How to avoid challenges, and be highly thought of

[Quasqueton]

I was just reading a pseudo-official adventure (sort of touted as "official" by Dungeon), and a couple things jumped out at me as curious. [Perhaps its "officialness" is irrelevant to this discussion. Or is it?]

1) There are several NPCs in the adventure (staff of the orphanage) who are 'older' (50+) yet still Com1.

2) The mistress of the orphanage is said to have a "special affection" for the half-orc janitor, and the children "seem to be especially fond of him". This indirect description of the character set me up to expect a good charisma score. But it is only 11.

So. . .

1) Is it possible for a D&D character to reach old age without gaining at least one level? I mean, just taking the above specific example, how can someone work in something as challenging as an orphanage for "several years" without gaining considerable experience points? I would think it would be challenging to live through a pseudo-medieval life just trying to avoid challenge. You almost couldn't help but pick up *some* xp.

2) Wouldn't you think "special affection" and "especially fond" would be descriptions for someone with 12+ charisma? (The NPC in evidence also has Int 10, Wis 8.)

Quasqueton

 

[Sagan Darkside]

2) Wouldn't you think "special affection" and "especially fond" would be descriptions for someone with 12+ charisma? (The NPC in evidence also has Int 10, Wis 8.)

You don't know any curmudgeons that some people are still fond of?

Heck, I know puppies who would not have a cha above a 3 that garner a lot of affection.

Those are extreme examples, but Cha does not dictate how much people like you.

SD

 

[WayneLigon]

1. I consider that a large percentage of those living will never reach past level 1.

2. Not really. I am very fond of my Cha 6 Terrier, for example. People are 'very fond' of others of normal Cha all the time, or else we'd not see so many marriages

 

[Sagan Darkside]

or else we'd not see so many marriages

Maybe everyone just has poor Sense Motive checks- that is why they take 20 and eventually get divorced.

SD

 

[Brisk-sg]

I was just reading a pseudo-official adventure (sort of touted as "official" by Dungeon), and a couple things jumped out at me as curious. [Perhaps its "officialness" is irrelevant to this discussion. Or is it?]

I think Life's Bazaar would fall under the heading of "official". Though Dragon is not owned by WoTC any longer, it is staffed by largely the same staff as it was before it was sold. Furthermore, they produce "official" material for D&D.

1) There are several NPCs in the adventure (staff of the orphanage) who are 'older' (50+) yet still Com1.

I don't see any "offical" rules that state that age has any bearing on levels for normal characters and NPCs. There is no reason in this adventure for the NPC in question to be anything other then a 1st level commoner. The characters should be more powerfull then the staff at an orphanage.

2) The mistress of the orphanage is said to have a "special affection" for the half-orc janitor, and the children "seem to be especially fond of him". This indirect description of the character set me up to expect a good charisma score. But it is only 11.

I see no reason why the charisma of the character should have any impact on whether those that know him are fond of him. In real life, do you only like people who are very sure of themselves or are beautiful? Furthermore, a charisma score of 11 is above average.

1) Is it possible for a D&D character to reach old age without gaining at least one level? I mean, just taking the above specific example, how can someone work in something as challenging as an orphanage for "several years" without gaining considerable experience points? I would think it would be challenging to live through a pseudo-medieval life just trying to avoid challenge. You almost couldn't help but pick up *some* xp.

Yes. Experince is not detailed for mundane tasks.

2) Wouldn't you think "special affection" and "especially fond" would be descriptions for someone with 12+ charisma? (The NPC in evidence also has Int 10, Wis 8.)

No. Someone can be fond of a being with any charisma score. The charisma score inpacts oratory skills, 1st impressions, but does not determine if any individual CAN be liked by others.

 

[MerakSpielman]

1) Is it possible for a D&D character to reach old age without gaining at least one level? I mean, just taking the above specific example, how can someone work in something as challenging as an orphanage for "several years" without gaining considerable experience points? I would think it would be challenging to live through a pseudo-medieval life just trying to avoid challenge. You almost couldn't help but pick up *some* xp.

Though I don't much like the idea, the core rules don't actually say that life experience can get a commoner levels. That's just what we like to say here on the boards with the "wtf is a 20th level commoner" threads (and let's not beat THAT dead horse here, thank you).

By the rules, you get xp and levels by killing monsters and evading deadly traps. Role-playing and story-based xp are optional.

Frankly, IMHO, I think a commoner should gain 1 level per decade for just living (nubmers based on human life-span). But I didn't write the rules, I just try to house-rule them.

 

[Sagan Darkside]

Re: Re: How to avoid challenges, and be highly thought of

By the rules, you get xp and levels by killing monsters and evading deadly traps. Role-playing and story-based xp are optional.

Depending on the campeign world- some commoners may be facing daily concerns of monsters and bandits.

I could see a high level commoner- the peasant hero archtype comes to mind.

SD

 

[Quasqueton]

OK. You've all sold me on the charisma thing.

Quasqueton

 

[MerakSpielman]

Re: Re: Re: How to avoid challenges, and be highly thought of

Depending on the campeign world- some commoners may be facing daily concerns of monsters and bandits.

I could see a high level commoner- the peasant hero archtype comes to mind.

SD

I would think that a commoner who rallied against the monsters would start gaining warrior levels.

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

Well, I don't think much of the idea that experienced people would be first level commoners so I'll do what I've done so far: rule zero it and avoid writing such things into my modules.

I've never found it difficult to avoid having the higher level commoner/expert types be good at combat. I just assume average stats and apply aging penalties. Plus there's nothing wrong with some of them (who don't have poor stats) being good at combat. The village blacksmith may only be an expert 4 but he may have won the quarterstaff competition at the annual harvest festival for five years running. (Well, if he did that, maybe he's expert 4/fighter 2). There's nothing wrong with him being a more competent combatant than some fresh off the farm and hurried through seminary first level paladin.