tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post1243051945719716259..comments2024-03-29T00:32:33.920-04:00Comments on GROGNARDIA: Level TitlesJames Maliszewskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00341941102398271464noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-32039785326193232332011-11-05T16:52:32.234-04:002011-11-05T16:52:32.234-04:00Hi,
I'm Yoav, 36 from Israel,
I've been re...Hi,<br />I'm Yoav, 36 from Israel,<br />I've been reading here for awhile (Started with the 30 best modules list) and I like what you people are writing.<br /><br />I was looking to implement the titles I remembered from the 1st Edition and after reading all the great suggestions here (and a few other places), I've made a list for all classes and I'm happy to share it.<br /><br />Hope you like it and you can make use of it in your campaigns.<br />I'd be happy to hear any thoughts/suggestions on this list.<br />Cheers!<br />:)<br />(Note that some of the lower level titles are negative titles given by the common people)<br /><br />Fighter:<br />--------<br />1-2 Squire / Novice / Sellsword / Mercenary <br />3-4 Soldier / Brigand / Man-at-arms / Swordman <br />5-6 Ser / Sergeant-at-arms / Veteran <br />7-8 Weapon Master (Swordmaster) / Warrior <br />9-10 Hero / Champion <br />11-12 Lord <br />13-15 High Lord <br />16+ Warmaster / Warlord<br /><br />Paladin:<br />--------<br />1-2 Gallant / Keeper<br />3-4 Protector / Defender<br />5-6 Cavalier / Guardian<br />7-8 Knight / Zealot<br />9-10 First Knight / Avenger<br />11-12 Paladin<br />13-15 High Paladin<br />16+ Holy Avenger<br /><br /><br />Ranger:<br />-------- <br />1-2 Runner / Scout <br />3-4 Tracker / Guide <br />5-6 Pathfinder / Swashbuckler <br />7-8 Strider <br />9-10 Ranger <br />11-12 Ranger Knight <br />13-15 Ranger Lord <br />16+ Ranger Master <br /><br /><br />Mage:<br />------- <br />1-2 Apprentice / Prestidigitator / Master Trickster <br />3-4 Wonderworker / Maegi / Weaver <br />5-6 Theurgist / Channeller <br />7-8 Evoker / Invoker / Summoner <br />9-10 Magi / Mage / Magician <br />11-12 Sorcerer / Conjurer <br />13-15 Wizard / Warlock <br />16+ Archmage <br /><br />Cleric:<br />------- <br />1-2 Acolyte / Initiate / Devotee <br />3-4 Adept / Brother / Sister <br />5-6 Curate / Preacher <br />7-8 Priest / Father <br />9-10 High Priest / Prelate <br />11-12 Maester / Healer <br />13-15 Grand Maester / High Healer <br />16+ Saint <br /><br />Druid:<br />-------<br />1-2 Treehugger / Natureboy<br />3-4 Forester / Herbalist / Stinger<br />5-6 Moonchild / Chameleon<br />7-8 Weather / Animal master<br />9-10 Druid<br />11-12 Shapeshifter<br />13-15 Man of A Thousand Faces<br />16+ Arch-Druid<br /><br />Thief:<br />------ <br />1-2 Scoundrel / Urchin / Pick Pocket / Cutpurse <br />3-4 Footpad / Burglar / Robber / Raider <br />5-6 Guild Novice / Lightfoot / Nimble <br />7-8 Beguiler / Sharper <br />9-10 Assassin / Acrobat / Master Thief <br />11-12 Rogue <br />13-15 Master Rogue <br />16+ Guild Master <br /><br />Bard:<br />------ <br />1-2 Tramp / Scamp / Vagabond / Rhymer / Charlatan <br />3-4 Journeyman / Lyrist / Troubadour <br />5-6 Adventurer / Poet / Jester <br />7-8 Artist / Minstrel <br />9-10 Bard <br />11-12 Grand Bard <br />13-15 Master Bard <br />16+ MeistersingerYoavhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12904679187911995610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-75345084349411735132009-10-09T22:39:00.245-04:002009-10-09T22:39:00.245-04:00From my campaign, I have honorary titles when they...From my campaign, I have honorary titles when they reach high level (10th in mine) as a form of prestige. At the other extreme are the beginners (novices, ect.) More detailed ranks would be based upon a single group [as military or a cult] as opposed to an entire class. <br /><br /><br /><br /> Levels and Titles<br /><br /> Official or unofficial titles are sometimes given to those of a certain Class. A beginning mage is known as an apprentice, while a cleric is typically a neophyte or initiate (in tribal or druidic societies). Would-be-Knights begin life as a page or squire. Low level thieves are also known as cutpurses or pick-pockets. By contrast a more experienced mage or cleric is known as an adept, while a master is the pinnacle of the skill in any Class.<br /> A character who has reached 10th level may gain a form of title by those who know of his skill or deeds. The following titles are given:<br /><br /> Assassin: The title of Master is often given to assassins. The head of a guild is called the Grandmaster.<br /> Bard- Master Bard.<br /> Cleric: The title usually given to a cleric is that of High Cleric. <br /> Druid: A 10th level druid is known as a High Druid. A druid of higher status is called the Hierophant, while the leader of a druid coven is known as the Grand Druid.<br /> Fighter: Master as other Classes, often describing his specialty, such as Master Swordsman or Master Archer. However, the title of Lord may be officially given by the local law, specially in honor of his service. This does bring him to upper class status.<br /> Knight/Paladin/Antipaladin: As a knight, a paladin or antipaladin is seen as a lesser form of nobility. The title of "Sir" before the knight's name shows this prestige. At 10th level, the title of Lord is often given.<br /> Mage: A 10th level mage is usually called an Arch-Mage.<br /> Psion: Master Psion or Master of the Way.<br /> Thief: Master Thief. The head of a guild is often called the Guildmaster.Ed Rosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04069918557904273756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-38454448873210260762009-10-09T00:09:23.005-04:002009-10-09T00:09:23.005-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Jaysonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03652611193354218021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-24643710020236063682009-10-09T00:09:08.380-04:002009-10-09T00:09:08.380-04:00Okay, now how about dwarves, elves and halflings? ...<i>Okay, now how about dwarves, elves and halflings? I use the racial classes for these demihumans, and I'd really like level titles for them as well. Any thoughts on that one?</i><br /><br />I always found it interesting that in Moldvay/Cook, the Halfling level titles followed the demi-human model up until the final level, which was, of course, "Sheriff". Inspired by a post similar to this one, I devised the following (which is heavily Tolkien derived, but then we <i>are</i> discussing halflings:<br /><br />1 – Farthingscout<br />2 – Lightfoot<br />3 – Luckwearer<br />4 – Stoutheart<br />5 – Houndguard<br />6 – Bullroarer<br />7 – Burrowmeister<br />8 – Sheriff<br /><br />Although I'm tempted to wedge "Gourmand" in there somewhere...Jaysonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03652611193354218021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-45490039840629036202009-02-21T17:51:00.000-05:002009-02-21T17:51:00.000-05:00James, have you made a big deal about the awarding...<I>James, have you made a big deal about the awarding of titles at level gains? How did it go?</I><BR/><BR/>I haven't yet made anything of it, since I only recently even came up with a possible level title list for my Dwimmermount game. When I have a list I'm satisfied with, I'll certainly start using it, though.James Maliszewskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00341941102398271464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-69678543118079998022009-02-21T14:08:00.000-05:002009-02-21T14:08:00.000-05:00is it inappropriate to shamelessly advertise my ow...<I>is it inappropriate to shamelessly advertise my own blog entries in response to this one?</I><BR/><BR/>I have no problem with anyone using something I've written as a springboard for discussing another aspect of it on their own blog, so advertise away.James Maliszewskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00341941102398271464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-55527772320046972992009-02-20T12:59:00.000-05:002009-02-20T12:59:00.000-05:00is it inappropriate to shamelessly advertise my ow...is it inappropriate to <A HREF="http://richardthinks.livejournal.com/141055.html" REL="nofollow">shamelessly advertise</A> my own blog entries in response to this one?<BR/><BR/>If so, I'll refrain from doing so in future.richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13517340075234811323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-74760719876576347912009-02-20T03:33:00.000-05:002009-02-20T03:33:00.000-05:00"Glutton / Gourmand / Gastronome / Epicurean"...an..."Glutton / Gourmand / Gastronome / Epicurean"<BR/><BR/>...and finally, Round Knight of the Table.anarchisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05546197561922726279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-60614747135412776482009-02-20T02:15:00.000-05:002009-02-20T02:15:00.000-05:00Thus a sorceror who can demonstrably cast spells o...<I>Thus a sorceror who can demonstrably cast spells of the first rank (9th level) is an archmage, and so on down the ranks.</I><BR/><BR/>This is a really good idea. It also cuts down the number of level names, making them easier to use and more plausible. I like the idea of the new wizard in town having to bust out a high level spell in public just to prove that he really <I>is</I> an Archmage.<BR/><BR/>Question: how would this work for Fighters?<BR/><BR/>(Perhaps it would be based on how many 10' deep pit traps he could fall into consecutively before needing healing... "Wow - that weedy guy over there is an eight-pitter! You'd never guess!")PTRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01804620638450848244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-18178278205648526422009-02-19T23:19:00.000-05:002009-02-19T23:19:00.000-05:00“Glutton / Gourmand / Gastronome / Epicurean”Even ...“<B>Glutton / Gourmand / Gastronome / Epicurean</B>”<BR/><BR/>Even better!Roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16733274876782876659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-64557576361059358972009-02-19T22:44:00.000-05:002009-02-19T22:44:00.000-05:00I have to admit that I've never really used le...I have to admit that I've never really used level titles. That being said, my current (highly-modified) D&D campaign uses formal titles for the various ranks of sorceror* according to the level of spell that they can cast. This doesn't necessarily equate to sorceror level because the ability to cast the spells is not always (although it usually is) predicated on the level of the sorceror.<BR/><BR/>Thus a sorceror who can demonstratably cast spells of the first rank (9th level) is an archmage, and so on down the ranks.<BR/><BR/>Similiarly certain titles (such as "Knight" or "Lord") can be gained only once a character has achieved a certain level (but then, along with the title, the character will also gain certain abilities on doing so. Names are important in that regard in my campaign.<BR/><BR/>* I only have three classes - warrior, adventurer & sorceror (which includes priest-sorcerors - there is no miracles, per se).Reverance Pavanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01217657347160811310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-21083647996368735322009-02-19T22:38:00.000-05:002009-02-19T22:38:00.000-05:00Hobbit level titles should be based on cooks/chefs...<I>Hobbit level titles should be based on cooks/chefs</I><BR/><BR/>My vote is for Glutton / Gourmand / Gastronome / EpicureanChris Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04691319018164612005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-59106576908490033662009-02-19T20:07:00.000-05:002009-02-19T20:07:00.000-05:00Make up elfish and dwarfish words as “translations...Make up elfish and dwarfish words as “translations” of the level titles.<BR/><BR/>Hobbit level titles should be based on cooks/chefs. ^_^Roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16733274876782876659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-10732431019592094102009-02-19T19:31:00.000-05:002009-02-19T19:31:00.000-05:00I love the comment above (by Philotomy) regarding ...I love the comment above (by Philotomy) regarding having new titles every three or four levels rather than every single level. In fact, I liked it so much that that's what I'm implementing in my own forthcoming OD&D campaign.<BR/><BR/>I prefer the 1st-level titles as Acolyte (Cleric), Mercenary (Fighting-man), and Apprentice (Magic-user). <BR/><BR/>I think that my 4th-level fighting-man is a Myrmidon, 7th-level is a Champion, and 9th-level a Warlord.<BR/><BR/>I'm torn on clerics as - in my setting - adventuring clerics are more like paladins/holy warriors than clergymen. (In fact, I'm seriously considering replacing clerics with James' paladins from Knockspell #1 altogether.)<BR/><BR/>And finally, I think that the mastery title for magic-user should indeed be Wizard. I think that Wizard is indeed a completely intimidating and ultimately-descriptive title.<BR/><BR/>Okay, now how about dwarves, elves and halflings? I use the racial classes for these demihumans, and I'd really like level titles for them as well. Any thoughts on that one?<BR/><BR/>mactavish out.mactavishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17863937666133661581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-87472885090404378472009-02-19T16:53:00.000-05:002009-02-19T16:53:00.000-05:00As an addendum, I think "Wizard" should replace "M...As an addendum, I think "Wizard" should replace "Mage" as the ultimate M-U title. I mean, let's face it. Wizard sounds grand and powerful.Rachel Ghoulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04765944479141792643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-77952579269017720492009-02-19T16:51:00.000-05:002009-02-19T16:51:00.000-05:00If you still haven't made up your mind, I recommen...If you still haven't made up your mind, I recommend "Captain" for Fighter level 4 and agree with the previous idea of swapping Legionaire and Weaponmaster. No ideas just yet about level 8, though.Rachel Ghoulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04765944479141792643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-19799946121479430302009-02-19T15:39:00.000-05:002009-02-19T15:39:00.000-05:00I really miss the idea that levelling up was somet...<I>I really miss the idea that levelling up was something that took an investment beyond marking down enough experience points on the character sheet. It would be great to have, as richard suggests, level titles that correspond to the actual rites of passage required to achieve that level.</I><BR/><BR/>I do like titles as a form of flavor all by itself, but I also have thought a lot about attaching levels not just to xp, but specific achievements also. My favorite example of this is S. John Ross' gonzo-retro Science-Fantasy game <I>Encounter Critical</I>. It made me wonder just how to go about this in a D&D style fantasy game, but I have my concerns as to how to organize such a system that drives the players to reach interesting goals without frustrating them.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13973301663176412762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-11377660979422937452009-02-19T14:06:00.000-05:002009-02-19T14:06:00.000-05:00I really miss the idea that levelling up was somet...I really miss the idea that levelling up was something that took an investment beyond marking down enough experience points on the character sheet. It would be great to have, as richard suggests, level titles that correspond to the actual rites of passage required to achieve that level. I'd love to see fighting men required to actually assume a command in order to advance past level 4 or so.Chris Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04691319018164612005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-54215411811678996762009-02-19T13:51:00.000-05:002009-02-19T13:51:00.000-05:00For Fighters I like:1 or 2 - Warrior3 - Swordsman/...For Fighters I like:<BR/><BR/>1 or 2 - Warrior<BR/>3 - Swordsman/Axeman etc<BR/>4 - Hero<BR/>5 - Swordmaster/Axemaster etc<BR/>6 or 7 - Champion<BR/>9 - LordSimonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01173759805310975320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-69974985412450287082009-02-19T13:49:00.000-05:002009-02-19T13:49:00.000-05:00Just a thought - and riffing off Hamlet, whose sug...Just a thought - and riffing off Hamlet, whose suggestion has the blinding obviousness of genius - if there's something inherently Chaotic about MUs, perhaps their level titles should be Eld-derived, or speak of Thulian anxieties about the Eld: (generically fantastical-but-vaguely -sinister makes me think of <I>shadowcaster</I>, but perhaps <I>weaver of the sky</I> or <I>void</I> might work to suggest Otherworldly origin).<BR/><BR/>I guess there's no reason to say "Thulian Sentry" if the "Thulian" part is assumed, but maybe the Thulians assigned special status to guarding certain places/people (I'm thinking along the lines of "Janissary" or "Leftenant" more than "Warden of the Air Machines," but that could work, too).richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13517340075234811323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-60221470015225234272009-02-19T13:38:00.000-05:002009-02-19T13:38:00.000-05:00Back here again. Glad you thought warmaster had pr...Back here again. Glad you thought warmaster had promise.<BR/><BR/>After reflection, in my mind there are three arcs in the fighter progression: personal mastery, tactical leadership, then strategic leadership. I'd keep your L1-L3, and then I'd do<BR/><BR/>L4: Veteran<BR/>L5: Grognard<BR/>L6: Troopmaster<BR/>L7: Conqueror's fine here, I guess. I can't find a better.<BR/>L8: Warmaster<BR/>L9: Lord<BR/><BR/>And ... the magic-user level names make sense if they link the caster's level to the spells he might cast. I don't know the spell tables, and I'm not going to look either.Bob Portnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04563075580066984380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-88456029024065846562009-02-19T13:35:00.000-05:002009-02-19T13:35:00.000-05:00@Hamlet: That's a really good idea. It sounds like...@Hamlet: That's a really good idea. It sounds like it would really bring the setting to life and give classes a sense of tradition and history. <BR/><BR/>I like the idea of going on a specific quest, or having to achieve certain tasks in order to attain the title. With titles I think would also come certain in-game non combat benefits like having access to the mystic guilds private library once you attain the title of Occultist, or being challenged by another Duelist who is here to test your self-proclaimed title.<BR/><BR/>I think I'm going to add titles as a quest/achievement award in my 4e game.Nopehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02743719179352388875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-42895314669727399932009-02-19T12:52:00.000-05:002009-02-19T12:52:00.000-05:00Count me as another fan of 1st level veterans. Tha...Count me as another fan of 1st level veterans. That one said a lot to me.<BR/><BR/>I guess I never really thought of level titles as being used by the <I>characters</I> anymore than class names.Roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16733274876782876659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-85804183300703531412009-02-19T12:36:00.000-05:002009-02-19T12:36:00.000-05:00Consider this another vote for Philotomy's approac...Consider this another vote for Philotomy's approach. I think going his route should permit recreating level titles in an OGL product as well, since they don't actually correspond to every level.<BR/><BR/>By the way, I'm very fond of first-level fighters being Veterans--- it seems to make a meaningful distinction between them and "normal men." I would love to see that tradition continue if possible.FASERIPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14858463803195240463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-64717580279683448402009-02-19T12:35:00.000-05:002009-02-19T12:35:00.000-05:00If, as you say, they're traditions handed down fro...If, as you say, they're traditions handed down from the time of the Thulians, who possibly got them from the Eld or were at least influenced by them, why not incorporate that into the titles?<BR/><BR/>Instead of merely generic synonyms for fighter or soldier, go with:<BR/><BR/>1 Thulian Sentry<BR/>2 Warder of the Mount<BR/>3 Captain of the Mount<BR/>4 Eld Hunter<BR/>5 Eld Slayer<BR/>6 Dwimmer Man<BR/>7 Dwimmer Knight<BR/><BR/>It can even lead to interesting bits of history perhaps. In the time of Thule, in order to attain the rank of a Dwimmer Knight, the aspirant must undergo a ceremony that exposed him to the raw stuff of chaos contained within Dwimmer Mount. If he survived with his sanity intact, he was elevated to the true champions of that empire. If he failed or proved too cowardly to undergo the ceremony, his body would be thrown into the breeding pits to become a mindless guardian for all eternity. This ritual is eerily similar to ones conducted by the Eld themselves . . .Hamlethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05135081554790749914noreply@blogger.com