Ask Orresk anything! (about roleplaying mostly)

[Jodo Krast]

Greetings!
I am Orresk, and I am here to answer any and all of your questions about D&D 3.5e. I will only be answering questions about roleplaying your character, classes, optimized builds, and the like, nothing trivial such as, for example, "what is your favorite color?" But, since it has been asked, it is lime green.
The rules of this thread:
1. If a question has not been answered, you may have to wait. Please do not post if the most recent post is not an answer to a question. (only a suggestion)
2. I am usually able to answer questions on weekends only, but I can sometimes answer them on weekdays as well, if I can find the time. Serving Sekolah is a rather demanding job.
Sincerely,
Orresk

[Kobold-Bard]

So I'm not derailing: What are the best powers for a Level 1 Nomad to pick.

Otherwise: You're thread is basically the point of this whole subforum. While I'm not sure it breaks an actual rule I do think it is impolite to try and monopolise the forum for your own judgement of the right answers.

Just a thought.

[Jodo Krast]

So I'm not derailing: What are the best powers for a Level 1 Nomad to pick.

Otherwise: You're thread is basically the point of this whole subforum. While I'm not sure it breaks an actual rule I do think it is impolite to try and monopolise the forum for your own judgement of the right answers.

Just a thought.

Oh, I'm sorry. I was just making a thread so that I can answer people's questions. I'm especially good with roleplaying questions. For a level 1 nomad . . . I'll have to see.
0-level: detect psionics, burst, catfall OR float.
1st-level: feather fall OR spider climb.
Sincerely,
Orresk
Oh, and I won't kill you.

[ScionoftheVoid]

RP Question: What are some good generic character quirks/flaws? I can never really think of any and even inspiration would be good.

Other question: What do you have against evil characters? Evil is my second favourite alignment portion (after Law)!

[Greenish]

For a level 1 nomad . . . I'll have to see.
0-level: detect psionics, burst, catfall OR float.
1st-level: feather fall OR spider climb.

What about one in 3.5?

[Jodo Krast]

RP Question: What are some good generic character quirks/flaws? I can never really think of any and even inspiration would be good.

Other question: What do you have against evil characters? Evil is my second favourite alignment portion (after Law)!

Answer #1: NEVER use the parents-killed-in-a-terrible-accident cliché. It is used too much. A good flaw for your character is taking everything too seriously/lightheartedly. It's always fun to watch the reaction of everyone else when your character makes a joke about all of creation being destroyed (especially if you're lawful good) or going into a rage over a joking idea of destroying a village.
Answer #2: I never said anything about evil characters. In fact, I am lawful evil myself.

[Kobold-Bard]

RP Question: What are some good generic character quirks/flaws? I can never really think of any and even inspiration would be good.

Other question: What do you have against evil characters? Evil is my second favourite alignment portion (after Law)!

Wandering eye, alcoholic, massive adventurer's ego for some oft-seen ones.

So the Paladin of Tyranny is basically your idol?

[Jodo Krast]

What about one in 3.5?

That is 3.5, I think.

[Greenish]

That is 3.5, I think.

Okay, then I have another question: How do I get psionic cantrips for my Psion? (Or Feather Fall, or Spider Climb?)

[Jodo Krast]

Okay, then I have another question: How do I get psionic cantrips for my Psion? (Or Feather Fall, or Spider Climb?)

Technically, there are no psionic cantrips. They are called talents, and you can use 3 of them per day before they start costing you PPs. Feather Fall and Spider Climb are simply first-level psychoportation powers.
Sincerely,
Orresk

[BRC]

e.
Answer #2: I never said anything about evil characters. In fact, I am lawful evil myself.

And yet your post said something along the lines of "Don't ask me questions about Evil characters". You edited it away.
Also, word of advice, this forum dosn't recognize the idea of Thread Ownership. It's expected that people not intentionally derail a thread and that they stay on-topic. But we don't have to follow rules like "only Orresk can answer questions", if this turns into a General Role playing Questions thread, don't be surprised. Also, alot of people with questions make their own threads, so you can seek them out on your own.


Okay, a Question, lessee... is a DM obligated to work his player's back stories into the game?

[ScionoftheVoid]

That is 3.5, I think.

Nope, 3.0. 3.5 Psionics (widely held to be better balanced and more thought out than the Core books, particularly the casters) is available at d20srd.com, if you wish to try again. I was sure you had a thing in the OP saying "don't ask me about evil characters. Or I will come to your house and hunt you down" or similar. Either you edited that when you changed the thread title and added the smiley to the thread or I was hallucinating. Damnit, either of those could be true!

I do like the Paladin of Tyranny, yes. Favourite character is LE Sorcerer attempting to take all creation to the Void. Without any activity there can be no Chaos. I once got permission to use the Commoner Railgun on the Spire at the end of a campaign (hadn't yet discovered it didn't work). DM never showed up so we kept doing one shots with the characters we had made for it until we moved on. And because it needs it.

[Jodo Krast]

And yet your post said something along the lines of "Don't ask me questions about Evil characters". You edited it away.
Also, word of advice, this forum dosn't recognize the idea of Thread Ownership. It's expected that people not intentionally derail a thread and that they stay on-topic. But we don't have to follow rules like "only Orresk can answer questions", if this turns into a General Role playing Questions thread, don't be surprised. Also, alot of people with questions make their own threads, so you can seek them out on your own.


Okay, a Question, lessee... is a DM obligated to work his player's back stories into the game?

First, I have never said anything about evil characters. EVER. Except right now, because they are awesome. Second, a DM should work a player's backstory into the game, because otherwise the backstory is just a waste. Third, I never said that only Orresk can answer questions. Finally, anyone can ask or answer questions here, it is just that I have found that I am very good at answer others' questions. That is why I started this thread.
Peace out,
Orresk

[Kobold-Bard]

First, I have never said anything about evil characters. EVER. Except right now, because they are awesome.

No offence, but that's just a lie. You edited out of your first post something like "No questions about evil characters or I'll kill you."

[Jodo Krast]

No offence, but that's just a lie. You edited out of your first post something like "No questions about evil characters or I'll kill you."

Why must you be so stubborn? That was never on my first post. [evil grin]
Sincerely,
Orresk
P. S. BTW, I am just kidding. I know that I put that on there originally, but it was a stupid idea and a little denial now and then is lots of fun.

[Greenish]

First, I have never said anything about evil characters. EVER.

Right.

Third, I never said that only Orresk can answer questions.

Right…

I have found that I am very good at answer others' questions.

…

[Jodo Krast]

Right.Right……

Right!
-Orresk
P.S. I like the thing with the meatbag and the warforged.

[BRC]

1. If a question has not been answered, you may have to wait. Please do not post if the most recent post is not by me.

That was what I was talking about. It's not exactly "Only Orresk can answer questions", but it's pretty close.

Anyway, back on topic, What if the character's Backstory is one that would require drastically changing the Campaign, or giving the character something broken. For example, if a player makes a character named, lets say, Bob the Sorcerer. The backstory is that Bob's family once possessed an artifact, an amulet that let them cast the most powerful spells as many times as they wanted per day. However, it only functions for Bob's family (Of which he is the last) and now Bob is seeking it out.
Now the Obvious plot hook here is that Bob hears about the Amulet, the party goes on an adventure and recovers it. However, such an amulet would be incredibly game breaking, is the DM required to insert it into the game?

Or in, say, a Nautical Campaign, Jim the Fighter arrives. He is the prince of a landlocked kingdom. His brother killed his father and exiled him, and he wants his kingdom back. Now, the campaign is supposed to be the party sailing around in their ship having wild adventures on the high seas. Is the DM obligated to send them to this landlocked kingdom to get Jim's throne back, and if they succeed, is he then obligated to have Jim either give up the throne, leave the campaign, or turn the campaign into one about ruling a landlocked kingdom instead of sailing around on the ocean.

I'm playing Devil's Advocate here, but I'm curious.

[Jodo Krast]

That was what I was talking about. It's not exactly "Only Orresk can answer questions", but it's pretty close.

Anyway, back on topic, What if the character's Backstory is one that would require drastically changing the Campaign, or giving the character something broken. For example, if a player makes a character named, lets say, Bob the Sorcerer. The backstory is that Bob's family once possessed an artifact, an amulet that let them cast the most powerful spells as many times as they wanted per day. However, it only functions for Bob's family (Of which he is the last) and now Bob is seeking it out.
Now the Obvious plot hook here is that Bob hears about the Amulet, the party goes on an adventure and recovers it. However, such an amulet would be incredibly game breaking, is the DM required to insert it into the game?

Or in, say, a Nautical Campaign, Jim the Fighter arrives. He is the prince of a landlocked kingdom. His brother killed his father and exiled him, and he wants his kingdom back. Now, the campaign is supposed to be the party sailing around in their ship having wild adventures on the high seas. Is the DM obligated to send them to this landlocked kingdom to get Jim's throne back, and if they succeed, is he then obligated to have Jim either give up the throne, leave the campaign, or turn the campaign into one about ruling a landlocked kingdom instead of sailing around on the ocean.

I'm playing Devil's Advocate here, but I'm curious.

First: I changed the thing about answering questions.
Second: The DM could change something about the artifact. Say, have a curse put on it so it might bestow a negative level when you use it. Or, the DM could just talk to Bob's player one-on-one and suggest that Bob change the backstory a bit.
Third: I have no clue about Jim. You shouldn't really play a character from a landlocked kingdom in a nautical campaign anyways, though.
Stay cool,
Orresk

[ScionoftheVoid]

P. S. BTW, I am just kidding. I know that I put that on there originally, but it was a stupid idea and a little denial now and then is lots of fun.

Hat, hat, hat. If you get the reference then please say so (it would be nice to know my brain worked at least once today). I wouldn't mind not getting my backstory worked in. Sure, if I mention a location or person and my character is not insane then it would be nice for that to exist, but just drop a reference once in a while through an NPC. I don't think you should go out of your way to make adventures be related to the PC's backstories. If it falls into place easily I suggest using it, but having every threat to the world first threaten the hometown of a PC is jarring to verismilitude. Throw a curveball occasionally too of course, just 'cause a backstory mentions one specific forest (for example) doesn't mean you should always use that one. Could be fun if the PC's head there whenever they hear a forest is in danger and then find that the NPC was just about to point them twenty miles in the opposite direction.:evillaugh: (We do need an evil laugh smiley. It's just so appropriate! For everything!! I am not completely out of my mind!!! I'm just getting there)

Good luck with the thread anyway.

Edit:@BRC It is not directly necessary in either case. Bob's family artifact can exist, that doesn't need to mean he can reach it. Regardless of who can use it it is going to be very well protected. It can be a long term goal for the character but you can make it clear that it is not going to be achievable within the campaign/until it would not be a significant power increase (other characters can stumble across artifacts too, maybe not as directly useful as Bob's because they aren't searching for an artifact which will explicitly help them. Jim can have much the same thing. Recovering a kingdom is no small task. In any case those are really goals, not so much parts of their backstories. Make it clear that these things exist in the setting, but also that adventuring is a better short-term goal and moving on to obtain their artifact/kingdom will be something they can work towards though research, NPC contacts and allies, etc. until they are powerful enough to be literally world-changing (which may not happen within that campagin, setting another campaign in the same setting some time on lets you reuse material and may give a better oppurtunity for Bob and Jim to reach their goals however, so keep it in mind).

TL;DR version: Just because a goal is possible that does not make it plausible. At least for now.

[Jodo Krast]

Hat, hat, hat. If you get the reference then please say so (it would be nice to know my brain worked at least once today). I wouldn't mind not getting my backstory worked in. Sure, if I mention a location or person and my character is not insane then it would be nice for that to exist, but just drop a reference once in a while through an NPC. I don't think you should go out of your way to make adventures be related to the PC's backstories. If it falls into place easily I suggest using it, but having every threat to the world first threaten the hometown of a PC is jarring to verismilitude. Throw a curveball occasionally too of course, just 'cause a backstory mentions one specific forest (for example) doesn't mean you should always use that one. Could be fun if the PC's head there whenever they hear a forest is in danger and then find that the NPC was just about to point them twenty miles in the opposite direction.:evillaugh: (We do need an evil laugh smiley. It's just so appropriate! For everything!! I am not completely out of my mind!!! I'm just getting there)

Good luck with the thread anyway.

It's too bad that you're not crazy yet. The shadow people say such nice things to me.:evillaugh:
Get crazier,
Orresk

[Niro]

I have a stupid question.. but if I use multiple templates and each of them gives a natural armorbonus... would they all stack?

[ScionoftheVoid]

I have a stupid question.. but if I use multiple templates and each of them gives a natural armorbonus... would they all stack?

Attempt to resist urge to answer...

Failed. I'll put it in a spoiler though:

Spoiler

Show

If they all improve natural armour? Yes. If one (or your base race) gives natural armour and the rest improve it? Yes. If more than one gives natural armour then you use the highest value then add any adjustments to that.

Edit: Umm... I should learn the way to put a spoiler on something before attempting it shouldn't I. Oh well, all yours OP. Huh, I would try something more complex than was needed, wouldn't I? (Yes)

[Poil]

What would be a good build for a harpy pirate, low-mid level? I'm thinking someone who hangs around in the crows nest as the lookout and likes to swoop down in a screeching flurry of talons during attacks. Lost a foot and replaced it with an enchanted claw-like "hook". Doubt I'd ever get to play it, but I'm still hopelessly curious.

edit for 3.5.

[Greenish]

I have a stupid question.. but if I use multiple templates and each of them gives a natural armorbonus... would they all stack?

Most templates specifically improve your NA, and they stack. SRD:

Spoiler

Show

Armor Class
If a template changes the creature’s size, see Table: Changes to Statistics by Size to determine its new Armor Class and to see whether its natural armor changes. In some cases the method of determining Armor Class changes radically; the template description explains how to adjust the creature’s AC.

[Volkov]

It's too bad that you're not crazy yet. The shadow people say such nice things to me.:evillaugh:
Get crazier,
Orresk

Pfft, Tzeentch is telling me all these funny jokes all the time.

[absolmorph]

Answer #1: NEVER use the parents-killed-in-a-terrible-accident cliché. It is used too much. A good flaw for your character is taking everything too seriously/lightheartedly. It's always fun to watch the reaction of everyone else when your character makes a joke about all of creation being destroyed (especially if you're lawful good) or going into a rage over a joking idea of destroying a village.
Answer #2: I never said anything about evil characters. In fact, I am lawful evil myself.

Bonus points if you follow the rage with "Just kidding!"

[Jodo Krast]

Bonus points if you follow the rage with "Just kidding!"

Lots and lots of bonus points, because then you are using both the too seriously and the too light.
Sincerely,
Orresk
P.S. Word of the day: pus!

[Jodo Krast]

Pfft, Tzeentch is telling me all these funny jokes all the time.

Actually, it's not a joke.(no joke!)

[Jodo Krast]

I have a stupid question.. but if I use multiple templates and each of them gives a natural armorbonus... would they all stack?

The answer is yes. As long as it is not a magical bonus, it stacks.