| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| jordanz |
Posted - 02 Sep 2011 : 22:45:29
Mages usually want power and or knowledge.
Theives like shiny things and taking risks.
Priests want to serve and promote the ways of their gods.
But what do the fighter in the realms want? It's seems rare to see a fighter that simply wants to be badass in the realms. Ok you have Artemis and Arthogate but outside of those two where are the epic level fighters that just want to be the best? I'm talking about someone who will go down to the Abyss to square off versus a demon prince just to test his mettle? Most epic or near fighters I've read about are leader types like Bruenor or Azoun or have lofty goals like Drizzit. |
| 22 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Dennis |
Posted - 04 Sep 2011 : 04:54:23
Their motivations are as varied as any other class. They only differ in their means to accomplish their goals. The bigger their goal is [say, slaying a thousand-year old dragon to steal its treasures], the more likely they seek a "magical" aid, like ensorcelled sword, cloak of invisibility, scrying ball, potent sleeping powder, etc. |
| Chosen of Asmodeus |
Posted - 03 Sep 2011 : 22:37:12
The way I've always had it described to me when I was first getting into d&d was that some classes represent a skill set, and some represent a life style. Fighters are one of the former, and as such their motivation can be just about anything, and the sword is just their chosen tool. |
| Old Man Harpell |
Posted - 03 Sep 2011 : 19:25:20
Speaking in a purely military sense, one of the best 'fighter' motivations I have ever encountered (game - or otherwise) is, for ease of explanation, 'King and Country'. The professional soldier or oathsworn warrior. Gold is a means to an end, and to whom glory is fleeting.
Whether a professional soldier, a temple guard, a 'black ops' type with some complimenting 'rogue-ish' skills - someone who serves a sovereign, a higher power, or simply an ideal, has always seemed to be one of the best motivations. |
| Diffan |
Posted - 03 Sep 2011 : 14:52:54
I think fighters (and other morally unbiased "classes") have the greatest range for reason to become fighters. Call it personal pride in their craft. They don't have flashy magic, the blessings of Gods, or the deft dexterity of rogues (though there are deft fighters) and so they have to take great care to hone their skills using either a specific weapon (or group) or a multitude of weapons.
One of the fighter's best features is just the sheer amount of feats they get. So they could use a greatsword, power attack, Cleave, AND still do well with a longbow by using Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Rapid Shot, Many Shot can aid the fighter in being a ranged adversary. The fact is that they're extreamly versatile and that adds a lot to the variety of things they can tangle with (except spellcasters, who just own whole encounters that is).
So along with that diversity comes the urge to learn more. To experience and challenge their combat skills against mighty and horrific monsters or others with legendary prowess.
Or they do have a deific purpose but they're just not devout enough to warrant prayers or divine abilities and so they make do with what they got.
EDIT: Addendum |
| Bladewind |
Posted - 03 Sep 2011 : 14:40:15
Loot! Fabled swords of legend! Tavern brawls! A kingdom for a flagon of wine!
Or listen or read Conan quote:"To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women!" unquote. |
| Marc |
Posted - 03 Sep 2011 : 12:48:33
A lot of them are attracted to pillaging |
| Tyranthraxus |
Posted - 03 Sep 2011 : 12:31:42
Fighters can have motivation like any other class. Isn't wealth and power the default motivation for any class, errr.... I mean player?  .
I've always loved fighters for their simplicity, atleast prior to 4E. Relying on their combat tactics rather than blasting groups of enemies with spells.
I also like the idea of 1E and BD&D (can't remember if it's the same for 2E... with so many editions I kinda forget or mix up stuff), that fighters can eventually build their own castles and attract followers. Conquering a patch of wilderness and bringing civilization the area while offering protection to the surrounding areas. |
| MalariaMoon |
Posted - 03 Sep 2011 : 12:01:16
If they're gladiators, presumable not getting killed is something of a motivation :-) |
| Lady Shadowflame |
Posted - 03 Sep 2011 : 11:53:09
Not everyone has the ability or the chance for magic. But it doesn't take magic to have courage. Fighters want what people want.
And that is a very varied thing. Some want to rise to dominance. Some want glory. Some only truly feel alive in the clash of blades and the chaos of battle. And some want safety for those they love.
Being of somewhat writer-ish inclinations, and automatically drawn to creating these things, I wonder if you will permit me to phrase it as you might see it from someone living that lifestyle. It is an indulgence, but when the mind demands something be written...
Why are we here, lad? Yes, I know you've wondered that. You look at that new sword in your hands, and you wonder why. Many have come to the blade before you, and many will after. We've all had our questions.
No doubt you signed up for the coins, hm? Money to eat, to feed your family? And now you want to know why we are here.
We're here because we have to be. Ever seen land seared by magic, lad? The Art's a knife as cuts both ways, in the end, and its wielders have lofty concerns - sometimes too lofty. The lore of bygone years may raise a city a century from now, but it puts no food in the bellies of today's children.
The gods? Yes, honour them, but remember their concerns are not those of mortals. The favour of a priest may change with the will of his god, and who can predict that? None of us.
No, they are powerful, but power isn't everything. When foul beasts roam the land, and evil men reach out to slay the good, someone must be there. Someone must stand between the helpless and the things that stalk the night.
That's us, lucky lad. Our blades hold back the dark, day by day. Our strength buys the time that others live on. We are the sons and daughters of the land. And we'll shield it to our last breath.
But you needn't look so pale. It's a brave thing you'll be doing, lad, and there are those as know it. Go down to the tavern, when this watch is over - you've my permission - and see the smiles you'll get. Perhaps a pretty lass or two will see you in your fine new colours. There's a good lad. We'll fight the dark, but the sun's shining now, and there's time enough to smile and taste life's joys.
*ahem* My apologies if the quality is lacking, whipped it up in under ten minutes. |
| Thelonius |
Posted - 03 Sep 2011 : 10:27:49
The good thing of warriors is that their motives give, perhaps, the widest options up to the writer-player. Is pretty simple to say "The wizard went looking for old scrolls and books" or "The thief who was craving for gold...". But warriors can use from gold to revenge, or personal motives. I once played a warrior with amnesia wich lead motivation was finidng out his identity, *cough* avatar of a god *cough*. So warriors though, maybe not the most varied or original class to play, is one of the somehow most rewarding ones. There is much also in how you play it, fully killer, ladies man, honored, badass... |
| The Sage |
Posted - 03 Sep 2011 : 04:42:07
quote:
Originally posted by Ayrik
Ghostwalker is actually one of the books in The Fighters series. I still haven't read it.
As I've said before, I'm not all that enamoured with "fighter-based" novels -- especially in the Realms fiction.
However, Ghostwalker went a way toward having me reconsider that stance, slightly. |
| jordanz |
Posted - 03 Sep 2011 : 04:17:56
quote:
Originally posted by Alystra Illianniis
Personally, I've never thought of them as weak or useless- just less "specialized". unless they are weapon-specialists, with unusual focus on one type of weapon. But those do do are usually as good as, with their chosen weapon, or better than, those who don't. And sometimes, they just want respect. Or to prove themselves to someone.
And you think this is enough to drive a few to near epic levels of ability?
I believe Artemis suffered abuse as a child and thus wanted never to be bullied. Drizzit had a parent who mentored him and he had to survive an extremely inhospitable environment. But oftentimes we get no explanation how some fighters became good enough to go one on one with Iron Golems.
Also I believe a great fighter needs a great weapon otherwise his effectiveness is severely limited - not counting monks.
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| Bladewind |
Posted - 03 Sep 2011 : 04:13:08
My first 3.5 edition character, Thuran Silverforge, was a fighter/rogue/streetfighter claiming to be the fastest swordsman in the Swordcoast. In his early youth he was a scrapper-urchin, fighting for respect on the streets of Baldurs Gate against the much older shadow thieves guild urchins dominating his parents area. He was motivated by his families expectations of him: sent early in his youth to become a sword-smith in Waterdeep. His youthful Baldurs Gatian bravado caused him to offend a group of the underworld of Waterdeep. This resulted in them torching his masters smithy, thrusting my character into to the life of a fugitive early on with only a (than oversized) greatsword strapped to his back.
He learned that by claiming to be the best swordsman of the Swordcoast, he could convince most thugs to step down. He wanted to make his parents proud even though he failed his apprenticeship, so he set out to find a new place for his family to settle. Eventually, if he needed to carve out that living space in blood, he was prepared to do so. Acquiring wealth was his first motivation, but after hearing about several swordsman wandering the realms, living up to his own bravado as the best at scrapping with a sword was his eventual final goal. In my mind he achieved this goal after he survived a trek through the Underdark and single-handedly slayed a drow captain marauding the Dalelands (in a single feinted full expertise critical hit with a sneakattack, no less).
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| Ayrik |
Posted - 03 Sep 2011 : 04:10:10
Ghostwalker is actually one of the books in The Fighters series. I still haven't read it. |
| jordanz |
Posted - 03 Sep 2011 : 04:02:57
quote:
Originally posted by Erik Scott de Bie
I happen to like vengeance as a motivator. Or justice. Or both.
Often, fighters do what they do because they don't have a choice. Bad guys threaten, and their options are pick up a sword and fight or lie down and die.
I think fighters become fighters for the same reason people become adventurers, but they're people who don't happen to have divine power, arcane gifts, or much in the way of roguish inclinations. Anyone can learn to use a sword or bow, which is not to deprecate fighters. Indeed, they're the bravest of individuals if they're setting out without any specialized skills. And those who achieve great heights of martial skill are special indeed.
Also, making a living is a common reason to pick up a sword.
Cheers
P.S. Maybe you should read some of the FIGHTERS series? That showcases a number of different kinds of fighter-types and their motivations for doing what they do.
Thanks for the response Scott, I will check out the fighters series.
P.S. Depths of Madness and Ghost Walker were awesome books. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 03 Sep 2011 : 02:12:24
quote:
Originally posted by Erik Scott de Bie
Indeed. I hardly think of them as weak or useless.
It depends on what scale you're using for weak and useless, because for me fighters often belong to that type. |
| Erik Scott de Bie |
Posted - 03 Sep 2011 : 00:35:21
Indeed. I hardly think of them as weak or useless. The basis of their craft is simply mundane: it's something any human can do, granted training and muscle building and the like. Which to me makes it even more impressive when they can hold their own with people who can sling fire or call down lightning.
Rogues are similar, though they rely more on their wits and quickness to get them out of a jam. This is as respectable in its own right, though much less physically impressive and/or obvious.
Cheers |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 02 Sep 2011 : 23:13:28
Personally, I've never thought of them as weak or useless- just less "specialized". unless they are weapon-specialists, with unusual focus on one type of weapon. But those do do are usually as good as, with their chosen weapon, or better than, those who don't. And sometimes, they just want respect. Or to prove themselves to someone. |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 02 Sep 2011 : 23:06:15
I think the question is answered well enough in books which describe the fighter classes and kits and such. As far as what motivates individual fighter NPCs, even those you name, the answers are usually provided in their writeups and novels.
Fighters are not all bodybuilding thugs who focus on exerting sinew instead of spells. Those who achieve high levels are as dedicated, skilled, and dangerous as those who choose to practice magic instead. If there's a perception of fighters being somewhat "useless" compared to their spellslinging peers then I think it is only a fault of the balance in the game rules (or of your understanding of them). |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 02 Sep 2011 : 22:58:28
I agree with Erik. I love fighters for the simple reason that they don't usually have any special protection or abilities to fall back on. They get down and dirty, sometimes for better reasons than the other class-types. Wizards after power rarely stop to ask themselves what they will DO with it- they just want it becasue they thing it will make their lives better/easier/etc. Priests are just doing what their gods want of them, often without asking WHY. And rogues- well, they just want to be rich.... |
| sfdragon |
Posted - 02 Sep 2011 : 22:55:33
think of fighters this way.
if they are mercenaries, then gold and glory is their motivaation
if they are caravan guards, than coin is their motivation
if they are gladiators, than its its glory
but then thsi was covered in Erik's making a living statement |
| Erik Scott de Bie |
Posted - 02 Sep 2011 : 22:52:26
I happen to like vengeance as a motivator. Or justice. Or both.
Often, fighters do what they do because they don't have a choice. Bad guys threaten, and their options are pick up a sword and fight or lie down and die.
I think fighters become fighters for the same reason people become adventurers, but they're people who don't happen to have divine power, arcane gifts, or much in the way of roguish inclinations. Anyone can learn to use a sword or bow, which is not to deprecate fighters. Indeed, they're the bravest of individuals if they're setting out without any specialized skills. And those who achieve great heights of martial skill are special indeed.
Also, making a living is a common reason to pick up a sword.
Cheers
P.S. Maybe you should read some of the FIGHTERS series? That showcases a number of different kinds of fighter-types and their motivations for doing what they do. |
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