Rogue archetypal characters

[MerricB]

I really can't see Skeeve as "Charismatic", though, since the only way he ever got people to go his way was through either bluffing or outsmarting them; he couldn't convince anyone to save his life, especially his friends. And if ever there was a candidate for low WIS and no sense motive, it was Skeeve.

Bluffing is Charisma, Henry.

Cheers!

 

[mach1.9pants]

Robin Hood has been thrown up as an example of a rogue, ranger, archer, and even, IIRC, paladin. A lot depends on the specific facets of the man/myth/folktale that you seek to emphasise.

yep, even assassin in an old Dragon article I read. Maybe it was White Dwarf before it went warhammer only....

 

[JohnSnow]

I don't like breaking all rogues into just the two build options (brawny rogue vs. trickster rogue). I think a much more logical separation is to classify the difference between the Rogue Tactics choice ("brutal scoundrel" or "artful dodger").

I think it's safe to say that most fictional rogues tend to be "artful dodgers," focusing more on avoiding injury vs. doing extra damage. On the other hand, occasionally you run into a character with roguish tendencies who's more about inflicting more severe injuries than avoiding getting hit himself. I know lots of folks here hate Drizzt, but Artemis Entreri comes immediately to mind.

Similarly, I'd put both Hanse Shadowspawn from Thieves' World and Tasslehoff Burfoot solidly into the "artful dodger" category.

As another example, I'd say Conan (when he multiclassed to rogue) was probably more the "brutal scoundrel" type.

 

[Fallen Seraph]

Mhmm, Artemis Entreri he and Jarlaxle are my favourite FR characters

 

[MerricB]

I don't like breaking all rogues into just the two build options (brawny rogue vs. trickster rogue). I think a much more logical separation is to classify the difference between the Rogue Tactics choice ("brutal scoundrel" or "artful dodger").

I think it's safe to say that most fictional rogues tend to be "artful dodgers," focusing more on avoiding injury vs. doing extra damage. On the other hand, occasionally you run into a character with roguish tendencies who's more about inflicting more severe injuries than avoiding getting hit himself. I know lots of folks here hate Drizzt, but Artemis Entreri comes immediately to mind.

Indeed. It's a better classification, and I really needed to read the Sneak Attack article again.

Cheers!

 

[Campbell]

Relies on speed and agility over brute force
Lives by his wits
Can fight, but prefers not to (is often a big fan of "Let's you and him fight")
Is either outside the law or disrespectful of it (or is an agent 'of the law' who works outside the established structure)
Is motivated by maximizing wealth gain while minimizing work
Considers property rights of others to be arbitrary suggestions at best

Only one (maybe two if you can elaborate on what you mean by 'lives by his wits') of those items describes what a character is capable of. The rest describe background traits and character temperament. Game mechanics (of the non Indy bent) generally describe what a character is capable of, not personality traits or thematic elements. Classes being a form of game mechanic should be focused on archetypes that focus on what a character does, not who he is.

 

[Dr. Strangemonkey]

Tyrion - multi-classing into Warlord at several points
Arya
Raven
Aladdin
Odysseus - with plenty of levels in fighter
Sisyphus


hmmm, I'll come back to this.


Ooooo, Mack the Knife.
Vlad Taltos
Sweeney Todd
Jim Bowie - with some Ranger thrown in there

again, I'll have more later.

 

[Gloombunny]

Vlad Taltos... actually I'm having a hard time placing him. He doesn't seem especially charismatic or strong. Probably brutal scoundrel, just 'cuz he places a lot of emphasis on striking first and doing it right so that there's nothing to dodge afterwards.

He's also a good example of a rogue using shuriken without being the least bit Asian.

 

[The Shadow]

No disrespect meant to Gary, but if you've met Gord and Chert, you've met The Mouser and Fafhrd. He was a big fan of Fritz.

Er, what? I suppose, maybe, you could say Gord was like the Mouser except...

Not funny.

Different fighting style.

Totally different backstory.

Completely different motivations and personality.

Nowhere near as well written.

He's like the Mouser, except for the part where he isn't. I don't think much of Gary's fiction, but I do think any resemblance to the Grey Mouser (despite Gary's well-known love for the Twain) is superficial. At any rate, I have never felt that in meeting Gord I had at all met the Grey Mouser.

 

[Frostmarrow]

Actually - and this is an interesting point - he may fit Brawny Rogue better, although with charismatic skills. When Bond is in combat, it isn't about charisma at all, it's all about his physical strength and fitness.

Bond is always almost defeated in single combat, then he finish the opponent off with a once per encounter sneak attack of some sort (often using the environment or hidden equipment to full advantage).

This also depends on which actor you prefer (and we needn't get into that) but to me none of the Bonds is particulary brawny.

On to Conan: Conan is a barbarian who dips into rogue and fighter.

We should also remember that the brawny rogue and the trickster are just builds (suggestions). The rogue class will probably house more builds than those two.