Gavin Kane's page

Quingong Monk could indeed fit the superhero-concept. Works fine on its own, could also be combined with another monk archetype that fits the fluff (Monk of the Four Winds if you want elemental powers, perhaps. They also get time-manipulation later on, very superhero).

When I think superhero in PF I usually think of the Sorceror class. Their bloodlines are usually themed around a particular set of powers and abilities - and combined with appropriate spell selection it really is a "make-a-superhero"-kit with amazing flexibility. You did say you wanted to avoid traditional magic, but I think most spells could be fit into a superhero theme and sorceror magic IS innate powers in the fluff as well.

Alchemist could certainly work as well, for a hulk-type hero or a technomancer with bombs.

Jedi is harder to work with - it would be easier if you could say exactly what aspects of the jedi you want. A lightsaber? Telekinetic powers?
I agree that monk could work as well, the whole zen-theme is very similar to the jedi-code and once again you can get some thematic powers with quingoing. Otherwise it's hard to do, depending on what you mean by "without magic". There aren't really many classes besides monk that get supernaturel abilities without also having some form of spell progression. Paladin can be roleplayed much like a jedi and get a sword that could be refluffed as something lightsaber-y (would fit well with the Blade Bond ability) - but they do get spells.

A ninja or rogue might also work as a jedi - especially the ninja gets a lot of quite supernatural stuff with their powers.

Thank you for the insights!

As to what I want from the jedi; I am thinking mainly of the force use in combat, with a secondary focus on wisdom (as a characteristic of roleplay, not as in the attribute score) and diplomacy. I am not at all concerned about replicating the look or feel of a lightsaber.

Hello!

I recently found pathfinder; a friend of mine donated to me several PDF books on how to play, and introduced me ever so briefly to the Pathfinder Society.

I have played a mixture of RPGs before, over almost three decades now. Unfortunately, my local gaming options are more or less nil. So I am looking to get involved with an online group. I see the Pathfinder Society has some regular online games, and thought that might be the easiest way to go for now - until I learn more about the specifics of Pathfinder, I don't want to burden a regular gaming group with my ignorance and potential ineptitude.

If the opportunity presents itself, I may join a 'regular' online game, which is not within the Society, instead. But I think (as mentioned) it might be best to start off in the Society for at least a few sessions.

Okay, so with that as my personal (player) background, and assuming I have access to most all books (the collection he gave to me is at least 30 volumes, he said it was fairly complete), I would like some help with building my first real character.

For inspiration, I am drawing from a very nonstandard source; given that this is a fantasy roleplaying game. I would like advice (thus the forum I am posting in) both on how to mechanically build the character, as well as how to best fit the concept within the Pathfinder Society's Golarion setting.

If that advice is simply, "do not do this" or "it will not work", please be as informative and helpful as you can in such responses - letting me know why it shouldn't or won't work, and what the best and closest alternatives might be! I do not mind negative input, as long as it is constructive and accompanied by some positive input.

On to the character!

There are two separate inspirations I would like to pull from. Either blending the two, or selecting one of the two.

First, even though this is a fantasy game, I would love to emulate to some degree a superhero - not a specific superhero such as wolverine or the flash or gambit, etc.; but more in the lines of a character who has supernatural abilities and powers, instead of fighting with weapon and/or magic. The best I have seen so far in my reading books and browsing the online SRD is a monk archetype who focuses on spell-like abilities, or the alchemist who focuses on enhancing their bodies. I am certainly open to other suggestions.

The second concept is another anachronism, and one I am most likely to get 'flames' for; but I would like to have a Jedi-esque character. Again, not using magic but instead having innate abilities. Yet again, the monk class with its various archetypes seems to be the best fit. Which seems odd to me, as I would never have thought I would want to (or enjoy) playing a monk type character in a roleplaying game.

In past D&D versions I have really enjoyed druids and bards, followed by thieves and wizards (and wizard/thieves). I do not mind playing a battle cleric, but rarely play the dumb brute fighter or barbarian. Yet I would be willing to play any of those classes (or a combination of them) if it were to help fit within one or both of the aforementioned themes.

Thank you in advance for all of the advice you have to offer!

- Gavin Kane