things up. (LE side showing just a little.)

If you’re worried a player is going to ruin a game by playing a Kender, then I don't think it matters what race that Player chooses they'll probably end up ruining the game and causing all kinds of problems no matter the race. "Hate The Player, Not The Race."

:duel:
Melpomene
02-20-07, 11:51 AM If you’re worried a player is going to ruin a game by playing a Kender, then I don't think it matters what race that Player chooses they'll probably end up ruining the game and causing all kinds of problems no matter the race. "Hate The Player, Not The Race."

:duel:

That's precisely what I was saying. It doesn't matter what race a kender-lover chooses. They wanted someone to play someone crazy and disruptive, so that player will be a problem no matter what race they play. I was just listing a way to weed those kind of players out.
Kolbane_Ferretmaster
02-21-07, 11:48 PM The community certainly seems to be against the kender...

For all I know, they're kleptomaniac, fearless, highly eccentric halfling-types. I don't see any thing not to like.
sorvikcorsair
02-22-07, 01:35 AM Actually Kender make a great addition to a game, as long as the player does his (or her) research and play's the race correctly.
WARNING: Playing a Kender takes considerable "role playing" skill, and is not for everyone.

Not just the player, but the DM too!

Played a Brute Barbarian in a DL campaign. One of the other players was a Kender. She played the character right, even down to the voice. However the DM played the Kender without rules for pickpocketing. He randomly had her 'find' loin cloths, shirts, even weapons (clasped to someone's back) in her sack. It became rather annoying and the campaign failed.
nighttree
02-22-07, 10:32 AM Not just the player, but the DM too!

True.....across the board. If Kender are played correctly by a player (and the DM knows how to handle them) they are a great addition to a game, but if not.....well it can be frustrating.
The most commonly "overplayed" point is the "kleptomania".......when looking at it as "they like to STEAL" things......others in the party are bound to get frustrated.
Kender are not motivated by "having" said item (most of the time....but there are exceptions) they just become fascinated with something (for about 5 seconds) then move on to something else that has cought their eye, they may without thinking pocket the object.....but are just as likely to stick it somewhere strange. They are also not motivated by "worth"...a colorful shard of glass, Bird feather, lizard bone, etc...etc...will get you just as much curiosity from a Kender as a Magic item, or gem. And coins are of almost no interest...as they are not motivated by wealth or greed.
CaoSlayer
02-22-07, 11:30 AM The faillure of kender players in that indeed they play them as kleptomaniacs... they dont take anything for a long time, they just if find something interesting or wants to use something, they pick it, plays with it a little and throw it away...

A bad kender player will hoard and will refuse to hand an item to other guy.

If I ever play as a kender I have plans to make him a fighter type who just never carry a weapon but he uses any weapon he finds including if the weapon is being held by the enemy (unarmed disarm) or shealted...

Actually I plan him to be a fighter/rogue with UMD so he can try to steal enemy´s wands and scrolls and use it against him.

Of course after the battle he will throw away the weapon.
Treymordin
02-22-07, 12:23 PM You could always play an afflicted kender.
Darkwolf71
02-22-07, 12:37 PM Great pointers on playing Kender properly. The problem is that most people just play them because "I can do whatever I want." You'll find that these are likely the same people who play CN characters as 'insane' do what ever I want types.

A properly played Kender can bring alot of fun to the gaming table. An improperly played one brings nothing but grief.
towishimp
02-22-07, 01:41 PM Great pointers on playing Kender properly. The problem is that most people just play them because "I can do whatever I want." You'll find that these are likely the same people who play CN characters as 'insane' do what ever I want types.

A properly played Kender can bring alot of fun to the gaming table. An improperly played one brings nothing but grief.

I also have to chime in in defense of kender. My most favorite character ever was a kender, and all the other players loved him (their characters did too, even though there were times where they wanted to strangle him). As others have mentioned, kleptomania isn't exactly the right word for their tendencies. They're more just like little kids. For example, I was once babysitting my (much) younger brother (he was about 3-4 at the time). While putting away his clothes for the day, I felt something in the pocket of his pants. Inside was a bunch of river rocks, a twig, a snail, a piece of glass, and some toy cars -- the results of a day exploring in the back yard. My kender was just as likely to pick up things like that as he was to steal from party members.
JarionSilverblades
02-22-07, 02:07 PM That's precisely what I was saying. It doesn't matter what race a kender-lover chooses. They wanted someone to play someone crazy and disruptive, so that player will be a problem no matter what race they play. I was just listing a way to weed those kind of players out.

But what I was saying is just because someone likes and wants to play a Kender doesn't mean they'll be a problem, "Hate The Player, Not The Race". I've played a Kender twice, once I was the "klepto" thief (PC's name was Klep Toto-O), the other time I acted as scout Rogue 6/Ranger 6 (this was before there was a Scout Class, I might just redo that PC using the Scout class:plotting: ), I mean the Kender's Immunity to fear and curiosity make them great Scouts for any group.
Issabella
02-22-07, 02:08 PM Every Kender PC, I have met, has been poorly played. "Looks I am a kelpto but you can not get angry cause I am good!" "Hey lets open the thing that says DO NOT OPEN, cause I am fearless!!!" I playing the wizard did disintegrate a kender after the second time my reagents pouch (yes the GM enforced it) ended up in the kenders pockets during battle.
JarionSilverblades
02-22-07, 02:18 PM "Looks I am a kelpto but you can not get angry cause I am good!"

When you are faced with a PC or NPC like that remember this "DON'T GET ANGRY, GET A BIGGER SWORD!"

"Hey lets open the thing that says DO NOT OPEN, cause I am fearless!!!"

Huge diffrence between Fearless and BRAINLESS!
Dragonbait
02-22-07, 02:28 PM Another thing is, is that kender know when something is important or special to a person. A kender would know that a wizard needs his spell component pouch. Or at least, should know. I don't remember Tasselhoff taking Raistlin's spellbook or Sturm's sword. In fact, I think it was stated in the original Dragonlance rulebook that kender do not steal items that other people are reliant on. Kender that do "push the big red button" usually end up dead anyways.

Kender are not idiots, just full of child-like curiosity. As others stated, they are disliked if not hated by many because of some jerk player playing in a jerk way, and the other players interpreting the character as a representative of the entire race. I call it the Jar-Jar binks syndrome (even though kender were made long before gungans were, and I'm a nerd). Jar-Jar was annoying as all get out because he was played that way in the movies. I've heard Jar-Jar hate bleed into Gungan hate many times. Yet, he acted very different than the other gungan characters (in fact, they kicked him out of their society because of how he acted), but many people think all gungans act like Jar-Jar since Jar-Jar was the first gungan they were exposed to, and the only Gungan character that had more than a handful of lines.
dnd_addict_kuro
02-22-07, 02:37 PM I very much agree with the intelligence comment, kenders do have reasoning skills they just tend not to use them.
baronvonboxy
02-24-07, 08:17 AM Kenders see something shiny they pick it up, the see something new and shiny they drop current shiny for new shiny. They are fearless and therefore curious, they would face a dragon just to see what its like. At least thats what I've been told. But I agree about the bad DMing with no Soh/PP roll, the kender can still be caught.
WitheringSolid
02-24-07, 08:32 AM Kender are best played as 5 year olds with ADHD. (no offense to those with ADHD)
Treymordin
02-24-07, 10:02 AM Most people do not have what it takes to play a kender. They are just like little kids, nosey and when they get mad they taunt those who have hurt or offended them.
nighttree
02-24-07, 10:20 AM Every Kender PC, I have met, has been poorly played. "Looks I am a kelpto but you can not get angry cause I am good!" "Hey lets open the thing that says DO NOT OPEN, cause I am fearless!!!" I playing the wizard did disintegrate a kender after the second time my reagents pouch (yes the GM enforced it) ended up in the kenders pockets during battle.

That's the players fault.....and the DM's failure.
nighttree
02-24-07, 10:31 AM Most people do not have what it takes to play a kender. They are just like little kids, nosey and when they get mad they taunt those who have hurt or offended them.

This brings up a good point (that can be used as a control mechanism). The reason Kender are so good at "taunting" is that they have exceptional insight into the character of other people......

Despite their curiosity....if it's likely that "taking a peek at the Wizards spell components" is going to REALLY **** off said wizard....resulting in said Kender being stuck in bed for weeks healing...when he could be exploring...the Kender will refrain (there are plenty of other things around to look at).

Kender are extremely CURIOUSE....not kleptos.....
Kender are fearless.....NOT STUPID.....(it should be noted that all though a Kender may REALLY want to "sneak a peek" at the Lich, they will resist if it may put their friends at risk)
Despite an earlier comment, properly played Kender DO infact use their reasoning ability.....those that don't end up DEAD rather quickly....:D
SSj3goblin
02-24-07, 03:06 PM Kenders are one of the best race, ever.

To the OP, I would suggesting going to the Kencyclopedia, easily found on google, it's THE website dedicated to kenders.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Coutts 02-19-07, 09:06 PM	I've heard abit about them. what book do I find them in?
JarionSilverblades 02-19-07, 09:09 PM	I've heard abit about them. what book do I find them in? DRAGONLANCE campaign setting. Kender are crazy little.... Gnome-like race.
3DJutsu 02-19-07, 09:10 PM	DRAGONLANCE campaign setting. Kender are crazy little.... Gnome-like race. Don't forget their 'minor' form of Kleptomania
Melpomene 02-19-07, 09:20 PM	Kender are the racial equivilant of the Deck of Many Things. It's a perfect way to ruin an otherwise worthwhile campaign. Just say 'no'.
Coutts 02-19-07, 09:24 PM	Kender are the racial equivilant of the Deck of Many Things. It's a perfect way to ruin an otherwise worthwhile campaign. Just say 'no'. ouch, well that doesn't sound very pleasent.
nighttree 02-19-07, 09:34 PM	Actually Kender make a great addition to a game, as long as the player does his (or her) research and play's the race correctly. WARNING: Playing a Kender takes considerable "role playing" skill, and is not for everyone.
JarionSilverblades 02-19-07, 09:35 PM	Kender are the racial equivilant of the Deck of Many Things. It's a perfect way to ruin an otherwise worthwhile campaign. Just say 'no'. I agree Kender are very annoying, but they do have their uses, I have two words for you, "Monster Bait". You want to ambush a monster, tie some bells (or meat) to a kender and let him walk around the monster filled dungeon ahead of your party. They're also the only race crazy enough (it was my PC) to let a dragon swallow them, and then once inside the dragon place a portable hole inside another portable hole.
Melpomene 02-19-07, 09:57 PM	Kender have another use, too. List them as a possible player race. Then, if anyone picks them, immediately throw them out of your game, because you don't want that kind of player around messing things up. (LE side showing just a little.)
JarionSilverblades 02-20-07, 09:08 AM	Kender have another use, too. List them as a possible player race. Then, if anyone picks them, immediately throw them out of your game, because you don't want that kind of player around messing things up. (LE side showing just a little.) If you’re worried a player is going to ruin a game by playing a Kender, then I don't think it matters what race that Player chooses they'll probably end up ruining the game and causing all kinds of problems no matter the race. "Hate The Player, Not The Race." :duel:
Melpomene 02-20-07, 11:51 AM	If you’re worried a player is going to ruin a game by playing a Kender, then I don't think it matters what race that Player chooses they'll probably end up ruining the game and causing all kinds of problems no matter the race. "Hate The Player, Not The Race." :duel: That's precisely what I was saying. It doesn't matter what race a kender-lover chooses. They wanted someone to play someone crazy and disruptive, so that player will be a problem no matter what race they play. I was just listing a way to weed those kind of players out.
Kolbane_Ferretmaster 02-21-07, 11:48 PM	The community certainly seems to be against the kender... For all I know, they're kleptomaniac, fearless, highly eccentric halfling-types. I don't see any thing not to like.
sorvikcorsair 02-22-07, 01:35 AM	Actually Kender make a great addition to a game, as long as the player does his (or her) research and play's the race correctly. WARNING: Playing a Kender takes considerable "role playing" skill, and is not for everyone. Not just the player, but the DM too! Played a Brute Barbarian in a DL campaign. One of the other players was a Kender. She played the character right, even down to the voice. However the DM played the Kender without rules for pickpocketing. He randomly had her 'find' loin cloths, shirts, even weapons (clasped to someone's back) in her sack. It became rather annoying and the campaign failed.
nighttree 02-22-07, 10:32 AM	Not just the player, but the DM too! True.....across the board. If Kender are played correctly by a player (and the DM knows how to handle them) they are a great addition to a game, but if not.....well it can be frustrating. The most commonly "overplayed" point is the "kleptomania".......when looking at it as "they like to STEAL" things......others in the party are bound to get frustrated. Kender are not motivated by "having" said item (most of the time....but there are exceptions) they just become fascinated with something (for about 5 seconds) then move on to something else that has cought their eye, they may without thinking pocket the object.....but are just as likely to stick it somewhere strange. They are also not motivated by "worth"...a colorful shard of glass, Bird feather, lizard bone, etc...etc...will get you just as much curiosity from a Kender as a Magic item, or gem. And coins are of almost no interest...as they are not motivated by wealth or greed.
CaoSlayer 02-22-07, 11:30 AM	The faillure of kender players in that indeed they play them as kleptomaniacs... they dont take anything for a long time, they just if find something interesting or wants to use something, they pick it, plays with it a little and throw it away... A bad kender player will hoard and will refuse to hand an item to other guy. If I ever play as a kender I have plans to make him a fighter type who just never carry a weapon but he uses any weapon he finds including if the weapon is being held by the enemy (unarmed disarm) or shealted... Actually I plan him to be a fighter/rogue with UMD so he can try to steal enemy´s wands and scrolls and use it against him. Of course after the battle he will throw away the weapon.
Treymordin 02-22-07, 12:23 PM	You could always play an afflicted kender.
Darkwolf71 02-22-07, 12:37 PM	Great pointers on playing Kender properly. The problem is that most people just play them because "I can do whatever I want." You'll find that these are likely the same people who play CN characters as 'insane' do what ever I want types. A properly played Kender can bring alot of fun to the gaming table. An improperly played one brings nothing but grief.
towishimp 02-22-07, 01:41 PM	Great pointers on playing Kender properly. The problem is that most people just play them because "I can do whatever I want." You'll find that these are likely the same people who play CN characters as 'insane' do what ever I want types. A properly played Kender can bring alot of fun to the gaming table. An improperly played one brings nothing but grief. I also have to chime in in defense of kender. My most favorite character ever was a kender, and all the other players loved him (their characters did too, even though there were times where they wanted to strangle him). As others have mentioned, kleptomania isn't exactly the right word for their tendencies. They're more just like little kids. For example, I was once babysitting my (much) younger brother (he was about 3-4 at the time). While putting away his clothes for the day, I felt something in the pocket of his pants. Inside was a bunch of river rocks, a twig, a snail, a piece of glass, and some toy cars -- the results of a day exploring in the back yard. My kender was just as likely to pick up things like that as he was to steal from party members.
JarionSilverblades 02-22-07, 02:07 PM	That's precisely what I was saying. It doesn't matter what race a kender-lover chooses. They wanted someone to play someone crazy and disruptive, so that player will be a problem no matter what race they play. I was just listing a way to weed those kind of players out. But what I was saying is just because someone likes and wants to play a Kender doesn't mean they'll be a problem, "Hate The Player, Not The Race". I've played a Kender twice, once I was the "klepto" thief (PC's name was Klep Toto-O), the other time I acted as scout Rogue 6/Ranger 6 (this was before there was a Scout Class, I might just redo that PC using the Scout class:plotting: ), I mean the Kender's Immunity to fear and curiosity make them great Scouts for any group.
Issabella 02-22-07, 02:08 PM	Every Kender PC, I have met, has been poorly played. "Looks I am a kelpto but you can not get angry cause I am good!" "Hey lets open the thing that says DO NOT OPEN, cause I am fearless!!!" I playing the wizard did disintegrate a kender after the second time my reagents pouch (yes the GM enforced it) ended up in the kenders pockets during battle.
JarionSilverblades 02-22-07, 02:18 PM	"Looks I am a kelpto but you can not get angry cause I am good!" When you are faced with a PC or NPC like that remember this "DON'T GET ANGRY, GET A BIGGER SWORD!" "Hey lets open the thing that says DO NOT OPEN, cause I am fearless!!!" Huge diffrence between Fearless and BRAINLESS!
Dragonbait 02-22-07, 02:28 PM	Another thing is, is that kender know when something is important or special to a person. A kender would know that a wizard needs his spell component pouch. Or at least, should know. I don't remember Tasselhoff taking Raistlin's spellbook or Sturm's sword. In fact, I think it was stated in the original Dragonlance rulebook that kender do not steal items that other people are reliant on. Kender that do "push the big red button" usually end up dead anyways. Kender are not idiots, just full of child-like curiosity. As others stated, they are disliked if not hated by many because of some jerk player playing in a jerk way, and the other players interpreting the character as a representative of the entire race. I call it the Jar-Jar binks syndrome (even though kender were made long before gungans were, and I'm a nerd). Jar-Jar was annoying as all get out because he was played that way in the movies. I've heard Jar-Jar hate bleed into Gungan hate many times. Yet, he acted very different than the other gungan characters (in fact, they kicked him out of their society because of how he acted), but many people think all gungans act like Jar-Jar since Jar-Jar was the first gungan they were exposed to, and the only Gungan character that had more than a handful of lines.
dnd_addict_kuro 02-22-07, 02:37 PM	I very much agree with the intelligence comment, kenders do have reasoning skills they just tend not to use them.
baronvonboxy 02-24-07, 08:17 AM	Kenders see something shiny they pick it up, the see something new and shiny they drop current shiny for new shiny. They are fearless and therefore curious, they would face a dragon just to see what its like. At least thats what I've been told. But I agree about the bad DMing with no Soh/PP roll, the kender can still be caught.
WitheringSolid 02-24-07, 08:32 AM	Kender are best played as 5 year olds with ADHD. (no offense to those with ADHD)
Treymordin 02-24-07, 10:02 AM	Most people do not have what it takes to play a kender. They are just like little kids, nosey and when they get mad they taunt those who have hurt or offended them.
nighttree 02-24-07, 10:20 AM	Every Kender PC, I have met, has been poorly played. "Looks I am a kelpto but you can not get angry cause I am good!" "Hey lets open the thing that says DO NOT OPEN, cause I am fearless!!!" I playing the wizard did disintegrate a kender after the second time my reagents pouch (yes the GM enforced it) ended up in the kenders pockets during battle. That's the players fault.....and the DM's failure.
nighttree 02-24-07, 10:31 AM	Most people do not have what it takes to play a kender. They are just like little kids, nosey and when they get mad they taunt those who have hurt or offended them. This brings up a good point (that can be used as a control mechanism). The reason Kender are so good at "taunting" is that they have exceptional insight into the character of other people...... Despite their curiosity....if it's likely that "taking a peek at the Wizards spell components" is going to REALLY **** off said wizard....resulting in said Kender being stuck in bed for weeks healing...when he could be exploring...the Kender will refrain (there are plenty of other things around to look at). Kender are extremely CURIOUSE....not kleptos..... Kender are fearless.....NOT STUPID.....(it should be noted that all though a Kender may REALLY want to "sneak a peek" at the Lich, they will resist if it may put their friends at risk) Despite an earlier comment, properly played Kender DO infact use their reasoning ability.....those that don't end up DEAD rather quickly....:D
SSj3goblin 02-24-07, 03:06 PM	Kenders are one of the best race, ever. To the OP, I would suggesting going to the Kencyclopedia, easily found on google, it's THE website dedicated to kenders.