New Bard kit for v2: Charlatan

[Belanos]

That's not a disadvantage in the BG2 engine, since it will boost your stats to fit the kit...

 

And the 15 that bards already require is I think classified as 'exceptional'.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Still, that will make less points available to use in other areas. And being con men by trade they would need a higher charisma than most other Bards. 16 wouldn't stretch things to much and it will still be higher than other Bards.

[Belanos]

Another thing that comes to mind, though I'm not sure if it can be done. If a Charlatan has conned other people before there could be a chance of his/her past catching up to them, and having an NPC that would normally be friendly suddenly turn hostile. If it's possible, it could be tied to their level.

[Andyr]

It won't reduce the number of points they have, only boost them... On a bad roll they'll have the same number of 'free' points that they would have had, and a higher CHR too.

 

Plus, I am not fond of stat requirements/changes for kits.

 

EDIT: About the hostile, that'd probably have to be a quest-based thing. The nature of the particular kit is what makes it tricky to convert mechanics to a computer RPG.

[jester]

The spell school limitations look promising, but if the Gypsy and the Charlatan play out alike it is hardly worth a new kit other than for cosmetic story changes.

[Hendryk]

If it's a choice, gypsies are, as noted, very clannish. Quite the xenophobes, in fact. So charlatans would be a more logical kit for a PC. You might have a gypsy NPC where the author can control the backstory but it would be as difficult to explain a gypsy PC as a barbarian one emerging from cloistered Candlekeep.

 

An unrelated thought/question: charlatans, as foot-loose loners of frequently criminal bent, probably would not be on good terms with thieves' guilds. Is it possible to have an area script check for the presence of a charlatan anywhere in the party and apply REP or CHA penalties just in those areas controlled by thieves or, possibly, allied to them such as gambling halls? I'm assuming that thief guilds would care to inform themselves about known charlatans and treat them with - at best - a marked incivility.

[jester]

That is a brilliant idea. Just like casino owners are constantly on the lookout for conartists thieves' guilds might not take kindly to free agent con-men, but in BG2 you could then run into the problem of rewriting the Maevar/Renal and Aran encounters or at least have Gaelan comment on the situation.

 

As for the rep penalty I think that any charlatan would be advised to leave the area, if exposed, so they might even want to keep a low profile to not hinder their trade.

[Andyr]

I'd be inclined against implementing Rep penalties, and think adding extra dialogues would be beyond the scope of the mod. Which is a shame... So, I'm still pondering stuff to do.