Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Bladesinger Boy 12-31-04, 06:56 PM	Okay, where does the balance lie? As PCs or DMs, what examples have you seen of well done character storylines and personalities? What examples have you seen of really bad storylines and personalities? Here are a few examples of the 3 pit falls of characters development. STEREOTYPE History: Father or Mother is someone very important, important death in the family to be avenged (perhaps only surviving member), bloodline history of unique ability perhaps about magic or some divine origin, multiple major magic items or artifacts part of history, pre-arranged or pre-destined love someone to find/save Personality: talks rarely and only to make dramatic heroic speeches, feels they can never back down from a fight due to family or personal honor, has a very large holy symbol somewhere (tattoo or necklace), enjoys going up against hideous odds, has taken to having a sidekick who's larger and stronger who calls him/her "little brother/sister" or older wise person who calls them "my son/milady" VANILLA History: no known history, or average farm worker only recently come to city centers (or still a farm worker seeking to return) Personality: no strong moral convictions, no known intellectual standpoints, speaks only to acknowlegde or clarify an order, financial planning all goes towards improving old farm or buying new one, purpose for adventuring is somewhat unknown ODD BALL History: history is a discontinuitous kaliediscope of scenes and peoples, doesn't explain any of the current situation, extreme juxtaposition Personality: violent mood swings, speaks at the right time and says the worst thing possible, hyper-sexual or asexual, shifting levels of importance on views (self appointed guardian then carefree wanderer, highly moral then immoral), unpredictable in the least helpful way, endangers party with spazmotic actions ... I'll use our epic campaign as my example. By the end, we were level 23-26 and here's what we had. Owen GreyLocke, LN Human Fighter/Rogue/Cavalier The "Commander" of the party, Owen and his healing cohort was for much of the campaign the main damage output in combat and storyline thread to allow us to explore different worlds. His take charge attitude always helped progress the plot. Owen and Luthian were the original two characters in the storyline, and others were added as plot and OOG reqs dictated. Best Moment: ceaselessly fighting all who opposed us and killing single-handedly hundreds of foes Luthian Longbow, CG Elf Ranger/Wizard/Bladesinger Not the potent melee combatant others were, his buff spells and utility spells keep the party out of a jam numerous times. His "try anything" approach quickly landed him both the running gag of the party and unknown bearer of cursed items. Also noted for his "charge the leader, need a ressurrection" style of attacking big NPCs. Never formally trained as a Bladesinger, but by the end had a close relationship with Corellon Larethian. Best Moment: going toe to toe at 12th lvl to an 18th lvl Drow Fighter and winning thanks to the web wand, a permanent freedom of movement effect, twink use of a healing wand, and many flamebolts and magic missiles Azalin, N Human Wizard/Red Wizard/Archmage > Sorceror/Red Wizard/Cleric of Mystra Uncomprimising evocationist that was added in later. Though not good in alignment, has been known to at times perform extremely devoted and intelligent acts to save the party... begrudgingly so. Hates the prospect of not Fireballing because party members are locked in melee. Intolerant of injustice. Best Moment: the Wish and Disjunction scrolls that nothing short of won the battle against a white dragon Talous, LN Half-Elf > Dwarf Monk/Student of the Dragon Tough as nails dude that began in the Undermountain adventure. Through his trials far beneath Waterdeep and with the dwarven city, eventually picked up the culture and spirituality to become a worshipper or Moraiden. Stalwart but not always the bashing power, however numerous monkish abilities (including flight) made him flexible and always helpful somehow in a fight. Added into the campaign far later after being collared by "the Planeswalker" while trying to free fellow enslaved Dwarves. Best Moment: killing the Zhanithar, thank you Monk saves ;) Thomas, CN Half-Orc Barbarian/Fighter/Frenzied Berserker Slow witted Half-Orc that, as the campaign drew on, became more and more broken game mechanics-wise. His thuggish statements were always laughable but often immoral. Eventually, his strength was so high a thrown dagger was more deadly than Owen's sword. He was searching to find and reconnect with an older party member. Best Moment: thanks to picking up the Dire Charge epic feat, hacking down a Great Wyrm Dragon with his Greataxe in a single round Sgt. Robert DeLoungeville, NG Human NPC Cleric/Hospitaler Cohort of Owen, his hard ass keeping in line of troops and vigilant use of healing fighters made him useful. As well, someone who actually used maces gave him nice pick of weapons. Best Moment: finishing off the big necro NPC on a dragon with a flamestrike everyone else had died DECEASED CHARACTERS Sir Hadrian Tiberius, LG Human Paladin/Templar Of Tyr This holy warrior joined up not far from the beginning and his divine abilities were well needed and appreciated. With the amount of evil we were persuing then, his Detect Evil and Smiting made him a real hunter of evil. After clearing out an inner cloister of slaadi, his death came while persuing others slaadi who were escaping up a stairwell and becoming engaged in one-on-one with a superior death slaadi. Kosh, CN Orc Fighter/Barbarian/Forsaker For the brief period he was with us, he was potent enough especially considering his level. As others, tucked in while rallying people against the Planeswalker. Knowing he needed little to survive, he was wildy reckless and effetcive in battle. In a forced attack on Waterdeep, an epic sorceror ended Kosh's life with an intensified vampiric touch... and only for 37 hit points for his trouble.
red_wizard69 01-02-05, 03:10 PM	ah, good times. How I miss the old days. I especially like reading about Hadrian's valiant death, it brought a smile to my face. Its spelled Xanathar, I believe. The crime lord beholder of Waterdeep. It's not really his name either, more of a title passed on, like Caesar.