Characters 1st level but the background is 5th

[Crothian]

Why?Again, I don't see this "problem" that you are talking about.

Fist level is the begining, other systems have rules but still start one at the beginning.

And this might not be a problem, I'm not that concerned with it just thought it would make an interesting topic.

 

[Mort]

Fist level is the begining, other systems have rules but still start one at the beginning.

Not to be nitpicky - but it really depends on how you define "beginning." Is it the start of the Game (when the DM begins the first adventure) or the start of the character's career? The beginning of a 10th level character (or a 500 point character in GURPS, etc) is long before the DM starts the story for the group (who also may have long careers before the campaign started).

To tie this into the original topic - this is where I can see a descent character history needed - but when characters really are new (1st level, 100 points, whatever) the character history should not be a book

 

[Belgarath]

level drain question

I have a question that needs to be addressed about level drains. If a 6th level character is dropped to 2nd and then through experience becomes 4th and a greater restoration is cast on him. What level is he.

This seems like an easy to abuse the system is why i ask.

One: he becomes 6th level with addtional experince for the jump to 4th level

Two: he becomes 8th level, effectively gaining 2 levels at a much much lower cost

Three: he becomes simply 6th level, effectively back where he started before the drains

Ideas? Or is there an official ruling somewhere

 

[Lalato]

I've also considered starting a campaign with 0 level characters, and having a series of loosely connected mini-adventures that represent shaping events in peoples lives (probably after discussing with the players separately and in private some of the things they want for thier background). However, to a large extent this involves me creating the PC's background, which isn't alot of fun. In any event, both ideas are as yet unrealized since I haven't had alot of time to run or start capaigns lately.

There was actually a 1e module that started characters at 0 level. I can't remember the name of the module, but I remember thinking it was a great way to start a campaign from nothing.

--sam

 

[drnuncheon]

Re: level drain question

I have a question that needs to be addressed about level drains. If a 6th level character is dropped to 2nd and then through experience becomes 4th and a greater restoration is cast on him. What level is he.

One: he becomes 6th level with addtional experince for the jump to 4th level

That's the one. The restoration spell returns all of the XP he lost, so you add that figure to what he's got now for your new total.

J

 

[Tsyr]

Yes.

It's one of the reasons I start characters at 3rd anymore. Gives them some more flexability in background.

 

[Celebrim]

lalato: I know that there were some 0 level adventures in the back of the Greyhawk Adventures hardbound. I wouldn't be surprised if there were others.

 

[Creamsteak]

(hope you don't mind a slight hijack Crothian)

so what do you do if some or most of the gaming group creates backgrounds that are so rich they could be much higher level, but the rest do what they're supposed to and create a background for a first level character? (i.e. a person without so much life experience)

If it's universal start them at a higher level.

And,

I do my backgrounds in steps. Here's a 12th level character at stage 1, however, a 1st level character is the same thing with the 'threat' turned down a notch or two. I also write my phase one in order of scaling adversity, with the toughest two bastards being last on the list.

Vecna's observations on the Mage Lezard Valeth,

Such a fine example of humanity. This young mage perhaps best represents all that his species is made of, is capable of. He is scheming, cold, capricious, power-hungry, and utterly, utterly mad. All of which makes him the most human of any human living on the Material Plane. He, like all of his species, bears a tale of talent completely wasted. One of the most promising and powerful students of the magical academies of Flenceburg, he was expelled by his headmistress for ghoulish experiments involving necromantic practices that made even the most senior instructor there pale in horror. From there, he set out on his own, gathering power and knowledge, so that he could one day challenge the gods. Challenge the gods! Hah! If only he knew how many millions throughout the eons have had the same ambitions, all of whom failed utterly! Perhaps then he would rethink his arrogant ways!

Yet something totally unexpected occurred during his quests: he fell in love. Merely thinking of the object of his affection makes me both chuckle in amusement and shake my head in pity for the poor lady. His newfound adoration has become a second flame, burning hot, feeding the inferno within him that is his lust for power. Soon, his ambitions, his love, his plans, shall all come to a head. While he is unworthy of my attention, perhaps I may cross paths with him yet. While dangerous, it could also be very amusing.



Important Characters

Lezard Valeth (Flenceburg Sorcerer/Necromancer) (Age: 24)

He is an accomplished Alchemist as well as a practitioner of the dark art of Necromancy. Behind his placid facade lies a mad genius who feels that all others are merely pawns to be played on his own handcrafted chessboard. (Male Human, Flenceburg)



Mystina (Flenceburg Sorcerer/Loremaster) (Age: 23)

After graduating head of the class at Flenceburg Sorcery Academy, she worked there as a researcher. She is a perfectionist who hates to lose and admits to being an egotistical narcissist with poor powers of self-analysis. (Female Human, Flenceburg)



Lorenta (Flenceburg Sorcerer/Aristocrat) (Age: 36)

Head Mistriss of the Flenceburg Sorcery Academy. She is as intelligent and refined as she is popular, but for some reason had trouble with her pupils, as is clear from the fact that one of them killed her for reasons unknown. (Female Human, Flenceburg)



Belenus (Swordsman/Head Guard) (Age: 37)

A nobleman holding a high office in Gerabellum; with his powers of leadership he has earned the loyalty of knights and commoners alike. He stands for fiarness and justice in a decadent kingdom. (Male Human, Gerabellum)



Kashell (Heavy Knight/Adventurer) (Age: 24)

Disdaining all profit and personal gain, he travels the land in search of adventure. He wields an enormous sword to prepare himself for his meeting with a certain person. He does not disdain those who fight for their ideals. (Male Human, Gerabellum)



Aelia (Spearman/Adventurer) (Age: 25)

Whether by choice or fate is unknown, but due to the power of the Dragon Gem, she is able to transform into a dragon. However, she has not yet realized that her shape-shifting, a form of Necromancy, is robbing her of her own identity. (Female Draconian, Gerabellum)



Gandar (Wizard) (Age: 67)
A sorcerer in the employ of the Villnore Army. Crafty and ambitious, his path to power is lined with corpses. He is a classic villain in every sense, but his power is unrivalled. He prides himself for having never lost a battle. (Male Human, Villnore)



Vecna (Divine Rank 10) (Age: ???)
(Dieties and Demigods or Players Handbook have entries)

Stage 2

Stage two is getting DM approval on all your hooks, and then providing as much information as you can without destroying the mystery for yourself. I havn't quite gotten to doing this for this character yet though...

But I'm wondering what the opinion on this is...

 

[ced1106]

My situation is pretty much uncommon, but I've also run games where low-level characters do some pretty important things. In fact, many problem-solving and investigative adventures, which are easily short-circuited with a diviniation spell, are most easily run at low levels.

My two bits for a PC with "excess" history is to ask the player at what point in his background the PC should be first level. Then take the rest of the history and use it as potential adventure material.


Cedric.
aka. Washu! ^O^

 

[DDK]

Eremus the Faithless

fourecks: "since most of the time all he's doing is sweeping that bastards floor and cooking his dinner!"

I believe that is just the point, and not the solution.

You're failing to read between the lines... or what you're reading was secretly imbedded by alien forces seeking to control your mind and force you to do bizarre things, like disagree with me

What I meant by this, is that although sweeping the floor doesn't earn him any XP, and cooking his dinner doesn't necessarily mean he has ranks in Craft (cooking) (since he never bothered to learn how to make GOOD food), he can still, during those years, have done a lot of things that can provide a rich and detailed character history.

Strictly speaking, a character only gets XP for traps and killing creatures or overcoming problems that warrant a CR. That leaves the table open for a HUGE amount of none-XP earning activities.

Here's a history for a 1st-level character I made up for a game I'm about to play in. Be warned, it's long and the page format is crappy. Also know that it was done at 3am in the morning and I haven't spell-checked it, let alone read through it and edited anything. It's totally first draft, lol.

http://www.geocities.com/nomdeguerre_ddk/eremus.html

There was actually a 1e module that started characters at 0 level. I can't remember the name of the module, but I remember thinking it was a great way to start a campaign from nothing.

I think I may know the one you're thinking of. I played in a scenario like that which situated in Greyhawk at the edge of the Gnarley Forest in a small town called... Dagger Rock? Or something like that. All the PC's had to come from the town. It was OK, but I wouldn't do it again.