Would You Allow an Old Starting PC?

[Numion]

Hi!

I'm starting the Shackled City campaign soon, and that means new 1st level PCs for my players. I discussed PCs with one player, and he envisioned a Gandalf-type old and wizened wizard. He thought about making an older PC, in short. Maybe he's aiming for the mental stat bonuses, or maybe he's just RPing, but thats beside the point. I just said "So what's he, an overage fratboy from Wizarding U? He's sixty years old and still first level!".

Still, it's his vision for the character, and who's to say that a 60 year old first leveler is any more unbelievable than 18 year old one who zooms to level 20 before he's 20 years old. There is still the consideration of the stat adjustments - he could play them to his advantage, because STR and DEX aren't that important to wizards, while INT is. CON is important too, so maybe that'll even out. Another point is that Elves have 120 year old 1st level guys all the time. He's planning a human, BTW.

So, the question for this discussion is, would you, or have you, allowed this kind of a 'late bloomer' characters?

 

[diaglo]

yes. allowed them all the time.


say your Fratboy Wizard got into a career or family life. his kids are all grown. and he has retired from his J - O - B.

so now he goes back to do what he always wanted to do.


diaglo "planning to do that when i retire" Ooi

 

[Wormwood]

My opinion would be to allow him to play his character at whatever age he wishes, but without applying any of the ability adjustments for aging.

That way, it won't matter if he's playing an older character for RP reasons—but if he was just looking for a cheap stat boost he'll be SOL.

Anyway, that's how I do it. I frequently play older characters.

 

[Buttercup]

I've never had anyone ask to play one, but if asked I certainly would allow it. Why assume that adventures can only happen to young people?

There was a storyhour here a long time ago, I can't remember whose it was or even what it was about, but one of the characters was a middle aged housewife whose husband had been lost at sea. She took up the study of wizardry to console herself, and she was prone to McGuyver solutions to problems from common household products. It was a really cool and effective character concept.

 

[Psychic Warrior]

Sure. Why not?

 

[Mystery Man]

I've played it, and I would allow it.

It's refreshing to break from the mold of the 20 something, zero fat, 6'5", ruggedly handsome types. Just be clear that he doesn't try to "pull rank" because he's supposed to be this wise old guy.

 

[Darkness]

cheap stat boost

Cheap?

 

[Numion]

say your Fratboy Wizard got into a career or family life. his kids are all grown. and he has retired from his J - O - B.

so now he goes back to do what he always wanted to do.

Now that's a thought I didn't have. Kids. However, my friend isn't that much into roleplaying, so I'm foreseeing a 60 year old bachelor who still has the mental age of .. um whatever the mental age is for characters who rejoice in vanquishing their enemies in the most spectacular way.

The worst case scenario here is an dirty old man type of adventurer, and I'm not sure I'm ready for that. Can you picture Gandalf laughing maniacally while fireballing his enemies into kingdom come, then high-five his comrades and asking "who's your daddy", flirting with bar wenches one third their age (probably using charm person spells, to boot) and being obsessed with loot?

 

[Numion]

I've never had anyone ask to play one, but if asked I certainly would allow it. Why assume that adventures can only happen to young people?

The thing is, adventures don't happen to my players PCs. They actively seek them. Hmm .. maybe I'll press the player to come up with an RP reason in his characters past to answer the question why he's chosen to group up with young adventurers at this particular point in his life.

Of course, it would be ideal if all characters, regardless of age, had a real reason for adventuring, besides the obvious "experience and loot". I heard some groups do that :\

 

[Mystery Man]

Now that's a thought I didn't have. Kids. However, my friend isn't that much into roleplaying, so I'm foreseeing a 60 year old bachelor who still has the mental age of .. um whatever the mental age is for characters who rejoice in vanquishing their enemies in the most spectacular way.

The worst case scenario here is an dirty old man type of adventurer, and I'm not sure I'm ready for that. Can you picture Gandalf laughing maniacally while fireballing his enemies into kingdom come, then high-five his comrades and asking "who's your daddy", flirting with bar wenches one third their age (probably using charm person spells, to boot) and being obsessed with loot?

Reminds me of my uncle Charlie. He's a retired deputy police chief. Drinker, womanizer and pushing 70. He's still a bachelor and only dates women who are 25 years younger than him. I have no idea how he does it, but even though those "younger" women are getting older with each passing decade he sill manages to get the HOT ones. Bastard!