& in FLAILSNAILS games where character mortality is high, people often don't seem to bother much with putting any unique spin on their character. It's just "I'm a Fighter." And I know that your character is supposed to emerge from play over time, but you could *also* give a little bit of a twist to your guy at 1st level, which seems only fair to him since he's probably going to die soon anyway.
So how's this for a houserule: after you pick what your character class 'really' is, you then have to pick what you will call it. You're allowed to pick any name you like except for the following four: Fighter, Specialist, Magic-User, Cleric.
If you're unsure about what you want your class to be, or you just can't be bothered because you're probably going to die anyway - then roll or choose from the following table:
(d20)
|
Fighter
|
Specialist
|
Magic-User
|
Cleric
|
1
|
Man-at-Arms
|
Cutpurse
|
Wizard
|
Clergyman
|
2
|
Barbarian
|
Assassin
|
Warlock
|
Witchfinder
|
3
|
Brigand
|
Con Artist
|
Pyromancer
|
Sun Worshipper
|
4
|
Huntsman
|
Tomb Robber
|
Necromancer
|
Satanist
|
5
|
Crusader
|
Gambler
|
Alchemist
|
Druid
|
6
|
Mercenary
|
Bastard
|
Prestidigitator
|
Hermit
|
7
|
Monster Hunter
|
Harlot
|
Summoner
|
Monk
|
8
|
Swashbuckler
|
Bard
|
Illusionist
|
Preacher
|
9
|
Blade Dancer
|
Dandy
|
Psion
|
Shaman
|
10
|
Zealot
|
Urchin
|
War Mage
|
Nun
|
11
|
Treasure Hunter
|
Smuggler
|
Enchantress
|
War-Priest
|
12
|
Duellist
|
Poisoner
|
Sorceror
|
Vampire Hunter
|
13
|
Samurai
|
Cattle Rustler
|
Scholar
|
Healer
|
14
|
Hoplite
|
Tinker
|
Lunatic
|
Medicine Man
|
15
|
Blacksmith
|
Pirate
|
Apprentice
|
Taoist
|
16
|
Squire
|
Burglar
|
Voodoo-User
|
Prophet
|
17
|
Skald
|
Forager
|
Witch
|
Theologian
|
18
|
Refugee
|
Mummer
|
Cartomancer
|
Death-Priest
|
19
|
Berserker
|
Acrobat
|
Dreamwalker
|
Gnostic
|
20
|
Wild Man
|
Charlatan Priest
|
Mystic Chef
|
Rabbi
|
Most of these 'classes' should be self-explanatory. For the few that aren't:
A Refugee is a character like the Flame Princess. You were probably just some ordinary peasant until your family/village was destroyed by monsters/soldiers, and since then you've gotten pretty good at fighting because the people who weren't good at fighting are all dead.
A Berserker is not a Barbarian. Duh! A Barbarian is like Conan or Red Sonja, a Berserker is a Viking who froths at the mouth.
A Bastard is just you're a shit. You don't have any particular profession other than treating people terribly.
A Charlatan Priest is a Rogue pretending to be a Cleric.
A Cartomancer is like, you have a deck of tarot cards and you say something like "In your future, all I predict is... *pulls out card* Death." (then you cast Finger of Death.)
A Monk is just a bald guy from a monastery, let's not get into the kung fu angle at this point.
Note: Some of these concepts might require minor mechanical support from your DM. For example, a Pyromancer's Magic Missile will probably be a little fireball, so it should be able to set things on fire. Check with your DM first! (FLAILSNAILS players, remember: you only have to get one DM to agree to it and then all the DMs have to go along with you.)
Note 2: All this is for Lamentations of the Flame Princess but I'm sure you can figure out how to use it for whatever game you're playing.