I originally posted this in another's thread in response to a similar idea, but after some thought, I thunk it best to not clutter up that other dude's thread and just post my own.
So, what this is, is a system--really, a set of guidelines--for picking PC age and level during the game (3.5E).
Take or leave what you will.
NPC Average Age / Average Level
First off, 90% of the people in the world are populated by characters level 1-10. Those at level 11-20 are the truly exceptional beings, including god-like beings on the high end.
Click on this link for some great reading and analysis on the Third Edition game: The Alexandrian Blog Archive D&D: Calibrating Your Expectations
Once you read that, you should have no trouble accepting that, in most towns and villages, NPCs should be 10th level or less, and probably much lower.
The Conan RPG, which is based on 3.5, has a great section that gives DMs examples of different types of characters.
First off, almost all of the faceless bad guys are 1st to 3rd level. Belit's Black Corsairs (which are Black-African-type tribal sea pirates) are generally 2nd level, when encounter. There's a note under their description that says that there are some, of course, that are lower of higher level, but very few will be higher than 3rd level.
This example is very representative of all the generic bad guys mentioned in the game. Only monsters are higher hit dice (and some can be quite high).
Next, the Conan RPG has a fantastic section showing what the different character levels mean. It says...
1st level characters are young and untried adventurers who have just completed basic training in their chosen professions. A 1st level Barbarian is a young, brave, hot-blooded, and unseasoned. A 1st level Pirate is a lowly deckswab, eager to make his fortune. A 1st level Noble ha barely come of age and is still not worthy to inherit the authority due him by his birthright.
4th level characters are more established and considered a cut above average men (this means that the "average" man is 3rd level or less--which is what we see above with the average Corsairs).
Right there, we're talking "average". Which means that about half of the NPCs the players encounter SHOULD be 4th level or less.
The section goes with the examples: A 4th level Nomad is one of the finest warriors within a warband. A 4th level Soldier has been on the front lines of a battlefield several times.
8th level characters are skilled adventurers, famed across the land. In my Cimmeria sourcebook, the chiefs of the clans reach as high as 8th level, and are usually between 6-8th level. An 8th level Scholar, says the main rulebook, has mastered different forms of magic and can invoke potent sorcereries like demon summoning. An 8th level Thief can kill even the strongest man with a single well-placed blow and has the skills to sneak through an whole temple full of worshippers without being seen.
12th level characters, and characters higher than that, should be exceedingly rare. This is the level of legendary figures whose deeds will be remembered for generations to come. So, your famous kings would fall into this category. Great Sorcerers are also in this category. Characters akin to King Arthur, Lancelot, Conan, in his later years, and the powerful sorcerers Thoth-Amon and Thulsa Doom, Achilles and Hector, Aragorn and Legolas, Raistlin and Caramon, would all fall into this category. The closer a character is to level 20, the closer that character is akin to being like Hercules or Perseus--near god-like beings.
Given this breakdown, it's easy to predict what level of character will populate most towns and villages. Eventhough the stuff above was written for the Conan RPG (which has a level ceiling of level 20), the information can be applied to a D&D game with little or not adjustment.
Taking all of that into account, here is the NPC average Age List I developed for my campaign. Note that "average" NPCs don't find themselves at the highest levels--thus the chart does not go to Level 20.
Level 1 - Average Age = 15. Average number of years at this level = 3.
Level 2 - Average Age = 18. Average number of years at this level = 5.
Level 3 - Average Age = 23. Average number of years at this level = 8.
Level 4 - Average Age = 31. Average number of years at this level = 11.
Level 5 - Average Age = 42. Average number of years at this level = 14.
Level 6 - Average Age = 56. Average number of years at this level = 17.
Level 7 - Average Age = 73. Average number of years at this level = 19.
Level 8 - Average Age = 92. Average number of years at this level = 22.
A FEW NOTES:
Does this mean that every 31 year old the PCs meet is 4th level? No. What is indicated above is the average. There are 4th level characters that are in their 20's, or even younger, and there are 31 year olds who are a different level. The chart above is meant as a starting place. suggest moving up or down one or two categories for vareity. There is no rule of thumb for the truly gifted, though. Thus, if your story calls for an 18th level Sorcerer that is 19 years old, then serve your story and not these guidelines.
Does this mean that NPCs can't be higher than 8th level? Of course not. It only means that MOST of the NPCs are 8th level or less. On average, NPCs are 8th level or less.
NPCs typically don't live to be 92 years old! That's correct. But, if you do see an old geezer that's in his 90's, chances are he's 8th level, unless he's a "special" NPC that is not average. In other words, your average 92 year old NPC is 8th level.
NPCs don't live much longer than 60, on average! OK. I see that, too. That means that, on average, most NPCs reach 5th-6th-7th level before they die.
If my PCs befriend a NPC, leave that village, then return 5 years later, how much should I increase the level of the NPC that they befriended? Each category above also lists the average number of years the NPC will spend at that level. So, if the PC's friend was 1st level, then, chances are, he is 2nd level when the PCs return. If the NPC was 5th level, then the NPC is probably still going to be 5th level 5 years later. These years are considered "non-adventuring" years. If the NPC is an adventurer, or if the NPC lives in an area where he's likely to gain experience fast, then the GM should take this into account when considering the new level of the NPC.
What if you have an NPC that you've roleplayed but not set stats to? If you've got a Captain of the Guard, let's say, and you think he's been in service of the king for 30 years, then the guy is about 45 years old (starting at age 15). And 45 years of experience, looking at the chart above, equates to about level 5 or level 6. Or, you can look at the number of years the NPC has been at the profession and figure his level that way, too: 30 years equates to about level 5. Experience is usually a better measure of average level than the character's age. You might have a 45 year old barkeep (5th level Commoner or Expert, again, using the chart) who's also accumulated 6 years worth of experience as a Thief and 3 years of experience as a Fighter. This would give you, on average, a 45 year old multi-classed character: Commoner (Bar Keep) 5 / Thief 3 / Fighter 2.
Is all of this written in stone? Nope. It's just a starting point--an average. The GM should adjust to fit his story and game needs.
Hope all of that is helpful.
If it's not, then just chalk it up to similar ideas expressed differently.
So, what this is, is a system--really, a set of guidelines--for picking PC age and level during the game (3.5E).
Take or leave what you will.
NPC Average Age / Average Level
First off, 90% of the people in the world are populated by characters level 1-10. Those at level 11-20 are the truly exceptional beings, including god-like beings on the high end.
Click on this link for some great reading and analysis on the Third Edition game: The Alexandrian Blog Archive D&D: Calibrating Your Expectations
Once you read that, you should have no trouble accepting that, in most towns and villages, NPCs should be 10th level or less, and probably much lower.
The Conan RPG, which is based on 3.5, has a great section that gives DMs examples of different types of characters.
First off, almost all of the faceless bad guys are 1st to 3rd level. Belit's Black Corsairs (which are Black-African-type tribal sea pirates) are generally 2nd level, when encounter. There's a note under their description that says that there are some, of course, that are lower of higher level, but very few will be higher than 3rd level.
This example is very representative of all the generic bad guys mentioned in the game. Only monsters are higher hit dice (and some can be quite high).
Next, the Conan RPG has a fantastic section showing what the different character levels mean. It says...
1st level characters are young and untried adventurers who have just completed basic training in their chosen professions. A 1st level Barbarian is a young, brave, hot-blooded, and unseasoned. A 1st level Pirate is a lowly deckswab, eager to make his fortune. A 1st level Noble ha barely come of age and is still not worthy to inherit the authority due him by his birthright.
4th level characters are more established and considered a cut above average men (this means that the "average" man is 3rd level or less--which is what we see above with the average Corsairs).
Right there, we're talking "average". Which means that about half of the NPCs the players encounter SHOULD be 4th level or less.
The section goes with the examples: A 4th level Nomad is one of the finest warriors within a warband. A 4th level Soldier has been on the front lines of a battlefield several times.
8th level characters are skilled adventurers, famed across the land. In my Cimmeria sourcebook, the chiefs of the clans reach as high as 8th level, and are usually between 6-8th level. An 8th level Scholar, says the main rulebook, has mastered different forms of magic and can invoke potent sorcereries like demon summoning. An 8th level Thief can kill even the strongest man with a single well-placed blow and has the skills to sneak through an whole temple full of worshippers without being seen.
12th level characters, and characters higher than that, should be exceedingly rare. This is the level of legendary figures whose deeds will be remembered for generations to come. So, your famous kings would fall into this category. Great Sorcerers are also in this category. Characters akin to King Arthur, Lancelot, Conan, in his later years, and the powerful sorcerers Thoth-Amon and Thulsa Doom, Achilles and Hector, Aragorn and Legolas, Raistlin and Caramon, would all fall into this category. The closer a character is to level 20, the closer that character is akin to being like Hercules or Perseus--near god-like beings.
Given this breakdown, it's easy to predict what level of character will populate most towns and villages. Eventhough the stuff above was written for the Conan RPG (which has a level ceiling of level 20), the information can be applied to a D&D game with little or not adjustment.
Taking all of that into account, here is the NPC average Age List I developed for my campaign. Note that "average" NPCs don't find themselves at the highest levels--thus the chart does not go to Level 20.
Level 1 - Average Age = 15. Average number of years at this level = 3.
Level 2 - Average Age = 18. Average number of years at this level = 5.
Level 3 - Average Age = 23. Average number of years at this level = 8.
Level 4 - Average Age = 31. Average number of years at this level = 11.
Level 5 - Average Age = 42. Average number of years at this level = 14.
Level 6 - Average Age = 56. Average number of years at this level = 17.
Level 7 - Average Age = 73. Average number of years at this level = 19.
Level 8 - Average Age = 92. Average number of years at this level = 22.
A FEW NOTES:
Does this mean that every 31 year old the PCs meet is 4th level? No. What is indicated above is the average. There are 4th level characters that are in their 20's, or even younger, and there are 31 year olds who are a different level. The chart above is meant as a starting place. suggest moving up or down one or two categories for vareity. There is no rule of thumb for the truly gifted, though. Thus, if your story calls for an 18th level Sorcerer that is 19 years old, then serve your story and not these guidelines.
Does this mean that NPCs can't be higher than 8th level? Of course not. It only means that MOST of the NPCs are 8th level or less. On average, NPCs are 8th level or less.
NPCs typically don't live to be 92 years old! That's correct. But, if you do see an old geezer that's in his 90's, chances are he's 8th level, unless he's a "special" NPC that is not average. In other words, your average 92 year old NPC is 8th level.
NPCs don't live much longer than 60, on average! OK. I see that, too. That means that, on average, most NPCs reach 5th-6th-7th level before they die.
If my PCs befriend a NPC, leave that village, then return 5 years later, how much should I increase the level of the NPC that they befriended? Each category above also lists the average number of years the NPC will spend at that level. So, if the PC's friend was 1st level, then, chances are, he is 2nd level when the PCs return. If the NPC was 5th level, then the NPC is probably still going to be 5th level 5 years later. These years are considered "non-adventuring" years. If the NPC is an adventurer, or if the NPC lives in an area where he's likely to gain experience fast, then the GM should take this into account when considering the new level of the NPC.
What if you have an NPC that you've roleplayed but not set stats to? If you've got a Captain of the Guard, let's say, and you think he's been in service of the king for 30 years, then the guy is about 45 years old (starting at age 15). And 45 years of experience, looking at the chart above, equates to about level 5 or level 6. Or, you can look at the number of years the NPC has been at the profession and figure his level that way, too: 30 years equates to about level 5. Experience is usually a better measure of average level than the character's age. You might have a 45 year old barkeep (5th level Commoner or Expert, again, using the chart) who's also accumulated 6 years worth of experience as a Thief and 3 years of experience as a Fighter. This would give you, on average, a 45 year old multi-classed character: Commoner (Bar Keep) 5 / Thief 3 / Fighter 2.
Is all of this written in stone? Nope. It's just a starting point--an average. The GM should adjust to fit his story and game needs.
Hope all of that is helpful.
If it's not, then just chalk it up to similar ideas expressed differently.
