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What proportion of the population are adventurers?
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<blockquote data-quote="rmcoen" data-source="post: 9324087" data-attributes="member: 6692404"><p>My world assumes that most of the population are "2nd" level, with a noticeable quantity being 3rd towards the end of their careers. Elites are young 3rds, and can reach 4th. Anyone 5th is legendary/celebrity: the Mage of the Ruby Tower, the Hand (master assassin), the Mad Alchemist of Jendar, Captain Alcadarran of the Royal Guard, etc.</p><p></p><p>Within that assumption, however, are the twin guidelines: a) most of these people aren't "2nd level PC" - they are Experts (from previous editions) or Warriors; perhaps 5e "Sidekicks". and b) time, training, and experience can earn a person Feats and "class-like abilities" WITHOUT increasing their level.</p><p></p><p>For example, most "guards" have a fighting style (such as Defensive) or Feat (such as Shield Master or Crusher); most soldiers have two (often one being Phalanx Fighting: "Ignore the cover modifier of the ally between you and your target, if in melee.") Most civilians have a "Skill Feat", granting them +1 to their profession (i.e. a Proficiency Bonus, without 3-5 levels of other abilities and HP to go with it); experts have this Skill Feat more than once, and sometimes an ASI.</p><p></p><p>So the High Priest of Prothus, with a "flock" of thousands, and three decades of dedicated religious service... he's a "level 4" NPC, with three "NPC Feats" from experience and skill, and can lead his huge congregation in "Rituals" that accomplish 3rd level clerical spell effects. And maybe has finally accumulated enough faith and connection himself to pull off the occasional cantrip - maybe a 1st level spell in dire need. But he can Turn Undead like a Cleric 3, on his own Holy Ground.</p><p></p><p>TL;DR = NPCs don't use PC rules.</p><p>(But the PC rules can provide handy guidelines...)</p><p></p><p></p><p>What I really don't like, though, is when "Guard" statblocks have 3 HD... but a Bandit captain has freaking 10 HD?? then I swoop in with my GM power and explain the bandit captain is actually a bodysnatcher super-kruthik possessed bandit - the rest of the bandits are level 2 shmucks, just being gathered and "fed" to the nest below the camp...</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="rmcoen, post: 9324087, member: 6692404"] My world assumes that most of the population are "2nd" level, with a noticeable quantity being 3rd towards the end of their careers. Elites are young 3rds, and can reach 4th. Anyone 5th is legendary/celebrity: the Mage of the Ruby Tower, the Hand (master assassin), the Mad Alchemist of Jendar, Captain Alcadarran of the Royal Guard, etc. Within that assumption, however, are the twin guidelines: a) most of these people aren't "2nd level PC" - they are Experts (from previous editions) or Warriors; perhaps 5e "Sidekicks". and b) time, training, and experience can earn a person Feats and "class-like abilities" WITHOUT increasing their level. For example, most "guards" have a fighting style (such as Defensive) or Feat (such as Shield Master or Crusher); most soldiers have two (often one being Phalanx Fighting: "Ignore the cover modifier of the ally between you and your target, if in melee.") Most civilians have a "Skill Feat", granting them +1 to their profession (i.e. a Proficiency Bonus, without 3-5 levels of other abilities and HP to go with it); experts have this Skill Feat more than once, and sometimes an ASI. So the High Priest of Prothus, with a "flock" of thousands, and three decades of dedicated religious service... he's a "level 4" NPC, with three "NPC Feats" from experience and skill, and can lead his huge congregation in "Rituals" that accomplish 3rd level clerical spell effects. And maybe has finally accumulated enough faith and connection himself to pull off the occasional cantrip - maybe a 1st level spell in dire need. But he can Turn Undead like a Cleric 3, on his own Holy Ground. TL;DR = NPCs don't use PC rules. (But the PC rules can provide handy guidelines...) What I really don't like, though, is when "Guard" statblocks have 3 HD... but a Bandit captain has freaking 10 HD?? then I swoop in with my GM power and explain the bandit captain is actually a bodysnatcher super-kruthik possessed bandit - the rest of the bandits are level 2 shmucks, just being gathered and "fed" to the nest below the camp... [/QUOTE]
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What proportion of the population are adventurers?
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