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Why Scary or Monstrous PCs Have Nothing to Worry About

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
RogerC
Oct 25, 2006 15:58:24 "A medusa, a troglodyte, and a kobold walk into a bar..."

Are you a DM suffering the angst of monstrous PCs? Worried the town populace will mob them as soon as they come within bowshot of the gates? Have no fear! This can be easily avoided. This solution requires no house rules or other special treatment of the PCs. All it requires is one skill: Disguise.

Go ahead -- read over the skill. I'll wait. I trust you noticed these important sections: "If you don’t draw any attention to yourself, others do not get to make Spot checks."

"If you come to the attention of people who are suspicious (such as a guard who is watching commoners walking through a city gate), it can be assumed that such observers are taking 10 on their Spot checks."

"Disguised as different race: Disguise Check Modifier -2"

That's pretty much all that you need to know. Got a kobold who wants to disguise himself as a halfling (or visa versa)? He suffers a big -2 penalty to his check. Same thing if you have a troglodyte, lizardman, or medusa trying to pass as human. They've only got to beat some city guard who is taking 10 on his Spot check.

A few ways to make it even easier for the monstrous PCs to fool everyone:

* The Deceitful feat provides a +2 bonus on Disguise checks
* 5 or more ranks in Bluff provides a +2 bonus on Disguise checks to those acting in character
* The spells 'disguise self' and 'alter self' provide a +10 bonus to Disguise checks, last 10 minutes per caster level, and are level 1 and level 2 spells respectively.
* A disguise kit is 50 gp, and can provide a +2 bonus to Disguise checks, with 10 uses. It's quite possible that masterwork disguise kits exist as well.
* The doppelganger bloodline provides a +2 bonus to Disguise checks at 4th level, and 'alter self' once per day at 8th.
* The hat of disguise is a great deal at 1,800 gp -- it allows you to 'disguise self' at will.

Thus, with a little preparation and forethought, any monstrous PC has little to worry about when he comes into town. All you need to do is play the rules as written.
#2
zombiegleemax
Nov 20, 2006 20:50:19 It's a good point, and there are a lot of times where a simple disguise will work, but I think the mere -2 penalty is a bit light on occasion. If you're already in the general shape of the race you're disguising yourself as, it’s fine, but if you're sufficiently different I see it a being a bit of a problem. We'll look at it this way, an elf would have very minimal problems passing itself off as human, but a Kuo-Toa, which is roughly the same height, would have an incredibly harder time. The MM describes it as being "pudgy or bloated" with willowy arms, with broad hands and distended feet. It's got scaly skin and a fishlike head, with bulging eyes.

One thing that also would get taken into account, even by an incredibly bored city guard, kobolds' and lizardmens' legs bend different. Just take a lot at the pictures if you don't believe me, but while we have toes and a heel, they stand entirely on their toes with their heel being a about halfway up a comparatively sized humanoid's shin. The needed solution is a full robe, with a hood and everything, but that draws attention, which could provoke a legit spot check. And if Mr. Guard just got dumped by his girlfriend, they can't all be married with 2.5 children and a house after all, he could be looking for someone suspicious to take it out on, and someone that's got a robe and hood on would probably warrant a search.
#3
zombiegleemax
Nov 20, 2006 21:18:17 Nice thread, a good subject that is definitely opinionated.

My personal opinion is that Disguise is one of the few skills that is too open to diversity. As far as I can tell, it would take more than a wig, some makeup and whatever else to make a kobold seem at all halfling-like. Just look at their descriptions. A halfling is essentially a smaller version of a human as far as looks. A kobold is a cross between a dog and reptile that has a humanoid shape. In my campaign, I would impose a hefty penalty on a kobold trying to look halfling-like without some magical help. The same with a medusa looking human. They have scales and snakes on their heads!! The subject is definitely a debatable one though.
#4
mecha_pope
Nov 21, 2006 19:23:59 I find it funny that a 1st level koblold cannot enter town, but that elemental savant guy moving 90 feet a round and flaming is just fine, cause he's HUMAN-ish
#5
catra
Nov 25, 2006 13:55:59
As far as I can tell, it would take more than a wig, some makeup and whatever else to make a kobold seem at all halfling-like

Mmmm...boots that have a raised heel inside? A couple extra layers of clothing to make the body look thicker? You might have to get creative with the face.

As far as sneaking past the gate goes, who says they can't sneak a ride in a covered wagon, anyways? It wouldn't be hard for a Kobold to pass as a sack of potatoes. I mean, as long as he didn't tentatively cry "potato" when the guard kicked the sack. Once their inside, keeping out of sight should be any Kobold's specialty, so it shouldn't be a problem.

I could see a Lizardfolk character with a humanoid cohort dragging him into town collared, shackled, and muzzled, saying that he's bringing in a bounty to the next town over. The shackles could be rigged so that a measly Str check breaks the chain, letting him rip off the muzzle as a move action in case of combat situations. It would be quite humbling for the Lizardfolk character, but I think it would work.

As for medusas, a hooded cloak would be good for covering their heads, and a veil would cover most of their faces. Again, gloves and boots to cover extremities. A little bit of face paint perhaps. Act very shy and modest and you might be able to get away with it. Alternately, bribe a huge Barbarian character to accompany you into town. They'll have to decide who they're more afraid of first before they can think about kicking you out.

Then there are cases like Drow, where I think a little illusion magic is necessary unless you want to get really crazy, but that's only in towns where Drow are 1)known, and 2)scorned. Bigger cities are probably going to care less and less what race you are as long as you don't look dangerous (and sometimes even if you do), while smaller towns will naturally be more superstitious and prejudiced.

And if you can't get in? That's what the Survival skill is for! :D Come on, sleeping in a tree should be next to natural for monstrous races, right?
#6
angryman
Nov 30, 2006 6:55:43 I remember we had a half-fiendish (with bat wings) Drow anti-paladin in our group. He thought he could just walk into town..."I look like an elf." I told him no, you look like a black-skinned elf demon. Anyway, he was chased out of town...

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 RogerC Oct 25, 2006 15:58:24	"A medusa, a troglodyte, and a kobold walk into a bar..." Are you a DM suffering the angst of monstrous PCs? Worried the town populace will mob them as soon as they come within bowshot of the gates? Have no fear! This can be easily avoided. This solution requires no house rules or other special treatment of the PCs. All it requires is one skill: Disguise. Go ahead -- read over the skill. I'll wait. I trust you noticed these important sections: "If you don’t draw any attention to yourself, others do not get to make Spot checks." "If you come to the attention of people who are suspicious (such as a guard who is watching commoners walking through a city gate), it can be assumed that such observers are taking 10 on their Spot checks." "Disguised as different race: Disguise Check Modifier -2" That's pretty much all that you need to know. Got a kobold who wants to disguise himself as a halfling (or visa versa)? He suffers a big -2 penalty to his check. Same thing if you have a troglodyte, lizardman, or medusa trying to pass as human. They've only got to beat some city guard who is taking 10 on his Spot check. A few ways to make it even easier for the monstrous PCs to fool everyone: * The Deceitful feat provides a +2 bonus on Disguise checks * 5 or more ranks in Bluff provides a +2 bonus on Disguise checks to those acting in character * The spells 'disguise self' and 'alter self' provide a +10 bonus to Disguise checks, last 10 minutes per caster level, and are level 1 and level 2 spells respectively. * A disguise kit is 50 gp, and can provide a +2 bonus to Disguise checks, with 10 uses. It's quite possible that masterwork disguise kits exist as well. * The doppelganger bloodline provides a +2 bonus to Disguise checks at 4th level, and 'alter self' once per day at 8th. * The hat of disguise is a great deal at 1,800 gp -- it allows you to 'disguise self' at will. Thus, with a little preparation and forethought, any monstrous PC has little to worry about when he comes into town. All you need to do is play the rules as written.
#2 zombiegleemax Nov 20, 2006 20:50:19	It's a good point, and there are a lot of times where a simple disguise will work, but I think the mere -2 penalty is a bit light on occasion. If you're already in the general shape of the race you're disguising yourself as, it’s fine, but if you're sufficiently different I see it a being a bit of a problem. We'll look at it this way, an elf would have very minimal problems passing itself off as human, but a Kuo-Toa, which is roughly the same height, would have an incredibly harder time. The MM describes it as being "pudgy or bloated" with willowy arms, with broad hands and distended feet. It's got scaly skin and a fishlike head, with bulging eyes. One thing that also would get taken into account, even by an incredibly bored city guard, kobolds' and lizardmens' legs bend different. Just take a lot at the pictures if you don't believe me, but while we have toes and a heel, they stand entirely on their toes with their heel being a about halfway up a comparatively sized humanoid's shin. The needed solution is a full robe, with a hood and everything, but that draws attention, which could provoke a legit spot check. And if Mr. Guard just got dumped by his girlfriend, they can't all be married with 2.5 children and a house after all, he could be looking for someone suspicious to take it out on, and someone that's got a robe and hood on would probably warrant a search.
#3 zombiegleemax Nov 20, 2006 21:18:17	Nice thread, a good subject that is definitely opinionated. My personal opinion is that Disguise is one of the few skills that is too open to diversity. As far as I can tell, it would take more than a wig, some makeup and whatever else to make a kobold seem at all halfling-like. Just look at their descriptions. A halfling is essentially a smaller version of a human as far as looks. A kobold is a cross between a dog and reptile that has a humanoid shape. In my campaign, I would impose a hefty penalty on a kobold trying to look halfling-like without some magical help. The same with a medusa looking human. They have scales and snakes on their heads!! The subject is definitely a debatable one though.
#4 mecha_pope Nov 21, 2006 19:23:59	I find it funny that a 1st level koblold cannot enter town, but that elemental savant guy moving 90 feet a round and flaming is just fine, cause he's HUMAN-ish
#5 catra Nov 25, 2006 13:55:59	As far as I can tell, it would take more than a wig, some makeup and whatever else to make a kobold seem at all halfling-like Mmmm...boots that have a raised heel inside? A couple extra layers of clothing to make the body look thicker? You might have to get creative with the face. As far as sneaking past the gate goes, who says they can't sneak a ride in a covered wagon, anyways? It wouldn't be hard for a Kobold to pass as a sack of potatoes. I mean, as long as he didn't tentatively cry "potato" when the guard kicked the sack. Once their inside, keeping out of sight should be any Kobold's specialty, so it shouldn't be a problem. I could see a Lizardfolk character with a humanoid cohort dragging him into town collared, shackled, and muzzled, saying that he's bringing in a bounty to the next town over. The shackles could be rigged so that a measly Str check breaks the chain, letting him rip off the muzzle as a move action in case of combat situations. It would be quite humbling for the Lizardfolk character, but I think it would work. As for medusas, a hooded cloak would be good for covering their heads, and a veil would cover most of their faces. Again, gloves and boots to cover extremities. A little bit of face paint perhaps. Act very shy and modest and you might be able to get away with it. Alternately, bribe a huge Barbarian character to accompany you into town. They'll have to decide who they're more afraid of first before they can think about kicking you out. Then there are cases like Drow, where I think a little illusion magic is necessary unless you want to get really crazy, but that's only in towns where Drow are 1)known, and 2)scorned. Bigger cities are probably going to care less and less what race you are as long as you don't look dangerous (and sometimes even if you do), while smaller towns will naturally be more superstitious and prejudiced. And if you can't get in? That's what the Survival skill is for! :D Come on, sleeping in a tree should be next to natural for monstrous races, right?
#6 angryman Nov 30, 2006 6:55:43	I remember we had a half-fiendish (with bat wings) Drow anti-paladin in our group. He thought he could just walk into town..."I look like an elf." I told him no, you look like a black-skinned elf demon. Anyway, he was chased out of town...