Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Warboss Morgrum 12-19-05, 02:48 AM	Alright, so I just started running a new game. I've got my three regular players (Two friends and my brother), and the plot thus far boils down to the "Join up with the rebellion against an unjust ruler and depose him" thing. I told my players to make suitable characters for this type of setting, and they have succeeded more or less. The problem is, one of my friends wants to rise to power in the new government, replacing a baron that once held him as a slave. All well and good (assuming they win ;) ), except, he made a Kobold fighter/barbarian. His character (who he plays as rather flighty and not too bright) doesn't fit his goals at all. I let them play a little, to get an idea of how their characters would work, and they're now 3rd level (started at 2nd). If he keeps playing this character his goals will be all but impossible to achieve. I'm debating whether I should tell him this, and suggest he build a new character more suited for leadership (I'm glad to help him), or just go along with this character and hope he somehow makes it or changes goals.
Torack 12-19-05, 02:52 AM	While a certain amount of deviousness in order to rise through the ranks seems like a no-brainer requirement for his chosen goals, sometimes, just sometimes, characters that lack that ability rise through the ranks on sheer luck or force of will. Remember that a barbarian has the rage ability...think of the intimidation power that could grant him (especially if he took or is planning to take the Intimidating Rage feat.)
Dex 12-19-05, 03:02 AM	If you need to dissuade him from trying to achieve command, put a squad of NPCs under the PC's control (just for one adventure). If he takes to the task well, then, wierd character or not, he may just be suited for it. If he doesn't, then the NPCs will ignore his orders and ask another PC what to do etc. The best way of seeing what characters can do is to test them, i find. Who knows, maybe he'll cop a wayward catapault stone in the final battle ;)
Warboss Morgrum 12-19-05, 03:12 AM	He doesn't plan to take any Rage feats to my knowledge. And besides, he's a Kobold. PC: ARRRRRG! NPC: "The 2.5ft tall lizardthing is screaming at me. How cute." Meanwhile, the other characters will be well on their way to accomplishing their goals. One is motivated by revenge, and is playing a Rogue/Assassin to kill the Nobles who wronged him. Very doable with his character One wants to lift a family curse placed on his family by a Pit Fiend 300 years ago. He's playing a Fighter/Warlock, and can also meat his goal with a little work. The last character (They really needed a healer, so the Rogue's player is also playing a Druid at the group's request) is a Druid, who is searching for her children who were kidnapped two years ago. Her goals don't really need any particular character build, so they can be accomplished through some RP and some hacking. My friend's character is going to have to work much harder than the others to reach his goal. I'm worried that he will just get discouraged and quit.
chaoscholar 12-19-05, 06:53 AM	Just as in real life, sometimes the system acts as a meritocracy, and those best suited to rule, rule. And other times, it can just be a matter of dumb luck, who you know, or a terrible conjunction of untimely events that thrust someone into power. Give him the opportunity - as above, give him a small command at first (maybe a commander aura and a 10 man squad as per Heroes of Battle), and see how he does. If he screws up, it's on his character and him as a player, and not on you as a DM.
Dex 12-20-05, 05:10 AM	I wasn't thinking of a minatures battle, but that could definetly work too. I was originally thinking of 4-6 low-level (4 levels lower) cohort type followers (NPC classes). Even better, make them Kobold ninjas . :D If he doesn't do well, maybe offer him an altermative goal - he comes across a den of slaughtered kobolds, and then revenge becomes his goal, or appeasing his koboldish ancestor spirits when they come to him in dreams or something
Nurgan_the_drunked 12-20-05, 05:50 AM	How radical are the rebels? And how high up the ruler you're disposing of? With a bit of arrangement, you could set it out that the best way to rise in power is not within the current system, but within the rebels "new world order". If you really want to bring him to this idea, give him a chance at leadership and rank, and have him either turned down repeatedly, or have him get a position then the Unjust Ruler specifically strips him of it, for no good reason, other than being a kobold. Get him het up and prepared to take out the ruler, then let him get ranked under the new one.
Black Kitten 12-20-05, 07:18 AM	Perhaps he could learn leadership quality on the way, give him the opportunity to show that. Even with an abysmal charisma and intelligence, the right guidance can make a leader. Of course, you must ensure you have the right person behind him to guide him.