Is this WotC's first high-level commoner?

[Henry]

Noted by Keith Baker over on the WotC forums:

An excellent story, and a character I would certainly use somewhere. However, I'll note that the head chef of The Oaks is actually detailed in the Sharn sourcebook. Her name is Maza Thadian, and her culinary skills are a thing of legend; as writen, she is a 17th level commoner who has managed The Oaks for over three centuries. The community of her district, Shae Lias, has long relied on her wisdom and common sense, and six years ago she assumed the position of City Councilor of Upper Northedge. As a result, her sons Meryn and Malys perform most of the daily management of the restaurant -- though Maza will still work her magic for special clients.

(She's a elf, in case anyone was wondering.)

It's not like it's that auspicious or anything, but is this WotC's first teen-level commoner ever statted in a product, or am I just not that well-read?

 

[VirgilCaine]

Noted by Keith Baker over on the WotC forums:

(She's a elf, in case anyone was wondering.)

It's not like it's that auspicious or anything, but is this WotC's first teen-level commoner ever statted in a product, or am I just not that well-read?

Of course she's an elf. Elves are perfect.

 

[diaglo]

haven't really paid attention.


but you may be right Henry. at least as a single class Commoner of teen lvl

there are other commoners in WotC products of lvls less than 10 that i can remember


Sunless Citadel has some 4th lvl Commoners i can think of right off hand.

 

[Eremite]

As a matter of design logic, I have never been able to understand that a commoner could progress past, say, 5th level. After this point, they are no longer "common": they really are an exceptional sort of character. Anyway, that's a house rule for me and it also applies to warriors. After all, you're not a "part-time" fighter once your BAB is +6 or better.

I also find it interesting that WotC seem to be breaking the "Eberron only has a low level NPCs"-rule after only a few months. I suspect that it won't be long before the power levels in Eberron are ramped up probably as the novels begin to be released.

 

[Pants]

I also find it interesting that WotC seem to be breaking the "Eberron only has a low level NPCs"-rule after only a few months. I suspect that it won't be long before the power levels in Eberron are ramped up probably as the novels begin to be released.

I wouldn't really classify a 17th-level commoner as a ramping up of the power level.

 

[MrFilthyIke]

Well, a 17th level common would have MAD skilz...like a 300year old elf.

But still bad combat skilz and only 1 weapon proficiency (unless Feats were used).

Not that bad ass, just highly skilled.

 

[mearls]

My theory about high level commoners is this:

You know how every last tavern or shop in the typical D&D town is run by a 5th level ex-adventurer, and all the nobles are level 10 or higher? Where do they get those XPs? If everyone was getting these mad levels, there'd be no more monsters for the PCs to fight, right? It's simple economics, supply and demand. There's a tremendous demand for XPs, but the supply we see could not possibly keep up with it. We should see dozens of people queued up the enter the local dungeon, but the PCs are always the first and only ones there.

The answer is simple. Every 10 years, they wander the land and kill off all those commoners who've been leveling up since the last great hunt. Instant levels, since the commoner has a terrible BAB, awful hit points, and and a stash of items that consists of dirt, potatoes, and maybe a rake.

(You might be wondering, what about paladins and clerics? They're good, right? Well, it's all a lie. If they're so good, why do they charge you for healing magic? They're all like, "I am nice, I am clean, I could cure the world of all it's ills, but I'd rather have MADZ L00TZ!!1!!" And where do you think all those donations go to? That's right, they fund the purchase of those super-magic, deadly crossbows that every last tavern owner on Oerth keeps behind his bar to keep PC-related brawls from getting out of hand.)

Consider the lid blown off this conspiracy.

 

[Stone Dog]

I also find it interesting that WotC seem to be breaking the "Eberron only has a low level NPCs"-rule after only a few months. I suspect that it won't be long before the power levels in Eberron are ramped up probably as the novels begin to be released.

The rule about NPCs is that there aren't any high level heroes or PC friendlies that can show up and steal the thunder from PCs. The idea that Eberron is somehow lacking in characters over a certain level is just not right. The Great Druid is 20th level, but it is not about to wander about and be all do-goody. It has enough to do just being a tree and dispensing druidy wisdom. The High priestess of the Silver Flame? 17th level true, but she is stuck in one city and has both a church to run and a nation to guide. She isn't going to be in a position to recognize the PCs until they save Thrane from the Tarrasque or something.
There are certainly high level villains left in the world and high level NPC classes are hardly in place to save the PCs from a bad spot. You just won't be seeing Elminster showing up to save the world if you can't manage it or Drizzt popping out from a bush to slaughter the orcs you are having trouble with.

 

[Henry]

...She isn't going to be in a position to recognize the PCs until they save Thrane from the Tarrasque or something.

But when you DO kill the Tarrasque to save Thrane, and want a victory feast, then Maza is the woman you want to take the dead body to...

 

[smetzger]

But when you DO kill the Tarrasque to save Thrane, and want a victory feast, then Maza is the woman you want to take the dead body to...

mmm.... Tarrasquebob...