The concerns of balance when making a character…

[Anara]

Hi Nero!

Aye...I agree with having certain troubles with creating a druid class character...and making up a story that seems plausible enough to fit the character, and the in-game storyline...

I guess you're right, that containing the Blood of Bhaal does removes certain restrictions in the context of attributes...I mean, Sarevok himself does seem to possess quite impressive statistics, so why should one's own character not gain certain advantages as well?...

By the way, you shouldn't worry too much your English...I'm danish as well you see, and I understand it just fine
Perhaps because we make the same mistakes...

- Anara

[Kree]

I think with classes such as the druid it is probably best to create ones own solution ie. a passing druid who stayed at Candlekeep because he was Gorion's friend or something taught the protagonist the very basic nature of his skills, which allowed you to develop them further or later when in the game.

I always try to create these scenario's for my character to make my character more believable which also makes the game more fun.

At the moment, I am trying to create a viable one for my swashbuckler (courtesy of ze tutu) and although I can justify his skills I cant justify other aspect of his character (aggression, his passion for his actions or such other ideas)

Its always interesting though

[Nero]

It's actually also metioned before (I think it was you, Anara) that we also consider the subclasses from BG2 when creating a character in the original BG. That makes it even harder, for instance (also mentioned previously) the Kensai, who really does not have any plausible background when raised in Candlekeep.

What bothers me even more is that a book has been written which is about a man fulfilling the destiny of a protagonist in the BG series. In this case, it's a human, male fighter (if I recall correctly) and that's annoying because it seems that there is one "true" protagonist.

As for the druid... I'm still not satisfied. I think there should be some kind of signs in the game that the protagonist could be a druid, just a tiny little indication.

And after all, the game certainly favours good-aligned characters when considering both Gorions alignment and Imoen's. And Candlekeep is such an innocent little society, to think that an extremely evil and violent character could be raised here, surrounded by Gorion's friends, the Harpers?
Anyway, I have given it a great deal of thought... But some things just don't fit with the story.
Or what?

Nero

(Anara: I had actually guessed that you're from Denmark. Weird!)

[Grombag]

Well the protagonist does have a huge liberarie to its disposal. He could have picked up the basics from there, help the local veterinarian heal some cows or something. It is a level 1 character when you gain control of him. He doesn't need to have alot of experience. It is the "profession" he leans towards/ the kind of character he is raised to be. Since your character is raised in a secluded village he has to make do with the local nature. Besides Gorion doesn't get time off from his duties and has no time to take his foster-child outside Candlekeep? :mischief:

[TheAmazingOopah]

As for the druid... I'm still not satisfied. I think there should be some kind of signs in the game that the protagonist could be a druid, just a tiny little indication.

And after all, the game certainly favours good-aligned characters when considering both Gorions alignment and Imoen's. And Candlekeep is such an innocent little society, to think that an extremely evil and violent character could be raised here, surrounded by Gorion's friends, the Harpers?
Anyway, I have given it a great deal of thought... But some things just don't fit with the story.
Or what?

I think that Grombag said some good things to this. When you start off in Candlekeep, your experience is zero. Now, your character has obviously already some theoretical basis, perhaps a bit of experience by innocent trying around, and possibly also some teaching, which would explain that a mage is able to do his magic tricks and that a cleric has it's holy spells. But apart from that, your character is still very much at the beginning of his profession and still even has to advance. So it's very possible that a beginner druid has learned his basic spells, abilities and background by reading a lot of books. Also possible that Gorion helped him with this, seeing how his foster child has a fascinated interest in the world of the druids, and he didn't mind stimulating this. Maybe he knew a bit about the druid skills himself, maybe he helped his child to some of the most useful books for beginning druids, and maybe he just asked a travelling druid friend for a favour. It sounds very acceptable to me that at least one travelling druid visited Candlekeep from time to time, and Gorion definitely knew druids. Heck, perhaps a Harper taught the protagonist some moves and bits, everytime he came to Candlekeep. These ideas make it for me very acceptable to create a druid, but perhaps I am easier to convince on that department.

*Baldur's Gate 1 ending spoiler, highlight to read*

And it's true that Candlekeep is a city with many good and neutral aligned folk, with little room for bad people, but the protagonist's evil tendencies could have a genetic source. Isn't Bhaal the lord of chaos and destruction, or am I wrong here? So even though the character is raised by loving and noble people, his evil blood would still be boiling. Also, we know little of the protagonist's mother, she could have been a downright bitch. An attractive bitch that is, since Gorion misses her so much.

Spoiler End.

Oh, and your English is quite allright if you ask me! I just would've guessed that you are a native speaker if you wouldn't have said so otherwise

[Anara]

Of Class

Hmm...I had not considered - at length - that it probably does not take much to actually become a "level 1" class, in whatever personal leanings one might have.

As has been said in the posts above, one could have read a bit about a particular subject matter - say, druidism - and a spark of interest was born. Perhaps even perpetuated by Gorion when he learned about it. As mentioned, he might have had some friends in these matters, who knew something about druids...

As for the Baldur's Gate II subclasses, they do seem to be rather specialized classes. Who would have thought, for instance, that a Kensai swordmaster would have gained his rank by sparring a bit with the city guards...

Anyway, all these posts - and thank you for those - have inspired me to perhaps concentrate on another class, rather than my traditional (typical) human fighter...it's a great class still, I think (if one likes weaponry), but as shown by the discussion at hand, there clearly are viable, plausible options out there...

- Anara

[Klorox]

Hmm...I had not considered - at length - that it probably does not take much to actually become a "level 1" class, in whatever personal leanings one might have.

According to the AD&D rules, becoming a level 1 character isn't as easy as you might think.

[Anara]

Hmm..I had not considered that, I must admit...or rather, I'm not sufficiently aware of the AD&D rules; the Baldur's Gate implementation thereof.

To be sure, I am aware that there are is a usage of said rules in the context of Baldur's Gate, but I cannot claim any knowledge of exactly how.

Say, what does it take then?

- Anara

[Klorox]

I don't actually own a rulebook anymore, but I know it talks about needing training for any of the adventurer classes. Most people are commoners (no class, or level 0), even soldiers.

[Nero]

Yeah, I wondered about that too. I mean, there are a lot of commoners or beggars around, so it cannot be that easy just to be a 1 lvl <class>. Otherwise, everybody would prefer to be some kind of adventure class instead of a beggar... no?

So I guess there are still som issues concerning a lot of the classes, the ones previously mentioned, as well as the Sorcerer/Sorceress (bothers me, that it's still SocerER in the game, when it's a female!) and the Barbarian. These to classes are both introduced in BG2 and both seem rather unlikely to have been brought up in Candlekeep. (and in BG, it's not even possible )
Shame really, since I'm very fond of the whole mystery about the Sorcerer/Sorceress mythology (cf. my signature).

Guess one must just legitimize an unlikely character... Still, the game's fun!

-Nero

[mr_sir]

So I guess there are still som issues concerning a lot of the classes, the ones previously mentioned, as well as the Sorcerer/Sorceress (bothers me, that it's still SocerER in the game, when it's a female!) and the Barbarian. These to classes are both introduced in BG2 and both seem rather unlikely to have been brought up in Candlekeep.

Actually, arcane casters make a lot more sense than many other classes, seeing as your PC's foster father is a powerful mage Its perfectly reasonable that he might teach you and train you to level 1, especially as he knows about what you might face in the future.

For me, considering the character's upbringing, a lawful or neutral good mage or sorceror makes more sense than any other class as this can be explained very easily through Gorian's influence and teachings.

[Nero]

Actually, I mentioned this before - and I agree, the mage is very likely because of Gorion - But I have said that. But the Sorcerer is a very different class, and the intuitive way they cast their spells, Gorion would not be able to guide the protagonist, simply because his profession i very different.

-Nero

[Klorox]

But Sorcerers don't choose to be sorcerers, they just kinda get their powers.

That works perfectly for ANY character of ANY background!

[Faendalimas]

But Sorcerers don't choose to be sorcerers, they just kinda get their powers.

That works perfectly for ANY character of ANY background!

Not really in a place like Candlekeep. Sorcerers do gain their powers automatically but this breeds contempt and hatred from Mages hence being raised in Candlekeep with those innate abilities would have met for a difficult upbringing in a town full of mages.

Cheers, Faen

[Klorox]

Where does it say that mages have contempt and hatred for sorcerers?

Better yet, where does it say that ALL mages have contempt and hatred for sorcerers?

And on top of that, what foster father hates his adopted child, who's father he knows is an evil god, who just happens to sprout some sorcerous powers?

[Kree]

Hmmmmmm raises an interesting question - Would Gorion be happy with the protagonist being an adept Sorcerer for protection or fear because of his lineage - Anyway back on topic im pretty sure Gorion would not hate you if you chose to become a sorcerer... It may not be common practice but being just 'good' would probably please Gorion much more than if your char was good at nothing

In the end though ANY character is feasible if the right scenario was presented - even if that scenario was also created by the gamer

[Faendalimas]

Where does it say that mages have contempt and hatred for sorcerers?

Better yet, where does it say that ALL mages have contempt and hatred for sorcerers?

Klorox, I never said "ALL" you did, however the views of other classes on Sorcerer's is all in the D&D Core rule books and the Complete Arcane, the rivalry between Sorcerer's and Wizards is also discussed in the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting. So its whats called Canon. Basically because of their nature Sorcerer's breed fear, misunderstanding and contempt from those around them and tend to be loners, exactly which emotion depends on the class, with wizards its contempt because of the sorcerer's innate ability to learn magic whereas wizards feel it must be studied and learned.

And on top of that, what foster father hates his adopted child, who's father he knows is an evil god, who just happens to sprout some sorcerous powers?

This has nothing to do with Gorian, he would not care what class your character is for the reasons you say. Its about fitting into Candlekeep and believably growing up there with friends among the mages.

In the end though ANY character is feasible if the right scenario was presented - even if that scenario was also created by the gamer

Exactly, make your story and make it believable and go on from there. This is just the starting point once you walk out of Candlekeep its effectively behind you and in the past.

Cheers, Faen

[Klorox]

You didn't say "all" but you certainly implied it with the definitive statement: "Sorcerers do gain their powers automatically but this breeds contempt and hatred from Mages...