Let's Play Non-Combatants! (The noncomm challenge.)

[Is Friday]

I'd like to get a good discussion going on character ideas people can use if they want to play non-comms. Whether they be coded wigglers or coded warriors! I encourage everyone to play a noncomm every once in a while.

Noncomms can liven up any clan or area of the game dramatically. In my opinion, noncomms have an opportunity to be the most interesting PCs in any given scene because those players usually has more effort available to concentrate on playing the character, (and not having to worry about the combat code/skills/etc.)

Leaders: It does not hurt your clan to hire cooks, physicians, bards, servants, or grebbers.

Post your noncomm occupation ideas.

Mine: Street sweeper/servant.

[HTX]

Prostitute
Rat meat seller
Boot shiner/clothe washer
Professional gambler
Information broker
Fence
Con artist
Entertainer (bard, dancer, painter, juggler, story-teller etc.)
Trader/merchant/tradesperson
Spy
Aide
Grebber, spice hunter, miner, physician, servant, etc.
Beggar
Spice smuggler/dealer
Scavenger
Thief
Burglar
Explorer
Fortune teller
Rumour monger - get paid to keep people up to date and spread announcements which are too insignificant to post on the IC boards
Dung shoveler (someone's gotta clean up the crap which accumulates in clan stables, right?)

[Kronus]

Do you perceive that there's a shortage of PCs who aren't self-identified 'professional' soldiers/mercenaries/hunters?    Most of them aren't in clans, I'll agree with that.

PC concepts that could have a home in a clan (if the clan leaders are willing to hire people with little or no coded benefits to offer):

Seamstress/Tailor - different from merchant house clothing crafter in that it's entirely focused on repairing or altering existing garments.
Armourer - maintaining and sharpening weapons, repairing and cleaning armor for the warriors, keeping track of martial inventory.
"The Face" - I've always been surprised that groups like the Byn don't have someone out there shilling for them and drumming up business, especially little jobs involving one or two people for only a couple of hours.  It seems so passively done, or left to the battle-hardened sergeants to make deals.  I rarely see GMH members making pitches either, everyone just waits for the business to find them.
The Spy - This one is relatively common.  Clan Amos hires the spy to join Clan Bemos and report what they learn.  I'm not in love with it, just because most clans are always OOCly eager to hire player characters without looking too closely and this seems to take advantage of that.
Brewmaster - As another thread demonstrated, everyone likes to get drunk.  Wealthy or powerful clans shouldn't overlook the value of having someone at the compound serving up beer and spirits (and medicinal tabs).
Spicemonger - For those places where the spice isn't illegal, and could be paired with a smuggler angle for those clans who don't care whether it's illegal or not.  The spicemonger knows all the varieties by name and precisely what their effects are.  Kurac hates her, the clan loves her.  Unless the clan is Kurac...
The Sweetest Chef - Every soldier loves a good home-cooked meal after a long day of training and standing watch, but the sweetest chef also acts as the clan's 'den mother', counselor and conscience.
Animal Handler - Looks after the clan's mounts, feeds and waters them, tends to the stables, and breaks new acquisitions for saddling whether in the safety of the compound or out in the wild.

[Nahara]

A few:
Pimp
Investor
Lumberjack
Artisan (jeweler, seamstress, etc.)
Guide
Wagon Pilot
Translator
Mentor
Preacher (may not remain noncombatant)

[DustMight]

Actually, the idea of rat-meat seller is kinda cool.

But what happened to having a war around Christmas?
Political non-comms?

[Marshmellow]

Just to remind everyone, playing normal every day sort of people will probably keep you from being hired on into a clan unless you're hired to do something other than your normal, mundane job.  People want to hire people that will help them push plots along, not someone who's just going to clean up the barracks.

That said, there are all sorts of non-comms available.

- Grebber, multiple varieties from the salter-grebber to plant-grebber to adventuring grebber that runs from any combat.
- Crafters of many varieties.
- Aides.
- Merchants.
- etc.

[Dahomey]

Or a warrior/bard, warrior/cook, warrior/whatever. You could still be useful to a clan while still focusing around your non-com job.

[Reiteration]

I really want to play that 'sweetest chef' role and be the overaged caring grandmother of the byn who still has the muscles to beat up any of the snot-nosed runners that step out of line.

[Talia]

Leaders: It does not hurt your clan to hire cooks, physicians, bards, servants, or grebbers.

PC leaders do not always have carte blanche to hire whomever they want for whatever purpose they want. Clan leaders have guidelines on what types and what numbers of PCs they may hire. There's probably nothing wrong with letting the chick you hired as a House hunter ALSO have the side duty of brewing up your personal drinks, but generally speaking clan leaders have hiring caps and particular roles for which they are hiring, at the directive of staff.

[Nana]

From my experience, the # of PCs in any given clan are kind of limited just due to logistics, so if you wanted to be the pure non-combatant you'd probably want to think of a concept that allows you to fill multiple roles listed above. combine social roles with productive ones, and you'll definitely get hired quick..

[WarriorPoet]

Crime lord
Spice dealer
Loan Shark/Pawn Man
Maid/Butler
Dentist - This is one I've considered and abandoned many times, for fear people woudn't play along and shell out coin for me pulling virtual teeth.
Town Crier - Same as above.
Laundryman
Gambler
Dirigible Inventor
Party Planner/decorator - Bonus points is you're the massively ugly dwarf or the feral-eyed, scar-coated mul
Drummer boy
Cleaning Service
Wandering Pacifist Preacher
Wet Nurse
Surrogate Mother
Bar-slut. You know the ones. People will keep you fed and watered and drunk, so long as you flirt alot and occasionally throw the ass around.
Historian


Alot of  non-combat jobs would require alot of generosidty from  other players in playing-along with virtual services, but could be fun.

[Is Friday]

Leaders: It does not hurt your clan to hire cooks, physicians, bards, servants, or grebbers.

PC leaders do not always have carte blanche to hire whomever they want for whatever purpose they want. Clan leaders have guidelines on what types and what numbers of PCs they may hire. There's probably nothing wrong with letting the chick you hired as a House hunter ALSO have the side duty of brewing up your personal drinks, but generally speaking clan leaders have hiring caps and particular roles for which they are hiring, at the directive of staff.

I understand having the ability to only hire certain amounts of people... but I don't see why you can't do a case-by-case basis staff approval of "flavor" PC roles like cooks and such.

[Reiteration]

These are some amazing ideas, I'm not one for playing combat-related roles and these are like obsidian nuggets.

[Reiloth]

My personal favorite:

Private Investigator. Burglar or pickpocket. I had a lot of fun with my dude doing this for a spell before I stored for another role.

[SmashedTregil]

A travelling jokester ministrel




one of my favourite roles .

[titansfan]

This is quite endless...in both fun and options....just do somethin' on any of these lists and you will have a blast.

[Zoan]

My current role is non-combatant. At least it is so far. I tend to find noncom roles easy to think up.

[manipura]

Crime lord
Spice dealer
Loan Shark/Pawn Man
Maid/Butler
Dentist - This is one I've considered and abandoned many times, for fear people woudn't play along and shell out coin for me pulling virtual teeth.........

I have considered this one so many times!  I often wonder about the oral hygiene of the average Zalanthan...I mean, how much calcium and fluoride is Average Joe really getting?  It seems to me that most Average Joes would have a hard time developing decent teeth in the first place.
There are some personal hygiene items IG (soaps, combs etc) but has anyone ever seen a toothbrush?  Ever...?
Hmmm.


Out of the thirty-five characters I have had, I'd guess that about two thirds of them have been non-combat roles. 

Once I was a travelling salesperson.  Had my display case with various 'stuff' (nothing better than 'just decent') and I just walked around 'Nak shouting out prices etc...

I have always wanted to app a character with the pilot skill so I could start a small public transportation service.
Oh, and I often consider apping a halfie whose way with animals allows her to open up the first zoo in the Known World...

[Sam]

Well, with the increased amount of sand. We all know sand gets everywhere. The native americans used the grinding stones to grand corn into powder and that caused more sand and fragmented rock to wear down their teeth.

I don't know how that affects the overall health though.

[WarriorPoet]

I once read a book from a guy travelling among Native Americans in the early 19th century and he actuallly remarked on the fact that tooth decay was a rarity. I'd guess that this was due to a simple but healthy diet that had no preservatives, blah blah. But at the same time, I also remember hearing that Egyptians had terribly worn-down teeth, because it's crazy hard to keep all that sand out of your bread and whatnot. Dunno. I figure a good, more or less sand or stone-chip free diet, coupled with the occasional scraping, would keep you in good stead with the tooth fairy.

/derail for me.

[a strange shadow]

The amusing thing about all this is that upper class and nobility in Zalanthas are more likely to have bad teeth than the peasants. Sugar causing tooth decay and all.

[Reiteration]

No such thing as sugar, just spiced sand.

[boog]

No such thing as sugar, just spiced sand.

There is sugar, or at least sugar-coated things IG.

[Aaron Goulet]

No such thing as sugar, just spiced sand.

There is sugar, or at least sugar-coated things IG.

Like words?

[Clavis]

old school tooth brush, frayed twig for brushing and
urine for mouth wash.....yummy

[boog]

No such thing as sugar, just spiced sand.

There is sugar, or at least sugar-coated things IG.

Like words?

Well, sure! --

And urine mouthwash could very well be accepted as a bleach, since it bleaches other things. Mm. Lord Templar Piss-Breath. *swoon*

[Clavis]

Hmmm

EW can bottle urine to sell to nobles! For that sparkling white just rinsed feeling? Try Urinwash?

[Scarecrow]

Surrogate Mother

I want to find one of these in Arm and get some product. Regular PC's who get pregnant are too adventurous and die before the birth. I want to actually have one of my PC's be an actual parent! 

[Ampere]

No such thing as sugar, just spiced sand.

There is sugar, or at least sugar-coated things IG.

Like words?

Well, sure! --

And urine mouthwash could very well be accepted as a bleach, since it bleaches other things. Mm. Lord Templar Piss-Breath. *swoon*

Sand is used to clean teeth. Herbs are used to freshen breath.

noncom: male wetnurse (cites gender neutrality)

[Gunnerblaster]

Never done it, before. A non-combatant.

Next character. Definitely.

[jriley]

I'd like to get a good discussion going on character ideas people can use if they want to play non-comms. Whether they be coded wigglers or coded warriors! I encourage everyone to play a noncomm every once in a while.

Noncomms can liven up any clan or area of the game dramatically. In my opinion, noncomms have an opportunity to be the most interesting PCs in any given scene because those players usually has more effort available to concentrate on playing the character, (and not having to worry about the combat code/skills/etc.)

Leaders: It does not hurt your clan to hire cooks, physicians, bards, servants, or grebbers.

Post your noncomm occupation ideas.

Mine: Street sweeper/servant.

Really like this thread.  See some neat ideas.

That being said, I have trouble playing non-combatants, and wouldn't mind some advice. 

When playing combatants, I often become bored with the game, but then at least then I can go hunt monsters, go conduct raids or spar with my friends.

When playing noncombatants, I still become bored, but then have considerably fewer outlets.

The two times I played noble-aides, I become really bored with the role.  There was simply nothing to do. 

Any advice?

[Is Friday]

When I play noncomms it's usually good to not have a lot of "free time" to play Arm. And when you do have free time, it's good to be playing a role that you can enjoy solo-RPing. I played a street sweeper once, (who eventually got hired on as an aide,) but for the most part all I did was go around and change my ldesc and busy herself with gossip. Interacting with people mundanely is about the most fun you'll have, because these types of roles are generally pretty boring achievement-wise.

[Sokotra]

I'm sure there are noncom roles out there that are exciting, but they seem to require tons more time to play than I have.  As a hunter (whether indy or not) I usually have time to plan a quick trek into the wastes, bring in a kill or two and conduct some quick business.  Similar with a raider.  Honestly, I'm just not the type that wants to sit around and chat for hours.  However, when I did have the time to play for much longer lengths of time - I did like to engage in the occasional conversation of various plots, schemes, and gossip.  I still like to... it's just harder to do with very limited time.  Sorry if I keep repeating the same thought in many of my posts, heh... but yeah.. once again this goes back to making the game more friendly toward casual players and being considerate of those that only have time to jump in the game for 30 minutes at a time at irregular intervals.  As I've said, I think the staff and players have done a pretty good job at doing this for the most part, although there are things that could be improved from several different angles.

I prefer combat roles, but I give respect to those that have the time, patience, gift-of-gab, and ability to play the other roles that flesh out the game. 

[Barzalene]

Surrogate Mother

I want to find one of these in Arm and get some product. Regular PC's who get pregnant are too adventurous and die before the birth. I want to actually have one of my PC's be an actual parent! 

Ugh. Don't do it.
I've done this. I stored.

Imagine this: You have a baby. It cries. It's tiny and breakable.
You log in. You want to interacts. Do you a) take your infant into a tavern where a bar fight or murder or puking elf or exploding templar may happen at any moment? Where a mutant might curse you baby and make it grow a horn? Or b) do you try to convince other pcs to come out and watch you burp said infant and change its poopie diaper?

[Wolfsong]

Wetnurse! Buy a wetnurse!

[Royal]

heh, I've been trying to play a role that doesn't go into combat directly. Course this is Zalanthas, and one must remember that if most people want to get around, they must be able to defend themselves in some way.   

[Is Friday]

heh, I've been trying to play a role that doesn't go into combat directly. Course this is Zalanthas, and one must remember that if most people want to get around, they must be able to defend themselves in some way.   

Or hire someone to defend them.

[Royal]

True enough, most people aren't that fortunate however.

[Marshmellow]

If your character is doing so much business that they need to travel, they sure as a Bynner smells like shit better be able to afford it.

[Kankman]

If you find an aide role boring, you're probably not being racist enough.

[Marshmellow]

Oh, and coming back to this...

You can be an adventurer and a non-combatant.  I've had a couple non-comm magickers that were very exploration/scavenge sorts of people, and probably could have really made someone's day really crappy if they bothered to use their magicks in that way... but that wasn't the character.  Run and magick myself to safety in some way, direct or indirect (either support or defensive types of spells), and off I go to my next grand adventure.

Being able to defend yourself and being a combatant are two different things, and I gave only one example.  There are other ways you could 'defend yourself' that aren't in any way shape or form a combat-oriented thing, too, like power through coin or subterfuge or charm.  It's all what you do with what you got and what's in character for your character to do.

[jriley]

If you find an aide role boring, you're probably not being racist enough.

lulz.  Win!

When I play noncomms it's usually good to not have a lot of "free time" to play Arm. And when you do have free time, it's good to be playing a role that you can enjoy solo-RPing. I played a street sweeper once, (who eventually got hired on as an aide,) but for the most part all I did was go around and change my ldesc and busy herself with gossip. Interacting with people mundanely is about the most fun you'll have, because these types of roles are generally pretty boring achievement-wise.

No, I agree with you.  Good point.  I've had good luck playing beggars and spies, both of which usually try to avoid combat.  Those are fun.

Beggars in particular are neat because you get to interact with nearly everyone.  And it really challenges people's roleplay.  You get to see people at their best and at their worst.

[Kankman]

I think there might be a bit of a misconception that non-combat is the same as non-conflict.

As a non-combat character, it is your job to steer those who do fight. It is your job to create conflict, then involve others in your conflict to do the dirt work for you. Sure, as a combat-oriented character you can go out into the wastes and kill stuff. You can go out into the wastes and raid other people, but usually, a combat-oriented PC is too busy hunting to make really good enemies of people.

If your character isn't focused on combat, then you have tons of time to make really great enemies. You can make frenemies too. There's a great opportunity to really get under people's skin, and make them hate your with a really strong passion, and you never need to worry about meeting them outside the gates. Even better, as a non-combat PC it is your job to involve other people in the conflict. If you want someone dead (and everyone wants someone dead) then you absolutely must involve other PCs. You need allies. Or at least you need enough coin to pay someone to do your dirty work for you. Maybe all you need to do is buy a poisoned drink, but chance are you need someone else to do the gathering of the poisoning, and possibly the poisoning.

Combat in Armageddon is great. It's exciting. You can feel like a badass. But the non-combat PCs are the ones who really drive the world.

Don't be a wimp. Play a non-combat PC today!

[HTX]

Yeah, if you're the type of person who needs to explore, hunt or otherwise put themselves in personal danger to enjoy the game, maybe non-combat characters just aren't your cup of tea no matter what you do to spice your non-comm up. Don't force yourself to do something you hate if you're playing a game.

Your best bet would be to go with a character like an aide or merchant and just get heavily involved in plots, scheming, politics, whatever, if you've got long play times and want to play more than just a flavour role. Don't spend all your time just gossiping if that bores you, focus instead on making things happen. Making your character ambitious is, in my experience, one of the best platforms for plots and conflict you can have.

Speaking of conflict, Kankman said everything about non-comm conflict that I was about to say. If all else fails, don't be afraid to start a bar brawl, even if you know your guild merchant beggar will lose. I recall once instigating a brawl which grew massive (in the end involving like 11 PCs), and needless to say my character got his arse kicked as I recall... but fuck it... it was one of my favourite Arm moments.

[Marshmellow]

HTX, you can play a noncomm character that is warrior guild.  You can play a combatant character that has no weapon or combat skills.  Also, you don't need to be a combatant to explore and get into dangerous situations.  It's a mentality for the character.  It's a philosophy on how to deal with conflict, not complete avoidance of conflict.

[Bogre]

I played about 3 years as a non-comm (sort of)...it was really fun. But still, I like being able to bonk things on the head.

[chuci]

I like being able to bonk things on the head.

[jriley]

bonk things on the head.

[/quote]

This game offers so much more than that.

Very well, Is Friday, I accept your challenge.  My next character will be a non-combatant. 

"And theme's that die be the lucky ones."

[chuci]

Yeah, it does offer more than that, and you can take advantage of it while bonking things on the head.

I have played non-combat roles and had fun with them, but when it comes down to it, I enjoy the lean, mean, gritty side of armageddon's combat characters more than I do the puppeteers. I don't think there's anything wrong with that, or that people should feel somehow that they're not enjoying the full extent that the game has to offer. Let's not get caught up in elitism here. Different strokes, different folks.

[Zoan]

Every single one of my characters have been non-combatants save one. Amusingly, it's the one I'm most famous for.

[Bogre]

Every single one of my characters have been non-combatants save one. Amusingly, it's the one I'm most famous for.

this is the exact opposite for me, lol

[Xagon]

I encourage all of you to take up a noncombat role. Krath, try taking up a noncombat profession with your current character! The times that I have usually resulted in the best RP experiences I've had.

That being said, noncombat doesn't mean non-conflict. Dung-sweeper? Get mad at that passing player's inix that just stepped in your pile. Wetnurse? Shit-talk that elf that looked at your baby funny.

Edit: I just realized I rehashed much of what's already been said. It bears repeating.

[Ami]

I've never actually made a combat PC.


Well, my current waas INTENDED to be, but my stats came out HORRIBLY.

[Wolfsong]

I've never actually made a combat PC.


Well, my current waas INTENDED to be, but my stats came out HORRIBLY.

Never let "bad" stats limit you conceptually.

[Marshmellow]

No kidding.  Skills have a lot more to do with combat characters than stats do.  You'll just start out getting your ass beat a lot.  No worries. 

[MeTekillot]

I've never actually made a combat PC.


Well, my current waas INTENDED to be, but my stats came out HORRIBLY.

It happens with young PCs. Don't worry, you're not the only one.

[Wolfsong]

No kidding.  Skills have a lot more to do with combat characters than stats do.  You'll just start out getting your ass beat a lot.  No worries. 

And then, after a certain point, you level up.

[Gunnerblaster]

No kidding.  Skills have a lot more to do with combat characters than stats do.  You'll just start out getting your ass beat a lot.  No worries. 

And then, after a certain point, you level up.

Buff muscles & yellow hair, included.

[IAmJacksOpinion]

I wish people would have more of these non-combat spice up the world characters. If i could think of something that would keep my aggressive attention for more than a week, I would be down. (Maybe have a closer look. I've always wanted to play a loan shark. )

However, they really do spice up the game, and I wish every clan was allowed to hire at least 1 PC at a time who didn't contribute to the main operations of the clan. I remember playing in Kadius a couple years ago, and we had a stable boy who just took care of the mounts if you left them un-rented. It was a lot of fun, he'd occasionally spar or hunt with us, and us gruff, seasoned combat players could always sit and joke about getting him a whore and getting him laid.

Also, one of the first arena events i can remember watching involved a barber getting pinned down and having his ears cut off because he knicked lord so-and-so's ear during a hair cut.

But really, how much cooler would:
-The Byn be with a loving 'den mother' who went out of her way to gather food and dish up a non-gruel meal every month? Maybe deal with a few wounds, give advice on how to best thwart off whatever the Troopers are picking up from hookers, and console the survivors after mon un death contract?

-House Tor/Lyksae/AoD/Legions be with a servant whose entire essential job was clean bloody armor, trim hair and beards, pull rotten teeth and just generally keep the unit looking neat and professional. (For what that's worth, on Zalanthas.)

-ANY clan be with an official crier. (I had a very young soldier I tried to liken into this image through use of rumor board suggests, as he was frequently sent out to spread word of this or that. He was essentially a non-comm AoD. One of my fondest roles.)

-A maid to tidy up / organize a barracks.

I dunno. The possibilities are endless. But if you're a leader, and you are able, you should find you a niche character.

[Potaje]

I wish people would have more of these non-combat spice up the world characters. If i could think of something that would keep my aggressive attention for more than a week, I would be down. (Maybe have a closer look. I've always wanted to play a loan shark. )


But really, how much cooler would:
-The Byn be with a loving 'den mother' who went out of her way to gather food and dish up a non-gruel meal every month? Maybe deal with a few wounds, give advice on how to best thwart off whatever the Troopers are picking up from hookers, and console the survivors after mon un death contract?

-House Tor/Lyksae/AoD/Legions be with a servant whose entire essential job was clean bloody armor, trim hair and beards, pull rotten teeth and just generally keep the unit looking neat and professional. (For what that's worth, on Zalanthas.)

-ANY clan be with an official crier. (I had a very young soldier I tried to liken into this image through use of rumor board suggests, as he was frequently sent out to spread word of this or that. He was essentially a non-comm AoD. One of my fondest roles.)

-A maid to tidy up / organize a barracks.

I dunno. The possibilities are endless. But if you're a leader, and you are able, you should find you a niche character.

It done, I've seen it recent.. so if you make it, and interview for it, you might just get it yourself.

[X-D]

-The Byn be with a loving 'den mother crotchety bitch' who went out of her way told you  to gather your own fucking food and dish up a non-gruel meal every month? Maybe deal with a few wounds, give advice on how to best thwart off whatever the Troopers are picking up from hookers, and laugh at the survivors after mon un death contract?

Sorry, had to fix that one...moving on.

[Marauder Moe]

Once I had a character who was offered a non-combat position in the Byn.  (He didn't accept, though.)

Another time I briefly inquired about a special application for a non-combat Byn slave.  (That was not accepted, but for a specific reason not related to the Byn.)

Pretty sure I've seen non-combat/hunter/whatever PCs for every other clan.  Well, city-clans at least.

[a strange shadow]

To really fuck with 'em, make that flavor role a mundane class and watch everyone try to figure out what kind of witch you are. 

[Pale Horse]

My favorite roles have pretty much been the non-com. roles.  I like the feeling of coded power (combat or magick), but it's having said power and not having to use it; being able to council and scheme or just "live life" that has been my true (not so)guilty pleasure, in my various roles.

[Nao]

My beggar was one-hit backstabbed by a player I'd never seen before something like 6 hours IG. Haven't tried since, but maybe I should. Those 6 hours weren't bad.

[jhunter]

Had some really fun flavor-character roles. They can be so much fun, especially when other folks want to play long with you. The downside for me is, eventually I get bored with them.

[Cowboy]

Give peace a chaaannnnce, just give peace a chance.

[Zoan]

I like to approach a character by thinking, '99% of the Zalanthan population has probably never killed (another person) before. Would my character have the desensitized opinions of killing [in a game] that I do OOC?'

Usually it's no. Even my warriors are generally 'noncombatants', until they become one.

[HavokBlue]

99% of the zalanthan population has probably seen someone killed, seriously maimed, publically executed, tortured, die of a horrible horrible disease, so on and so forth.

[Lithium]

It's very difficult to live as a mundane character in Zalanthas.

[KnownUnknown]

thief/spy

mine never got into combat.... untill he was killed.

[HTX]

99% of the zalanthan population has probably seen someone killed, seriously maimed, publically executed, tortured, die of a horrible horrible disease, so on and so forth.

Watching someone die (been an innocent witness) and been the one actually inflicting death are two different things. At least with the former you don't have to live with the guilt of knowing that you, personally, ended a fellow human(oid)'s life.

Zalanthans would be desensitised to watching others die, no doubt... but not all of them would be desensitised to the actual act of killing, IMO.

[Royal]

ah, seeing as how I'm a newbie and all.. what sorta non-comm roles are there that involve high RP and a chance for rising up in the world? I'm getting bored of warriors and I want to try something new.

[Marshmellow]

ah, seeing as how I'm a newbie and all.. what sorta non-comm roles are there that involve high RP and a chance for rising up in the world? I'm getting bored of warriors and I want to try something new.

Play a merchant or any sneaky role (I suggest pick pocket, actually) with a good subguild.  If merchant, I'd suggest thief and if pick pocket I'd suggest something with a crafting skill.  Get yourself hired on to one of the major clans as an aide of some sort or a crafter or merchant.

[Fredd]

No kidding.  Skills have a lot more to do with combat characters than stats do.  You'll just start out getting your ass beat a lot.  No worries. 

And then, after a certain point, you level up.

if that happens to any of my PC's i'm suiciding out of principal.