I won't running Kingmaker for a few months, but I want to get a few things set up. One issue I will have to deal with is a lack of players on certain weekends, so I will have a DMPC. The role of the DMPC is to monitor the progress of the players. As far as the story he is not supposed to get involved directly, but he does not follow orders well, and anytime he gets a chance(player can't make a session) he will tag along. I want him to be able to fill in for almost anyone so I will be using a factotum. I can't decide whether to make him a factotum/crusader or factotum/warblade.
Factotum/Crusader-He believes good can not accomplish their goals by any means and still call themselves good. They must fight the good fight. He also believes such restrictions give evil a great advantage and good will eventually lose with such a philosophy. In order for good to continue to win some of us must do what is necessary so the rest of us do not have to. He has taken that mantle upon himself. He will try to stay in the background, only because he was told to, but he will help if the PC's if ask him too, and be more than happy to do so.
Alignment-LN at present. It is really hard to pin him down.
Factotum/Warblade-This guy is a mercenary with some fighting skills. He is not officially attached to Rostland in any way. That way if things go bad they can claim ignorance. He is an opportunist(really a con artist), but he does have the country's best interest at heart, even above his own, but if he can profit without hurting their current goal he will do it. He is very knowledgeable about many things, and that is why he was chosen. This guy will be trying to go on adventures every chance he can, but the PC's will be told not to bring him along unless absolutely necessary.
Alignment-CN or TN most likely.
I have no personal interest in which one to use, but whichever one will give my players the best RP experience will be the one I will use.
Opinions welcome.
Are you running the game in 3.5 or PF? Yes I know it's backwards compatible and bla bla but if all of your players are playing core classes and you chuck in a factotum... I dunno. A bard would be much better suited.
PF. Bards dont have trapfinding.
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In Kingmaker a trap finder isn't so important. Most of the traps encountered are non-magical mechanical traps or nature based hazards (pit traps and the like). So any class can find them with their ranks in Perception. Give the Bard some disable device and he's got no problem.
Other reasons why Bard is a good choice -
All-Rounder - Missing Caster? No problem, just put the Bard on casting duties (a wand of Grease is invaluable for this). Missing fighter? No problem, give the bard a reach weapon and have at it. Missing healer? Wand of CLW.
Bardic Knowledge - Want your Players to know something, give them a warning about impending danger or just relay a cool piece of backstory? The Bard knows about it and can act as a perfect mouth-piece.
Support Class - A well-played Bard will give the players the boost they need, but need not outshine other players. Bardic performance is perfect for this. While the PCs are killing folks left and right, they are getting their bonuses from the Bard in the back, singing for them to get a bonus to attack. It'll be a bar-room blitz.
Lastly, players are very clever and adaptable. Perhaps you might look into adjusting encounters rather than giving an extra set of hands to the PCs. Some of the encounters are tough, but there's nothing that stops PCs from running away and coming back with a plan.
Perhaps you might look into adjusting encounters rather than giving an extra set of hands to the PCs. Some of the encounters are tough, but there's nothing that stops PCs from running away and coming back with a plan.
I am partially lazy, and making one DMPC is easier than redoing encounters. <-----realizes this is not the entire truth
When the suggestion of me playing a spellcaster(bard) came up I was against it, but I did not know why. After a couple of seconds of soul searching I now remember that I hate playing against myself as a caster. The players seem to like it though.
I think I might use the bard, and since I don't know how the PF one works it will be a learning experience for me.
Thanks.