Noble & Scholar Classes?

[Lurker]

Quote:
Sure, not all nobles would be Nobles.

King Vlad was a fine diplomat and bloodthirsty guy. A Noble from hell.

It's just that I do not see why Nobles should be "noble". More often than not, even historically, they were all but "noble" (and in Italy we have seen lots of them).

The Dragonlance Noble class is an example of what I mean. A generic enough class without any ethical or moral implications.

The Noble class above would be akin to a Paladin; but I would like to see a shrewd, ruthless diplomat who also enjoys the class characteristics above without any ethical/moral qualms.

I agree with you if the game is going for a "historic" feel. Diplomacy, bribery, backstabbing, seduction, & knowing whos who so you can attach your self & cause to the correct star is a dark & bloody thing. Even then, if you cross the line too much and go beyond the pale bad things happen. My favorite statue in Vicenza was of the priest with a dagger in his side. He was so corrupt & greedy his own parishioners mobbed & murdered him out side the church. He isnt a true noble but the same effect. Also on my old 2e Florence Medici game god help you if you got caught in public not being noble, making the family look bad, or going against your house or guild. The key was to get caught & do it in the open, behind closed doors all bets were off !!!!
In a more classic game, where paladins exist & Le Mort de Art is the rule, nobles should be sic kingly noble. IMHO
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[johns]

Just thought of something that could be useful to people. There's a 3rd edition book by Fantasy Flight Games called "Darkness & Dread" that focuses on fantasy horror campaigns. In it, they created quite a few 10-level classes that were generally lower powered than the core classes from the Player's Handbook to better emulate the horror genre. Since the classes only run from 1st to 10th, and since they're lower power, they all have the potential of being easy conversions for Castles & Crusades. While I don't remember if they had a "noble" or "scholar", I believe they had something similar.

[rabindranath72]

johns wrote:
Just thought of something that could be useful to people. There's a 3rd edition book by Fantasy Flight Games called "Darkness & Dread" that focuses on fantasy horror campaigns. In it, they created quite a few 10-level classes that were generally lower powered than the core classes from the Player's Handbook to better emulate the horror genre. Since the classes only run from 1st to 10th, and since they're lower power, they all have the potential of being easy conversions for Castles & Crusades. While I don't remember if they had a "noble" or "scholar", I believe they had something similar.

I LOVE that book! Really a little gem! The closest thing to Warhammer d20 I ever saw. Mike Mearls did a really outstanding job. The pdf now can be bought for less than 5 dollars from drivethrurpg. Strongly recommended for C&C, conversion of the mechanics is a breeze.

Yes, there is a sort of "scholar", although I do not recall there being a noble.

Cheers,

Antonio

[Treebore]

rabindranath72 wrote:
Sure, not all nobles would be Nobles.

King Vlad was a fine diplomat and bloodthirsty guy. A Noble from hell.

It's just that I do not see why Nobles should be "noble". More often than not, even historically, they were all but "noble" (and in Italy we have seen lots of them).

The Dragonlance Noble class is an example of what I mean. A generic enough class without any ethical or moral implications.

The Noble class above would be akin to a Paladin; but I would like to see a shrewd, ruthless diplomat who also enjoys the class characteristics above without any ethical/moral qualms.

Anyway, I guess we will have to agree to disagree
Cheers,

Antonio

That is pretty much why I don't look for a "Noble Class". I think character concepts for a noble character are much better served by the core classes (Paladin, Fighter, Thief, etc...) with a title of nobiloity tacked on.

I think where most people run into problems is all the extra power/influence being a noble gives to characters.

Technically all clerics should give CK's similiar problems when they get high enough to become church and/or religious leaders within their religion. All of this "indirect power" can be very powerful depending on how the PC manipulated the people over which they have influence.

Clerics in a fanatasy game are most definitely a "mouthpiece" of a particular deity. So what devoutly religious parishioner wouldn't pay close attention to what a high ranking priest suggests or asks of them?

Same kind of deal with nobility, especially at the Duke or higher level. Below Duke would still have a lot of power/influence, but it would be much more geographically limited. Where as a Duke your influence is nationwide, at the very least.

High level priests would have influence where ever their religion has followers, with their influence being strongest at their "home" church.

I have found it very enjoyable exploring these issues in game.

[Nelzie]

Check out my website: www.nelzie.net

In the Classes section, I have a "NPC Soldier" class written up that can be used to fill a variety of basic soldiering duties.

In my gameworld, there are significant differences between PC Class and NPC Class people. The NPC Class people makeup the average man, while the PC Class types of people have that special spark that sets them apart. Those with the "spark" are capable of changing the world and having a grand impact upon the development of the world.
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