Post/Author/DateTime	Post
JEntropy 05-25-07, 12:08 PM	Hey everyone, new to the forums and excited to be here! I'm hoping you guys can give me a little help. After wrapping up the last campaign a few months ago, one of my DM's will soon be starting a new campaign within the same world setting, albeit with different characters and time period. He's having us start (at least, and probably spend a significant amount of time) in a rainforest type environment, and strongly emphasized the rain element of it. When I joked that he was placing us in monsoon season, he disagreed, saying "monsoon season implies that the rain will stop." Further, he suggested that metal-reliant characters may struggle, due to the rust-friendly environment. I need help rolling up a character for the game. I had originally planned on a Vow of Poverty oriented monk, who was also generally nonviolent. I was planning to work towards Defensive Throw (CW) and generally disable opponents rather than dealing lethal damage. However, it struck me that a monk focusing on trip attacks might not be the best suited to a forest environment, with all its quadripedal menaces. Back to the drawing board... Characters start at 5th level. Everything Core is allowed, and non-core books are admitted on a case-by-case basis. This being said, he's generally amenable as long as he has the chance to see it, so feel free to use your imagination with sources. I had a few ideas bouncing around in my head: - Druid: obviously great for any wilderness campaign, and suddenly their metal restriction doesnt seem like such a bad thing...only problem is I am drawing a blank on any exciting character concepts that are druid-oriented. - Ranger: another "duh" class, but I was reading through an old issue of Dungeon Magazine and saw the Runner of Elhonna PrC, and thought that could be interesting... - After reading a Gish thread, building a Swashbuckler3/Wizard2 and working towards Bladesinger seemed like an intriguing concept. Won't worry as much about metal armor, but my poor rapier... - Reading through PHB2 last night, I was looking over the Barbarian information (I'm playing one in another campaign, but that's fodder for another post) and was intrigued by the Whirlwind starting package. Light armored character would be good, definitely tough, but I'm not sure I should play the same class in two different campaigns at once. - Shugenja? The elemental focus makes the class very naturally based, and the name sounds cool. Maybe that's what drew me to it. Obviously, my ideas haven't amounted to much. Interested to see what you guys have in mind, because I'm definitely struggling with this one... :confused: :confused: :confused:
Count_Chumleigh 05-25-07, 12:32 PM	Ask your DM for his policy on magic metal items and the rusting thereof. Mind you, plate mail is a bad thing to wear in most rainforests even if it won't rust, but magical metal weapons and armor might not be an issue. Still, I'm not your DM, which is why you should ask him. Cheers, --Count Chumleigh EDIT: As for character advice, now would be the time to look into wooden weapons. The humble club, for instance, is a wonderfully versatile device: it's made of wood so it won't rust, it costs nothing to make--which also means that, going strictly by the crafting rules as written, anyone capable of making a Craft (Weaponsmith) check of 0 or higher without rolling could walk up to a tree and instantly make as many clubs as could be made from that tree, but I digress--it can be wielded in two hands so as to get the best usage of power attack, and you can throw it. I can see a multiclass Rogue/Barbarian making good use of a club in the thick of a jungle. A quarterstaff or a sling might also work, for mostly the same reasons (pro tip: the 0 GP sling does what a mighty composite longbow costs hundreds of gold pieces to replicate: it lets you add your strength bonus--all of it--to your ranged attacks).
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi 05-25-07, 12:33 PM	So you want to remove your reliance on metal? Take something that doesn't need it (duh). Druid, monk, and arcane casters are the obvious ones. Soulknife could also work, if you get a reliable fix or are really good at building a soulknife. It seems that you are intrigued by one ranger idea, so you should try that. Running out of druid ideas? I recently had a good one. You believe that arcane magic is evil, or at least harmful, and consider yourself nature's hero in cleansing it. You will steal from mages their very ability to cast spells. Druid/spellthief (CAdv)/arcane heirophant (RotW). Take Master Spellthief (CScoundrel) to advance your spellthieving. Bingo. New druid concept. If not the magic-hating part, at least the stop it at any costs, even your own soul (by then having the arcane magic within you).
Pyro_Azer 05-25-07, 12:36 PM	How about a druid that focuses on having no equipment other than was he/she has been able to make living in the forest (e.g. bow+arrows, herbal potions ect.)
JEntropy 05-25-07, 12:48 PM	Running out of druid ideas? I recently had a good one. You believe that arcane magic is evil, or at least harmful, and consider yourself nature's hero in cleansing it. You will steal from mages their very ability to cast spells. Druid/spellthief (CAdv)/arcane heirophant (RotW). Take Master Spellthief (CScoundrel) to advance your spellthieving. Bingo. New druid concept. If not the magic-hating part, at least the stop it at any costs, even your own soul (by then having the arcane magic within you). I love this idea, but how would you incorporate this character into a group that has an arcane caster? I'm not sure what everyone else will be playing, but I can see his hatred of all things arcane as being a considerable obstacle to cooperation. I suppose the concept could "take one for the team" and seemingly ignore the presence of an arcane caster ("I'm traveling with him, so its fine that he represents everything my soul, mind and body are set against") but that seems like kind of a sellout option... Maybe his hatred of the arcane is based on ignorance and fear? And (given that there is a fellow arcane caster) he learns to accept that person? Maybe I just answered my own question. By the way, thanks to everyone for the help so far, I'm definitely getting a lot more to work with. Keep it coming!
Galen26 05-25-07, 12:59 PM	Further, he suggested that metal-reliant characters may struggle, due to the rust-friendly environment. This seems rather silly to me, as surely if metal armour/weapons are going to rust in the monsoon season, does that mean leather armour will get waterlogged, go mouldy and crumble? Someone suggested clubs and slings, but again, same problem. How about wizards with their spellbooks? As Count_Chumleigh mentioned, you should talk to your DM about how difficult it is going to be to keep general equipment in working order and if magical items will be more resistant to rust and such.
Krusk 05-25-07, 12:59 PM	I would probably play something like a heavily armored knight -PHBII- from a foreign place. So as soon as you arrived you bought bluesheen armor fullplate -MIC- and now it is immune to rust. Get it on your shield too. Everyone else in the entire region will probably be lightly armored and you can play the traveling knight out to fight evil on his travels. Could be a unique character for that setting, as everyone else is not using metal. Maybe you even keep a warhorse stabled in town, but can't ride it through the jungle. So you just go and visit it, but the one or two times you can use it will be cool.
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi 05-25-07, 03:03 PM	I love this idea, but how would you incorporate this character into a group that has an arcane caster? I'm not sure what everyone else will be playing, but I can see his hatred of all things arcane as being a considerable obstacle to cooperation. I suppose the concept could "take one for the team" and seemingly ignore the presence of an arcane caster ("I'm traveling with him, so its fine that he represents everything my soul, mind and body are set against") but that seems like kind of a sellout option... Maybe his hatred of the arcane is based on ignorance and fear? And (given that there is a fellow arcane caster) he learns to accept that person? Maybe I just answered my own question. By the way, thanks to everyone for the help so far, I'm definitely getting a lot more to work with. Keep it coming! That's definitely a good one. Yay RP! Or you could contrive some difference between the party mage's magic and some other. Maybe you only object to mages who defile the land with their magic. EDIT: Or you could try these ideas for a druid: 1) The rain forest is actually a few ecosystems. The tops of the tallest trees fill a completely different niche than the very bottom, where it's dark and decaying and renewing everything. And there's like one or two layers between. You could focus on one of those layers. Or the interactions of them. Imagine the difference between a druid who maintains the decaying and regernating bottom, full of fungi and enormous bugs, as opposed to a layer that actually sees the sun, full of monkeys and birds. 2) You are focused on natural change and believe this rain forest needs a nudge toward its next phase (nothing drastic!). 3) Tribal shaman type. You are the expert on the medicines and poisons that can produced. Remember at 9th level you're immune to poison. So no worries about accidentally poisoning yourself. Ranks in craft (poison). Supply the locals. You're the wandering medicine man, neutral in various tribal conflicts.
Prostonovich 05-25-07, 10:00 PM	How about playing a local sorcerer?! Design him after the Maya or Aztec cultures, or some other type of tribal people who live in rainforest areas. He could worship the god of rain, and as long as it rains he feels he has his god's blessing. Because of this he could act boldly, and feel he could never fail in anything he might attempt! Hope you find what you're looking for! Good luck!
Nathreet 05-25-07, 10:12 PM	Dragonhide plate, 3300gp, masterwork. Identical to full plate except that it's not steel, plus druids can wear it. There, now you can play whatever you want.
sensestaker 05-25-07, 10:26 PM	rain+ranged attacks=bad. Rains imparts a -4 to ranged attacks and storms make them impossible. If dm rules all metals rust (magic should't, but might) I'd be concerned about my material componants holding up as well if I were a caster. Also breaks in the rain might be filled with thick mists which mean visibility limited to 5 feet and concealment. I'd probably be somebody that swings an ironwood club REALLY hard with the feat blindfight in case of mist, has lots of hp so that I didn't have to worry as much about my armor getting ruined and has max ranks in survival so I could build a tent out of banana leaves when it was time for beddy-by:D
JEntropy 05-25-07, 11:18 PM	Dragonhide plate, 3300gp, masterwork. Identical to full plate except that it's not steel, plus druids can wear it. There, now you can play whatever you want. Correct me if I'm wrong, but dragonhide plate would be heavy armor? Druids can only wear light/medium without taking armor profiency (heavy). Or does dragonhide, like some other materials, lighten the armor?
zelf_gale 05-26-07, 12:00 PM	Dragonhide plate is heavy armor, however the increase in armor bonus is sometimes worth the heavy armor proficiency feat, especially if you can get the Wild armor enchanment enhancement from the DMG. It will let your armor bonus from the plate carry over to your shapeshifted forms. Also if you do get this make it Black dragonhide if possible. Black dragons are naturally semi-aquatic, which should allow you to avoid further hassles RP wise with your armor otherwise possibly becoming waterlogged. Melee Druid is the best choice for this campaign. Don't pass on it because it is. Previously mentioned Blind-Fighting feat from PHB is also a good choice.
Apupunchau 05-26-07, 01:58 PM	Start as a ranger for 5 levels and then go Animal Lord, specifically Ape Lord. Have a Monkey as your Animal Companion max out your climb and jump and as an Ape Lord you'll get a bonus to climb and the feat Brachiation which will allow you to move among the tree tops. Don't wear armor at all get all your AC from dex and magic items. I was playing a halfling like this and I had him like a Samoan with tattoos and a sarong and all his magic items (Bracers of Armor, ring of protection and Necklace of Natural Armor) were made of crudely shaped copper. It allows you to play a ranger with out being an overly stero typical one. If you do go halfling their good with silngs so you can go ranged but I went two weapon fighting and fought with kukri although some kind of claws like claw bracers can work as well.
Pangeon 05-26-07, 03:51 PM	As far as race goes, I'd say Jungle Goblins (UA, and here (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/races/environmentalRacialVariants.htm#jungleGo blins)) sound like they could be a lot of fun. I've played one, and it was probably my favorite character ever. You've got a climb speed, which will be invaluable in a forest, lowlight vision, and 30' land speed for a small creature, making them a good mechanical choice. The idea of a tribal goblin living his life in the forest could have a lot of RP appeal, too. (Goblins are one of my favorite races.) Class wise, any of the previous archetypes could be made to fit here: wandering Druid medicine man, arcane magic hater, solitary ranger. I think the idea of a spear-throwing ranger could be cool, too, using the cover of the forest and your climb speed to always stay just out of reach. Scout could be very good for this, too. (Be sure to pick up Shot on the Run.) If you wanted to play scout and ranger, there's a feat (Swift Hunter, IIRC) in Complete Scoundrel that lets you stack scout and ranger levels for determining skirmish and favored enemies. Good luck, and hope this helped. :D
Hack and Smasher 05-27-07, 12:50 PM	I suggest an aztec flavored druid. Really combined with ideal enviroment and full power call lightening why bother with anything else.
Soren_of_Chains 05-27-07, 02:37 PM	One Word: Ninja. Not the CA ninja, a real ninja. Play a multi-class Monk-Rogue, max out jump, climb, tumble {Actually equally helpful in the rainforest as outside, as will be displayed when you first fail a balance check thirty feet up on a tree branch, and while we're thinking of it,}, balance, hide, and move silently, assuming human and a 12 or higher INT, then get more that will help on an individual basis during your rogue levels. Grab some shuriken, and make your favored tactic hiding in the tree branches, launching the shuriken, which you are proficient with as a monk, and then jumping to another branch while still under cover, easy for you because the improved speed of the monk allows your maximum NO PENALTY speed to increase, and throw more from a direction they don't see coming, continue stalking them, using the forest canopy as a roadway AND as cover, and hurl shuriken at every opportunity. Finally, when they're really desperate, leap out right behind them, charge them, and as they turn to see who has been chasing them, kick them in the face. I would say LN or LG with a strict policy against attacking people who don't deserve it, but be a little over-eager to eliminate those who seem to deserve it without necessarily getting the whole story. This is not neccesarily playing low wisdom or intelligence, in fact, your character may well be a sage in both regards, but everyone, even sages, have character flaws, and impatient moments, and here are yours. just a suggestion.
Gonf 05-27-07, 05:27 PM	From your original post it's obvious the game isn't core only. I was wondering what classes you have access to. For example a Shaper Psion could have a lot of fun in an environment like a rain forest. He has no necessary equipment, and at later levels can reshape the forest on a whim (Fabricate). RP wise, you could make him a missionary of a lawful deity. Going out to tame the barbaric wilderness and bring order to the rampant chaos. He sees natives as children in need of tutelage. He uses techniques like astral construct; calling forth soldiers and workers 'from the void' to do the will of his god. You could focus on battlefield control and such. If you don't have access to the XPH you can find it here: Psionic SRD (http://www.wizards.com/d20/files/v35/Psionics.zip)
Harbin_Dunewalker 05-27-07, 06:35 PM	And now for something from the Eberron Campaign Setting: BRONZEWOOD! BRONZEWOOD! BRONZEWOOD! You can make any weapon out of it (aside from "chain weapons, such as the Spiked Chain" which makes me think that the Flail is out too), as well as breastplates, banded mail, splint mail, half-plate, and full plate. And since it's wood, you can even wear it as a druid. It weighs 10% less than normal metal (probably not enough to affect things much) and has hardness 10 and 20HP/inch. +4000 GP for medium armor, +9000 GP for heavy armor, and +500 GP/pound for other things, such as weapons, so it's a bit expensive, but I'd say it's worth it for your weapons at least. For armor, dragonhide would likely be cheaper. (Note: you can get armor other than full plate made out of dragonhide. If you don't want to take Heavy Armor Proficiency as a druid, just get a dragonhide breastplate instead.) Bronzewood really doesn't seem too "campaign-specific," so you might not have too much trouble convinving your DM to let you use it.
Krusk 05-28-07, 12:50 AM	OH! while your in a jungle environment this is probably the best time to make use of the ape totem barbarian who has the braciation feat you have always wanted to. But that could just be me. Specialize in unarmed fighting and grappling. Maybe play a half-ogre?
maharai23 05-28-07, 01:10 AM	Whether it's rust or rot, wood and metal are equally prone to damage in humid environments. Solution? well, for wood, you can either laquer that masterwork club, or grab a new one every so often. For metal? Build a shelter (or pitch a tent) most every night, and spend about 20-30 minutes taking care of your equipment... Simply polishing and cleaning metals will keep them in fighting shape for a while. The real environment to worry about is briny atmosphere. Salt water in the air will corrode metal at an insane speed. I'm talkin, take care of your stuff every day, or you'll be fighting with green cooroded armor. Even so, most environmental hazards to equipment is easily handled by appropriate precautions. The real combat trees to stay away from are anything cavalry, which has a tendency to get bogged down in muddy environments. Grappling/tripping can be good, even against quadropeds, if you build the character right (drunken master w/ vow of poverty? talk about someone who drinks REALLY cheap booze).