Post/Author/DateTime	Post
ranger of the north 11-08-05, 05:13 PM	I have a new character coming up in a campaign, and decided he shall be a ranger. Now, the thought was that the campaign is one travel heavy, like Lord of the Rings, but more focused on the shadows of the characters' pasts, and how they overcome them. So, I was wondering if anyone had some ideas about how to enhance a basic idea for the character's past: Aerendil, known to most as Forest Shadow, was once of a high house, but committed evil, and was thrown from his house. That's what I have so far. More detailed ideas on his past are welcome, but mostly I'm looking for present and future thoughts and motivations. Long days and pleasant nights...
MistWolf 11-08-05, 06:48 PM	You're looking for redemption. Something he did in his past he isn't proud of that he needs to make up for and be forgiven. Or, he's already paid his debt, but has made a very strong promise to himself. This is a powerful motivation for a characteristic or behavior and gives the DM a deep hook/push/pull to bring your character into dramatic situations. Good for roleplaying. Pick a situation, figure out how it was resolved, or why it hasn't been and follow the cause and effects to the character in his present and see how it shapes him Or pick a characteristic or flaw and follow it back into his past to see what brought it about. One example: Descended of a old and respected noble family, he grew up with a group of other aristocrat sons & daughters. Bored and privileged is a deadly combination. While participating in some dark ritual, one of the girls is killed. His father covers it up, but at the expense of placing the blame on a village boy who is imprisoned. Everyday, he has to ride past the prison, guilt eating at him. He comes wants to come forward with the truth, but it will destroy his father politically & financially for his part in it. The father uses this secret to keep hold of his son, partly in fear he'll give in to his conscience and spill the truth. Pressure mounting, as he has fallen in love with the sister of the wrongly accused boy, from keeping the truth from her, he runs off and becomes a Ranger. As a result, he stays away from aristocrats as he's afraid he'll be recognized. His father has a bounty out for his return. Also, towns truly make him nervous. To make matter worse, the falsely accused boy is rumored to have escaped/been released from prison and has vowed to hunt him down and kill him. He hopes to avoid him as he doesn't want to kill the brother of the girl he loves or loved. As a result, he's very wary of strangers and remains aloof with the exception of a very few friends. Oh, and the aristos he grew up w/ that was with him when the girl was killed? Some are hunting him too- for the bounty, or to make sure he never reveals their deadly secret