New Party - implementation questions

[Goli Ironhead]

Well, after some time away from my favorite game (well, along BG1), it's time to return. Now, I'm planning to play a self made party for most (four or five and revolving NPCs).
And, well, some of the characters is causing a little bit of problems. Also note that this party is not for powergaming, and it's not necessary for them to be strongest. Gives more need for tactics that way, thus being funnier.

First, I have a Kensai who's blind on the other eye. The story goes that she persisted on using the heavy sword instead of a, say, lighter blade and a shield, insisting that it was against her teachings to do so. So, she got herself a Shield Bearer who guards her right side against unseen attacks.
Now, what kind of penalties would being blind on the other eye give? Decreased DEX and nothing more? CHA also?

Next, the Shield Bearer. His duty is not to pound skulls in, but stand between his master and the enemy like a steel wall, never giving in before the kensai or someone else can eliminate the threat.
So, being all defence oriented and not so much of melee itself, how should he be affected? I'm not going to give him a weapon for most of the time (perhaps a dagger sometimes, but he's meant to focuse on defence), to imply that he's holding his shield with both hands. Should he have more DEX for this also? Or just more AC?

Then there's the Spellcaster. All in all, this character is a little unexperienced in his craft. Or rather, he has no experience about real combat, only safe training this far. Is there some way to increase the Wild Surge possibility for Wild Mages with SK?

Thanks in advance!

[Felinoid]

Now, what kind of penalties would being blind on the other eye give? Decreased DEX and nothing more? CHA also?

Blindness spell gives 4 point penalty to AC and attack rolls. Since that's both eyes, just halve it and decrease your DEX appropriately; 17 down to 15 would be perfect, but you can always fudge a bit if you feel that it should be less than half because even with one eye, she can still *see*.

CHA is just a judgement call for where you think it should be when you consider the whole package.

So, being all defence oriented and not so much of melee itself, how should he be affected? I'm not going to give him a weapon for most of the time (perhaps a dagger sometimes, but he's meant to focuse on defence), to imply that he's holding his shield with both hands. Should he have more DEX for this also? Or just more AC?

I'd go Barbarian for the resistances and extra HP, with high DEX and CON. If he's not going to be attacking, you could even sacrifice STR if you need to. There is also, IIRC, a Shieldbearer kit somewhere out there, so you might want to have a look around the web for kit mods.

Is there some way to increase the Wild Surge possibility for Wild Mages with SK?

I believe there is a way to make it happen every time, but no percentage increase AFAIK. Personally, I'd just leave SK alone, fill up the first level slots with NRDs, and never cast a Chaos Shield.

[Klorox]

Consider having your shieldbearer use the Defender of Easthave (just don't attack with it). It's powers simulate your idea pretty good. I like the idea of a Barbarian too.

[Sikret]

A completely blind character should receive a -10 penalty to THAC0 and a -4 penalty to AC. Now, what penalties a half-blind character should have is something you need to decide about. (Perhaps -5 THAC0 and -2 AC?)

[Decados]

For your kensai, I'd reduce the Dexterity as Fel suggested. For Charisma, it depends on why the character is blind in that eye. If they were born like that, then I'd advise no penalty. If it is a battle wound, then perhaps a point or two depending on how disfiguring you want it to be.

A Barbarian with Defender of Easthaven is a good suggeston for the shield bearer.

EDIT: Spelling mistake

[ May 09, 2007, 12:38: Message edited by: Decados ]

[TrueBlueAussie]

Also, for the Shieldbearer, make him either a half-orc or dwarf for the extra point in constitution. For RP purposes, you could also take him down a couple of points in INT to give him the "simple minded servant who would die for their master" stereotype.

The only problem with using a Barbarian as the Shieldbearer would be that he is unable to use plate/fullplate, which severely limits his AC. I'd suggest the beserker and have him use the beserk skill for the boost to AC.

[Goli Ironhead]

Thanks for the quick answers! Plenty of good ideas here. As for the kensai's eye, it's a battle wound, quite a large one at that. Might reduce some points.

But anyways, thanks again.

[starwalker]

Actually even with not wearing plate his AC can still be very strong. There are armours that are not plate in ToB in particular that can match any of the plate armours.

[TrueBlueAussie]

But SoA is the biggest part of the game though. I'd rather have a good AC all of the way through instead of an ok one for part then a good one for ToB.

Thats my opinion though.

[Drew]

For your kensai, I'd reduce the Dexterity as Fel suggested. For Charisma, it depends on why the character is blind in that eye. If they were born like that, then I'd advise no penalty. If it is a battle wound, then perhaps a point or two depending on how disfiguring you want it to be.

Who says the scar would reduce her Charisma. It might just be distinctive......even sexy. There's no real reason that her charisma would go down at all. It could even go up.

[Caradhras]

Exactly, think about Suna Seni's portrait in UB .

[Decados]

It might improve Charisma, but I'd doubt it. Goli has said it is quite a large wound and I'd say that's more likely to incur a penalty than a bonus.

Most facial wounds I've seen (not that my experience is all that great) have been disfiguring rather than sexy. This is even more applicable to the kensai as she is female. To make a generalisation: guys with a rugged look tend to be found quite attractive, while the better looking girls are almost invariably trying to attain perfect, almost picture-like, looks. How many models do you see with scars on their faces?

[Caradhras]

Sure, Decados makes a point but she is not a model. A defect can be sexy. It gives character. CHA isn't just about looks you know.

[Decados]

True, it can give character and I'm well aware Charisma isn't all looks. This is why I only suggested a point or two (working on the assumption that it marred her looks slightly), rather than three or four.

*shrug* It is Goli's creation, so it really depends on what he feels people's reaction to the scar would be like.