Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Moonslayer 10-23-07, 07:13 PM	I need some help fleshing out the backstory for a new character. Here are the particulars so far. Marcus Orion Tyler Salvigon is the 3rd son of a minor noble family (He has 2 older brother and 2 sisters, 1 older 1 younger). The power and prestige of his lineage has waned over generations, becoming more an empty title than anything else. The title has bestowed a position of substantial trust and influence over the finances of the kingdom however. The familiy has remained carefully neutral in politics over the years, never trying to use the "power of the purse" to hold influence. Marcus is a bad seed almost to the core, selfish, sneaky, and manipulative. He began petty thievery as a pre-teen, at the same time learning to fence, dance, and carouse from his maternal uncle, a sea captain whose latest wife was a prosperous merchant in the jewelry trade. As he grew older his larcenous streak grew into more serious efforts, with guests of the family home often the victims, as opportunity allowed. Marcus became an attractive graceful young man, traits he used to his advantage. In his late teens he was apprenticed to a locksmith from a distant city, a business aquaintance of his aunt, in an effort by his parents to "make something of the boy". The locksmith turned out to be a free lance thief who found marcus to be a willing and apt pupil. At the same time Marcus became quite a hit in the social circles, with his different looks, accent and style. The two became quite successful, with a number of small but profitable heists to their credit. Unfortunately this brought them unwelcome attention from the local Theives' Guild. Marcus was cornered one night by a group of gaurds who were on the take and offered a choice, joining the guild while giving up the identity and location of his mentor or being beaten to death and left in the harbor. He didn't hesitate for a moment in selling out his mentor. Marcus began to mooch of his wealthy friends, trading his much sought after company and knowledge of the seedier parts of town for the high life. Meanwhile he provided information and distraction for guild activities, occasionally taking choice bits for himself on the side. After a few years Marcus began to chafe at being in the grasp of the guild and began to look for a way out. He began making discreet inquiries about a more powerful patron. Finally he recieved a message from his birthplace. If he went to a certain inn on a certain night and killed the occupant of a certain room, he would be granted the protection he desired. He returned home and completed the deed, murdering the person while they were asleep. After accepting the invitation to join the assassin's guild he learned the victim was his own aunt. He has begun helping his uncle and cousin running his late aunt's business, using his contacts among the well-to-do to create clientle as well as increase his own stature. Marcus is average build, slender and graceful. Good-looking with a taste for the finer things in life. A competent horseman, fencer, and hunter. A charming conversationalist and excellent dancer. All that being said I feel like there are still holes and weak points that need work. Anyone care to take a shot at polishing this up?
Moonslayer 10-24-07, 03:55 PM	I forgot the crunchier bits, in case anyone wanted them. Marcus is a, Aristocrat 3/Rouge 2/ Assassin 1, NE Human. If you need any more details let me know.
Terjon of the Blue Rose 10-25-07, 12:36 AM	What happened to your former mentor? How did you react? I suspect he was killed and you didn't think twice about it with this character but I'd add it in. I wouldn't apprentice him to a locksmith. It's too obvious a route to bad things for an even halfway sensible noble to make that mistake. Aprentice him to an innkeeper hoping for him to learn arts he can use in higher social circles such as making guest comfortable and strong social skills. If you still want a locksmith make it a neighboring business or regular patron.
Terjon of the Blue Rose 10-25-07, 12:38 AM	I would also add in his plans for the future which almost certainly revolve around the family responsibilities. He may well be planning the death of family in order to take that position when the time comes.
Moonslayer 10-26-07, 03:45 PM	Terjon, Thanks for the input. I agree about the apprenticeship. I'm thinking that it would make more sense to change it to the aunt. The locksmith would be a logical business associate for her. And yes, he did sell out his mentor to certain death without a second thought. As for future goals, he would like to increase his own prestige/power (not necessarily advancing the family name at the same time). The adventure this character was made for is Expedition to Castle Ravenloft, so I figure he is going there under the guise of attending the wedding on behalf of the family. He is always on the lookout for a more powerful, influential patron, this time one that could keep him beyond the reach of the Assassin's Guild (no small order there. I'm anticipating that the DM may decide that I'm also going there to do a job for the Guild (it would be just like him to send me after Strahd).
Terjon of the Blue Rose 10-26-07, 10:48 PM	Sure thing. I always liked a villian on the lookout for a new more powerful patron so he can be free of his current master. The irony of "Please. If you help me cut of these chains I'll let you put those much thicker ones on me." always struck me as one of the gods more humorous endeavors.
meto30 10-28-07, 11:20 PM	Caesar might be inspiration for you. He was a member of a long-waning aristocrat family (Julii Caesares), was headstrong, was opportunist, went through a lot of trouble, backstabbed family members and friends, plotted all the time, and was a brilliant tactician and schemer. I'm currently reading "Caesar: Life of a Colossus" by Adrian Goldworthy, and his story is full of interesting things! Sorry, maybe I went off topic...
Moonslayer 10-29-07, 05:37 PM	No need to apologize Meto, now that you mention it Ceasar is a good idea to draw some inspiration from. I see Marcus as someone who is willing to sell his loyalty to anyone he sees as offering him a higher station and more power. I figure he remains loyal until he finds someone powerful enough to protect him from revenge by whoever he betrays along the way. He believes that eventually he will have enough power of his own to not need anyone else to protection, he will be feared enough all on his own. Of course in reality these things may never come to pass, but that's what makes it interesting.
meto30 10-30-07, 01:14 AM	Curio. Tribune of the Plebs in the last days of Caesar's proconsulship in Gaul (I think it was 50 BC but I'm not sure). Was an opposer of Caesar's legislations for no reason other than that many opposed them and he wanted allies. He was in a heavy debt, but Caesar payed for them, and afterwards he acted as Caesar's agent in Rome. He participated in the Civil war for the awards that were obviously in stock. He fled Rome after Caesar was assasinated, if I recall correctly. Marcus Antonius. Quaestor of Gaul in the last three years of Caesar's proconsulship. Supposed to be a capable tactician and strategist, with handsome looks and good rhetoric skills, it is just that he was so arrogant and flamboyant that many found it hard to like him. He was plotting behind Caesar to secure his position as his second-in-command althoguh Caesar was not interested in giving him much power. Member of the second triumvirate. Actively attacked Caesar's will when it was announced because it didn't mention him. Hm, many people in Caesar's times fall to the 'ambitious amoral aristocrat' category, and those two are ones that come first to my mind. Try looking up Curio. He was supposed to be one h**l of a backstabber. Ptolemy might be a good example too. You know, one of the generals in Alexander's campaigns. Became Ptolemy I of Egypt.