renowned status of high level characters??

[Alstott_the_Light]

In order to fit into a new module - some 10th lvl characters got bumped up to 15th lvl



When the campaign had stalled at 10th lvl some time ago, the lead cleric was in the process of starting a new temple to his god in/around Silverymoon (Forgotten Realms). Unfortunately with a time jump of 4 years, this building up of a reputation went unchecked.



My question is - how popular would this guy be?
Is he rock/movie star status? local news anchorman famous? "oh, there's *that guy*" recognizable?


I mean how common/popular are 15th level characters in a big city?

(Keep in mind that he is a Cleric for the poor and unfortunate, he has the Leadership feat which provides him with a bunch of followers, and of course he now has a temple that he heads)

 

[Crothian]

I don't know, what has the guy done ? Do bards sing his praises? Do the clergy tell stories of him as examples as ways to serve the god? Level has nothing to do with it, it is all about promotion

 

[Eolin]

Level has something to do with it -- level regulates how many followers leadership will give you, which in turn regulates how many *families* have a member who works for him loyaly.

You say he's got his own church, as well as the leadership feat. Leadership can give something around 20-40 guys or so following you loyaly. They know you, obviously. As do the families of those guys.

Even in a city of 5000, that's a substantial chunk of the town. then add in worshipers.

That's a really big chunk of the town. But it depends on the size of the congregation, which means it depends on what you want. He can be one of the faces everyone knows, or just a local clergymen. Up to you and the player.

 

[Hammerhead]

I'd have to say that it depends on your game. For example, the Forgotten Realms tend to have a larger percentage of higher level guys than a lot of worlds...like, say, Eberron. And like 90% of those high level guys are wizards.

IMC, the group of 15th level PCs were at the top of their professions and respected, admired, and/or feared by the general populace (depending on the character). I mean, a 15th lvl Cleric can perform miracles...raising the dead, curing the sick, calling down heavenly fire to smite his enemies, etc. That's pretty impressive.

I'd say at least give him "local newsanchorman" level of popularity and fame, with a good deal more power in the city compared to some guy who announces the weather.

 

[The Souljourner]

I think it depends a lot on his role in the community. If he does a lot for the community, he'll be well known. If he just has Sunday mass (or the equivalent) then he'll be known to his congregation only. Building a temple is not automatically newsworthy... think of the last big building you saw getting built.... do *you* know who built it? Me neither.

Of course this is medieval times, so building big things is a lot more noteworthy... It's a judgement call. Discuss it with the player.. my recommendation is to give him a little fame, but not too much. It could overshadow the other players, and lead to either awkward roleplaying or powergaming ("But everyone loves me, why wouldn't they give me 100 GP?"). Basically, make random people say hi, and maybe give him a little favor here and there, enough so he feels "cool" without disrupting things too much. He did go to the trouble of building the temple after all, and took leadership. This is, of course, above and beyond the bonuses he gets flat out for leadership itself.

-The Souljourner

 

[Alstott_the_Light]

Great advise - I appreciate you helping me clear up my mind on how to hand this - it will be something along the lines of 1/3 of the city having respect for the cleric and a little over half recognizing him on the street for who he is

 

[Jdvn1]

The d20 Wheel of Time book has Reputation scores for each class. It's kind of neat, actually.

 

[Alstott_the_Light]

I was thinking that the Realms needs something like the Reputation score - where like Eliminster gets a score like 89 out of 100 and such


but yeah I'll have to check the Wheel o' Times out

 

[Jdvn1]

Pfft, Elminster would break the Reputation score.

"What?? 483 out of 100?!"

 

[Darkness]

Welcome to the boards! By the way, this is not really a rules question so it should be in General Discussion. Moved.

I mean how common/popular are 15th level characters in a big city?

For how common they are in general, see DMG, p.137-139 (particularly 139) but since you play in the FR, you should change Sorcerer to d6 + community modifier and Wizard to d8 + community modifier (as stated on p.297 of the FRCS).

Specific settlements might vary, of course, depending on a DM's campaign needs.