https://ddb.ac/characters/103761774/8GRov4 I made a Minotaur Paladin who helps others not necessarily for the greater good but because he sees himself as a monster and therefore his life is worth less than most people. Essentially, an edgy backstory that doesn’t lead to a murderhobo. The background is a home brew I found that fits what I was going for. I mainly want feedback on the backstory and how it fits with the abilities I took.
Why does he need sanctuary? It doesn't fit your "my life is worth less than others" backstory. It will make the opponent attack another party member, possibly a squishy one.
I would probably swap WIS and INT since WIS saving throws are much more common. No sacred oath? That removed a large part of being a paladin and associated abilities. If you carry a healer's kit, you can select something other than medicine as a skill. He doesn't speak minotaur but does speak orc and ogre....ok. No Armor? No missile weapons (bow or xbow, javelins)? Why is he immune to disease? BTW, what alignment is he?
Thank you for responding. I had Int higher than Wisdom for flavor reasons because I had him as being a reasonably intelligent creature but being so willing to throw your life away isn’t very wise. Sanctuary and being immune to disease are just things that Oath of Devotion paladins get on level up, and they were the closest I could get from what I saw in the different oaths for Paladin to get in the way of and protect others from harm. He doesn’t wear armor because he doesn’t value his own life although that might be going too far into flavor and doesn’t have missile weapons because he never used them in the arena. His alignment is neutral good although I’m not sure what alignment he fits best in.Out of the spells he would actually prepare and use it would probably be Compelled Duel or something. Also, does the link you see not have stuff in the descriptions and ability lists because I filled those in. Here’s the link just in case and once again thank you for responding. https://ddb.ac/characters/103761774/X6MONO
Why does he need sanctuary? It doesn't fit your "my life is worth less than others" backstory. It will make the opponent attack another party member, possibly a squishy one.
I would probably swap WIS and INT since WIS saving throws are much more common. No sacred oath? That removed a large part of being a paladin and associated abilities. If you carry a healer's kit, you can select something other than medicine as a skill. He doesn't speak minotaur but does speak orc and ogre....ok. No Armor? No missile weapons (bow or xbow, javelins)? Why is he immune to disease? BTW, what alignment is he?
All paladins are immune to disease. It’s been a class feature since 1e.
The idea would be to cast sanctuary on someone else, perhaps that squishy ally, forcing the enemies to attack him.
The medicine skill can be used for much more than just stabilizing allies.
Agree about getting rid of the wis minus.
To the OP: Put some armor on the guy. He can’t keep other people alive if he’s dead. (Which could be another, slightly less nihilistic way to take things, and one that gives you a reason to adventure: He doesn’t value his own life, but does value his companions, so he’ll do whatever he can to keep them alive.) And it’s worth picking up a couple javelins. They seem like they could be thematic for an arena. But, since you can’t smite with a thrown or ranged weapon, you’ll often want to just dash and get into melee, rather than just do a tiny bit of damage with a javelin, but it’s good to have the option. A bow wouldn’t hurt either, as sometimes enemies can fly. A crossbow is fine until level 5, but when you get your extra attack, a longbow will be better.
I’d also say if you don’t want to be high wisdom, at least even it out a bit with int to get rid of the negative. Failing a wisdom save often means you’re charmed or dominated or something otherwise that makes you useless. It might be good for the theme, but won’t be very fun to spend combats doing nothing.
Compelled duel is a bit of a trap spell. If the enemy saves, you get nothing. If they don’t, the rest of the party needs to stand around watching you, or the spell ends. It’s not as good in practice as it sounds. Really, beyond find steed, paladins rarely cast spells and just use the slots to smite.
You didn’t ask, but at level 4, look at the crusher feat. It will round out that odd str score and let you use your hammer to knock enemies away from your allies.
Oh, you completely changed the stats. Are you using point buy for stats (looks like it)? If so, I would move a point from DEX to Charisma to get extra the Charisma bonus for spells (Dex would still be +0 so you lose nothing).
Yeah, this character isn’t for a game right now I just wanted to put this idea on paper. Did you get a chance to read the backstory? I want to make sure it makes sense for the idea I’m going for?
Yeah, this character isn’t for a game right now I just wanted to put this idea on paper. Did you get a chance to read the backstory? I want to make sure it makes sense for the idea I’m going for?
We can't see the "backstory" or notes on someone else's character sheet (unless we are the DM).
Here’s the background if you feel like looking it over.
I was raised in the arena as just another monster for the gladiator to challenge. I was taken from my family at a very young age and have faint memories, if that, of them. I was taught to speak Common so I could understand the orders of my masters. I grew strong in the fight pits, pummeling whoever I was told to while holding back enough to make it a longer fight. Win or lose my life was the same, I would be forced back into my pen where I would rest from my wounds. I am a monster, every day I learned that my life is beneath those of others, that my destiny is to die for the amusement of those above me. One day something different was brought in to entice the crowd, a sedated Peryton had been captured from the nearby mountains to attract a bigger audience. A wooden cage had been placed over the arena to separate the crowd from the beasts and to prevent the creature from flying off. I was brought forward ready to continue the cycle and a frightened man stepped forward with a pointed stick to awaken the Peryton. As he poked the avian monstrosity it reacted much faster than anyone expected, clearly not as sedated as it seemed, and drove it’s shape beak into the throat of the terrified man killing home there and then. Then, with a horrific shriek, it ascended to the makeshift cage and blasted through it into the air. The crowd screamed and quickly began to run from the arena, the Peryton however wasn’t done. A boy, no more than 10, stood at the edge of the arena frozen in fear. The Peryton saw this easy prey and dove towards the boy with carnivorous glee looking to gore him with its horns. A boy who had probably snuck in without paying to watch 2 monsters kill themselves for his amusement. A boy who sought this entertainment to distract from his grueling life on the streets…just a boy…I ran as fast a could, placing myself with arms outstretched between the child and the beast and-“Thwump!” The beast’s horns had pierced deep into my tough hide. Dazed, it began to scrabble with its sharp talons and flap its large wings to pull away. Before I lost my chance I wrapped my arms around its neck and with all the strength left I could muster I wrenched as hard as I could until with a sickening-“Crack!” the bird’s neck was snapped and it fell silent. Tired and bleeding profusely, I turned to the distraught boy who broke from his daze to utter in a quiet voice, “Thank you for saving me.” I said in a fading voice what I thought was right, “Better me than you.” before blackness covered my vision.
When I awoke, it was on a green hill where I could see the arena far in the distance. The hill was covered in daises and white roses. As I regained my senses a rough but kind voice spoke to me. “You did a good job there, kiddo.” When I looked around I saw no one, “Who said that? What do you mean?” The voice responded with a light chuckle, “Putting yourself in harm’s way to protect that child of course. You owed him nothing and yet you acted with little hesitation, nearly dying in the process. To answer your first question, I am Ilmater the God of Martyrdom.” I could hardly believe I was speaking to a god, “Why am I not dead?” I asked. “Because I see in you a kindred spirit. Someone who would put their very life on the line to spare others death or hardship. I see a potential new acolyte who needs no promises of gifts or power to protect those who cannot protect themselves.” I replied bluntly, “I didn’t do save that boy for some greater good. I am a monster, he is not, if one of us should die it’s better me than him…” There was a long silence before a guffaw of laughter came from the intangible voice followed by an amused response. “Ha, a Minotaur after my own heart! Well since you’re so inclined to think that and now out of a job, I insist that you become my acolyte and spread that cheery disposition throughout the land.” I remembered what had been trained into my head so many times, “A monster has no worth and does as told.” I responded to the god’s request with a simple nod. “Great!” he said before a bright light enveloped me and a simple necklace appeared on my neck bearing the symbol of a pair of white hands bound with red cord. “Take my symbol and the power I have bestowed upon you to lands far and wide, endure suffering that others shouldn’t bear, liberate those who ought to be free, and save the lives of those whose thread need not be cut short. I suggest starting by going North.” And so I set out, unsure of why a thing like me would be worthy of such a task.
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https://ddb.ac/characters/103761774/8GRov4
I made a Minotaur Paladin who helps others not necessarily for the greater good but because he sees himself as a monster and therefore his life is worth less than most people. Essentially, an edgy backstory that doesn’t lead to a murderhobo. The background is a home brew I found that fits what I was going for. I mainly want feedback on the backstory and how it fits with the abilities I took.
You didn't give us much to go on.
Why does he need sanctuary? It doesn't fit your "my life is worth less than others" backstory. It will make the opponent attack another party member, possibly a squishy one.
I would probably swap WIS and INT since WIS saving throws are much more common. No sacred oath? That removed a large part of being a paladin and associated abilities. If you carry a healer's kit, you can select something other than medicine as a skill. He doesn't speak minotaur but does speak orc and ogre....ok. No Armor? No missile weapons (bow or xbow, javelins)? Why is he immune to disease? BTW, what alignment is he?
Food, Scifi/fantasy, anime, DND 5E/RPG geek.
Thank you for responding. I had Int higher than Wisdom for flavor reasons because I had him as being a reasonably intelligent creature but being so willing to throw your life away isn’t very wise. Sanctuary and being immune to disease are just things that Oath of Devotion paladins get on level up, and they were the closest I could get from what I saw in the different oaths for Paladin to get in the way of and protect others from harm. He doesn’t wear armor because he doesn’t value his own life although that might be going too far into flavor and doesn’t have missile weapons because he never used them in the arena. His alignment is neutral good although I’m not sure what alignment he fits best in.Out of the spells he would actually prepare and use it would probably be Compelled Duel or something. Also, does the link you see not have stuff in the descriptions and ability lists because I filled those in. Here’s the link just in case and once again thank you for responding. https://ddb.ac/characters/103761774/X6MONO
All paladins are immune to disease. It’s been a class feature since 1e.
The idea would be to cast sanctuary on someone else, perhaps that squishy ally, forcing the enemies to attack him.
The medicine skill can be used for much more than just stabilizing allies.
Agree about getting rid of the wis minus.
To the OP: Put some armor on the guy. He can’t keep other people alive if he’s dead. (Which could be another, slightly less nihilistic way to take things, and one that gives you a reason to adventure: He doesn’t value his own life, but does value his companions, so he’ll do whatever he can to keep them alive.) And it’s worth picking up a couple javelins. They seem like they could be thematic for an arena. But, since you can’t smite with a thrown or ranged weapon, you’ll often want to just dash and get into melee, rather than just do a tiny bit of damage with a javelin, but it’s good to have the option. A bow wouldn’t hurt either, as sometimes enemies can fly. A crossbow is fine until level 5, but when you get your extra attack, a longbow will be better.
I’d also say if you don’t want to be high wisdom, at least even it out a bit with int to get rid of the negative. Failing a wisdom save often means you’re charmed or dominated or something otherwise that makes you useless. It might be good for the theme, but won’t be very fun to spend combats doing nothing.
Compelled duel is a bit of a trap spell. If the enemy saves, you get nothing. If they don’t, the rest of the party needs to stand around watching you, or the spell ends. It’s not as good in practice as it sounds. Really, beyond find steed, paladins rarely cast spells and just use the slots to smite.
You didn’t ask, but at level 4, look at the crusher feat. It will round out that odd str score and let you use your hammer to knock enemies away from your allies.
Thank you, that all makes sense to me. https://ddb.ac/characters/103761774/Xu3HIY
Here’s the updated character.
Oh, you completely changed the stats. Are you using point buy for stats (looks like it)? If so, I would move a point from DEX to Charisma to get extra the Charisma bonus for spells (Dex would still be +0 so you lose nothing).
Food, Scifi/fantasy, anime, DND 5E/RPG geek.
Yeah, this character isn’t for a game right now I just wanted to put this idea on paper. Did you get a chance to read the backstory? I want to make sure it makes sense for the idea I’m going for?
We can't see the "backstory" or notes on someone else's character sheet (unless we are the DM).
Food, Scifi/fantasy, anime, DND 5E/RPG geek.
Here’s the background if you feel like looking it over.
I was raised in the arena as just another monster for the gladiator to challenge. I was taken from my family at a very young age and have faint memories, if that, of them. I was taught to speak Common so I could understand the orders of my masters. I grew strong in the fight pits, pummeling whoever I was told to while holding back enough to make it a longer fight. Win or lose my life was the same, I would be forced back into my pen where I would rest from my wounds. I am a monster, every day I learned that my life is beneath those of others, that my destiny is to die for the amusement of those above me. One day something different was brought in to entice the crowd, a sedated Peryton had been captured from the nearby mountains to attract a bigger audience. A wooden cage had been placed over the arena to separate the crowd from the beasts and to prevent the creature from flying off. I was brought forward ready to continue the cycle and a frightened man stepped forward with a pointed stick to awaken the Peryton. As he poked the avian monstrosity it reacted much faster than anyone expected, clearly not as sedated as it seemed, and drove it’s shape beak into the throat of the terrified man killing home there and then. Then, with a horrific shriek, it ascended to the makeshift cage and blasted through it into the air. The crowd screamed and quickly began to run from the arena, the Peryton however wasn’t done. A boy, no more than 10, stood at the edge of the arena frozen in fear. The Peryton saw this easy prey and dove towards the boy with carnivorous glee looking to gore him with its horns. A boy who had probably snuck in without paying to watch 2 monsters kill themselves for his amusement. A boy who sought this entertainment to distract from his grueling life on the streets…just a boy…I ran as fast a could, placing myself with arms outstretched between the child and the beast and-“Thwump!” The beast’s horns had pierced deep into my tough hide. Dazed, it began to scrabble with its sharp talons and flap its large wings to pull away. Before I lost my chance I wrapped my arms around its neck and with all the strength left I could muster I wrenched as hard as I could until with a sickening-“Crack!” the bird’s neck was snapped and it fell silent. Tired and bleeding profusely, I turned to the distraught boy who broke from his daze to utter in a quiet voice, “Thank you for saving me.” I said in a fading voice what I thought was right, “Better me than you.” before blackness covered my vision.
When I awoke, it was on a green hill where I could see the arena far in the distance. The hill was covered in daises and white roses. As I regained my senses a rough but kind voice spoke to me. “You did a good job there, kiddo.” When I looked around I saw no one, “Who said that? What do you mean?” The voice responded with a light chuckle, “Putting yourself in harm’s way to protect that child of course. You owed him nothing and yet you acted with little hesitation, nearly dying in the process. To answer your first question, I am Ilmater the God of Martyrdom.” I could hardly believe I was speaking to a god, “Why am I not dead?” I asked. “Because I see in you a kindred spirit. Someone who would put their very life on the line to spare others death or hardship. I see a potential new acolyte who needs no promises of gifts or power to protect those who cannot protect themselves.” I replied bluntly, “I didn’t do save that boy for some greater good. I am a monster, he is not, if one of us should die it’s better me than him…” There was a long silence before a guffaw of laughter came from the intangible voice followed by an amused response. “Ha, a Minotaur after my own heart! Well since you’re so inclined to think that and now out of a job, I insist that you become my acolyte and spread that cheery disposition throughout the land.” I remembered what had been trained into my head so many times, “A monster has no worth and does as told.” I responded to the god’s request with a simple nod. “Great!” he said before a bright light enveloped me and a simple necklace appeared on my neck bearing the symbol of a pair of white hands bound with red cord. “Take my symbol and the power I have bestowed upon you to lands far and wide, endure suffering that others shouldn’t bear, liberate those who ought to be free, and save the lives of those whose thread need not be cut short. I suggest starting by going North.” And so I set out, unsure of why a thing like me would be worthy of such a task.