So, in a campaign I plan on class dabbling and wanted to explain my class choices away.
I started as Paladin, Oracle is a divine spellcaster that works coming from Pally and we had one in the party already, so it was easy to be an apprentice. Next class was Warlord (Path of War), again easy since we had another class from Path of War in the party. Eventually plan taking levels in Aegis, which we have a psychic warrior, so easy to explain how I would know about Psionics.
The problem comes with Sorcerer and Monk. Monk I can pass saying it is a simple way to refocus the character, since the character is simply training and uses unarmed combat anyways. For the Sorcerer, GM says I have to explain why I suddenly know how to cast Arcane spells out of the blue.
Divine spellcasting comes from a deity, them lending you power, so it isn't really the character spell casting so much as calling for a favor. Sorcerer also has the fun stuff of Bloodlines, which I am taking Draconic, so I have to explain a bit of that.
DM has said that he is willing to work to create a reason within the campaign, but it must be reasonable. This is a semi low-fantasy campaign, with magic being a thing but some parts of the world not realizing what magic is.
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I think you're multiclassing into Sorcerer right? Monk is simple, you are perfecting your body, and it can be flavored as accepting the gifts from your deity and physically embracing it.
Sorcerer, hmm... An oracle is chosen by a specific entity, Paladin serves a specific entity, got it!
You were always mysteriously drawn to helping to protect the innocent, and maintain and establish order. You weren't quite sure why, but you went with it. Then you later realized all along you had the blood of [insert bloodline]. (Pretty easy to explain good-aligned ones, and you can explain inner strength to resist evil ones, which means a deity granted you oracle powers because of that strength). The combination of your personality and heritage has drawn you to this path, and you now are so devoted to your deity you eschew many material objects, and show your natural power...
As an example, you stem from the blood of demons. Your natural stubborness however has helped you resist this. People were eerily creeped out by you, though they weren't sure why. You decided to show your organization and orderly skills, and your devotion to protecting the innocent. You feel an inner darkness, but fight it, and it ironically makes you quite virtuous. As you joined the order of paladins the god [insert deity] saw this strength. They rewarded you with a gift of some select powers. You felt so connected to your deity, you no longer needed material weapons and armor. You feel the strength from within and outside. You later discover your heritage, and channel the power for Law and Good, using extreme self-dicispline to control yourself.
That is tricky to explain, especially becoming a sorcerer in the middle of your career.
I wonder if theming it as some sort of unwelcome side effect of an enemy's influence might work best. Like, Paladin fights a dragon, endures dragon breath attack and lives, but now his body is reacting to the encounter in unexpected ways, such as his hands turning into claws at undesired times.
Yes, I am multiclassing into Sorcerer. I ask here because a Wizard can read a spell book and find a powerful object/animal to bond with, a Magus can find a spell book and an enchanted sword, a Sorcerer can't really just find something. He is born with it or not.
GM has said before I talked about this that dragons don't exist in this world. This was before talking about the finer details of my character, so that was not made to "ruin" my character. Although an elemental run in could easily work too.
I like MageHunter's idea. My character is worshiping.... Melek Taus. Melek is LG and invented her own unarmed fighting style, so it fits very well with theme thus far.
Thanks.
I love the idea of LG with chaotic elements. Like "controlling the beast"
You could really twist any bloodline to work like this. For example, I used Abyssal, but Infernal would be you inherit the organization and consistency, but you channel it for good, even an elemental could be twisted with a bit of work.
Since a sorcerer is born not trained I am not sure why your GM is requiring and explanation on why you can cast spells. If you wanted to be a wizard I could understand, but a sorcerer is just something you are. If he is asking why you did not manifest earlier that is a little more understandable. In your case your talent for sorcery was something that you simply never taped into before. You always had the power just never used it. Maybe it needed some sort of catalyst to trigger. Failing the saving throw vs the type of energy of your bloodline and surviving it could be a trigger.
Yeah, I don't see why this is difficult at all.
It's not a trained class, it just happens. (same for Oracle, incidentally)
Why it didn't happen before?
Well, this isn't fundamentally different than a full Sorceror/Oracle who didn't have full spellcasting/powers from the moment they were born.
Whether it happens at age 16 or age 24 (when you've gained other class levels), so what?
If you want to play it up, sure, go ahead and learn Draconic language first, or otherwise "foreshadow" your Sorcerous awakening.
Or don't.
I mean, if it is Draconic power awakening in you, you are really surprised that it took a few more years vs. Draconic lifespans?
Since a sorcerer is born not trained I am not sure why your GM is requiring and explanation on why you can cast spells. If you wanted to be a wizard I could understand, but a sorcerer is just something you are. If he is asking why you did not manifest earlier that is a little more understandable. In your case your talent for sorcery was something that you simply never taped into before. You always had the power just never used it. Maybe it needed some sort of catalyst to trigger. Failing the saving throw vs the type of energy of your bloodline and surviving it could be a trigger.
It's late and I may not be properly explaining myself. GM wants an explanation of why I wasn't able to cast spells beforehand.
Interesting enough, I just picked up Cinderwolf Hide Armor (custom armor from GM, Masterowrk Hide Armor + ER5/Fire). That along with the desert we are currently in could easily awake the the fire dragon inside.
Ask the GM why a person suddenly grows gray hair or loses it? Why don't guys grow facial hair their teens?
Some quick ideas
1. Late Bloomer
2. Catalyst Gauntlet (struck by lightning, bit by a radioactive cobra, embraced an elemental spirit, survived an atomic blast....and now has arcane power)
3. Super secret monk techniques (aka all Mortal Combat characters are just monk/sorcerers).
4. Recipient of someone's wish spell or magical boon (sibling found a wish ring, wished his/her immediate family could all be sorcerers).
5. Subject to an experiment, and were made to forget the experience - like being abducted by aliens and made to forget.
I'm for the "Late Bloomer" idea. Depending on the age of the character, something like that could easily be the case. The character suddenly casts a fire spell, burning hands seems appropriate, and accidentally damages something (hopefully inconsequential). Seems like an easy enough thing to believe.
Why don't guys grow facial hair their teens?
Now now Tex, I had to learn how to shave in 8th grade. Not a fun time.
I agree with the other posters. You can just have it so that your only beginning to cast now. Sorcerers aren't normally born with the spells. They only get it either after a catalyst or it just eventually comes out. So either come in contact with a dragon related catalyst or just have it come out now. There is no reason you can't have it take a while before you manifest spellcasting.
Just say you were embarassed about your Draconic heritage before, and covered it up to fit in.
But seriously, this isn't an issue.