Idea paralysis for Kingmaker character

[Joe Mashuga]

Hey all,

My group will be starting a Kingmaker campaign in the near future, and I'm suffering from Too Many Options-itis. I could use an outside perspective, or honestly just some general brainstorming to focus my creative juices in a particular direction. I'm hoping some of you can help!

THE RUNDOWN:
** No AP spoilers please.
** Other characters are: an elf ranger/shapeshifter; a half-elf fighter/cad; a half-orc barbarian; a halfling cleric of Erastil (possibly an archer type); and a human sorcerer with the Sage(?) bloodline.
** Allowable books are Core, APG, UC, UM, and ACG. I can use other books for fluff but no rule elements.
** We're not an optimization-heavy group. It's a 20-point buy but I don't need a build "statted out" -- what I really need here, is assistance with some unique ideas that could play well with Kingmaker.
** I'm currently playing a warpriest in a different game... in fact I tend to play spellcasters, but I'm completely comfortable being a partial- or non-caster this time around.
** I'm aware that we have no trapfinder and no "true" backup healer. I'm not specifically looking to fill either role, but it's obviously not a bad idea.

MY CURRENT (HALF-FORMED) THOUGHTS:
** Investigator is flavorful & intriguing but I keep going back to a generic Mr. Holmes here. I'm intrigued by the thought of an investigator as Royal Assassin or Spymaster... so maybe less Holmes and more Moriarty? The consulting criminal who happens to be working with good guys this go-round?

** Skald is kinda neat and the buffs help our melee-heavy group, but like the investigator, my brain hasn't pinned down a good & interesting concept.

** Since Kingmaker has a large nature/exploration focus, I suspect a mounted character would do well (and I've yet to play a cavalier or samurai). I'm against the paladin for this one, since I'd like to minimize the inter-party conflicts and I suspect the campaign can have fantastic intrigue on its own.

So... I think that's about everything. Thoughts/ideas/comments are appreciated!

[chuffster]

Investigator doesn't have to mean a full on detective. They're puzzle solvers. Indiana Jones, for example, fits pretty well as an investigator (Archaeologist Bard gives you the whip, but otherwise they're similar).

Straight alchemist seems like it could fit your group's needs. They tend to be good fill-in rogues, and bombs make every situation better. They also allow for some pretty archetypal characters, from Dr. Jekyll to basically every Jules Verne protagonist. You could even flavor your discoveries as being a result of exploring the uncharted wilderness.

[Rathendar]

If your DM is one to expound subplots for backstories, i suggest making a practitioner of the Aldori Fighting Style. Several classes can do this fairly easily, there is no "only one way" to make it work.

Between the Aldori in Rostland/Brevoy and the Aldori expatriates in Mivon, your southern neighbor, you can have quite the extra details for your character over the course of the game.

If your DM is not one to expand however, it is less nice of a choice.

[Hmm]

Mounted is indeed quite nice for Kingmaker. If you ever wanted to do a character with a horse, this is the AP for you.

You're right that all of your ideas could work for this. What do the others want to play? That might help narrow your options quite a bit.

Hmm

[SmiloDan]

We played with a cavalier/fighter and he had a lot of fun using his horse. You can even be the party face. And Order of the Dragon has some minor party buffs.

[Lord Twitchiopolis]

Well, it sounds like you have three good options to work with, so how about you think about the fluff now and see which of these options you feel like it fits best into.

Is your character high born? Commonfolk? Tied to one of the great houses or to the Rostlands?
Why would they heed the call for the Rostlanders? What purpose does this individual have?

Perhaps your character is a minor member of a Brevic house and seeks to earn fame and glory to prove himself (Order for the Cockatrice Cavalier works here), or perhaps she is a Rostlander who grew up on the old traditions and seeks to add her own story to the legacy of the Aldori Swordmasters (Skald would work here), or maybe he's an explorer seeking to piece together the mysteries of the first world and so delves into uncharted wilderness (And here's an investigator hook).
Come up with some character details, and it will help narrow down your build.

[Use Headbutt!!]

So I have not actually played the AP, and I am hoping the this isn't a spoiler, but I am pretty sure the end goal of king maker is to make a king. Unfortunately, if it follows the kingdom making rules like I think it does, than unlike all the other really cool positions of power which are based off one of 2 abilities scores, the role of king is charisma based only. Unfortunately, the sorcerer who normally would have a Cha score of heck yes chose to play a sage who focuses on wisdom instead, so there is a woefully empty seat on the throne that you might just be able to fill. As such I throw in my vote for skald. The position of king in this game isn't one who makes all the decisions (intelligent and/or wise advisers are great for that), but one who leads the country. Skalds who literally invoke emotions in people seems like a good fit. Hmm, you know who I think of when I think of fantasy kings? Aragorn from lord of the rings. You know what is a fun rage power? lesser spirit totem. I'll let you draw the connection.

[lordfeint]

Bard.

Choose yourself which archtype, if any, feels like it will be the best fit for your playstyle and group.

Your group already has a Ranger and a Barbarian, so another fighter-type like the Cavalier may not be ideal. Its wholly up to you though.

The Alchemist, Slayer and Ninja are also good choices.

[Joe Mashuga]

Thanks for the input thus far! For some strange reason, my problem has been finding fluff that interests me. These all help in certain ways.

Although the Aldori dueling sword and associated feats/archetypes are unavailable (no access to those books), I do like the idea of a skald trying to write his own (or his family's) story into the histories. I may have to talk to the cleric's player about his character ambitions, since he may be the only other reasonable candidate. :)

Use Headbutt!! - Nice connection, maybe Aragorn wasn't a pure ranger after all... sacrilege I know.

I like the potential story options for an alchemist or investigator (and a vivisectionist has more macabre yet still "valid" reasons for wanting to go). A gnome alchemist or investigator could work very well storywise even if it's not an optimal choice in terms of stats.

A cavalier or samurai is somewhat tempting, but we're a fairly melee-heavy group as it is, so right now I'm leaning towards one of the other directions.

This is also a good reminder to myself to read the Kingmaker player's guide again!

[avr]

If you want a mounted character which doesn't specialise in melee, there are options. The luring cavalier archetype, or an inquisitor with the chivalry archetype using a bow. The latter can do the backup healer role nicely.

[Queen Moragan]

Which role in Kingmaker do you want to fill?

Ruler
Councilor
General
Grand Diplomat
High Priest
Magister
Marshal
Royal Enforcer
Spymaster
Treasurer
Warden

(From Ultimate Campaign)

Try filling what position you and others in your group want to take first, then use that to design a character.

[Dave Justus]

Charisma and Charisma based skills are a pretty important in Kingmaker (as might be expected when you are trying to build up a kingdom) and no one in your group seems to be Chr based at all.

Bard would be very strong, both for this party and for the AP in general.

Plus, in the words of the great bard Tom Petty, it's good to be king.

[Markov Spiked Chain]

I'd take a look at Spell Warrior Skald. Some of the weapon buffs (Ghost Touch in particular) can be huge. Lesser Spirit Totem, as mentioned, is awesome for a hgih Cha character. And your casters can still cast while keeping the buff and using your rage power.

[Joe Mashuga]

No chivalry inquisition (not an allowed source). As for the roles, I tend towards the leader roles but I'm good to sit back if a player wants to take an active role in kingdom-building.

To that end, my current front-runners are:
Ruler or councilor (skald or bard)
Royal enforcer or spymaster (alchemist or investigator)

I'm currently leaning towards a Fated Champion skald - I like the idea of spirits from the past helping (or using) me reclaim lost greatness. The Savage Skald bard is a close second, mostly because I think the inspire courage buff will be a little better in this group, and I may need the extra skills for a bigger face role. (In other words, I'm not sure of the cleric's social skills nor his desire to summon critters.) I'm also looking askance at the battle herald just for grins.