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<blockquote data-quote="pickin_grinnin" data-source="post: 6550357" data-attributes="member: 6697674">It's always interesting to see the different ways that people view Conan and (to use earlier examples) Gandalf and Merlin.&nbsp; A lot depends on how they first encountered the character.&nbsp; The original versions often differ significantly from those found in books and comics.The Conan comics - particularly the long-running &quot;Savage Sword of Conan&quot; - do a much better job of reflecting the Conan from Howard's stories than the movies.&nbsp; Even so, the fact that Conan comes from a &quot;barbaric tribe&quot; and is physically imposing only represents a fraction of the traits of the character (as you obviously know).&nbsp; The only way you could really model him in D&amp;D (from a technical standpoint) is with some careful multi-classing and some really good stats.I always find it interesting that people want to play characters modeled on Gandalf.&nbsp; If you look at how he (and the other wizards) are depicted throughout Tolkien's writing, it becomes obvious that he's semi-divine and falls somewhere in the lower orders of the pantheon of that world (or in a class of beings just below it).&nbsp; In fact, Tolkien's description of the Istari demonstrates how he's not even human - he's more of a spirit servant.&nbsp; He's very different than the stereotypical &quot;wave a wand/staff and cast spells&quot; conception of a magic user.&nbsp; In many ways, Tolkien's use of the term &quot;wizard&quot; is a bit of a misnomer.&nbsp; Merlin is more of a prophet or seer.&nbsp; Myrddin Wyltt, one of the main influences on the character, was just that, in fact - an insane prophet.Neither of them really fit the spell-casting conception of a wizard that you find in most fantasy.&nbsp; Then again, none of them (D&amp;D wizards, Gandalf, or Merlin) really match the hermetic ceremonial magicians that the &quot;wizard&quot; stereotype grew out of, other than in the most superficial ways.Yep, and it would be fairly boring if it did.&nbsp; Heroes in fiction survive and find success because there is no real risk involved.&nbsp; The writer makes choices according to the needs of the story.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="pickin_grinnin, post: 6550357, member: 6697674"] It's always interesting to see the different ways that people view Conan and (to use earlier examples) Gandalf and Merlin. A lot depends on how they first encountered the character. The original versions often differ significantly from those found in books and comics. The Conan comics - particularly the long-running "Savage Sword of Conan" - do a much better job of reflecting the Conan from Howard's stories than the movies. Even so, the fact that Conan comes from a "barbaric tribe" and is physically imposing only represents a fraction of the traits of the character (as you obviously know). The only way you could really model him in D&D (from a technical standpoint) is with some careful multi-classing and some really good stats. I always find it interesting that people want to play characters modeled on Gandalf. If you look at how he (and the other wizards) are depicted throughout Tolkien's writing, it becomes obvious that he's semi-divine and falls somewhere in the lower orders of the pantheon of that world (or in a class of beings just below it). In fact, Tolkien's description of the Istari demonstrates how he's not even human - he's more of a spirit servant. He's very different than the stereotypical "wave a wand/staff and cast spells" conception of a magic user. In many ways, Tolkien's use of the term "wizard" is a bit of a misnomer. Merlin is more of a prophet or seer. Myrddin Wyltt, one of the main influences on the character, was just that, in fact - an insane prophet. Neither of them really fit the spell-casting conception of a wizard that you find in most fantasy. Then again, none of them (D&D wizards, Gandalf, or Merlin) really match the hermetic ceremonial magicians that the "wizard" stereotype grew out of, other than in the most superficial ways. Yep, and it would be fairly boring if it did. Heroes in fiction survive and find success because there is no real risk involved. The writer makes choices according to the needs of the story. [/QUOTE]

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