Factotum from Dungeonscape

[sjmiller]

While I like the class concept, and even the way the class is currently written, I find I have to change the class name to really make it work for me. Back in my college years, when studying ancient history (on my way to my now incredibly useful History degree) the title of Factotum is used quite a number of times in old texts. The Factotum is a servant or employee who is hired to do many different jobs. It's always referred to as a subservient position, never an independent role. I just find it hard to think of someone wanting to play a character who is in a subservient role in an RPG. At least not to the extent that a factotum is represented.

I just need to think of a good catch-all name for the class.

 

[Henry]

I just need to think of a good catch-all name for the class.

Well, the Journeyman, according to (Andy Collins? Mike Mearls?) was the original name for the class, before they changed it to Factotum. Also fits, but again, it's kind of boring.

Perhaps "Jack of Trades", "Adventurer", or "Schtick-Thief"?

 

[Jason Bulmahn]

Truth be told, my original name for the class was Dabbler.. which got changed to Journeyman.. which got changed to Factotum.

Fun.

Jason Bulmahn
Managing Editor of Dragon

 

[Mistwell]

I hate the name "Factotum" (it just falls flat on my ear) but I have to admit it fits...

Factotum to me says the book by Charles Bukowski, and the movie named after that same book.

Given this class has nothing to do with that book, it's really an annoying name for this class for me.

 

[Sejs]

A friend of mine was describing this class to me this past weekend.

I was previously unaware of its existance, as I am completely unacquainted with Dungeonscape.




... I swear to god, I kept hearing the name of the class as "FAQ Totem".

 

[Dykstrav]

Dungeonscape? Awesome book! I dig the new monster templates and especially the return of the rot grub.

The factotum? Meh. I suppose the class could be construed as reasonably balanced, but classes that try to do everything have never really interested me. I just imagine the factotum as that guy in the office with the communications degree because he was afraid of specializing in his senior year and now just sort of takes whatever jobs float his way.

I'm not trying to be too "real world" with it, but it's always been my experience (both in and out of game) that the specialists are the people that are always in demand. Generalists can serve as a stop-gap measure, but are outshined by specialists.

 

[Justin Cray]

Factotum makes me think of Planescape, not Dungeonscape. :/

 

[Wrathamon]

what do others think of its Turning abilities? It sort of outshines the cleric in the number of times it can do it per day doesnt it?

 

[RichGreen]

Truth be told, my original name for the class was Dabbler.. which got changed to Journeyman.. which got changed to Factotum.

Fun.

Jason Bulmahn
Managing Editor of Dragon

I like Dabbler!


Richard

 

[Wrathamon]

I think Dungeoneer would have been better... or Adventurer