Professional Template: 300 Spartans: Leonidas

[Kromm]

Originally Posted by tbone

I always like DF/DFRPG characters' "Customization Notes" that go into additional archetypes. Here, "Hoplite" is a fine name for what's a broader "Elite Sword 'n' Sandals Soldier", but are there other specific archetypes that could be derived?

Without fussing over details of historical accuracy, this template looks usable for a Roman Legionnaire (or just Legionnaire, if Empire is as unnamed as Town)... even Elite Viking Warrior with a little more tweaking (Axe/Mace, some armor, maybe Boating/Swimming...)

Does the template suggest any other classic characters to anyone?

Historical accuracy (and "Customization Notes") weren't my goals at 1 a.m. with insomnia, but . . .

You could use this template for a huge number of warriors modeled on real-life ones, including the hoplite, phalangite, or legionary (the differences being in spear length, armor, and large-unit tactics that wouldn't matter on a dungeon crawl); the Maasai warrior (forget about armor, and replace the shortsword with a short spear or knobbed club); or non-cinematic Anglo-Saxon, Irish, or Viking warrior (replace the shortsword with whatever is cheap and available). All would hew pretty close to the archetype, and favor Thrown Weapon (Spear) over Sling.

With some reaching, you could model a lot of the New World. You would need to look outside the DFRPG to GURPS for gear. For instance, an Aztec warrior would replace spear and sword with tepoztopilli and macuahuitl, both with obsidian blades, and move the 4 points in Sacrificial Block, Shield-Wall Training, and ranged skills to Spear Thrower for an atlatl.

All of these types share similar qualities: daring (high Will along with stuff like Daredevil, Fearlessness, and Unfazeable, and very likely Overconfidence), foot mobility (superior Basic Move and good Hiking and Running), toughness (Will again, High Pain Threshold, probably Stubbornness, and several of Fit, Hard to Kill, Hard to Subdue, Rapid Healing, and Tough Skin), warrior code (the Code of Honor and Sense of Duty, perhaps Born War-Leader, and Tactics plus some of Leadership, Savoir-Faire, and Strategy), and the inevitable whooping and hollering (Penetrating Voice, Rallying Cry, and Intimidation).

How these warriors would stack up against each other in real life would be more a function of large-unit tactics (which as I said above won't even be visible on a dungeon crawl – though Sacrificial Block and Shield-Wall Training would be optional for the more individualist types) and equipment (which is bought with $, not points). On equal points, your Maasai with Tough Skin and your legionary who trades points for money to get an armor and sword will be comparable.

[tbone]

Originally Posted by Kromm

Historical accuracy (and "Customization Notes") weren't my goals at 1 a.m. with insomnia, but . . .

I go one better: I ignore historical accuracy 24 hours a day. (Well, certainly in dungeons, anyway...)

Thanks for the extra ideas. The template seems to fit nicely between knight and swashbuckler. It'd stand in for some barbarian warrior concepts, too, if master of outdoor survival isn't a concern. It'd also make a nice ex-soldier gladiator (though a few more weapon skills, and maybe Performance to play to the crowd, would be good there).

(Side thought: With generic fantasy gaming drawing its stock characters from such an odd jumble of times, places, and concepts – Celtic druids, medieval knights, Shaolin monks, giant fantasy Vikings, Crusader-like priests, Merlinesque wizards, urban thieves of all things – it's odd that some kind of Spartan/gladiator/other "sword'n'sandals" stand-in is so rarely represented.)

Final thought: If this Hoplite template isn't getting any use from the players, the GM could tap it as the go-to template for some non-human race's warriors, or an elite Orc military society ("The Spears of Ghaargsh"), etc.

[Hrothgar Rannúlfr]

Originally Posted by Kromm

It's always an option to invent something, too! Here's an example.

—

Hoplite

You are a lean, bronzed master of shield-and-spear combat (and handy with a sword, when things get too tight). Your resistance to pain and hardship – both physical and mental – are legendary among warriors. So is your ability deploy swiftly, whether over short distances or long. And so is your loyalty to the unit. While you might not be the flashiest of fighters, you are a wonderful ally and probably the best protector your less-capable friends could wish for.

Attributes: ST 13 [30]; DX 14 [80]; IQ 10 [0]; HT 14 [40].
Secondary Characteristics: Damage 1d/2d-1; BL 34 lbs.; HP 13 [0]; Will 12 [10]; Per 10 [0]; FP 14 [0]; Basic Speed 7.00 [0]; Basic Move 7 [0].
Advantages: High Pain Threshold [10]; Sacrificial Block [1]; Shield-Wall Training [1]; and Weapon Master (Shield, Shortsword, and Spear) [30]. • A further 40 points chosen from among:

ST +1 to +4 [10/level]
DX +1 or +2 [20/level]
HT +1 to +4 [10/level]
Will +1 to +8 [5/level]
HP +1 to +4 [2/level]
Basic Speed +1.00 or +2.00 [20/level]
Basic Move +1 to +4 [5/level]
Born War-Leader 1-4 [5/level]
Combat Reflexes [15]
Daredevil [15]
Enhanced Block 1-4 [5/level]
Fearlessness [2/level] or Unfazeable [15]
Fit [5] or Very Fit [15]
Hard to Kill [2/level]
Hard to Subdue [2/level]
Luck [15] or Extraordinary Luck [30]
Penetrating Voice [1]
Rallying Cry [5]
Rapid Healing [5]
Shield Mastery [15]
Signature Gear [1/item]
Striking ST 1-4 [5/level]
Tough Skin 1-3 [3/level]
Trademark Move [1/move]
Weapon Bond [1]

Disadvantages: Code of Honor (Soldier's) [-10] and Sense of Duty (Adventuring Companions) [-5]. • A further -35 points chosen from among:

Bad Temper [-10*]
Bloodlust [-10*]
Callous [-5]
Chummy [-5] or Gregarious [-10]
Honesty [-10*]
No Sense of Humor [-10]
One Eye [-15]
Overconfidence [-5*]
Selfless [-5*]
Stubbornness [-5*]
Vow (Use only hoplite weapons) [-5] or (Never refuse a challenge to combat) [-10] or (Never wear armor) [-15]
Wounded [-5]

Skills: Either Sling-13 [2] or Thrown Weapon (Spear)-15 [2]. • All of these skills:

Brawling-15 [2]
Fast-Draw (Sword)-14 [1]
Hiking-14 [2]
Intimidation-12 [2]
Running-14 [2]
Shield-18 [12]
Shortsword-16 [8]
Spear-18 [16]
Tactics-10 [4]
Wrestling-14 [2]

• Five of these skills:

Armory (Body Armor or Melee Weapons)-9 [1]
Carousing-14 [1]
Climbing-13 [1]
First Aid-10 [1]
Gesture-10 [1]
Heraldry-9 [1]
Jumping-14 [1]
Leadership-9 [1]
Observation-9 [1]
Savoir-Faire-10 [1]
Stealth-13 [1]
Strategy-8 [1]

* Multiplied for self-control number; see Adventurers, p. 55.

Special Hoplite Traits

The hoplite's "special abilities" include the option to buy an impressive four levels apiece of Basic Move, Enhanced Block, and Striking ST, plus some specialized advantages.

Daredevil

15 points

This is identical to the swashbuckler ability of the same name; see Adventurers, p. 37.

Rallying Cry

5 points

This is identical to the knight ability of the same name; see Adventurers, p. 28.

Sacrificial Block

1 point

This is identical to the knight ability of the same name; see Adventurers, p. 28.

Shield Mastery

15 points

This is identical to the knight ability of the same name; see Adventurers, p. 29.

Shield-Wall Training

1 point

This is identical to the knight ability of the same name; see Adventurers, p. 29.

Tough Skin

3 points/level

This is identical to the barbarian ability of the same name; see Adventurers, p. 16.

Thank you, Kromm! Much appreciated!

[InexplicableVic]

Here's a sample character using the Hoplite template:

Stelios the Spartan

249-point Human Hoplite

Stelios is a brave Spartan warrior who is willing to lay down his life for his fellow Spartans and unafraid of a beautiful death.

ST 13 [30]; DX 14 [80]; IQ 10 [0]; HT 14 [40]
Damage 1d/2d; BL 34 lb; HP 15 [4]; Will 12 [10]; Per 10 [0]; FP 14 [0]
Basic Speed 7 [0]; Basic Move 7 [0]; Move 5
Dodge 10*; Parry 14* (Spear); Parry 12* (Shortsword); Block 14* (Shield)

Advantages
Combat Reflexes [15]
Enhanced Block (Shield) 1 [5]
Fit [5]
High Pain Threshold [10]
Sacrificial Block [1]
Shield-Wall Training [1]
Striking ST 1 [5]
Tough Skin 3 [9]
Weapon Bond (Spear) [1]
Weapon Master (Shield, Shortsword and Spear) [30]

Disadvantages and Quirks
Bad Temper [-10]
Chummy [-5]
Code of Honor (Soldier's) [-10]
Overconfidence [-5]
Selfless [-5]
Sense of Duty (Adventuring Companions) [-5];
Stubbornness [-5]
Vow (Use only Hoplite weapons) [-5]

Is loathe to cover up his magnificent abs. [-1]
Sarcastic jokester both during and after battle. [-1]
Makes wiseass comments inviting battle. [-1]
Loves to jump and attack his enemies. [-1]
Is unafraid to die in battle. [-1]

Skills
Armory (Melee Weapons)-9 [1]
Brawling-15 [2]
Climbing-12 [1]
Fast-Draw (Sword)-15 [1]
First Aid-10 [1]
Gesture-10 [1]
Hiking-14 [2]
Intimidation-12 [2]
Running-14 [2]
Shield (Shield)-18 [12]
Shortsword-16 [8]
Spear-18/20 [16]
Stealth-12 [1]
Tactics-10 [4]
Thrown Weapon (Spear)-15 [2]
Wrestling-14 [2]

* Includes +1 for Combat Reflexes.

Equipment

$1,500, 57.98 lbs. (Light encumbrance)

Belt, $15; 0.5 lb.
Bandages, $10; 1 lb.
Coins, 6 copper, 3 Silver Coins, $66, 0.18 lb.
Canteen, Full. 1 quart water. $10, 1 lb.
"Clothing" (Loincloth, Red Cloak), $0, 2 lbs.
Heavy Leather Armor, Feet. DR 2 $52, 4.2 lbs.
Heavy Segmented Plate Armor, Helmet (Full Face). DR 5. $420, 11.2 lbs.
Large Shield. DB 3, 1d+2 cr (bash). $90, 25 lbs.
Minor Healing Potion, $120; 0.5 lb.
Personal Basics, $5, 1 lb.
Pouch. Holds rations. $10; 0.2 lb.
Pouch, Holds bandages, coins, personal basics, minor healing potion. $10; 0.2 lb.
Rations, 6 meals, $12, 3.0 lbs.
Shortsword. 2d+4 cut (reach 1) or 1d+3 imp (reach 1). $400, 2 lbs.
Stelios' Spear, Fine, Balanced. 1d+5 imp (reach 1) or 1d+6 imp (reach 1,2), or 1d+6 imp (thrown, range 13/19). $280; 4 lbs.

Stelios is a highly capable Spartan warrior who can do decent damage with his spear, more with his shortsword, but who prioritizes defense (note that his defenses, when he has his large shield, are Dodge 13, Shortsword parry 15, Spear parry 17, and Block 17). He traded in 1 character point to get a good spear and a Spartan plate helmet. His natural DR is 3, but his feet are DR 5, skull DR 10, and face DR 8.

[johndallman]

And indexed.