JCC AD&D & YJCC

With talk in the Star Wars thread about how confused Wocky would be playing a table top RPG (and his disgust at AD&D in Stranger Things), I made stats for the world's most useless bard which is someone Wocky would play. Iello asked me over messenger what his class in AD&D would be, and it got me thinking.

Tabletop RPGs are a lot of fun, but they also are a great way to see the idiosyncrasies of your friends. Some are very much about forming a unified party and getting along. Others want to do Their Thing and don't gel well with others. Some have trouble separating their personal politics or beliefs from the ones in the world (I had a player in Star Wars actually upset because droids were treated as property...)

Whereas I could see someone like anakinfansince1983 playing a no-nonsense tough fighter, or harpua being a cleric because the party needed a healer and divine spellcaster; I could also see Dave playing a Halfling (Hobbit, if you will) thief whose kleptomania is designed to frustrate the lawful good Paladin. Or Even playing a female barbarian as a protest against hypersexualised female barbarians who wear little more than dental floss as armour.

In this thread, AD&D Nerds like myself or JoinTheSchwarz will make AD&D characters for/based on JCC'ers who ask.

Or like Wocky, who neither ask nor understand what's going on.

Without further ado;

Iellonicus, Patrician Wizard

The Patrician is a kit for wizards, because whereas most JC'ers would be happy to take one of the core classes, there was always one player whose parents bought them every esoteric book possible and that player just had to be special/different. And if roleplaying allows one to project oneself onto their character in a fantastical realm, then of course, of course, they would want to play the class custom built for them...


Description: The Patrician is a wizard of noble birth, a member of his culture's aristocracy. Born into a life of wealth and privilege, the Patrician considers himself an arbiter of good taste and a connoisseur of the finer things in life. He looks down his nose at working men and women, as well as all others he considers to be inconsequential rabble. If anything, his mastery of magic makes him even more arrogant than other members of the ruling class, since he sees his talent as clear proof of his superiority over common folk.
The Patrician may join an adventuring party out of a sense of duty to his country or to promote the common good-- in spite of their snobbery, good-aligned Patricians have strong moral codes. A Patrician might have grown weary of his pampered life and sought an adventuring party to add a touch of excitement to his otherwise dreary existence. Alternately, his parents might have ordered him to join a party to teach him humility.
There are no special requirements to be a Patrician. The majority are male, but noblewomen are also included in this category (although such a character would more correctly be called a Noblewoman or Aristocrat).
To abandon this kit, the Patrician must renounce his birthright. He will forever after be ostracized by all the nobility from his homeland and may even be disowned and disinherited by his family.
Preferred Schools: The Patrician can specialize in any school, but prefers those that he perceives as most powerful, such as conjuration/summoning, alteration, and invocation/evocation.
Barred Schools: The Patrician will not specialize in necromancy, a school he considers disgusting and repulsive.
Role: The Patrician prefers the company of nobles and other members of the upper class. Most Patricians are wealthy and have no need to earn money, but many still serve their societies as administrators, counselors, and ambassadors. Since they have access to the the finest teachers and universities, Patricians are extremely well-educated and expert in a variety of areas.
Fellow player characters will rightfully perceive the Patrician to be an arrogant, condescending snob. On the positive side, the Patrician is also well-mannered and courteous, even to those he considers to be his social inferiors. Male Patricians can be extremely chivalrous to members of the opposite sex, regardless of whether they like it or not. The Patrician is generally cooperative with the party, though he will balk at any suggestion that compromises his sense of dignity (for instance, he will never enter a filthy cavern or search the bodies of slain enemies without squawking). His first-rate education and extensive travels make him an excellent source of information.
Special Benefits: The Patrician begins with more starting money than other wizards (see the Wealth Options entry below). Additionally, he receives a +3 reaction modifier from any noble from his own culture, and a +2 reaction modifier from nobles from other cultures. When traveling, a Patrician can demand shelter from any fellow noblemen from his own culture. Such shelter is offered free of charge and is made available for the Patrician and up to two persons per experience level of the Patrician (for instance, a 3rd-level Patrician can demand shelter for himself and six others).
Special Hindrances: When making purchases, the Patrician accepts nothing but the best, whether it be a meal, a room for the night, a weapon, or even a chest to carry his possessions. Any time he buys any item, the Patrician must pay 10 to 100 percent more than the listed price in the Player's Handbook. The DM will decide the price paid by the Patrician, which may vary from item to item, depending on the quality of merchandise in a particular locale. For instance, the best meal in Village A might sell for 7 sp, while the best meal in Village B might sell for 10 sp. In all cases, the Patrician will settle for no less than the most expensive item available; he always pays at least 10 percent more than the listed price.


Iellonicus, 1st level male human patrician (enchanter).
(Wouldn't you prefer an elf?
"Gods no. Why?"
Well they just have a much older culture, a longer lifespan, etc.
"Can I be Roman Elf?"
What? No. They're basically Aryans.
"Hm. No. Maybe. No. No, human it is")

Age: 16 (so he can experience the world as young Caesar and Alexander did)
Height: 5'11 (TALL FOR MY AGE, PEASANT)
Weight: 170lbs (one eats well)
Appearance: Aloof, lofty and self-described as noble, Iellonicus has a long Roman nose, which forms the perfect instrument for looking down on all and sundry.
Alignment: Myself

(You can't have "yourself" as an option.
"Fine. Alignment: Nobility"
That's also not an option. Look at the player's handbook.
"Fine. True neutral"
...I... actually think that works for you).

Alignment: True Neutral
STR 10 (ugh. Exercise)
DEX 11 (when thrown 100 balls, I may catch half of them. I suppose)
CON 13 (a diet of roast quail, lamprey pie and lemon cakes hardens the constitution!)
INT 15 (smarter than the room, and he knows it. He's now told them, so they know it too)
WIS 14 (one paid attention when attending court)
CHA 16 (The lower folk recognise their betters...)
Hit points 4 (I'm sure this won't matter, right?)
Armour Class 10 (I'll hire a peasant as a shield if needs be)

Equipment: Fine robes,

("Make sure you emphasise fine"
How? It's your character sheet. You should draw stars coming off it, and a rainbow.
"I don't think you take me seriously sometimes."
Sorry, what?)

60gp, spellbook, dagger (1d4), slave servant, riding horse, riding saddle, riding blanket

Role in party: Iellonicus hasn't really considered why he's adventuring with the working class. He doesn't like roughing it, his spells are mostly useless in combat, and he won't make an effort to get along. That doesn't matter, for his reinforced notion of superiority is all the joy he needs. Despite the misery his character feels at being excluded from the blue collar shenanigans, the player has never ever been happier.

J'abbawocky
1st level male human bard
("Why are there options other than human?"
So you can play a fantasy race like dwarf or elf.
"But I can only draw on experiences as a human. What does it mean to be an elf? Is there much existential angst in being a half-elf, drawn between two cultures?"
Yes, and they're also just worse than human or elf.
"That sounds like a subjective judgement.
Sure, or you know, because they get none of the bonuses humans or elves get?
"I would struggle to understand them truly..."
Fine, human)
Age/Height/Weight/Appearance: ICTYTT
Alignment: Lawful Good

(You know this means if the party break any laws, you have to stop them or alert the authorities?
"Why would they break the law?"
I don't know - maybe in pursuit of the greater good?
"Then they are still wicked criminals who ought be punished."
This is going to end in tears...)

STR 11
DEX 11
CON 17
INT 12
WIS 12
CHA 9

(Wocky, these stats are awful in general, and specifically for a bard. You should put the 17 in Charisma.
"Why? These are how the stats emerged in order."
Yes but you're a charisma based build.
"It's not honourable"
I give up. You don't even qualify for the class with these stats. I'm making a concession here for you. And I regret it. )

HP: 10
AC: 10

Equipment: Lute, travelling clothes, knapsack, 12gp.

(No weapon?
"I am a bard."
What if you are waylaid by bandits, and must defend yourself?
"I will appeal to their better nature. Can we not reason, like adults?"
Not with CHA 9...)

Role in party: As a subset of the Rogue class, the bard exists as a kind of hybrid thief/spellcaster. Their traditional role is as a loremaster, someone who tells stories of the histories of the world whilst providing versatile combat and magical support to the rest of the group.

Sadly, here, this will be basically like your own version of Robin's Minstrels.



Who else wants their own AD&D character?

Note: Yes, there will be carousing, pillaging, looting, and monkey knife fights.

 

'sup? I'm definitely the rules lawyer in the group, despite there being an actual lawyer...

 

Oooooh!!!! Me, please!

 

maek me a mod

 

Do me!

 

I understood entirely too much of that post to not volunteer.

 

Hmmm.....tempting.

 

Hmm. You'd be a tough one, dp4m. On the one hand, you'd want to be a unique build, because you'd min-max and a kit might be a more effective option.

On the other hand, you'd see that the other two players rolled up characters of little to no use in combat.

I could see you hedging bets and going for a cleric; fighters are easy enough to find, and paladins being LG would mean Wocky's not the only stick in the mud. But you know people like Dave will cause mischief. Having a healer, and someone with protective casting is useful; you're also, at d8 HP, not a weakling in combat either. Versatile, but mostly, highly specialised and in demand.

Davthanis "Danis" Half-Elven
Male half-elf cleric of Helm
("Can I be the elemental cleric from DarkSun?"
Let me look at it... No.
Nawww. "
Did you go half-elf for the bonuses against enchantment?
"Yes!"
My MAN!)
Age: mid 30s (Reliving your youth eh? "shut up")
Height: 6'4
Weight: 180lbs
Appearance: "He is about six feet in height, with a medium-large frame. He has tan skin, green eyes, and a red beard. The beard hides his Elven heritage. His long hair is of the same color. He has deep, brooding eyes... "
Wait. This is just Tanis from Dragonlance!
"Erm... smokebomb!"
Alignment: lawful neutral
STR 14
DEX 11
CON 16
INT 12
WIS 12
CHA 14
HP: 10
AC: 10

Equipment: Leather Armour (-2AC); Mace (1d6+1 dmg); robes, boots, cloak; hooded lantern, flask of oil x7, backpack, waterskin, tinkerbox, iron rations (1wk supply), bedroll, small sack x6, scroll case, sheet of paper x3, holy symbol, length of rope, 2gp

WOCKY: Why do you carry these things? They are surplus to your requirement to combat evil for your god.
DP4M: It's a roleplaying game, Wocky. From time to time we will need to light a fire, climb down a ledge or hole; or store things.
WOCKY: But why?
DP4M: We're adventurers, that's what we do.
WOCKY: I tell tales of the glory of Margaery, of House Targaryen.
DP4M: Um, Ender?
ENDERSAI: Yes, I know. Wocky; there's no Maegaery. This is Forgotten Realms, Wocky. Different setting.
WOCKY: Forgotten by whom?
JOINTHESCHWARZ: Just worship Boo.
ENDERSAI: You know he'll be confused by that. Wocky, the Margaery of this world is Lady Alustriel Silverhand.
WOCKY: Then I shall tell tales of her.
DP4M: You do that.

Role in party: The cleric's job is to cast divine magic, and repel undead threats. They are competent combatants, but not firstline fighters. Theirs is the most central role to the party in many respects; without their healing spells, party members may die.

In other words, dp4m is essential and knows it. Be afraid.

 

IRL, yes.

In game though, he's a noble, so the laws don't actually apply to him. If he desires to beat a servant in the street, in front of the constabulary, he'll damned well do it.

It's basically alignment: himself, but formalised.

Ok so:

Cor
A Star War
Maik
Ramza
PG

JoinTheSchwarz, I might need help with some of these. Cor, Ima get to you first, but I kind of had a concept for Rogue Ten in mind before we started.

 

lol, classic. I typically went with Radiant Servants of Pelor for total healing / undead smiting... wasn't terribly good in a fight.

 

Maik
Female Halfling thief
Age: Dank
Appearance: The most woke bae
Height/weight: shorty got curves
Alightment: Chaotic Neutral, fam

STR 11
DEX 17
CON 12
INT 16
WIS 12
CHA 14
HP 6
AC 7

Equipment: Padded armour (-2AC); sling; bullets for sling x10 (1D4+1 dmg); clothes; hooded lantern; flask of oil x4; large sack ("I got your large sack right here!"); small belt pouch; waterskin; tinderbox ("More like Grindrbox amirite?"); iron rations; bedroll; small sack x5; 50ft of rope; lockpicks

Role in party: Besides having arguably the dankest of all the memes, Rogue_Ten is at the table because he's the younger sibling who is forced to play. He rolled up a character based on what seemed hilariously mismatched at the time, but accidentally made it quite playable and began to enjoy himself. Addicted to trolling other players and the destruction of capital, he ironically makes his mark stealing the possessions of others and redistributing them to himself.

This causes conflict with J'abbawocky, who feels Maik is a dishonourable person. Maik has, on occasion, drugged J'abbawocky unconscious, quaffed a potion of Frost Giant Strength, then carried J'abbawocky to a local bordello where he wakes up glazed in profound shame.

To this day, Wocky struggles to understand that because he the player knows Rogue Number Ten did this does not mean his character knows how a tiny Halfling could have done it, and therefore cannot blame him.

He also has conflict with Iellonicus, who represents the bourgeois erosion of proletarian value. He mainly manages this conflict by calling Iellonicus "fam" and stealing from him, too.

 

I'll be joining soon. Are campaign settings okay? Because I could see Wocky being also a Xaositect.

 

What is a Xaositect?

Also I highly doubt I would find Rogue Number Ten dishonorable.

 

Never played without smoking. Don't know how you do it.

 

Well, you probably wouldn't like the fluff (they are weird extraplanar Dadaists) so we'd have to reskin it into something you'd like better, but they can use the spell babble once per week, which confuses all communication in the area of effect, even between those that share a common language.

 

I have no idea why I was tagged in this thread... I don't understand one ****ing word of it.

 

Holy TL;DR, Batman.

But sure, hit me.

 

It's okay, they're speaking in nerdtongue.

 

Ramza
Male Elf Diviner 1
Age: 120
Appearance: "Elven. You know; pale, blonde hair, pointy ears, hot in a really arrogant way"?
Height: 5'3"
Weight: 106lbs
Alignment: "Let's see. Everyone is neutral except Wocky. Chaotic Neutral."

STR 8
DEX 10
CON 14
INT 17
WIS 18
CHA 17
HP: 6
AC: 10

("It's ok, Jello. I'll take Shocking Grasp and Magic Missile. You take "detect poverty" and "avoid labour")

Equipment: Quaterstaff (1D6 dmg); purple robes

IELLO: OH! My robes are purple and gold!
RAMZA: Just says they're fine. No colours. Fine, but non-descript.
ENDERSAI: Let me see? Yep. Definitely not purple and gold.

Traveller's boots, traveller's cloak; torch x10; backpack; belt pouch x2; waterskin; Grindrbox

ROGUE_TEN: Hells yeah fam!
RAMZA: //high fives

Iron rations (1wk); bedroll; 8 small sacks; 50ft of rope; spellbook

WOCKY: Why are these wizards and dishonourable charlatans shopping at home depot?
ROGUE_TEN: Because you touch yourself, Wocky
RAMZA: I'm not lending you a damned thing if you need it.

ROLE IN PARTY: The magic user is typically a glass cannon, but if positioned and defended well, what a cannon they can be. With a plan to multiclass into assassin, enchanter, and maybe fighter, Ramza's already mapped out his progression in a linear fashion and is frankly offended at Iello's attempts at a magic user.

He will already know the best damage per round output, and probably has a better idea of what your character will do than you do.

Tracy D'anakinsfa
Female Human Fighter 1
Age: None of your damned business
Weight: Um... 120lbs?
Appearance. Depends. Are we friends or enemies?
Alignment: Chaotic good

STR 15
DEX 13
CON 15
INT 9
WIS 14
CHA 13
HP: 11
AC 10

So um, these stats?
"Yes?"
Well they're actually quite good for your class.
"Thanks. I looked at what was needed, and the party has no fighter. And then I looked at what a fighter needs, and put it together."
That's more work than literally everyone else combined.

Equipment: Leather armour (-2AC); short-sword (1d8 dmg); Javelin x3 (1d6 dmg); traveller's clothes, heavy cloak, traveller's boots; clothes; hooded lantern; flask of oil x4; large sack; small belt pouch; waterskin; tinderbox iron rations; bedroll; small sack x5; 50ft of rope

role in party: The only other person besides Ramza to contemplate party utility, Tracy is basically there to beat the snot out of any opponent. Whereas a kobold could rip through Wocky like he was a tissue, she cuts through enemies like police brutality through minorities. If there's scope to beat the **** out of someone in a bar fight, she'll take it. If someone's being set upon, she'll defend them. And if a man tries to mansplain to her, she'll neuter him.

Loyal, tough, and actually useful. There's words I didn't expect to use for the JC D&D party.

P'oiint G'iiven
Male Elf Ranger 1
Age: 124
Height: 4'9"
Weight: 103lbs
Appearance:

"Well I was thinking drow..."
No, you cannot be Drizzt.
"But my name and everything..."
No. Do not take two scimitars either.
"A pet panther?"
You want to charm animal constantly on it? No? Then explain how you domesticated it.
"OK, so I have this hamster... space hamster..."
Alignment: Chaotic Good

WOCKY: There is no chaos in being Good, Point Number Given.
PG: ...What?
WOCKY: Your alignment. You are honourable and good. You should obey the law.
PG: But if the law supports a corrupt institution
WOCKY: Then it is unjust
PG: But Wocky... in D&D alignment doesn't work like that. Chaotic good will do good whatever the cost. Lawful good, within the bounds of the law. Neutral good; within their sphere of influence. If you want to be truly good, you will do good no matter what the law says.
WOCKY: But breaking laws are dishonourable.
RAMZA: PG... don't.

STR 15
DEX 18
CON 15
INT 14
WIS 17
CHA 16
HP 11
AC 6

ENDER: Jesus...
PG: I know, right
ENDER: Did you roll like 10D6 per stat and keep best 3?
RAMZA: Nah, I saw him do it legally
PG: So I can be a dual wielded good drow right?
ENDER, RAMZA: NO.

Equipment: Leather armour (-2AC);

ENDER: So he's 4AC? On Level 1?
RAMZA: Nerf elves
ROGUE TEN: <dank meme>
IELLO: <rolls eyes>

short bow, 20 arrows (1d6dmg ea); torch x5; backback; waterskin; tinderbox; iron rations (1wk); bedroll; rope, belt pouch x 3

WOCKY: Another Home Depot person.
POINT GIVEN: That does it. Ender, can I have indisputable proof Wocky's beloved Lady Alustriel is a sex person?
ENDER: Wanton?
PG: Of course.
ENDER: Then yes.
WOCKY: Vile people. She is a paragon of virtue!

indisputable proof Alustriel is a sex person.

Role in party: Arguably the most bull**** overpowered class in AD&D 2E, the Ranger is basically less Aragorn and more Glorfindel from the Lord of the Rings. Adept in melee combat, ranged combat, stealth, it's just... TSR, water u doin.

The ranger's job is to single handedly fight off like 5 Nazghul before deciding he's a bit tired and leaving the rest alone. Or, to track enemies through forests; scavenge for food; and shoot arrows from distance into Orcish or Draconic pincushions. PG and Ramza will have a damage off, which PG can easily cheat at by being harder to hit than Ramza and thus win by default after the DM, bored by their pissing contest, sends a few monsters after them instead of the fighter.

 

I like this so far:

Tracy: Very good 1st level fighter. Useful to the party.
Ramza: Well thought out magic user. Useful to the party.
PG: Bull**** overpowered ranged DPS. Useful to the party.
Rogue_Ten: High dex rogue meaning good backstab, good at stealing stuff and picking locks. Useful.
DP4M: All the heals. Majorly useful.
Jello: Wealthy. Useful if seeking shelter for other nobles (note: for himself).
Wocky: Um... Honourable?