Robert, explorer extraordinaire

[Trandir]

Well among the backup PCs a true adventurer is a must, right?

Robert: Variant human, Dex+1, Con+1, observant Wis +1
Ability scores
Str 8
Dex 16
Con 16
Int 12
Wis 14
Cha 8

BG: Explorer (custom): Skills, arcana and history. Tools, cartographer's tools and navigator's tools.
Class: Rogue X
Skill proficiency: history, stealth, perception, investigation, acrobatics, arcana, athletics.

Expertise:
1st level perception and investigation
6th level thieves' tools and either stealth or athletics.

Roguish archetype: I'd say scout but maybe there is a better fit.


A non edgy rogue that wants to go exploring to find lost temples, danger, tresure and all the secret doors in every single dungeon without even looking for them.


Any advice for optimisation or RP?

[Arkhios]

Aww, if your charisma were better, you could be a dapper gentleman explorer (swashbuckler) :smallbiggrin:

[TheCorsairMalac]

Non-edgy eh?

Well, what if you explain his low charisma and wide variety of skills by making him a loner who works with the group because he--begrudgingly--understands that the greatest adventures are beyond his ability to handle alone?

Maybe he knows he had the potential to fill any role, but had to choose one set of skills to be good at. He could have been a knight, he could have been a wizard, but he chose to master the rogue's skillset instead. As a result he has very high expectations of the people he adventures with. He expects them to be as good at their trade as he could have been.

[Warlush]

This rogue would be perfect for Tomb Of Annihilation. Go out into the shag, see stuff, kill stuff, survive stuff.

[Corran]

Survival would probably be useful for an explorer type of character. Proficiency in cartography tool through background would be fitting too. Athletics tends to be more widely applicable than acrobatics, at least in my games, so if that's true for your games as well, then consider swapping those two. What's that trait that allows your character to know where the north is? Is it a background thing or is it part of a feat? Whatever it is, you might want to grab that as well, if you already don't have it. Lack of darkvision might be painful if you have to do a lot of scouting and tracking.

[Trandir]

Survival would probably be useful for an explorer type of character. Proficiency in cartography tool through background would be fitting too. Athletics tends to be more widely applicable than acrobatics, at least in my games, so if that's true for your games as well, then consider swapping those two. What's that trait that allows your character to know where the north is? Is it a background thing or is it part of a feat? Whatever it is, you might want to grab that as well, if you already don't have it. Lack of darkvision might be painful if you have to do a lot of scouting and tracking.

Well the Scout subclass gets for you both survival and nature proficiency and expertise. So taking it before it's kind of a waste. If another roguish archetype would fith better than yes absolutely that's one thing to take instead of insight.

Cartography tools for maps fit the theme rather well good idea.

Mmmmmmmmmh right, a true adventures should have both. Oh well insight out and athletics in then.

Well it is part of a feat: keen mind. But it's tash. I'd rather take navigator's tools proficiency that come with the compass to know where north is. Also that's something that any sensible DM could allow as common magic item: compass that actually works. Another feat that might fit instead is dungeon delver, if the setting is dungeon heavy this becomes a lot more intresting.

A true explorer has always his torch or bullseye lanter to discover ancient inscription, loot, drop into a pit of snakes and similar stuff. I'd have to bring them anyway to not get disadvantage on active perception checks, but for the sneaky missions googles of night vision exist for all human character lovers.


Anyway thanks for the advice, there are some really good things in here.