So I'm a huge fan of gothic horror and the universal monsters, as such I've created a character to represent my version of each of the classics (still finalizing Dracula and TCFTBL) but with Frankenstein I've hit a bit of a conundrum.
When most people think of Frankenstein they think of the monster not the man but anyone who's read the novel (or seen the movies) knows that Frankenstein was the creator and the monster was sometimes known as Caliban or Prometheus. So my question is should I make a character based off of playing the scientist or playing the monster?
If I make the scientist version I'll play him as a Battlesmith Artificer and I'll flavor The Steel Defender as a lesser Flesh Golem. If I play the monster I'm thinking either a Warforged or a Anvilwrought Goliath to represent being a Flesh Golem, not sure on class but leaning towards a Storm Herald Barbarian or Tempest Cleric
If you read it carefully, you’ll notice that not only did “the monster” shift to “the creature” over the course of the story. And of course, the true moral of the story was that the Doctor was the real monster the entire time, and his creation was a representation of God acting to correct the universe.
This is kind of like me asking the forum if my next character should be a fighter or a wizard. The answer is the one you want to play. If it's not for play and just for funsies, make both.
Yeah there isn't really a "right" way to it. Why not make both? I think it comes down to where you play these characters and which would best fit the game you're playing in. If instead, you're creating a collection of characters based off the Universal monsters, do both.
Also keep in mind the Universal interpretation until maybe DeNiro's performance is very different from the Modern Prometheus of Shelley's work. The intellectual capacity presented by the creature in Shelley's novel is very different from the sentimental, but easily frightened and fearful creature in the original movie adaptations. So there's at least two incarnations you could capture.
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Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
Oh I'm well aware of the differences between the novel and cinematic versions of the Universal Monsters, my characters are meant to be inspired by the originals not exact representations.
Honestly the intent of this is more to see what others would do for the character, I've actually thought of playing the scientist version first and then later on the monster who is looking for his creator (previous character)
First of all Doctor Victor Von Frankenstein IS the monster. He is a vile despicable man that fathered a "son", albeit unconventionally, then abandoned his son to the wild. His son, known as Caliban, is the victim, not the monster. Then as his poor child is left to starve in a strange world, without any prospects it turns to crime - just like most children kicked out of their home before the age of 10. Or they die. This particular child happened to be extra strong so instead of becoming a pick pocket/thief, he ended up a killer.
Why would anyone want to play Victor? Ignore the prick.
Play Caliban, the poor child, abandoned by his father, left with no choice but to become an adventurer in this dark, cruel world. Warforged is basically anvilwrought, not much difference. I think Barbarian makes more sense than Cleric to me. Why would Caliban turn to a God? He has nothing but contempt for his creator.
So I'm a huge fan of gothic horror and the universal monsters, as such I've created a character to represent my version of each of the classics (still finalizing Dracula and TCFTBL) but with Frankenstein I've hit a bit of a conundrum.
When most people think of Frankenstein they think of the monster not the man but anyone who's read the novel (or seen the movies) knows that Frankenstein was the creator and the monster was sometimes known as Caliban or Prometheus. So my question is should I make a character based off of playing the scientist or playing the monster?
If I make the scientist version I'll play him as a Battlesmith Artificer and I'll flavor The Steel Defender as a lesser Flesh Golem. If I play the monster I'm thinking either a Warforged or a Anvilwrought Goliath to represent being a Flesh Golem, not sure on class but leaning towards a Storm Herald Barbarian or Tempest Cleric
If you read it carefully, you’ll notice that not only did “the monster” shift to “the creature” over the course of the story. And of course, the true moral of the story was that the Doctor was the real monster the entire time, and his creation was a representation of God acting to correct the universe.
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This is kind of like me asking the forum if my next character should be a fighter or a wizard. The answer is the one you want to play. If it's not for play and just for funsies, make both.
My homebrew subclasses (full list here)
(Artificer) Swordmage | Glasswright | (Barbarian) Path of the Savage Embrace
(Bard) College of Dance | (Fighter) Warlord | Cannoneer
(Monk) Way of the Elements | (Ranger) Blade Dancer
(Rogue) DaggerMaster | Inquisitor | (Sorcerer) Riftwalker | Spellfist
(Warlock) The Swarm
Yeah there isn't really a "right" way to it. Why not make both? I think it comes down to where you play these characters and which would best fit the game you're playing in. If instead, you're creating a collection of characters based off the Universal monsters, do both.
Also keep in mind the Universal interpretation until maybe DeNiro's performance is very different from the Modern Prometheus of Shelley's work. The intellectual capacity presented by the creature in Shelley's novel is very different from the sentimental, but easily frightened and fearful creature in the original movie adaptations. So there's at least two incarnations you could capture.
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
Oh I'm well aware of the differences between the novel and cinematic versions of the Universal Monsters, my characters are meant to be inspired by the originals not exact representations.
Honestly the intent of this is more to see what others would do for the character, I've actually thought of playing the scientist version first and then later on the monster who is looking for his creator (previous character)
First of all Doctor Victor Von Frankenstein IS the monster. He is a vile despicable man that fathered a "son", albeit unconventionally, then abandoned his son to the wild. His son, known as Caliban, is the victim, not the monster. Then as his poor child is left to starve in a strange world, without any prospects it turns to crime - just like most children kicked out of their home before the age of 10. Or they die. This particular child happened to be extra strong so instead of becoming a pick pocket/thief, he ended up a killer.
Why would anyone want to play Victor? Ignore the prick.
Play Caliban, the poor child, abandoned by his father, left with no choice but to become an adventurer in this dark, cruel world. Warforged is basically anvilwrought, not much difference. I think Barbarian makes more sense than Cleric to me. Why would Caliban turn to a God? He has nothing but contempt for his creator.