Comments on: Pimp my character #1 – The Magical Thief http://www.dungeonmastering.com/tools-resources/pimp-my-character-1-the-magical-thief The D&D Blog Fri, 12 Mar 2010 23:37:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Andreas Leidinger http://www.dungeonmastering.com/tools-resources/pimp-my-character-1-the-magical-thief#comment-6570 Andreas Leidinger Fri, 23 Jan 2009 20:26:07 +0000 http://www.dungeonmastering.com/tools-resources/pimp-my-character-1-the-magical-thief#comment-6570 Not only in order to be a true illusionist, which woud turn the build in a sort of infiltator but also in order to deal damage. The Arcane trickster PrC ofers the posibility to deal sneak attacks with spells, wich is pretty broken! Think of a 20th level character with all the rougish sills, a great sneak attack bonus damage and also the posibility o cast meteor swarm. Awesome! n fact you could trade some sneack attack dice in order to take the Achmage prstige class asi well. A polar ray turned into fire plus 15 d6 of sneak attack damage would hit around 31d6 of damage. The feat ocular spell of the ""Lord of Madness"" would alow you to store 2 scorching rays (6 rays, 4d6 each). So if you cast a quickened scorching ray w/sneackattack in the same round at the same character considering a 10d6 of senak attack damage, arround level 12 with the ocular spell and quicken spell feat you could deal 3x3x(4d6) + 20d6 for a total of 56d6! Imagine tha: toping 300 hp at 12th level.!!! Great idea, poster! Not only in order to be a true illusionist, which woud turn the build in a sort of infiltator but also in order to deal damage. The Arcane trickster PrC ofers the posibility to deal sneak attacks with spells, wich is pretty broken! Think of a 20th level character with all the rougish sills, a great sneak attack bonus damage and also the posibility o cast meteor swarm. Awesome! n fact you could trade some sneack attack dice in order to take the Achmage prstige class asi well. A polar ray turned into fire plus 15 d6 of sneak attack damage would hit around 31d6 of damage. The feat ocular spell of the “”Lord of Madness”" would alow you to store 2 scorching rays (6 rays, 4d6 each). So if you cast a quickened scorching ray w/sneackattack in the same round at the same character considering a 10d6 of senak attack damage, arround level 12 with the ocular spell and quicken spell feat you could deal 3×3x(4d6) + 20d6 for a total of 56d6! Imagine tha: toping 300 hp at 12th level.!!! Great idea, poster!

]]> By: Hmott http://www.dungeonmastering.com/tools-resources/pimp-my-character-1-the-magical-thief#comment-4211 Hmott Wed, 25 Jun 2008 23:48:44 +0000 http://www.dungeonmastering.com/tools-resources/pimp-my-character-1-the-magical-thief#comment-4211 Hmm... Thiefs are pretty materialist, so it would be interesting if he considered his illusionist abilities just as a tool, y'know, not like a religion or cult or anything. Also, what if he took a bunch of different skills instead of focusing on getting good on a few? that would make him feel superior to regular people (commoners) in almost every way. However, he wouldn't flaunt it because rogues are secretive.... So overall, he would consider himself a rogue, would be very practical, and would occasionally get into situations he couldn't handle. Suggestion for future Pimp My Character: A Rogue or Fighter Transmuter. They would be able to move around the battlefield alot, and could buff themselves up.... Hmm… Thiefs are pretty materialist, so it would be interesting if he considered his illusionist abilities just as a tool, y’know, not like a religion or cult or anything. Also, what if he took a bunch of different skills instead of focusing on getting good on a few? that would make him feel superior to regular people (commoners) in almost every way. However, he wouldn’t flaunt it because rogues are secretive…. So overall, he would consider himself a rogue, would be very practical, and would occasionally get into situations he couldn’t handle.

Suggestion for future Pimp My Character: A Rogue or Fighter Transmuter. They would be able to move around the battlefield alot, and could buff themselves up….

]]> By: Juan Navarro http://www.dungeonmastering.com/tools-resources/pimp-my-character-1-the-magical-thief#comment-4072 Juan Navarro Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:54:02 +0000 http://www.dungeonmastering.com/tools-resources/pimp-my-character-1-the-magical-thief#comment-4072 @Francois B. Nice! I love the angles there. If the player ever says "Whats my motivation" I'll send him to you.... @Francois B.
Nice! I love the angles there. If the player ever says “Whats my motivation” I’ll send him to you….

]]> By: Francois B. http://www.dungeonmastering.com/tools-resources/pimp-my-character-1-the-magical-thief#comment-4055 Francois B. Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:11:06 +0000 http://www.dungeonmastering.com/tools-resources/pimp-my-character-1-the-magical-thief#comment-4055 Why he was born : Elven lord gave his second daughter in marriage to human merchant second son after losing wife and first son in saving important shipment. Elven daughter never loved human husband or half-breed son. Current life : Unloved by his new wife, human father is now to occupied with his father's lucrative merchant business to care for his son PC is unwelcome in both families, because of resentment from human family (reminder of a great tragedy) and the lordly elven family disagrees with interbreed marriages. PC wants to earn respect from his elven wizard grandfather, after finding he/she had magical abilities PC is very curious and, since father and mother did not care what he did, was involved mostly in mischief to get parent's attention and avoid boredom Why he was born :
Elven lord gave his second daughter in marriage to human merchant second son after losing wife and first son in saving important shipment. Elven daughter never loved human husband or half-breed son.

Current life :
Unloved by his new wife, human father is now to occupied with his father’s lucrative merchant business to care for his son
PC is unwelcome in both families, because of resentment from human family (reminder of a great tragedy) and the lordly elven family disagrees with interbreed marriages.
PC wants to earn respect from his elven wizard grandfather, after finding he/she had magical abilities
PC is very curious and, since father and mother did not care what he did, was involved mostly in mischief to get parent’s attention and avoid boredom

]]> By: Bob http://www.dungeonmastering.com/tools-resources/pimp-my-character-1-the-magical-thief#comment-4016 Bob Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:15:03 +0000 http://www.dungeonmastering.com/tools-resources/pimp-my-character-1-the-magical-thief#comment-4016 >Doug: "This character could be a solipsist, even a relatively benevolent one. Deep down he believes that everyone else isn’t as ‘real’ as he is, that on some level the world is there for him to play in." This is a great character concept, especially for an illusionist. I played a gnome illusionist, I think in 2nd Edition, that thought essentially this same thing; he felt that all of life was but a dream, and that illusionists (and spell casters in general, to a lesser degree) were merely folks skilled in manipulating that dream. As such, and with the general gnomish flair for goofing around, he was constantly playing practical jokes on enemies and party members, figuring none of it really mattered anyway. I made him just annoying enough for laughs (by players and their characters) but not annoying enough to be aggravating (it also helped that his illusions were immensely helpful to the party); this was difficult, but I managed to pull it off. Won't work for every group of players, though, I just happened to be lucky in this regard. >Doug: “This character could be a solipsist, even a relatively benevolent one. Deep down he believes that everyone else isn’t as ‘real’ as he is, that on some level the world is there for him to play in.”

This is a great character concept, especially for an illusionist. I played a gnome illusionist, I think in 2nd Edition, that thought essentially this same thing; he felt that all of life was but a dream, and that illusionists (and spell casters in general, to a lesser degree) were merely folks skilled in manipulating that dream. As such, and with the general gnomish flair for goofing around, he was constantly playing practical jokes on enemies and party members, figuring none of it really mattered anyway. I made him just annoying enough for laughs (by players and their characters) but not annoying enough to be aggravating (it also helped that his illusions were immensely helpful to the party); this was difficult, but I managed to pull it off. Won’t work for every group of players, though, I just happened to be lucky in this regard.

]]> By: Juan Navarro http://www.dungeonmastering.com/tools-resources/pimp-my-character-1-the-magical-thief#comment-4015 Juan Navarro Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:23:21 +0000 http://www.dungeonmastering.com/tools-resources/pimp-my-character-1-the-magical-thief#comment-4015 Bon, the Potion Popper Imagine a magic using go-getter type looking for the next big thing, as he travel around ,working in various magic shops and such. Naturally he would come across different adventurous scenarios but at the same time, is known to be a great brewer of potions and has many connections in magical artifice. He also uses it in his work, at any time using alchemy to amplify at his prowess in combat and sneaking and maybe on occasion, "borrow" a recipe form a fellow wizard. He could also help an adventuring group but always be a bit ogreedy in his pursuit of new more powerful formulas. But lets says for all this ability, he's hooked? He has to be on SOME type of potion everyday? He's some potion swallowing addict? Could be fun. Dropped some stats and tweaked off of hailscape: Bon male human Rog3/Wiz3 CR 6 HD 3d4+3d6+6 hp 29 Init +4 Spd 30 ft AC 14, touch 14, flat-footed 14 (+4 Dex); BAB +3; Melee quarterstaff +6 two-handed (1d6+1), or light mace +5 light (1d6+2); Ranged hand crossbow +9 (1d4/19-20); SA sneak attack +2d6; SQ evasion, summon familiar, uncanny dodge (AC); AL CN; SV Fort +3, Ref +10, Will +8; Str 12(+1), Dex 19(+4), Con 12(+1), Int 16(+3), Wis 14(+2), Cha 10(+0). Skills and Feats: HIDE+10(6), SPOT+9(7), LISTEN+6(4), MOVE SILENTLY+10(6),Alchemy+8, balance+12(8), climb+3(2), concentration+3(2), diplomacy+4(4), disable device+5(2), escape artist+11(7), gather info+3(3), heal+4(2), innuendo+3(2), jump+5(4), knowledge(arcana)+4(2), open lock+6(2), pick pocket+9(5), read lips+12(9), scry+4(2), spellcraft+5(2), tumble+5(1), use rope+6(2); Brew Potion, lightning reflexes, run, scribe scroll, Skill Focus:Alchemy. Skill Extras: +2 to bind another. Wiz Spells Prepared: (4/3/2) (DC = 13 + spell level) 0--Ghost Sound, Open/Close, Resistance (2); 1--Identify, Magic Weapon, Shocking Grasp; 2--Endurance, Leomund's Trap. Spellbook: 0--Arcane Mark, Dancing Lights, Daze, Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Disrupt Undead, Flare, Ghost Sound, Light, Mage Hand, Mending, Open/Close, Prestidigitation, Ray of Frost, Read Magic, Resistance; 1--Cause Fear, Detect Undead, Hold Portal, Identify, Magic Weapon, Shield, Shocking Grasp, Silent Image; 2--Endurance, Leomund's Trap. Equipment: MW hand crossbow, +1 light mace, 29 MW bolt(s), MW quarterstaff, Potion of Levitate, Potion of Neutralize Poison, Potion of Protection From Arrows, Potion of Reduce (at 5th level), Potion of Speak with Animals, Potion of Spider Climb, Potion of nondetection, 2 gp. Bon, the Potion Popper
Imagine a magic using go-getter type looking for the next big thing, as he travel around ,working in various magic shops and such. Naturally he would come across different adventurous scenarios but at the same time, is known to be a great brewer of potions and has many connections in magical artifice. He also uses it in his work, at any time using alchemy to amplify at his prowess in combat and sneaking and maybe on occasion, “borrow” a recipe form a fellow wizard. He could also help an adventuring group but always be a bit ogreedy in his pursuit of new more powerful formulas.
But lets says for all this ability, he’s hooked? He has to be on SOME type of potion everyday? He’s some potion swallowing addict?
Could be fun.
Dropped some stats and tweaked off of hailscape:
Bon
male human Rog3/Wiz3 CR 6
HD 3d4+3d6+6 hp 29
Init +4 Spd 30 ft AC 14, touch 14, flat-footed 14 (+4 Dex);
BAB +3;
Melee quarterstaff +6 two-handed (1d6+1), or light mace +5 light (1d6+2); Ranged hand crossbow +9 (1d4/19-20);
SA sneak attack +2d6;
SQ evasion, summon familiar, uncanny dodge (AC);
AL CN;
SV Fort +3, Ref +10, Will +8; Str 12(+1), Dex 19(+4), Con 12(+1), Int 16(+3), Wis 14(+2), Cha 10(+0).

Skills and Feats: HIDE+10(6), SPOT+9(7), LISTEN+6(4), MOVE SILENTLY+10(6),Alchemy+8, balance+12(8), climb+3(2), concentration+3(2), diplomacy+4(4), disable device+5(2), escape artist+11(7), gather info+3(3), heal+4(2), innuendo+3(2), jump+5(4), knowledge(arcana)+4(2), open lock+6(2), pick pocket+9(5), read lips+12(9), scry+4(2), spellcraft+5(2), tumble+5(1), use rope+6(2); Brew Potion, lightning reflexes, run, scribe scroll, Skill Focus:Alchemy.
Skill Extras: +2 to bind another.

Wiz Spells Prepared: (4/3/2) (DC = 13 + spell level) 0–Ghost Sound, Open/Close, Resistance (2); 1–Identify, Magic Weapon, Shocking Grasp; 2–Endurance, Leomund’s Trap.
Spellbook: 0–Arcane Mark, Dancing Lights, Daze, Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Disrupt Undead, Flare, Ghost Sound, Light, Mage Hand, Mending, Open/Close, Prestidigitation, Ray of Frost, Read Magic, Resistance; 1–Cause Fear, Detect Undead, Hold Portal, Identify, Magic Weapon, Shield, Shocking Grasp, Silent Image; 2–Endurance, Leomund’s Trap.

Equipment: MW hand crossbow, +1 light mace, 29 MW bolt(s), MW quarterstaff, Potion of Levitate, Potion of Neutralize Poison, Potion of Protection From Arrows, Potion of Reduce (at 5th level), Potion of Speak with Animals, Potion of Spider Climb, Potion of nondetection, 2 gp.

]]> By: Doug http://www.dungeonmastering.com/tools-resources/pimp-my-character-1-the-magical-thief#comment-4013 Doug Tue, 10 Jun 2008 08:15:42 +0000 http://www.dungeonmastering.com/tools-resources/pimp-my-character-1-the-magical-thief#comment-4013 This character could be a solipsist, even a relatively benevolent one. Deep down he believes that everyone else isn't as 'real' as he is, that on some level the world is there for him to play in. He takes threats a lot less seriously than others, and this leads to a life of adventure almost automatically because it'll be easy to convince him to do things like "go down into this Goblin-infested dungeon to risk your life for some gold." He's found that he enjoys manipulating other people through his illusions and enchantments and seeing what he can get them to do. He sees this as a benign pastime, and when caught in the act, he has trouble understanding why he should take their anger seriously. One way to make him fit into a party is to have him believe that each of the other PCs are aspects of his personality which have splintered off so that he can learn something from them. Therefore, he cannot dare to manipulate them and will feel that he should stay in their good graces because he wants to understand what these parts of his psyche have to teach him. To not be annoying, this kind of character would have to be willing to cause trouble and smooth trouble over with the same enthusiasm and easy-going spirit. He doesn't want to ruin a world made just for him to play with, after all! This character could be a solipsist, even a relatively benevolent one. Deep down he believes that everyone else isn’t as ‘real’ as he is, that on some level the world is there for him to play in. He takes threats a lot less seriously than others, and this leads to a life of adventure almost automatically because it’ll be easy to convince him to do things like “go down into this Goblin-infested dungeon to risk your life for some gold.”

He’s found that he enjoys manipulating other people through his illusions and enchantments and seeing what he can get them to do. He sees this as a benign pastime, and when caught in the act, he has trouble understanding why he should take their anger seriously.

One way to make him fit into a party is to have him believe that each of the other PCs are aspects of his personality which have splintered off so that he can learn something from them. Therefore, he cannot dare to manipulate them and will feel that he should stay in their good graces because he wants to understand what these parts of his psyche have to teach him.

To not be annoying, this kind of character would have to be willing to cause trouble and smooth trouble over with the same enthusiasm and easy-going spirit. He doesn’t want to ruin a world made just for him to play with, after all!

]]> By: TWISTEDPEN http://www.dungeonmastering.com/tools-resources/pimp-my-character-1-the-magical-thief#comment-3994 TWISTEDPEN Mon, 09 Jun 2008 16:11:51 +0000 http://www.dungeonmastering.com/tools-resources/pimp-my-character-1-the-magical-thief#comment-3994 I know I'm late on this but I have to put in my two cents. How about a thief/mage who impersonates other thieves and mages. This could cause all kinds of problems for the King's wizard when the populace see him shoot fireballs at local guards and set free prisoners (mabey allies?) from the gallows. What about making it look like the Head of the Thieves Guild publicly chalenges the local athorities, rival Thieves Guild, or Assassin's Guild. You could even go with the mage who makes a point to learn his craft not by time consuming and dangerous research, but by stealing from other magic users work. I know I’m late on this but I have to put in my two cents. How about a thief/mage who impersonates other thieves and mages. This could cause all kinds of problems for the King’s wizard when the populace see him shoot fireballs at local guards and set free prisoners (mabey allies?) from the gallows. What about making it look like the Head of the Thieves Guild publicly chalenges the local athorities, rival Thieves Guild, or Assassin’s Guild. You could even go with the mage who makes a point to learn his craft not by time consuming and dangerous research, but by stealing from other magic users work.

]]> By: Summer is here! (summer 08 preview and the links) - Dungeon Mastering - Dungeons and Dragons blog - DM tips, D&D books, RPG fun http://www.dungeonmastering.com/tools-resources/pimp-my-character-1-the-magical-thief#comment-3966 Summer is here! (summer 08 preview and the links) - Dungeon Mastering - Dungeons and Dragons blog - DM tips, D&D books, RPG fun Mon, 09 Jun 2008 05:12:59 +0000 http://www.dungeonmastering.com/tools-resources/pimp-my-character-1-the-magical-thief#comment-3966 [...] Pimp My Character becomes a monthly feature, with one or two custom character sketches being handed out by AvatarArt each month. Check out the first installment of the series if you missed it: the magical thief [...] [...] Pimp My Character becomes a monthly feature, with one or two custom character sketches being handed out by AvatarArt each month. Check out the first installment of the series if you missed it: the magical thief [...]

]]> By: Yax http://www.dungeonmastering.com/tools-resources/pimp-my-character-1-the-magical-thief#comment-3962 Yax Mon, 09 Jun 2008 04:37:13 +0000 http://www.dungeonmastering.com/tools-resources/pimp-my-character-1-the-magical-thief#comment-3962 All right. The AvatarArt guys and Ian will be working on the character sketch. We'll come back with an archive of character with sketches (no stat block) and with a second round of Pimp My Character in a few weeks. Thank you all for making this fun and worthwhile! All right. The AvatarArt guys and Ian will be working on the character sketch. We’ll come back with an archive of character with sketches (no stat block) and with a second round of Pimp My Character in a few weeks.

Thank you all for making this fun and worthwhile!

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