Alton Lardon, a Human Binder [Archive] - Wizards Community

Alton Lardon, a Human Binder [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Witch
04-27-06, 03:39 PM Okay - I haven't got a lot of a story yet, since I'm running out of inspiration for characters. I'm running a game of my own, and I tend to put all backgrounds in there already.

I've got a description of my character, but I'm looking for a few suggestions for a background - they ofcourse needn't be fully developed, just a few tips :)

(If it helps, we're playing in Faêrun, near Amn)

Before you stands a man of above average height. His red locks wave up and down as a breeze settles down. Under his torn clothing, fragments of leather armor are visible. As he rises his head, he locks his brown eyes on you. His pupils show the depths of a darkness unknown. His face looks weathered, for the wilderness took its part of him. You see a remnant of a scar under his left ear; his nose appears to have been broken, yet healed. As you look down, you notice his right hand is resting on the grip of a morning star, hanging firmly on his belt.
It is only after you speak to him that you notice the willpower of this man; self-certainty seems to be in his blood. He speaks to you without hesitation, without doubt in his words.

Edit: I forgot to mention the alignment. I was thinking about True Neutral, but if you have a really nice idea that doesn't fit with it, I could always change that.
Fithero
04-27-06, 06:23 PM For this character, i see one of the non-magical classes (fighter, rogue, scout) and the character is very self reliant. Been through alot, but didnt choose to go through it all, it was forced apon him.

More later

Later
Witch
04-28-06, 03:39 AM Ah - you might not've noticed what I meant exactly with the title.

A Binder is a class from Tome of Magic, specialised in drawing seals on the ground, thereby calling "creatures that cannot be, that dwell in places that cannot exist"; he has to make a pact with these creatures to gain their power temporarily.
Depending on what creature ("vestige") you make a pact with, you can emulate other powers. For instance, one gives you the ability to call heavy armor and get damage reduction. Another gives you the ability to use sneak attack.

I hope this clarifies a bit :)
Need_A_Life
04-29-06, 03:24 PM I see a martial binder.

Don't take the sneaky vestiges, go for pure martial prowess.

Or take the one that lets you summon doves and ravens, you'll gather intelligence on an enemy force without risking your neck, that's just good tactics.
club2bash
05-04-06, 08:27 PM what kind of vesyiges does he ussually bind? this can explain a lot about his caharacter.
Urlic_Long_Beard
05-05-06, 12:59 AM Yeah, his attacks?, His Armour, Weapons [ if Master Crafted, can make a huge diffrence to the story.] It all helps his back ground, meaning in life. Thus you already have a background.

I,ll be back with some ideas. ;)
Northwest
05-05-06, 03:44 PM I think of Binding as a Family magic. Secret agreements made with early generations of your family that give you power. (Kind of like Elric of Melnibone w/all of his summonings).
Need_A_Life
05-06-06, 02:52 PM Northwest, you can change vestiges BY THE DAY, kindda hard to call that family agreements.
Northwest
05-06-06, 11:30 PM Yes, I understand the mechanics of it. I find it easy to explain. One generation may have discovered one vestige and made an agreement that set forth the requirements in the daily Bindings. Another generation found another one. If binding is a common thing, I could see families keeping knowledge of a particular vestige secret, for power.

If Binders are uncommon in your campaign, why not set it up as a family secret? It isn't like every family would know about vestiges or how to make a pact.
Northwest
05-07-06, 09:42 AM The more I think about it, the more I think it could work. The binder PC in your party could have that as a story arc for him. His mission could be to discover a new vestige. Or perhaps his parents/grandparents found a new one, but the agreement is still too dangerous/consequences of making a bad pact too severe. He could look for ways to reduce it.
Witch
05-07-06, 10:19 AM Ah - I've developped a base for my character a bit - maybe you could help figure it out a bit more.

My binder took the Improved Binding feat, allowing him access to Level 2 vestiges at Character Level 1.

Currently, he likes binding Savnok, which allows him to call Full Plate armor and gives him Damage Reduction.
He wields a Morning Star.

A few things I've though of as a background are currently:

- His parents died, I need a reason for the mother, his father was persecuted for binding.
- He found a tome where he found the vestiges, some general information on them and how to bind them.
- He's been wandering in the wilderness, from town to town, ever since.
- He's Neutral; in fact, he'd be NG, if it weren't for his bitterness and disappointment in society/humanity in general, because of what happened to his father.

I don't know how to work it out so it doesn't appear cliché "Mommy and daddy died from an orc invasion so I had to go away from home".

It happened during puberty, and Alton is currently 26.
Northwest
05-07-06, 12:02 PM Some thoughts:

The same persecution that killed his Dad also means he is suspect, so he can't stay there (if they found the book especially).

Mom, in an effort to save Dad (or ease his suffering) tries to either gain extra power or transfer some to Dad. She gets absorbed into a vestige. This could be either a voluntary thing on her part, she could have overextended and just made a mistake, or her attempt got perverted by 3rd party or the vestige itself (I know they don't normally have bad effects). The vestige she is in could be a new one to design or part of one you like to bind frequently...it could explain part of your preference. It sounds like they don't retain much of their original thoughts, so she probably wouldn't be more than maybe a feeling or something.

If he is 1st level, he is probably trying to stick to vestiges that don't have real visible signs since he cant suppress it yet.

How does he feel about the village, or about the persecution in general? Does he want revenge? Does he feel like trying to enlighten people that binding isn't bad? Did the people doing the persecution claim to be following the will of a particular god (whether or not they were really doing their god's wishes)? Has the experience made him turn toward a god? Against ALL religions?
Witch
05-07-06, 01:27 PM Well, that's a good suggestion about his mother.
I pictured that she didn't know, but she may have found the book after Alton's father was captured (and burned?)

Savnok's sign is an arrow somewhere deep in your flesh that can't be removed. (And if it is, it reappears elsewhere)

He's lost his faith in gods, but doesn't hate them. He doesn't believe in their extreme power, but pays slight homage to Sharess. His view on them is that they are powerful creatures, but they are not perfect. He believes they've abandoned the world, and that men have to look towards mankind on their own. (Not just humans, consider it all humanoids) Knowing from the existence of Vestiges, and their lore, that the Gods make many mistakes, has furthered this belief.

They might have been doing so in the name of a specific god, but I'm not sure which one. It needn't be in his will, either, but, would you have a suggestion which? (We're in Faerun)

He's bitter now, having understood the evil of mankind in general, yet hasn't given up on them yet. He doesn't want revenge, and tries to hide his binding ability if possible. But if someone discovers him, he'll try to convince them it isn't bad. Shortly afterwards, he leaves the place where he was at that time. If someone isn't convinced, he leaves as well, knocking the person out - not killing - if he's trying to restrain him.
Need_A_Life
05-07-06, 03:07 PM He's lost his faith in gods
Gotta share this: http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=610288
Yes, it's crunch rather than flavor and it's epic, but "me loves it!"

and tries to hide his binding ability if possible
Well, duh! Persecution is actually encouraged against Binders according to Tome of Magic, and besides you wouldn't want people figuring out just how simple binding is, now would you?
Witch
05-07-06, 03:29 PM I've seen the vestige and loved it :) Too bad it's epic, and I'm level 1 ^^
Need_A_Life
05-08-06, 05:18 AM Improved Binding will let you take level 2 vestiges, yes?

Try taking Malphas.
- Summons doves or ravens to gather information
- Get at invisibility 1/5 rounds
- Sudden strike 1d6

Plus some great roleplaying opportunities if you are influenced... plus some comic relief.
Witch
05-08-06, 06:01 AM I was thinking of taking him later, when I've got access to 2 vestiges, and maybe when we're outside. We're currently in a dungeon, and Savnok has been very useful so far :)
Need_A_Life
05-09-06, 09:16 AM Yea, maybe its just me with that whole "infinite (expendable) minions" in the form of birds.

Anyway, I just realized that I haven't actually contributed anything useful :shifty:

I'll add something useful later, I swear I will.
lukelightning
05-12-06, 02:57 PM I think neutral is the most natural alignment for a binder; possibly with a slight chaotic bent. There isn't any strong reason for them to be good or evil; I see most binders as being self-centered but not at the expense of others. And while their maverick ways would make them a bit chaotic, they are also drawn to secret traditions and their own elaborate training, which seems kind of lawful.

Plus a lawful binder will have trouble with Eurynome's anarchic hammer.
Need_A_Life
05-14-06, 03:50 PM Binders are not a scholarly bunch, while wizards are scribing spells (at the rate of 1/day) into their spellbooks, the Binder just realizes that they're ready to try and summon a greater power now.

Try playing of this, you gain your powers in the same manner that a monk gains a greater "Flurry of Blows"-ability; natural advancement rather than study.

Phew, at least I contributed something...

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Witch 04-27-06, 03:39 PM	Okay - I haven't got a lot of a story yet, since I'm running out of inspiration for characters. I'm running a game of my own, and I tend to put all backgrounds in there already. I've got a description of my character, but I'm looking for a few suggestions for a background - they ofcourse needn't be fully developed, just a few tips :) (If it helps, we're playing in Faêrun, near Amn) Before you stands a man of above average height. His red locks wave up and down as a breeze settles down. Under his torn clothing, fragments of leather armor are visible. As he rises his head, he locks his brown eyes on you. His pupils show the depths of a darkness unknown. His face looks weathered, for the wilderness took its part of him. You see a remnant of a scar under his left ear; his nose appears to have been broken, yet healed. As you look down, you notice his right hand is resting on the grip of a morning star, hanging firmly on his belt. It is only after you speak to him that you notice the willpower of this man; self-certainty seems to be in his blood. He speaks to you without hesitation, without doubt in his words. Edit: I forgot to mention the alignment. I was thinking about True Neutral, but if you have a really nice idea that doesn't fit with it, I could always change that.
Fithero 04-27-06, 06:23 PM	For this character, i see one of the non-magical classes (fighter, rogue, scout) and the character is very self reliant. Been through alot, but didnt choose to go through it all, it was forced apon him. More later Later
Witch 04-28-06, 03:39 AM	Ah - you might not've noticed what I meant exactly with the title. A Binder is a class from Tome of Magic, specialised in drawing seals on the ground, thereby calling "creatures that cannot be, that dwell in places that cannot exist"; he has to make a pact with these creatures to gain their power temporarily. Depending on what creature ("vestige") you make a pact with, you can emulate other powers. For instance, one gives you the ability to call heavy armor and get damage reduction. Another gives you the ability to use sneak attack. I hope this clarifies a bit :)
Need_A_Life 04-29-06, 03:24 PM	I see a martial binder. Don't take the sneaky vestiges, go for pure martial prowess. Or take the one that lets you summon doves and ravens, you'll gather intelligence on an enemy force without risking your neck, that's just good tactics.
club2bash 05-04-06, 08:27 PM	what kind of vesyiges does he ussually bind? this can explain a lot about his caharacter.
Urlic_Long_Beard 05-05-06, 12:59 AM	Yeah, his attacks?, His Armour, Weapons [ if Master Crafted, can make a huge diffrence to the story.] It all helps his back ground, meaning in life. Thus you already have a background. I,ll be back with some ideas. ;)
Northwest 05-05-06, 03:44 PM	I think of Binding as a Family magic. Secret agreements made with early generations of your family that give you power. (Kind of like Elric of Melnibone w/all of his summonings).
Need_A_Life 05-06-06, 02:52 PM	Northwest, you can change vestiges BY THE DAY, kindda hard to call that family agreements.
Northwest 05-06-06, 11:30 PM	Yes, I understand the mechanics of it. I find it easy to explain. One generation may have discovered one vestige and made an agreement that set forth the requirements in the daily Bindings. Another generation found another one. If binding is a common thing, I could see families keeping knowledge of a particular vestige secret, for power. If Binders are uncommon in your campaign, why not set it up as a family secret? It isn't like every family would know about vestiges or how to make a pact.
Northwest 05-07-06, 09:42 AM	The more I think about it, the more I think it could work. The binder PC in your party could have that as a story arc for him. His mission could be to discover a new vestige. Or perhaps his parents/grandparents found a new one, but the agreement is still too dangerous/consequences of making a bad pact too severe. He could look for ways to reduce it.
Witch 05-07-06, 10:19 AM	Ah - I've developped a base for my character a bit - maybe you could help figure it out a bit more. My binder took the Improved Binding feat, allowing him access to Level 2 vestiges at Character Level 1. Currently, he likes binding Savnok, which allows him to call Full Plate armor and gives him Damage Reduction. He wields a Morning Star. A few things I've though of as a background are currently: - His parents died, I need a reason for the mother, his father was persecuted for binding. - He found a tome where he found the vestiges, some general information on them and how to bind them. - He's been wandering in the wilderness, from town to town, ever since. - He's Neutral; in fact, he'd be NG, if it weren't for his bitterness and disappointment in society/humanity in general, because of what happened to his father. I don't know how to work it out so it doesn't appear cliché "Mommy and daddy died from an orc invasion so I had to go away from home". It happened during puberty, and Alton is currently 26.
Northwest 05-07-06, 12:02 PM	Some thoughts: The same persecution that killed his Dad also means he is suspect, so he can't stay there (if they found the book especially). Mom, in an effort to save Dad (or ease his suffering) tries to either gain extra power or transfer some to Dad. She gets absorbed into a vestige. This could be either a voluntary thing on her part, she could have overextended and just made a mistake, or her attempt got perverted by 3rd party or the vestige itself (I know they don't normally have bad effects). The vestige she is in could be a new one to design or part of one you like to bind frequently...it could explain part of your preference. It sounds like they don't retain much of their original thoughts, so she probably wouldn't be more than maybe a feeling or something. If he is 1st level, he is probably trying to stick to vestiges that don't have real visible signs since he cant suppress it yet. How does he feel about the village, or about the persecution in general? Does he want revenge? Does he feel like trying to enlighten people that binding isn't bad? Did the people doing the persecution claim to be following the will of a particular god (whether or not they were really doing their god's wishes)? Has the experience made him turn toward a god? Against ALL religions?
Witch 05-07-06, 01:27 PM	Well, that's a good suggestion about his mother. I pictured that she didn't know, but she may have found the book after Alton's father was captured (and burned?) Savnok's sign is an arrow somewhere deep in your flesh that can't be removed. (And if it is, it reappears elsewhere) He's lost his faith in gods, but doesn't hate them. He doesn't believe in their extreme power, but pays slight homage to Sharess. His view on them is that they are powerful creatures, but they are not perfect. He believes they've abandoned the world, and that men have to look towards mankind on their own. (Not just humans, consider it all humanoids) Knowing from the existence of Vestiges, and their lore, that the Gods make many mistakes, has furthered this belief. They might have been doing so in the name of a specific god, but I'm not sure which one. It needn't be in his will, either, but, would you have a suggestion which? (We're in Faerun) He's bitter now, having understood the evil of mankind in general, yet hasn't given up on them yet. He doesn't want revenge, and tries to hide his binding ability if possible. But if someone discovers him, he'll try to convince them it isn't bad. Shortly afterwards, he leaves the place where he was at that time. If someone isn't convinced, he leaves as well, knocking the person out - not killing - if he's trying to restrain him.
Need_A_Life 05-07-06, 03:07 PM	He's lost his faith in gods Gotta share this: http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=610288 Yes, it's crunch rather than flavor and it's epic, but "me loves it!" and tries to hide his binding ability if possible Well, duh! Persecution is actually encouraged against Binders according to Tome of Magic, and besides you wouldn't want people figuring out just how simple binding is, now would you?
Witch 05-07-06, 03:29 PM	I've seen the vestige and loved it :) Too bad it's epic, and I'm level 1 ^^
Need_A_Life 05-08-06, 05:18 AM	Improved Binding will let you take level 2 vestiges, yes? Try taking Malphas. - Summons doves or ravens to gather information - Get at invisibility 1/5 rounds - Sudden strike 1d6 Plus some great roleplaying opportunities if you are influenced... plus some comic relief.
Witch 05-08-06, 06:01 AM	I was thinking of taking him later, when I've got access to 2 vestiges, and maybe when we're outside. We're currently in a dungeon, and Savnok has been very useful so far :)
Need_A_Life 05-09-06, 09:16 AM	Yea, maybe its just me with that whole "infinite (expendable) minions" in the form of birds. Anyway, I just realized that I haven't actually contributed anything useful :shifty: I'll add something useful later, I swear I will.
lukelightning 05-12-06, 02:57 PM	I think neutral is the most natural alignment for a binder; possibly with a slight chaotic bent. There isn't any strong reason for them to be good or evil; I see most binders as being self-centered but not at the expense of others. And while their maverick ways would make them a bit chaotic, they are also drawn to secret traditions and their own elaborate training, which seems kind of lawful. Plus a lawful binder will have trouble with Eurynome's anarchic hammer.
Need_A_Life 05-14-06, 03:50 PM	Binders are not a scholarly bunch, while wizards are scribing spells (at the rate of 1/day) into their spellbooks, the Binder just realizes that they're ready to try and summon a greater power now. Try playing of this, you gain your powers in the same manner that a monk gains a greater "Flurry of Blows"-ability; natural advancement rather than study. Phew, at least I contributed something...