Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Ambrianna 05-30-06, 04:24 PM	(For a Neutral Good Half-Elven Rogue w/ maxed skills in diplomacy, gather info, sense motive, hide, move silent, open lock, disable device, spot, etc. Feat = Combat Reflexes.) Syraele is a second-generation half-elf that hails from the independent border town of Haven. Haven was established primarily by half-elves as a refuge for half-breeds and other misfits, although it also takes in refugees from any background who cannot return to their homeland. (All immigrants, however, must pass an alignment detection to prove that they are Good.) Unlike most half-elves, then, Syraele had the benefit of growing up with a sizable peer group who aged as she did, parents that schooled her in the ways of both her human and elven heritages, and a community that accomodated and appreciated the value of both. This, her parents impressed on her, was a rare privelege and one of the reasons Haven was established. Syraele's mother is a diplomat/spy for Haven, charged with promoting friendly relations both with Haven's neighbors and within Haven among the various races, cultures, and allegiances. Both tasks are Herculean, ensuring that Haven always has a need for skilled diplomats and timely information. Her father is a saboteur in a raiding party that harasses encampments of hostile forces from nearby humanoid tribes. From her mother Syraele has learned much about reading and responding to people and siphoning out rumors, as well as more guarded information. From her father Syraele has learned light, skrimishing combat tactics and mechanical dexterity. Her parents considered these essential survival skills, as well as career ones should she choose to follow in either of their paths in serving the city. Syraele's parents believe deeply in Haven and the ideals it represents, and have passed on that love to Syraele. Why then, should she leave its borders for an adventuring path? She is following a coming-of-age tradition of her two older brothers, to leave Haven for approximately ten years before returning to serve it with renewed purpose. This tradition did not originate with Syraele's family although they strongly support it. Her parents feel that they should learn what the world outside of Haven is like, especially for half-elves and other isolated groups, to realize how important Haven is. It is also a chance to learn about non-Havenite cultures in order to better be able to interact with them as a representative of the city, a chance to explore her human and elven heritage by visting their nations, seeing their achivements firsthand, and meeting their various peoples, and a chance to observe the good and the bad of how other lands have dealt with intergroup relations. Syraele may even be able to spread the word about Haven among those she meets that could use its welcome. Though her parents would have been rather concerned about sending a daughter on this journey alone, Syraele's mother has caught wind of serious danger in Haven's near future and would prefer that her youngest be far away when trouble hits. It seems that Haven's largest neighbor is in a slow boil as members of a nation absorbed long ago within it are now periodically breaking out into minor rebellions, and significant numbers are fleeing to Haven. The government blames Haven for fomenting the idea that all groups deserve their own homeland, claiming its alleged "oppression" of minority groups is a response to, not a cause of, the widespread unrest. In addition, it fears that the refugees are using Haven as a rallying point and potential staging grouds for further sedition. There are rumors that the government plans to wipe out Haven, removing a major source of the rebels' moral and tactical support at a stroke. Syraele's family will defend Haven to the death, but have no illusions against its chance of success against any established nation that decides it is a threat. Syraele would certainly not leave her city in danger once she knew, much less her family, and so Syraele's mother was determined she be far away at the time. She added on to Syraele's vague quest a specific task: to find out what she could about legends of an ancient artifact in a faraway land that could protect a city as long as it stayed within its borders. Unfortunately, Syraele's mother invented the tale out of whole cloth, including naturally that such rumors originated in a certain major city halfway across the known world. Syraele has yet to locate such rumors, so she has teamed up with a local adventuring band, figuring that adventuring is a fine way to both: turn up magical treasure and rumors thereof, and also travel the world and interact with many characters and cultures. She's not above keeping whatever treasure comes up incidentally in the course of exploring, in the service of Good, of course. These ten years are not to be totally about her own development, she has determined, but also to do what Good she can in the world, because her unique upbringing has helped imbue her with a compassion for beings of all types, and a sense of the importance of both community and independence. * [centered dots: does not format here] Syraele comes across to you as painfully naive and earnest, so it always comes as a surprise when she is able to search your face with a suddenly keen gaze and see past your B. S. Her voice reflects an educated upbringing and her hands a soft lifestyle, so you were not surprised to see her pained looks at actual hard work and grit, but fortunately she keeps her whining to herself-- most of the time. Her auburn hair hangs down long; incredibly impractical for an adventurer, but she refuses to consider cutting it. Ah well, she'll learn the hard way. At least she eschews jewelry, except for that cheap locket. A very crudely carved heart on a string; no doubt from a childhood sweetheart. The rest of her clothes are practical travel wear in an unflattering dark grey. She should watch herself lest some guard take her as a thief, innocent face or no. Maybe she could talk herself out of trouble; she can be very charming when she puts her mind to it, as long as she doesn't let herself be too frightened. The girl is rather timid in her unfamiliar surroundings. You aren't really sure where she hails from, exactly; there is something decidedly odd about her accent beyond the inevitable Elven flavor. You haven't asked her much about herself because she always turns the conversation to you and what your country is like. Avidly curious about cultures, or just perceptive enough to know that people enjoy talking about themselves, you aren't sure, but somehow you come away from most conversations with Syraele suddenly realizing that you've been running your mouth nearly the whole time. She doesn't seem to mind.
Ambrianna 05-30-06, 04:34 PM	The first part is written from a third-person standpoint about her history; the part after the dots (last paragraph) is the impression another character would get of her (second-person point of view). I may drop that part; I don't know if saying "You see/think this" in her description is a good idea. But let me know what you think of the history part, especially. Have I explained her hows and whys well enough? Have I left something important out? Too long-winded?
Trakx 05-31-06, 04:13 PM	Wow, very detailed. It looks great. Um, unrelated question: what does P.E.A.C.H. stand for?
Ambrianna 06-02-06, 05:16 PM	Thank you Trakx. PEACH stands for Please Examine And Critique Honestly. It means one is open to constructive criticism and won't take negative feedback personally.
Gonf 06-05-06, 01:54 AM	Ambrianna this is an absolutely brilliant character backround! The history of your character is great, however the personality is a little vague. Syraele's mannerisms and traits are fairly clear, but I wonder; How does she handle authority? Does she normally follow laws? How do you plan to advance her out of game? While adventuring, how will she select jobs? (pay, good will, services?) How long have her brothers been adventuring? Does she maintain contact with her family? If so, how? Some of these questions have caught me unarmed in the middle of a game. Anyway, this is an amazing character, post later on how Syraele does!
Gryhkwanderer 06-05-06, 07:26 AM	Ambrianna, well done. Very well thought out and written. I agree with Gonf though some of her personality as well as how she'd react may come out later as she learns about the world and forms clearer opinions! Good luck!
Shaggy_Shaggs 06-05-06, 07:48 AM	Wow... this is a first character or first draft? Well done either way. I remember my first character background, it was some painfully obvious amalgamation of Peter Parker's and Bruce Banner's awakenings, for a werebear berserker unaware of his own nature. Such utter crap compared to this. About the last part of things.... you probably ought to separate out the appearance stuff from the impression stuff, and then either drop the impression stuff or give it its own section for use in case of new characters that are passingly familiar with the character and whose players are not. Some people might resent being told what they think, and characters are all so different it's impossible to anticipate what conclusions each one will draw from appearance and demeanor, short of forcing their opinions with mind-control magic. Overall, :thumbsup: