[MENTION=6781406]Unsung[/MENTION] I would be equally content functioning in an exclusively non-combat roll as I would playing a full PC (either as an ally or a rival/enemy). Looking over the group composition, I am of two minds.
On one hand, the group is already large, and too many players can slow down a PbP game (especially during combat). This supports taking a non-combat role. Also, that allows for indulging in some really "out there" character concepts as there's less of a need to model them within the combat-focused rules.
On the other hand, the group is lacking in tough front-line warriors (except for the paladin), and could really benefit from a barbarian, fighter, ranger, or even a tough rogue or monk. On the up-side, those classes can be designed as mechanically simpler characters.
Hmm. I have 4 ideas, depending on what you and the others prefer...
Idea #1: Graydon's Familiar (non-combat role)
I could certainly be happy playing Graydon's familiar, though I'd need some guidance about what sorts of critters [MENTION=6776473]Pembinasa[/MENTION] feels would suit Graydon. Since I'm experienced with the Planescape setting, I'd rather play a role which allows me to take advantage of that, so probably not a clueless animal from the prime material world...something planar would fit me best. I am also somewhat experienced with Mystara, so perhaps I could play some planar being from that campaign setting...
Some potential familiars include...
- An immature phase spider happened to be released from its confinement during Graydon's drunken state of rejection on that fateful day he set forth for adventure on the planes, his elbow bumping the creature's cage. It had just started to climb up the neck of the young mage's beer bottle, when all of a sudden they were transversing the boundaries of the plane. The journey had some unexpected effects on the spider, which experienced stunted growth, increased intelligence, and a hankering for ales, meads, and wines of all sorts. More often than not the squeaky-voiced spider is hicupping drunk, kivetching about this and that, and when it gets really sauced its teleportation ability is far less reliable. Yet it remains Graydon's faithful familiar, for Graydon liberated it from captivity to the wizards of Glantri after all, albeit accidentally. Game-wise, can be used to explain unexpected absences from Graydon, myself, or other players, in that the drunken spider bites them and shunts them off to the Ethereal Plane for a bit.
- A sentient wise-cracking spellbook, perhaps a planewalking wizard whose portal merged with Graydon's just as he crossed the threshold into Sigil, trapping his physical form in the book. This could begin subtly with cryptic messages left in the margins of his spellbook, or it could begin/develop into full speech and/or telepathy like an intelligent magic object. Game-wise can be used as a device to explain Graydon learning new spells at the DM's discretion, since the spellbook can "teach" them to him. Later on, there could be a quest to restore the trapped wizard to his body or otherwise provide him release from his literary state.
- An androgynous golden being with no discernible face (an Adaptor) that can only appear in reflective surfaces offers cryptic counsel to Graydon, and has the power to open a portal to the Ethereal / the Dreamlands / Ravenloft demiplanes when a mirror of sufficient size and quality is available. The being is polite, helpful if cryptic, and possesses vast knowledge about the planes and unusual technology, but occasionally requests Graydon perform unusual acts of espionage...leading him to believe the being has an ulterior motive. Game-wise can be used as a device when Graydon makes Intelligence checks or uses his Researcher background trait to justify how a clueless Prime can know so much about the planes. If they travel to the Ethereal / Dreamlands / Ravenloft later on the being could even assume physical form.
Idea #2: Mimir (non-combat role)
They call it Sir Roderick's Head, from an allegory of a foolhardy knight who was betrayed by a cruel liege and beheaded. There are many stories where it came from, that piece of black volcanic glass in the perfect likeness of a man's skull fused to a pointed helm of clay as hard as stone. It is a mimir, at least that seems to be the simplest explanation, with impeccable grammar and polite manners....unless provoked, in which case it has a mouth fouler than a harpy drunk on rotgut. There are many competing theories about the origin of the mimir.
Some hold it as a sacred relic of Kelemvor, a symbol of the peace found in death, while others contend it is the original symbol of the Dustmen given life by belief...or perhaps factol Skall. (a tie-in to Eurid)
According to the mystics of Lhamsa, it is the preserved skull of the 23rd Great Saffron Mystic which will point the way to the 100th Great Saffron Mystic reincarnated as a child; even the mages of Glantri agree that it radiates powerful transmutation magic akin to a reincarnation spell, and the d'Ambrevilles would love to get their hands on it. (a tie-in to Graydon)
Fey may recognize the strange material of the skull as being related to a type of rare black crystal shard said to hail from the Unseelie Court, host of the Queen of Air and Darkness, a bitter enemy of Queen Elora. (a tie-in to Liliana and Ozymandius, and Shard)
Arcanists conjecture the skull came to be either thru a
sending stone which developed intelligence or thru a botched
clone spell. Who was using the stones or who the clone was meant to be are a mystery, however. (a tie-in for NPCs or Graydon possibly)
Modrons oddly hunt the skull down as a misplaced component; could it be the skull once rested behind Drone's mask? Or might it be a ice of the Primal Shard of Chaos which Primus cast from Mechanus, only to form the Slaadi? (a tie-in to Drone or Shard possibly)
A rare traveler to the Outlands may recognize the skull singing Delta blues or humming creepy twists on Dixieland songs as it bobs to an unheard rhythm; however, regardless of the song, they all seem to end in disaster and fire...perhaps hinting at the skull's origin as melted rock turned to volcanic glass? (a tie-in to Picayune)
Children and tieflings in Sigil enjoy testing the skull's insult-slinging ability, which has reached something of mythical proportions in Sigil at least. (a tie-in to the 2 party bards, Ozymandius and Picayune)
Idea #3: The Technocrat (recurring rival "NPC")
Planescape is a world of shifting alliances, and one of the interesting things is sometimes having to deal with NPCs you really would rather fry with a fireball. A perfect foil to the party would be Lawful Evil, an enemy to the Dustmen & undead, and opposed to magic and the fey. Basically a materialist. Some kind of ruthless planar pragmatist who espouses a philosophy that only life today matters, and that delaying gratification for the afterlife is for suckers, possibly a Prolonger or Fated (or even a twisted Sensate) seeking the secret of immortality. Might use dead/undead as tools without regards for their peace, consider the fanciful whimsies of the fey & creative spark to be frivolous, and otherwise seek to pursue an agenda similar to the Technocracy from Mage. Could even tie into the Tacharim, the antagonists from Great Modron March trying to fuse living beings with modrons.
His access to magic resources, his offering well-paying jobs to acquire rare ingredients for the ultimate immortality ritual, his knowledge of particular criminal organizations, or his willingness to be hired as a strong arm henchman could all bring the PCs into contact with him. Of course, he'd be the sort of contact/ally that you'd sleep with one eye open around, would be certain to antagonize the PCs philosophically, and could act as a rival to their interests on certain quests.
Idea #4: Kekyáweth Stronghoof (full-fledged PC)
If you did want an 8th PC, or if someone drops out, I could play a planar guide type of PC, a CG bariaur ranger (hunter) or fighter (champion) with an Outlander background and affiliation with the Free League. Basically, a consummate savvy planar type right down to the lingo. I have stats for a homebrew bariaur class that are fairly balanced. Game-wise would provide front-line tanking & exploration abilities for the party, as well as a way to raise questions about Planescape themes like faction allegiance, the center of all, the unity of rings, etc.
, so I think that's probably okay.
) and I don't think anyone's trying to accuse anyone else of that. So I'm hoping we can just let this one slide. Everyone okay with that? We good?
I am a Planescape-o-phile, used to DM Planescape for several years, and I even have some awesome 5e conversions for the setting; if you haven't checked them out yet, links in my sig.
