Hey guys/girls, i'm new here but i know i can get an excellent feedback from you.
I'm running an adventure (5e) for my first time ever, so this is also a new world to me. The thing is that the quest that the party (good or neutral, none of them is evil so usually they try to use diplomacy before fighting) have to solve is to convince a very smart and cunning person to stop charging people to cross a bridge. Of course he has some "body guards" to avoid any type of battle.
Right now i don't know what kind of race/class suits better for a NPC that is strong in Wisdom and/or Charisma so they have a nice challenge to overcome. Any suggestion is more than welcome.
Are you planning on building a character on the character sheet for them to fight, in place of using a monster of some sort? Generally, I would just go with a monster, possibly with increased HP if you want the fight to be a little more challenging.
However, if you are looking for a build or looking just for flavour, here are some thoughts:
For races:
Teiflings are probably the most stereotypical “cunning and devious” race, given their demonic origins. Some other options include an elf (Drow if you want something more traditionally evil). Kenku are rather creepy figures as well that can be wise. Then, of course, there’s humans which are generally flexible in what they can do.
But, ultimately, race is not a deciding factor. You can have a wise, charismatic orc or bugbear if you want to go for a “troll under the bridge” vibe. Or a particularly devious goblin. Or a High Elf, or a Kalashtar, or whatever you want and whatever works best for your flavour.
For classes, Warlock would be the easiest choice - someone who thinks they’re clever and made a bargain for power. That said, rangers, artificers, or druids could all be decent classes that can come off as wise or charismatic. And, again, no reason something like an Ancestral Guardian Barbarian, in touch with his or her ancestors, might be particularly wise.
Boring Bard, will have in mind what you've said about the half-elf. Those bonuses really help.
And Caerwyn, will think about the warlock class.
To be more clear, I'm not trying to get them into a fight, but to try the party to succeed through diplomacy first. So the idea is to make those skills check a challenge when negotiating with this "smart and cunning" creature/person. Of course, if not possible then blood will be shed probably.
NPCs don’t have to follow PC rules. So don’t worry about class at all. You want them to be smart and cunning, give them high int/wis, probably a high cha. Give them a good bonus in persuasion/deception/insight/perception, now they are smart and cunning. As far as how good a bonus, that’s where you set the challenge. How easy or hard do you want it to be? If it’s going to come down to opposed rolls, look at your party’s best modifier and set the NPC’s accordingly. If both you and the player roll the same number on a d20, do you want them to win or you? Then work from there, the lower your number, the easier for the PCs. You can always give them a circumstantial bonus. Start them at even odds, then see how the conversation goes and decide if they earned an extra +1 or more based on how well they rp.
As far as race, no race has a monopoly on smart or cunning, and there are always outliers, so think if there’s one that might best fit your setting or story. That said, I can really see a gnome, for some reason. Or if you want a spin on a classic, use a troll. An unusually smart, cunning troll. Just use the troll stat block and boost its mental and social skill.
Boring Bard, will have in mind what you've said about the half-elf. Those bonuses really help.
If you're just making an NPC, then you can just give them whatever stats you want. The bonuses don't really matter
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock) Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric) Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue) Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
As far as race, no race has a monopoly on smart or cunning, and there are always outliers, so think if there’s one that might best fit your setting or story. That said, I can really see a gnome, for some reason. Or if you want a spin on a classic, use a troll. An unusually smart, cunning troll. Just use the troll stat block and boost its mental and social skill.
I agree with everything you said in your first paragraph. Thank you very much.
And regarding what i marked in bold.... smart idea. Thanks. Like i said, first time DMing and this advice is very handy.
I would t worry about races for NPCS from a stat perspective. If you are running the game you can move things wherever you want. Class might be more of a thought though.
when choosing races I would go for something that fits your theme. Maybe a fallen aasimar for a fallen celestial kinda vibe. Maybe more traditional bandit with a more human like race. Maybe something more monstrous. It depends on the NPC itself what feels right. What vibe do you want from the character
That said, I can really see a gnome, for some reason. Or if you want a spin on a classic, use a troll. An unusually smart, cunning troll. Just use the troll stat block and boost its mental and social skill.
Troll wearing a Headband of Intellect. Make it happen OP
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I know what you're thinking: "In that flurry of blows, did he use all his ki points, or save one?" Well, are ya feeling lucky, punk?
Hey guys/girls, i'm new here but i know i can get an excellent feedback from you.
I'm running an adventure (5e) for my first time ever, so this is also a new world to me. The thing is that the quest that the party (good or neutral, none of them is evil so usually they try to use diplomacy before fighting) have to solve is to convince a very smart and cunning person to stop charging people to cross a bridge. Of course he has some "body guards" to avoid any type of battle.
Right now i don't know what kind of race/class suits better for a NPC that is strong in Wisdom and/or Charisma so they have a nice challenge to overcome. Any suggestion is more than welcome.
Thanks in advance!
A half-elf gets a charisma bonus (+2) and tow other bonuses to dispense (+1 to each), one of those could be in wisdom.
PS. Even bodyguards wont be able to block arrows and other ranged attacks at the NPC, so you might want to give the guy high HP.
BoringBard's long and tedious posts somehow manage to enrapture audiences. How? Because he used Charm Person, the #1 bard spell!
He/him pronouns. Call me Bard. PROUD NERD!
Ever wanted to talk about your parties' worst mistakes? Do so HERE. What's your favorite class, why? Share & explain
HERE.Are you planning on building a character on the character sheet for them to fight, in place of using a monster of some sort? Generally, I would just go with a monster, possibly with increased HP if you want the fight to be a little more challenging.
However, if you are looking for a build or looking just for flavour, here are some thoughts:
For races:
Teiflings are probably the most stereotypical “cunning and devious” race, given their demonic origins. Some other options include an elf (Drow if you want something more traditionally evil). Kenku are rather creepy figures as well that can be wise. Then, of course, there’s humans which are generally flexible in what they can do.
But, ultimately, race is not a deciding factor. You can have a wise, charismatic orc or bugbear if you want to go for a “troll under the bridge” vibe. Or a particularly devious goblin. Or a High Elf, or a Kalashtar, or whatever you want and whatever works best for your flavour.
For classes, Warlock would be the easiest choice - someone who thinks they’re clever and made a bargain for power. That said, rangers, artificers, or druids could all be decent classes that can come off as wise or charismatic. And, again, no reason something like an Ancestral Guardian Barbarian, in touch with his or her ancestors, might be particularly wise.
First of all, thanks for your advice.
Boring Bard, will have in mind what you've said about the half-elf. Those bonuses really help.
And Caerwyn, will think about the warlock class.
To be more clear, I'm not trying to get them into a fight, but to try the party to succeed through diplomacy first. So the idea is to make those skills check a challenge when negotiating with this "smart and cunning" creature/person. Of course, if not possible then blood will be shed probably.
NPCs don’t have to follow PC rules. So don’t worry about class at all. You want them to be smart and cunning, give them high int/wis, probably a high cha. Give them a good bonus in persuasion/deception/insight/perception, now they are smart and cunning. As far as how good a bonus, that’s where you set the challenge. How easy or hard do you want it to be? If it’s going to come down to opposed rolls, look at your party’s best modifier and set the NPC’s accordingly. If both you and the player roll the same number on a d20, do you want them to win or you? Then work from there, the lower your number, the easier for the PCs.
You can always give them a circumstantial bonus. Start them at even odds, then see how the conversation goes and decide if they earned an extra +1 or more based on how well they rp.
As far as race, no race has a monopoly on smart or cunning, and there are always outliers, so think if there’s one that might best fit your setting or story.
That said, I can really see a gnome, for some reason. Or if you want a spin on a classic, use a troll. An unusually smart, cunning troll. Just use the troll stat block and boost its mental and social skill.
If you're just making an NPC, then you can just give them whatever stats you want. The bonuses don't really matter
Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock)
Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric)
Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue)
Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
I agree with everything you said in your first paragraph. Thank you very much.
And regarding what i marked in bold.... smart idea. Thanks. Like i said, first time DMing and this advice is very handy.
I would t worry about races for NPCS from a stat perspective. If you are running the game you can move things wherever you want. Class might be more of a thought though.
when choosing races I would go for something that fits your theme. Maybe a fallen aasimar for a fallen celestial kinda vibe. Maybe more traditional bandit with a more human like race. Maybe something more monstrous. It depends on the NPC itself what feels right. What vibe do you want from the character
Troll wearing a Headband of Intellect. Make it happen OP
I know what you're thinking: "In that flurry of blows, did he use all his ki points, or save one?" Well, are ya feeling lucky, punk?
True, but some people build NPC's thorugh character creation, and/or want the race to fit with the NPC.
BoringBard's long and tedious posts somehow manage to enrapture audiences. How? Because he used Charm Person, the #1 bard spell!
He/him pronouns. Call me Bard. PROUD NERD!
Ever wanted to talk about your parties' worst mistakes? Do so HERE. What's your favorite class, why? Share & explain
HERE.Thank you everyone. All your advice and suggestions were taken into account.