Post/Author/DateTime	Post
SearcherOmega 09-16-04, 10:16 PM	It's come to my attention that a lot of my characters are social rejects, and subsequently, come up with the Chaotic Good alignment. Now, while I personally have a lot of fun playing Chaotic Good, I'm interested in trying a different reaction to the rejection by creating a character who turns to Law instead of Chaos as a tool of finding himself and his place in the world. Early in his life, my character becomes an afflicted lycanthrope of an uncommon variety (were-coyote, to be exact). Whether he was born into a noble family, or whether he was brought in, I haven't decided yet, but whatever the reason, he finds solace in the discipline and calm state of mind it brings him (discipline which has greatly assisted him in controlling his shape when other stigma would turn him into his animal form). What I'm stuck on is... 1) How he got into the house of samurai? Being born in is too easy, unless we can use it later to create sibling conflicts. 2) Why he would opt to refuse treatment that high ranking people would surely get in his position? I could always say it's a smaller culture that has a lack of availability, but that's way too easy, and not very interesting. I'd rather have it be for a character reason, perhaps something to deal with his discipline, or some honorable choice for bearing his 'scar', especially if it can be tied in to the code of bushido. 3) Why he would leave his small city to travel abroad and become part of the party. I've already determined a number of aspects of his personality. He's serene, and prefers diplomacy over force when need be. I'm considering having him walk around mostly in his hybrid form (we assume for campaign purposes that hybrids speak any languages they knew in humanoid form) in order to intentionally subject himself to the prejudice of everyday man, or because he might see it as the most direct way of being honest about his nature, so he knows he is not trying to hide the fact from anyone, even on a subliminal level. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Unfortunately, this all hinges on DM approval, in which case I'd have to find a campaign that would accept him, particularly if they meet online...
Morka 09-19-04, 07:15 PM	What is the alignment of a werecoyote in your campaign? There's some lycanthropes who's natural alignment is LG (werebear), so if your lycanthrope alignement is lawful, it's less complicated. 1) There's many ways you could have been born in a samuraļ familly. By true heritage, by your mother's infidelity (her one-time lover was a were-coyote), or you were simply abandonned and adopted by your familly. Alternatively, you could be from a bandit/pirate familly/town, where most people is chaotic; but when you were young you have been bitten by a Lawful werecoyote, so you became lawful. Strong of your both heritage, you travelled to the capital and swear allegiance to the king. 2) To follow my concept of a natural lawful lycanthrope, your character could fear that if he is no longer a werecoyote, he will lose his lawful focus and return to a chaotic alignment. Alternatively, he could think he has been blessed by some deity. 3) This part is the easier for me. While his lord recognize his value, he recognize that his condition could affraid the rest of the nobility. Finally, I'm not sure you should travel in hybrid form. There's no need to affraid every citizen you meet. You should even wait to know someone since a few days before telling them you are a lycanthrope.
kafit 09-25-04, 02:36 PM	okay, let me try a hand at this. Generally, to be samurai you are either born into the position or adopted in. If your character showed great martial promise, he could have been adopted in. why no special treatment...hmmm... I'd say because it fits his model of the bushido code better and that he needs no finery or treatment, merely to keep himself honed and focused. My take on adventure would be that your lord told you to go out and experience the world and come to terms with yourself before returning to his full service. This would help you keep the lawful bent and not become ronin. Just as a side note, if you really want the lycanthrope aspect to discomfort people, be a werebat (presented in one of the forgotten realms books, races or monsters I think). Bats were regarded as bad luck in old Japan if I remember right. Being part bat would certainly cause ill-treatment and have you think less of yourself. You could even have a back story on your character losing his family through misfortune, yet he survives. Maybe even by being attacked by the werebats that bit him... Hope that helps you some