EDIT: This got kinda long. Sorry.
My ranger met a pitiless end in a cave in the middle of nowhere (first character death; le sigh). Now I'm rolling a new character, and going with a heavy melee thing.
Quick list of house rules that apply to my character here:
We got a third bonus trait, a bonus feat at 2nd level, and are using a 25-point buy to make up for the lack of a 4th party member, and there are some feats that we consider "non-feats" (like power attack and weapon finesse are free). I am taking advantage of power attack here.
Human Fighter (Armor Master) level 5
Ability Scores:
Str 22
Dex 14
Con 14
Int 10
Wis 10
Cha 8
Defense:
AC 22 [+1 Full plate w/ Armor Training]
DR 3/-- while wearing heavy armor, per Armor Master
Attacks:
+1 Greatsword
Attack breakdown: +5 BAB +6 Str +1 Wep.Foc. +1 Enh (+13 to hit) (-2 for Power Attack negated by Furious Focus)
Damage breakdown: 2d6 weapon +18 [(6 Str*1.5) +1 Enh +2 Feat +6 Pow.Att.]
Feats:
Human: Step Up
1st Level: Following Step
1st Fighter: Weapon Focus (greatsword)
2nd Level: Iron Will
2nd Fighter: Furious Focus
3rd Level: Intimidating Prowess
4th Fighter: Weapon Specialization (greatsword)
5th Level: Shield of Swings
Equipment:
10500g (WBL chart)
+1 Greatsword 2350g
+1 Full Plate 2650g (+10 AC, +2 Max Dex, -4 ACP; numbers reflect adjustments from class features)
Potion of Darkvision 300g
Belt of Strength +2 4000g
1200g (remaining)
Skills:(4 points per level; all favored class points here)
Intimidate [13] (5 ranks +3 class skill +6 Str -1 Cha) [16 vs non-human humanoids]
Knowledge (history) [4]
Knowledge (nobility) [4]
Perception [5]
Linguistics [2] (Azlanti, Infernal)
Traits:
- Armor Expert: Benefit: When you wear armor of any sort, reduce that suit’s armor check penalty by 1, to a minimum check penalty of 0.
- Indomitable Faith: Benefit: You gain a +1 trait bonus on Will saves.
- Masterful Demeanor: Benefit: You gain a +3 trait bonus on Intimidate checks against members of non-human humanoid races.
The idea is for him to be of Chelish heritage (and consequently is Lawful Evil). I imagine him to have a menacing, but unnervingly formal manner of speaking (see Bane from TDKR), and a pinch of Major Alex Louise Armstrong's pride (see FullMetal Alchemist). I also imagine that he wears his armor almost all the time (obviously he can't sleep or bathe in it though).
He likes history, opera (hence learning Azlanti), philosophy, poetry, and the art of war. He is not greedy and sees money as a fleeting thing of which there is more than enough. He desires power, but not necessarily any particular kind. A Darth Vader-ish kind of 'lawful evil' ("I've altered the deal. Pray I don't alter it further."). He respects the authority that the Hellknights have established, but recognizes that Hell is the one truly in control in Cheliax and believes his people are self-deluded; for that he has no pity.
That said, I'm trying to decide on a motivation for adventuring as well as get some general opinions on the build.
Things I want him to come across as:
+ Intimidating
+ Dignified
+ Dark
+ "Honorable" (or maybe just "not-without-honor"; some redeeming quality)
+ Inescapable/Tenacious
I can imagine him immediately cleaving off the hand of an apple thief caught in the act without taking him to the authorities, perhaps apologizing to the authorities after the fact; catching a child in the same act might be met with a stern (and scary) lecture, and the offer of coin for something the child has on his person (maybe his shoes or a belt or something). So, vicious and judgmental, but not corrupt or heartless? Any thoughts on the character at all are welcome.
EDIT: Fixed error in thread title.
What about spending a portion of that 1200 remaining gold on a halfling slave to start with? Play him similarly to Kreacher from the Harry Potter series; old, staunchly loyal, offensive and haughty...
He is searching for something or someone, and will never find it without adventuring. What or who it is depends on his back story.