[StormFront] PbP Character Thread

[Mirth]

DougB,

It's all fantasy. You can play Gandalf without being Gandalf.

Chris,

I'm leaving the first version of my character underneath my revised version above, so that everyone can see the changes and how they affect the character. I'll delete the old one once we've finished the creation process.

 

[Mirth]

Fellas,

Just for reference, I thought I would post my revision of Kajhin's stats here. You can see the entire char in my post above. My ability point buy went as follows:

STR 14 (6)
DEX 16 (10)
CON 12 (4)
INT 12 (4)
WIS 14 (6)
CHA 10 (2)

6 + 10 + 4 + 4 + 6 + 2 = 32 TOTAL

Jay

 

[Idsquare]

I've revised my character above, like Jay. However, basic stats are as follows:

STR 16 (10)
WIS 15 (8)
CHA 14 (6)
CON 12 (4)
DEX 12 (4)
INT 8 (0)

10+8+6+4+4+0 = 32

Per Jay's post, I am assuming we will have 240 GP and I'm buying based on that amount. Jay, note my adjustment in skills. I think if more accurately reflects the information you gave me. Thanks for your help. I'll post my story line later.

 

[Mirth]

Looks good, DougP. Don't forget that you have 11 HP. Another suggestion: since you've got 96 gp, go ahead and get a Healer's kit for 50 gp. It has 10 uses and gives you +2 on your Heal skill checks.

 

[Idsquare]

I purchased the Healer's Kit and made the necessary changes above in my Revised Character Stats.

Here is my story line (if I understand how it should be done [once again he shouts for help, "JAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY?]) :

Xyffor came into the port city the same night as the Great Fog. Some even wondered if his arrival brought the fog with it. His background, though storied, is as unclear as the shadows cast by the lanterns through the fog mist. Young, quiet, serene, but confident, Xyffor is striking at 6 ft. 1 in, but lean at 185 lbs. Though young – he is only 16 years old – he is wise beyond his years. His hair is thick and dark and flows over his shoulders. His dark brown eyes are piercing and his square jaw gives the impression he has a resolve that would be unwisely challenged. This is reinforced by his muscular upper body. He carries on his back a Longsword, and the callouses on his hands betray hours of practice with it.

He made his way through the streets finding the main inn for a night’s rest and some nourishment. His arrival was met with much conversation by the townsfolk, who knew he had not traveled through their city before. His dress and manner revealed him to be a Paladin. He positioned himself in a darkened corner of the eatery and sat with a confidence that was intimidating to the innkeeper.

It was quite noticeable that this young Paladin was wearing scale mail armor. The flicker of candles cast their light off of it. It was therefore no surprise that some adventurers, known throughout the city for their past quests, took note of Xyffor and made their way to his table. “May we join you, young noble?” asked one of the members. “If your motives are pure and just, you may be seated,” replied Xyffor. While the hours passed with stories of adventures, battles and conquests, Xyffor remained mostly quiet and listened attentively, offering only occasional ideas of his background and past. The party of adventurers noticed that he frequently clutched something (or perhaps checked to insure it was still there) around his chest. It never seemed quite appropriate to ask about it.

Eventually members began to ask Xyffor about his past. He responded with the following:

“I am Xyffor, Paladin and follower of The Invincible Heironeous, the god of valor. I am the grandson of Dalthaf the Magnificent, Exemplar Knight from the region of Kragmore Mountains. I chose, or rather was chosen for the life of a Paladin while hunting in Kragmore. I do not yet know you sufficiently to share those details at this time. I began training as a Paladin and met the Loyal One, Thorzin of Balgorg. He had served for many years under my grandfather. He sent me to this city to join on a life-long quest with other adventurers whom I do not know nor whom I have ever met. He instructed me to come to this inn and wait for their arrival. I do not know when they will come for me. I do not know who they are. But Thorzin assures me they will meet me here. Might you be that group?“

The adventurers glanced at each other with questioning looks and responded,

“We are not. But we know of Dalthaf. His fame is legendary, as is that of Thorzin. How is it that you are Dalthaf's grandson? He is a dwarf, as is Thorzin."

Xyffor explained that six months after his birth -- during the outbreak of the Second Ogre War -- Dagnor the Butcher, the murderous Ogre king, invaded Lynfield, home of the Northerly Human tribes. Rumors were that Lynfield would certainly fall to the campaign of his mighty forces. King Fausein of the Northern Tribes summoned Dalthaf and the great dwarven hordes to aide and assist the forces of the Northern Tribes. Regretably Dalthaf arrived too late to save Xyffor's family, and, for that matter, all but a handful of the humans who survived the onslaught of the ogre masses. Before Xyffor's parents died, they hid their infant son in a dried-up well just outside their town. After Dalthaf and his forces defeated the ogres, Xyffor was discovered one night as he cried from cold and hunger. The infant Xyffor was brought to Dalthaf. Touched by his will to live, Dalthaf took Xyffor back to Kragmore Mountains, home of the Dwarven Masses. Xyffor was given over to the care of Dalthaf's oldest daughter. It was not known what his human name was, so his new dwarven family gave him the Dwarven name, Xyffor. His years as a child were privileged because of the stories told of his survival and because of the protection and care provided by Dalthaf and his daughter's family. Though human, Xyffor adopted the best characteristics of a dwarf -- loyalty, courage, and strength -- and at a very young age was given over to the tutelage of Throzin of Balgorg.

The adventurers were moved by Xyffor's story. They offered, "If your party does not show in the next few days, you may join our little band.”

Xyffor nodded and said, “I will wait for my group, though the wait be for eternity. I will follow the orders given by my mentor. But thank you for the offer. May the moons shine upon your journeys.”

With that Xyffor was left alone . . . and he waited.

 

[dougbass68]

hey guys-

sorry i haven't posted in a couple of days. i've been doing some painting in my house, too. anyway, i'm wrapping it up. i will try to do some catching up this evening.

jay-

i do have a question for you. i haven't looked at the player's handbook yet (i will), but i thought wisdom was the most important ability for a ranger if he wants to cast spells. that's what i was thinking when i put 16 under wisdom. or do you think a ranger is better suited to fighting than spell-casting. i wanted to have a character that could do both, but i thought a ranger couldn't cast any spells unless his wisdom was 16. let me know yer thoughts.

 

[Mirth]

DougP,

Sorry I didn't see your edited & updated post until DougB posted his question. Your character concept is very strong and the story itself really sets a great mood (now I feel a bit intimidated about doing mine ). My only caveat is that Chris may come in and change a few place names, events, etc. because this is his campaign world that we will be playing in. That's for him to decide, though. All in all, very well done.

DougB,

A Ranger's most important ability is Dexterity, with Strength a close second. As a ranger, you really only NEED a Wisdom of 14. Rangers cast up to 4th level spells, which require a 14 Wis to cast. Again, it comes back to character concept. The ranger as a class is meant to be a woodland/nature fighter who can use a little magic.

However, if you wanted to make a more magic-oriented guy, then you could multiclass with druid levels (or wizard or sorceror or cleric or psion - druids just seem more in line with a ranger). What that means is that for your first level your are a ranger, when you gain a level you would take the first level in druid so you would be a ranger/druid 1st/1st.

If you want to stick with just ranger, then put your high scores in Dex & Str with a 14 in Wis. If you want to go ranger/druid, then drop the Str down and put more points in Wis (keep the Dex high, either way).

Guys in general,

Everything's looking good so far. Let's hope the other fellas join up soon.

Jay

 

[dougbass68]

Ranstaar

ok guys, i think i'm ready w/ my character, Ranstaar. i changed him to an elf:

Ranstaar
-----------
Male High Elf
1st Level Ranger
HD 1d10+1 (Ranger)
HP 11
Init +3
Speed 20
AC 13
Atk +3 base melee, +4 base ranged;

SQ: Elven traits (Ex), Immunity: Sleep (Ex), Low-light vision (Ex);
AL CG;
SV Fort +3,
Ref +3,
Will +2;

STR 14
DEX 16
CON 13
INT 12
WIS 14
CHA 10

Weapons: Longbow; Shortsword, Longsword; Net.

Armor: Studded leather.

Goods: Small steel mirror; Backpack; Bedroll; Flint and steel; Waterskin (full); 3x Torch; Whetstone; Sack; Hemp rope (50 ft.); 3x Daily Trail Rations; Belt pouch; Arrows (40); Loaf of bread; Hunk of cheese; 5x Sunrod; Explorer's outfit; Chalk; Grappling hook; Soap

Skills:
Animal Empathy+4
Hide+4
Listen+8
Move Silently+4
Search+3
Spot+4
Wilderness Lore+6.

Feats:
Quick Draw
Track

i have 53gp left, so let me know if you have any suggestions on how to spend it. also, if you have any suggestions about skills or feats i chose (or anything else) let me know.

i'll come up w/ a story for his past next.

sorry this has taken me so long to finish - i've been painting, too

 

[dougbass68]

posted my character sheet online

http://www.dougbass.com/stormfront/ranstaar.htm

chris, can you post these on the stormfront website?

 

[Mirth]

DougB,

The boards have been up and down, so it's been hard to post an answer. Regardless, here are some tips:

1. Your AC should be 16 (10 Base + 3 Dex + 3 Studded Leather)

2. I would tweak your stats just a bit (remember that you buy your points BEFORE you add in your elven racial modifiers). Here's the way that I see it adding up now:

STR 14 (6)
DEX 14 (6) [+2 Elven]
CON 15 (8) [-2 Elven]
INT 12 (4)
WIS 14 (6)
CHA 10 (2)

6 + 6 + 8 + 4 + 6 + 2 = 32

I would bump your CON down to 14 (12 after Elven modifier), which will give you 2 more points to spend without really changing your bonuses in CON at all. Then I would either bump your INT up +2 points to a 14, which will give you more skill points. Or bump your DEX up to 15 (17 after Elven modifier), because at 4th level you get to add one point to any one ability, which you could use to make your DEX an 18. Your choice.

3. Studded Leather should only give you a -1 for your skill check penalties, not -3. So bump your Hide and Move Silently skills up +2 each.

4. Lose the Net. You're not proficient with it because it is considered an Exotic Weapon, so you will incur penalties every time you use it. [This "nets" you 20 gp for your funds]

5. Lose the Sunrods. You've got natural low-light vision, so you don't need them. Besides, the humans are going to have to have some kind of light source anyway, so let them shoulder the burden of paying for it. [Being pragmatic adds another 10 gp to your funds]

6. Lose the Small Steel Mirror. Only pretty boys look at themselves all day. You've got a 10 CHA, so lose it. [Your ugly mug has just gained you 10gp]

7. Lose the Longbow. [+75 gp to your bank] Wait! Before you get upset, see the next number.

8. You now have 168 gp. Buy yourself a Mighty Composite Shortbow (STR +1) for 150 gp (see p113-114 in the PHB). This will allow you to add +1 from your STR to your damage rolls with that bow (this makes a big difference at 1st level). You still have 18 gp left over, so I suppose you could get that mirror after all, you self-absorbed jerk. For that matter, do you really need the soap, Mr. Fancypants?

9. Track is a free feat for Rangers at 1st level. But don't forget that as long as you are wearing light armor (like Studded Leather), you also get the Two-Weapon Fighting and Ambidexterity feats for free, too. Makes a HUGE difference in melee.

10. Personally, I would lose the Quick Draw feat. Instead, I would either get Weapon Finesse (Shortsword), which allows you to use your DEX mod instead of STR for attack rolls (also, if you choose this feat, I would use two Shortswords in melee instead of a Longsword and a Shortsword). Or I would choose Point Blank Shot, which opens up a multitude of other Shot feats later - Precise Shot, Rapid Shot, etc.

That's about all I can think of now. Questions?

Jay