Converting NPC classes to core classes for PCs?

[Meadred]

In quite a lot of fantasy novels, the hero(es) begin as ordinary people, often commoners, and as circumstance or fate have it, they go adventuring and turn into heroes of renown.

For some time I have been thinking about starting a new campaign where all PCs are youngsters, coming from the same village in the middle of nowhere. To reinforce the feel of the PCs being "ordinary" people forced into an adventuring life, which will lead to them becoming heores, I have been pondering to force the PCs to begin with a level in one of the NPC classes from the DMG. The main problem with this is that it severely limits spell casters as they "loose" spell casting levels by taking some other class. Also, most of the NPC classes are rather weak. I'm been looking into the Unlikely Heroes series by Plot Device, which are very nice indeed, and also the apprentice level rules from the DMG, but I haven't reached any conclusions yet.

So, has anyone on this forum tried something like this before? If so, what's your experience? Also, has anyone tinkered with "converting" levels in the Adept class to Cleric or Sorcerer, for example?

Cheers,
Meadred

 

[Angel Tarragon]

In a campaign I am involved in as a player, the DM made us start out with the classes from the DMG. As we developed our characters, we had to make the choice as to what PHB class we were going to move on to, and integrate that into the roleplaying experience. I wanted my character to be a Cleric of Fharlanghn, so the DM had me start out as and Adept.

One of the nitpicks of the DM was to set up class tests. Each test would be the course of an adventure, and would have our character(s)up level up. After three successful class tests we would earn the right to take a level in the PHB classes.

I'm still playing in the same campaign, and I can't recall any other character I've played that I've prized so much. I'm now a 3rd level Adept, 13th level cleric, 2nd level Heirophant. It has been quite fun developing this character. Currently I am working with the DM to have him allow me to research a spell of my own, only to have it backfire, and transplant the character in an alternate prime material plane --> my homebrew campaign. Of course, this is a process as well and it wont happen until he has gained a couple more levels.

After everyone is 20th level, he plans to put up that campaign and have me take over as the DM for a while. I'll get to use my character as an NPC in my world.

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

Its generally accepted that both the Expert and Aristocrat make for fairly good PCs in their areas. I've seen both used in games, and there's not really been a problem at all(of course, the PCs end up multiclassing out of it after a couple of levels)

 

[Vrecknidj]

You could also work things out so that, as the character advances in a few levels, the old NPC levels convert into PC levels. This could be tricky, with skills especially, but clever DMing could get around it.

I thought about having everyone play a commoner, with three 10s and three 11s for stats. Then, when they have the XP to become 2nd level, they could pick any class they wanted. And, to keep the campaign interesting, I was going to allow for ability increases every level up to 10th level (with some limits). Never tried it though.

Dave

 

[Maester Luwin]

I have Unlikely Hero's & think it was a good buy. I did not use the Professional & kept the Expert from the DMG ( I have another book called Experts by Skirmisher Publishing which expands the Expert class nicely). The PC's started off in one of these (NPC) classes & I treated core classes like Prc's (only attainable after 5th LvL.). The players have enjoyed it- it has a low fantasy feel to it. Hope this helps. Thanks Maester Luwin

 

[Meadred]

Thanks for the advice, guys! I appreciate it. Now, all I have to do is "accidentally" cause a TPK and begin anew.

Edit: Maester Luwin, after reading the review on "Experts" I realised that this is the book I've been missing since leaving AD&D 2nd Ed. behind! A big thank you for that particular piece of advice!

Cheers,
Meadred

 

[Maester Luwin]

No problem Meadred! Experts has been a great boon to me as well! Glad I could help! Thanks Maester Luwin