Sunday 31 May 2009

Character Traits

I think that the character trait options are a nice addition to the rules in Pathfinder, particularly the campaign traits that allow for built in plot hooks. The downside to the ones presented (and I believe it is a probable result of the writing and editing process the books go through) are that they all pretty much tie up very quickly in the first adventure. Granted, most of the time, if such a trait is the impetus for the character to go adventuring, it generally needs to be tied into the first adventure to give some immediate goal, but it would be nice if there were one or two options that had a little bit more of a long-term implication. To that end, I think it's much easier to spot potential traits after at several books are printed and you can more easily evaluate the campaign as a whole, and I have given the extra option to my player's of being Rayhan's pupil (a character from the third book, The Jackal's Price).

More on that when we get to converting the campaign traits. For now, we will look at conversions of the other traits given in the Legacy of Fire Player's Guide, for which we'll use the basis of the character backgrounds from Player's Handbook 2.


Region Traits
All region traits from Legacy of Fire's Player's Guide should be treated as having Associated Language: Kelish as an additional option to those listed below.

Desert Child
Associated Skill: Endurance
Background Benefit: Gain a +2 bonus to saving throws against fire effects.

Duskwalker Agent
Associated Skill: Diplomacy, Streetwise
Associated Language: Street cant

Freed Slave
Associated Skill: Endurance
Background Benefit: You can re-roll any Endurance check, but you must keep the second result, even if it is worse.

Merchant's Child
Associated Skill: Bluff, Diplomacy, Insight
Associated Language: Any extra language

Nightstall Urchin
Associated Skill: Perception, Streetwise, Thievery
Associated Language: Street cant
Background Benefit: Gain a +2 bonus to saving throws against fear effects.

Pesh Addict
Associated Skill: Bluff, Insight, Streetwise
Background Benefit: Reduce starting gold by 50 GP, but you gain a +2 bonus in two skills out of Bluff, Insight, and Streetwise.

Pesh Dealer
Associated Skill: Bluff, Streetwise, Thievery

Savannah Child
Associated Skill: Nature, Perception
Background Benefit: You can re-roll any Nature check, but you must keep the second result, even if it is worse.

Uwaga Highlander
Associated Skill: Perception, Stealth


Race Traits
As specified in the LoF Player's Guide, race traits should be limited to characters of the given race, although at the DM's discretion, they could also include any character that grew up amongst members of that race without specifically being that race themselves.

Animal Friend (Gnome)
Associated Skill: Nature
Background Benefit: You can re-roll any Nature check, but you must keep the second result, even if it is worse.

Child of Zolurket (Dwarf)
Associated Skill: Religion
Background Benefit: For monster knowledge checks using the Religion skill, roll a d10 and add 10 to the result in place of using a d20.

Ekujae Reflexes (Half-Elf)
Associated Skill: Acrobatics, Thievery
Background Benefit: Gain a +2 bonus to Initiative.

Forlorn (Elf)
Assocaited Skill: Endurance, Insight.
Background Benefit: Add the higher of your Intelligence score or your Constitution score to your starting hit points (instead of automatically adding your Constitution score). Your number of healing surges is still based on your Constitution score.

Freedom Fighter (Halfling)
Associated Skill: Bluff, Streetwise, Thievery
Background Benefit: You may attempt to escape a grab as a minor action, instead of a move action.

Genie Blood (Human--Keleshite)
Associated Skill: Arcana
Background Benefit: Choose one of the keywords Acid, Cold, Fire, or Lightning. You gain a +2 bonus to saving throws against effects with that keyword.

Historian (Human--Garundi)
Associated Skill: History
Background Benefit: You can re-roll any History check, but you must keep the second result, even if it is worse.

Latent Psion (Human--Vundrani)
Associated Skill: Insight
Background Benefit: Once per encounter, you can re-roll a failed saving throw against a charm effect.

Legacy of Sand (Half-Orc)
Associated Skill: History, Nature

Spirits in the Stone (Human--Mwangi)
Associated Skill: Dungeoneering, Perception

World Traveler (Human--Verisian)
Associated Skill: Diplomacy, History, Insight
Associated Language: Any


Religion Traits

Blade of Mercy
Associated Skill: Diplomacy, Heal

The City Protects
Associated Skill: Streetwise, Religion

Cleansing the Twisted
Associated Skill: Dungeoneering, Religion

Eyes and Ears of the City
Associated Skill: Perception, Streetwise

Magic is Life
Associated Skill: Arcana
Background Benefit: Once per encounter, you may re-roll a failed death saving throw.

Strength of the Sun
Associated Skill: Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate

Wisdom in the Flesh
Associated Skill: Acrobatics, Athletics, Endurance
Background Benefit: Add the higher of your Wisdom score or your Constitution score to your starting hit points (instead of automatically adding your Constitution score). Your number of healing surges is still based on your Constitution score.



Campaign Traits
Campaign traits give a good background reason for a character to be taking part in the campaign beyond simply yearning for adventure. It might be a good idea to encourage at least a few of your players to take the story elements of one of these traits if they prefer to opt in to one of the other mechanical benefits from another trait. In addition, you may want to give the party XP equal to a minor quest of their level when they attain their goal.

Earning Your Freedom

Associated Skill: Endurance
Background Benefit: Gain a +2 bonus to saving throws against charm effects.

Seeking Adventure
Associated Skill: Dungeoneering, History
Background Benefit: You gain a wayfinder (Level 1 magic item) that grants a +2 bonus on any skill check to determine direction or geographical position, and allows the use of the wizard cantrip Light, but cast on the wayfinder. You must later pay 180 GP for this item to a representative of the Pathfinders as soon as you are able.

Reclaiming Your Roots
Associated Skill: History
Background Benefit: Select any weapon or armour from the basic equipment list which you gain without having to pay the GP cost of the item. You should work with your DM to create a history for this item and to have it gain in power as you level up.

Gnoll Killer
Associated Skill: Intimidate, Nature
Background Benefit: Gain a +1 bonus to damage against gnolls.

Missionary
Associated Skill: Diplomacy, Insight, Religion

Finding Haleen
Associated Skill: Any from your classes skill list
Background Benefit: Choose one at-will power from your class that you have not already chosen. You can use that power as an encounter power.

Rayhan's Pupil
(This is a new trait of my own divising to potentially give a plot-hook that runs beyond the first adventure in the campaign. If the player takes this trait, they may very well think to take the Scroll of Kakishon to Rayhan themselves, without needing Almah to prompt the suggestion.)
You have been the student of Katapesh's foremost expert in the field of planar study, Rayhan Xobhadi, a wizard and scholar devoted to the study and cataloging of magical items dealing with the manipulation of dimensions and reality. After recently completing your studies, Rayhan has sent you on your way instructing that you should only return if you can teach him something in return.
Associated Skill: Arcana, History
Background Benefit: Gain a +5 bonus on any skill check involved in performing a ritual with the travel category.

1 comment:

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