Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Jalle Jul 11, 2013 18:48:05	Hello everyone. Tomorrow my group starts on a new campaign (I was told about this this evening) and we will all start at 4th level. I have just made my character, which is a focused specialist (Conjuration). My main goal is battlefield control but’s that’s not really relevant to why I am posting this topic. We are almost always allowed to pick a flaw and get a feat in return, but since I haven’t had much time creating my character I don’t have many good ideas for a flaw, and I am therefore asking you guys. My character is a Whisper gnome focused conjurer. My alignment is Chaotic Neutral and I will be playing it like an opportunist (willing to do both good and a little bit of evil as long as it greatly benefit the character). I don’t have a background yet. So far I have one feat in mind, but since I can’t ask my GM until tomorrow I would like to have different options ready, just in case he won’t allow it (or greatly nerf it; such as demanding absurdly high DCs or very long duration on the fascination (check flaw description below)). The flaw I got so far is working like this: You automatically fail all spellcraft checks when rolling 1. Whenever the character sees a magical effect it must roll a spellcraft. If the character fails a spellcraft check he must make a will save. If the will save is failed the character is fascinated in X rounds by the object/effect/whatever and depending on how much the will save failed the character must either stare at a distance, walk up close or touch it. Please help me with some ideas. I am most interested in flaws based on the character being a spellcaster, but any flaws (especially cool or funny ones) are much appreciated! Thank you.
#2 StevenO Jul 11, 2013 19:29:07	My character is a Whisper gnome focused conjurer. My alignment is Chaotic Neutral and I will be playing it like an opportunist (willing to do both good and a little bit of evil as long as it greatly benefit the character). I don’t have a background yet. Willing to do whatever as long as it benefits the character is a halmark of an EVIL alignment. There is nothing saying you need flaws so you don't need to worry about them.
#3 Jalle Jul 12, 2013 0:47:39	My character is a Whisper gnome focused conjurer. My alignment is Chaotic Neutral and I will be playing it like an opportunist (willing to do both good and a little bit of evil as long as it greatly benefit the character). I don’t have a background yet. Willing to do whatever as long as it benefits the character is a halmark of an EVIL alignment.   I knew somebody would comment this. Anyways this is not relevant, so please stay on topic. There is nothing saying you need flaws so you don't need to worry about them.   I want a flaw, which is why (obviously) I made this thread. Not trying to be rude here but your comments aren't contributing the slightest.
#4 Syltorian Jul 12, 2013 0:59:35	Magical Fascination (Dragon Magazine #328) might work. Its penalties are less severe, but don't allow a save/check. For yours, I'd suggest a simple will save, not a combined spellcraft check and will save; it would be too easy to overcome the effects of he Flaw. Nice one for an obsessive char with a "primitive reflex" to touch anything magic.
#5 Jalle Jul 12, 2013 4:49:48	Magical Fascination (Dragon Magazine #328) might work. Its penalties are less severe, but don't allow a save/check. For yours, I'd suggest a simple will save, not a combined spellcraft check and will save; it would be too easy to overcome the effects of he Flaw. Nice one for an obsessive char with a "primitive reflex" to touch anything magic. Thanks! I'll give it a look.
#6 Syltorian Jul 12, 2013 9:46:03	A background would help, though. I know you don't have one yet and are under time pressure, but any little bit helps. Of course, it's possible to chose the feats and flaws first and build the background around that. How many flaws does your DM allow you to have? Standard (if a variant method can have a standard) is two at first level. I've read somewhere that others allow one more every fifth level, but cannot remember where. As to flaws themselves, Dragon Magazine #328 in general has flaws designed with the different races in mind - though most don't actually require you to be a member of that race. #327 has Flaws for Sorcerers, and #333 has Flaws for Wizards, both of which articles have some interesting stuff. You might also consider Occult Mutations from #356 - they're not Flaws, but Traits, but also quite flavourful (though the only one I have been able to fit onto a character was Unnatural Aura).
#7 Jalle Jul 15, 2013 18:30:19	A background would help, though. I know you don't have one yet and are under time pressure, but any little bit helps. Of course, it's possible to chose the feats and flaws first and build the background around that. How many flaws does your DM allow you to have? Standard (if a variant method can have a standard) is two at first level. I've read somewhere that others allow one more every fifth level, but cannot remember where. As to flaws themselves, Dragon Magazine #328 in general has flaws designed with the different races in mind - though most don't actually require you to be a member of that race. #327 has Flaws for Sorcerers, and #333 has Flaws for Wizards, both of which articles have some interesting stuff. You might also consider Occult Mutations from #356 - they're not Flaws, but Traits, but also quite flavourful (though the only one I have been able to fit onto a character was Unnatural Aura).  Thank you for your replies. I ended up with the flaw I described in the topic (I didn't describe it correctly though). If you are interested, the flaw works like this: Rolling 1 on spellcraft is an automatic fail. Whenever a spellcraft check is failed the character gets the stagger effect for 1d4 round (attack or move action only). Also whenever the character sees a clearly magical effect the character must roll a will save. If this save is failed the character must either stare at distance, go up close or try to touch it, depending on how much the save failed.