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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mercurius" data-source="post: 5356379" data-attributes="member: 59082">Here's the deal: I'm running a group of 9th level characters and am wanting to introduce an NPC (or two) that would be a frequent adventuring companion through Paragon tier. I find the NPC rules too simplistic, yet I don't want to deal with a full-blown PC character sheet and have to deal with picking powers during every combat. In other words, I want something between the two, but something that could be fleshed out into a full-blown PC. In another thread about NPC creation, Henry recommended the companion rules in DMG2 which I may end up going with, but I was tempted to create a PC in Character Builder and then tease out core powers and such and put them in monster format. I suppose that would end up being the same thing as creation a companion? But I would like the full PC stats for this character, but not have to use them at the table but could instead just have a monster stat block for practical use. Unlike the typical companion, I would be running this character, but I don't want to have to choose between a dozen different powers every round; a half a dozen at most would be fine, maybe less.I've been a DM throughout the entirety of our campaign and have barely used Character Builder; I was wanting to make a 10th or 11th level character but was totally overwhelmed by the wealth of options, in particular feats and powers. What I am hoping to get from you all--and it may be too much to ask--is the same character concept in three formats: NPC, Companion, and PC.(As a side question, when making a higher level character in CB, do you find it is easier and more useful to first build it at 1st level and then level up a few times to get a sense of development, or do you just make it the actual level from the get go?)Character Concept: An unaligned male elf or half-elf ranger. He is a bit of a "cursed wanderer" type, yet is faithful to his kindred, which have a very integrated culture, yet he stands a bit on the outside, a kind of lone wolf with his own "quest" and motives that are aligned with his people, but he works somewhat autonomously. His most notable feature is that he has tattoos on both forearms that tend to flicker with light at various times. They are akin to minor artifacts and are part of a curse (details and stats to be fleshed out later); I am thinking they have enhancing powers for his weaponry, in particular his bow. Combat-wise, I see him as primarily an archer but with skills with two-weapon use as well, probably short swords. In some ways I see a similar type combatant as Legolas in the LotR movies, although a very different (darker) personality. I also imagine him with some kind of magic longbow or arrows that are "charged" with energy, perhaps by his tattoos. How would this character look like as an NPC? A Companion? A PC? What would appropriate magic items be? Etc.Thanks!</blockquote>

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