Looking for some input on a character build. Listened to a song recently that gave me an idea for a character (White Bat by He is Legend for anyone interested). My interpretation is a story of a murderer that draws pleasure from being feared. But, there's a line in the song that says, "Play nice, you'll never see me again". Got me to thinking that maybe this guy chooses targets based on some sort of criteria (possibly misguided) and gives them a chance to change before killing them.
My thought was to make a character who hunts targets for a deity or powerful being (possibly misinterpreting the will of the higher being). He's stealthy, but tends to reveal himself before killing to instill fear into his victims.
That brings me to the purpose for my post. I'm not sure how to go about building this type of character. Originally, Assassin came to mind for obvious reasons. However, they rely on getting the drop on their enemy rather than revealing and then attacking. Plus rogues might have a little trouble in a straight fight if the target fights back. I also thought Hexblade could work. Get a little more combat ability. Tie him to the Raven Queen or something like that for motivation. But then things like Grave Domain could be really neat for flavor and Path to the Grave. Ranger and Fighter have a little more oomph for direct combat, but I'm not sure the abilities fit with the story.
Anyone have any interesting ideas on how to build this character or even just to flesh out the story a little?
If the intent is to stalk and frighten someone before killing them, like hunting prey, there are definitely many options:
Wizard-Illusionist: From afar, constantly use spells like thaumaturgy, minor illusion, project image, etc. to instill fear into the target until you eventually confront them.
Ranger-Anything: Taking a more deranged perspective of a hunter after it's prey, lean into the character trait of "marinating" the prey with fear, toying with them before confrontation.
Paladin-Conquest: Deliberately stalk the target, not in any stealth whatsoever, but do not commit any malicious acts. Just make your presence known and dare them to attack.
I suppose the only issue you might face with this character is why they might work with a party of PCs?
It sounds like they have some sort of morality to help arbitrarily decide which targets to let live and which to kill. This sounds intriguing: do you have more insight to what that morality might be?
I picture him being more physical with possibly some spells/abilities to aid him, so the wizard doesn't really fit my vision. I've been considering ranger as well. probably gloom stalker if anything. I kind of see him as being like the dark brotherhood in the elder scrolls games. Hidden until he reveals himself. so it's like a fear of what they can't see and then he confirms that he's there before he attacks. Does that make sense?
I understand this might be difficult to work with other PCs. Hence the motivation being key. I don't see him as an indiscriminate killer. To roll with my raven queen idea. He's basically, root out people that he believes are cheating death or something like that and put a stop to it. So with proper reasoning, he could easily fall into the neutral range rather than evil. I do kind of like the idea of him misinterpreting his reason though. Like his enjoyment of the fear factor could be making him take text or instruction way beyond it's intended scope.
Looking for some input on a character build. Listened to a song recently that gave me an idea for a character (White Bat by He is Legend for anyone interested). My interpretation is a story of a murderer that draws pleasure from being feared. But, there's a line in the song that says, "Play nice, you'll never see me again". Got me to thinking that maybe this guy chooses targets based on some sort of criteria (possibly misguided) and gives them a chance to change before killing them.
My thought was to make a character who hunts targets for a deity or powerful being (possibly misinterpreting the will of the higher being). He's stealthy, but tends to reveal himself before killing to instill fear into his victims.
That brings me to the purpose for my post. I'm not sure how to go about building this type of character. Originally, Assassin came to mind for obvious reasons. However, they rely on getting the drop on their enemy rather than revealing and then attacking. Plus rogues might have a little trouble in a straight fight if the target fights back. I also thought Hexblade could work. Get a little more combat ability. Tie him to the Raven Queen or something like that for motivation. But then things like Grave Domain could be really neat for flavor and Path to the Grave. Ranger and Fighter have a little more oomph for direct combat, but I'm not sure the abilities fit with the story.
Anyone have any interesting ideas on how to build this character or even just to flesh out the story a little?
Vengeance Paladin could also work if you're hunting targets based on a predetermined criteria. Your oath is to essentially eliminate people who _________.
Looking for some input on a character build. Listened to a song recently that gave me an idea for a character (White Bat by He is Legend for anyone interested). My interpretation is a story of a murderer that draws pleasure from being feared. But, there's a line in the song that says, "Play nice, you'll never see me again". Got me to thinking that maybe this guy chooses targets based on some sort of criteria (possibly misguided) and gives them a chance to change before killing them.
My thought was to make a character who hunts targets for a deity or powerful being (possibly misinterpreting the will of the higher being). He's stealthy, but tends to reveal himself before killing to instill fear into his victims.
That brings me to the purpose for my post. I'm not sure how to go about building this type of character. Originally, Assassin came to mind for obvious reasons. However, they rely on getting the drop on their enemy rather than revealing and then attacking. Plus rogues might have a little trouble in a straight fight if the target fights back. I also thought Hexblade could work. Get a little more combat ability. Tie him to the Raven Queen or something like that for motivation. But then things like Grave Domain could be really neat for flavor and Path to the Grave. Ranger and Fighter have a little more oomph for direct combat, but I'm not sure the abilities fit with the story.
Anyone have any interesting ideas on how to build this character or even just to flesh out the story a little?
If the intent is to stalk and frighten someone before killing them, like hunting prey, there are definitely many options:
Wizard-Illusionist: From afar, constantly use spells like thaumaturgy, minor illusion, project image, etc. to instill fear into the target until you eventually confront them.
Ranger-Anything: Taking a more deranged perspective of a hunter after it's prey, lean into the character trait of "marinating" the prey with fear, toying with them before confrontation.
Paladin-Conquest: Deliberately stalk the target, not in any stealth whatsoever, but do not commit any malicious acts. Just make your presence known and dare them to attack.
I suppose the only issue you might face with this character is why they might work with a party of PCs?
It sounds like they have some sort of morality to help arbitrarily decide which targets to let live and which to kill. This sounds intriguing: do you have more insight to what that morality might be?
I picture him being more physical with possibly some spells/abilities to aid him, so the wizard doesn't really fit my vision. I've been considering ranger as well. probably gloom stalker if anything. I kind of see him as being like the dark brotherhood in the elder scrolls games. Hidden until he reveals himself. so it's like a fear of what they can't see and then he confirms that he's there before he attacks. Does that make sense?
I understand this might be difficult to work with other PCs. Hence the motivation being key. I don't see him as an indiscriminate killer. To roll with my raven queen idea. He's basically, root out people that he believes are cheating death or something like that and put a stop to it. So with proper reasoning, he could easily fall into the neutral range rather than evil. I do kind of like the idea of him misinterpreting his reason though. Like his enjoyment of the fear factor could be making him take text or instruction way beyond it's intended scope.
Conquest Paladin.
Vengeance Paladin could also work if you're hunting targets based on a predetermined criteria. Your oath is to essentially eliminate people who _________.
Partway through the quest for absolute truth.
I'm thinking ranger gloom stalker maybe a multiclass after level 5 to rogue swashbuckler.