Might do that then. Even if I don't do Worg.
Well, its a go on the animal. He even said I could do a bear if I wanted. If I did bear, it'd be +6 strength -2 charisma -2 intelligence. I would also not be allowed to take damage dealing spells due to the natural attack I get, which is a free grapple attempt with every successful hit.
He's giving everyone else an additional +2 to any physical and a -2 to any mental, in addition to the +2 for human, so someone could start with +4 strength if they wanted.
Should I go bear?
Ranger with favored enemy animal.
|
I think wolf is the coolest idea here so far. You could be some kind of Queen of the Wolves, an awakened spirit who can speak and has decided to see if she can lead her people to cooperate with rather than fight the two-legs that are rising to prominence.
You'd be the mother of all b%*!$es, in a way... :-)
I'd do natural weapons ranger or one of the rogue archetypes maybe and see if you can talk one or more of the other players into taking a teamwork feat with you down the line.
I think worgs would make awesome adversaries in a primitive campaign.
Giant talking wolves?
Yes please!
You could also have a summoner PC and have the following wolf be its eidolon. Just give it a wolfy theme.
And don't worry about being female in a party of macho grunts. Most "primitive" societies are pretty egalitarian. Also, you can just tell your friends not to play chauvinistic jerks. Easy peasy.
I realized the bear idea he had wasn't going to work because I can't make good bear noises, nor do I have any idea how a bear goes about its day. I do, however, make a living working with dogs, and I have a basic understanding of the differences between wolves and dogs. I think a non-talking wolfdog would be fun to role-play. I watched "Dogs Decoded" earlier, and it gave me ideas for a reason why the First Dog left her wild ancestors to live with humans.
An abandoned wolf cub wanders up to a human campsite. She is following the scent of her mother. Something is different about Mother's scent. Blood. Man. Still, she is young, too young to know that Man means Death, and instinct tells her "follow mother." The cub sees her mother laying down and clumsily trots towards the familiar markings and scent. But the heap lies cold. Whimpering, she snuggles up to her mother's preserved pelt.
Morning comes, and a Man finds a young wolf cub in his camp. He picks it up, ready to club it--a wolf is a wolf, no matter what the size. She cries, and he stops. He looks at her. She sounded like a baby. Her eyes gaze up at his, and she shows no fear. Calm, like a dead weight in his grip, she yawns. "She must be to young to be afraid..." he thought. Then he remembered that the she-wolf he killed not a few days before was lactating.
The Man breaks camp, then ties a cord around the cub's neck and proceeds back home.
I'll write the rest later, but it involves the Man casting Awaken Animal on her and then dying, leaving her on her own, just like the idea earlier in the thread (Evil Lincoln, was that you? hugs to whoever it was).
Just remember if your character cant interact outside of combat it is difficult to stay entertained/useful. A worg would probably be a better choice than wolf for that reason.... you dont HAVE to let them know.you can talk until the time is right :P
Like Toto!!!!! :-D
Just remember if your character cant interact outside of combat it is difficult to stay entertained/useful. A worg would probably be a better choice than wolf for that reason.... you dont HAVE to let them know.you can talk until the time is right :P
Just because I can't talk doesn't mean a can't interact outside of combat. Human words are just one form of communication. I am totally comfortable with growling, barking, howling, walking around the table sniffing things. If she takes a liking to one of the tribesmen, and he does something to upset her, I am totally going to say "your backpack is now soaked in pee." He rolls Sense Motive to see if he can pick up on her being upset. She can also be trusted to guard things.
Just because she can't talk doesn't mean she can't interact.
I watched "Dogs Decoded" earlier, and it gave me ideas for a reason why the First Dog left her wild ancestors to live with humans.
Hey alright! I'm really helpful in this thread...
Yeah, that was more or less my entire inspiration for the suggestion. At some point in real life, there had to have been a wolf who became the first dog. That's an awesome story for a prehistoric campaign.
As for the talking thing, if any of the characters has animal empathy you could gloss over it. Or maybe have the GM be generous and allow most characters to use sense motive on animals, the notion being that these prehistoric people are more in tune with the natural world.
I do love the notion that human and dog species learned to cooperate because we were both distance/endurance hunters, chasing the same food in cold environments. At some point, we agreed to cooperate instead of compete, to our mutual benefit.
Fellow PCs may tire of the PC who cannot talk.
I know I did, when we had a PC play a cat.
Cats are very different from dogs. Cats are aloof, picky, and most of them at least act like they don't need people.
Dogs are social, loyal, and eager to please. Humans can distinguish a dogs cries and barks just like they can their own children, and dogs can pick up on human emotion as well. Dogs are pack animals, and if the party starts to fall apart, she will do everything in her power to keep unity among her pack. She will pick and Alpha to follow, a Beta to back him up, and she will be Omega. If someone plays Ranger (which is very likely), then he will most likely be Alpha or Beta.
I like the story although if i may suggest the "man" could be done in a more dreamtime style event. :) For other inspiration for "animal" heroes i'd look at the tales of El-ahrairah from watership down.
Yeah, those few paragraphs were a first draft. I like the dreamtime idea. It would represent that she remembers little, if anything at all, about her wild life.
I can also see a sequence where the party meets a powerful witch doctor or shaman which can transport them to a place where she can talk. So for a session or two, the party can hear the wolf's thoughts.
I think I'm also not going to name her. The party will have to decide what to call her since she can't tell them her name.
|
Fellow PCs may tire of the PC who cannot talk.
I know I did, when we had a PC play a cat.Cats are very different from dogs. Cats are aloof, picky, and most of them at least act like they don't need people.
Dogs are social, loyal, and eager to please. Humans can distinguish a dogs cries and barks just like they can their own children, and dogs can pick up on human emotion as well. Dogs are pack animals, and if the party starts to fall apart, she will do everything in her power to keep unity among her pack. She will pick and Alpha to follow, a Beta to back him up, and she will be Omega. If someone plays Ranger (which is very likely), then he will most likely be Alpha or Beta.
It had nothing to do with the kind of animal.
It was just a pain in the ass, and annoying.
If it's role played well enough, it can be done. If it becomes annoying and unmanageable, then first chance we get, she gets a "collar of talking" or some BS like that.
I would say "wolf druid" - as in, you're a canine (wolf) druid.
At 4th (or whenever you attain Wild Shape) you can assume humanoid forms instead of other animal forms.
I would say "wolf druid" - as in, you're a canine (wolf) druid.
At 4th (or whenever you attain Wild Shape) you can assume humanoid forms instead of other animal forms.
That is interesting... I'd use it mostly for entering villages that kill wolves on site.
Start with humans, then bump it to the other core races, then monstrous races, and so forth.
I like the idea of playing a Witch with a compsognathus familiar (small dinosaur). You could start with Slumber and Healing hexes. Sling for a weapon.
I am just throwing it out there as a warning.
Personal experience let's me know the whimpering, meowing, barking, growling player at the table will eventually drive you nuts.Just to assure, this is not an attack of any kind.
Personally, I like the Princess Mononoke kind of wolves.
The animal behaviors are normal for us. If you're not overdoing it, or trying to be annoying with it (ie scratching at fleas or bark-dreaming when the party is discussing something serious) then it shouldn't be a problem. So far, no one's shown adversity towards it. In fact, they're excited. They want me to play a bear though, they like the idea of a bear on a leash.
The animal behaviors are normal for us. If you're not overdoing it, or trying to be annoying with it (ie scratching at fleas or bark-dreaming when the party is discussing something serious) then it shouldn't be a problem. So far, no one's shown adversity towards it. In fact, they're excited. They want me to play a bear though, they like the idea of a bear on a leash.I am just throwing it out there as a warning.
Personal experience let's me know the whimpering, meowing, barking, growling player at the table will eventually drive you nuts.Just to assure, this is not an attack of any kind.
Personally, I like the Princess Mononoke kind of wolves.
What they want is less of a concern that what you'll have fun playing at the table. And won't they enjoy being surprised when you "people out", grab a club and brain someone good for mouthing off!
You could also pull the 13th Warrior bit:
"When did you learn our language?"
"I listened."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Regarding the "Woman, get back in the cave..." thing: I don't think that gender roles necessarily worked that way in paleolithic times. I am channeling my wife here (who studied anthropology with a focus in gender roles), but if you look at various tribal-level groups, you find a great deal of inhomogeneity regarding gender roles. There are tribes where women are equal partners in hunting activities, where men are equal partners in child rearing or cooking activities, where everyone does gathering, etc.
Some quick duckduckgoing:
Some random paper on aboriginal peoples
Of course, many groups do fall into male hunters/female manufacturers and gatherers roles, but even then its often nothing like the modern concept of a binary household:
One thing to remember is this game is inspired by both Quest For Fire and Heavy Metal.
One thing to remember is this game is inspired by both Quest For Fire and Heavy Metal.
...oh, well nevermind then.
It's okay, Tangaroa, those are some interesting reads. I'll definitely keep them on file. I love just about anything tribal (mostly historical artwork and architecture).
Den?
Also, check out Werewolf: the Apocalypse, by White Wolf. It has a pretty cool take on werewolves. There are even wolves that can turn into humans, which have a great variety of views on humanity.
I played a wolf (that could turn into a human) that was raised in Vegas by an analog of Sigfried and Roy, and he was ridiculously fun. All he knew about human culture was from TV and Vegas shows.
|
|
I still like the idea of a wolf so primal, it was before the devolution of wolves. A time of elves and fey. Much like the First World, which gnomes are from. They are larger, and smarter, and capable of speech.
The Worg fits this, as a sort of "First Wolf" breed, possibly some were turned evil from the taint of the Material plane. A dying breed, too wild and primal, slowly turning into the speechless wolves of common day.
I think I may have been the only person to get the Ringo reference. That makes me feel... old. Zugzug!
I also have read the Clan of the Cavebear books and they are good reference material for this kind of setting. I would suggest playing a Mogur type character and make a Barbarian/Alchemist with roughly equal levels in both. Get the Infusion Discovery so you can make healing potions for everyone. The next time they tell you to get in the cave and make them a sammich they will feel the wrath of your Mutagen as you Hulk out.
You wouldn't get 3rd level spells until 14th level if you split levels between Barbarian and Alchemist so that is a long way off to have to worry about spell capping. By then your DM may make some allowances. You may also consider the Master Chymist prestige class if you go with this build. It further reduces their "spellcasting" (its not really spell casting, its alchemy) for more brutish type effects.
If none of that works for you some creative things can be done with the Rage Prophet prestige class.
Humans can distinguish a dogs cries and barks just like they can their own children, and dogs can pick up on human emotion as well.
Same with cats really.
If you know one well you can read their facial expression, understand differences in the sounds they make and so on.Dogs might be better at reading a human but thats irrelevant, because you're surely going to play a unnaturaly smart animal, not a normal one.
|
|
You know, I think wolves are awesome, but I don't like dogs.
I know by saying that, some one will flip out(there's always one).
Especially pure breds, as their generations of inbreeding makes them much more susceptible to health problems, and shorter lifespans.
Purebred breeders work to devolve canines into toys in sickly animal form.
Sorry, random rant.
But they are both canines. They are like exactly the same! HOW COULD YOU NOT LIKE BOTH?! BBT, you are such a dog hater!
Honestly, though, if bred properly the issue you are refering to with purebreeds is easily overcome. This problem is not an issue unique to dogs, though. Cats and in fact all animals (including humans!) have the same issues.
Also... psh, next time giving something stronger to counter-rant on. ;)
|
|
All of my chosen pets have been rats or mice. Both are rather smart, and can be trained to do tricks. I have two pet mice right now, Gary and Wyatt, and I have taught both to fetch me toothpicks, and do a trick similar to peek-a-boo.
Back on subject, I really like the idea of the Worg as an Ancestor to wolves. The idea of a smarter more magical ancestor is really cool. Playing one, you could choose not to speak the language of man often, as it is beneath you. Perhaps creating an original wolf language, long forgotten in the future, is spoken by them.
You could play a normal Awakened wolf.
I've wanted to play an awakened Orang-Utan for quiet a while. I'm thinking a Ninja would fit nicely. ;)
You know, I think wolves are awesome, but I don't like dogs.
I know by saying that, some one will flip out(there's always one).
Especially pure breds, as their generations of inbreeding makes them much more susceptible to health problems, and shorter lifespans.
Purebred breeders work to devolve canines into toys in sickly animal form.Sorry, random rant.
That's why we have always gotten mutts. Healthier, happier, and they tend to live much longer.
Nah, had an idea for a Vanaran too. This was a different character. More based off Rafiki from The Lion King. =P
That's why we have always gotten mutts. Healthier, happier, and they tend to live much longer.You know, I think wolves are awesome, but I don't like dogs.
I know by saying that, some one will flip out(there's always one).
Especially pure breds, as their generations of inbreeding makes them much more susceptible to health problems, and shorter lifespans.
Purebred breeders work to devolve canines into toys in sickly animal form.Sorry, random rant.
Most of the time, this seems to be true. In fact in the breeding, you'll see a huge difference between what is considered a "show dog" vs a "field dog." Most Sled Dogs that are bred for mushing are not your traditional Huskies and Malamutes. They are a mix of those two breeds plus any other dog that showed potential for pulling and cold endurance. They breed them for the job rather than the pedigree. You end up with a much better dog.
Another example is the Rhodesian Ridgeback: the hair pattern on their backs was just a side effect of breeding them for hunting lions. Not all the dogs had the ridge. When Great Britain colonized South Africa, the colonists liked the look of the ridge, so they bred specifically for that rather than their hunting capabilities. Now, only 1 in 10 puppies are born without the ridge. Those puppies are sterilized and sold as companions rather than show dogs (much better than the old method of killing the ridgeless puppies). However, this selective breeding caused the breed to become prone to a dermiod sinus condition, which appears like a mild form of Spina Bifida.
Exactly. All three of our dogs have been mutts of breeds with health problems. But none of them exhibited those 'known' issues. There were no significant health issues until well into their teens. Then they just had the same problems as any old dog.
Nepherti, you're going to have an awesome time with this PC.
Show us a statblock?