Hey, all. So, one of the things I've noticed is there's occasionally a similar concept in this thread that gets handled different ways. That's often a good thing, as it shows the modularity of any background point. One of the ones I've seen in moderate rotation is the concept of an character raised to serve an evil god, who grows into service of a good one.
I'm not sure what this trope is called, but I decided to try my hand at it. This isn't intended as ripping anyone's TMB off, and shouldn't be seen as such. So sue someone else, preferably someone with money.
Following recent conventions, it's an NPC. And naturally, It's a religious one. I'm overdue for a secular TMB, but it won't be this one. Alas. And with no further ado:
Obidias, human male cleric, neutral good Background: "I've lived on the frontier before the first maps were made of it. The Empire's cusp, and it's people, are my life... the life before it totally meaningless." Spoiler:Show
1. Obidias was born under a less regal name in one of the festering hive cities of the south, it's traditional customs of 'kill or be killed' were a good fit for the young man's endless ambition, and eye for detail. 2. Joined the Temple of Zehir in his 17th year, in envy of their fabulous wealth and influence. He was zealous in his lessons and ruthless to his rivals, so he went far indeed. 3. But after decades of jihads, pillaging, and opulence, Obi abruptly found himself with no particular heart for them. Once resolved, he slew his retinue, and headed north. 4. Selling off his finery and magic items, Obi travelled far, and learned much. When he was nearly broke, and far beyond the borders of civilization, he came across a dead priest of Pelor, his throat cut and hands still clutching a scroll assigning him to a village church not far off. 5. After giving this man a decent burial, Obi put on his robe, and headed to fullfill the scroll's directions, since it's previous owner no longer could. That was over two decades ago, and he's still perpetuating this selfless bit of fraud.
Goals: "I've come to believe that pleasure is for the fickle. Better men must find better things to live for." Spoiler:Show
Short: Obidias' goals are superficially the same as the PCs', as he is a willing source for healing, rituals, and information, as well as, bluntly, being one of the few frontier dwellers who isn't another well-intentioned idiot. Long: Obidias is set up as a problem for PCs to confront, and a Litmus test to their morality: Will they recognize his value to the locals, or insist on punishing evil, no matter how dated? Some groups might decide to totally ignore the matter, which is also a valid choice.
Secrets: "Know your enemies, but don't grow too familiar with their twisted notions. That way lies only madness." Spoiler:Show
1. Known: As might be expected, most of Obidias' background is a secret to everyone he ministers to, and there is little in his behavior to suggest it. His ethnicity is different than most humans in the area, but that's hardly surprising, given his occupation. 2. Unknown: Whatever his attitudes these days, Obi's past deeds are the stuff of particularly lurid nightmares, and his presence serves as beacon to evil forces, like undead and demons. This makes the area around the village particularly dangerous, although equipped with such a powerful cleric, they essentially break even.
Relationships, 2 positive, 1 Negative. "Where there is friendship, evil dare not bloom."Spoiler:Show
*1. Mayor Faldurgen, dwarf male, N. The local authority figure, as the concept is understood. Faldurgen is genuinely committed to the humans who have adopted him, and tries to provide order as best he can. Though the dwarf is completely agnostic, Obidias and he depend on each other to ensure the village's safety. *2. "Cal" Larkin, human female, NG. Obi's acolyte at the church. She is a bit 'slow', to put it gently, and got her job mostly to keep her out of trouble/ danger. She is capable of handling only the simplest rituals, and often has to be gently reminded by Obi to worship Pelor, not his humble cleric. *3. Neruttia the daft, tiefling female, NE. One of the dark forces guided to the frontier by Obi is Neruttia and her band of cutthroats, deserters, and bandits. She has never set foot in the village, but she'd quickly recognize the source of the aura, as she once aspired to serve with Obidais' dervishes in her childhood, before his disappearance.
Personality: "So let me get this straight then: I've had to put dear friends to death, to explain to their families why it was necessary, and to console them as best I could in their misery- but you can't bring yourself to slay one crypt-ridden vampire... because we can't PAY YOU?" Spoiler:Show
Obidias is pretty much a walking personification of "it's always the ones you least suspect". He is patient, tolerant, and capable of great empathy, even as he is continually flustered by the townsfolk's nigh-unquenchable stupidity. He's not saccharine, though, and has few qualms about demanding the PCs do everything in their power to depopulate the local monsters. Mannerisms: "Cal, could we have some tea for our guests? ...It's In the box on your right- no, your other right- nevermind, dear, I'll get it." Given his history, it's questionable whether Obi is doing a masterful impression of a kindly old man, or really has grown into one. In his mid-sixties, he looks much younger, and does the maintenance of the church mostly by himself. When he is called on to banish some dire threat, he is unflappable, and seems immune to any sort of fear. Somehow, he finds time to read.
What I find most frustrating about 4E is that I can see it includes the D&D game I've always wanted to play, but the game is so lathered in tatical combat rules that I have thus far been unable to coax the game I want out.
Good to be back, Stray. Thanks for keeping the TMB-fires burning!
I must say, Hamster, my favorite part of a lot of these is reading the design notes, and learning what people were thinking when they got the idea. However, I didn't include any notes this last time because I wasn't thinking much, and: Spoiler:Show
My idea was basically taking other people's core idea, and rewriting the particulars.
1) Pontius grew up in the infamous waterfront district of the Ordarian city of Kundar to tales of great pirate captains falling back laughing into the arms of wenches clad in silken finery from the plunder of coastal cities. Life was not easy for Pontius, but he endured with youthful optimism that has stayed with him even as he ages.
2) Pontius never captained a vessel, though his highest position was first mate aboard the flagship (the Kord's Folly) of a medium-sized pirate gang known as the "Sons of Glory." Spurius Atonario was the captain of his vessel, a tough-bitten young lad with the ferocity of a lion.
3) Pontius is of disreputable birth, with his mother being a harlot and his father being a drifter. He was brought up to believe in the goddess of luck, Tymora, as her mother was. Though he can be very mercenary in his attitude at times, Pontius will drop coins in Tymora's lucky cup when he can find a shrine to her.
4) Pontius has left behind his life as a buccaneer for some time now, he was getting on in years and the same half-elf swordsman who inflicted the leg wound on Sextus struck a similar wound against Pontius, ending his pirating career. However, Pontius had more luck than his comrade and healed, he believes it was by Tymora's will.
5) He's had several dead-end jobs as a dock worker and a barkeep in various places throughout the land, he has only recently came to Vis Luth on rumors that fighting men are needed, now he actively seeks to again live a life of adventure. Fortunately, an ivory idol he stole from an ancient temple of Asmodeus has given him enough gold with which to travel.
Goals:
1) Wants to come out of retirement and regain some of the glory of his youth and then some. He doesn't mind regular adventuring, but what he'd really look forward to is getting on a ship again.
2) Wants to discover Amadeo the Black's long-lost treasure. It is the plunder of an ancient merchant caravan from another land: fine golden idols of strange gods, ancient silken finery that appears to have been spun a few minutes ago, despite being centuries old, and other fine plunder from the ship.
Secrets:
1) Pontius secretly fears for his life, his pirating days made him many enemies, including a well-to-do bandit lord by the name of Cursain Turator. Pontius slew his brother, who captained a merchant vessel that was a front for Cursain's smuggling operations. A survivor of the battle aboard the vessel spilled his guts before dying from his wounds. Cursain is a wicked-looking man in dark leather armor who wields a khopesh.
2) Pontius knows the location of Balthus, an old doppelganger crook residing in a Clia prison cell for attempting to steal Lord Severius' prized emeralds. However, he dislikes using his shapeshifting power, and instead affects a wooden mask in the image of a smiling human face along with his thief's attire. Balthus happens to own a map leading to Amadeo's lost treasure. A few late-night and clandestine sessions in the dungeon on orders of the greedy jailor, Cerveso, have yet to pry the information on the map's location from Balthus. Perhaps those who break him out of jail can help with that...
3) Up to DM regarding buccaneering days
Contacts:
1) Sextus Carcinian, the sixth son of a well-to-do middle class clothing merchant, Sextus was the last on the list for any kind of inheritance, he turned to a life of piracy to earn his daily bread. This thickly-built man with a large beard and clean-shaven head now has reluctantly turned to a career as a junk-seller after a blow from a bludgeon crippled him in the left leg. Sextus is courting a young elven innkeeper and can get a few free rooms for the night at a Clia inn known as the Drunken Goblin
2) Stanislav Arjhad, a knight of Tempus hailing from the noble Arjhad line. Stanislav is an immense behemoth of a dragonborn with crimson scales and gleaming plate armor. If someone's giving you a rough time, Stan's your man, for few thugs can stand up to 335 pounds of muscle and live to tell the tale. Stanislav can also accomodate guests in his family estate in Ji Nijin.
3) Davik Nirn, a cleric of Bahamut who happens to be his half-brother by the same father. He and Davik do not often see each other. However, he can always count on Davik as an ally.
Description, Mannerisms, Quirks:
1) Pontius is a wiry old man in his late 30s with a roguish look. He has a head of light brown hair in addition to a thin swashbuckler's mustache of a darker shade. He often affects a white shirt and a leather doublet, with black pantaloons and brown leather boots. His leather armor is decorated with the insignia of a sailing ship, a gift from his buccaneer days. His cutlass is old, but well-kept, it has a polished silver handle and a keen blade.
WoTC has gotten rid of the forums I came to know and love, if you think that the old Gleemax forums should be restored, add this to your signature.
What I find most frustrating about 4E is that I can see it includes the D&D game I've always wanted to play, but the game is so lathered in tatical combat rules that I have thus far been unable to coax the game I want out.
Wow...so I was going to post the characters for my game a long time ago, but I never got around to it! I'm going to go ahead and post them here (minus the secrets, I'm afraid, as I'm a little paranoid about my players sneaking around and figuring out the others' secrets...good players, but a bit curious :P). If anyone would like to know the secrets of any of these characters, PM me and I'll let you know!
These are cut/pasted from our Wiki, so the formatting might be a bit weird.
Step 1 Write five things about your character’s concept and background, five things that you think are the most essential parts of your character. You don’t have to stop at five; if you like…this is just a minimum.
* Zerr Creegan is from the Dwarven Clan Murdock, ruled by King Rost Murdock. Clan Murdock is a border clan, and as such trades frequently with humans and has much exposure to other cultures. * Zerr is from a family of sculptors. They are well known throughout Clan Murdock and somewhat known through other Dwarven clans for their incredibly lifelike statues. Zerr is an amateur sculptor, and was unable to continue his apprenticeship due to being drafted into the military. * Zerr showed an exceptional eagerness to serve and bring honor to his clan. He was a model recruit, but he was less than perfect with the hammer. Where other dwarves showed finesse and accuracy, Zerr swung wildly and blindly, often cleaving enemies in two, which, while demoralizing for the enemy, often caused him to miss a step while pulling his axe back out * During one engagement, the army of Clan Murdock was preparing for an assault on a grimlock stronghold, when several Umber Hulks filed out of the city and began tearing through the dwarven ranks. Zerr panicked, and in what he considers to be his weakest moment, fled the field of battle. Though he was far from the only dwarf retreating, he still feels an overwhelming sense of shame. * Zerr was engaged to a minor noblewoman in what would have been a political marriage. His retreat from the field of battle left him unable to see himself worthy of marriage, and so he failed to appear at his own wedding. Outraged, the noble family marked Zerr's family as cretins, tarnishing their reputation severely. Coupled with the grief of his retreat, the shame brought on his family led them to cast him out of the clan. He has since been wandering around, looking to restore the honor of his clan, and of himself.
Step 2 List two goals for the character that you, as a player, think would be cool to see accomplished in-game.
* Josh would like to see Zerr's honor restored, and his family restored to prominence. * Josh would like to see Zerr open up a shop in halfling lands, to increase his family's exposure, and bring the tradition of sculpting to the smaller folk
Step 4 Describe three people that are tied to the character though blood, romance or honor. Two of them are friendly to the character, one is hostile. All can do something useful for you, if you can get the situations to line up. If you like, you can include an enemy of yours here as well, so I have an instant NPC nemesis to throw at you.
* Zerr still feels very strongly for Svava Lovoth, the noblewoman to whom he was engaged. He feels guilty for leaving her at the altar, and hopes that someday, he can make amends. She still cares for him as well, but feels duty bound not to seek him out. * Zerr has made quick friends with Nash Villo, a halfling thief. While wandering around the halfling tribelands, Nash attempted to steal Zerr's coin purse. Zerr felt the tug, and caught the little bastard in a headlock. They wrestled for about 10 minutes, until they both collapsed, exhausted. Nash started laughing, causing Zerr to think the halfling might've been crazy. They started talking, and found that they got along very well, so long as Nash spent his own coin. * Zerr's cousin Algar has made it his personal mission to ensure that Zerr never returns to Clan Murdock. He has decided that should he return, he will challenge him to a duel, regardless of what anyone else says or thinks. He has also considered following Zerr into exile, as he feels that Zerr got off light for the shame he brought upon the clan.
Step 5 Describe three memories that your character has. They don't have to be elaborate, but they should provide some context and flavor.
* The most vivid memory that Zerr can recall is of the Umber Hulk looking him square in the eye, while lining up an enormous boulder. Sometimes, that stare haunts Zerr in his dreams, and he wakes in a cold sweat. * Zerr remembers his late grandfather well, and feels less that he has shamed his clan, and more that he has shamed his dead grandfather. He feels that if he atones for shaming his grandfather, he will have more than atoned for shaming his clan. * Zerr can remember the exact instant that he realized he loved freedom from the rigid dwarven lifestyle. He was in a halfling oasis town, drinking some halfling beer, laughing at halflings jokes, surrounded by halfling nomads. When the halflings finished drinking, they packed up all they owned, and headed North. His envy for their ability to just pick up and move led him to commit to never being tied down again.
Step 1 Write five things about your character’s concept and background, five things that you think are the most essential parts of your character. You don’t have to stop at five; if you like…this is just a minimum.
* Jaq Pipper is from a nomadic halfling tribe that wanders the foothills at the base of Murdock mountain range. * The Pippers are famous throughout their tribe for their jousting prowess. Jaq, however, found himself completely unable to balance on the back of a hound while wielding an enormous lance, making him completely inept at the art of jousting. * While other children of the Pipper family were busy training on the dogs, Jaq stayed inside, reading treatises issued by schools of magical persuasion. His vast intellect allowed him to comprehend the articles, even without the proper context. * Jaq revealed his interest in the arcane arts to the tribal elders, who said they would only allow him to represent the tribe at arcane college if his family funded the ordeal. Jaq's mother scoffed at the idea, but his father, an old romantic, allowed Jaq to tap into his family's earnings. * Jaq was a model student, who easily surpassed the academic ability of all his peers. He graduated the classroom portion of arcane college two years earlier than he was scheduled to, setting a college record for quickest course completion. He is now technically doing field research, though his syllabus is very loose and vague, allowing him great freedom.
Step 2 List two goals for the character that you, as a player, think would be cool to see accomplished in-game.
* Jaq feels that he has a lot of novel ideas regarding magic theory and practice, and would like to share this with the world. He wishes to become, if not an instructor at the arcane college, but at least a respected lecturer. * Even though Jaq's family supports him in word, he doesn't really believe they appreciate his endeavors. He wishes to impose upon them the importance of what he's actually doing, and at the same time, earn as much respect for his work as any of the jousting masters of his tribe.
Step 4 Describe three people that are tied to the character though blood, romance or honor. Two of them are friendly to the character, one is hostile. All can do something useful for you, if you can get the situations to line up. If you like, you can include an enemy of yours here as well, so I have an instant NPC nemesis to throw at you.
* Tella Aberdil was Jaq's primary love interest while he was still in the foothills. She feels personally slighted by his departure, and has taken to slandering him now that he's gone. If he were to return, there would almost certainly be a physical altercation between Jaq and Tella's male relatives, as for some reason, they seem to believe he beat her. * Dean Baird is Jaq's mentor at the college. He is very impressed with Jaq's rapid advancement through the course material, and wishes to offer Jaq a position on the staff after his field research is done, but is finding himself more and more convinced that this might not be in the best interest of the college. * Nash Villo is a halfling thief that Jaq met at a tavern. Jaq was drinking down the day's studies while Nash was entertaining the tavern's patrons with parlor tricks. The two were the only halflings in the bar, and hit it off immediately when Nash sat next to Jaq. Nash has been very honest with Jaq about his trade, but has promised him that he is safe from the local thieves' guild.
Step 5 Describe three memories that your character has. They don't have to be elaborate, but they should provide some context and flavor.
* Jaq remembers the first night he spent at arcane college. He felt more at home than he had in his entire life, which to him, easily justified his departure from the tribe. * Jaq can recall the exact moment he decided that jousting was not for him; he was sitting on the back of a huge, smelly dog, with oversized, smelling armor, with a stupid, smelly lance, and was bitten by what he swore were cat size mosquitos (who happened to be stupid and smelly). He dropped the lance, shed the armor, kicked the dog, and went inside. * Jaq can recall one evening under the night sky, staring at the stars, and trying to discern patterns across the dark canvas. He realized he was wasting his intellect conjuring up useless patterns in the night sky, and decided to apply his mind to the study of arcana.
Step 1 Write five things about your character’s concept and background, five things that you think are the most essential parts of your character. You don’t have to stop at five; if you like…this is just a minimum.
* Glenn Carrick grew as a normal child in a farming village. He had many friends around his age and as he grew older he decided that to follow the teachings of the two Celestial Deities would be the best way to serve himself and his friends. * As a young cleric Glenn is very strong willed and thoughtful, most of his classmates see him as reserved and quiet, while in fact he is very calculating. He cares only in dealing with what is best for all most appropriately. * While he grew up he watched most of his small town die out due to poor trading and a few bad harvests and swore to help in the best way he could, being that he was horrible at every facet of farming aside from the heavy lifting. * Upon moving to Aryll he saw that turmoil didn’t stop at the small villages, it spread even inside the ‘golden gates’ of every city large and small. This brought about a disturbing feeling within him, which led him to the temple. * The Temple elders could tell that Glenn was becoming restless, and approached him with a mission: to spread the word of The Mother and the Father to those who needed to hear it. Glenn accepted the mission, and has decided to stick around Aryll for the time being, noting the lack of faith amongst the general populace.
Step 2 List two goals for the character that you, as a player, think would be cool to see accomplished in-game.
* Jason would like to see Glenn become a Saint. Someone for them to look up to and know that he has been there, and is willing to help them, if they are willing to help themselves. * Jason would see Glenn settle into a smaller town and be content staying and helping raise it and give guidance as an elder.
Step 4 Describe three people that are tied to the character though blood, romance or honor. Two of them are friendly to the character, one is hostile. All can do something useful for you, if you can get the situations to line up. If you like, you can include an enemy of yours here as well, so I have an instant NPC nemesis to throw at you.
* Glenn’s older brother who helped raise him. He saw what the lack of faith or general lack of direction can do to a person’s mindset and set out to fix it. Scott was always his closest friend and wants to make him proud * Glenn’s childhood friend Vince, spent many days causing trouble and fighting, farming and generally goofing around. When the villagers all left for the city and Glenn decided to join the temple Vince was completely against it and wanted to nothing to do with him. He saw Glenn’s belief in the Two to be a half-hearted way to deal with the loss of everything he knew and swore he would show him the truth. * Upon getting to the city and learning more of religion he met a young woman named Alice, a daughter of a local vendor while running errands for the temple, and through casual conversation has grown quite fond of her, though he refuses to tell her because he feels he doesn’t have time to pursue his own happiness.
Step 5 Describe three memories that your character has. They don't have to be elaborate, but they should provide some context and flavor.
* It was midmark and Vince’s father had been home and drinking most of the quartermark. Vince had just come in from playing. The clothes he had been putting on the line were still quite damp. He remembers a Vince having a black eye and busted lip and that it was only from a piece of wood falling from the woodpile. * Summer, the air flowing through his hair smelling of fresh bread, while having a conversation with Alice about his childhood. Then pausing to tell her how he felt about her and feeling it wasn’t something to pursue. He hasn’t decided why he still feels upset about this memory whether it is because, his feelings are actually true, or he refuses his own happiness for the happiness of others. * A nightmare, what seems like eternity in darkness. He’s clawing what seems like upward only to fall down into icy water. Creatures swim up around him and ask him where his Gods are and begin to slowly pick at him with their teeth till he freezes to death.
Step 1 Write five things about your character’s concept and background, five things that you think are the most essential parts of your character. You don’t have to stop at five; if you like…this is just a minimum.
* Brenke Jin is an orc barbarian who has lived in Aryll his entire life. * Brenke has been working as an enforcer for the local thieves' guild, * Brenke's mother left when he was very young, leaving his father alone to raise him. His father has never explained why she left. * Brenke's father was a respected warrior, known throughout Aryll for saving the King's life from assassins during a royal visit to Aryll. * Brenke is not very religious. He doesn't understand why people pay lip service to a bunch of deities that never do anything for anyone or show themselves to their worshipers.
Step 2 List two goals for the character that you, as a player, think would be cool to see accomplished in-game.
* Brenke would like to find his mother and find out why she left. * Brenke would like to be knighted, enforcing for someone with legitimate authority, as it were.
Step 4 Describe three people that are tied to the character though blood, romance or honor. Two of them are friendly to the character, one is hostile. All can do something useful for you, if you can get the situations to line up. If you like, you can include an enemy of yours here as well, so I have an instant NPC nemesis to throw at you.
* Brakka, best friend and fellow enforcer. He's very upset with Brenke for deciding to leave Aryll, as he thinks they've got a good thing going here. He feels abandoned, and has sworn to make Brenke pay if he returns. Slain by Brenke * Nash Villo is a halfling thief who got Brenke started with the thieves' guild. They're not particularly close, but they do have a decent working relationship, with Nash acting as the face and Brenke as the muscle during their collection runs. * Ozzie is Brenke's immediate superior in the local thieves' guild. He sees a lot of talent in Brenke, and honestly thinks he's kind of wasting himself with the life of crime, and should seek a more noble profession.
Step 5 Describe three memories that your character has. They don't have to be elaborate, but they should provide some context and flavor.
* Brenke remembers the moment he decided to leave Aryll. He was attending his father's funeral, and decided that with nothing left tying him to Aryll, he should seek out his mother and attempt to mend that bridge. * Brenke remembers the first time he used his father's mace. He and Nash were on a standard collection call, and some thug jumped out of the back room of the establishment they were collecting from. He caved the man's chest in with the first blow, and cherishes the fact that he's able to use his father's possession to such devastating effect. * Brenke remembers seeing a small force leaving to fight in what most believed to be a suicide mission in the name of their deity. He couldn't believe that they could die for someone that they couldn't see.
Step 1 Write five things about your character’s concept and background, five things that you think are the most essential parts of your character. You don’t have to stop at five; if you like…this is just a minimum.
* Lira Senade is the daughter of a prominent human trader. * Lira has been raised as a traditional noblewoman; expected to do nothing and marry someone to secure her family's power. * Lira often snuck into the practice fields of her father's manor and practiced swordplay with her brothers, against her father's express wishes. * Lira met and fell in love with a common stable boy, and they ran off together to elope. Before they ceremony could take place, men in dark clothing sprung from a dark corner and slew him. She later learned that her father had hired the assassins. * Lira, furious with her father, hunted the men down, took their heads, and brought them back to her father. She threw them on his desk, and stormed out, and has not spoken to her father since.
Step 2 List two goals for the character that you, as a player, think would be cool to see accomplished in-game.
* Steff would like to see Lira finally find someone that she can settle down with and be married. * Steff would like to see her character move more into an assassin type role, rather than just a sneaky bits.
Step 4 Describe three people that are tied to the character though blood, romance or honor. Two of them are friendly to the character, one is hostile. All can do something useful for you, if you can get the situations to line up. If you like, you can include an enemy of yours here as well, so I have an instant NPC nemesis to throw at you.
* Riniel Senade is Lira's mother. She and Lira are still very close, but they don't get to see each other often, as Lira refuses to see her in the company of her father. * Nash Villo is a halfling thief that helped Lira hunt down the two men that murdered her betrothed. He also introduced her to the guild leader, and got her into the thieves' guild. * Lira's eldest brother, Bailey, is absolutely furious with Lira for not only refusing her father's wishes, but for actually acting against them. Slain by Lira
Step 5 Describe three memories that your character has. They don't have to be elaborate, but they should provide some context and flavor.
* Lira can recall very clearly finding the body of her beloved. It's a memory that still haunts her from time to time. * Lira remembers vividly the first time she took the life of another. As she slipped the dagger between the man's ribs, she marveled at how godlike she felt at the moment of his life's escape. * She occasionally daydreams, and thinks back to riding her father's horses across his lands.
My D&D Next Philosophy: In this age of user created content, Wizards needs to take a step toward embracing that. Modularity is certainly a start, but the best possible way for Wizards to encourage homebrew is to strip the mechanics of flavor, and to ensure that they are as balanced as possible. Players today should be able to start with a concept and build that character. They should not have to force it into narrowly-defined classes that restrict the ability to play the character you want.
