How would you build it?

[chagrinmf]

He was born on the battlefield during a massive slaughter. He was part of an outnumbered army that was fighting to protect his king to gain his king enough time to get away.
Trained in the arts as a fighter he thought he would be ready for the mayhem and blood. As he fought he started to lose his grip. He started to panic, striking at anyone and anything. During the battle he was struck in the head by a friend or an enemy, he does not know. He blacked out. Upon awakening, the battle was over and all of his brethren lay dead at his feet. No one else is in sight. Blood staining his boots as he walked over the dead bodies he has a relevation: He was spared for a greater good. He survived certain death. He was Death’s chosen champion! He must bring as many lives as he can to his Liege Lord’s loving embrace. Death is the only peace a man (or woman) will know. Death is pure, Death is love, Death is the beginning of a new life. e dedicates the lives of the dead on the field to his new Liege Lord, picks the bloodiest greatsword he can find, and embarks on his journey.

He now strives to bring peace and comfort to those who are dying or about to die (some by his hand). He will do everything he can to convince his opponent that he is their answer to end all their pain and suffering. He will rid them of this pesky thing called life to be welcomed by his Liege Lord in their new life. He will help them with their transition, asked or not. He is not evil, he will not take a life that does not want to be taken (an innocent bystander, some random happening by) His main targets are those that he engages in battle as he sees those as the most vulnerable and most in need of his services. Why enter battle if not to die? Why risk injury when you can die and not feel that pain? He will put in a good word with Death for them.

I would like this character to throw himself into battle. To keep going even when struck a fatal blow. A character that. Just. Will. Not. Quit. I would like to build him tough and durable. One of his other goals is to send HIMSELF to his liege lord. No other life he sends is as good as his. The champion of death him/herself. If he doesn’t die in battle, he considers it a failure. He does not dwell too much on this as he figures his Lord is not done with him yet. He is his Lord’s most efficient tool.

How would you roll up a character like this?

 

[Ryujin]

I immediately thought of an Avenger of the Raven Queen. Though not ideal, Revenant would make a good racial choice thematically. They're very tough to kill. You could extend the background to him ACTUALLY dying on the battlefield, then coming back. Seems to have all of the elements that you want, save a bonus to the primary stat.

 

[Roger]

I think I'd go with Holy Conqueror, although Soldier of Conquest looks sufficiently brutal too.



Cheers,
Roger

 

[Mengu]

I immediately thought of an Avenger of the Raven Queen.

Ditto. And Born Under a Bad Sign background (this gives him a head start for the durability you're looking for). Probably give him enough strength to start out with Battle Awareness and melee training (assuming Human); that cements the warrior training. I'd probably pick up Durable or Toughness right away. It wouldn't be an easy build to make it as tough as you're wanting. And avengers don't like to be surrounded by enemies, so from a tactical stand point this may not be what you're looking for mechanically.

A Battlerager Fighter or Avenging/Ardent Paladin might be easier. A Battle Cleric would be another interesting option. Any of these can add Avenger multiclass for that oath flavor.

 

[Pyrrhus of Epirus]

I say make a Turku. A barbarian dwarf that has no allegiance to clan or kinsman do to some great failure. Just spin it to fit your battlefield transformation. Another thought would be to have him be a revanant with the dwarf racial traits and have him not know he died and came back.

 

[Turtlejay]

How do you want him to *be* a champion of death? I think most people are going to see Raven Queen in that description, and that screams a Divine character. Within that realm, you have a few options, the best of which are Paladin, Cleric, and Avenger. It all depends on how you want to approach this character evangelizing his God. If it is only a matter of slaying that which needs to be slain, then go Avenger. If it is a question of converting others to his way of belief, then Str Cleric. If you believe you are protecting a way of thinking or a set of values, then go Paladin. Or, reflavor any of those to work with any mindset.

If Raven Queen doesn't fit, then you could justify a lot of things. I'd stay away from classes that have a flavor of long years of training (Warlord, Fighter, Wizard, etc) unless you want to weave that in somehow, and go with classes that speak of . . .death and pain.

Assassin, Warden, Barbarian, Ranger, Sorcerer could all work with this concept, but some of those are considerably less durable then I'd think you want.

So. . .durability *and* an otherworldly obsession with Death? I would take either Warden (since primal characters get a few more HP's per level, add a relatively high con and Toughness) or Paladin (high AC and extra surges give you durability, but you may drop to a particularly vicious opponent). Since you stated you want to fight till you die, that pushes me in the direction of Paladin. Warrior background, conversion to Death and Her Queen, with fanatical devotion and commitment to your cause...

I would also echo the reccomendation to choose Revenant, with their mechanical benefits and the 'flavor' of being risen from the dead, you complete a picture. See how your DM will let you flavor the undead warrior in the full plate mail. Never take it off. Let slip that you may or may not have a body under there. Good times.

Jay

 

[Mentat55]

Revenant for the game mechanics, reskinned as whatever race you want. Esp. with the revenant-related feats that lets you get some a race's feature, it would work really well.

Though a divine class devoted the Raven Queen fits real well, I might think about another route, like a battlerager fighter or a barbarian. The flavor text of the Dread Reaper PP really reminds me of your description, though it is not really the ultimate death dealer.

EDIT: And perhaps Undying Warrior as an epic destiny? Given how hard it is to actually kill an Undying Warrior for good, it would be truly epic for him to finally die and go to meet Death.

 

[Skallgrim]

Also, you might pick magic items to make him "unkillable", such as the Belt which lets you roll two death saves and take the higher, the neck item which gives you a bonus to death saves, and the armor which allows you to stay alive until you fail 4 death saves (sorry, loaned out my AV 1&2 and can't remember the names).

He can go down in a fight, but he can fight confident that he will probably not actually die until he has served his lord.

 

[theskyfullofdust]

You could go for a fighter with a multiclass into cleric, or avenger maybe? Gives you that durability you want plus a divine kick too.

 

[Herobizkit]

This concept would be awesome for a Warforged character. I second (third? fourth?) a Cleric of the Raven Queen. Make your character Unaligned; as per the PHB, Unaligned characters can worship any god. And you'd better fight with a scythe.