We just finished our first session with the players as the good guys. I started them out at level 14 because I wanted them to be able to get into some pretty epic
right away. Our characters:
Pytfire: Angel of Divine Fury
Pytfire is an imposing sight. He appears as an indistinct, winged humanoid figure engulfed in an a shimmering, translucent outline of a dragon. Charging in (or in many cases, swooping down) on the enemies of righteousness with a vicious angelic battleaxe, he is not very defensively minded (or skilled) and needs a lot of attention from the party's priest, who is the last sort of creature you would expect...
The only character using the "immortal" character creation rules, Pytfire is based on a Dragonborn (PHB1) Barbarian (PHB2) flowing the Rageblood build, and pursuing the Frenzied Berserker paragon path (PHB2). I allowed his racial power "Dragon's Breath" to do Radiant damage, even though this is normally not allowed. He did not mix and mach racial feats, and has taken almost every feat a Dragonborn can take to enhance his breath weapon.
Jaxom: Sentient Golem, faithful servant of Kilmorph
A clockwork golem formerly commanded by acolytes of Kilmorph responsible for maintaining the magnificent libraries maintained by the Luchuirp during the Age of Ice. Jaxom is a walking encyclopedia of factual knowledge with perfect recall - despite not being particularly smart in an objective sense. Jaxom still struggles with his new "identity," and though he finds satisfaction in the service of Kilmorph as an unofficial Runewarden, he lacks skills the rest of us take for granted like making small talk or finding friends. He eschews the simple weapons favored by other Runewardens and instead fights with an enchanted bastard sword of fine Dwarven steel, having concluded that with the proper technique it is 36.85% more effective in combat. He uses his unsurpassed factual knowledge in concert with his divine powers to influence the outcome of battles to present the greatest estimated probability of victory. Jaxom has also had enchanted armor plating grafted to his body and a buckler fastened to his arm. Also in contrast to the typical practice of Dwarven priests he does not carry sentimental holy symbols as a focus for his prayers to Kilmorph. Instead, he uses his sword. It is, after all, crafted from the finest gifts of the Earthmother.
The golem Jaxom is based on the normal rules for a Warforged character (Eberron PG) re-flavored as an enchanted clockwork golem. He is a Cleric (PHB1) focused on the Battle Cleric build, pursuing the Luckbringer of Tymora paragon path (Dragon Magazine 365) that makes his sword act a s a holy symbol and gives him the ability to manipulate chance. He has focused his feats on drastically enhancing his defenses, training up to plate armor and shield proficiency.
Regdar: Sergeant of the Radiant Gaurd, Heavy Shock Trooper formation
A rare successful escapee from the brutal bondage of Calabim serfdom, the teenage Regdar found great inspiration in reverence to Lugus and the teachings of the Empyrean among the Malakim. He joined the Radiant Guard as soon as he was able and his commanding officers quickly realized this fantastically strong and fervently devout former slave was wasted in the rank and file Randiant Guard formations and transferred him to a small heavy shock trooper unit responsible for shattering enemy formations. He found his soulmate in enchanted axe he was presented upon induction to the noncommissioned officer corps, and is inventing or rediscovering methods of martial combat with a battleaxe never imagined by his peers. In heavy plate he charges into battle ignoring all but the most grievous wounds to tear his enemies to shreds with a grace and skill not normally associated with brutal two-handed war axes. Perhaps far in the future - in an age to come - the word for axe in some human tongue will be "regdar."
Regdar is a Human (PHB1) Fighter (PHB1) using the Battlerager Vigor build and class feature (Martial Power) and pursuing the Kensei paragon path (PHB1).
Theoselk: Outsourced Hippus Mercenary Sniper
Though the Hippus prefer to recruit for their mercenary companies from within their own clans, wise Captains will set aside nepotism to hire particularly skilled individuals if their trustworthiness can be verified. With little reason to doubt his motives and
no reason to doubt his skill, the fantastically talented Elven archer Theoselk was hired by Captain Uldanor's prestigious company, currently executing a Bannor contract in a remote mountainous region of Luchuirp territory.
Played by a newcomer to the game, Theoselk is an Elf (PHB1) Ranger (PHB1) strictly adhering to the straightforward Archer Ranger build and pursuing the Battlefield Archer paragon path (PHB1). It is still the case in 4E that if you get a good enchanted Greatbow, pump your DEX and sink every feat into something archery related you wind up with a terrific and easy to play damage dealer.
Eratos: Wizened Bannor Wizard and reluctant prophet.
None doubt his ability at manipulating the arcane fabric of Erebus to his will, but that won't make anybody like him. As crotchety an old bastard as he can be without directly violating any (serious) tenants of the Order of Junil, Eratos has fought in many wars under the colors of the Bannor and made many enemies on both sides of the battlefield. Relived of direct command over battlefield troops due to an inability to get along with anyone, he might have eventually been drummed out of the military if he hadn't started catching acurate glimpses of the future when he closed his eyes. A few deadly ambushes foreseen and averted, and Eratos eventually found himself a (provisional) Colonel attached to a Legion HQ as a source of "military intelligence." Although they have brought him good fortune, sometimes the images he sees disturb him. Looking further into the future is always hazy, but a sinister darkness is growing over the possible future of Erebus. Eratos gave his life trying to prevent it.
Eratos was an interesting Human (PHB1) Wizard (PHB1) that used the Orb of Imposition class feature (PHB1) but did not adhere to any prescribed method of building a wizard. Relying heavily on feats from Arcane Power and Dragon Magazine articles and powers intended for Illusionist and War wizards to create an arcane caster that had unprecedented control over the size and shape of the arcane havoc he wrought. To further complicate things, He multiclassed into cleric so he could follow the Divine Oracle paragon path (PHB1). Somehow, it worked! The player is deploying to Iraq on Monday, and since he was leaving the campaign, sacrificed his character to save the lives of many retreating soldiers.
). But over all the previous edition updates, you just take the parts you like better from the older versions and keep on using them. With a sufficiently open mind, I can't imagine 4ed is impossible to do that with. The campaign setting is all about the role playing not what dice you roll when, after all.
