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Level Titles for Fighers

Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2015 12:14 pm
by waysoftheearth
One thing DD lacks is nice level tiles for the player types--in part due to the IP/copyright over the original titles. So recently I've had a go at an alternative arrangement of level titles for fighters; here's what I came up with:


1st. Fighter. This is already the name of every 1st level member of the fighting class. So let the de facto level title be explicit!

2nd. Veteran. I've always loved the idea of the battle-hardened, care-worn veteran but struggled with its contradictory use at 1st level. I prefer the title to identify proper veterans who've survived a few knocks.

3rd. Myrmidon. In classical mythology the Myrmidons were a soldier-race created by Zeus from a nest of ants. They were distinguished by their skill in battle and unshakable loyalty, and would later serve under Achilles in the Trojan wars. Their numbers and subservience implies to me a sub-hero status.

4th. Hero. The definitive 4th level fighter.

5th. Armiger. Historically an armiger was a person entitled--usually by birthright--to bear a heraldic coat of arms. Here I'm assuming the fighting-man has earned this privilege (or its social equivalent) by virtue of his great deeds and mastery of the arms.

6th. Captain. A captain in the Tolkien sense (see: http://www.google.com/search?q=Captain+ ... ateway.net) is a formidable military figure, greater than any regular (or Hobbit) hero, and often the leader of an army or host. It seems satisfactory that these should sit between hero and superhero status, and that top level dwarfs should ultimately achieve this title.

7th. Champion. Unchanged from the original, champions remain champions. Superlative warriors who are not quite superheroic.

8th. Superhero. Superheroes are few and far between, one-man armies, apex predators. They define the top of the attack matrix and woe betide anyone who messes with them!

9th and above. Warlord. The title warlord implies a military figure who has seized power by force of arms, whereas a regular Lord's authority need not be based in military prowess. Thus warlord seems to be a pretty good fit for the fighting-man.

Re: Level Titles for Fighers

Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2015 5:00 pm
by Makofan
I like ArmsMaster as a level title, perhaps to replace Armiger, which sounds a little esoteric

Warlord is okay, but I haven't come up with a better one yet. I like 'Conqueror'

Re: Level Titles for Fighers

Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2015 12:10 am
by waysoftheearth
Thanks for you interest Makofan :)

I deliberated the 5th level title until I was going round in circles but, truth be told, I'm still not totally satisfied with Armiger.

I pondered many alternatives including: Master at Arms, Challenger/Contender/Instigator, Trojan/Argonaught, Sampon/Goliath/Hercules, Helmer, Venturer, Vulcan, Provost, Rook, Wedge, Gallant/Valiant/Partisan, Caballero, Cavalier, and a bunch of others I can't immediately recall. But none of these seem convincingly better, so Armiger it is for now...

Re: Level Titles for Fighers

Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2015 2:15 pm
by Fearghus
I like the names. Does OD&D not use the 0 level characters? I have been reading the AD&D1E DMG and UA and it speaks a little about leveling from 0 to 1. That makes a little more sense for a level 1 to be called a veteran. I like how you are using the names below.

Super hero does not seem to fit for me for a fantasy campaign. I can't help but think of a comic book character. I have no better suggestion.

The implementation and reasoning of Armiger and Captain are nice. I like that.

Re: Level Titles for Fighers

Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2015 8:14 am
by waysoftheearth
Hey Fearghus,

OD&D does not have the concept of 0th men or characters but it has "normal men" which is more-or-less the same thing.

As to "superheroes", well these guys hail from the very dawn of D&D: the Fantasy Supplement to Chainmail. D&D's Superheroes are virtually unbeatable one-man-armies like; Conan the Barbarian, Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, Arthur Pendragon, Perseus, Hercules, Achilles, John Carter of Mars, Hurin, Turin, etc. You don't mess with these guys! (I'd say Fearnor and Fingolfin too, except that D&D doesn't treat us to Elves of superhero status).

When you see "superhero" try reading it as two words "super hero" as in: above and beyond the dime-a-dozen heroes.

Hope that helps some :)

Re: Level Titles for Fighers

Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2015 2:03 am
by Fearghus
A good analogy. Thank you.

Re: Level Titles for Fighers

Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2015 5:55 pm
by Fearghus
It helps some, though I won't be upset at suggestions for something different. ;)