D&D 5E Creating a new character tonight... First in 3 years!!!

[BookTenTiger]

I'm taking a break from running my D&D game tonight, and another player is stepping up to run Lost Mines of Phandelver. For the first time in three years I get to create a brand new Level 1 character.

I am so excited!

Here are some ideas I have:

A Dragonborn Bard with Noble Background: seeking his own stories after living a pampered life.

A Halfling Artificer with Knight Background: he rides a dog, has three dog servants, and eventually will build a dog Steel Defender.

A Goblin Paladin with Knight of the Order Background: his goblin tribe got adopted into a broader Order of Ao, now he quests though doubts his own faith.

A Human Druid with Folk Hero Background: a man of the people who has farmed his whole life, but recently joined a druid circle when he led a mob against corrupt land owners.

An Elf Fighter with Scholar Background: stealing @Ancalagon 's idea for an old sword sage testing his teachings in the real world.

I'll let you all know what I choose tonight! Obviously it'll be based on what the other players choose.

When's the last time you created a brand new 1st-Level Character (or any other level)? What did you choose? What concepts did you leave behind?

 

[niklinna]

That's quite a selectoin of ideas! I'll tell you which I liked best after you tell us which one you choose.

When's the last time you created a brand new 1st-Level Character (or any other level)? What did you choose? What concepts did you leave behind?

Oh it's been a while. I made an half-elf Illusionist Wizard with a criminal background for the first 5e campaign I played in (homebrew). He'd grown up among the elves, moved to the big city, and got "recruited" by a criminal enterprise but then later edged out when his mentor snuffed it on an ill-advised trek in the Underdark. The campaign took a major left turn pretty quickly, but the witty banter with the party bard was a fair bit of fun.

 

[Benjamin Olson]

Goblin Paladin definitely opens up some interesting possibilities in that particular campaign.

 

[Arilyn]

I just joined a group as a player. One of the players is brand new to RPGs and he is so excited. He made a Firbolg druid (planning on moon). The other players have very little experience with 5e. We have a half elf bard and human warlock with fathomless patron. My character strolled into my head and announced that she's a human storm herald barbarian.

"But I don't really like barbarians or the storm herald," I said.

She just stood there tapping her foot, and no other ideas came to mind so I made her. She's an alternate human, which allowed me to take the magic casting feat at 1st level. I chose stormy/water spells to up the storm flavour. We are going through Ghosts of Saltmarsh. My barbarian has the shipwright background, and had been struck by lightning during a divine storm created by the warlock's patron. In story terms this is the reason for her heightened strength and magic.

As an aside. The new player said he'd been watching lots of streamed games. "Ah, critical Role," we said sagely.
His response, "I don't know what that is."

 

[BookTenTiger]

Okay, I wound up rolling for stats and got:

8, 8, 17, 5, 13, 9

I decided to stick with it rather than reroll. Based on my character ideas, I decided the Goblin Paladin worked best!

So I created Plucky Honorbound, Knight of the Golden Hart. He's a young adult goblin (9 years old) who has set out to prove himself beyond his isolated little safe haven community. My final stats are:

Str 8, Dex 15, Con 10, Int 5, Wis 8, Cha 17

Oh boy! I don't know if Plucky will last for long, but it's going to be a lot of fun. It's definitely helpful that, as a Goblin, he can hide as a bonus action. I think for the first few sessions he's going to be using a crossbow and hiding each round. Not exactly the bravest paladin!

 

[niklinna]

I liked him, and the halfling dog-rider! May Plucky have a long and illustrious career.

 

[BookTenTiger]

I liked him, and the halfling dog-rider! May Plucky have a long and illustrious career.

Had I rolled two high stats, I would have done the dog-rider. He would have been based on Ron Swanson, personality- and moustach-wise.

 

[R_J_K75]

Had I rolled two high stats, I would have done the dog-rider. He would have been based on Ron Swanson, personality- and moustach-wise.

Offerman seems like it would've been a very appropriate name for the character.

 

[Ancalagon]

oooof!

Maybe you'll need my idea after all but long live this valiant goblin!

I made mine a human, a dex-based melee specialist psi warrior. I don't think it's the "most powerful" build, but it's quite effective. But your take on it is as valid as mine.

 

[BookTenTiger]

oooof!

Maybe you'll need my idea after all but long live this valiant goblin!

I made mine a human, a dex-based melee specialist psi warrior. I don't think it's the "most powerful" build, but it's quite effective. But your take on it is as valid as mine.

With the stats I rolled, the old sword scholar was a close second choice!

 

[Ancalagon]

With the stats I rolled, the old sword scholar was a close second choice!

For the goblin paladin, I was thinking... are you familiar with the character "Hup" from The Dark Crystal (the newer netflix version)? That could be a good RP inspiration

 

[BookTenTiger]

For the goblin paladin, I was thinking... are you familiar with the character "Hup" from The Dark Crystal (the newer netflix version)? That could be a good RP inspiration

Ha! That would be fun.

Right now I'm starting him off as "Reluctant Hero." We rolled for some random Boons and Banes, and I wound up with an eye infection! I love the idea of this Goblin Paladin with an Eye Infection rolling into town and knowing that people are not going to take him seriously.

I sketched out Plucky Honorbound.

 

[Voadam]

The last first level D&D character I made was for a Goodman Games 5e Keep on the Borderlands campaign. I had decided to be a cleric and I rolled randomly for race and got dwarf. The DM had a background from his prior campaign world that continued through to this one with one set of the Dwarves who followed Karlsbad Marxhammer and his Little Red Scrolls, so I became a LG Dwarven communist "rune smith" with the life domain. "You don't need gods. Anyone can learn rune [clerical] magic, it just takes a couple decades of study and apprenticeship." I wielded a hammer and throwing sickle. I gave from my ability to heal to those who needed healing. It was great fun.

 

[Ancalagon]

Ha! That would be fun.

Right now I'm starting him off as "Reluctant Hero." We rolled for some random Boons and Banes, and I wound up with an eye infection! I love the idea of this Goblin Paladin with an Eye Infection rolling into town and knowing that people are not going to take him seriously.

I sketched out Plucky Honorbound.

LOVE the sketch, and the eye infection bit is hilarious...

... but can a paladin ever be a reluctant hero? If there is a class that would be driven to adventure... perhaps I didn't quite understand what you meant.

 

[Umbran]

LOVE the sketch, and the eye infection bit is hilarious...

... but can a paladin ever be a reluctant hero? If there is a class that would be driven to adventure... perhaps I didn't quite understand what you meant.

There are some who hear the calling, and enthusiastically chase it, and those who are thrust into the role, whether they like it or not.

 

[BookTenTiger]

LOVE the sketch, and the eye infection bit is hilarious...

... but can a paladin ever be a reluctant hero? If there is a class that would be driven to adventure... perhaps I didn't quite understand what you meant.

A first-level paladin doesn't have too many supernatural powers, so I like the idea that Plucky knows some healing arts from his training as a knight. As he grows in power, I plan on him gaining more self confidence and realizing that he really can be a hero. I think it'll be a fun journey!

 

[Jmarso]

The last new character I created for 5E was for a Rime of the Frostmaiden campaign.

Went with a human fighter, northman/ outlander background. Herger the Joyous, like the character from the 13th Warrior. Did the Variant Human version and took Skilled, and gave him proficiency with thieves' tools, sleight of hand, and stealth- almost as good as taking a dip into Rogue. (Rannulf slept with her, while we stole the horses!) Been having a blast with that 'boring' archetype, too. He rode the back of the Chardalyn dragon, helping to slay it Skyrim/ Dragonage style, and has done other heroic things other just than "I attack." Although he does a lot of that, too, with Action Surge, Savage Attacker (Champion), and Luck. He tends to be the party 'brain' and tactician as well. Hasn't run from a fight yet, and has survived them all! (Somewhat miraculously.)

Y'all can have your half tortoise, half tabaxi, half dragonborn, half tiefling vampire spawn warlock with the noble background who was raised by goblins in the forest with an emo half koala-bear winged warg for its best friend. Back in medieval times we were fighting men! And we liked it!

Pass the mead! It's made from honey!

 

[Composer99]

The last character I made (over a year ago now!) was for a short-lived game. He was a high elf diviner wizard, in search of his missing children. (Lost in a magical accident, and divinations were unclear about their fate.) I might trot him out again if I join a game as a player.

Other concepts I have rattling in my head include:

- A dwarf thief (or maybe arcane trickster) rogue, who did time serving her land as an infiltrator, but whose career led to estrangement from her family.

- A half orc or orc totem barbarian (probably either bear or wolf), who chose exile from his home rather than risk the safety of his kin by challenging new and malicious leadership.

- A human paladin (devotion most likely) who seeks to avenge her family's destruction by a dragon and reclaim her father's sword. Classic do-gooder.

- An elven, half-elven, or possibly a hobgoblin druid (thinking moon at the moment), who after many years of being responsible for training their circle's neophytes, has been sent out, to their discomfort, into the world.

- A human battlemaster fighter, noble background, wields two weapons, might multiclass into rogue. Is something of a scoundrel and has daddy issues (his dad is a total jerk). Starts the campaign in it for the money and the thrill seeking, but I expect would grow over time.

 

[Composer99]

The last first level D&D character I made was for a Goodman Games 5e Keep on the Borderlands campaign. I had decided to be a cleric and I rolled randomly for race and got dwarf. The DM had a background from his prior campaign world that continued through to this one with one set of the Dwarves who followed Karlsbad Marxhammer and his Little Red Scrolls, so I became a LG Dwarven communist "rune smith" with the life domain. "You don't need gods. Anyone can learn rune [clerical] magic, it just takes a couple decades of study and apprenticeship." I wielded a hammer and throwing sickle. I gave from my ability to heal to those who needed healing. It was great fun.

One player in the game I'm running is a halfling bard preaching the word of Karlsberg Marxburrow. My favourite memory of his shenanigans is trying to convince the lizardfolk in Hoard of the Dragon Queen to set up an anarcho-syndicalist commune. But he didn't speak draconic, so he was getting my late wife's character (an expy of Alanna from the Tamora Pierce books) to translate. (I pictured her doing a lot of eye-rolling.)

 

[BookTenTiger]

Update:

Plucky Honorbound, Goblin Paladin, has survived 1st Level!

At 2nd Level I suddenly gain a ton of spells (I took the Blessed Warrior fighting style, which gives me two cleric Cantrips) and Smite. He's still a cowardly goblin, but now I'm saying he uses the mantras he learned as a Knight of the Golden Hart to gain brief moments of bravery!

I'm still using a lot of Stealth, though! Guidance + Stealth = basically a Rogue?