How to make an "Indiana Jones" type character

[dvvega]

First take a Gnome, right.

Call the character Indiana.

And you have Indiana Gnome.

Old joke aside, the Bard suggestions are pretty spot on. You don't have to remove the magical abilities just use a bit of gray matter to make it fit.

For example, Indy inspires courage (stupidity some might say) on those around him, helps people out with their appointed tasks by giving instruction and so forth. The Bardic Music abilities fit well here. The format of performance should be oratory.

As for magic. Indy, although never mumbling incantations, did know Arcane things, and perhaps some of his miraculous escapes were due to spells. For example expeditious retreat when he was running from the giant boulder. Even a simple Cat's Grace when he was jumping around avoiding that same boulder. He casts these "naturally" in the sense that they occur as required. He definately used True Strike to lash his whip appropriately to swing around.

One thing that I do have to agree on is Rogue levels, at least 2nd level for evasion. Indy got hurt but he was able to avoid a lot of the pain. I don't think his Will save was his highest (then again he could have a Flaw vs. Women - its genetic, his dad has it too).

D

 

[DonTadow]

I did an indiana jones like dwarf female once and I went straight rogue. Bard sounds nice but treasure hunter rogue sounds so much better. I boosted up my intelligence and dex and loaded up on feats so i could take the whip and crossbow. With all the skills I coulddo everything in those movies. Plus I got the decipher script and use rope skills to give some more authenticity.

Sadly I missed two sessions in a row and to punish me the dm had my character get kidnapped by nazi like pirates. When I came back she was knocked up and I found myself rolling for morning sickiness.. not fun.

 

[Ero Gaki]

Thanks for all the replys, everyone! I like the thought of the Akashic... its presents an interesting sort of character in Eberron. Has anyone played an Akashic? I've skimmed through the class once or twice, but have never given it much thought. How would such a character fit in Eberron?

 

[JoeBlank]

Somewhere (UA?) is the option to trade out the rogue's sneak attack progression for bonus fighter feats. Instead, trade the sneak attacks for bonus non-combat feats. You could even trade every other sneak attack, so the characters has about half the sneak attack ability of a rogue, but is even more well-rounded in skills and other non-combat areas.

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

There's a rogue prestige class somewhere that might be of interest. I think it's called Tomb Raider of Olidamma or something like that...