Nyeshet
First Post
I agree, there are several varieties of Santa.
The original was a merchant who eventually became a major bishop and after death a saint. I would stat him as an NPC with a few levels each of Expert and Cleric
The more contemporary one is a mix of this guy (St Nick), and some aspects of Norse and Germanic mythology (thus the reindeer, the elves, etc). The 3.0 stating of him used Druid, which works remarkably well for that system (as it allows multiple animal companions and has several useful spells). It allowed the use 1/year of a major artifact to deal with the time stop effect. Excluding that, everything else I think was within guidelines for wealth of that character level (as a PC, not an NPC).
In 3.5e that doesn't work as well. Druids only get one companion, not multiple, and with the release of epic (after the above stating was done) the means for an epic spell of similar effect is possible. As has already been stated, Santa would have to be a pure caster of at least 30+ levels, and of the pure casters Wizard is the only one that (ironically) fits.
I find it a little ironic that the 3.5e Santa has to be epic to accomplish the task, while the 3e Santa did not, despite the 3e system generally being considered more powerful - or at least having more leeway with what is possible.
Another consideration, should Santa be considered elven? Most stories (of the contemporary one) suggest human with elven helpers. On the other hand, I note that the helpers are often portrayed as far too small for typical D&D elves. Gnomes match them much better. So perhaps a varient Elf or Human for Santa and variant Elf or Gnome for his helpers?
As for Black Peter, he was sort of an Anti-Santa, wasn't he? Santa rewarded the good, while Black Peter punished the bad. I think the two were even alluded to being celestial (Santa) / fiendish (Black Peter) in appearance &/or nature. I wonder if we should add a template to the final results of each? Or perhaps a major bloodline (with some minor alterations) would suit better?
The original was a merchant who eventually became a major bishop and after death a saint. I would stat him as an NPC with a few levels each of Expert and Cleric
The more contemporary one is a mix of this guy (St Nick), and some aspects of Norse and Germanic mythology (thus the reindeer, the elves, etc). The 3.0 stating of him used Druid, which works remarkably well for that system (as it allows multiple animal companions and has several useful spells). It allowed the use 1/year of a major artifact to deal with the time stop effect. Excluding that, everything else I think was within guidelines for wealth of that character level (as a PC, not an NPC).
In 3.5e that doesn't work as well. Druids only get one companion, not multiple, and with the release of epic (after the above stating was done) the means for an epic spell of similar effect is possible. As has already been stated, Santa would have to be a pure caster of at least 30+ levels, and of the pure casters Wizard is the only one that (ironically) fits.
I find it a little ironic that the 3.5e Santa has to be epic to accomplish the task, while the 3e Santa did not, despite the 3e system generally being considered more powerful - or at least having more leeway with what is possible.
Another consideration, should Santa be considered elven? Most stories (of the contemporary one) suggest human with elven helpers. On the other hand, I note that the helpers are often portrayed as far too small for typical D&D elves. Gnomes match them much better. So perhaps a varient Elf or Human for Santa and variant Elf or Gnome for his helpers?
As for Black Peter, he was sort of an Anti-Santa, wasn't he? Santa rewarded the good, while Black Peter punished the bad. I think the two were even alluded to being celestial (Santa) / fiendish (Black Peter) in appearance &/or nature. I wonder if we should add a template to the final results of each? Or perhaps a major bloodline (with some minor alterations) would suit better?
