What themes do you want in core?

G

gyor

Legend
So what themes would you like in 5e.

We heard of the noble and blacksmith and the planetouched (I really like the idea of the planetouched), and maybe avenger, but what themes would you like to see?

To kick this off, some theme ideas Godborn, hermit, sage, demonologist, primordial shard, elven high mage, theocract, ghost, half-dragon, miltiamen, sheriff, cannibal, Shade, lich, saint, prophet, inventor, shadowdancer, fairy godmother, cobbler, merchant, Shadow Thief of Amn, Red Wizard, Basketweaver, Jester, slaver, Charletan, Mentor, Squire/Knight, Hydrablooded, Purple Dragon Knight, Beguiler, Divine Mind, Mystic Thuege, Summoner, Malconvoker, Fey Beast Tamer, vampire, Janissary.
 

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I'm not really a fan of the idea of racial themes (isn't that just another race?) or specific organization themes (can't you make them more abstract?)... Let's see here.

Knight (AKA Samurai)
Noble
Sage
Mercenary
Farmer/Peasant
Merchant
Deva (fits the 4E concept better than a race would)
Wanderer
Priest (I don't think this is redundant...)
Agent (for those loyal rogues and ninjas...)
Criminal
Outcast
Vengeance Seeker
Treasure Hunter
Sailor (pirate?)
Child of Prophecy
Mentor (doomed to turn evil or die ;) )
Sidekick (comedy relief?)

I think it got away from me at the end there...

Good ones can be hard to think of.
 

Some ideas,

dabbler
Historian
Anthropologist
Relic Guardian
Damned Soul
Exalted Soul
Ur-Priest (a character that steals divine magic from the gods without worshipping any)
Themes representing planescape factions.
Horde Lord
Sculptor
Bounty Hunter
Mercanary
Rebel
Far Realmsian Cultist
Aboleth Servitor
Champion
Gambler
Oathbound
Souleater
Orphan
Amnesia
Widow/er
Heretic
Duelist
Multiple Personalities
Possessed
Acrobat
Juggler
Leathersmith
Pyromaniac
Cyromaniac
Naturalist
Deverish
Horse Archer
Medic
Beggar
Theologian
Dragon Rider
Miner
Lawyer
Pharoh
Chieftan
Seducer
Addict
Simese Twin
Weretiger
Courtesan
Wrestler
Drunk Master
Poet
Prankster
Spy Master
Chosen
Shrine Caretaker
Castle Steward
Butler
Urban Primal
Tax Collector
Midwife
Whitehorn Knight
Festhall Owner
Falconer
Horse Whisperer
Ambassador
War Hero
Pacifist
Haunted
 

Stuff like Ghost, Lich, Summoner and so on are not the avenue of Themes. They require too much mechanical crunch to work and something like Lich is a endgame goal.
 

I want to see specific "high-level" themes such as Archmage, which can be added or adopted in place of an earlier theme. As mentioned elsewhere, such themes could replace the prestige class/paragon path elements of earlier editions.

I'm happy to see all the usual suspects for starting characters, but would really like to see a Raised By Wolves theme.
 


And how specific will themes be? I imagine that with splatbook inflation we'll have a lot, but do we need separate Town Watch, Mercenary, Soldier, War Veteran, Man at Arms, Retainer, Infantry, Marine, Private, Trooper, and Warmonger themes, or should be enough with just Soldier?
 

@ Someone (cool name BTW)

I agree. I would like Themes to be rather general. So one for a military background is enough. One for serving an apprenticeship is enough.

Wilderness, Soldier, Apprentice, Poor, Noble/Rich, Feral, Urban, Priest/Religious, Rural, etc. Basically, broad strokes that might fit several racial backgrounds.

Mind you I would like Themes to operate like Talent Trees of Saga too, so there is choices within them and they can remain relevant over time.
 

It's unclear to me what themes will do, so I couldn't say.

Personally I'd like a character to have a background that influences their starting skills and then a goal (or series of goals) that affects their development. What did you do before you were an adventurer? Why *are* you an adventurer?

So if you were a noble, perhaps you have some diplomatic skill and a large wad of starting cash. When you start fighting orcs though, your nobility isn't really a concern, but perhaps you're doing it to be a champion of the people (and gain heroic effects like being welcomed in towns as you level up), perhaps you're doing it for the potential wealth because you want your own fiefdom (people aren't so friendly, but you'll eventually get that keep and 10d10 followers!).
 


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