As some may remember from an earlier thread of mine, Rowyn Kellani has become a slightly different NPC than originally written in my STAP campaign. She became friends with the leader of my party, and the final confrontation in the Lotus Guildhall was more roleplaying than combat (though no less difficult or traumatizing).
As suggested in TINH, my Rowyn has escaped her incarceration in Sasserine (she publicly faked her own death), and is now set to make her reappearance on the Sea Wyvern in SWW. However, she is not out to kill the party. She is actually going to try and join them (and try out her friend's way of doing things, since her way ultimately failed).
Now - my party was created using the Gestalt variant rule from Unearthed Arcana. While I left all of the foes in TINH 'as is', I am modifying all major NPCs going forward to be more of a challenge.
I want Rowyn to be 'Gestalted' when she reappears as an 8th level character in SWW. So here's the question:
If you decided not to go the simple route and make her straight Rogue/Bard, what would you do? If you could advance her all the way to 20th level, what classes/prestige classes do you think would suit her? (Bear in mind that her alignment will probably shift to true Neutral as she continues to work with the PCs.)
I have an idea on paper now, but I'm not convinced it's the right way to go, and would greatly appreciate some outside perspectives on this.
And James - needless to say, I would love to have your thoughts on this if you can spare a moment for a fan of this lovely NPC you created! :)
Thanks for the help everyone!
Your Friendly Neighborhood Dalesman
"Bringing Big D**n Justice to the Bad Guys Since 1369 DR"
rogue/warlock
or rogue/sorcerer
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great question...i want to give this an answer, but without any materials in front of me, i don't really feel adequately equipped to do so.
however, just off the cuff, if you did advance her, i don't think i'd do much with her in the way of casting beyond a few levels of bard. i think i'd look at maybe the theif/acrobat prestige class for starters. i think of her more as the slick, graceful type as opposed to a spellcaster. lots of tumble, lots of dex-related stuff.
i'll give a better answer tomorrow after i've had a chance to look through some books a little tonight.
Creative Director
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I don't have much experience with the whole gestalt arena, but Rowyn's supposed to be a sneaky, stab-you-in-the-back and then convince your friend that you deserved it type of character.
I'd probably just keep her a bard/rogue, to be honest. Might not be the most numbercruncy way to make her indestructible, but it'd certainly keep her closest in line with the original intent. Especially in "Sea Wyvern's Wake," her spellcasting abilities are pretty important, so I wouldn't abandon that route.
If you're using PHB2, thoguh, I'd probably go with beguiler/rogue.
Beguiler/Rogue! I like that, James! I am running STAP as gestalt, and I had just made her up as a straight Rogue/Bard, but beguiler is a real interesting choice. I am going to stat her out that way and see how she looks.
She is already a multiclass rogue/bard now, right? Then just make her a gestalt rogue/bard. So instead of being rogue5/bard3 (or whatever she is) at 8th level, she would be a rogue8/bard8 at 8th level. It would make her even sneakier with more spell casting. It doesn't change her concept at all, just makes her more capable in each class.
I don't have much experience with the whole gestalt arena, but Rowyn's supposed to be a sneaky, stab-you-in-the-back and then convince your friend that you deserved it type of character.
I'd probably just keep her a bard/rogue, to be honest. Might not be the most numbercruncy way to make her indestructible, but it'd certainly keep her closest in line with the original intent. Especially in "Sea Wyvern's Wake," her spellcasting abilities are pretty important, so I wouldn't abandon that route.
If you're using PHB2, thoguh, I'd probably go with beguiler/rogue.
My intention currently is to have her be a Bard 8/Rogue 8 when she reappears on the Sea Wyvern (though putting in some Beguiler levels would help her abilities along nicely too).
My main concern is taking her beyond that point, and (hopefully) down a slightly less evil path, and that is where my 'mental block' hit me. She'll never be lily-white and pure, but I do see the continuous exposure to the PCs having a positive effect on her.
The one idea I have now is to continue her Rogue advancement, and give her levels in a tailored version of the Nightsong Enforcer from Complete Adventurer. It would give her a valuable support role without taking the limelight away from the PCs. On the other hand, it just doesn't jump out at me as very exciting...Oh Bother :)
Your Friendly Neighborhood Dalesman
"Bringing Big D**n Justice to the Bad Guys Since 1369 DR"