Pieces of an Adventuring Party

Posted on May 17, 2021 by Charles Yallowitz

D&D Party

Fantasy adventures commonly have groups of heroes even if only one of them is the primary antagonist.  A challenge for any author is to piece one together that is effective and interesting.  You can go with all warriors or all casters, but most times you’ll find a variety of abilities.  That’s because the more skills and abilities you have, the more challenges you can throw at them.  So, it pays to know the roles that can be held in an adventuring party:

  • Warrior–  I have weapon and I kill things.
  • Barbarian/Brute Warrior–  I have weapon and I kill things better . . . I no think good.
  • Trained Caster–  I’ve studied to hurl fireballs at things.
  • Untrained Caster–  I can just hurl fireballs without trying.
  • The Archer–  Betting I’m either an elf, half-elf, or a woman.
  • Friendly Priest–  Healing and destroying undead.
  • Zealot Priest–  Healing, destroying undead, and trying to convert my friends.
  • Thief–  Traps, stealth, and the source of 75% of the group’s problems.
  • Assassin–  I’m the child of Warrior and Thief with a love of money and death.
  • Necrocaster–  When you REALLY want inner party conflict.
  • Seductive Thief–  Are we going for a rating of R or NC-17?
  • Mascot–  I serve no purpose beyond being cute and promotional materials.
  • Bard–  Let me sing you a song that might be a spell.
  • Shaman–  Spirits do my bidding, but don’t ask about the afterlife.
  • Paladin–  Big horse!  Big armor!  Big weapon!  Holy smite!
  • Knight–  Maybe I’m an armored prick and maybe I’m an armored hero.
  • Inventor–  Even I don’t know how I keep finding materials for my creations while traveling?
  • *Insert Non-Human Race*–  We’re stereotypes.  Please move on.
  • Drunk–  Not just a personality in this kind of story.
  • Hand-to-Hand Guy–  Bruce Lee.  I’m really just an insulting variation of Bruce Lee.
  • Ranger/Wilderness Guy–  I’ve got stealth, weapons, lice, and a pungent aroma.
  • Merchant–  I’m here for the money.
  • Horse–  I forget I’m around too.

About Charles Yallowitz

Charles E. Yallowitz was born, raised, and educated in New York. Then he spent a few years in Florida, realized his fear of alligators, and moved back to the Empire State. When he isn't working hard on his epic fantasy stories, Charles can be found cooking or going on whatever adventure his son has planned for the day. 'Legends of Windemere' is his first series, but it certainly won't be his last.
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22 Responses to Pieces of an Adventuring Party

  1. John W. Howell says:
    May 17, 2021 at 12:43 pm

    Hahahaha. Fun stuff, Chrles.

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  2. Ionia Froment says:
    May 17, 2021 at 2:15 pm

    I am writer. I think too much and doubt myself.

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  3. Chris The Story Reading Ape says:
    May 17, 2021 at 2:47 pm

    Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog and commented:
    Any list containing a character who has stealth, weapons, lice, and a pungent aroma, has GOT to be worth checking out 😃

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  4. L. Marie says:
    May 17, 2021 at 3:21 pm

    You have the best ideas for posts!

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  6. Victoria Zigler says:
    May 18, 2021 at 2:33 am

    Haha! Best list of party members I’ve ever read.

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  7. coldhandboyack says:
    May 18, 2021 at 7:15 am

    The descriptions cracked me up.

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  8. DebyFredericks says:
    May 18, 2021 at 11:35 pm

    There’s also an addled wizard who tries to cast but makes mistakes… Constantly.

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