Why did they take a level of commoner?

[Archade]

Hey all,

I was flipping through my copy of Ptolus, and I came across an NPC who was (IIRC) a Rogue 2 / Commoner 6.

Why would anyone voluntarily take a class of commoner, especially if they already had levels in Rogue?

I suppose it reflects someone who has retired from adventuring, and now lives a quiet life, but for the rules themselves, I cannot see *any* benefit from taking a level of commoner. Aristocrat, Adept, or Expert, possibly, but not Commoner or Warrior.

Can anyone think of a rules-justification or homebrew reason why someone might multiclass into an NPC class?

- less XP to level up?
- forced sedentary characters have to take NPC classes?
- levelling up with a Month with a Y in it?

Ideas?

 

[Cedric]

Well, it's not a 'rules' justification per se, but I would imagine in large part it would be a flavor thing. A means to represent what the character had actually been doing with their time...they'd been spending it as a commoner.

 

[szilard]

I cannot see *any* benefit from taking a level of commoner. Aristocrat, Adept, or Expert, possibly, but not Commoner or Warrior.

Is benefit relevant?

I mean, lots of people retire and lead normal lives. Yeah, this NPC could have (maybe) really applied himself in a trade and taken Expert levels instead, but that didn't happen for whatever reason - lack of interest, lack of drive, desire for a more subdued life, whatever.

Look around you. I'm sure you'll see some people in real life who could have applied themselves more than they have.

Do you typically walk up to the college grad working the register at a convenience store and wonder why they aren't an architect or computer programmer? I mean, where is the benefit in becoming a convenience store clerk?

-Stuart

 

[Grog]

I was flipping through my copy of Ptolus, and I came across an NPC who was (IIRC) a Rogue 2 / Commoner 6.

Why would anyone voluntarily take a class of commoner, especially if they already had levels in Rogue?

Who says it didn't happen the other way around? He could just as easily have been a Commoner first and taken the Rogue levels later. The classic "fine upstanding citizen who turns to a life of crime" schtick.

 

[Cedric]

Who says it didn't happen the other way around? He could just as easily have been a Commoner first and taken the Rogue levels later. The classic "fine upstanding citizen who turns to a life of crime" schtick.

Or the kid with the misspent youth who meets the right girl, abandons his rowdy way of life and walks the straight and narrow path as a fine, upstanding citizen.

 

[Nail]

Or the kid with the misspent youth who meets the right girl, abandons his rowdy way of life and walks the straight and narrow path as a fine, upstanding citizen.

Lots of you have said this.

Frankly, you're begging the question. Let's put it another way: "What did this NPC do to gain 6 levels of Commoner? Where did the XP come from?"

 

[Grog]

Frankly, you're begging the question. Let's put it another way: "What did this NPC do to gain 6 levels of Commoner? Where did the XP come from?"

He had a big tragic love story and got lots of roleplaying awards.

 

[Nail]

Tragic?

Should have taken Bard levels, then.

 

[Patlin]

I came across an NPC

I think your question contains your answer. NPCs don't follow the same rules as PCs, really. The whole idea of a commoner class is basically a way for the DM to manipulate the rules to create a character to fit a certain idea. If you want to give an old respected farmer 10 ranks in profession(farmer) without simultaneously making him a combat guru, you give him commoner levels.

 

[Gargoyle]

Lots of you have said this.

Frankly, you're begging the question. Let's put it another way: "What did this NPC do to gain 6 levels of Commoner? Where did the XP come from?"

Game designer fiat.

Elminster didn't need XP to get where he is. His stats are just a description of what he is capable of doing, based on the ideas of the writer.

Or you can use the explanations given from an excellent archived thread on commoners:

http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=97601