D&D Character Ideas
I’ve tried my hands at a few different types of Table Top Role-Playing Games (or TTRPGs, for the cool kids out there,) but there’s something special about Dungeons and Dragons. And spoiler alert… it’s not the dungeons, or even the dragons.
What keeps bringing me back to Dungeons and Dragons is the player choice. In 5th edition D&D there are so many player races, classes, and backgrounds. Sure you could be a double vanilla scoop of human fighter or dwarf cleric. But there are also some off-the-wall combinations that when you throw them together, immediately raise questions and start a story. Let me pitch a few real quick:
-A Gnome Barbarian: Gnomes are about as tall as you would expect, they’re known to be smart, cunning crafters and casters. So why is Shmebulock over there bashing his face against some orc’s shield over and over again to establish dominance? Also, does Shmebulock see the disparity between his build and his fighting spirit? Because if he doesn’t, hoo boy, that’s gotta be fun to play. You have to respect a little berserker who’s willing to throw down with just about anything in a world where everything’s bigger than he is.
-A Changeling Bard with a Flair for the Dramatic: Changelings can blend in anywhere. Except John Elton. John Elton, who always wears giant, obvious glasses wants to wear feather boas, ball gowns, devil costumes, and sequins. John Elton can change your entire campaign, when he’s not changing music forever. Hit him with an eldritch blast, and who cares? He’s still standing.
-A Life Cleric Bugbear: What’s that? You’re injured? Don’t worry, we’ll take you to our cleric, Blerna, who respects all living things. Yeah, that’s her over there, the eight-foot tall creature with long fangs who’s best at throwing things and attacking from the dark. I mean, I guess she’s from the race described as “shiftless, savage layabouts,” but hey! She’s making tea! What’s that? You’re feeling better already?
D&D, you crazy. Keep on giving us weird hodge-podges of creatures and jobs: genteel business monsters, angelic gangsters, and everything in between.