Avalon Lad
04-05-2010, 06:04 PM
See my post in "looking for a game" for Continuum 2010 and who might be going?
http://www.continuum.uk.net/
As part of getting myself potentially prepared I kicked around the idea of some archtype characters for pre-generated characters that belong in a game that might have a fair number of beginners in after reading a couple of articles including this one:
http://www.gnomestew.com/gaming-conventions/6-rules-for-gming-great-rpg-events-at-conventions
Archtypes
I was thinking about archytpes in Pendragon.
Lots of roleplaying games have different character classes and thus it is much easier to produce a slew of pre-generated characters, since with say 4 or 6 different classes and or races then it is fairly easy to come up with a mixture fairly quickly.
Pendragon is somewhat different as it essentially has one class – Fighter (arguably noble woman is there as well, but that’s a whole different question). The different cultures and backgrounds tweak it a little but not in the same way that say Fighter/Cleric/Magic user or Human/Elf/Dwarf do.
So, I’m looking for ideas for convention pre-generated archtypes. For a convention then I would tend to set games generally when Arthur has ascended the throne and Lancelot is around, even if they only meet one of the major players I think having one or two names in the background helps to easily lend flavour to a game. I think the short description that goes on top of a character on a post it helps with the selection as well. Remember I’m looking for archtypes – the one legged tattooed pict with a magical pony may be a great character but is not – for me – an archtype for beginning characters in the world of Pendragon.
By way of situation then for starting characters I will often use the ideas of something like a tourney or wedding where they all end up billeted together, or a lords residence where some are natives, some travellers and some mercenaries,
To get the ball rolling…
Classic Hunter/Falconer
Strong skills in hunting, hawking, awareness – the outdoor type.
Classic Courtier
Strong skills in Courtesy, Dance, Sing or play instrument – the indoor type
(a variant on this is the ladies man where the skills get levened out with flirt and romance).
Classic Sailor
Strong skills in Sailing, worldy, modicum of courtesy – the adventurer type from a coastal fief.
Classic Uncouth Brawler
The min/maxer who puts everything into swords, horse etc at the expense of basic social skills.
Well Rounded Individual
Balanced character. These have a place as pre-gens, especially for beginners.
Classic Jouster
Lance, Horsemanship, Tourney and courtesy.
Classic Healer
Exceptionally good First aid skill. Occassinally I’ll create an NPC who comes from a religious background with a little Chirugery skill as well.
Noble Son – “Silver Spoon”
Born with the silver spoon in the mouth, every advantage and indulged. Only problem is that he may be OK as a fighter (and has the best equipment) but he’s not actually the best.
Veteran – Sergeant from the ranks
Often accompanies “Silver spoon” to keep him alive. Sergeant raised from the ranks. Quick, dirty and nasty fighter but don’t expect too much polish.
Faith is Might
Strong religious base to character. Piety and charity rather than zealous bigot which doesn’t really belong as a pre-gen.
Wrong Side of the Blanket
Acknowledged Illegitimate son of Noble.
Daughter’s mistake
Unacknowledged son. Second hand equipment etc. Had to fight for everything within the family where the legitimate children get preference..
(A variant on the above is to lift the main character from the movie Kingdom of Heaven).
Saxon Knight – boisterous and boastful
After Badon Arthur takes sons of Saxon nobles and has them raised to become Saxon (cum Cymric) knights. This is one of those individuals.
Ganis Exile
Lancelot’s kith and Kin. What it says on the box – cultured and sophisticated – and bitter and broke.
Roman
Still holds the “old days” of civilisation to be important. Generally always comes with a modicum of intringue and reading/writing.
Cornish Knight
Either on the staff of the ambassador, a roving knight errant or a knight in exile.
Have people got suggestions for other archtypes that can be easily fitted together and suitable for pre-gens at a convention ?
Chris
http://www.continuum.uk.net/
As part of getting myself potentially prepared I kicked around the idea of some archtype characters for pre-generated characters that belong in a game that might have a fair number of beginners in after reading a couple of articles including this one:
http://www.gnomestew.com/gaming-conventions/6-rules-for-gming-great-rpg-events-at-conventions
Archtypes
I was thinking about archytpes in Pendragon.
Lots of roleplaying games have different character classes and thus it is much easier to produce a slew of pre-generated characters, since with say 4 or 6 different classes and or races then it is fairly easy to come up with a mixture fairly quickly.
Pendragon is somewhat different as it essentially has one class – Fighter (arguably noble woman is there as well, but that’s a whole different question). The different cultures and backgrounds tweak it a little but not in the same way that say Fighter/Cleric/Magic user or Human/Elf/Dwarf do.
So, I’m looking for ideas for convention pre-generated archtypes. For a convention then I would tend to set games generally when Arthur has ascended the throne and Lancelot is around, even if they only meet one of the major players I think having one or two names in the background helps to easily lend flavour to a game. I think the short description that goes on top of a character on a post it helps with the selection as well. Remember I’m looking for archtypes – the one legged tattooed pict with a magical pony may be a great character but is not – for me – an archtype for beginning characters in the world of Pendragon.
By way of situation then for starting characters I will often use the ideas of something like a tourney or wedding where they all end up billeted together, or a lords residence where some are natives, some travellers and some mercenaries,
To get the ball rolling…
Classic Hunter/Falconer
Strong skills in hunting, hawking, awareness – the outdoor type.
Classic Courtier
Strong skills in Courtesy, Dance, Sing or play instrument – the indoor type
(a variant on this is the ladies man where the skills get levened out with flirt and romance).
Classic Sailor
Strong skills in Sailing, worldy, modicum of courtesy – the adventurer type from a coastal fief.
Classic Uncouth Brawler
The min/maxer who puts everything into swords, horse etc at the expense of basic social skills.
Well Rounded Individual
Balanced character. These have a place as pre-gens, especially for beginners.
Classic Jouster
Lance, Horsemanship, Tourney and courtesy.
Classic Healer
Exceptionally good First aid skill. Occassinally I’ll create an NPC who comes from a religious background with a little Chirugery skill as well.
Noble Son – “Silver Spoon”
Born with the silver spoon in the mouth, every advantage and indulged. Only problem is that he may be OK as a fighter (and has the best equipment) but he’s not actually the best.
Veteran – Sergeant from the ranks
Often accompanies “Silver spoon” to keep him alive. Sergeant raised from the ranks. Quick, dirty and nasty fighter but don’t expect too much polish.
Faith is Might
Strong religious base to character. Piety and charity rather than zealous bigot which doesn’t really belong as a pre-gen.
Wrong Side of the Blanket
Acknowledged Illegitimate son of Noble.
Daughter’s mistake
Unacknowledged son. Second hand equipment etc. Had to fight for everything within the family where the legitimate children get preference..
(A variant on the above is to lift the main character from the movie Kingdom of Heaven).
Saxon Knight – boisterous and boastful
After Badon Arthur takes sons of Saxon nobles and has them raised to become Saxon (cum Cymric) knights. This is one of those individuals.
Ganis Exile
Lancelot’s kith and Kin. What it says on the box – cultured and sophisticated – and bitter and broke.
Roman
Still holds the “old days” of civilisation to be important. Generally always comes with a modicum of intringue and reading/writing.
Cornish Knight
Either on the staff of the ambassador, a roving knight errant or a knight in exile.
Have people got suggestions for other archtypes that can be easily fitted together and suitable for pre-gens at a convention ?
Chris