ariddrake |
I was thinking about what the iconic character Warduke's backstory would be in Golarion. Kellid Barbarian who's family was slaughtered by a group of cruel Hellknights? He gets his revenge on the captain who murdered them and now wears his helmet as a trophy and he now hunts them all down. What would your take be?
Warduke pic
http://s280.photobucket.com/user/Kain_Darkwind/media/warduke_zpsbee8369e.jp g.html
ariddrake |
It could be whatever within reason.. I think in the original Basic D&D module he was a 7th or 8th lvl fighter because they didn't much else lol. In the Dungeon Mag article he was like a 20th lvl uber assassin bad guy. In my mind he is 14th lvl barbarian king in the river kingdoms who is like a bogeyman for Hellknights. I just like hearing other people's takes.
Blayde MacRonan |
Warduke was written up as a fighter even in Dungeon 105 (18th as opposed to his being 8th level in both the adventure Quest for the Heartsone and Shady Dragon Inn supplement for D&D). He has acted in the role of assassin for those with the money to pay him or even the Horned Society, but he has always been a fighter.
Cavalier could be a way to go with him. Heck, I can even see him as an antipaladin.
But if you're going to use Warduke, then his nemesis Strongheart the paladin should be around to offer the PCs insight into his former friend.
Cthulhudrew |
To play off of Blayde's suggestion above, in Golarion I'd probably have Warduke as a former Mendevian Crusader, who became disillusioned by endless war and ended up becoming the leader of a band of raiders who scavenge and pillage (like their leader, the self-named "Duke of War", they wear piecemeal armor they've picked up from foes and demon-slaughtered remnants).
His fellow former crusader, Strongheart, still fights the good fight, as well as attempting to oppose Warduke's depredations when and where he can.
As far as a class? You could certainly go Anti-Paladin if you really want to play him off against Strongheart, but I'd probably keep him as a Fighter, myself. (Heresy, I know.)
Link-Bot |
I was thinking about what the iconic character Warduke's backstory would be in Golarion. Kellid Barbarian who's family was slaughtered by a group of cruel Hellknights? He gets his revenge on the captain who murdered them and now wears his helmet as a trophy and he now hunts them all down. What would your take be?
*BEEP*
LINK ADDED.ariddrake |
Cool seriously thanks for the reply's I was going to put strongheart as Mendev crusader that helped warduke come back from the brink. Warduke who was going by his original name enlisted in the crusades as a death sentence because he was so distraught. After a period in the crusades and a friendship develops, the the hellknight captain shows up on the front and and warduke gets his revenge by enlisting a demon he imprisoned with strongheart.
W E Ray |
Whatever his stat bloc, I would put his location in the River Kingdoms. It just seems like the most appropriate transfer: Warduke doesn't fight in the Worldwound; he doesn't live in civilized Cheliax; he wouldn't be a million miles from anywhere in the Mammoth Lords Realms -- but The River Kingdoms, yeah, I could see him being an enforcer-for-Cheliax-but-NOT-a-Hellknight there.
Imbicatus |
With the classes available now, I would make him a slayer instead of a fighter, barbarian, or cavalier. Weapon and Shield style, studied target, sneak attacks, plenty of skills... It's a perfect fit.
And +1 to putting him in the River Kingdoms. It's also close enough to Ustalav and Razmiran to having him interacting with both either for or against.