Conradine
2019-05-21, 09:15 AM
Premise: I know D&D 3.5 is just a game. I know it was not intended to be "realistic". Indeed , realism in a fantasy game is impossible, the only thing that can be achieved is verisimilitude, internal coherence.
I found some high to mid level NPC totally implausible. For example, Trendan Resh ( Book of Vile Darkness ), Fighter 2 / Rogue 4 is described as "cowardly, lazy and crude" yet he has several PC class levels. He always lived in the same city, according to description, so he never went adventuring. He targets drunk, defenseless people with the aid of his small band of thugs. Basically he never faces serious challenges, and he lacks - according to his background - the bravery to take risks ( "cowardly" ), the will to train hard ( "lazy" ) and the intelligence to understand the value of self improvement ( "crude" ).
I think it's safe to say giving him 6 pc levels is a mistake.
I found more plausible examples.
In the Age of Worms campaign, common militiamen are level 1 Warrior, hardened militia level 2, elite militia lv 3, lieutenants around 4-5.
In the old expansion Sword and Fist, typical acolyte monk are level 1 while the typical master is level 6 ( Adept 3 / Monk 3 ) ( and old ).
So... some food for thought.
What is the difference in mindset between a level 1 npc, a level 3, and a level 6?
What is the difference in mindset between a Fighter and a Warrior?
How much does a level 1 train, and how long? And a level 3? A level 6?
What is the "limit" of an average person?
I found some high to mid level NPC totally implausible. For example, Trendan Resh ( Book of Vile Darkness ), Fighter 2 / Rogue 4 is described as "cowardly, lazy and crude" yet he has several PC class levels. He always lived in the same city, according to description, so he never went adventuring. He targets drunk, defenseless people with the aid of his small band of thugs. Basically he never faces serious challenges, and he lacks - according to his background - the bravery to take risks ( "cowardly" ), the will to train hard ( "lazy" ) and the intelligence to understand the value of self improvement ( "crude" ).
I think it's safe to say giving him 6 pc levels is a mistake.
I found more plausible examples.
In the Age of Worms campaign, common militiamen are level 1 Warrior, hardened militia level 2, elite militia lv 3, lieutenants around 4-5.
In the old expansion Sword and Fist, typical acolyte monk are level 1 while the typical master is level 6 ( Adept 3 / Monk 3 ) ( and old ).
So... some food for thought.
What is the difference in mindset between a level 1 npc, a level 3, and a level 6?
What is the difference in mindset between a Fighter and a Warrior?
How much does a level 1 train, and how long? And a level 3? A level 6?
What is the "limit" of an average person?