Loremaster NPC's

[windsurfjunkie]

I am running a campaign, but find it necessary to include a Loremaster character that is part of the group of companions. There is a basic outline of what a Loremaster stats should be look like, but I would like some feedback on how to generate a Hope score for the NPC. Right now I am going to say his/her Hope score is equal to his/her Attribute level. What type of NPC's do you run and how do you come up with a Hope score?
cheers

[Robin Smallburrow]

A check of all the cultures produced so far (both official an fan) shows that Endurance plus Hope is usually 30, with Endurance usually 20 and Hope 10. Use this as a guideline and check the other cultures

Robin S

[windsurfjunkie]

Thanks Robin.

If you also look at the resource 'Tales From Wilderland', you will see that Loremaster characters like Gerold the Beorning and Elstan, First Captain of Dale, have Hope scores of 4 and 3, respectively. They are veteran characters who are powerful figures (Attribute levels of 7 and 6) in the area. Why the low Hope?

I am modelling my NPC around these types of Loremaster stats, but it does seem a little confusing since I thought the same as you: a Loremaster character would have around 18 endurance and 7+ Hope.
cheers

[MadTrapper]

After you've been through a lot, you start to become jaded and lose hope in the world. I can see this being a reason that veteran characters would have less.

[Stormcrow]

Gerold and Elstan are presented as adversaries, not as permanent characters accompanying the player-characters. I believe their Hope should be interpreted as the amount of Hope they'll use while they're involved with the player-characters. Like Hate, it should regenerate itself if they return in the future for another encounter.

[windsurfjunkie]

Thanks guys. As usual, much appreciated. In Tales of Wilderland, if the characters of Gerold and Elstan were to be used in the epic battle against the Gibbet King at Celduin Crossings(it could happen in some games), it should give them more Hope as they are going to be adversaries of the Shadow(not adversaries of the characters like in the "mock battle contest"). This is where there is a little difficulty determining Hope based on the book stats.
cheers

[Hermes Serpent]

Not sure how much Hope even a Hobbit could afford to use in any one combat though. Assuming a company of four to six that's only a few Hope points that could be replenished before a major combat. So having a lowish number for NPC's that will likely be in supporting roles shouldn't be a problem. Spending three or four points of Hope per head in a single combat should mean it was a desperate fight with heroes dropping left and right.

[windsurfjunkie]

Thanks Hermes. I totally agree with you and I am going to run NPC's with a lowish Hope score that won't unbalance the game. I just needed more thoughts and confirmation.
cheers