Distribution of Power in the Campaign

Zero Level General population In the first tier (levels 1-4) The threats they face are relatively minor, usually posing a danger to local farmsteads or villages. In the second tier (levels 5-10) These characters have become important, facing dangers that threaten cities and kingdoms. In the third tier (levels 11-16) These mighty adventurers often confront threats to whole regions and continents. At the fourth tier (levels 17-20) Characters achieve the pinnacle of their class features, becoming heroic (or villainous) archetypes in their own right. The fate of the world or even the fundamental order of the multiverse might hang in the balance during their adventures. Tier % Population % Power 1M NPCs 0th 80.00% 00.001% 800,000 1st 19.00% 00.01% 190,000 2nd 00.99% 00.99% 9,900 3rd 00.01% 19.00% 99 4th 00.001% 80.00% 1

After Alekhin had taken the championship title from Capablanca, Capa apparently spent quite a bit of his spare time hanging out in a specific cafe in Paris. Friends, acquaintances, and others would often drop by, participating in games and libations with the former, charismatic, champion. One day, while Capa was having coffee and reading a newspaper, a stranger stopped at his table, motioned at the chess set and indicated he would like to play if Capa was interested. Capa's face lit up, he folded the newspaper away, reached for the board and proceeded to pocket his own queen. The opponent (who apparently had no idea who Capablanca was) reacted with slight anger. "You don't know me! I might beat you!", he said. Capablanca, smiling gently, said quietly, "Sir, if you could beat me, I would know you." The point is and consider... "At the fourth tier (levels 17-20), characters achieve the pinnacle o f their class features, becoming heroic (or villainous) archetypes in their own right. The fate o f the world or even the fundamental order o f the multiverse might hang in the balance during their adventures." A great deal of the world knows the name "Stephen Hawking" and he just does a good job of thinking about the idea of a multiverse... he would be even more widely known if he rolled around saving the multiverse.

All this is still flexible; however based on general stabs at populations; general player knowledge should be there could be somewhere around 17 fourth tier NPC in the known world. However doesn't mean they are known or active in game. To use some Tolkien examples: Tom Bombadil - Stupid powerful but really only the other powerful Tolkien characters seem to know enough about him to understand just how powerful he is. And as an ally for good, Tom Bombadil is sort of useless, he is just too detached. The Five "Wizard" - Saruman, Gandalf, Radagast, and to others... Only Saruman and Gandalf really come into play, Radagast a little... and the others just don't matter. Galadriel and Elrond... Others can be added to the list.. The point is, that short list above is 8 names, with only 4 names having much significance to a pretty epic tale. So 17 fourth tier NPC... maybe half will ever come into play and even then their impact may be limited. Lots of room at the top for players that stick out the campaign!

And those five wizards are technically lesser gods who are immortal too, so they don't even count. Humans in that world have no magic as far as I know, except for Sauron, but he learned from that big evil guy from the past whose a demigod too. But yes, less power the better. Thought a 20'th level Rouge probably can't really change the world.

As long as you get the gist of the point...

To phrase a saying: Power is rare, Absolute power is absoloutly rare.

Rouge (just joking, I misspell that one too) will do nothing for you. 20th level rogues could be quite formidable.

erez87 said: But yes, less power the better. Thought a 20'th level Rouge probably can't really change the world. Never underestimate the power of "20". =)