Need hellp with character creation for an intractible DM

[doghead]

I think the way to appraoch it depends on where your priorities lie.

If the gaming is mostly about getting together with some friends, draw up something simple and roll with it.

If you're looking for a good game experience as well, then I would agree with RigaMortus2. If he won't work with you to find a solution, then perhaps its time to let him know that the experience has become more frustrating than fun, and you're going to take some time out and pass on this campaign.

Good luck.

thotd.

 

[KarinsDad]

Take a straight Psion.

They can be the most kick butt non-PrC class in the game.

Be sure to pick a good race like an Elan:

9 Str
15 Int
12 Wis
14 Con
12 Dex
6 Cha

Boost Int at levels 4 and 8 if you want to maximize your PP at 12th level.

Do not worry about the 6 Cha. Even though it will be 50% social, that does not mean that you cannot play the brooding character that talks little and hits with a big (psionic power) stick. The party Sorcerer can be the talkative high Cha PC.

The DM will rue the day he did not let you be a mere Sorcerer.

Most mid to high level Psion builds kick most mid to high level Sorcerer builds butt every time.

 

[Felnar]

again, i say just make him pick your race and class
also, it sounds like your are really into this backstory with a family,
so why waste it on this campaign? save it for the next one

try out this character (is as much of a waste as anything, and should be fun for the 50% social part):
-Rogue 3-
12 Str
9 Dex
12 Con
14 Int
8 Wis
15 Cha

but, for your starting age, choose 70, for vernable status
changing your stats to
6 Str
3 Dex
6 Con
17 Int
11 Wis
18 Cha
max out craft(cooking) and all social skills

Character Background:
retired baker decides his life has been too boring, so he picks up a sword and sets out on the adventure of his life (and probably death)

dont ruin the campaign for others, but dont waste any cool characters on it either.
Have fun,
- Felnar

 

[the Jester]

As diaglo says, life is too short to play crappy rpgs.

Sounds to me like you need to recruit a group of new gamers.

 

[Bront]

Have you ever taken the DM aside and simply asked why he is treating you differently than the other players (Or is he doing this to the other players as well?).

My suggestion:

Make 2 of effectively the same characters. Munchkin one out, and then build the other one that is what you actualy want to play. Then go to him and say "Here is what I want to play, and here is what I could have done if I realy wanted to power game."

You also might want to remind him that there is nothing wrong with a little bit of power gaming/number crunching, because you want a character that is at least fun to play and compitent. People in RL push every advantage to the limit, so what's wrong with someone doing it in game (to a point)? As long as it doesn't overshadow other characters, and everyone has fun, I don't see a problem, especialy since you are stressing the backstory.

You might want to remind him that you are looking for NO additional handouts for your backstory. Wife and kid are RPing aides, not "Free bonuses". Tell him you don't want extra money by owning the shop, so you'll never see the profits, and will even buy anything you need from it at normal costs. But remind him you want to play YOUR character, and it needs to be interesting to you. And if it's not, then perhaps it's best that you just sit out this game, and have the group let you know when the next one is.

On a side note, there are several interesting PbP games going here in the forums, including a large living campaign. Check them out for a bit.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

RigaMortus2 - Now that you mention it, in that game with my screwed up Sorceror, HE is playing a Bard/Barbarian/Fighter 5/1/2 with Spike Chain, Combat Reflexes, Combat Expertise, Power Attack, Disarm, Trip. And HE is calling me a munchkin.....

Heh. Nothing against the feats/weapon combo mentioned. It's how the spiked chain is supposed to be used (I'm playing a character with these feats, too). But the one level Brb and two levels Ftr are a dead give-away. This is powergaming. Nothing wrong with powergaming, if you like it, the DM is OK with it, and you give the character a personality, but he has some nerve calling you a munchkin. This alone would make me quit the game.

Seetan - He wants me to take the Leadership feat just to keep my wife.....!

and..

Seetan - No. She gets to advise us from time to time IF I take the feat. She stays at home to look after the apothecary. I wanted to start one of my own and let her be in charge of it when I go adventuring (that was part of the original backstory). He nixed it and says there is too many of those. She'll only get to work in one. Also, my 4 year old kid has to go to school. I mean.... 4 years old???!!!

This is ridiculous. For that, you do not need leadership. He should congratulate you for your efforts, not screw you at every opportunity.

I'd say go to that orientation session, and if this doesn't get better: Don't play. It is not worth it. You just get agitated, and might lose any interest in RPG's. Tell him that you think he's a nice guy generally, that his WoD Chronicle was nice, but that this sucks big time.

 

[Jack Simth]

If you have trouble finding a decent gaming group in your area, you can always play online; Play By Post has been mentioned, and OpenRPG also works rather well.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

Is said DM on the forums? If not, invite him. I (and I think several others) would love to hear what he has to say about it all. And maybe by having to explain it all to strangers he will realize that this is no fun.

 

[Taren Seeker]

Well, this doesn't sound like a good situation you're heading into. However, if you were happy with his previous campaign maybe you can give it a shot. He may be overcompensating since this was an old campaign of his that he is restarting, and he wants it to go "just right". So after a few sessions he may unclench.

For a PC, go Psion (Telepath). For the social situations, judicious use of Mind Link and Charm/Dominate should help with any rough patches the party may run into. You also get some charisma skills as class. Just remember to use concentration checks to disguise your power use so that no one will be the wiser. Oh, and pick up a couple of reliable damage powers in addition to your telepathy powers so that you will always be effective no matter the opponents.

As for race, drop any dreams of being a 1/2 celestial. I think that's what's really set him off, since templates are often an alarm bell to cautious DMs. Alter the story a bit, play an Elan. Check out the history of the race, there is some seriously good fluff. Ask the Dm to modify it and say that Elan are formed by an extraplanar (better yet, extradimensional) group, this still allows you to be recent arrivals from the planes settling down. Not to mention that Elan rock pretty hard mechanically as well. Heh for that reason he'll probably shoot you down on it, but it can be a nice smokescreen to allow your class choice.

You may have a low cha but magic items, ranks and synergies will help you to not suck. In Living Arcanis, my main character is a Psionic, sword-wielding Monk type that has an 8 cha, but he is the party face with Diplomacy and Sense Motive scores in the teens. He may be somewhat abrasive and cold at times, but he has worked hard to overcome his flaws.

Oh and concerning the Leadership thing to keep your wife...icky. Tell him it's RP, you are getting no mechanical benefits and it gives him more background to screw you with. That should convince him

 

[Mistwell]

Generally when a player comes on here and talks about the DM in the manner done here, there is another side to the story. And usually, the other side to the story IS that the player is a notorious power gamer playing in an RP-heavy setting, and the DM wants to show the player that an RP-oriented game can be a lot of fun.

Half-Celstial from the start does in fact sound like power gaming to me. Trying to squeeze in a Cestial who can give you special information in a mostly social-setting game WITHOUT taking the Leadership feat ALSO sounds like power gaming to me. What the heck is wrong with choosing from the base races and not squeezing in extra power and abilities through "back story"?

If you cannot deal with having low stats and only average "powers" in this setting, despite the DM making it very clear that is the intent of the setting, then don't play. However, I think the better solution is to choose anything STANDARD that you think would be a bit fun to play, and PLAY it. Even a fighter with low strength can be a lot of fun to play. Break out of the mindset that you have to minimize your flaws while maximizing your strengths. It can in fact be a lot of fun to do the reverse even.