“Classical” literary characters

[Lurker]

Well, I’ve been going through some rough times over the last few weeks (but who isn’t).

To help and get to a better place, I grabbed some old reading that I love and some of my class notes for the books from varies classes. One of the books was the Odyssey. That got me thinking, How would we create a character that fit into a mold like Odysseus? What classes would he be and what primes would he have?

My first look is he is either a fighter or a knight – as a Greek, of course a knight without horsemanship. As a leader type fighter I lean toward knight.

On top of that, he is an expert orator and story teller, so possibly a bard or ½ class bard added to the knight or fighter.

Finally, he was more than just a fighter, he was the Greek’s most clever fighter, so to me he would also have to have a prime in wisdom (at least how I run my states he would).

How does that fit with you all?

Also, to keep this flowing, who are some of your all’s favorite literary (or historic) characters, and how should we stat/class them?

[moriarty777]

As a big fan of the Illiad and the Odyssey, I would actually lean towards the Fighter as opposed to the Knight for Odysseus. The Bard as a secondary class is certainly an interesting idea though, truth to tell, I may go so far as consider a Rogue instead -- he was a warrior but he was a cunning one and subterfuge and stealth helped him on more than one occasion. However, if one were to select only one class and not a multiclass character, the Ranger could be a good 'all-around' option though the Ranger archetype could be tweaked to better fit the setting of the Heroic Golden Age. Primes would be Wis (his cunning), Cha (his leadership and personality), and perhaps Con (surviving the wrath of Poseidon for the better part of 10 years).

Interestingly enough, Odysseus would be one of my first picks as a favorite literary / mythological character as far as C&C goes and others that come to mind are kind of obvious since they are so... well.. archetypal.

However, for the purposes of this thread, Aragorn. Obviously a Ranger (and is names as such in the books) but, at some point, he seems to cease being a Ranger and becomes something more akin to a Paladin (though maybe not will all the typical abilities of one). I think he would be a great example as another with a secondary class to complement his Ranger class. Primes being Dex and Cha but unsure about the third one. Thoughts?

M

[Arduin]

Old Legends & Lore had him at 13th Fighter/9th Thief with 18 (00) Str, Int 18, Wis 10, Dex 16, Con 17, Char 18

[Lord Dynel]

I guess if depends on what you're definition of classical literature is, Lurker. I'm going to go with the more loose defeinition of if (which seems to be the route moriarty went with Aragorn) in that you're not meaning specifically Greek and Roman works.

And moriarty, I kind of agree with your idea of Odysseus having some bard levels in his character makeup.

One of my favorite literary characters is Edmond Dantès, better known as the Count of Monte Cristo. When I think of a book that have the richest character development, this one immediately comes to mind. From his simple beginnings as a merchant captain (in which I'd say he'd be a zero-level human), to his incarceration where is educated properly, to his life amongst smugglers, and finally on to his master plan for revenge against those who did him wrong all those years ago. I'd say he'd either be a fighter/bard or a thief/bard, though I seem to be leaning towards the latter.

A second on I'll throw out there is Natty Bumppo, hero of James Fenimore Cooper's Leatherstocking Tales. I've thought about this fellow for the better part of 20 years and every time I do, I always think of a different way to stat him out (yes, sadly, I'm one of those guys who thinks, "I wonder what his D&D character sheet would look like?" ). I've had him, over the years, have levels of ranger, barbarian, bard, and (interestingly enough) paladin. I don't see him as a fighter, though, even though hes capable of that. I see a lot of lawful aspects in his character, which leads me to LG in alignment, depending on which way the wind blows on that particular day. Anyway, to me he's a many sided character that gives me fits in tying down stats on the guy (though I'm pretty sure there are some ranger levels in there somewhere ).

[Lurker]

Guys

Thanks for playing along with my bit of mental exercise

As a big fan of the Illiad and the Odyssey, I would actually lean towards the Fighter as opposed to the Knight for Odysseus.The Bard as a secondary class is certainly an interesting idea though, truth to tell, I may go so far as consider a Rogue instead -- he was a warrior but he was a cunning one and subterfuge and stealth helped him on more than one occasion

The only reason I conceder Knight for him is his leadership (if I remember right it was something like 10-12 ships worth of men) Other than that yeah fighter fits well.

Glad you liked my idea of adding Bard to him. The more I think about it, the more I like it. His telling of his story enthralled the whole court, he expertly manipulated the queen to beg him to keep telling the story all night if need be. Etc. To me that is all a function of being a “bard” – in my home brew, not all bards sing, a skilled orator and debateor have bard abilities without singing.

However, if one were to select only one class and not a multiclass character, the Ranger could be a good 'all-around' option though the Ranger archetype could be tweaked to better fit the setting of the Heroic Golden Age. Primes would be Wis (his cunning), Cha (his leadership and personality), and perhaps Con (surviving the wrath of Poseidon for the better part of 10 years).

I never thought about him being a Ranger – of course modified for the setting – It does fit a bit, especially with the primes you gave him.

Interestingly enough, Odysseus would be one of my first picks as a favorite literary / mythological character as far as C&C goes and others that come to mind are kind of obvious since they are so... well.. archetypal.

Rgr on that. To me what is so amazing about Hercules, he’s a god’s son he should be able to kill the various monsters. Achilles, a great warrior, he was protected from all attacks except for his heel. I’d be a great and fearless warrior too if that was true of me. But Odysseus, admittedly he’s a king, but not the son of a god or goddess, he was clever and earned the protection of a goddess, had personality faults etc. – Yes I also prefer Batman over Superman!

For Aragorn, I’d go for ranger and the either ½ class knight or paladin. His ranger is a no brainer, but even before the Fellowship, he was a leader of other rangers. Plus, he fought from horseback etc in the Towers and Return, so yeah knight would work.

Arduin,

I don’t have my old books to look through, so thanks for posting the L&L. I can see some thief like things, but still it doesn’t cover his oratory skills etc.

I guess if depends on what you're definition of classical literature is, Lurker. I'm going to go with the more loose defeinition of if (which seems to be the route moriarty went with Aragorn) in that you're not meaning specifically Greek and Roman works.

LD

Rgr on that lose definition of “classical Literature”

You picked 2 great characters from books I love. I have used Monte Cristo (along with 3 musketeers) as fodder for my home brew world set in that era.

Natty Bumppo, (I always think of him as Hawkeye regardless of which book I’m reading), is a perfect “Colonial American” hero. It’s easy to see him as a Ranger, but I’d have to relook at things for the rest of the classes you think about giving him …, (with the rain here in OK and me finishing my paper a week early, I may have to grab Mohicans and read it tonight – at the least I’ll help keep me moving toward a better mindset, so thanks)

Boy with your 2 books, I’d love to play a swashbuckler/American colonial game …

Well it's time to head home. Have a good one

[jdizzy001]

I would go with Beowulf. 100% pure unabashed fighter. if i HAD to pick a secondary class it would be barbarian or knight. his primes would be str, con (because you cant stop the wulf) and cha (or wis depending on how you interpret the epic poem).

When it comes to Beowulf you just have to ask yourself, what will keep him on his feet longer? that is what Beowulf possessed an unmatched endurance. Why else would you go up against a dragon in your old age?

[serleran]

I am sort of going along with an idea like this with my "Myths Reborn" which, admittedly, focuses on the bad guys... monsters, but for NPCs, there are a few I would like to see -- Solomon Kane, Sherlock Holmes, and named villains like Dracula. I have my theories on how best to do it but I find it often interesting to have someone else's idea as well, mostly because they may have put in something I forgot.

[Lurker]

I am sort of going along with an idea like this with my "Myths Reborn" which, admittedly, focuses on the bad guys... monsters, but for NPCs, there are a few I would like to see -- Solomon Kane, Sherlock Holmes, and named villains like Dracula. I have my theories on how best to do it but I find it often interesting to have someone else's idea as well, mostly because they may have put in something I forgot.

Wow, that sounds like a great project.I'd love to see it one day.

Like I said, been going through a rough patch, so "bad guys" are something I'd shy away from on thinking tooooo much about, but that said, you've got names there I love.

One issue I have with Dracula, you have to rework/think how vampires work and their powers (I'm sure you've already thought of that).

I would go with Beowulf. 100% pure unabashed fighter. if i HAD to pick a secondary class it would be barbarian or knight. his primes would be str, con (because you cant stop the wulf) and cha (or wis depending on how you interpret the epic poem).

When it comes to Beowulf you just have to ask yourself, what will keep him on his feet longer? that is what Beowulf possessed an unmatched endurance. Why else would you go up against a dragon in your old age?

Jdiz, Rgr on that. It's funny you mention Beowulf. I had a cadet today that took a pre-class lit test to test out of some of the work. He the aced Beowulf part and was disappointed ... he was looking forward to reading it ...

[serleran]

I have long considered that vampires be considered unique, not classified generically, although some categorization (such as with demons or devils) might be in order such as "the majority of vampires known to myth have possessed exceptional strength that far outstrips mortal ability, and nearly all have some means of immediate egress such as transformation into mist, a creatures (like a bat or wolf), teleportation, or even a combination of options at their disposal which makes them peculiarly difficult to kill under uncontrolled conditions." But, enough of my work on this matter... I was not sure of those I mentioned would be considered "classic." Good to know they are.

[Dungeoneer]

I've always considered Sherlock Holmes to be a Bard of about the 6th level.

[jdizzy001]

I would go with Beowulf. 100% pure unabashed fighter. if i HAD to pick a secondary class it would be barbarian or knight. his primes would be str, con (because you cant stop the wulf) and cha (or wis depending on how you interpret the epic poem).

When it comes to Beowulf you just have to ask yourself, what will keep him on his feet longer? that is what Beowulf possessed an unmatched endurance. Why else would you go up against a dragon in your old age?

Jdiz, Rgr on that. It's funny you mention Beowulf. I had a cadet today that took a pre-class lit test to test out of some of the work. He the aced Beowulf part and was disappointed ... he was looking forward to reading it ...[/quote]

The cadet could just read it. That's what I did. The funny thing about books is that one doesn't have to read them as an assignment. One can read them for enjoyment.

Jokes aside, Beowulf is awesome!

[jdizzy001]

Madmartigan. He isn't a classic lit hero but he's worth mentioning. He was the greatest swordsman that ever lived, so he has to be a fighter. His primes would be STR, CON and DEX. He wears a breastplate and hauls around a long sword or broad sword which ever you think fits his persona better.

His lady friend Sorsha could be a Knight/Assassin(?). Her primes would be STR, DEX and WIS (maybe INT).