|
I am a character junkie. I admit it. I make up character after character to try, and only stick to most of them for a scenario or two before I'm trying something new. At least this is how it works for my once-a-month society meetings. My point is, bear with me here. :P
So, with the inclusion of Aasimar, Tengu, and Tiefling into the legal races for Society, I'm coming up with new reasons to run those classes I've always wanted to try. I already have a Tiefling Magus, but what about a Tengu Summoner? I'm not too concerned with the mechanics of the character, or how much I can min/max it (As long as the character can survive on its own, I'm not concerned). I'm more concerned with execution- that is, how to effectively roleplay such a character. So therefore, I have two questions:
What sort of rules do you follow when you roleplay a tengu? I'm serious in asking, and I hope your replies will be serious as well.
Also, eidolons. What would a Tengu's eidolon look like? Something exotic, sure. My first two impressions would be an avian humanoid, much like themselves, or perhaps more like an oni, or some other mythical beast native to the Tien region. Thoughts? Ideas?
All help appreciated, as always. Thanks!
|
I don't know about tengu summoners.. but my Tiefling Summoner that I haven't played yet summons his dead human sister back to the world (or so he thinks). I find it neat that the 'monster' is the mortal and the normal looking one is the Eidolon.
I am still shuffling around what sort of things sis is going to do.. but I want 'Fall of the House of Usher' creepy.
|
Everyone has a different interpretation of how each race should roleplay. Act out how you think a Tengu should behave. Read up on their description in the ARG. Maybe get some inspiration from outside Pathfinder. Read their description in the Bestiary. If you're into voices, try some out, makes notes on it, and stick to it. If you're only gaming once a month you might forget some of the nuances that you thought were cool to begin with, and that can lead to disinterest.
My Tengu has a 7 INT and a 7 CHA, but a 16 WIS. He's admittedly not smart, and he can be downright annoying at times (low CHA), with a short attention span (low INT), but he's cautious and skeptical of most situations (high WIS). Despite his low intelligence he knows 14 languages, thanks to Gifted Linguist, which I do not attribute to being smart as much as just being a corvid with a different brain structure and a natural ability for mimicking the speech of other species. I have a voice for him when he speaks Common, and when he speaks anything else I talk with a British accent. People get a kick out of it, usually. Unless I'm at a table with one of those aforementioned "honorable samurai types".
Bottom line, find a theme you like and stick with it. Build a background. Why is he/she a summoner? Why did you pick the languages, skills, and knowledges that you chose? Your question could really apply to any race/class combo. Just find something you'll enjoy longer than one scenario.
|
|
The best way to make a rich roleplay summoner is to think carefully about how and why the tengu summoner has a relationship with this strange otherworldy creature.
Is the Eidolon an ancient Tengu spirit that only the Tengu's family can conjure?
Is the Eidolon a nightmare that the Tengu had that he has gained control over?
Is the Eidolon the best friend of the Tengu, or do they only share a few things in common? Like an odd couple?
Does the summoner love the Eidolon, or hate it? Is he afraid of it?
Remember that Tengu culture has fallen apart due to a lack of respect for the old ways and a diaspora of thieves and scoundrels. In the ancient past, Tengu apparently lived a far more spiritualistic and fey existence, but this has been corrupted by city life.
Your Tengu could be one that retains some of the old knowledge while all his brothers and sisters have become brigands or uneducated scoundrels. Or he could be a scoundrel that is constantly harassed by an ancient Tengu ancestor eidolon, who demands that he 'cleans up his act!'