This might not be the correct area for such a post, but since I would like a PFS-legal build (despite not being likely to actually play it at a PFS table), I thought I'd start here. Suggestions on a better area to post any future such questions would be appreciated.
I have this character concept I'd really like to try building, but it's so different from what I normally play/build, I'm having trouble getting started. Given that I only have the online resources to work with, can I get some suggestions to work with when trying to build this character?
Normally, I play sneaky longbow-wielding Elves (basically, a sniper/scout type character). I've found that whenever I try to build something at all different, I still end up with a sneaky ranged character, and that doesn't go with this concept at all. So I need some help figuring out what options I should consider.
I'm not looking for "char-op" advice; I just want a character that is very different to play than what I usually end up with. The suggestions I'm looking for should result in a character that is reasonably competent both in and out of combat; a buff/debuff/healer type or skillmonkey would be just as fun for me as a pure-DPR character.
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Role:
dagger-wielding Dark Elf healer/protector ("Paladin", according to the random generator I used to generate this concept)
Appearance:
short, chubby adult female with dark skin, hazel eyes, and dirty-blonde hair
good taste in clothes, but nothing super fancy (my randomizer app describes it as "Tasteful: You like to look good but don't take it to an extreme.")
Personality:
goal - spread knowledge of a science, religion, or philosophy
stubborn, mostly humorless ("You are serious almost all the time or don't participate in humor."), easily excitable, constantly complaining about something
Birthplace or Home:
technocentric ("The society you come from believes that technology is the answer to every problem.") desert town of political importance ("You come from a place that is a political center, a meeting place, or a place politicians travel through.")
Past:
friend murdered - "When you were young your best friend was murdered in front of you."
average education - "You are as well educated as any other peasant."
Religion:
casual - "You consider yourself spiritual but don't go out of your way to adhere or attend."
widespread naturalistic ("Your religion puts emphasis on gods of nature and living in harmony with animals.")
Family:
1-2 siblings, overall average size, greedy ("Your family promotes lying, cheating, and any means necessary to get ahead."), impoverished family of average reputation (so no nobility or merchant princes or anything like that)
You'll want to post in the general advice forum. I've flagged the thread to be moved (although someone else can do so as well).
You can do a 2 weapon Dex-Build Paladin somewhat easily. You can smite with both daggers, etc. You might want to take 3 levels of Unchained Rogue to add your Dex to damage.
A warpriest might be fun, since you get more healer/buff than a Paladin and less pure damage. You could even make your daggers hit for more than 1d4 that way.
Here's an idea: 3 Unchained Rogue / X Warpriest. Get 3 levels of Unchained Rogue (Maybe 5 if you want skill unlock) to get Sneak Attack, Weapon Finesse, Dex to Damage, and skills. Then, you can be a Warpriest for the buff and healing. Take Magical Knack to cover up the reduced caster level.
The only thing not quite PFS is the Dark Elf thing. There are elves in the Mwangi that have dark skin, but if we are talking Drow Dark Elf, there is no way to play one in PFS.
Thanks for the advice on where to post, and for flagging to to be moved. I'll keep that in mind for my next build questions.
Zauron13 wrote: The only thing not quite PFS is the Dark Elf thing. There are elves in the Mwangi that have dark skin, but if we are talking Drow Dark Elf, there is no way to play one in PFS. The random character generator app that I use tries to be as generic as possible as regards system and genre, so I don't care if this character isn't a Drow - as long as I can fit the theme of "Dark Elf", which can probably be done via fluff... Do you have any suggestions on PFS-legal Traits or setting-appropriate background-story elements I should be considering?
Pfs legal is real tough. All of the "drow" heritage type traits and alternate racial abilities aren't allowed, simply because Drow are rare and "Always Evil" in Golarion.
But if you go with the Mwangi Elves, known as Ekujae, that's legal as far as I know. It's just fluff.
I'd look them up on the Pathfinder wiki(s) to see if you like the physical description and culture, but it might just do. They revere nature and are tribal. The only thing from the generator missing is the Tech focus, and the desert town.
I'm not sure what traits would be good, but anything with a jungle theme, or some of the Wild/Savage Elf template from the Advanced Race Guide might work.
For story elements, it never hurts to have a reason to be part of the Pathfinder society, if that's what you are going for in this campaign/PFS. Maybe the friend was killed by the Aspis Consortium, the rival of the Society.
One final note: If you play in PFS, welcome! Make sure to read the guide to Organized Play, and know that you need to own the books you use to be "legal". While it is up to individual GMs to decide how often to enforce that, it's better safe than sorry.
I was thinking an inquisitor/rogue. A 3rd level inquisitor gets an ability called solo tactics. That neat thing allows you to use teamwork feats as if your allies had them. Check out at least Outflank and Precise Strike. A rogue would love the spellcasting and better saves as well.
Zauron13 wrote: All of the "drow" heritage type traits and alternate racial abilities aren't allowed, simply because Drow are rare and "Always Evil" in Golarion. Indeed. The previous Campaign Coordinator was very emphatic that anything Drow would always be illegal, and that the in-game Pathfinder Society would never hire a character that even resembled a Drow.
The Ekujae are very different in appearance and culture from Drow. Their skin is more dark brown than ashen black, they're taller, they live longer, and they have black hair rather than white. They aren't "tech" at all, but it's certainly possible to come up with a background or reasons why such a character took a liking to technology.
Sounds like an interesting app.
Quote: Birthplace or Home:
technocentric ("The society you come from believes that technology is the answer to every problem.") desert town of political importance ("You come from a place that is a political center, a meeting place, or a place politicians travel through.")
This seems a lot like Alkenstar to me. It's one of the only techno-centric places on Golarion. Although it's not a place where Ekuaje usually cone from, it is in Garund (i.e. Not-Africa) near the Mwangi Expanse, where they do come from.
Yep, Alkenstar was the first to come to my mind also. But also elven lands might work. The elves do have some high technology.
I'm thinking...
LG female elf unchained rogue (knife master) 3/paladin X of Erastil (living in harmony with nature)
Str 8, Dex 16, Con 11, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 16
Feats Two-Weapon Fighting
Skills
Put ranks into Intimidate, based on some of the personality traits.
As for the dark elf thing, by Golarion canon, the only thing that make drow drow is that they are evil. The character could be a full elf with a drow bloodline. It doesn't allow anything mechanical, of course. But the paladin could be trying to right the wrongs of her ancestry.
There are a couple points that conflict within the randomizer, but that's to be expected. (There's no such thing as a "casually religious paladin," for instance.) But it sounds like a cool way to generate ideas.
There are the aquatic elves with a blue skin--not sure if that will be closer than the mwangi elves for you.
Inquisitor or Warpriest of Zohls sounds like it'd be right up this CHARACTER'S alley. Rogue/Cult Leader Warpriest might work well.
I was going to suggest warpriest also, I spent three days making mine and I still have a few combat options to discuss with a gm. But the warpriest is a get in the middle and deal damage and heal if needed, bless when needed, and eat enemy eyes. Did I mention I was a tengu warpriest..
Paladin of Baha-who? wrote: Quote: Birthplace or Home:
technocentric ("The society you come from believes that technology is the answer to every problem.") desert town of political importance ("You come from a place that is a political center, a meeting place, or a place politicians travel through.")
This seems a lot like Alkenstar to me. It's one of the only techno-centric places on Golarion. Although it's not a place where Ekuaje usually cone from, it is in Garund (i.e. Not-Africa) near the Mwangi Expanse, where they do come from. Sounds interesting. I was thinking that her family likely would have moved somewhere in hopes of getting rich (and probably failed miserably so far and for the foreseeable future), perhaps a generation or so ago...so that kinda fits.
The Fox wrote: I'm thinking...
LG female elf unchained rogue (knife master) 3/paladin X of Erastil (living in harmony with nature)
Str 8, Dex 16, Con 11, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 16
Feats Two-Weapon Fighting
Skills
Put ranks into Intimidate, based on some of the personality traits.
Which traits suggest "Intimidate" to you? None of them really suggest that to me...but then, "Intimidate" goes totally counter to my own personality, so perhaps it's hard for me to see.
The Fox wrote: As for the dark elf thing, by Golarion canon, the only thing that make drow drow is that they are evil. The character could be a full elf with a drow bloodline. It doesn't allow anything mechanical, of course. But the paladin could be trying to right the wrongs of her ancestry. That's sorta where I was going with this, but not really knowing much about the PFS Golarion setting, I needed advice on precisely where she's from. Got some good ideas now.
The Fox wrote: There are a couple points that conflict within the randomizer, but that's to be expected. (There's no such thing as a "casually religious paladin," for instance.) But it sounds like a cool way to generate ideas. I've been looking at both Paladin and Warpriest, and I think I might go with Warpriest...The abilities I find most central to this concept generally overlap, but I think I like the divine/marital blend a little better in the Warpriest, at least for this character. Also, I prefer characters with slightly lower charisma, and the Warpriest's Wisdom dependency fits me a little better.
Only thing is, I'm having trouble picking a deity...The Healing and Protection domains seem to fit best...But nobody seems to have a compatible portfolio and alignment and favored weapon...This would be so much easier if I could just pick any pair of domains!
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