Character Concept Help [Archive] - Wizards Community

Character Concept Help [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Cantankerous DM
08-25-06, 01:17 PM Basically, my group is going to have a round robin DM game, where each person takes a session for the same group of adventurers. I am at the point where I am designing my character for this and I wanted something challenging and different. This is where I need a hand.

I need to balance benefits to the 'flaw' I decided to take for my character. He is going to be paralyzed form the neck down, a birth defect that cannot be healed by conventional divine magic (miracles and wishes are a ways down the road, so I think its a challenging aspect of the character to play until then).

Since I am wanting to play a sorcerer-type (to avoid using books), I thought it wouldn't be too much to assume that gaining the Still Spell feat to all my spells would be acceptable. There is also the issue of actual attribute numbers. I would imagine that Str and Dex would be completely useless (other than to have drain attacks applied to), so I was curious if you think it would be too unbalancing to have the option to shift points at a 2 to 1 ration from physical attributes to mental attributes, or give a slight curve to the point by systems in this regard?

Any ideas or input you have for the mechanics of this flaw would be appreciated (even if it is to show a different direction to go with this concept). I also want to take a moment to clarify that I am using the word flaw in purely a mechanical sense (I am not wanting or trying to offend anyone out there who may be handicapped or know someone who is handicapped)
Mystyc
08-25-06, 01:49 PM How does this character intend to travel with the party? And seriously, that's only the first of a number of difficult questions. This idea could make for a fascinating NPC, but I really question whether any rational group of active adventurers would accept a quadrapalegic in their ranks.

To answer your question, if this person has been incapacitated for a good length of time, his Strength and Dexterity are approaching 1 or even 0 from atrophy. Even if you allow him his original scores (for the puroses of combatting drain), they are effectively 0 for all practical purposes, and he cannot use skills which have Strength of Dexterity as their ability.

As for conversion, how is this character being made? If it's point buy, you can simply not invest in STR or DEX. If he's rolled up, perhaps you can simply apply an adjustment once the rolls have fallen out. (Say, -4 to physical stats, +1 to mental stats.)
Cantankerous DM
08-25-06, 02:10 PM One of the PCs has a strong maternal instinct, and the current race I have thought of using is that of a halfling (so I can see this as being one way of transportation). Anotehr thought that came to mind was using spells to assist in movement (Unseen Servant, ect).

We would be starting off at 6th level, so I have some flexibility in skills/feats/ect to work with. I have queried this in a few other sections of the Net, and it seems like it would be too much of a challenge for the other players to be 'want to put up with'. So I might just rehash this idea, as it may be one of those 'only sounds interesting to me' kind of things.

The angle I was going with this character was through the eyes of him trying to be a survivalist and overcome his inabilities by personal perserverance and assistance from a strong group of friends. The players I am with won't be offended by the character concept and I am not going to play this character as a handicap, not a person.

Perhaps this would be too much of a challenge to enjoy playing. The last thing I want to do is hamper the fun of any of my players...
Captn Blake
08-25-06, 09:14 PM That says "psionic" to me, man. Professor X style.
DonJuanDemarco
08-26-06, 12:12 AM Definitely agree with play a psionic character of some sort. It eliminates the need for the still spell feat.

Also, I like the concept of flawed characters, but you have to find a balance. For example, make him paralyzed from only the waist down, so he can still conceiveably move around with his party. Otherwise it will never be realistic. Other more doable ideas along the same lines: 1 arm or 1 leg, no arms, 1 arm and 1 leg, crippled but not paralyzed, and so on. If any of those work for you, seriously consider them.
Jacilla
08-26-06, 04:50 AM I would never allow this in my game. The amount of care a quadriplegic needs is just too much, even with magic to pick up some of the slack. Anything less might work, but think about someone who literally; can't move themselves at all, can't feed themselves, bathe themselves, take themselves to the bathroom; dress themselves; brush hair or teeth. Basically all this character can do is think and talk. The impact on the other PC's to care for this character would be enormous. I realize all this stuff wouldn't be played out, however, the suspension of disbelief in the game would just die.

I second the suggestion to chose a slightly less incapacitating handicap.
Rerecros
08-26-06, 05:08 AM This sounds like hyper-munchining.
Stat adjustments; all of my strength and dexterity to intelligence and charisma, later I'll just wish my body back when I reach the the appropriate CL.

"from the neck down" is too much, at least have one functioning arm, magical contraptions will do the rest.
John Paul Stoddard
08-26-06, 05:16 AM Wow I can see it now....Halfling strapped to a Fighter Back....I quess you could argue They Couldn't be Flanked anymore....

I know I'd rather have a paralized Quad Halfling strapped to my body ( 90/100 Lbs) than GOLD

What Good would your spells be to the party if you have to use them to feed yourself, Move around with, cast protection on yourself...you'd use up more spell slots making them all Still Spells.

Party Member 1: Hey we found Alot of Gold in this lair

Party Member 2: Yea, To bad we are all carrying to much stuff already

Party Member 1: To Bad we didn't have something heavy and Useless to discard

Party Rogue (Snickers Loudly and Slinks behind Party Member 1 Coup de Gras Party's Sorceror and cuts straps holding him onto Party Members Back) : There Dummy I just Ligthened your load for you. Pick up some more of that loot

Party Member 1 : Boy that sure took a load off my Back
John Paul Stoddard
08-26-06, 05:25 AM [QUOTE=Cantankerous DM]
I need to balance benefits to the 'flaw' I decided to take for my character. He is going to be paralyzed form the neck down, a birth defect that cannot be healed by conventional divine magic (miracles and wishes are a ways down the road, so I think its a challenging aspect of the character to play until then).
QUOTE]

Oh I forgot here is a better Flaw to play...Conjoined Twins back to Back

Benefits
You can watch each others Back...No Flanking
One can Stand Guard While they other sleeps
You could both cast spells at the same time
Fight with 4 Weapons at a time
No need to throw away Ability scores
Two Chance to perform a task
No Surprise attacks since you can see 360*
You'd be harder to trip (4 legs Vs 2 Legs)

Cons
Having to split your 1 share from the Party 2 ways between yourself
Solik
08-26-06, 01:28 PM You would need to be much higher than level 6 to pull this off.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Cantankerous DM 08-25-06, 01:17 PM	Basically, my group is going to have a round robin DM game, where each person takes a session for the same group of adventurers. I am at the point where I am designing my character for this and I wanted something challenging and different. This is where I need a hand. I need to balance benefits to the 'flaw' I decided to take for my character. He is going to be paralyzed form the neck down, a birth defect that cannot be healed by conventional divine magic (miracles and wishes are a ways down the road, so I think its a challenging aspect of the character to play until then). Since I am wanting to play a sorcerer-type (to avoid using books), I thought it wouldn't be too much to assume that gaining the Still Spell feat to all my spells would be acceptable. There is also the issue of actual attribute numbers. I would imagine that Str and Dex would be completely useless (other than to have drain attacks applied to), so I was curious if you think it would be too unbalancing to have the option to shift points at a 2 to 1 ration from physical attributes to mental attributes, or give a slight curve to the point by systems in this regard? Any ideas or input you have for the mechanics of this flaw would be appreciated (even if it is to show a different direction to go with this concept). I also want to take a moment to clarify that I am using the word flaw in purely a mechanical sense (I am not wanting or trying to offend anyone out there who may be handicapped or know someone who is handicapped)
Mystyc 08-25-06, 01:49 PM	How does this character intend to travel with the party? And seriously, that's only the first of a number of difficult questions. This idea could make for a fascinating NPC, but I really question whether any rational group of active adventurers would accept a quadrapalegic in their ranks. To answer your question, if this person has been incapacitated for a good length of time, his Strength and Dexterity are approaching 1 or even 0 from atrophy. Even if you allow him his original scores (for the puroses of combatting drain), they are effectively 0 for all practical purposes, and he cannot use skills which have Strength of Dexterity as their ability. As for conversion, how is this character being made? If it's point buy, you can simply not invest in STR or DEX. If he's rolled up, perhaps you can simply apply an adjustment once the rolls have fallen out. (Say, -4 to physical stats, +1 to mental stats.)
Cantankerous DM 08-25-06, 02:10 PM	One of the PCs has a strong maternal instinct, and the current race I have thought of using is that of a halfling (so I can see this as being one way of transportation). Anotehr thought that came to mind was using spells to assist in movement (Unseen Servant, ect). We would be starting off at 6th level, so I have some flexibility in skills/feats/ect to work with. I have queried this in a few other sections of the Net, and it seems like it would be too much of a challenge for the other players to be 'want to put up with'. So I might just rehash this idea, as it may be one of those 'only sounds interesting to me' kind of things. The angle I was going with this character was through the eyes of him trying to be a survivalist and overcome his inabilities by personal perserverance and assistance from a strong group of friends. The players I am with won't be offended by the character concept and I am not going to play this character as a handicap, not a person. Perhaps this would be too much of a challenge to enjoy playing. The last thing I want to do is hamper the fun of any of my players...
Captn Blake 08-25-06, 09:14 PM	That says "psionic" to me, man. Professor X style.
DonJuanDemarco 08-26-06, 12:12 AM	Definitely agree with play a psionic character of some sort. It eliminates the need for the still spell feat. Also, I like the concept of flawed characters, but you have to find a balance. For example, make him paralyzed from only the waist down, so he can still conceiveably move around with his party. Otherwise it will never be realistic. Other more doable ideas along the same lines: 1 arm or 1 leg, no arms, 1 arm and 1 leg, crippled but not paralyzed, and so on. If any of those work for you, seriously consider them.
Jacilla 08-26-06, 04:50 AM	I would never allow this in my game. The amount of care a quadriplegic needs is just too much, even with magic to pick up some of the slack. Anything less might work, but think about someone who literally; can't move themselves at all, can't feed themselves, bathe themselves, take themselves to the bathroom; dress themselves; brush hair or teeth. Basically all this character can do is think and talk. The impact on the other PC's to care for this character would be enormous. I realize all this stuff wouldn't be played out, however, the suspension of disbelief in the game would just die. I second the suggestion to chose a slightly less incapacitating handicap.
Rerecros 08-26-06, 05:08 AM	This sounds like hyper-munchining. Stat adjustments; all of my strength and dexterity to intelligence and charisma, later I'll just wish my body back when I reach the the appropriate CL. "from the neck down" is too much, at least have one functioning arm, magical contraptions will do the rest.
John Paul Stoddard 08-26-06, 05:16 AM	Wow I can see it now....Halfling strapped to a Fighter Back....I quess you could argue They Couldn't be Flanked anymore.... I know I'd rather have a paralized Quad Halfling strapped to my body ( 90/100 Lbs) than GOLD What Good would your spells be to the party if you have to use them to feed yourself, Move around with, cast protection on yourself...you'd use up more spell slots making them all Still Spells. Party Member 1: Hey we found Alot of Gold in this lair Party Member 2: Yea, To bad we are all carrying to much stuff already Party Member 1: To Bad we didn't have something heavy and Useless to discard Party Rogue (Snickers Loudly and Slinks behind Party Member 1 Coup de Gras Party's Sorceror and cuts straps holding him onto Party Members Back) : There Dummy I just Ligthened your load for you. Pick up some more of that loot Party Member 1 : Boy that sure took a load off my Back
John Paul Stoddard 08-26-06, 05:25 AM	[QUOTE=Cantankerous DM] I need to balance benefits to the 'flaw' I decided to take for my character. He is going to be paralyzed form the neck down, a birth defect that cannot be healed by conventional divine magic (miracles and wishes are a ways down the road, so I think its a challenging aspect of the character to play until then). QUOTE] Oh I forgot here is a better Flaw to play...Conjoined Twins back to Back Benefits You can watch each others Back...No Flanking One can Stand Guard While they other sleeps You could both cast spells at the same time Fight with 4 Weapons at a time No need to throw away Ability scores Two Chance to perform a task No Surprise attacks since you can see 360* You'd be harder to trip (4 legs Vs 2 Legs) Cons Having to split your 1 share from the Party 2 ways between yourself
Solik 08-26-06, 01:28 PM	You would need to be much higher than level 6 to pull this off.