Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Purpledragonfire 03-15-05, 09:27 AM	Warning kind of a long post...... here is the background story i came up with for one of my recent characters please read and critique any advice and/or comments welcome The Tale of Lars Arkhan (aka. Voltar, Zargarna, Andrais Dul’cathra, Marag the cruel, Asharon, goz the goblin, haakon the hobgoblin, telar half-elven etc) The story of the changeling Lars Arkan is both sad and inspiring. Born on the street of sharn he was soon orphaned as his parents abandoned him or were killed by one of the many criminals infesting the city. His early years are a jumble of begging stealing and starving…. He and some of his friends formed a small gang for survival and moved from snatch and run from vendors to pick pocketing. Unfortunately Lars was not overly adept at the art and was caught on his second lift by the wealthy nobleman he’d targeted. However instead of turning him into the watch the noble man one Zacarius Arkhan saw a use for the young changeling before him perhaps the defiance in his eyes decided the matter but Zacarius decided he could be useful and took him home to his wife, son and servants where they commenced training the boy to be their sons valet. Thus began the second stage of Lars life one which while more comfortable than the last bore its own burdens. Zacarius was by no means a philanthropist indeed he was a cold, calculating and cruel man who saw the uses a well trained changeling could have, decoy for his son, spy, thief and assassin yes the old man often smiled as he watched the boys play though there was no warmth in his smile. One day when Lars turned approximately 8 after being with the Arkhans for almost a year ignored by all except Jedicus Arkhan and the old servant who fed and cared for him Zacarius took Lars aside and told him he must start earning his keep. The trainers Zacarius had sought from across Khorvaire had arrived and the boys training began. He leant something of manners and the gentry along with the Arkhan heir… enough to get him by in society and impersonating Jedicus he also learnt to duel, lie, and rudimentary life skills. Yes Zacarius had great plans…. Secrets to learn, rivals to kill, power to gain. And so for the next few years Lars learnt to be a social chameleon, something his race was predisposed for and a competent fighter…. And also a calm, calculated young man…. His enthusiasm and joy beaten out of him by his \teachers and old Zacarius himself’. As the boys grew older they started socializing with other well to do young gentleman Lars being passed of as a family cousin. It was at this time that they met young Hakon Relith the son of a partner and rival of Zacarius. The three soon formed a tight bond despite their fathers civil but vicious rivalry. After some time had passed Zacarius took Lars aside …. He was to assassinate young Hakon. Unwilling to betray his friend he told Jedicus and together with Hakon they plotted to overthrow their abusive parents. Lars ran from the care of Zacarius to live as a freelance adventurer in the city often changing his identity to both remain anonymous and avoid any retribution from Zacarius. Young Lars soon fell in with various gangs and made something of a name for himself as a competent fighter due to his training his ascent and quest for adventure and status had begun……… He meets often with his friends and they have so far managed to with several rogues Lars has come to know rob some of their sires caravans using the inside information from the heirs. Using their growing resources they hope to assemble the minds and muscle to usurp their parents positions and reach unprecedented height of power.
Purpledragonfire 03-15-05, 09:31 AM	Another varient I considered but got the chop as it left no one from his history to interact with..... again long thx for your attention The Tale of Lars Arkhan (aka. Voltar, Zargarna, Andrais Dul’cathra, Marag the cruel, Asharon, goz the goblin, haakon the hobgoblin, telar half-elven etc) The story of the changeling Lars Arkan is both sad and inspiring. Born on the street of sharn he was soon orphaned as his parents abandoned him or were killed by one of the many criminals infesting the city. His early years are a jumble of begging stealing and starving…. He and some of his friends formed a small gang for survival and moved from snatch and run from vendors to pick pocketing. Unfortunately Lars was not overly adept at the art and was caught on his second lift by the wealthy nobleman he’d targeted. However instead of turning him into the watch the noble man one Zakarius Arkhan saw a use for the young changeling before him perhaps the defiance in his eyes decided the matter but Zacarius decided he could be useful and took him home to his wife, son and servants where they commenced training the boy to be their sons valet. Thus began the second stage of Lars life one which while more comfortable than the last bore its own burdens. Zacarius was by no means a philanthropist indeed he was a cold, calculating and cruel man who saw the uses a well trained changeling could have, decoy for his son, spy, thief and assassin yes the old man often smiled as he watched the boys play though there was no warmth in his smile. One day when Lars turned approximately 8 after being with the Arkhans for almost a year ignored by all except Jedicus Arkhan and the old servant who fed and cared for him Zacarius took Lars aside and told him he must start earning his keep. The trainers Zacarius had sought from across Khorvaire had arrived and the boys training began. He leant something of manners and the gentry along with the Arkhan heir… enough to get him by in society and impersonating Jedicus he also learnt to duel, lie, and rudimentary life skills. Yes Zacarius had great plans…. Secrets to learn, rivals to kill, power to gain. And so for the next few years Lars learnt to be a social chameleon, something his race was predisposed for and a competent fighter…. And also a calm, calculated young man…. His enthusiasm and joy beaten out of him by his \teachers and old Zacarius himself’. Unfortunately Jedicus became ill and died despite all the expense Zacarius went through to preserve his heir. Zacarius was angered… and had the healer killed to cover the news of his heirs death the changling would have to take his place…. At least until young Zedicus Arkhan grew old enough to inherit and thus keep his enemies from hoping to wipe his family out with his death. Yes the next month it was said that young Jedicus recovered though his poor companion died…. And Zacarius bitter about his plans falling apart beat the boy until Lars saddened by his only friends death, the uncaring father and the beatings fought back. Zacarius fell more from shock than the boys blow and struck his head on the table corner…. Killing him instantly…. What was Lars to do? In shock his calm other self took over he gathered up what valuables he could, spilt brandy over the aged man, gathered his scant belongings and fled back to the streets he had come from those years ago. Young Lars soon fell in with various gangs and made something of a name for himself as a competent fighter due to his training his ascent and quest for adventure and status had begun………
Gargs454 03-15-05, 11:18 AM	It sounds pretty good. Definitely like the story in the first post more as it provides many more opportunities to build on during the campaign. The only thing that I might change (and keep in mind, this is just me, its still your character) would be to make Lars' band an organization as opposed to a simple gang. Having him rejoin a gang makes it sound like he is going back to doing small time stuff, but with his training and education he certainly should have the goods needed to be a high level player. I see him as more of a Robin Hood (though not necessarily with the same good intentions all the time) than a ********er. It could very be of course that this is what you had intended all along and that I simply misinterpreted your post. But as I said, it looks great. Should be a lot of fun to play!
Harrow Blade 03-22-05, 05:12 AM	I agree with Gargs in respect to liking the first option more. Just a question did the young men succed in overthrowing the evil Zakarius Arkhan or did they fail which lead to Lars running away? I also think that organised crime rather than nameless street gangs should be the direction he takes following his running away. Perhaps a misunderstanding between Lars and the hierachy of the organised crime syndicate provided an even greater stimulus for young Lars to seek adventure. On the whole a solid background that will give your character drive in what ever game you play. does Jedicus have the forcecus? ;)
Purpledragonfire 03-22-05, 08:02 AM	No no overthrow yet left it in as a possible plot tool and yes the forcecus is strong in the jedicus line ;)