Stats for Bucknard?

[Aelryinth]

Even if you for some reason don't have a cleric who can cast True Resurrection or a Wizard who can't use Wish, there are several talismans of Zagyg in Dragotha's loot that can do the job. The spirit may have got his revenge on the Dragon, but remember, in life his overarching goal wasn't to kill the dragon, it was to stop the cult!

And the plans of Kyuss are still very much in motion! Any chance I could get a rough idea of what the authors of the Path of Worms would do to bring back dear old Bucknard? (He's Lord Kenzeltun of Karrnath to me, but eh!)

Given that he's shown with a sword, but is an acknowledged wizard, I expect some combo of Wizard, Bard or Fighter, Spellsword and Eldritch Knight, or something similar.

Any chance for stats for this presumably Epic hero? (At least, he'd better be Epic if he hoped to solo Dragathra). I don't see him upstaging the PC's at this point in the play, but he'd make a really good supporting character who would be happy to help out!

===Aelryinth

[James Jacobs]

Balakarde/Bucknard never had a stat block in the Age of Worms. I'd guess he was indeed an epic level guy multiclassed for at least one level to some martial class. Most of his levels are wizard though; he did, after all, invent at least one artifact.

[James Keegan]

Looking at Bucknard's three aspects (Artist, Scholar, and Slayer) I would say he definitely needs to be a high level Wizard with a lot of item creation feats and craft skills. I would give him levels in Ranger, because of his motivations for revenge, spellcasting ability that made light armor a necessity and the fact that he travelled a lot. Did he make anything besides the Everfull Purse?

[Aelryinth]

Well, if you look at some of Dragotha's loot, there's little things like a Staff of the Magi that might presumably have belonged to him, etc.

:)

===Aelryinth

[Mortepierre]

Aelryinth wrote:

Given that he's shown with a sword, but is an acknowledged wizard, I expect some combo of Wizard, Bard or Fighter, Spellsword and Eldritch Knight, or something similar.

From a "canon" point of view, Bucknard never received any official stats (at least, none that I am aware of).

Judging from what he does in AoW, I think a few levels of Loremaster would be justified. Perhaps a few of Bard as well (which might explain the rapier-like sword of the picture)

I was actually thinking of making him a Bard/Loremaster/Sublime Chord but since he is described as having started his career as a Wizard, it wouldn't work.

Plus, I don't think Mordenkainen would have invited him to join the Co8 if he had been more Bard than Wizard. Too elitist for that.

[BOZ]

did Bucknard ever have AD&D stats? if not, you can always go and ask Gary Gygax what he remembers them being.

[Delfedd]

Mortepierre wrote:

Aelryinth wrote:

Given that he's shown with a sword, but is an acknowledged wizard, I expect some combo of Wizard, Bard or Fighter, Spellsword and Eldritch Knight, or something similar.

From a "canon" point of view, Bucknard never received any official stats (at least, none that I am aware of).

Judging from what he does in AoW, I think a few levels of Loremaster would be justified. Perhaps a few of Bard as well (which might explain the rapier-like sword of the picture)

I was actually thinking of making him a Bard/Loremaster/Sublime Chord but since he is described as having started his career as a Wizard, it wouldn't work.

Plus, I don't think Mordenkainen would have invited him to join the Co8 if he had been more Bard than Wizard. Too elitist for that.

Aelryinth, Aelryinth, Aelryinth. This a syndrome called "The players always know" syndrome. I mean, if you want him to be a bard, why shouldn't he be? I mean, are your players going to jump up, run behind your DM screen, and shout, "That doesn't fit! Mordenkain wouldn't have let him join the circle of eight if he was a Bard!"

Go for it. I doubt they'll find out.

[Qualidar]

Give him 3 levels of Human Paragon: 2 caster levels, a bunch of knowledge skills, and the longsword. Supports an explorer-type personality, as well.

~Qualidar~

[grodog]

BOZ wrote:

did Bucknard ever have AD&D stats? if not, you can always go and ask Gary Gygax what he remembers them being.

Bucknard's stats were never presented officially in AD&D.

He is mentioned in several sources, though, if you want to comb them looking for info to round out his history/stats:

Jason Zavoda's GH index wrote:

Bucknard [NPC]
DMG1 - 122
DRG#71 - 19
DRG#82 - 59
LGJ#0 - 6
PGTG - 18,23
TAB - 60
WOGG - 33

Bucknards Everful Purse [ITM]
DMG1 - 122

[Stirge]

I was curious how he would look like all statted up so here's my writeup of him. Note that while he is Epic level, it is very doubtful he'll outshine the PCs due to his complete lack of equipment from being ressurected. I imagine he had several stat boosting items previously, a save boosting item, a undead-bane sword, and actual spells before death *evil DM grin*. Unless the players would equip him with some items fast, and allow him time to scribe a few spells into his spellbook he might not be much help at all. He could be useful, but in this state he wouldn't overshadow the PCs by any means. He's not very durable combat wise, although his saves are pretty nice overall. If I have more time this weekend I might do a fully equipped version.

Bucknard, male human Ftr2/Wiz5/Human Paragon 3/Eldritch Knight 10, Epic: Loremaster 3
CR ?; ECL 23; Medium-size Humanoid (human); HD 8d4+10d6+3d8+2d10+46; hp 125; Init +3; Spd 30 ft; AC 9 (-1 Dex); Melee (+16 BAB, +1 EAB); SA spells; SQ lore, secret (true stamina, avoidance), summon familiar; AL NG; SV Fort +19, Ref +9, Will +13; Str 14, Dex 9, Con 14, Int 26, Wis 15, Cha 11.
Skills: Concentration +28, Craft (any two) +33, Heal +18, Knowledge (Arcana) +36, Knowledge (History) +33, Knowledge (The Planes) +33, Listen +18, Profession Adventurer +10, Spellcraft +33, Spot +18, Use Magic Device +15
Feats: Cleave*, Combat Expertise, Craft Wondrous Item, Extend Spell*, Great Fortitude, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, Power Attack*, Scribe Scroll*, Skill Focus (Knowledge: Arcana), Still Spell, Weapon Focus (Longsword)*.
Epic Feats: Craft Epic Wondrous Item.
Wizard Spells Prepared (4/6/6/6/6/5/5/5/5/4, CL-20th):
None prepared
Equipment: Nothing.

Under the Hood-If you're wondering how I did ability scores, I started with some reasonable numbers (I think a 16 in Int), factored in +5 for leveling up, -2 all phys stats/+1 all mental stats for being middle-aged, and about +8 worth of inherent bonuses scattered around due to his experience. The skills I sort of approximated, but should be close to right hopefully. If you're feeling generous as a DM, perhaps give him Spell Mastery, along with greater heroism, greater teleport, sunburst, and a few other nice party friendly or anti-undead spells to help out the PCs. He casts spells as a 20th level wizard would, also, so there's no worrying needed about having to know about epic spellcasters.