Monthly Mechanics: Thrill of the Skill (Athletics)

Everybody Move!

“You will be thrown around battles you never dreamed of. Slid to the edge of cliffs on the brink of hell itself. Magic, muscle, and the forces of the earth may combine to push you to your limit.
“The true question you must ask yourself, however, is ‘Do I dare to push back?’”
- The Art of Adventuring by Senu Trellis

Welcome to Thrill of the Skill, a continuing part of the Monthly Mechanics column where we use the Skill Powers presented in the Player’s Handbook 3 to present new and exciting character concepts that can fit into any character class!

Let’s face it. Adventurers are pushy people.

When an adventurer wants something, it had better already be on its way. The type of people that delve into dangerous crypts on the off chance that it’s full of treasure are not generally known for patience. To these brave souls, the world needs to change, and it’s going to do so right now. But some adventurers go beyond even this extreme.

Pushy Characters

All heroes have a collection of desires they chase after. Often when a hero meets another person who stands in the way of those desires, Charisma and Diplomacy take center stage.

You are not one of these heroes.

To put your character frankly (which is precisely how your character likes it), take what you want! Language is for weaklings.
This isn’t to say that violence is your first and only option, (physical competitions rarely come to true violence, after all) but it’s certainly in your repertoire. You prefer to negotiate with your muscles and training; whether it be by arm wrestling, jumping over a guard, pulling the bartender over his bar, or just punching a duke in the face, your particular brand of discussion always manages to gain your opponent’s full attention.

Traits of Pushy Characters

• Competitive: Why chat up a guard when you can just arm wrestle him for passage?
• Elitist: Your character is the best at what he does, and nobody is ever allowed to forget it.
• Impatient: You seem to have a timer in your brain – and it’s set to five minutes. Timer goes off – time to fight.
• Protective: You’re not afraid to go to the mat for your companions. Even insults directed at your worthy rivals might provoke your sudden rage.
• Silent: You prefer to keep your mouth shut, until it’s time to show how you really feel – with action.
• Stubborn: You don’t take crap from anyone – and that includes gods. Your prayers often end with “And, if not, then curse you and your temples!”

Pushy Skill Powers

Playing a character with attitude is easy. Playing a character with attitude in combat, however, can be more difficult.

Below are several new Skill Powers that add just a touch of tough-guy to any character.

About the Author
Jared Glenn has been playing 4th Edition Dungeons and Dragons since before it came out, and designing for it nearly as long. He produces and hosts a weekly D&D Podcast, The Power Source. He has also written two classes for the game system, The Explorer and The Jester. He lives in Utah with his family, where he writes and records at a desk made of pure awesome.