Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Hepheastus 03-21-05, 11:10 AM	Hello, First of all, I'm new here, so: Hi Everybody! I have a characterconcept I'd like to try, but I have no idea where to start... I usually play Wizards or Clerics in games like this, but I though I'd do something completely different. (and that's where the trouble starts :P ) Basically (as the title says ;) ), I want to become a Dungeons and Dragons version of... Indiana Jones, but without the guns. Anybody here got any pointers about class, race, feats, etc? (Preferably 3.5 Standard with Forgotten Realms as an 'extension' to that.) I apologize if this question has come up in the past, but the Forum Search function didn't work for me.. Sincerely, Hepheastus
anders 03-21-05, 11:15 AM	Class: - Rogue - Human - Focus on whip stuff - Knowledge skills + appraise, bluff .. - prolly level dip in 2 fighter levels just for teh feats
Ilium 03-21-05, 11:37 AM	Class: - Rogue - Human - Focus on whip stuff - Knowledge skills + appraise, bluff .. - prolly level dip in 2 fighter levels just for teh feats You might actually consider a level or two of Expert. I know it stinks as a class, but you will need those knowledge skills. There are several classes that fit better in non-core sources. I understand there's a Scout class in Complete Adventurer that fits the bill, though I haven't seen it yet.
quaiven 03-21-05, 12:17 PM	Scout does work well, but it doesn't have Disable Device as a class skill so rogue is almost a must have, I would also suggest a few levels of bard for the Bardic Knowledge or since your in FR aim for one of the Harper classes to get Harper Lore. I would avoid levels of fighter though unless you want to powergame, because Indy never really did well in melee.
CzarGarrett 03-21-05, 12:42 PM	Bard or Rogue (rogue more likely) with a bit of Expert if possible, then Extreme Explorer out of Eberron.
Donraj 03-21-05, 12:57 PM	I would avoid levels of fighter though unless you want to powergame, because Indy never really did well in melee. I seem to remember him winning at least a few hand to hand fights. I'd give him at least two levels of fighter to represent this. He wasn't a brawler but he was tough and able to hold his own and that should be represented. You wouldn't want a man who duked it out with Nazis to be a glass jaw, would you? ;) I'd agree with the idea of giving him a couple of levels of "Expert," or at least one. Remember, he was, at least in theory, an academic. They called him "Dr. Jones" and you don't get a doctorate just by your slugging and splunking abilities. Also, remember to give this character a good score in Decipher Script and several languages. I distinctly remember Indy as knowing at least half a dozen different languages in the movies. Let's see, Latin, Greek, Chinese, Hindi, Sanskrit (?)...
quaiven 03-21-05, 01:07 PM	I seem to remember him winning at least a few hand to hand fights. I'd give him at least two levels of fighter to represent this. He wasn't a brawler but he was tough and able to hold his own and that should be represented. You wouldn't want a man who duked it out with Nazis to be a glass jaw, would you? I seem to remember him getting smacked around every time he went one on one with someone in melee, and then winning by sheer luck (such as the big bald dude getting hit by the propeller). Now where he did do well was when he caught people by surprise, and Sneak Attacked them. Lara Croft on the other hand would definately have several levels of fighter, as would Alan Quartermain.
PurdueDave 03-21-05, 01:25 PM	Bard or Rogue (rogue more likely) with a bit of Expert if possible, then Extreme Explorer out of Eberron. Concur. Bard gives you proficiency with the whip. Extreme explorer is tailor-made.
Shocker250 03-21-05, 04:14 PM	If you want a REAL Indiana Jones... well then I got just the class for you. First off, you got to be human. Cuz, well, Indiana was human, and ur gonna want that extra feat and skill points. while this may not be the BEST way to go, if u want it to be really like Indy, ur gonna have to go fighter/rogue adn then, when u meet the prerequisites, go to the "Sword and Fist" book. In there is a prestiege class called the Lasher. Use that, cuz the Lasher gets to use his whip for swinging across casms, catching himself when he falls off a cliff, and third hand ability. In effect, that class will make u more like Indy in the offensive kinda way, not so much the, knowledge and nazi killing way. Ya, u cant REALLY be Indiana in DnD... cuz there arnt any nazis. Although u could do a temple of doom sorta thing... even though that movie sucked in comparison to the others.
Edymnion 03-21-05, 04:24 PM	Except that Lasher is 3.0 (which normally doesn't phase me, there's no reason at all to dissallow something just because its 3.0 and not 3.5), and the rules for the Whip have changed since then. Several of the Lasher's abilities really don't work any more because of it, and there is no update. I would make the case that Indy is pure Bard with no ranks in Perform. It gets him whip proficiency, the knowledge skills, Bardic knowledge, and all the rest. He just doesn't go around singing, story telling, or anything else. And as long as you keep the spells he chooses to a strictly non-flashy support type list, that won't be a problem either. I'd work with the DM though to try and turn some of the Lasher class abilities into feats, or a feat tree for him though.
MaplessManiac620 03-21-05, 08:22 PM	Personally, I'd go with: Bard 3/Monk 1/Ranger 1/Master Inquisitive 2/Lasher 2/Extreme Explorer 4/Arcane Duelist 2. 15th level, as someone else had mentioned. WIS to AC from Monk, which gets that brawling aspect in there, and CHA to AC from Arcane Duelist (You can duel with a Whip; really!) since Indy is far too suave to wear any kind of armor. Master Inquisitive will net him a contact, a good skill list and a bonus feat of a pretty helpful list. I like the Bard option as well. The Knowledge is almost worth it in itself, and his limited spells can be seen as his irrefutable 'luck'. As for ranks in Perform, who says he has to tell stories about someone else? :P A level in Ranger will give him Favored Enemy (Nazi) and Track, which your DM should definately allow you to follow the Grail or the Lost Arc instead of a person. Extreme Explorer is sort of obvious in itself, but the Trap Sense and Evasion seem to fit in nicely, as well as the Dodge bonuses. As far as I know, the first two levels in Lasher won't change too much from 3.0 to 3.5; that's all you need to get 'Third Hand', essential to building Indy. I'd also throw in a Dart Thruster from Underdark. Closest thing to a pistol in D&D; and its Martial. Plus I think it looks cooler than a hand crossbow. :D I have him at 15th level after 'The Last Crusade', but if you want to level him all they way up to 20, I'd start with 2 more levels of Master Inquisitive, and the last level of Extreme Explorer. Or even Examplar or Dungeon Delver. Enjoy!
anders 03-22-05, 04:45 AM	MaplessManiac620: I doubt bard/monk fit so well together since they kinda require non-lawful/lawful alignment. I say skip the monk levels. I'm not sure Indy was lawful, but he was definitly good. Bard/Fighter (weapon specialization whip, improved trip/disarm)
Hepheastus 03-22-05, 06:01 AM	First of all, thanks to all who made suggestions! (Some of them are pretty intruiging, such as levels of Expert..) Now, I read the Lasher class and the Whip rules. I must be missing something, because I can't see why this class no longer works in 3.5!? I'm not sure wether to go Rogue or Bard, though I must say that after reading it all, the Bard does seem to have some of the required stats. Shame about the magic, which is definitely something I'm trying to get away from... Then again, I suppose I could use the Bard class without the Bardic music, caus Indy wasn't a singing/dancing person :P Sounds like a waste to me though, or is there a Perform(something) that would fit in character? I will need at least one feat for exotic weapon whatever way I go, since I figure the best ranged choice for an 'Indy' would be a hand (or repeating) crossbow. I don't have access to Ebberon or Complete Adventurer sadly, so those suggestions, while valuable, won't work for me :( Sincerely, Hapheastus
Ilium 03-22-05, 08:47 AM	Yes, Bard does sound like the way to go. If you can't talk the DM into letting you exchange Bardic Music for another ability (like Trapfinding and Evasion, maybe? or the suggested whip feats?) then you could take Perform (Lecture). :) He'd be the least boring teacher at the University. :D
fallabel 03-22-05, 09:01 AM	In the Complete Divine, there's a PrC called "Temple Raider of Olidammara". It's very roguish (and has all of the necessary skills, like decipher script and disable device), but you also get some spellcasting.
Vatras 03-22-05, 09:32 AM	You can take a straight rogue, he can do everything Indiana did in the movies :)
Ilium 03-22-05, 09:39 AM	You can take a straight rogue, he can do everything Indiana did in the movies :) Everything except make those DC 25 Knowledge rolls. :)
Edymnion 03-22-05, 09:45 AM	I will need at least one feat for exotic weapon whatever way I go, since I figure the best ranged choice for an 'Indy' would be a hand (or repeating) crossbow.Well, if you want to follow it more or less how the official Indy went: Lvl 1: Expert He was a know-it-all, even as a kid. Lvl 2: Rogue Ever see the Indiana Jones Chronicles (or something like that), which was Old Indy telling stories about when he was young (before the start of the first movie)? He was very Roguish. Didn't have all that great Bardic knowledge of artifacts yet, but he was smart and could sneak pretty good for his age. Lvl 3+: Bard Proficiency in Whip, Bardic Knowledge about magical items and legends and the like. I would say to just give him a Charisma of 10 so tha he would be incapable of casting bardic magic, but Indy always got the girl, and his students were so hot on him that the girls were writing "LOVE YOU" on their eyelids so they could blink love letters to him. So, maybe there *IS* a way to get him using magic without ruining the character, and keeping him from singing (which isn't the only way to do the perform checks, story telling, jokes, anything will work, really). Like was said, give him ranks in Perform (Lecturing). He's subconciously casting Charm or Hypnosis on his class while lecturing, thats why they all love him so much. And he *DOES* like to talk to himself (mainly so we the viewers know what he's thinking). He was reciting the tests of the grail while he was going through them, perhaps that was his verbal component to an Intelligence or Dexterity buffing spell. Toss in another level of Expert or two along the way just for flavor, because he did take long periods of time off from adventuring to teach his classes, so the Profesor side needs upgrading over time as well.
Phrennzy 03-22-05, 10:26 AM	Definately rogue. He took that one NAZI out and stole his uniform using a sneak attack head-butt. He wasn't GREAT in combat, but he didn't suck. He was ususally outnumbered, which is never easy to fight against. You could put your skill points in History(and maybe convince the DM to tack on "Archaeology" to History.). A wand of scorching ray (Use Magic Device) would replace the gun.
SammasterT 03-22-05, 11:02 AM	I once styled a character after Indiana Jones. His name was Corwin of Arabel. He was a rogue, raised in the streets of Arabel. His father had long ago been executed for treason after the short reign of Gondegal, and he had been raised by a local librarian, who instilled in the lad a passion for the ancient past. Corwin began with knowledge of the Survivor States, particularly Hlondeth (sp?), but his career eventually carried him to Sembia, where his tomb raiding began to lift him to prominence. He became particularly famous within the Church of Deneir, and after a couple of successful jaunts into Myth Drannor began to research that place. He also had knoweldge of Untherese, after a brief trip out to the east as a stooged of the Cult of Tiamat. Keep in mind, he wasn't supposed to be a carbon-copy of Jones, but rather, was **inspired by**. He is educated in the ancient past and its languages, was asked in time to give speeches on his discoveries and necessary skills for ruin-raiding (like a professor), was in time at least the equal of your average warrior (ie. 2nd or 3rd level, which an 8+ level rogue is mor ethan capable of taking on), but he had a decidely roguish streak at the same time .... especially in regards to the women. Need nazis? Well, thats what Azoun's Purple Dragons are for!! Or the Zhents! Either/or.
Shocker250 03-22-05, 03:56 PM	wow... lots of good ideas here. Two i REALLY like a lot. Going ranger to get Favored enemy (Nazi) is brilliant. Absolutly brilliant. Another good one was Perform (Lecture) also brilliant. Keep in mind Indy was indeed a college professer. I would say that Indy really does need a very high charisma. Why do i say this... well because he was one hell of a ladies man. Cmon, all his female students were taking his class just to be near him, and the women he met along his journey, most ended up in the bed with him. Some ranks in Diplomacy i say are required. I say that Indy has to be Chaotic Good or neutral good though for alignment. I say closer to chaotic good. Why?? well, he breaks the law often to do good things... for example, he steals from some guy in the first 10 minutes of the Holy Grail, the law is clear, that guy owned that artifact, but Indy comes, takes it and blows up the boat. And then gives the artifact to a museum. Oddly enough, Indy never really does anything that is all that amazing. The only thing he is actually REALLY good at doing is, Not Dieing. Hes set off booby traps, lost fights, goten poisoned, got beat up again, got captured... several times. If u pay attention, i say that he was more of a hit and run kind of guy, i think. Cuz there were certainly better fighters out there. He was more of a very well rounded individual. But, here is a list of things that he MUST have. 1. Trap sense (as is appearent during his dodging of arrows and giant blades. 2. Proficiency with Whip 3. Skill points in, Disable Device, Trap finding, Either Proffession (Historian) or Knowledge (history/artifacts), Some diplomacy, and some Ride, and definitly Tumble, disguise self too, for when he sneaks in as a nazi, and we cant forget Knowledge (religion) 4. Probably Chaotic good, but i guess u can say he was neutral good 5. Favored Enemy (Nazi) 6. Fear of snakes.... probably better to role play that fact thats all i can think of for now, of things that can be given to him in DnD form... cuz guns dont really exist yet. NO TICKET :D
MaplessManiac620 03-22-05, 05:37 PM	1. Trap sense (as is appearent during his dodging of arrows and giant blades. Sounds like Rogue would be a good start. Without using Eberron, I'd say 4 levels would be good, netting Evasion and Uncanny Dodge as well as Trap Sense +1. 2. Proficiency with Whip Well, Bard would work for this nicely. You also said Perform (Lecture) is needed, so that's two things down. I'd take 3 levels as a nice base. Not only proficient, but excellent. Lasher 2; minimum. If you wanted to be really annoying, throw in 3.5 Exotic Weapon Master for flurry. 3. Skill points in, Disable Device, Trap finding, Either Proffession (Historian) or Knowledge (history/artifacts), Some diplomacy, and some Ride, and definitly Tumble, disguise self too, for when he sneaks in as a nazi, and we cant forget Knowledge (religion) Definately Able Learner. Keep multiple skills maxed out, with the high skill points you'll be getting from Rogue/Bard/ and Ranger (See Below) 5. Favored Enemy (Nazi) Three levels of Ranger will give you Favored Enemy (Nazi) and free Endurance which leads to Diehard. Staying alive, as stated, is Indy's best trait. So, Maybe a Rogue 4/Bard 3/Ranger 3/Lasher 2 for those non-Eberron builds? Heck, if you can use Eberron and dont like the conflicting alignments from my earlier post, sub-out Monk for a level of Artificer and start making those revolver shaped wands! Disable Trap also has some uses! So for Eberron-users, I'd go Bard 3/Artificer 1/Ranger 1/Master Inquisitive 4/Lasher 2/Extreme Explorer 4. Level 15 total, at the end of the trilogy. Makes me want to play one! ;)
amethal 03-23-05, 01:24 PM	I think Loremaster would be a good prestige class for Indianna Jones, but nobody seems to think of it (maybe because of the stupid picture in the DMG). It gives you access to all the knowledge skills (and 4 skill points), and the equivalent of bardic knowledge. That would cover the professor aspect of his character. Of course, to get the evasion, trapfinding etc. he also needs and meet the requriements for loremaster takes a fair number of levels.
MaplessManiac620 03-23-05, 07:16 PM	I think that its because Loremaster requires three metamagic feats or item creation feats and the steep castering requirement. I'm not about to give Indy Wizard levels, and Bard doesn't get acess to 3rd level spells until 7th level. Ick. You're right, it would fit nicely, but theres no way he can make the pre-req's without suffering greatly. Good idea though.
PurdueDave 03-23-05, 07:42 PM	In the Complete Divine, there's a PrC called "Temple Raider of Olidammara". It's very roguish (and has all of the necessary skills, like decipher script and disable device), but you also get some spellcasting. Very cool...I forgot about that one. Perfect.
The Half-Orc Wizard 03-28-05, 06:35 PM	A level in Ranger will give him Favored Enemy (Nazi) :rofl: If he had that, he would have killed Adolf Hitler when he had the chance. Whoa, memories about that scene. That REALLY creeped me out when I first saw it. Indy's about to get away with the book and BAM! runs right into the Fuhrer. A sort of "Holy #&*@!" moment. I jumped like 3 feet out of my seat when I saw it. But I digress. Anyway, I'd say one level of Bard, and rest is Rogue. He just maxes out history, geography, dungeoneering, religion, nobility and maybe architecture. Maybe he takes preform (oratory), or something. He always managed to make these stories about anchient civilizations seem interesting. Obviously, weapon focus with whip, and maybe something like improved grappling. EDIT: My 100th post! :cool:
Begle1 03-28-05, 07:07 PM	All rogue... Total Skill monkey... Weapon Proficiency with whip and improved unarmed strike... Use Rope lets you do the tricks with the whip... A ton of skills. A ton. Intelligence of 16 at minimum.
Phrennzy 03-28-05, 07:38 PM	INNNNNNNDYYYYYYYY, the torch is going out! No, it's not, it's a continual flame. Now help me cleave these snakes so we can get out of here.
Dave Stebbins 03-28-05, 09:15 PM	I once played a gnome rogue named Boz whose nickname was Indy. It took the other players almost a full session to guess that he was one of the Indiana Gnomes! :D He told people the nickname of Indy was short for Independent, but they later figured out it wasn't "Indy" but "In Deep" which pretty accurately described where he usually found himself. Sorry for the bad puns, but it's late and I never did get to play that PC much, even though he was a lot of fun. -Dave
Draco Strang 03-28-05, 11:50 PM	How do we readily illustrate his fear of snakes? My only solution for this would be to take a flaw that gives him say...-4 to all skill checks, attacks, and initiative rolls, and saving throws made against anything vaguely serpentine. Poor guy would crap himself if he met a yuan-ti.
MaplessManiac620 03-29-05, 12:40 AM	How do we readily illustrate his fear of snakes? My only solution for this would be to take a flaw that gives him say...-4 to all skill checks, attacks, and initiative rolls, and saving throws made against anything vaguely serpentine. Poor guy would crap himself if he met a yuan-ti. I dont think a mechanic is necessary, really. Good RP will solve this by itself.
Nalgoth 03-29-05, 12:51 AM	Here's how I would do it, Human Level 1 - rogue (for maximum skill points), feats - able learner (from RoD), two weapon fighting (Indiana is often pictured with the pistol and whip, merely substitute sword for pistol) Level 2 - Bard or Expert - gain all the necessary knowledge skills as class skills - get weapon proficiency whip - get bardic knowledge - perform (lecture) Level 3-8 rogue - feats - weapon focus (whip) and one other. Note: you will need to be 8th level to have the BAB to qualify for Lasher. Level 9 and up - Lasher (you get a whip sneak attack which will stack nicely with the rogue sneak attack). By definition I think Indy fits the description of expert better than bard, but if you go that route the character will be a little weaker and you will lose a feat since you will have to spend one on weapon proficiency whip.
Sunrider 04-02-05, 01:04 PM	Don't forget the Education feat (Forgotten Realms, regional) - all Knowledge skills are class skills, +2 bonus to any two Knowledge skills.
OamuTheMonk 04-02-05, 01:31 PM	The Generic classes in Unearthed Arcana are perfect for this...The UA version of the Expert is similar to the rogue in terms of combat ability, you get to choose what your class skills are, you get good skill points, you get a crap-ton of bonus feats, and best of all, there is a list of class features that the Expert can take as Feats (like Trap Sense and Favored Enemy). You could build your Indy from the ground up, with no need for multiclassing. It is perfectly suited to projects like this.