D&D 5E Aasimar Cleric build help

[RoiC.]

We had our character creation session on Friday, and it went great. Every player really found his/her niche in the character (proud Dragonborn Barbarian, illiterate but high wisdom Druid with lots of nature skills, etc)... And I decided to take a Protector Aasimar Cleric.


Thing is, this is my first campaign since 5th grade (and that was 14 years ago), and I need some help. I haven't really decided on a Domain yet (kinda having a hard time choosing between War and Tempest), and also having a hard time choosing an exact background. The game starts this weekend, and we still have some time to make our changes and decisions.


As I see it, my character was born to a normal human family (still haven't decided if it was in a small town or a big city, if they were nobles or not, etc), lived his regular life while being notable for being a kind, gentle person, really good in understanding and interacting with people, being mature beyond his years, and having this... Almost-radiant vibe surrounding him. On his 20th year, his deva began revealing himself to him, as a messenger of [enter deity here], and over the course of a few months, he experienced certain dreams and weird experinces revealing his angelic ancestry, granting him his clerical powers and sending him on a quest to [enter divine quest here], while also giving him a [enter godly-trinket relevent to said quest here]. Quest starts with him at 21.


Basically, dude's a Cleric because he's an Aasimar that was practically born for a certain cause, and was granted powers for that. His cause pretty much clicks true with his personality and world views, but he doesn't really come from a religious background nor does he understand it well... His connection to his deity is more direct.


Personality wise, he didn't know he was an Aasimar until pretty recently, and wasn't molded much as one, as he lived his life as a human (aside from gold-flecked blue eyes and a golden quality to his pale skin and this radiance emitting from him, he looks pretty much human). What it means is that he's a pretty nice fella, knows how to speak with people, has a zen-like calmess (I want to integrate meditation into the character in some way, as it's a big aspect of my life), and while he usually plays by the rules, if the better good or his quest is on the line, then the rules are out of the window.


I pretty much plan to be the party's "face" (every player took a different "domain" of play, I took this), while also being a mix of a caster and a physical fighter (so martial weapons are a must).


My character's ability scores are:


Str 15
Dex 7
Con 13
Int 9
Wis 16 (15+1)
Cha 17 (15+2)


Also, Persuasion and Insight are practically integrated, and Religion is also not necessary because of his story.


Any tips, regarding the domain, cantrips, spells, skills, backgrounds... Basically EVERYTHING that comes to mind, basically... All your opinions are blessed (trust me, I'm an Aasimar Cleric).


Thanks a lot

 

[Tormyr]

I have a few suggestions for players at my table:
*Play what you want to play without regard to perfect party balance.
*Try something new.
*Choose a character concept and build the character around the concept rather than ideal or desired mechanics.

While a War or Tempest domain cleric may be good on paper, the description of your character seems "nicer" than a typical cleric of those domains, although there is not any reason this PC cannot be nice most of the time and then bring the pain when the time calls for it as your description mentions. The healing boost of the Life domain actually frees up spell slots for other types of spells and offers more variety.

As for cleric cantrips, Thaumaturgy would work nicely as a means for him to more fully manifest his Aasimar heritage.

Your description of being a cleric because he is an Aasimar works (i.e. his power emerges), but there are lots of other class choices that also fit. Being born for a certain cause or selected for a purpose is also a classic Paladin origin story and could lean to a Devotion or Ancients Paladin. His inner peace could also lead to being a monk. Another one that might be playing a bit against type would be to play as a Warlock who is getting his powers from the Deva guide. Or a Wild Magic Sorcerer who is blessed magic from the Deva and is having trouble managing it.

His Background should be selected based on what you settle on for how he lived his life.

 

[gyor]

You really need to pick the God before you can really pick a domain meaningfully.

 

[Redthistle]

You really need to pick the God before you can really pick a domain meaningfully.

- or - ... use the domains you're thinking about to sort out the deities that have those domains, then see which deity feels more "right" for your character concept.

 

[Redthistle]

Another one that might be playing a bit against type would be to play as a Warlock who is getting his powers from the Deva guide.

His Background should be selected based on what you settle on for how he lived his life.

OH! I like that warlock with a Deva patron idea. That is an intriguing concept.

It might require re-working one of the existing patron/pacts (Raven Queen? Undying Llght?), which could involve more work than a player returning to the game is ready to tackle.

Nonetheless, that thinking outside-the-box thing is good to get the mental circuits zapping.

Folk Hero really seems to be a good fit for your PC's background. Working up the Character Backstory to tell how the Deva's intervention in your PC's life could be a damned entertaining bit of a tale, using the term "damned" advisedly, of course.

 

[Tormyr]

OH! I like that warlock with a Deva patron idea. That is an intriguing concept.

It might require re-working one of the existing patron/pacts (Raven Queen? Undying Llght?), which could involve more work than a player returning to the game is ready to tackle.

Nonetheless, that thinking outside-the-box thing is good to get the mental circuits zapping.

Folk Hero really seems to be a good fit for your PC's background. Working up the Character Backstory to tell how the Deva's intervention in your PC's life could be a damned entertaining bit of a tale, using the term "damned" advisedly, of course.

The Warlock Great Old One mechanics would probably work fine with the deva guide. Enthrall is the only power that would slightly not fit the theme.

 

[transtemporal]

If you want to be a protector type - Light domain. Plus that gets some nice blasty powers.

Background-wise, if you want him to be humble go Folk Hero. If you want him to be a bit less naive, go Urchin. If you want him to be versed in religious stuff, go Acolyte.

 

[Redthistle]

The newest Unearthed Arcana came out on 6/5/2017 with updated versions of class options.

The Undying Light option for the Warlock has been re-skinned as the Celestial.

This might be serendipity made to order.

P.S. Great handle, by the way: "Roi Cohen", it seems to me, can be translated as "King Priest" - but, I suppose you already knew that.

 

[RoiC.]

Thanks a lot fellas! I think I'll stick with a Cleric, it's just a class I prefer playing, you can always play with the story a bit that it will fit your vision.

P.S. Great handle, by the way: "Roi Cohen", it seems to me, can be translated as "King Priest" - but, I suppose you already knew that.

Thanks! That's kinda my actual name, but heh, yeah, I knew that