Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Cuaglar 04-18-08, 11:26 PM	A problem just arose with what I had considered a pretty good character background. One of my favorite Eberron characters is Loressin d'Orien, a dragonmarked human of House Orien, a wizard usually, cross-classed cleric of Aureon when we need a healer and no one else wants to play one. I've played this character in several games, and each one had the same backstory. He was the son of the brother o f Kwanti d'Orien, the Patriarch of the House, and manifested his dragonmark early. As such, he was set for a great career in the House. However, when his father violated the neutrality of the House, and warned his native Aundair of an invading Brelish force travelling in disguise in one of Orien's caravans, he was disgraced and banished from the family. However, because Loressin had a dragonmark, and had no part in this violation, he was permitted to remain in the House, and all the benefits thereof. As his parents maneuvered for their son's future, he slowly grew to ignore the constant backstabbing and quabbling of House politics, and to escape them took up reading and studying, anything he could grab, but especially sources on history and arcana. At last, he persuaded his parents to let him study at Korranberg University, on the condition that he would work for the House afterward, and raise his family's name out of the mud. After his studies, comes the difficulty of this backstory. He worked for the House for a bit, and then left due to the sheer dullness of the task he was given. The problem is, I can't decide what this task is. House Orien probably has some pretty important jobs for dragonmarked heirs, and medium-level wizards as well (usually at least 5th level). So, any suggestions about important but unexciting jobs a House wizard can do?
Terjon of the Blue Rose 04-19-08, 12:36 AM	Sounds simple enough to me. After your father was tossed the family needed to show outsiders that he was an abberation and not the rule. So they picked out the best spokes-person they could, you. You have been "promoted" several times recently and are now "too valuable" to risk/waste on things like running caravans or conducting lightning rails. Instead they have forced you in more and more bueracratic positions. You have come to be treated as little more than a symbol for them to show to those who fear their claims of nuetrality as false. Whenever someone mentions your father you get trotted out, like a show pony, and they show how the sins of the father have not been passed on. Rather you are the epitome of the house and care nothing for sides in the war. You're sick of it. You don't get to travel anymore. You don't get to meet actual people but rather politicians and the occassional merchant who treat you like a simple functionary. Your father made a mistake and you feel like, though officially you are treated well, you are paying for it.
Cuaglar 04-19-08, 03:14 PM	Genius. Geniusgeniusgeniusgenius. Thanks a lot!
elliott20 04-19-08, 07:53 PM	Damn, Terjon, that's just a stroke of brilliance right there. I hope you go for mystique thurge later so you can at least get the higher level spells. not that it's necessary always.
Cuaglar 04-20-08, 09:49 AM	In the games where I do cleric, yeah, that was my plan. Good spellcasting all the time wins some!
Terjon of the Blue Rose 04-22-08, 12:08 PM	Glad to be of service. I've said it before and I'll say it again. I want a bows humbly smily.:P