[ooc] dnd - the nameless [thread closed]

[doghead]

Nac Mac Feegle,

The idea of keeping the persona of Archer going is just a idiosyncratic quirk of mine, and not something I want to push on anyone.

It wouldn't make any difference if the stats changed as all the outcomes to date could be possible with either set. Nor would it involve keeping the 'red polka dotted handkerchief' (I wouldn't) etc and background (except for the aformentioned auntie in Seven and the gift of the Cloak of Elvankind). The background you presented could be substituted.

Its your choice, and I'd prefer you to go with whichever suits you better.

The concept looks good. But there are some things to consider.

Based on the feel of the description, I would peg him at around 4-5th level. I use an adaption of Sean K Reynolds' Theory about Peasants to get approximate levels for NPCs in the game

XP = (Age - Childhood) x 660​

In your case (32-16)x660 or about 10,560XP. Just into level 5. Probably should be a bit more given that he supported himself with little assistance from the age of 14.

Forests cover alot of the land, and they are home to various unfriendly creatures which have over the years, plagued mankind. Only in the lands of the oldest and most powerful nations have the forests been 'tamed'. As a result, almost everyone lives within walls. Even the villages have simple defenses.

There are exceptions of course. It is still doable as is, so let me know what you think.

Finally, the party is part of the town guard. The default option would be to have your character a member of the gurad to. I haven't had a chance to give the alternatives much thought, so if you havew any suggestions, feel free to post them up.

I gotta dash now. I'll get back to this tomorrow.

 

[Seonaid]

You still recruiting? It's hard to tell, and I don't have time to read all 8 pages.

 

[doghead]

Hey Seonaid

One more person would bring the number of players up to six. Perfect. Page one of this thread will give you pretty much everything you need to know.

There are two characters I'm ghosting at the moment which, because I'm a bit weird, I would like to see continue (Archer and Lisa. Lisa (Warrior1) was an extra from the prologue I decided to keep cos she liked "taking it right up to the [the boys] and whipping them motherless."* Oh the shame.).

Alternatively you can generate a new character. Give me the concept then we can sort out how to fit it in.

Cheers

the head of the dog.

* An austrailian writer describing the joy of beating the english in sports in 1876.

 

[Seonaid]

I'd be willing to pick up a ghosted character. I think it would be easier for me to play Lisa than Archer, though I wouldn't mind either one. I'll take a look at the OOC and IC threads.

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

Well, I think in the end I'd prefer to start anew, because I don't know about the others, but I'd feel uncomfortable with the continuity if the character changed stats, age, personality, background, and was played by a new person, and besides that I'd find it odd to deal with the characters previous actions. So if possible, I'd prefer to start anew. He could easily be a "reserve" equivalent in the militia of the town they're going to enter soon, and so could be sent along as that towns contribution to the mission, or, given that he could be walking to the same town from his farm (which is a good twelve hour walk away) he could run into them now and, being nominally a member of the militia, be sort of de facto under Cromwell's command. That's just my preference though, and you are the DM. If you really are set on that, then he'll be Archer.

As to the level equivalent, I personally disagree with that formula. I don't think that a peasant would level up in the first two years of life, and I have a couple of basic arguments. Firstly, the "commoner1" is meant to be (in my opinion) a position, rather than a measure of experience aquired by age. All generic peasants regardless of age, would be commoner 1s in my interperetation. Secondly, age is a bad measure, due to the problems with inter-species age ranges. After all, even if you say elves don't leave childhood until 110, an elven peasant just entering middle age would have accrued 50*660, or 33,000 xp, putting him far above any human peasant.

Or to argue why even with those rules why my character is still low level: To clarify, his farm is fairly high up on a mountainside, above where most wild animals prey, and given the bad soil, the farm isn't very big, so he's never attracted raiders. His being forced to fend for himself early in life is reflected in his extra feats and free cross-class ranks, specifically he has self-sufficient, track, and ranks in survival, all of which mean that he would be able to support himself and survive well.

That's my take on it. Mainly that's just justification for wanting to play a large, older scottish peasant, but hey.

If that's okay, I'll post a final character sheet next.

Wondering, should I start him w/ a magical item? Just asking.

So if all this is good, then I'll post up a character sheet and get ready to join the IC thread.

 

[doghead]

My browser crashed and took with it my almost completed post. I'm not a happy camper. Enough said. Here is the abridged version.

Nac Mac Feegle. Caddoc is fine. I realise that my request was a little unusual and apprieciate the consideration that you have given it.

We have slightly differing views on 'the commoner', but its not significant at this point. I agree with your observaions about the 'Theory' and some of the other races. It wasn't really designed to encompass them.

Anyway, back to Caddoc. Take a single extra level in either Commoner or Warrior (Caddoc seems to have a mildly martial bent). The other PC's are about to level anyways, so this will save you having to go back to the books.

There are no mountains within a days walk of the town. However, the plains around the town are pretty isolated once you get half a dozen miles away or so. They are also not particualrly fertile. Alternatively, down in the hills to the south, near the river. This would give you access to the great forests - dangerous places but safe enough if you stick to the eastern river banks There are few farms this close to the forest.

I've sketched up really rough and ugly map. The party is heading to the town to the west of Seven.

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

Okay, I'll give him an extra level (still have to decide what in).

He'll be from the hills, because his character concept is into the whole "bones of the earth thing."

Only two questions:
1): What are the rules for when I might be able to pick up a level of ranger
2): What kind of equipment should I start with?

Thanks
I should be able to have a character sheet up by tonight.

 

[doghead]

Rules. Rules ? Oh Rules! We don't have them.

New class options are dependent on getting some form of IC opening or exposure. A real hard core realist might say that your character could spend a lifetime waiting and never get such an opportunity. I'm not that hard core. There are a few characters hoping to take levels in ranger and/or druid so I'll work towards working in something. Actually, there has already been one encountered who could provide a way in.

Start with whatever equipment fits the concept. As for the magical item, in the initial character generation, the players had the choice of any item up to (I think) 2000gp in value. I'll leave it up to you. If you choose to take the staff, I'd like to see some mention of how you came by it in your background.

Just a thought, if you are particularly attached to the idea of having lived in the mountains, the those to the northeast would be the best. That would put you about two weeks travel from your home right now. Thats fairly isolated. The region has been fairly stable for the last few decades, so safe enough. But that is changing. Perhaps that would explain why your character left them for more 'civilised' parts.

cheers

the head of the dog

 

[Seonaid]

I'll personalize Lisa, but is there anything you want or need me to do before I get started, other than reading the OOC and IC threads?

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

Hokay, here goes:

I've statted him out at first level because I think I remembered you saying that PCs could either level up in an npc class or wait a bit and get a PC class and I'd prefer waiting a bit and getting my second level in ranger. As to leveling up, in a week I'll have entirely too much time on my hands (major tests will be finished) so I shouldn't have any problem.

Here goes.

Craddoc Pyrs
Human, 1st-Level Commoner
Medium Humanoid (Human)
Hit Dice: 1d4 (13 hp)
Initiative: +0
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares)
Armor Class: 14 (+0 Dex, +4 armor), touch 10, flat-footed 14
Base Attack/Grapple: +0/+3
Attack: Staff +3 melee (1d6+5 20/x2)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: None
Special Qualities: Human Traits
Saves: Fort +4, Ref +0, Will +3
Abilities: Str 17, Dex 10, Con 18, Int 10, Wis 17, Cha 12
Skills: Craft (Woodworking): 3 ranks (+3), Craft (Stonecarving): 3 ranks (+3)
Handle Animal:1 rank (+2), Heal: 0 ranks (+5), Listen: 2 ranks (+7), Survival: 3 ranks (+8)
Languages:Common
Feats: Self Sufficient, Toughness, Endurance, Robust
Race Feature:
+4 Skill Points at 1st Level / +1 each additional level
+1 Bonus Feat at 1st Level

Equipment:
Peasant Clothes
15 quarterstaffs (Crafted by him, going to be sold in town)
Assorted stone figurines (See above)
Heartstone Quarterstaff (see below)
Chain Shirt (from militia)

Heartstone: This is stone found in the very heart of tall mountains, often found in very deep caves. It provides a +1 bonus to damage which stacks with magic (so a +1 heartstone staff would have +1 to hit and +2 to damage). In total darkness heartstone glows. (small items illuminate 1 square, medium a 5 ft radius, large a 10 ft radius).

Craddoc found the piece of stone he fashioned into this staff when he was about 27 while wandering around on his own. Caught outside by a torrential downpore, he sought shelter in a cave. He was amazed to discover that the cave went far back beyond what he could see. His curiosity triumphing over his cautiousness, he crept down. Reaching the bottom, he found a sight that amazed him. A tree a full 40 feet tall make entirely out of stone glowing in the darkness of the cavern. As he watched, a branch of the tree split and fell, glowing, at his feet. By the time he steeled himself to touch it, found that nothing happened, and made it back to the surface, the rain had stopped and he continued on his way. He has been carving the staff (which is about 7' tall) for some time now, each day making more intricate carvings on it, refining it further.

I'm fine with the idea that he came from the mountains. Recently things have been becoming strange, so he decided to alter his usual routine and carry his goods further afield in hopes of also gathering some information about what was going on. He is, in fact, walking down the road right now.....

That's the basic idea.

I'm ready to join the IC thread whenever you want, just tell me where I am.