Tianmu Wei |
Trying to build a goblin alchemist who passes themselves off as a somewhat ugly gnome because they are intelligent enough to know they could get killed off by townspeople wherever they go. They're living in the city because they need access to resources and documented knowledge for better bombs.
We are starting at level one which I feel may be rough for my character to meet the Disguise DC's. I'm trying to really role play this through but what can I do to make sure the rolls play through?
The GM has allowed for the trait Ugly Swine for the +2 and class skill of Disguise. First level feat Skill Focus: Disguise is a no brainer. I'm planning on getting a Masterwork Tool (A fake beard made of real Gnome hair) and a Disguise Kit with my starting gold. With those I can get +9 to Disguise not accounting for CHA which I wont be dumping (hopefully). I'm somewhat new to Pathfinder so I'm unsure whether or not +9 should be sufficient to keep Florian Sootfingers from getting chased out of town or worse. If theres anything else I can do that I just happen to be over looking would be greatly appreciated.
P.S. Are you limited on the number of Traits you can start off with like Feats or is it more up to GM discretion? if it's the latter I'm hoping I can start worshipping Norgorber and taking Practiced Deception.
MageHunter |
You normally get two traits. Some GM's allow drawbacks for an extra, may give less or extra based off age, or just hand them out like candy.
Keep in mind, your competition is people's perception modifier. As a sample, we have a human druid with a +4 WIS bonus, and a rank in perception. That's +8, only giving you a +1 advantage on any rolls.
Most of them will likely just have a +4 bonus, but it's still playing the odds.
chaoseffect |
"Your Disguise check result determines how good the disguise is, and it is opposed by others’ Perception check results. If you don’t draw any attention to yourself, others do not get to make Perception checks. If you come to the attention of people who are suspicious (such as a guard who is watching commoners walking through a city gate), it can be assumed that such observers are taking 10 on their Perception checks." - Part of the disguise rules.
For the most part people won't have reason to question your disguise so that means no rolls on their part or taking 10 if they have reason to be extra alert in general. With a +9 you are pretty solid, but note you take a -2 for disguising as a different race.
Once you get some cash, a Quick Change Cloak enchanted onto your Cloak of Resistance is pretty sweet; take 20 on a few disguises and have them ready to roll at a moments notice.
Tianmu Wei |
You normally get two traits. Some GM's allow drawbacks for an extra, may give less or extra based off age, or just hand them out like candy.
Keep in mind, your competition is people's perception modifier. As a sample, we have a human druid with a +4 WIS bonus, and a rank in perception. That's +8, only giving you a +1 advantage on any rolls.
Most of them will likely just have a +4 bonus, but it's still playing the odds.
Thank you. I'll definitely keep that in mind when adding things up. If I'm allowed two traits. The Practiced Deception adds +1 while speeding up the Disguise prep time. I feel much more confident pitting +10 (+8 for the other race) against a +4 Perception checks. I'll happily take 50/50 over 1/3.
Concerning the party members I feel like ingratiating myself to the character with the most Diplomacy will get everyone to collaborate with my deception. Though I'll have to keep wary of special NPC's.
Tianmu Wei |
"Your Disguise check result determines how good the disguise is, and it is opposed by others’ Perception check results. If you don’t draw any attention to yourself, others do not get to make Perception checks. If you come to the attention of people who are suspicious (such as a guard who is watching commoners walking through a city gate), it can be assumed that such observers are taking 10 on their Perception checks." - Part of the disguise rules.
For the most part people won't have reason to question your disguise so that means no rolls on their part or taking 10 if they have reason to be extra alert in general. With a +9 you are pretty solid, but note you take a -2 for disguising as a different race.
Once you get some cash, a Quick Change Cloak enchanted onto your Cloak of Resistance is pretty sweet; take 20 on a few disguises and have them ready to roll at a moments notice.
Knowing that I can bypass most of those checks as long as I play it cool is comforting. I've never heard of Quick Change Cloak before so thank you for turning me on to it.
AwesomelyEpic |
I think that you can take 10 on your check, which guarantees at least a DC of 17, accounting for your bonus and the penalty for disguising as someone of a different race. If you're GM is nice, they might give you a +5 bonus for "minor details only" since you're not pretending to be a specific person. That amounts to a DC of 22. I'm not sure about taking 20. In addition to, or instead of, Skill Focus, you could later want to pick up Deceitful. It only gives you a +2 bonus on disguise (later +4), but you also get the bonus on Bluff, which you can use to have your character "act in character". All those ranks in Disguise won't help if someone asks you a question that amounts to "what are you?"
Tianmu Wei |
In addition to, or instead of, Skill Focus, you could later want to pick up Deceitful. It only gives you a +2 bonus on disguise (later +4), but you also get the bonus on Bluff, which you can use to have your character "act in character". All those ranks in Disguise won't help if someone asks you a question that amounts to "what are you?"
A very valid point. I'm glad you pointed this out before I blundered my way into a goblin lynching.
If you're GM is nice, they might give you a +5 bonus for "minor details only" since you're not pretending to be a specific person.
My GM seems to be the "Story First" type and will probably be kind enough saying the game logic would allow this.
Tianmu Wei |
How are you going to deal with the fact that there's written words and dogs all over the place?
In my head I feel like most goblins just arent intelligent enough to understand written words so they have no patience for it. They only appreciate what they can eat and use to kill more food. Florian is a freak among his race because he has enough brain power to read and dream of abstract concepts. I feel like reading might be a solace. He seems a lonely existence neither accepted among goblins or the rest of civilized society and he'd appreciate any form of communication left to him.
As for the dogs, he still hates them as much as he loves fire. He'll probably play off his dislike saying he was attacked by dogs as a child. He knows he's got to lay low and will comfort himself with day dreams of eating dog stew.
P.S. I'm going off of SRD knowledge and havent access to Goblins of Golarion. I'm not aware if there are special nuances to a goblins relationship to; dogs, horses, and writing.
Tianmu Wei |
Thank you for the insight!
Ah. Goblins hate horses and dogs like orcs hate dwarves.
Reading through the SRD on Orcs it mentions "Though they never miss a chance to torment a dwarf or elf who falls into their clutches, they tend to proceed cautiously unless certain of victory." I feel that sense of caution will be enough to stay the goblins hand when out in society. Though a streak for covert wickedness would be well in line with a worshipper of Norgorber.
And they think the written word is like some cultures thought a camera stole your soul.
Interesting. Perhaps Florian Sootfingers worships Norgorber for teaching him "The Secret" that written words can't harm his soul. Or would that be too much of a stretch?
In fact, your spell book is "written" in smudges and splashes. You smell it to know what to mix to make your extracts!
Honestly this little bit is so flavorful! I'll have to adapt it into the character.
AwesomelyEpic |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Cavall wrote:And they think the written word is like some cultures thought a camera stole your soul.Interesting. Perhaps Florian Sootfingers worships Norgorber for teaching him "The Secret" that written words can't harm his soul. Or would that be too much of a stretch?
Or maybe he still believes in that superstition, but for whatever reason thinks that something he's done has guarded his soul from words.