I came up with an elderly senile halfling swashbuckler who was a sickly lad (low CON) and thus spent much of his time reading books (high INT) and hanging out with the older sickly crowd (high WIS). He has a naive sense of the world (low CHA)... and an over-powered sense of chivalry, due to the books of adventure that he preferred. Sir Don Pierre Rascall of Glenn-claro has suddenly put on his father's armors and he and his old war pony are off to right injustice throughout the land. He spent much of his youth indoors playing at being a knight and such (slightly above average Str) and he is simply naturally agile (very high dex).
Anybody got any other character ideas, that are not world-specific?
I have a few more, based on some characters I'm playing now.
- Ancient gnome witch, the good witch... a friendly grandmotherly sort, very frail, but everyone loves her and does what she says (enchanter & high CHA). Old enough to remember when everything happened. In her youth, she was saved by (halfling) nobles and still feels gratitude and respect.
- Favored Soul from a viking-type culture going out of his way to become a legend. A boaster who can can back it up. He might be a plane-touched character, if the DM allows... he has legendary origins. This might also work in a greek culture environment.
- A violent island-culture war priest of a shark-god intent on emulating the shark and it's habits. He could be a pirate, a cannibal, many tattoos, primitive technology.
- Raised by wolves, or badgers, or talking trees. He was abandoned in the woods to die from exposure. A druid watched over him, but never made direct contact. Turns out... the character is wild and nasty when first met, but he has a distinctive appearance... once cleaned up, he is apparently the twin of his now-dead noble brother.
- A eunuch monk who considers himself a priest of a death god, he may multi-class as a necromancer of some sort.. even up to priest. He seeks an artifact that will plunge the world into doom... even if it kills him.
- IM SURE YOU ALL HAVE SOME COOL IDEAS AS WELL... SHARE?
Well, this one started out as a joke character, but eventually turned into a serious exploration of how a character with a childlike black-and-white view of right and wrong, good and evil makes sense of a shades-of-gray world...
A young halfling girl with a helpful, caring, sunny personality and a child's simple black-and-white view of right and wrong has an inaginary friend she calls "Mr. Sun". Every morning she walks outside, looks up in the sky and says, "Hello, Mr. Sun..."
Although it was cute when she was four, when she was thirteen and still doing it, still retaining her childlike manner and ideas, people were convinced she was touched in the head, that she'd been staring into the sun too long. However, in spite of being thought mad and physically and emotionally still resembling a child, she becomes apprenticed to the village healer and eventually grows up to become a holy paladin of Pelor and a skilled warrior.
What no one had realized was that, one day when she was six years old and looked up into the sky and said "Hello, Mr. Sun"....
"Mr. Sun" had replied, "Hello, Polly..."
Well, this one started out as a joke character, but eventually turned into a serious exploration of how a character with a childlike black-and-white view of right and wrong, good and evil makes sense of a shades-of-gray world...
A young halfling girl with a helpful, caring, sunny personality and a child's simple black-and-white view of right and wrong has an inaginary friend she calls "Mr. Sun". Every morning she walks outside, looks up in the sky and says, "Hello, Mr. Sun..."
Although it was cute when she was four, when she was thirteen and still doing it, still retaining her childlike manner and ideas, people were convinced she was touched in the head, that she'd been staring into the sun too long. However, in spite of being thought mad and physically and emotionally still resembling a child, she becomes apprenticed to the village healer and eventually grows up to become a holy paladin of Pelor and a skilled warrior.
What no one had realized was that, one day when she was six years old and looked up into the sky and said "Hello, Mr. Sun"....
"Mr. Sun" had replied, "Hello, Polly..."
Polly Sunshine as Paladin. I can see it. I like the idea of it being a halfling paladin, too.
What would be some other good ones?
Grumpy Old Man as Old Dwarf Fighter.
The Mean Baby Sitter as Barbarian
Busybody Neighbor with 20 cats as a Druid.
The Sexy Librarian would be a Half-elven Wizard.
The Clueless Snobby Socialite as Elven Bard.
I really need to be thinking about what sort of Drow I'm going to be in my nephew's Evil Drow Underworld Cities Campaign.
Busybody Neighbor with 20 cats as a Druid.
Been done. "The Crazy Cat Lady" is an actual build by one of the guys in CharOp - I think they got up to 7 cats (including the wildshaped druid) on the table at once.
If she is keeping her cool throughout a fight that has reached a stale-mate, and she feels that her friends are going to be in danger if this continues for too long, and she starts to lose her cool, then the other combatant should run for his life before he gets strangled with his own spinal cord.
If she is fighting very wildly and her opponent is able to block her attacks through superior technique, and she takes a second to calm down, then the other combatant should run for his life before a super-major blood vessel gets messed up.
3.5 Wizard/Barbarian, perhaps? Sorcerer/monk?
Not on their own behalf, as they understand that the "falling angel" trusts and respects them as good people and would never hurt them, but on behalf of the other people they meet who aren't as dangerous as true fiends but to whom the "falling angel" still reacts just as strongly as if they were?
Busybody Neighbor with 20 cats as a Druid.
Been done. "The Crazy Cat Lady" is an actual build by one of the guys in CharOp - I think they got up to 7 cats (including the wildshaped druid) on the table at once.
It's all been done - doot dee doo doo. Ah well..
How about multiclassing with one half that traditionally depends on maintaining extreme discipline and one half that traditionally depends on completely cutting loose? The kind of person that absolutely hates herself for having such a nasty violent streak that she spends every waking moment keeping her temper under absolute control so that she doesn't hurt anybody that she doesn't have to. But when she has to...
If she is keeping her cool throughout a fight that has reached a stale-mate, and she feels that her friends are going to be in danger if this continues for too long, and she starts to lose her cool, then the other combatant should run for his life before he gets strangled with his own spinal cord.
If she is fighting very wildly and her opponent is able to block her attacks through superior technique, and she takes a second to calm down, then the other combatant should run for his life before a super-major blood vessel gets messed up.
3.5 Wizard/Barbarian, perhaps? Sorcerer/monk?
I likey.,
-A socially brilliant sorcerer who proclaimed to be a Duke (the Duke of Ignis, specifically) despite lacking any noble blood or title, mostly because he liked the sound of the title (and went by "the Duke") and because he would burn anyone alive who questioned him too deeply on it.
-An eladrin enchanter (high INT and CHA) who really only cared about getting revenge on the halfling who slew his family, and one day reclaiming his noble heritage among his people. His name was Zeke (short for Ezekiel Nierdre) and his best friend (and unfortunate life partner) was a human female named Lyra Bloodedge (she named herself!) a low INT fighter who could barely read but had resolved to stay by Zeke's side no matter what, because she liked him and he was squishy and needed the help. When she realized that Zeke's ultimate plan to be rid of her was to simply outlive her, she resolved to ascend to godhood so she'd never die and she could stay with Zeke. She was also prone to stabbing people to simplify matters, and cutting women who attempted to keep Zeke for themselves.
-An evangelical cleric who attempts to convert any and everyone he meets, and is also a stout pacifist, refusing to harm any other living creature no matter the harm inflicted upon him. However, he is more than happy to help others do the hurting. Hypocrisy is a really big word and he doesn't really know what it means anyway.
Some I have had fun with...
-A socially brilliant sorcerer who proclaimed to be a Duke (the Duke of Ignis, specifically) despite lacking any noble blood or title, mostly because he liked the sound of the title (and went by "the Duke") and because he would burn anyone alive who questioned him too deeply on it.
-An eladrin enchanter (high INT and CHA) who really only cared about getting revenge on the halfling who slew his family, and one day reclaiming his noble heritage among his people. His name was Zeke (short for Ezekiel Nierdre) and his best friend (and unfortunate life partner) was a human female named Lyra Bloodedge (she named herself!) a low INT fighter who could barely read but had resolved to stay by Zeke's side no matter what, because she liked him and he was squishy and needed the help. When she realized that Zeke's ultimate plan to be rid of her was to simply outlive her, she resolved to ascend to godhood so she'd never die and she could stay with Zeke. She was also prone to stabbing people to simplify matters, and cutting women who attempted to keep Zeke for themselves.
-An evangelical cleric who attempts to convert any and everyone he meets, and is also a stout pacifist, refusing to harm any other living creature no matter the harm inflicted upon him. However, he is more than happy to help others do the hurting. Hypocrisy is a really big word and he doesn't really know what it means anyway.
I particularly like the 3rd. It somewhat reminds me of that character in Casino, Joe Pesci's 'friend' who always let Pesci's character do the dirty work.
Originally a joke character is Sir Keeper "Kibbles" Kelare. He began as a meek, pathetic kobold runt by the name of "Kibbles" in a campaign I was running. He was actually slain as a result of our Dwarf Barbarian's actions. It was then that my friend wanted to DM and he requested a paladin.
I jokingly proposed Kibbles be our paladin. He jumped on board and I developed Kibbles a lot farther. That can be seen below:
- It was at a young age that Keeper, then known as Kibbles, lost everything. When a group of adventurers invaded the Cathedral of the Radiant Sun where his tribe was located, their actions ultimately resorted in his death.
- A week later, a traveling band of adventurers known as the Dragons of the Heartlands, discovered the Cathedral and the Kobold Runt within. Kyra Kelare, then a youthful Cleric of Bahamut gave him life oncemore and adopted him as her own. The other Dragons (as they called themselves) viewed him as little more than a leech.
- It was with time that Keeper grew to learn a way of life completely alien to him. A way of life where fear is not the main motivator for all factors, but where honor and integrity can be, as well as empathy. It was with time that he grew to understand the concept of love and even began to feel a certain—warmth that could be considered similar to love for Lady Kelare (who had at that point earned a lordship governing a region of land).
- Lady Kelare took it upon herself to teach Keeper to be more than a survivor in a cruel world. She taught the Kobold to be a warrior, but one of principles and ethics. Kyra taught him to be a hero.
- When the Kobold turned nine years of age, he came to a realization about it all. He was not meant to simply internalize these teachings. Keeper knew that he was meant to do more with this and it was then that he left home with the blessing of Lady Kelare.
- The years passed quickly for the Kobold. Keeper grew to form a special bond with a group of adventurers who came to be known under a simple name. They were the Covenant. Each had sworn an oath to each other to stand by them in the best and worst and to never betray their brethren. It was for the first time since he had left the company of Kyra that he felt like part of a family.
- The Covenant’s bond disintegrated when Sven Hroth, the Covenant’s Arcanist, arranged for them to go into an ambush in return for a position with the ranking Thieves’ Guild as an officer. The only survivors of the massacre were Keeper and Thomas Vrague, the Covenant’s archer. It was after that day that the two parted ways, promising to one day get revenge on Hroth for the deaths of their friends.
- The Prodigal Son returned to Lady Kelare—a changed kobold. His heart was not filled with innocence any longer. It was tempered with cynicism, but he had not given up all hope. It was there that he met someone who he would eventually form a close bond with—a Gold Dragon Wyrmling by the name of Jactura.
- The Kobold spent a year in the company of his mentor performing ritualistic tasks managing the estate with the help. However, there came a time when a Red Dragon had made its presence known to the local village. The three tracked it down to a cave not far outside of the village and murdered it in its lair to save the village.
- With the death of Derelis and Jactura, Keeper went out again. He left in search of enlightenment—in search of some way to give Jactura life oncemore. His travels eventually brought him to the home he had known so long ago—the Cathedral of the Radiant Sun. Into the catacombs, he delved and it was there that his blade dispatched the Kobolds that stood in his way as he searched for something. In the center of the Catacombs was a single black orb atop a pedestal with a holder shaped like a claw grasping it.
- When Keeper grabbed the Orb, he was abjured from the world of consciousness and had a vision. Bahamut told him of a way to save Jactura. He would be forced to accept a mantle of undeath that he would bear for the rest of his life, but he would be able to save her. The Kobold, afraid to lose his closest friend, took the path necessary to become a Bone Knight.
- It was later revealed after he had taken upon the mantle that it was Falazure’s deceptions in order to show Bahamut the fallacy of trusting the conviction of mortals. Bahamut did question Keeper, but ultimately discovered that while he disapproved of the actions taken, that Keeper could still walk the path of righteousness even with the stain of undeath forever tarnishing his soul.
- Keeper returned to Kelare Estate to discover Kyra had left during his travels. He thoroughly explored the Estate to discover a small note neatly folded and sealed that read as follows:
“Dearest Keeper,
Over the years, I have come to love you—as a son. I have come to love you—as a pupil. And perhaps most of all, I have come to love you—as a friend. And it is why it pains me to write this.
We may never speak again, Keeper. The Dragons of the Heartlands have reunited and it is once again that we must draw blade in defense of our home and loved ones. There may come a time when we see each other again, Keeper, but that time may be when I am an old woman and you are still young. I just pray you stay safe in your travels.
Love,
Kyra”
- The Kobold stared at the note for a long time, but said nothing. Rather he accepted that it was her time to move on and his as well. Keeper gave life oncemore to Jactura as his skeletal steed and carved the bones of Derelis into his armor and sword. It was this armor and sword that would become iconic with one thing amongst Behamut’s faithful. How even from the cesspools of villainy and scum, the righteous could rise up—it is Bahamut’s will.
And that's the story of the sagacious Kobold Paladin who originally began as little more than a joke.