So...um...my friends and I did a personality test a while back, and turns out this upcoming campaign, we're all making characters based off of who we are in the test.
The problem is...I'm a loaner. Like, I spend time with other people online doing stuff, and sure, I work with others at work and associate with people at local events, but beyond all of that reasoning, the test said I'm a loner, which brings me to the question of, how does one design a loner in pathfinder?
I can understand how Paladins would be the biggest of them all, but, really, any of the classes could be designed as such. Now, here's the kicker. The campaign I'm playing in involves us later on being the leader of some faction, country, nation, or something, and I'm not sure how a loner could lead a country. I mean, I know someone somewhere in history was a loner, but I've never heard of such a person, and I don't quite know what to do.
Right now, all I'd like is a general skeleton theme to work with, like, he had tons of siblings, but much rather preferred studying in his room or whatever. As a result, he became a wizard of sorts. But that's just a small example. What ideas can you guys think of?
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Anything, really. All being a loner means is that you like to keep to yourself.
But to me the quintessential loner archetype will always be the Ranger.
It's not that he hates you, it's just that he finds being alone in the wilderness so much more interesting than hearing you yammer.
He'll work with people, and do what he has to, and his heart's in the right place, but he can't help but feel more connected to nature and the plants and animals within than he ever has with any person.
For bonus points, take a wolf Animal Companion.
The traditional challenge has always been to get players to STOP being loners.
Example: All of my taverns in-game are round, so that there are no shadowy corners for the player characters to sit in.
But if you really want to, go read the Drizzt Do'Urden series of Forgotten Realms, or check out Lord of the Rings's Aragorn.
Haha, Drizzt is...oh...wait...huh...never thought of him that way...gotcha. But Aragorn is the king of...no...nevermind...that doesn't work either...I think I get your point. Rangers are loners. Thank you kindly guys. :)
See Howard Hughes. Powerful, wealthy, captain of industry. Also agoraphobic, and a loner.
Pathfinder-wise, you need to think about what sort of setting your character is from. Rural or urban? That's going to be the biggest determining factor in building a character that could actually survive as a loner.
Being a loner does not mean you don't associate with people. I've been playing with these guys for six years, and sure, we're all loners in some form or sense of the word, but we still come together as one. If I have to, I can rp the character so that he adapts his lonership to accommodate the people he takes care of.
In any case, I looked back through the starting choices for areas, and found a naval city that sounds like a good spot. I was also able to narrow down the classes to Sorcerer and Bard, and I feel Sorcerer would fit better, so a water sorcerer or aqua sorcerer or something contributing to the functioning of a military state looks to fit.
Any thoughts?
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Here's the question, why? Do you want a sanctified reason for coming to a gaming table and then refusing to communicate with anyone?So...um...my friends and I did a personality test a while back, and turns out this upcoming campaign, we're all making characters based off of who we are in the test.
The problem is...I'm a loaner. Like, I spend time with other people online doing stuff, and sure, I work with others at work and associate with people at local events, but beyond all of that reasoning, the test said I'm a loner, which brings me to the question of, how does one design a loner in pathfinder?
I can understand how Paladins would be the biggest of them all, but, really, any of the classes could be designed as such. Now, here's the kicker. The campaign I'm playing in involves us later on being the leader of some faction, country, nation, or something, and I'm not sure how a loner could lead a country. I mean, I know someone somewhere in history was a loner, but I've never heard of such a person, and I don't quite know what to do.
Right now, all I'd like is a general skeleton theme to work with, like, he had tons of siblings, but much rather preferred studying in his room or whatever. As a result, he became a wizard of sorts. But that's just a small example. What ideas can you guys think of?
Dude you freakin' quoted the answer to the question you asked, making your entire post utterly pointless. Try reading a post for a change.
Here, let me bold it for you.
So...um...my friends and I did a personality test a while back, and turns out this upcoming campaign, we're all making characters based off of who we are in the test.
It's the first sentence, come on.
Loner, bard, port city?
Read this short story: The Music of Erich Zann
Open that link, do a search for "Zann", story starts on the second hit.
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ANY class can be played as a loner, you took a personality test and it told you were a loner type, so just play your personality and pick a character.
a lonely barabarian, wind whipping his dark hair in on the steppes.
a Lone Ranger stalking the game paths of a forest.(heh lone ranger..heh)
A lone Wizard plying his crafts in a old tower.
a lone cleric tending to the sick and poor before always moving on
a lone Rogue ...doing roguey stuff alone.
a lone Paladin riding the roads and smiting random evils..
a lone bard playing his saxophone high upon a buildings roof at night...
you get the picture..
I do think though, a lot of people like to call themselves loners are just getting enamored of some romantic ideal of the loner.
It gets overused in the civilian world.
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I'm a psychology student, and found an article through TED talks involving the normal aspects of human behavior in general society nowadays. I don't remember which video corresponded to the article, for I would show you it to point reference, but, it brought up an interesting point that you reminded me of.
It seems basic functions of people nowadays have changed from relying on communal interaction to that of secluded control of ones interactions through the use of the internet and select other things. For example, my friends play Call of Duty, but generally disassociate themselves from PC mmos. Dark Souls was a huge hit for them because they could play the game solo without human interaction, but then if they wanted to, could easily flip the switch and allow for the accommodation of other like-minded people.
I do see where you're coming from as far as the whole Lone thing goes, but my friends have been good about not doing things alone, and always working together. Believe me. I had to beat the concept into them for four years of gameplay because I kept sacrificing my clerics to save them. Haha, now is when I pull out my 7 constitution cleric that I started back in 08'. He was an awesome cleric, too...
Anywho, I appreciate you guys and your assistance. I promise I won't make a character that solo plays, but will interact with the group. I'm not that ridiculously individualistic to drive friends away from fun to be had, haha.
@aboniks - That hit a cord for me, man. I'm serious. That was...well...it definitely brought a new perspective of Bards to mind. I'll see if I can weave that into my character somewhere. Thank you, kindly.
@aboniks - That hit a cord for me, man. I'm serious. That was...well...it definitely brought a new perspective of Bards to mind. I'll see if I can weave that into my character somewhere. Thank you, kindly.
You're welcome. I'll take any excuse to get more people to experience Lovecraft-other-than-cthulhu-memes.
Zann definitely puts Sir Robins minstrels in their place. :)
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I read this on my character sheet earlier tonight, which I copied from the description of the Shadow bloodline:
"Spirits from the shadow plane dally at times in the world of light, and such as these lay with your ancestors once upon a time, imparting the mystery of shadow-stuff into your lineage. You are often sullen and withdrawn, preferring to skulk at the fringes of social circles and keep to yourself, cultivating an air of mystery and majesty that is all your own."
Not sure how much of that is applicable to me. Does not owning a cell phone make me mysterious?
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Just make sure that despite being a loner, you're also a team player.
It's fine to look like a loner, and play up the trope a bit. But don't let it get in the way of also being a good member of the party.
Example: the wizard who works well with others, but insists on some me-time now and then to unwind. Such as trying to prepare spells alone in a room every day if at all possible.
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Rogue and/or assassin is a great choice, since none of their class abilities really work well in a group.
Rogue: Stop following me! You keep giving me away!
Noisy Fighter in full plate: But...we're a team. :(
OP: i realize I'm coming in late, but what test did you take? And what did it say it meat by "loner"? Introverted? Or something else?
The key to building and playing a loner character is SELF-RELIANCE.
In other words, you build a character that works well with others, but doesn't NEED them. Powerful loners in the real world have the time, money and resources to get things done that they want done, without having to rely on others to get it done...or at least, not others they can't order around. The frustration loners get in places of power is they CAN'T get things done now, when they want them done...which is why they don't seek elected office, but can make good captains of industry.
In gaming terms, you're going to want a character with a good amount of skill points, some fighting ability, some casting ability, with the ability to at least Craft Wondrous Item, cast some healing spells, and do some self-buffing. He'll want ranks in Stealth and Perception, spells to supplement that, and the ability to be effective both at range and up close. He's the kind of guy who buys a Ring of Sustenance and Heward's Haversack, fills the latter with all sorts of stuff that might be useful in a situation, and if needed to can fill in on any position in a party, or supplement all of them.
Social skills are an extra. He's a loner, after all. People come to him because he has the skills to handle a situation, he doesn't go to others.
Your ideal classes for this are likely Magus, Bard, Alchemist, and Ranger, with Paladin coming in at low on skill points. Cleric and Druid could work as well, but are primary Casters and change the flavor.
==Aelryinth
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Rogue and/or assassin is a great choice, since none of their class abilities really work well in a group.
Rogue: Stop following me! You keep giving me away!
Noisy Fighter in full plate: But...we're a team. :(
Except for that Sneak Attack thing. That kind of needs a teammate.
But, yeah, any class. Classes don't come with baked-in personalities.
The loner type is fun. As a wizard I would play it as a conjuration specialist. You can summon allies when and if you need them. Granted the last time I played a loner I was voted party leader, still not sure how when I saw everybody as expendable.
I will give an idea for the loaner as leader thing.
This came up in a campaign/setting a friend and I were designing. There was a figure (let's call him BoB) that did not like to be in the spotlight or center of attention. But found himself one of the few upper class still standing after an attempted coup. So Bob sets up the shadowy "Council of Five" to run things. There are 5 masked counselors that stay in charge through a combination of fear and magic. I believe they were the Eyes (internal security), Hand (external security), Brain (arcana), Heart (prosperity of the realm), and Soul (general happiness or at least contentedness of the realm). After he got the counsel set up, they took over and kicked Bob into early retirement on his estates.
No one knows who the Five are, but they are afraid of them. They spend most of their time in the tower meditation and divining the future of the realm. They emerge every so often to make some sort of pronouncement or new policy. But they don't often get involved in the day-to-day operations unless something gets really screwed up. Their solutions usually work, but are unpredictable and liked by no one. They also inflict serious punishments upon whoever they feel should have solved the problem before it got big enough they needed to step in. The bureaucrats eventually realize their primary goal has to be to keep things running smoothly enough that Five don't have to get involved.
Yes, every once in a while someone manages to kill one of the five (though it is difficult), but the body was always consumed in a fiery explosion and there is always immediately another to take his place. Everyone is afraid.
The key here is that whenever one of the Five is doing something critical it is really Bob in disguise. The rest of the time, the Five are semi-autonomous undead/simulacrums/constructs (we hadn't decided which) created and controlled by Bob.
Note: I am not saying it would be a good form of government or would work well. But it is what Bob was trying to set up since he didn't want to be the ruler but felt like he had to make sure things didn't get too far out of hand.
Definitely think that Aragorn (or Strider) is your best inspiration for a loner-made-leader. I don't see any reason for the two to be mutually exclusive. A loner personality can ultimately just be the general desire to do a lot of things alone, it doesn't mean unwilling to work with others and it certainly doesn't make someone a bad leader.
If anything, leadership IS a very lonely job.
Have none of you forever gms out there ever noticed the dynamic of your friendship with the other group members subtly change as they start to see you a little bit as an authority figure? (I have exactly one reason for developing this theory so maybe my group is just weird)
Anyway, I don't see any reason to worry about picking an appropriate class for a "loner" character but perhaps since this was based on a personality test you could take it a step further and choose a class you most closely identify with. (HINT - I bet there's a test for that!)
Finally I do have one proper suggestion for you, if you guys are doing traits and drawbacks there IS one for Loners. http://www.d20pfsrd.com/traits/drawbacks/loner
The primary occupation or the pursuit of a specific job can make loners of many classes based on circumstance. The ranger, by definition, is a loner as hunting and scouting are singular activities, that can be easily disrupted with too many participants.
Assassins are also a primarily singular activity. Lack of witnesses is foremost in mind, and though some assassination teams may exist, most assassins are indeed loners.
I've seen games likened to paladins in Hell, and often in those cases the extreme nature and conduct rules for a paladin force him to be a loner, as few can meet his personal convictions, especially under extreme circumstances.
Necromancers are often forced to be loners, especially since their practice is considered deviant by most law-abiding citizens and those concerned with the sanctity of death. Not only are necromancers naturally loners, but often their activities are viewed with distate and nobody really wants to be around a necromancer.
While the most successful are members of groups like adventure parties and such, the most common of any of these classes is being by yourself.
Conan is the classic loner to leader (king)
start life as a penniless barbarian..treads the jeweled thrones of the world beneath his sandaled feet.
Had various companions that joined him, and most died horribly, many of his adventures were him alone.
and eventually became king by his OWN hand...now that's a loner to leader.
and when he was done being king..he left.
but there is only one Conan, way to much badass for anyone else :)
I will give an idea for the loaner as leader thing.
Does he charge interest?
I will give an idea for the loaner as leader thing.Does he charge interest?
He charges interest, but has no interest.
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@Cazin - yeah, that's pretty much the case. If you'd talked to me about four years ago, I'd be all gungho about being a leader, but nowadays, it's like...meh. If I wanted to be the leader of something, I'd be a necromancer, but that's too tedious and smelly for me.
That whole bit about the code, though...that gave me an idea...
@Everyone else - Thank you so much. You've all given me so many ideas, it's kinda hard to choose one, but it's starting to hammer out.
The loner trait will be useful...
You guys have pretty much switched my character idea around a lot. I want to work with the classic Half-Elf Oracle, though. I've been fond of spontaneous casters, and even though they may not have the extreme spellcasting like most prepared casters, the paragon surge into eldritch heritage (arcane) combo will suffice. All I need to do now is build on it.
The Ancient Lorekeeper archetype is nice, but that gets rid of the perception and survival skills I kinda want...nevermind, I'll just use two traits to gain both of them.
Thank you, again, guys. I think I've got it from here.
@aboniks
Thanks again for the bardic inspiration story. I'll fit some music into the character just for that reason.
Most welcome.
Hope it's a fun character to run, good luck with it. :)