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You just lost me saying this is a PFS character. Why the heck would an accidental hero as you describe join an organization dedicated to exploring and adventuring? By its nature the Society is built by, of, and for people who want to step into harm's way. No Venture Captain worth his salt would send an unsuspecting schlemiel on an adventure when he has a half-dozen adventurers waiting in the lodge's common room.Because, as I said, Pathfinder Society is my only option for playing Pathfinder in my area.
Therefore, if I want to play this character, it has to be a PFS character.
I suppose I could just run a Pathfinder campaign... oh, wait, by running the campaign, this would exclude me from playing. Imagine that.
What part of 'PFS character' did you not understand? PFS characters are not allowed to have NPC class levels, last I heard.I suggest looking at various NPC "normals".
Not all have NPC class levels.
The suggestion was to look at the NPC "normals" that do not have levels in NPC classes.
That is exactly what I said. There is no need to attack someone trying to help you, especially if you are accusing them of doing something they are not.Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
Also, don't set it on fire and say it's an Emu.
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I like the idea of an accidental rogue. Focus him entirely away from disabling traps or stuff (though the idea of one of them just thumping a magical trap and causing it to malfunction so badly it stops working amuses me), and focus on the sneak attacks. Melee sneak attacks, mind. That gives the impression of someone who closes his eyes and holds a weapon out like an idiot, and opponents just happen to run into him in such a fashion that they injure themselves brutally. Tripping and disarming still works, and finessing is not really an option, since weapon finesse is a deliberate training style. But the sneak attacks are still helpful.
At the very least, he could be the sort that does desperate things he thinks MIGHT help but end up actually helping, like walking up behind an enemy and hitting them over the head with a chair (initiating a sneak attack and possibly doing enough nonlethal damage to actually knock him out).
@Dabbler: If AD is how I think he is that was ,at least for the most part, meant sarcastically.
The tone of his voice didn't carry through the screen.
After all this kind of character can end up a spotlight hog.
So can any character, should we assume everyone who proposes a concept is looking to be a spotlight-hog?
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I had a concept for a character of this type.
The Professional
Essentially he was a Rogue with the Rough and Ready Equipment trait that spent most of his first level skill points in profession or craft skills like cook / laborer / blacksmith / gravedigger, etc...
The trait lets you use any tool that is a part of your profession or craft (at least one rank) as an improvised weapon with no pentalty and a +1 trait bonus to hit. So, you end up with a guy who uses shovels, picks, gardening shears, etc... as weapons. This character was going to be a handy-man turned adventurer with a million and one stories concerning his various and sundry occupations.
(in your best Jethro voice) "Did I ever tell you about the time I was a gravedigger for the church of Iomedae? I was digging this grave for ol' Aunt Mae you see and..." then he whack's the guy who is attacking the party fighter with a shovel (from a flanking position of course).
Rogue fit the concept well and had enough skill points to have lots of profession / craft skills and still hit the big ones (Perception, etc..)
For this concept, I could totaly see the handy-man for the local Pathfinder chapter deciding it was high-time he do his part and help these local adventuring types.
Besides who wouldn't want to see a +2 Shovel of Disruption? Really?...
(edit)
You could explain having useful skills thusly:
Disable Device: you were constantly installing locks and opening doors for the Pathfinders who had locked their keys in their rooms and were called on to disable (even magical) traps that aprentices cooked up but couldn't disarm. "Boy you Pathfinder types sure are a secretive lot. You put locks on everything!"
Stealth: because even in real life, servants like the handy-man seem to kind of fade into the background. "Excuse me sir... yes, sir I am very sneaky" (think John Turturo as the Butler from Mr. Deeds).
etc, etc...
@Dabbler: If AD is how I think he is that was ,at least for the most part, meant sarcastically.The tone of his voice didn't carry through the screen.
After all this kind of character can end up a spotlight hog.So can any character, should we assume everyone who proposes a concept is looking to be a spotlight-hog?
Dabbler, there need to be HTML tags for tone of voice and body language...
I suppose the PFS group involved here might fall in love with this bumbling fool who just happens to accidentally save the day all the time. Besides, its their game, if they have a problem with the OP's desire to play a particular type of character, they can resolve it. You are correct that I shouldn't presume for them. Maybe it will turn out to be the most awesome campaign ever. Stranger things have probably happened.
Dabbler, there need to be HTML tags for tone of voice and body language...@Dabbler: If AD is how I think he is that was ,at least for the most part, meant sarcastically.The tone of his voice didn't carry through the screen.
After all this kind of character can end up a spotlight hog.So can any character, should we assume everyone who proposes a concept is looking to be a spotlight-hog?
Yes, I've run foul of this as well. Problem is, it's up to the poster to make his or her intent clear. Words can only be taken at face value. But I'm glad you weren't serious and I hope that I didn't offend by taking you seriously.
I suppose the PFS group involved here might fall in love with this bumbling fool who just happens to accidentally save the day all the time. Besides, its their game, if they have a problem with the OP's desire to play a particular type of character, they can resolve it. You are correct that I shouldn't presume for them. Maybe it will turn out to be the most awesome campaign ever. Stranger things have probably happened.
I am sure they have. This character can be fitted into a game quite easily, if you use a little imagination.
Tika Waylon from the Dragonlance Chronicles would seem to fit this description, smacking Draconions round the head with a shield or skillet in a blind panic untill the stopped attacking her (read: knocked out or dead!)
See the Drunken Master movies? The hapless apprentice schtick works great for the aforementioned Maneuver Master (Dirty Tricker), MoMS (Panther), Drunken Master (reskinned or not), or some unholy combinations there-of.
Your character's been waxing the floor, Daniel-san style, forever, the master's never let on that you're an actual apprentice, or anything other than a monumental failure, you have no idea that your hyperkinetic freakouts have solid martial foundations.
Now that master, who has been funding and pimping you into the Lantern Lodge (you had no idea how many insane errands were directly or indirectly related to PFS trials and deeds), has told you to follow and serve this group of Pathfinders, or he will fire/evict/exile you and yours. (Master figures you will rise from your abject patheticness to humble self-respect, or die trying, as you are an experiment to teach someone great skills without developing great hubris.)
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Just make the fool and play him through the 3 part mod series that get you set up as a new pathfinder. First steps or something like that. by the end you are level 2 and experienced enough to not be a complete fool anymore
Best idea yet. You'll have to quickly get over that novice attitude or you'll be annoying to the people at your table.
The First Steps series gives you three shots at it, then you have to grow and stretch and get with the program IMO.
I really have to thank everyone for their advice. The words about having to join the Society really seem to indicate that this concept -- and whoever said it was the monomyth, was right -- isn't suitable for PFS play. I'm not saying it can't be done, I'm saying that it's kind of a one-stage play: Once you've done it a couple of times, it loses its charm, and other players will just get really annoyed with you if you keep it up. (Of course, there's the option of actively bluffing it out -- that what you're doing is entirely deliberate, but you're using Bluff and possibly Perform (Acting or Slapstick) to make it seem entirely accidental. "So sorry Mr. Gnoll, let me get that weapon I knocked out of your paws... oops, I didn't mean to trip you... Oh no, I accidentally headbutted you as you tried to get up..." .
That being said, I think the best options for an 'accidental' character are the monk, or the rogue. If you want 'accidental spellcasting', then the bard or the sorcerer are the way to go, but for what I want, I think I'd go with one of the first two.
Now, for a regular game, the monomyth fits better -- and is a suitable basis for an entire campaign. In fact, it can be argued that the monomyth is what the RPG is all about. I remember a 2nd Ed D&D campaign I played in; we started as 0-level characters and went all the way to 15th. I ended up as the dwarf fighter who specialized in ladders. (We were told to go into the shed and pick weapons. The party rogue and the ranger grabbed the two longswords. I was told 'there are plenty of axes...' but I refused to be pigeonholed into being a typical dwarf, so I grabbed a ladder. Never regretted that decision.)
I'm now visualizing Jackie Chan.
Kind of, yeah.
Playing with the Javascript Pathfinder Character Generator (http://www.pathguy.com/PathfinderCore.htm), I've come up with two concepts: a monk and a rogue. Both use Bluff and Perform: Slapstick to make it look like they're completely blameless when performing their actions, though the Monk is going more for the maneuvers and the rogue, the straight damage (through sneak attack).
(The JPCG only uses Core rules, so I can't really quote other options from APG or UC. I'm getting the Traits from paizo's own files.)
Here's the rundown:
Male Human Monk 1 - Lawful Good
STR 18 (16 +2 Racial) DEX 14 CON 12 INT 7 WIS 14 CHA 12
Traits: Bullied, Fast-Talker
Feats at 1st: Improved Unarmed Strike, Stunning Fist, (M)Dodge, Combat Reflexes, (H)Skill Focus: Bluff
Skills: Acrobatics +6, Bluff +9, Perform: Slapstick +5
A bit poor in skills, but going with Maneuver Master will let me switch Dodge for Improved Trip. This build would match Jackie Chan quite well -- the clueless master.
Male Human Rogue 1 - Chaotic Good
STR 14 DEX 18 (16 +2 Racial) CON 12 INT 14 WIS 7 CHA 12
Traits: Reactionary, Armor Expert or Resilient
Feats at 1st: Two-Weapon Fighting, (H)Dodge
Skills: Acrobatics +8, Bluff +5, Disable Device +5, Disguise +5, Know: Local +6, Perception +2, Perform: Slapstick +5, Profession: Manservant +5, Sleight of Hand +8, Stealth +8, Use Magic Device +5
Much better in skills. Don't know of a rogue archetype that would be better for this (maybe some kind of spy?). I took Armor Expert in expectation of getting a masterwork chain shirt; a +4 Armor bonus with the same armor penalty as leather (i.e., none) is not to be sneezed at. This build would indicate more of the 'intentional unintentionalist' I was talking about last post.
Both builds, I hope, are not completely useless in combat. Admittedly the rogue may need a few levels to pick up Weapon Finesse (and Iron Will will definitely be in there somewhere), so he doesn't start out as combat-worthy as the monk -- but then the monk doesn't have the kind of skills the rogue has.
Is it the armor?
No, it's a stated preference to avoid spellcasters. I know that spellcasters tend to rule the roost as you rise in levels, and sure, if I wanted to play a powerful character I could build a sorcerer and rule the roost. I don't want to play powerful. I did 'powerful'. Building a complete damage-dealer isn't FUN. Concept characters, those are FUN to me.
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Hey just wanted to chime in with the only example of the accidental hero that never grew through the story. Shinji Ikari from the original Neon Genesis Evangalion. Incredible series, but boy was I angry at the end. Here's to hoping the movies have a more satisfying conclusion. Sorry from going off topic, just had post this after reading everything here.
As for your builds I like the monk a bit better. I would love to sit at a table with the bumbling martial arts master.
My recommendation is to play a sorcerer and then roll random dice to figure out what spells he knows. Since sorcerers don't technically choose their spells, it would be fun to play that our as a player as well.
Yeah, thanks for reading the part about no spellcasters.
Do not watch the last 2 episodes. Skip them entirely. Trust me. Just go on to End of Evangelion.
Personally not a big fan of most mecha anime but I liked Neon Genesis Evangelion dispite being perpetually annoyed with Shinji throughout the entire series. I'm not sure if it was intended to be that way to the viewer or if something was potentially lost in translation.
Either way I think Shinji is a perfect example of the accidental hero that the OP brought up. ...and a perfect example of why bringing that type of character to a table full of mostly strangers is a bad idea. If the character was anything like Shinji I know I would be annoyed.
Don't you mean Kodomo No Jikan uru?
I know what it is, BBT. If you watch the vid I linked you'd understand putting the "uru" after anything you say that is in relation to something Japanese.
Quite frankly even with First Steps, it simply wouldn't fit. The general setup is that at the time of the first module you'd have essentially graduated out of Pathfinder Boot Camp. You've been trained and indoctrinated even if you haven't met the faction leaders yet. A character like this simply could not have remained that way and completed that process. You'd have washed out and remained dishwasher in Absolom.
Which is why I'm leaning more towards the intentional unintentionalist, for a PFS game. (I found out I could get into a regular Pathfinder game -if- I hadn't already committed to running RPGA Living Forgotten Realms every other weekend for the local game store. So I have an option to play the accidental hero monk...)
As others pointed out I was referring to an 'Accidental Hero' as described by the OP.
One possibility for getting the character into PFS play would be play a polite but shy character...
"Well you were giving the speech about how important and interesting this adventure would be and how we all should be ready at the docks at 6am and I didn't like to interrupt, and then well I felt it would be rude not to turn up since you were expecting me. Me? Oh I was just looking for the toilets and took a wring turn"
It might need a bit of co-operation with the GM to make it work still.
I would still schedule in character development - wait for a moment to be 'inspired' and actively become the hero.
Do what I did once. A Aristocrat 1 (who then becomes a adventurer). Dm was generous with starting cash (which you can do with traits.
There ya go, a minor noble's son out for a day of fun & frolic when suddenly...
Or a filthy rich guy who decides he wants to play being and adventurer but the play gets serious...
Or even a landless penniless Prince who stands to inherit nothing, being the 7th son....