Why keep adventuring?

[roguerouge]

Uh... I was doing management of a fiefdom LONG before epic levels, fellas. It's called "when the DM lets you take the Leadership feat".

 

[Tonguez]

Uh... I was doing management of a fiefdom LONG before epic levels, fellas. It's called "when the DM lets you take the Leadership feat".

Exactly if Epic = Realm management then Epic starts around Level 10 (which jives well with the power levels too). In fact its possible to do realm management at level 1 (if realm management includes small units like a merchant house or a gang of street urchins

and yes the current Epic rules are absolute crap

 

[Harmon]

Presently the characters I am playing in D&D are-
Grayson Noble, hard bitten soldier (ranger/fighter/deepwood sniper)- he has nothing else in life save the women he loves, and the people that he adventures with. If he stopped he would more then likely have nothing else to do, though I am certain he would find some village to help or make arrows in some village to sell in some city.

Brottor Redstone, loving caring cleric of Barronar Truesilver wants to help those around him, heal the sick, and the injured and vanquish the undead. He's soft and very diplomatic, going into adventuring was difficult, but he wants to assist the world and that is his main reason. He also has a love of expensive, pretty, and shiny things. If he were to leave adventuring he would have to find some royal court to reside in.

Alran Foreguard, wizard and arcane order, wanted to live a life as a shop apprentice, but finds that he's suited to adventure. Why does he continue? Simple- there are evils that are attempting to take over the world (adventure seeds) and no one is taking his warnings seriously, so he goes and does and tries to stop the evil from gaining a foot hold. After he quits he will retire to some court and own a school, or a library for those that wish to learn.

I know its not what you might have wanted to know, but I think the answer lies in the descriptions. Good luck with all things in life.

 

[marune]

I always thought that the epic rules were useless, and this confirms it.

Traditionally, after a certain point D&D HAS been about kingdom, or at least stronghold management. So if epic D&D isn't doing that, then AFAIC it isn't D&D any more. (Still annoyed at the lack of strongholds as a benefit for hitting a "Named" level)

Of course you could add a "kingdom management mini-game" into D&D, Birthright did it.

But, RAW D&D doesn't support it.

Sure you are.

You can add kingdom management, but when it comes down to diplomacy checks, bluff checks, saving throws (for the sneaky enchantment stuff) and the occasional combat where you have to kill the rival kingdom's aristocracy, you are still rolling D20s.

Now if you define D&D as only rolling D20s and damage dice then the roleplay part at Epic levels may not fit your definition of D&D. I don't define D&D as a series of combat actions. For me it's combat actions plus roleplaying.

First, I'll clearly state that by roleplay you mean "acting" (e.g. speaking in character). Of course you can roleplay in this way at any level and it adds color to the game. I would even say that a majority of D&D players like to do it.

However, if it becomes the main activity, you get a problem: outside "combat or various others stunts", D&D doesn't offer any way to ensure a proper "spot-light" balance*.

For example, if I'm playing an epic fighter in this campaign that is mainly about kingdom management, having no social skills and not fighting often, I have to use something outside the game (like talking louder than another player) to grab the "spot-light".

Of course it can works for some specific groups, but you don't have anymore a playtested system backing you.


* N.B. I consider that the most important factor influencing the fun a group can have playing an RPG is the "spot-light" balance.

 

[Melan]

The fact that I enjoy playing them.

Yes, and what other justification do we need?

 

[rgard]

Of course you could add a "kingdom management mini-game" into D&D, Birthright did it.

But, RAW D&D doesn't support it.

Fair enough on that. That said, I'm not the type to let a lack of WotC RAW get in the way of doing something I want available to my players or something I want to do as a player. If you don't mind non-WotC RAW, take a look at MGP's Classic Play Book of Stongholds and Dynasties. I think there are some other systems by other folks as well, just don't have any handy.

However, if it becomes the main activity, you get a problem: outside "combat or various others stunts", D&D doesn't offer any way to ensure a proper "spot-light" balance*.

For example, if I'm playing an epic fighter in this campaign that is mainly about kingdom management, having no social skills and not fighting often, I have to use something outside the game (like talking louder than another player) to grab the "spot-light".

What you describe sounds more like an issue with your fellow players and the DM. It's about the social dynamic in your group. This is something you need to work out with your DM.

Thanks,
Rich

 

[Drowbane]

Indiana Jones and the Return to the Temple of Doom!

If it's good enough for Han Solo and Indiana Jones, it's good enough for us D&D players and DMs!

Indiana/Solo have been the inspiration for a great many of my RPG Characters.

 

[Phlebas]

...................
For example, if I'm playing an epic fighter in this campaign that is mainly about kingdom management, having no social skills and not fighting often, ......
............

And people wonder why Grand Viziers end up running kingdoms, gettin bad press and eventually taking over - its all due to epic characters poor social skills

 

[marune]

What you describe sounds more like an issue with your fellow players and the DM. It's about the social dynamic in your group. This is something you need to work out with your DM.

Hmm.. I think you misunderstood me. What I mean is that the only thing an epic fighter has is a very high AC/BAB, if he's not fighting for many game sessions, what he's doing ? You can say that any character can influence the kingdom management, well, fine, but this influence won't come from something that is written on his character sheet, he will need something outside the game (maybe his real-world management abilities or simply talking louder than another player).

When you rely on something outside the game often, nothing guarantee that each player gets an equal share of the "spot-light".

 

[rgard]

Hmm.. I think you misunderstood me. What I mean is that the only thing an epic fighter has is a very high AC/BAB, if he's not fighting for many game sessions, what he's doing ? You can say that any character can influence the kingdom management, well, fine, but this influence won't come from something that is written on his character sheet, he will need something outside the game (maybe his real-world management abilities or simply talking louder than another player).

When you rely on something outside the game often, nothing guarantee that each player gets an equal share of the "spot-light".

That's only true if you built him that way. You can always take cross class skill ranks in the various social skills. Depends on what your character's focus is as you work your way up through the levels. If you don't take the Leadership Feat and you don't develop any skills that will help with running or creating your kingdom or piece of it and instead put everything into whatever enhances your combat prowess...then yes, it's harder for that character from a rules point of view.

I don't see the need for a game mechanic that ensures the "spot-light" is shared by all equally. It's you and your game friends' playing style the will accomplish or defeat that goal.

Thanks,
Rich