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NWN SG Build: Geroll of the Shadowguard

Tags: #Dragonborn1721 
  • September 11, 2016

    As the son of Magister Ocaris in the city of Ghaarak in the northern Imperial  territories of Abaron, Geroll Leonar is a well known protector of the local area. You served as a member of the local city guard, slowly and morally rising up as a powerful fighter and a well-respected, popular leader. However, nearly a decade ago you were forced to retire due to damaged leg received during a failed raid on a smuggler den.

    That is why you found it odd when you were approached and practically ordered to join the academy to rejoin the city guard. What use did they have of an old, weaker fighter who was well past the point in your life where you could reasonably stand against a younger, stronger fighter. But you were willing to follow through the order as a loyal member and old soldier of the Empire.

    No longer where you a capable of great feats of strength like you used to, instead focusing on improving your wit in order to win fight, out-smarting your foes instead of directly beating them in melee combat. May Helm give you the strength to continue fighting for your Empire, your family and your own personal honour.

    Gender: Male

    Race: Human

    Class: Fighter (Should be level 5 by campaign end)

    Alignment: Lawful Neutral

    Skills: Discipline, Lore, Heal, Appraise (Cross-Class) and Persuade (Cross-Class)

    Attributes: STR - 14 (15 by campaign end), DEX - 8, CON - 14, INT - 14, WIS - 10, CHA - 16

    Level 1: Disarm, Expertise and Strong Soul

    Level 2: Iron Will

    Level 3: Improved Expertise

    Level 4: Toughness 

    Weapon: Masterwork Longsword - Can be bought in the Market District

    Shield: Large Shield

    Body: Imperial Banded Armor, or Noble Robes (Non-Combat Robes that improve your Persuade skill)

    Jewelry: Amulet of the Veil (10 SR and +1 AR)

    Hands: Gauntlets of Ogre Strength - Can be found in the Market District

    Combat for this build was definitely an interesting take on a character, and honestly it was the first time I've been ridiculously overpowered, but still not feel like I was. Essentially the entire character relies around using the Expertise Feat which in it's first form allows you to gain 5 AR in return for -5 chance to hit (Improved Expertise doubles this). Which at the lower levels basically means your unable to hit your enemy most turns, but also makes it incredibly difficult for them to hit you. When paired with your classical, heavily armour, sword and board fighter, this can be an incredibly devastating defensive combination.

    With it, I was able to survive most types of combat by simply having my companion (when I had one) wait back, charge into a room grabbing everyone's attention and just stand there occasionally swinging my sword in their general direction. Then runs in my companion with high damage and a good chance to hit, taking out enemies who are still focused on me.

    By the end of the game I was hitting a 31 AR with Improved Expertise and a Barkskin potion (increases AR) which is around the same level the game recommends a level 15+ character has to survive. That's pretty massive in the early levels, meaning the only problem I really had was Mages, which there are luckily few-to-none in the Shadowguard Expansion.

    What made Geroll interesting and unique as a character for me was his age, as an older human he really has some restrictions that your more...shall I say classic young hero would have. For one he can't exactly go sprinting across the battlefield or fight for hours in direct combat, nor could he really trade blows with another fighter, which is represented in his rather low Strength and Constitution (at least for a Fighter). His lowered reflexes are represented by his Dexterity, being less capable of moving around can really be a disadvantage in a fight (though admittedly it doesn't come in really in-game).

    But even little things like using a Large Shield instead of the more protective Tower Shield can be attributed to his weaker body, he simply doesn't have the strength to continuously lift a shield that's nearly as large as he is, and the same goes for not aiming for the Full Plate or Half Plate Armour sets which would have offered much more protection.

    Shadowguard is interesting because, really there are no side quests really...There's probably about a dozen quests in the entire game, and each one of them needs to be completed in order for you to progress with the story. But each quest is designed to have multiple paths, for instance you can try and barter your way into getting richer and richer, or do things out of the goodness of your heart. For some quests you can chose combat or stealth, and it's all a matter of what each character wants to do.

    Yakir the Black - You're a loyal member of this empire, this barbaric spirt that murdered children, men and women deserves the worst possible fate. Bind him to serve the Emperor for the rest of his existance

    Janthos and Alia - While Alia did make a strong point about Janthos possibly trying to make the golems too powerful, Janthos also made a good point about how powerful he could make the golems. You are undecided about which to choose, but regardless you shall not seek any profit for the task, the protection of the Empire either way is all the reward you need.

    Nelgir and Kara Dy'nesh - This problem was one you considered difficult to judge until you met the spirit that the Elven Cleric summoned, if this Nelgir truly has murdered his own father for wealth then he deserves punishment under Imperial Law, however you must remind Kara that although justified in this case, stealing is the last option and there were things she should have tried before robbing the man.

    Markius and the Slavers - This was a simple situation, these slavers cannot be allowed to continue their foul trade and must be wiped out to the last person.

    Tarin, Lyen and Ghan - These three men required your help with two primary tasks. First was restoring the honour of the Minatour Ghan who lost his Soul Brooch after being cheated in a game of cards. While you dislike gambling generally, the Minatour seems to have done nothing wrong so you saw no harm in collecting his brooch for him.

    Tarin and Lyen on the other hand, required your help after the Halfling had been kidnapped. While it does sound like this Tarin had been responsible for crimes, you weren't given the full story and thus helped the Rogue escape from his captors. 

    Mirkel Ravenclaw and Chancellor Varhun - After learning that Mirkel Ravenclaw was partially responsible for your fathers death you immediately stormed his tavern in order to confront him. However, it seemed like he was almost coerced into the deal, or at the very least was simply a pawn, so instead of killing him you decided to let the law do it's part. Chancellor Varhun on the other hand, was firmly responsible due to his own corruption and greed. Taking him out was the only option.

    This was definitely a bit of a different build in regards to how I fought, so I decided that altering my writing style a little was fitting. I definitely enjoyed this odd presentation of the information, especially the Quests and Backstory which were written in the same way that the generic NWN backstory is.

  • Member
    September 20, 2016

    What game is this?

  • Member
    September 20, 2016

    Looks like Neverwinter Nights. Correct me if I'm wrong.

  • September 20, 2016

    Ah, yeah Neverwinter Nights (I used this in the Shadowguard Expansion, but it'd work with the main game). I changed the title to reflect this 

  • Member
    September 20, 2016

    Dragonborn1721 said:

    Ah, yeah Neverwinter Nights (I used this in the Shadowguard Expansion, but it'd work with the main game). I changed the title to reflect this 

    This makes me want to pick up NWN again.