I've settled in pretty well in Ohio, and have a solid gaming group here. I'm running a 3.5 game in Forgotten Realms. Also, I'm privileged to be a part of a Pathfinder game with the same group, and I get to just play one character (no DMing!).
My dude is a redux version of a PFRPG character from a previous game. I had to bust him down in level, but I really wanted to see what I could do with this concept.
His name is Ahote, which is Restless One in his native tongue.
Ahote is a currently a level 3 Human Barbarian/Ranger (levels 1 and 2, respectively. I'm pretty proud of the build, as I haven't seen anything like it before.
Good strength, better dexterity, and the other stats aren't much to brag about. He dual wields axes (the lighter of which is a throwing axe or tomahawk).
As a variant, the DM allowed me to use Whirling Frenzy instead of standard Rage, so I get an extra attack as opposed to the constitution boost whilst I freak out. So, at level 3, he gets three attacks with decent bonuses.
I always had an issue with the way rangers' animal companions seem to magically appear at level 4. I liked what one of my players, Brenna, did with Amrielle's horse companion. She simply started at level 1 with her horse, Star, as a pet. By level 4, the party was used to Star, and the bond between ranger and companion was already built. I am doing the same with Ahote and his companion, Little Cheytahk, his cheetah companion.
Why a cheetah? Well, Ahote gets the standard barbarian Fast Movement feature, and he makes good use of it. In the future, I hope to grab the Cheetah Tribe Sprint feat from the Forgotten Realms 3.5 Shining South sourcebook. Those with this feat can move up to 4 times their movement during a charge. This may seem crazy, but it's definitely balanced by the fact that it won't be used in dungeons (read: 90% of the game).
So, a barbarian/ranger with Native American influence, a cat familiar, dual weapons, one of which he likes to throw. Oh, and did I mention he's exiled from his tribe? Yeah, it wasn't until session 2 that I realized this guy is Drizzt and Wulfgar's lovechild.
Nonetheless, my dudes over at AvatarArt have cut me a deal to do 10 basic level sketches of him, so I can visualize him out as he levels up. Here's the first. Another one is coming soon.
