Would You Allow an Old Starting PC?

[Megatron]

My last character was a Venerable Elf.
so yeah, I think old pc's are fine.

 

[Gnome]

Sure. The hit to physical stats and decreased lifespan makes-up for the mental stat bonuses, I think.

 

[Lobo Lurker]

Uhh, in exchange for those nice mental bonuses, you get severe physical penalties... I'd think that it'd be fair. One grapple that wizard is toast.

 

[philreed]

I say allow it. It's easy enough to reason why he's 60-70 years old and first level. And it should add some fun roleplaying opportunities into the game.

 

[devilbat]

I've allowed it many times, and it's never been a problem. I always enjoy the local tavern scenerios, where a fight breaks out, and nobody wants to hit the guy old enough to be their grandfather.

 

[JoeBlank]

I've considered this a few times myself, but never got the right inspiration at the right time.

The stat boosts are certainly not cheap, especially compared to racial stat adjustments. Players choose races to gain an advantage with a particular class all the time, no reason not to allow someone to choose age also.

 

[Queen_Dopplepopolis]

I'd definately allow it. The only problem that I've encountered is explained how this adventurer made it this far with only getting to level 1... but that's something that is easily hand-waved.

 

[Gnome]

I'd definately allow it. The only problem that I've encountered is explained how this adventurer made it this far with only getting to level 1... but that's something that is easily hand-waved.

Yeah, if nothing else, you'd think he'd have like 5 levels of commoner or expert by then. I'd probably overlook that if I had a player wanting to play an old character, though.

 

[diaglo]

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?

or maybe he died repeatedly and was an Archmage at one time.

think Elminster in Hell. someone finally rescued him. but not before he had been drained of all of his power and no longer able to collect his old items.

his whole party is dead. but it makes for an adventure hook for him to go around trying to tell the dead party members families.




diaglo "i like the dirty old man syndrome, who can relate" Ooi.

 

[BluWolf]

I would allow it in a heart beat. I would even allow him to start with a level in commoner (or expert) and a level in dept and then pick up his first level in Wizard at second level.

I see nothing broken in any of the scenarios presented.