I've been playing around with a butler character for the last few days. I was thinking next time someone decides to play an noble in a group I'd bring this character and see what rp shenanigans would happen.
I liked the idea of a human Variant (tavern brawler) or half-orc Rune knight fighter that uses the unarmed martial style and grappling to fight. He was a soldier, did some bad things in the war, swore off weapons, and is indebted to the Noble characters family for some reason, because of this he works as a bodyguard/butler.
I like this idea, but I'd love to hear some other character concepts for butler PCs from other people. Maybe a more magically inclined butler? Or perhaps a skill focused character ready for any situation.
I've always liked the idea of a mountain of muscle Orc, or some other stereotypically brutish fantasy race, being dressed in dapper gear almost bursting at the seams, and speaking rather posh (think Spyro: Year of the Dragon's Bentley the Yeti). The most they would be proficient in is Cook's Utensils/Calligrapher's Tools, or if they had to have a weapon, a letter-opening/butter-spreading dagger. Thankfully we have Monks to work with, who can best hide their abilities in day-to-day living. Or perhaps a spellcaster that can gain extra assistance from an Unseen Servant, a Mage Hand, or Prestigitation?
If I had to go for a very stereotypical butler though, it would be one much like Bruce Wayne's Albert with a twist, such as the twist found in this particular instance.
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Zero is the most important number in D&D: Session Zero sets the boundaries and the tone; Rule Zero dictates the Dungeon Master (DM) is the final arbiter; and Zero D&D is better than Bad D&D.
"Let us speak plainly now, and in earnest, for words mean little without the weight of conviction."
I’m thinking something of a mix between Tom Hagen, the consigliere from the Godfather, and Cato Fong, inspector Clouseau’s manservant from the Pink Panther. A character with sufficient wisdom to offer advice and caution against missteps without assuming authority, and at the same time not overly reverent towards their employer and ready to bring the thunder. A monk would work well for this, possibly Way of Shadow for extra stealth, and race-wise maybe a loxodon, tortle or firbolg - or better yet, a kenku or aaracokra.
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Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
I would think Albert Pennyworth (the butler to Bruce Wayne/Batman) would be a good measure of an adventuring butler if you took the Sean Pertwee version form the Gotham tv series.
Go for
Race: Human (Variant) taking skilled to get proficincy with Investigation, Perception and Cook's Utensil's because a good butler always know to be on the look out for thigns that are out of place and how to make their empoyers favourite dish/drink and also nab Intimidation for the Human bonus skill to bring just the right amount of condescending talking skills
Background: Soldier.
Class: Fighter (Champion) taking Unarmed Fighting style and Insight and Survival for Fighter Skills to represent your ability to read people and previous military special ops training in the wilds. I would go for Battlemaster over Champion but most maneuvers specify a weapon attack which unarmed strikes don't count as unelss a DM is happy to house rule they do. Monk would be good instead if you flavour it as a brawler over a trained martial artist
Multiclass Rogue (any), if you multiclass rogue nab Stealth as a bonus skill and spread your expertise whereever you need. Just need a couple of levels for the expertise/cunning actions.
Willikins from the Discworld series would probably be my go-to for a butler/valet character. Mostly because he's pretty much an amalgation of a lot of other classic characters. Variant Human with Tavern Brawler. For background I would go for Urchin or Criminal and for class I'd go with a mix of Fighter and Rogue. For subclasses I'd probably go Samurai (for Fighting Spirit and Courtier, Willikins has manners) or perhaps Battle Master or Champion (not as fun but still suitable) and probably Mastermind. Fighting style would be either Protection, Interception, Duelling or Defence.
What are Butlers known best for? Smoothing things out for the person they work for, and especially, treating people politely. If that's not something a Bard would be good at, I don't know what on earth would be better. Expertise in Persuasion. Good to go.
I've been playing around with a butler character for the last few days. I was thinking next time someone decides to play an noble in a group I'd bring this character and see what rp shenanigans would happen.
I liked the idea of a human Variant (tavern brawler) or half-orc Rune knight fighter that uses the unarmed martial style and grappling to fight. He was a soldier, did some bad things in the war, swore off weapons, and is indebted to the Noble characters family for some reason, because of this he works as a bodyguard/butler.
I like this idea, but I'd love to hear some other character concepts for butler PCs from other people. Maybe a more magically inclined butler? Or perhaps a skill focused character ready for any situation.
I've always liked the idea of a mountain of muscle Orc, or some other stereotypically brutish fantasy race, being dressed in dapper gear almost bursting at the seams, and speaking rather posh (think Spyro: Year of the Dragon's Bentley the Yeti). The most they would be proficient in is Cook's Utensils/Calligrapher's Tools, or if they had to have a weapon, a letter-opening/butter-spreading dagger. Thankfully we have Monks to work with, who can best hide their abilities in day-to-day living. Or perhaps a spellcaster that can gain extra assistance from an Unseen Servant, a Mage Hand, or Prestigitation?
If I had to go for a very stereotypical butler though, it would be one much like Bruce Wayne's Albert with a twist, such as the twist found in this particular instance.
Zero is the most important number in D&D: Session Zero sets the boundaries and the tone; Rule Zero dictates the Dungeon Master (DM) is the final arbiter; and Zero D&D is better than Bad D&D.
"Let us speak plainly now, and in earnest, for words mean little without the weight of conviction."
- The Assemblage of Houses, World of Warcraft
I’m thinking something of a mix between Tom Hagen, the consigliere from the Godfather, and Cato Fong, inspector Clouseau’s manservant from the Pink Panther. A character with sufficient wisdom to offer advice and caution against missteps without assuming authority, and at the same time not overly reverent towards their employer and ready to bring the thunder. A monk would work well for this, possibly Way of Shadow for extra stealth, and race-wise maybe a loxodon, tortle or firbolg - or better yet, a kenku or aaracokra.
Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
I would think Albert Pennyworth (the butler to Bruce Wayne/Batman) would be a good measure of an adventuring butler if you took the Sean Pertwee version form the Gotham tv series.
Go for
Race: Human (Variant) taking skilled to get proficincy with Investigation, Perception and Cook's Utensil's because a good butler always know to be on the look out for thigns that are out of place and how to make their empoyers favourite dish/drink and also nab Intimidation for the Human bonus skill to bring just the right amount of condescending talking skills
Background: Soldier.
Class: Fighter (Champion) taking Unarmed Fighting style and Insight and Survival for Fighter Skills to represent your ability to read people and previous military special ops training in the wilds. I would go for Battlemaster over Champion but most maneuvers specify a weapon attack which unarmed strikes don't count as unelss a DM is happy to house rule they do. Monk would be good instead if you flavour it as a brawler over a trained martial artist
Multiclass Rogue (any), if you multiclass rogue nab Stealth as a bonus skill and spread your expertise whereever you need. Just need a couple of levels for the expertise/cunning actions.
Willikins from the Discworld series would probably be my go-to for a butler/valet character. Mostly because he's pretty much an amalgation of a lot of other classic characters. Variant Human with Tavern Brawler. For background I would go for Urchin or Criminal and for class I'd go with a mix of Fighter and Rogue. For subclasses I'd probably go Samurai (for Fighting Spirit and Courtier, Willikins has manners) or perhaps Battle Master or Champion (not as fun but still suitable) and probably Mastermind. Fighting style would be either Protection, Interception, Duelling or Defence.
What are Butlers known best for? Smoothing things out for the person they work for, and especially, treating people politely. If that's not something a Bard would be good at, I don't know what on earth would be better. Expertise in Persuasion. Good to go.
<Insert clever signature here>
You just made all the Spyro memories come back to me, loved Bentley, hated that boxing mini-game.