Squire James
Explorer
John Henry. Ambidexterity, Two-Weapon Fighting, Weapon Focus (sledgehammer), STR probably 20-22. What did he do? Pound rock. You don't need an expert for that!
What´s a 15th Lvl Commoner ?
- Thread starter Rashak Mani
- Start date
Ealli
First Post
You're going to hate this answer, but a high level commoner is whatever you make of it. Some people refuse to accept that commoners can be high level, others justify it generally as the living legend retired farmer. I favor the existance of the living legend, but would probably use them at a lower rate than recommended by the DMG.
Most high level NPCs have reached advanced age categories and have had a lot of experiences. Think through all the things that they have done, looking for challenges that have been overcome. A high level NPC is someone at least somewhat important, give them a life story full of dramatic challenges, don't look at the level first.
Also, remember that one does not necessarily need to be high level to have a high skill check. Taking 10 gives a good base, then have the skill bonus from Skill Focus, apprentice aid another, masterwork tools, and synergy bonus to pump up scores fast. Also, if they have made it this far, consider giving the NPC stats that are better than 15 points, or at least are distributed more efficiently for the NPC.
Most high level NPCs have reached advanced age categories and have had a lot of experiences. Think through all the things that they have done, looking for challenges that have been overcome. A high level NPC is someone at least somewhat important, give them a life story full of dramatic challenges, don't look at the level first.
Also, remember that one does not necessarily need to be high level to have a high skill check. Taking 10 gives a good base, then have the skill bonus from Skill Focus, apprentice aid another, masterwork tools, and synergy bonus to pump up scores fast. Also, if they have made it this far, consider giving the NPC stats that are better than 15 points, or at least are distributed more efficiently for the NPC.
What is a 15th level commoner?
A fun thing to spring on adventurers who think they own this town because they're 5th level, that's what.
Another idea for justifying 15th level commoner: Veteran militia or Watch captain. Not everyone who fights has the training to be even a warrior, perhaps...
To relate back to another recent thread, it is entirely possible that a hard-boiled frontiersman farmer has racked up enough combat experience defending his land to take on the local trolls if they decide to attack his pigs. From this perspective, Fantasy world commoners probably do battle against the horrors that surround them significantly more than real world medieval peasants had to - and for every one that dies, one or more probably survive and learn from the experience.
A fun thing to spring on adventurers who think they own this town because they're 5th level, that's what.
Another idea for justifying 15th level commoner: Veteran militia or Watch captain. Not everyone who fights has the training to be even a warrior, perhaps...
To relate back to another recent thread, it is entirely possible that a hard-boiled frontiersman farmer has racked up enough combat experience defending his land to take on the local trolls if they decide to attack his pigs. From this perspective, Fantasy world commoners probably do battle against the horrors that surround them significantly more than real world medieval peasants had to - and for every one that dies, one or more probably survive and learn from the experience.
Last edited:
Simon Magalis
First Post
If you actually wanted to have one, I would make them an older and respected Elder in the village or town that has been on the council, run a successful business (farmer), owns alot of land or whatnot. It really depends on what XP is to you... if you have to fight to get it, then yes, this is impossible. If it represents knowledge in your "class" or field, then the above is possible, though very unlikely. I actually think the idea is pretty cool, but then I run some pretty low magic stuff.
SonOfLilith
First Post
One hell of a farmer.
Rashak Mani
First Post
Our DM whenever the players started being over paranoid gave us sarcastic answers.... example... we see an older man working the land in what is obviously a farm... the players just to be safe asking many questions in order make sure its not a disguised necromancer we are looking for....
The DM promptly answer the various suspicious PCs with "He´s a lvl 20 farmer... " More farmer is impossible...
The DM promptly answer the various suspicious PCs with "He´s a lvl 20 farmer... " More farmer is impossible...
d12
First Post
Okay here's a 15th level commoner.
Jack is a 40 year old farmer. His states are Str 14 Dex 12 Con 12 Int 14 Wis 14 Cha 14. He's lived through drought, orc invasions, locusts and livestock disease. Using his exceptional-but-not-heroic wits and muscles and lots of sacrifices to the gods Jack has prospered in a wild but fertile region were lesser men scrape to get by. He's what you might call "rural upper-middle class" since he's somewhat wealthy but most of that wealth is in the form of cattle, sheep, land and other such things. He and his large family live in a comfortable stone house with several hired hands who work for room, board and a few silvers a month.
His 7 feats are 1. skill focus (profession-farmer), 2. skill focus (diplomacy), 3. weapon focus: light crossbow, 4. toughness, 5. endurance, 6. skill focus (handle animal), 7. Leadership. The skill focus feats help Jack in obvious ways - with farm stuff or with negotions with merchants, the local gentry, etc... The weapon-focus light crossbow helps with wild dogs and kobolds that get too close to the farm. Toughness and endurance come from a life-tme behind a plow and sun-up to sun-down work. Leadership reflects the fact that Jack's natural charm and reputation as a stand-up, hard working guy has attracted laborers to his farm that are more skilled and more loyal that typical laborers.
When the local lord wants advice he invites Jack to lunch or "stops by" the farm. Jack has the undying respect (or envy) of most of the people around him and is a leader in the community. When he speaks, people listen. When another farmer's cow is sick, that farmer goes to Jack for advice. When another farmer's daughter wants to run off and join the circus, that farmer turns to Jack for advice. Jack doesn't know much about fighting (though he can hold his own against any orc) and he isn't a hero but he's the sort of fellow a community leans on.
Make sense?
Jack is a 40 year old farmer. His states are Str 14 Dex 12 Con 12 Int 14 Wis 14 Cha 14. He's lived through drought, orc invasions, locusts and livestock disease. Using his exceptional-but-not-heroic wits and muscles and lots of sacrifices to the gods Jack has prospered in a wild but fertile region were lesser men scrape to get by. He's what you might call "rural upper-middle class" since he's somewhat wealthy but most of that wealth is in the form of cattle, sheep, land and other such things. He and his large family live in a comfortable stone house with several hired hands who work for room, board and a few silvers a month.
His 7 feats are 1. skill focus (profession-farmer), 2. skill focus (diplomacy), 3. weapon focus: light crossbow, 4. toughness, 5. endurance, 6. skill focus (handle animal), 7. Leadership. The skill focus feats help Jack in obvious ways - with farm stuff or with negotions with merchants, the local gentry, etc... The weapon-focus light crossbow helps with wild dogs and kobolds that get too close to the farm. Toughness and endurance come from a life-tme behind a plow and sun-up to sun-down work. Leadership reflects the fact that Jack's natural charm and reputation as a stand-up, hard working guy has attracted laborers to his farm that are more skilled and more loyal that typical laborers.
When the local lord wants advice he invites Jack to lunch or "stops by" the farm. Jack has the undying respect (or envy) of most of the people around him and is a leader in the community. When he speaks, people listen. When another farmer's cow is sick, that farmer goes to Jack for advice. When another farmer's daughter wants to run off and join the circus, that farmer turns to Jack for advice. Jack doesn't know much about fighting (though he can hold his own against any orc) and he isn't a hero but he's the sort of fellow a community leans on.
Make sense?
Tonguez
A suffusion of yellow
I agree with Squire James any of the heroes of American Folk Lore (and other folklore too would work)
John Henry, Grizzly Adams, Johnny Appleseed, Joe Magarac (The Pittsburg Steelman), the Giant with Babe the Blue Ox (whats his name?), Pescoe Bill, Little John (of Robin Hood fame), My Dad ...
John Henry, Grizzly Adams, Johnny Appleseed, Joe Magarac (The Pittsburg Steelman), the Giant with Babe the Blue Ox (whats his name?), Pescoe Bill, Little John (of Robin Hood fame), My Dad
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