Lucid

@MikeQ The biggest trigger for me, I think, is I focus too much on showing people a good time and worry that I won't provide that. So then I go in to set up a fight with a giant that, while it has thematic tiers (like it drops to a knee at 2/3 health and gets more frantic, for example), turns out to not be a real threat to a party of four PCs. Getting the balance right is difficult for me without resorting to just cheesing them.

@MikeQ I usually can do that, it's just I tend to be in a wreck after the fact. I was a general manager for a while and eventually had to step down because I wanted to not have that level of stress after going home. For whatever reason, it gets worse when I'm around people I don't work with. Only very recently have I been someone who actually tries to roleplay a character. Before, it was just me being a nervous wreck and then going "I attack" rather than seeming like I'm actually having fun.

For sure. I'd be a DM if I had the time and didn't have anxiety issues lol

I've honestly never played a game other than D&D. I can never find a good group, let alone one that wants that try new things.

They're not a character, they're just a meat bag with a specific skill set.

Like how a fighter's defining characteristic is they hit shit with their sword.

What would you consider to be a generic RP?

I think they should be to some degree as well, but I always psych myself out and go "too generic so nope."

True, but I think it falls to why they want to be come one to make it interesting. The necromancer who is "clearly" evil and wants to become a god of death, but the motivation is that they want to find a way for the living to interact with deceased loved ones is always more interesting than the ones who just want a skeleton army worshipping them.

Or a wizard/sorcerer who wants to become a god

I have a hard time coming up with backstories that aren't explicitly tied to their class or race. I always wind up assuming it's "too generic" and, as a result, would be too boring. I can do it with antagonists and NPCs even though I royally suck at DM-ing, but it's difficult for me to do for PCs.

I misinterpreted. I assumed you were saying he kept his warlock abilities.

I like it but wouldn't that mean the pact is broken and would result in them losing the powers granted since they're no longer doing what the fairy queen demands of them?

To summarize it all, the shadow sorceress was the heir to the throne and wanted out to be an adventurer.

Well, the Shadow Sorcerer's motivation is to literally just be an adventurer.

For which, the Tiefling or the Shadow Sorcerer?

@BESW I actually used to only play 3e (3.5e, to be more specific).

@MikeQ I know they don't have to be. I just had a hard time coming up with why they would turn to a celestial to make a pact with since the character didn't have any shame in being a Tiefling, doesn't have any desire to be anything but good. My original thought was, despite not having shame in being a Tiefling, she wanted to be a celestial as well so she seeks to emulate them as much as possible.

I'm mainly assuming in terms of D&D lore. Maybe I'm misremembering, but aren't Tieflings essentially shunned by everyone who aren't Tieflings due to their infernal heritage? I figure that would extend to Celestials as well and as a result, I don't really see why a one would want to form a pact with a being that is stereotypically "always going to be evil".

@MikeQ For sure. I had one idea for a Tiefling and I don't think there was really any "edge" to them at all. They were going to be a Warlock with a Celestial Pact. It stopped there, though, because I couldn't figure out how to make that make sense lol.

@MikeQ Yeah. The Tiefling idea is something I just feel is interesting. The real debate for me is the Eladrin (ToF) variant vs a Half-Elf.

@NautArch Thanks, I will. I learned a long while back not to try and nail down a specific personality or how they handle things beyond why I chose this alignment or that one. I've had characters that were "supposed" to be angsty as all hell turn out to just be bubbly but quiet just because of how things went lol. Now I just focus on how they fight and backstory.

@NautArch Maybe, but how much of a dip into Bard would it be? I haven't looked too much at Shadow Monk

@Xirema That was one of the ones I noticed immediately. War Caster seemed worthwhile as well as Spell Sniper. Maybe Sentinel and Lucky as defensive measures?

@NautArch I can move them around.

I'm actually looking at feats now to figure out what I think would be good.

We rolled but I got rolls that were a bit too good. We were going to do level one and then end in mid-level. It was going to be my lowest stat is 13 if I went with the rolls but I cut all the stats down. Strength and Intelligence are 10, Dexterity and Wisdom are 14, Constitution is at 12, and Charisma is at 16. This is after any and all racial bonuses because I felt that no stat should be over 16 and that I should only have one over 14.

@NautArch He is.

I do plan on having feats, maybe several. I know Darkness can interfere a lot with the rest of the party, which is why I want to use it primarily as a sort of last-ditch spell or if I can use it in an open area. I'm not really planning on it being a primary part of her style, just something that is good for a pinch.

I'm not too good at choosing how I should build my character when it comes to the level-up, which is why I plan so far out. Otherwise, I may gimp the build I want.

@NautArch Sorry, it's kind of hard to keep up with everyone lol.

@nitsua60 I don't get to talk to the DM all that much since he's out of town for a family trip so I don't know much about the setting or anything and the other players are still trying to figure out what they want to play, but all of them don't really like playing controller-type characters.

@MikeQ The goals are mainly to make a character that fits the concept. A social sorcerer who focuses on mind games and illusions that is durable enough to rush in, sneak attack, and get out. If she takes a hit, she just needs to be more careful for the rest of the fight rather than just being down and out.

@NautArch I honestly don't know beyond it's going to be "mid-level".

@Maximillian I understand. I just assumed that was fine but I'm fine with being in chat.

Hi, everyone lol.