Books for inspiration

[innerdude]

Fighter or Cavalier, depending on your viewpoint:

Vaelin Al Sorna from Blood Song by Anthony Ryan. Pretty much the quintessential, "Grew up in a school for fighters" character, though his ability to ride horses gives him that "cavalier" feel as well. As a side note, though there are two sequels to this book, they're vastly inferior.

 

[Chris Teel]

Regarding Vaelin al Sorna...the added flavor of the blood song might make him more of a fighter/quarter-caster. At least in my opinion. I think that you could easily do a fighter base build for the young hawk with a little bit of casting. And then, using that same build, add some different skills for the other brothers. Anyway...yes, the two sequels are vastly inferior. I was so disappointed with QoF. The first book laid such a firm foundation to build on and it was squandered. Alas and alack.

 

[Lanefan]

Cavalier or Knight: Mandorallen, from Eddings' Belgariad series.

 

[Gradine]

Any kind of thieves' guild: Six of Crows/Crooked Kingdom duology by Leigh Bardugo. It's YA, but if you ignore the stated ages of the characters it's some of the best fantasy thieves guild fiction I've ever read.

 

[Gradine]

Cavalier or Knight: Mandorallen, from Eddings' Belgariad series.

If you're looking for fantasy character tropes, you could do a hell of a lot worse than the Belgariad series. It's basically a five-book love letter to fantasy tropes.

 

[Jhaelen]

Eddings also convinced me that it might be possible to have fun playing a Paladin. That code isn't as restrictive as it might at first seem...