Altering an Existing Character

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Majestic
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Altering an Existing Character

Post by Majestic » Thu Jan 08, 2015 9:53 pm

Over in the Character Optimization thread a couple of comments reminded me of a question I've been meaning to ask. First the comments:
Rue wrote:Roc, I think you put it really well for why I like the idea of a guide like this so much: for someone like me (who is new to RPGs in general and isn't overly familiar with using stats and math to figure this stuff out), it is really helpful to have a guide to implementing the character vision I start with. I have spent a fair amount of time bothering my PBP LMs about how to go back and "fix" something I did at character build that just didn't make sense for how I wanted the character to be, or asking endless questions about how best to build a PC.
Glorelendil wrote:Well said, Rue. Like I mentioned earlier, I often intentionally build sub-optimal characters. But when I'm playing a new game I really hate suddenly realizing that I didn't understand a mechanic and unknowingly made "bad" choices: meaning they aren't really part of my character concept and they're sub-optimal mechanically.
Now to my question. Due to a new player (a Barding bowman) becoming a regular part of our group, as well as a general change in group tactics, our group's Hobbit now wants to change a few of his past picks. A big part of this is that he built his character as an archer, but with the restrictions (two to one), combined with that new PC being a better fit back there, it's made him reconsider. Add in the fact that he's found a niche as the person who most often moves to an Open stance (to Rally Comrades), and he's feeling like he "wasted" some picks.

So now he's asking to "trade back" Fair Shot for Small Folk, and perhaps to "back up" a recent improvement to his Bow skill (to perhaps spend on something else).

To be fair, this player is a very experienced role-player, so it's not like he didn't understand the game at all. But due to a mistake I was making with Hope, it does change how some of the various Rewards and Virtues play out.

I am leaning towards allowing it, but told him I thought it might be a good idea for me to throw the question out here, to get some feedback from those more experienced with the game.
Tale of Years for a second, lower-level group (in the same campaign).

bluejay
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Re: Altering an Existing Character

Post by bluejay » Thu Jan 08, 2015 10:00 pm

I'd absolutely allow it. I see no problem at all. The player has quite graciously given up their niche to accommodate a new player. Re-tooling their character seems a very fair reward.
James Semple, occasional composer of role playing music

Majestic
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Re: Altering an Existing Character

Post by Majestic » Thu Jan 08, 2015 10:37 pm

Yeah, that's kind of what I'm thinking. I wouldn't just allow it for no reason (or because a player just preferred something down the road), but this one really is a result of (a) accomodating a new player, and (b) adjusting the vision of the character, as that character evolves.

Much like how one could switch out a Distinction if they needed to, I can see it making sense that the Hobbit begins focusing more on leadership (he has continually joked that he's the party leader, while also bemoaning that nobody respects him) and moving more 'forward' as a fighter (he's gone from being the person most often in the rear to the one out front!)

Thanks, bluejay.
Tale of Years for a second, lower-level group (in the same campaign).

bluejay
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Re: Altering an Existing Character

Post by bluejay » Thu Jan 08, 2015 10:43 pm

No problem. I'd love to see how the Hobbit loses his Fair Shot but gains Small Folk. That could make for a really interesting incident.

Perhaps offer it to the player if he can give a decent story as to how it happened?
James Semple, occasional composer of role playing music

zedturtle
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Re: Altering an Existing Character

Post by zedturtle » Fri Jan 09, 2015 12:07 am

bluejay wrote:No problem. I'd love to see how the Hobbit loses his Fair Shot but gains Small Folk. That could make for a really interesting incident.

Perhaps offer it to the player if he can give a decent story as to how it happened?
I think I'd skin it as more of a 'find your hidden talents' instead of 'wake up one morning four inches shorter' kind of thing.

And, yes, I'd allow changes (to a certain extent and for extenuating circumstances). I already have, in fact.
Jacob Rodgers, occasional nitwit.

This space intentionally blank.

Glorelendil
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Re: Altering an Existing Character

Post by Glorelendil » Fri Jan 09, 2015 12:32 am

Nearly fatal bout of sickness. Lost 20% of his body weight and his depth perception isn't what it used to be.
The Munchkin Formerly Known as Elfcrusher
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Majestic
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Re: Altering an Existing Character

Post by Majestic » Fri Jan 09, 2015 1:43 am

Great ideas all. And yes, I figure utilizing Small Folk is more being in-tune with one's smallness, rather than the character actually getting shorter.
Tale of Years for a second, lower-level group (in the same campaign).

Rich H
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Re: Altering an Existing Character

Post by Rich H » Fri Jan 09, 2015 2:50 am

Majestic wrote:Great ideas all. And yes, I figure utilizing Small Folk is more being in-tune with one's smallness, rather than the character actually getting shorter.
It's even simpler than that; hobbits with the Small Folk virtue are not really any smaller, in a significant sense of the word nor do they become smaller when selecting the virtue - having Small Folk for your character merely means it is of narrative importance to the story. It doesn't have to have an in-game explanation at all.
TOR resources thread: viewtopic.php?f=7&t=62
TOR miniatures thread: viewtopic.php?t=885

Fellowship of the Free Tale of Years: viewtopic.php?f=7&t=8318

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