How do you fluff a character level?

[ourchair]

I'm currently developing my character's personality and other fluff-oriented material, using the mechanics to anchor my ideas.

I've already used deities to cement outlook and ability scores and alignment to develop personality. Nothing new about doing that.

My concern is how to address character level. Unlike earlier pre-3E incarnations of D&D (which I don't care for), 4E doesn't assume a 'rank' for each character. Instead it assumes a 'place in the world' based on tiers.

At Level 1, you're already exceptional, but looking for a place in the world.
At Level 11, you've found your place, have begun to specialize and start going into uncharted areas of adventure.
At Level 21, physics and mortality are mere speed bumps, and the consequences of your deeds ripple into the future or the planes beyond.

My character is entering the campaign at Lvl 6. I DMed the first adventure, incidentally. He can't just be sitting around town doing nothing, as he does have HEROIC levels, but he's not quite a figure of renown just yet.

I want to know how you would describe that level of accomplishment. Consider it an exercise and question for feedback all at once.

 

[ffy]

i would implement it into the backstory. make up 1-2 other characters that my PC originally adventured with and a couple adventures that led to him splitting from his original party. from time to time i would try to reference my makebelieve previous adventures. basically my idea is that while the other PCs in your new party have some adventures under their belt, and were 'born' into the heroic world at 1, so was yours, he wasnt 'born' at level 6. since you were the DM of the original adventure, you can easily think of something connected to it that was happening elsewhere (if you want it to tie into the campaign story and have your off-screen quest lead into joining the new group)

in my groups a level 6 character already has completed a 'super-adventure', and has achieved something that can definitely be called heroic. while i agree that there is a definite jump in character renown going from heroic to paragon tier (most often regarding the climatic ending quest of the tier), that doesnt mean that the renown doesnt steadily grow before jumping up in tiers. a level one fighter might be the strongest man or greatest fighter in a village who is called upon to take care of problems. a level 6 fighter has already proven himself capable, collected magical treasure to call his own and has probably earned some respect. if the adventures that made him prove himself and earned him respect havent been played out, it falls upon his creator to elaborate.

 

[Wednesday Boy]

My character is entering the campaign at Lvl 6. I DMed the first adventure, incidentally. He can't just be sitting around town doing nothing, as he does have HEROIC levels, but he's not quite a figure of renown just yet.

I may be misinterpretting your question but I would give the character a motivation and goal that they're pursuing and work with the GM to figure out how that can interact with the motivation and goals of the party. That way the party won't come across your character sitting around town doing nothing, they'll come across your character when their goals cross paths or align.

I want to know how you would describe that level of accomplishment. Consider it an exercise and question for feedback all at once.

For your level of accomplishment or renown I think it could have a large range based on what you want for your character. He could be very well known because he always helped towns in need. Or he could be completely unknown because all of his adventuring was as a covert agent for a cult. Or maybe some sort of mix, like an urban legend--someone is cleaning up crime in the city but no one knows who or what.

 

[Ryujin]

In a recent thread about the idea of character 'titles', one poster (I wish I could remember who, so as to give proper credit) said, "Why not give titles based on accomplishments?" Things like "Protector of Harrowford" or "Slayer of Grimdall, the Ogre King."

.... or, as the Cleric of a past adventuring group was fond of saying everytime we met someone new, "We're gods, in Winterhaven."

 

[ourchair]

I may be misinterpretting your question but I would give the character a motivation and goal that they're pursuing and work with the GM to figure out how that can interact with the motivation and goals of the party. That way the party won't come across your character sitting around town doing nothing, they'll come across your character when their goals cross paths or align.

I don't have a problem coming up with that, I've already defined motivations and goals. He's rather aimless long-term wise but incentives are numerous, and designed specifically for the DM to hook things onto. I also came up with one relative (half-brother), one ex-associate (former party-mate) and one peer/romantic interest (ex-lover schoolmate).

For your level of accomplishment or renown I think it could have a large range based on what you want for your character. He could be very well known because he always helped towns in need. Or he could be completely unknown because all of his adventuring was as a covert agent for a cult. Or maybe some sort of mix, like an urban legend--someone is cleaning up crime in the city but no one knows who or what.

I'm definitely looking at the character as some kind of 'knowledge' type. I don't want to default to "Psionic Guy, Private Eye" but I'd say he fulfills support for parties he's been in. The extent to which that translates to renown is something I'm having difficulty locking down.

 

[Prestidigitalis]

In a recent thread about the idea of character 'titles', one poster (I wish I could remember who, so as to give proper credit) said, "Why not give titles based on accomplishments?" Things like "Protector of Harrowford" or "Slayer of Grimdall, the Ogre King."

.... or, as the Cleric of a past adventuring group was fond of saying everytime we met someone new, "We're gods, in Winterhaven."

Personally, I'm fond of the titles from the video game Fable: Chicken-Chaser and PieMaster.

 

[DracoSuave]

I wouldn't say your character doesn't have any renown.

At level 11, that's about the time where the local kings and monarchs have started to take notice of your deeds, the point where you're no longer saving villages, but you're out to save a kingdom. Your renown at this point should be growing to the point where people in places you've never been are starting to whisper about your deeds.

You're only a couple levels away from becoming a national interest, I'd suggest you have a fair bit of renown already.

 

[Wednesday Boy]

I'm definitely looking at the character as some kind of 'knowledge' type. I don't want to default to "Psionic Guy, Private Eye" but I'd say he fulfills support for parties he's been in. The extent to which that translates to renown is something I'm having difficulty locking down.

I think it again depends on what image you want him to have. If you want him to be the expert in his field, give him lots of renown. When the party is going up against the nest of beholders, anyone will tell them to make sure they visit you first because you're the top beholder expert there is.

On the other hand, you could have zero renown if your expertise is in a cryptic field. The average person won't direct the party to your expert on Orcus because it's not something you'd advertise. But if they ask the right people they get directed to you.

It all comes down to how you want your character perceived. Don't tie it to your actual level at all.

 

[ourchair]

I think it again depends on what image you want him to have. If you want him to be the expert in his field, give him lots of renown. When the party is going up against the nest of beholders, anyone will tell them to make sure they visit you first because you're the top beholder expert there is.

On the other hand, you could have zero renown if your expertise is in a cryptic field. The average person won't direct the party to your expert on Orcus because it's not something you'd advertise. But if they ask the right people they get directed to you.

It all comes down to how you want your character perceived. Don't tie it to your actual level at all.

Great advice and definitely something I'm going to consider.