Has anyone ever made a PC a merchant, farmer, etc.? Not a Thief with merchant skills but just a merchant? (or any other profession?) One of my players was wanting to run a politician in a campaign that primarily is in the city and revolves around the court and workings of the city. There are a few battles (defending the city, etc.) but not many. There are roles for the spellcasters, and warriors too. But the question is: If a PC playing a commoner class gets into battle how do they help out? I was going to give them tons of skills and feats. But what kinds of skills and feats? I'm not sure about this. It is a comedy campaign so it could be funny but in battles it could turn out bad.
commoner class
- Thread starter redwing
- Start date
Shadoe's Lady
First Post
Well, right now I'm playing a dancer. No, not a bard, not even much of a rogue. All she does well is...dance. She pretty much earns the party room and board and that's it. She's useless in a fight, unless you count dragging the wounded out of combat.
I'm sure some folks have tried this. Whenever I contemplate it, though, it sounds less than fun. It's a heroic fantasy game. Commoners are not heroic. A level or two of Aristocrat of Expert as background isn't such a bad thing, but really, why play Joe Schmoe?
Realistically, Joe would either pick up levels in something more potent, or back off and let the professionals handle adventuring situations. He most certainly would not continue progressing as a commoner if he generally didn't stick to a common life. Unless, perhaps, he was a blooming idiot
Realistically, Joe would either pick up levels in something more potent, or back off and let the professionals handle adventuring situations. He most certainly would not continue progressing as a commoner if he generally didn't stick to a common life. Unless, perhaps, he was a blooming idiot
well i think it could be interesting if done right. The dancer idea is good. Though I would have tried giving her skills to help in battle. Some charm skills or maybe acrobatic or something. That's what I'm trying to do here. I'm trying to make the rogue a little less of a halfway character (uses both magic and is a good fighter) and let the rogue use skills that other PC's wouldn't have. I was planning on using the thief (changed of course, less use with dagger and more in skills). But other classes would seem interesting as well if given proper skills.
when you think of wizards you think of magic, warriors = fighting (and ale and whores......), I wanted the rogue to be something more. I wanted the rogue = skills instead of magic or fighting. I'm doing this in a hurry an I hope everyone understands what I'm saying. And when I thought of what classes would have skills without the fighting and magic I thought commoners (well certain types) would be interesting.
when you think of wizards you think of magic, warriors = fighting (and ale and whores......), I wanted the rogue to be something more. I wanted the rogue = skills instead of magic or fighting. I'm doing this in a hurry an I hope everyone understands what I'm saying. And when I thought of what classes would have skills without the fighting and magic I thought commoners (well certain types) would be interesting.
I'm A Banana
Potassium-Rich
If you wanna make some sort of "blessed common man" thing, decide what job the guy has....
A merchant? Give him abilities with appriasal, perhaps some charm, perhaps some access to wierd products or items (heh...he's a carrot top!)
A farmer? Think of giving him a few spell-like abilities related to plants and growing, perhaps animals as well.
What I would do is either develop a PrC that can be most easily met with the Commonner class, and then have them level into that.
Otherwise...well....he's a commoner. He probably shouldn't expect to actually be effective.
A merchant? Give him abilities with appriasal, perhaps some charm, perhaps some access to wierd products or items (heh...he's a carrot top!)
A farmer? Think of giving him a few spell-like abilities related to plants and growing, perhaps animals as well.
What I would do is either develop a PrC that can be most easily met with the Commonner class, and then have them level into that.
Otherwise...well....he's a commoner. He probably shouldn't expect to actually be effective.
Tonguez
A suffusion of yellow
The Commoner Class is the most stupid idea for a class ever - simply because 'commoners' don't exisits in heroic fantasy. Peasants aren't heroic they are sickly and weak and have to struggle just to scrounge in the dirt for a few roots to eat.
Farmers and Merchants and Dancers are skilled Experts
Politicians are Aristocrats (and many Merchants are too)
The rest are warriors or maybe even Adepts
Farmers and Merchants and Dancers are skilled Experts
Politicians are Aristocrats (and many Merchants are too)
The rest are warriors or maybe even Adepts
Tonguez said:
Actually, while modern farmers are skilled experts, this is not always the case. Frontier America, for instance - the majority of those folks who got in conestoga wagons to head to the west and midwest knew not a shred about farming or livestock. Many died of starvation or malnutrition within a year or two of setting up shop.
You don't need to be a skilled Expert to farm. The Commoner's abilities give all the skill required for your basic farmer.
Similar Threads
