I could use some recommendations for a race and other traits.
I am currently in my first session of DnD. (which has been going on for several months now) I had a lot of help from our dungeon master to create my first character but now I have a few ideas for a new character in a later campaign and I could use some help. I will spare all the tiny details I've been thinking of. So to make a very long story as short as possible, I want:
A paladin whose sole purpose and possibly where he gets his power, to be from protecting a child; who the Paladin believes is The Profit, The Savior, The One, etc. The Paladin would be of a high rank in whatever organization he is a part of. (So hopefully his armor would have some sort of proficiency) I would like this Paladin to have an above average health bar / Armor / or Resistance, etc. because he might have to take direct hits from attacks aimed at the child. I would like to add an ability (if my DM allows it) "Cradle" which allows me to hug and create a force field around the child and only the child. (I get to use this spell immediately, every time the child is directly attacked (As a preemptive action) I get to use this ability and the attacker requires a high roll to hit) The spell works seemingly without effort on the child but not at all with anyone else.
That's about all I have but the info that would help me is what race I should pick and even other possible things I could suggest to my DM for the character. Thank you for taking the time.
Mountain Dwarf Oath of the Crown or Redemption (read both and pick one; both have the ability you want to take damage on behalf of the child). Take a 1-level dip in Warlock (Hexblade) so you can wield your melee weapon with Charisma, then show up to the party with statline (at Paladin 4, so character level 5, probably) CHA 18 CON 18 STR 15, with the ultimate goal of wearing plate armor, shield, and whatever one-handed melee weapon you want.
Both the oath of crown and redemption features do not affect the child's AC so your high AC will not protect you, so this might be rather more sacrificial than what you want. It also doesn't kick in until level 7
I would recommend taking the protection fighting style(if you are carrying a shield you can use your reaction to impose disadvantage on an attack against the child if it is within 5 feet of you)
Oath of redemption Paladins can cast the spell Sanctuary which you can also use to protect the child
A 1 level dip in Hexblade is mechanically very powerful but may cause issues in roleplay. You have sworn an oath as a Paladin and signed a pact with an entity of the shadowfell it is quite possible that you find these come into conflict at some point. I would also be wary of putting too much effort into maxing Str, Cha and Con to the extent of having 3 negative modifiers. Going CHA 18, CON 16 STR 15 or CHA 18, CON 18 STR 13 (Holding off plate until level 8) are both viable and allow for a more rounded character If you decide for single class you might also decide to make your str even.
Not a mechanical thing, but I’d not allow you to start as a high ranking member of an organization. You’re first level, you’re by definition a low ranking member. Unless the game is starting at level 7 or so. You have to earn that high rank, it’s something you work toward. Maybe keeping this child alive is what’s going to prove your worth. Also, keeping an NPC alive as your primary motive can be tricky. It has the potential for taking over the whole plot — unless the other players are into it, it can be really difficult to run. Just at its base, it doesn’t make sense for an adventuring pally to cart the kid on quests. Why would you keep bringing this person you are supposed to protect into danger? It doesn’t make sense. You hole up in the inn at night, then leave in the morning. You certainly aren’t going to be bringing a kid into the lair of the lich king.
In short, work with your DM before you get too invested in the idea.
Not a fan of the hexblade option for the reasons above. maybe if the Paladin in Oathbreaker. which is interesting... maybe the child is a pawn in some larger plot for which your nominal organization or faith wants to harm or posses the child. opens up a host of character concept options and story ideas for your DM.
I would look at Aasimar. Protector could work will if you stay with an oath. Fallen if not.
What do you think?
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
I could use some recommendations for a race and other traits.
I am currently in my first session of DnD. (which has been going on for several months now) I had a lot of help from our dungeon master to create my first character but now I have a few ideas for a new character in a later campaign and I could use some help. I will spare all the tiny details I've been thinking of. So to make a very long story as short as possible, I want:
A paladin whose sole purpose and possibly where he gets his power, to be from protecting a child; who the Paladin believes is The Profit, The Savior, The One, etc. The Paladin would be of a high rank in whatever organization he is a part of. (So hopefully his armor would have some sort of proficiency) I would like this Paladin to have an above average health bar / Armor / or Resistance, etc. because he might have to take direct hits from attacks aimed at the child. I would like to add an ability (if my DM allows it) "Cradle" which allows me to hug and create a force field around the child and only the child. (I get to use this spell immediately, every time the child is directly attacked (As a preemptive action) I get to use this ability and the attacker requires a high roll to hit) The spell works seemingly without effort on the child but not at all with anyone else.
That's about all I have but the info that would help me is what race I should pick and even other possible things I could suggest to my DM for the character. Thank you for taking the time.
Mountain Dwarf Oath of the Crown or Redemption (read both and pick one; both have the ability you want to take damage on behalf of the child). Take a 1-level dip in Warlock (Hexblade) so you can wield your melee weapon with Charisma, then show up to the party with statline (at Paladin 4, so character level 5, probably) CHA 18 CON 18 STR 15, with the ultimate goal of wearing plate armor, shield, and whatever one-handed melee weapon you want.
Both the oath of crown and redemption features do not affect the child's AC so your high AC will not protect you, so this might be rather more sacrificial than what you want. It also doesn't kick in until level 7
I would recommend taking the protection fighting style(if you are carrying a shield you can use your reaction to impose disadvantage on an attack against the child if it is within 5 feet of you)
Oath of redemption Paladins can cast the spell Sanctuary which you can also use to protect the child
A 1 level dip in Hexblade is mechanically very powerful but may cause issues in roleplay. You have sworn an oath as a Paladin and signed a pact with an entity of the shadowfell it is quite possible that you find these come into conflict at some point. I would also be wary of putting too much effort into maxing Str, Cha and Con to the extent of having 3 negative modifiers. Going CHA 18, CON 16 STR 15 or CHA 18, CON 18 STR 13 (Holding off plate until level 8) are both viable and allow for a more rounded character If you decide for single class you might also decide to make your str even.
Not a mechanical thing, but I’d not allow you to start as a high ranking member of an organization. You’re first level, you’re by definition a low ranking member. Unless the game is starting at level 7 or so. You have to earn that high rank, it’s something you work toward. Maybe keeping this child alive is what’s going to prove your worth.
Also, keeping an NPC alive as your primary motive can be tricky. It has the potential for taking over the whole plot — unless the other players are into it, it can be really difficult to run. Just at its base, it doesn’t make sense for an adventuring pally to cart the kid on quests. Why would you keep bringing this person you are supposed to protect into danger? It doesn’t make sense. You hole up in the inn at night, then leave in the morning. You certainly aren’t going to be bringing a kid into the lair of the lich king.
In short, work with your DM before you get too invested in the idea.
Not a fan of the hexblade option for the reasons above. maybe if the Paladin in Oathbreaker. which is interesting... maybe the child is a pawn in some larger plot for which your nominal organization or faith wants to harm or posses the child. opens up a host of character concept options and story ideas for your DM.
I would look at Aasimar. Protector could work will if you stay with an oath. Fallen if not.
What do you think?