D&D 5E ... and we have a wizard!

[The Hitcher]

As I read this observation, a bigger issue always nags at me. I know it is off topic but..

Backgrounds do add flavor to a PC but isn't the age of a typical character quite young? And as Level 1 in a Class, wouldn't that have required several years foundation in study and training with a mentor? I just have a hard time putting much relevance in a background as it seems to me, IMHO, that role playing Class requirements in regard to time, trump anything of importance. Where is the time in years that can allow a worthwhile background to develop AND the specialized training to become Level 1 in a class? It seems that a mage would be studying for years before becoming Level 1? So how much time could he have had available to be a Bounty Hunter as well?

or am I putting too much thought into this?

Having to ask these questions is the best part of the whole thing. That's how story happens!

 

[Cybit]

You can get around those problems by simply stating "Magic violates the laws of physics." But honestly I like the minutiae of trying to figure out lateral solutions, those are always the most fun.

Funny thing is, people who have never played D&D before call D&D "magic rules" out for being completely immersion breaking and dumb and gamist. Like, the 12 year olds sort of schooled me when they pointed out that the reason I think 3E has versimilitude is because it was the first set of D&D I started playing a lot, and spent 30 minutes annihilating all the completely inconsistent aspects of PF and 4E.

Little kids are fantastic at pointing out the dumb obvious flaws we all tend to miss. :-/ This is why at least two little kids will be on the Council of Evil Overlords.

 

[GSHamster]

As I read this observation, a bigger issue always nags at me. I know it is off topic but..

Backgrounds do add flavor to a PC but isn't the age of a typical character quite young? And as Level 1 in a Class, wouldn't that have required several years foundation in study and training with a mentor? I just have a hard time putting much relevance in a background as it seems to me, IMHO, that role playing Class requirements in regard to time, trump anything of importance. Where is the time in years that can allow a worthwhile background to develop AND the specialized training to become Level 1 in a class? It seems that a mage would be studying for years before becoming Level 1? So how much time could he have had available to be a Bounty Hunter as well?

or am I putting too much thought into this?

I think one would start an apprenticeship at about 13. So this wizard would have gone to Oghma's temple and become an acolyte at the equivalent elven age. She would have learned magic there, and now at 18 (in elf years) she is going out into the world.

I would imagine that if you had a background that was completely different than your class, you'd probably be slightly older than the norm.

A bounty hunter mage could have started as a bounty hunter, but one of her first bounties with her mentor was to take out a mage. She gets the wizard's spellbook, flips through it, tries a few simple spells, and realizes she has a talent. So she teaches herself primarily from the book, but also scrounges tips and tricks from various wizards and hedge witches she meets in her travels. After a lot of work, she's finally mastered a few basic spells.

Or alternatively, the background could come after the training. The mage is trained at a young age, but at 16 his master is killed by a villain. A bounty hunter tracking the villain rescues the mage, and the mage decides to stick with the bounty hunter. Four years later, at age 20, he's a pretty experienced bounty hunter, but his magic hasn't improved a great deal.

 

[LFK]

The easy answer is "magic just isn't actually all that hard."

Less advanced quantum physics, more intro to differential calculus.

 

[Grandvizier]

Well up until 3e Elves could see in the dark with infravision. I rather miss seeing heat sources... I always thought that added a lot of flavour to the game.

i Liked the fact infravision is not perfect. Minor details couldn't be seen. I ended up changing elven vision to ultravision just to give it a twist. I had players bringing glow worms to allow them to see underground. And range was shocking.

 

[ren1999]

The hit points are too low. 8 hit points, this character will die the first encounter or first challenge. This wizard better be best friends with the Cleric who can Revivify.

 

[mach1.9pants]

The hit points are too low. 8 hit points, this character will die the first encounter or first challenge. This wizard better be best friends with the Cleric who can Revivify.

Yeah the party might have to work as a team and keep the Wizard safe.

 

[Nikosandros]

Yeah the party might have to work as a team and keep the Wizard safe.

That's sad. D&D has always been a solo game and now they're forcing the multi-player mode on us.

 

[mach1.9pants]

I blame 'kids'

 

[Thaumaturge]

I blame 'kids'

They're the worst.

Thaumaturge.