Blind Master Update

[Saber]

A couple of months ago, I posted a question on this board referring to the "blind master" prestige class found in the Quintessential Monk. I originally thought it to be underpowered, seeing as how he was blind for the first two levels of the class before receiving Blindsight at level 3. However, through the numerous responses from the great Enworld community, I was shown just how cool one of these guys could actually be.

Well, I am happy to say, that I’ve been playing a blind monk for a while now, and he is most definitely one of the best, original characters I have ever created. He is a Lawful Good human, who worships Illmater devoutly. I try very hard to stick to the doctrine of the "suffering god", as it goes very well with my character's "disability." He is always willing to accept the suffering of others, and has even begun to teach his beliefs to other members of our party (NPCs).

Furthermore, the main focus of our campaign deals with the Goddess of Darkness, Shar. This has made my character a valuable asset to our team, whose blindness has become a great tool in seeing through her secrets and lies.

I have found this character to be very role-playing centered, and not so much combat oriented. Yet it is the most fun I have ever had with a character. I just wanted to let those of you who responded to my last post know how I was doing and thank you all for making me realize the great potential of this character.

Also, if any of you have tried this class, please let me know your thoughts, and how your character is played? My DM could use some input on how others out there are dealing with the blindness, rules wise. Plus, it would be great to see where others have taken this truly unique class.

Thanks.

 

[Arcane Runes Press]

Wow.

I was having a pretty bad day, truth to tell, but your post cheered me right up. It's very satisfying when you hear people are liking something you've written.

I'm very happy that you're enjoying the character so much, and I like the direction you're taking him.

Thanks;
Patrick Y.

 

[Ascending Crane]

It is indeed a fun class to DM for (I happen to be Saber's DM). It certainly helps that Saber is an incredibly good roleplayer, but I digress.

In the game, Sabre's character has begun to train a young girl that formerly was a monk of Shar. Now she's become, in a short time - a student of the character (and Ilmater). I thought it would be cool for her to be by his side as a sort of guide. I even ruled that if she spends the round directing him in combat - he gets a slight bonus to the normal concealment chance to miss.

"Master! Four feet to your left, three steps forward! He has a dagger!"

When the player rolls his d20 to hit in combat, I have him roll 2d6 as well. If either of the die has a 4 or better, he does not automatically miss (Normally, there is a 50% chance to miss while blind - but with Blind Fighting it is reduced to 25%. I've ruled that if the dice comes up double 3's and the student is directing him, he can still hit).

While I was concerned in the beginning about DMing for a blind character, I've found it to be a twist in a game where everyone seems to be the slight variations of a few common themes. Kudos to you, Arcane Runes Press - for making something different and fun.

So - anyone else have any experiences with this class...? Or blindness in general?

 

[Illuminae]

The only blind character Ive ever seen in a game was from a friend of mine who "tried" to play a blind archer.

However he was unlucky to have tried that character with the DM we had at that time.

Kept putting more limitations on the poor guy, who had only asked to have listen as a class skill, for his PC was born blind.

And worse, when that campaign ended, it came to our knowledge that the DM kept telling his gamer friends how dumb (he thought)that player was for making a blind character.

Insanely dumb. The DM, of course.

 

[Chun-tzu]

And worse, when that campaign ended, it came to our knowledge that the DM kept telling his gamer friends how dumb (he thought)that player was for making a blind character.

Bad DM! Bad!

Seriously, this DM failed in his responsibility to run a good game for his players. If he didn't like the concept, he should have been up front with the player, and not just screwed him over.

The player's mistake was in not discussing the concept with the DM before-hand. He would have probably gotten a better idea from the DM about whether or not this would be a workable concept. Some players & DMs are munchkins, and others are more interested in creating interesting characters than the most powerful and effective ones they can. But from this account of things, the fault lies squarely with the DM.