Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Captain Casualty 09-08-04, 10:42 AM	Ok People I am currently playing a 8th level Half Orc barbarian fighter (4/4) in rtoee called AAAARRGH. Just think of the sound made when charging. This character was rolled up in a hurry to replace a casualty (see user name) and so basically just turned up at a cave entrance and asked did they need a fighter? There is no backstory at all..... Ok as for established character traits. 1) chaotic good - emphasis on the chaotic especially whilst raging 2) Low int and low cha 3) The only good target is a dead target 4) Easily bored - will wait only so long for check traps, search etc then will go find something or someone to fight 5) Does not see the need for laws - ok for others to follow but as many a gaurd has found out rules are optional for AAAARRGH 6) Has a talent for rubbing people up the wrong way 7) Will not tolerate "cowardice", often attacks party members who refuse to join in fights. The rogue and the wizard are still coming to terms with this. 8) Doors are barriers and therefore must be destroyed 9) whilst disruptive this character has survived due to being the parties only main line fighter and frequently having all the players in fits of laughter trying to work out what he will do next. What i want are good seeds for a backstory - probably too close to the character and cannot think of anything new. Once i get an idea that i like i will work on it and then post it here as a thank you!
TheMightyMcClaw 09-08-04, 12:35 PM	If it's a REALLY low int and cha, maybe he's mentally handicapped.... and a part of that is his overwhelming urge to crush and kill.
To Hit Armor Class 0 09-08-04, 04:57 PM	Whoa...good thing it's not a completely stereotyped half-orc... :rolleyes: Anyway, with such a generic character description, a generic backstory would seem the most fitting....I come to find that interesting stats/descriptions usually yeild the best backstories. Once had a half-orc with high int and cha, made for a great backstory... Anyway, think first about WHY this character is at the cave entrance...it would prove interesting if his bloodlust has a cause....does he need to bring a certain amount of heads to his chieftan as some kind of "tradition?" Maybe some bad experience in his past causes him to be so violent....or, maybe he's just a dumb "knock-down the door" orc who is so savage because...well...he's a dumb barbarian...? So step one would be to think of his goal...does he want to prove himself to his tribe? Gain some item? Become the most famous warrior in the world? Just fight for money? Once you got that, then think why does he have that goal? Because of his upbringing? Because both of his parents were leaders of a vicious warclan? Or because his tribe was constantly subject to raids by heroes? Anyway, I hope that helped a little...and often really good backstories are somehow related to the campaign in some way...and coming up with that is up to you. (in one of my old campaigns, one fighter was the former wife of the BBEG, one was the son of a hero slain by the BBEG, one had been driven from his home by the BBEG, etc. That made the whole campaign more meaningful.)
jnrhayz 09-08-04, 05:07 PM	I don't know how in depth you want of a background due to the high loss of characters you seem to have (your name), but... You were abandoned on the steps of a monastic order (evil). You grew up surrounded by law and order every where. You spent most of your youth being punished. You rebeled against authority and the monks would beat you and chain you up as punishment. During this punishment you realized your orcish roots and unleashed your rage to escape. Due to being beaten a lot he has suffered head wounds and never learned to properly interact in society. Probably traveled with many different people, but didn't stick with any of them long. Probably only remembers the people major to things he has learned. (Traveling with a caravan guard who taught him to be a fighter) Well, just some ideas.
Nuntius128 09-28-04, 01:09 AM	1) chaotic good - What is it that makes him 'good'? the description makes him sound as though all he cares about is breaking stuff. 2) Yeah, nearly all barbarians have that, I'm afraid. 3) What causes him to want to kill every 'target'? 4) That seems plausible, as he has low Intelligence. 5) OK, I can see that working, yet, if it were OK for others, why does he impose his lawlessness upon others? 6) Again, hence the low Charisma/Int 7) What is it that he does to show that he doesn't tolerate cowardice? Does he attack those who don't fight, or just withdraw from them? 8) Every door? Or the ones getting in his way? 9) "whilst disruptive this character has survived due to being the parties only main line fighter and frequently having all the players in fits of laughter trying to work out what he will do next" This is nitpicking, but that's not roleplaying. That's one character and everyone working around his actions, and attending to his whimsy. The thing I see is that there's too much smashing, and not enough development. He attacks everything that moves, or doesn't move... That should be Chaotic Neutral, or Evil, maybe Neutral Evil. If its a fun character, then its ok, but it does have a number of problems with roleplay-ability.
Nuntius128 09-28-04, 01:40 AM	If it helps, I'll post a little bit about my Dwarf Barbarian(Sargon) and his story. First, as a youth, Sargon was a member of a slightly less sheltered into the mountains clan of dwarves, who made as much of their living growing crops as mining. This being very unusual, it caught the attention of a band of Drow, who decided to terrorize the small, yet socially advancing village. The band of Drow chose to show them that they could never 'escape' the dark under-earth if they couldn't, and attacked them at sun-down. The entire village was slaughtered and burned to the ground, crops destoyed, and tunnels torn down. Only one youth was able to escape the massacre, Sargon, who was away at the time, fetching water his mother had requested while making bread for the morning meal. Upon returning, Sargon, witnessing the horrific destruction of his home, fled into the forest in fear and despair. The only image in his head was a single word carved into every charred home in the bitter Drow style of script: "Underground." From that day forward, Sargon was forced to survive on his own, no comrades, narry a single contact with another biped(that is, for a good long while). 1) Chaotic Good: while unable to express himself, Sargon tries to prove himself worthy of the longlost company of others. However, he also tensd towards brash brutality at times of stress 2)Absolute hatred of Dark Elves, and strong mistrust of other "pointed ears," possibly related, or inallegiance with the drow 3) High Wisdom, and decent-moderate charisma. Sargon has forced his mind to a sharpened state of awareness, causign others to view him as "intense" when focused. 4)While trying to obey the moral societal standards of put forth by more civilized creatures, years of exile from others causes him to consider the fastest and most immediate solution first 5) Very territorial towards his own possessions and allies. Not wanting to lose the few things he has, Sargon protects his small amount of possessions fearlessly and without restraint to those who threaten those he cares for. That's a good look into my Dwarf Barbarian character. Keep in mind as you make your character that not all Barbarian are lunatics, though they may have fanatical qualities. Having a character unique to your own style of play is important, adn they should be made interesting.
Captain Casualty 09-28-04, 08:32 AM	1) chaotic good - What is it that makes him 'good'? the description makes him sound as though all he cares about is breaking stuff. As I Play the character what i see as good is that he a) attempts to help people, B) will not kill anyone who has not first used lethal force against him and c) will always tell people up front what he is about to do, why and what they can do to stop it. You might debate whether that is blackmail - AARRRGH sees it as being honest and open. 2) Yeah, nearly all barbarians have that, I'm afraid. Sorry to live down to the stereotype. 3) What causes him to want to kill every 'target'? Whilst working out his background decided to make a theme "right makes might" - ie he has been raised to believe that the best test about whether you are right to do something is if you can do it the gods favour your cause so it must be right. A battle to the death is the ultimate test and so it is not in malice he fights but to test the universe's opinions of his actions. 4) That seems plausible, as he has low Intelligence. Yup-thats what i thought 5) OK, I can see that working, yet, if it were OK for others, why does he impose his lawlessness upon others? A better question (particularly with town gaurds) is why should they be allowed to impose there lawfullness on him? It interferes with his whole right makes might thing anyway. [/QUOTE] 6) Again, hence the low Charisma/Int [/QUOTE] Agreed [/QUOTE] 7) What is it that he does to show that he doesn't tolerate cowardice? Does he attack those who don't fight, or just withdraw from them? [/QUOTE] Depends though most often he will challenge them to non lethal combat (with the gods intervening in order to make sure the right side wins) - the monk for example was being sneaky one encounter and was challenged about it. One quick unarmed combat later and AARRRGH never again questions the monk's choice of tactics. [/QUOTE] 8) Every door? Or the ones getting in his way? [/QUOTE] Just the ones in his way - though it has become a bit of a cliche now. [/QUOTE] 9) "whilst disruptive this character has survived due to being the parties only main line fighter and frequently having all the players in fits of laughter trying to work out what he will do next" This is nitpicking, but that's not roleplaying. That's one character and everyone working around his actions, and attending to his whimsy. [/QUOTE] I hope you are wrong, the other players might be better to comment on that rather than me. [/QUOTE] The thing I see is that there's too much smashing, and not enough development. He attacks everything that moves, or doesn't move... That should be Chaotic Neutral, or Evil, maybe Neutral Evil. If its a fun character, then its ok, but it does have a number of problems with roleplay-ability. [/QUOTE] Hence the need for a back story - which by the way is nearly done now. thanks for the feedback guys though it may seem i am arguing this has been very helpful - especially the critical ones. like most people i am blind to my own faults!
Nuntius128 09-28-04, 08:59 AM	OK, those are pretty good reasonings for his character traits. It was hard to tell just from what was provided. Sorry if I was overly critical, but those were my first impressions based on what you posted. I just find that more often than not, a lot of player's want to play the typical mold of a character, which is fine, but just so long as the player can roleplay that character well, and make it interesting. I have trouble with it myself sometimes. That Dwarf Barbarian is actually the first character I ever made, having started playing D&D about a year and a half ago. My only advice is to make your character a very well-thought out one, which will make the whole experience more fulfilling. IMHO, that is.
Captain Casualty 10-06-04, 09:40 AM	Ok well as promised here is my stab at a background story. Calling non orcs the weak(due to high racial stat modifier) and calling the grouping a pride rather than a tribe for no good reason at all. Chapter 1: Birth details Whose was the shame? There was shame all right. For a child to be born half orcish and half human some unspeakable events must have taken place, events in which love played no part. However it came to be nineteen years ago a female orc of the high ridge pride gave birth to a squalling get named only after its first cry. Though this child was seen as a hideous freak it was raised in the pride as there is always need for a last guard, the expendable warrior. Chapter 2: Raised as a barbarian The child received an upbringing little different from those of the purebloods around him. The high ridge pride were a nomadic group of mountain orc’s and could not afford the luxury of hanger-on’s. Because of this despite some social problems he learnt the survival skills that marked him out from the weak. To starve in the wilderness he came to believe required an act of stupidity large enough to be classed as will. Chapter 3: Being picked on – “right is might” His status as an outcast was something that always was with him. Though the pride was not large there were other children and they would often strike him to show off there greater strength. When he would strike back he was allowed to be beaten. Only once did he complain. The Pride Alpha came to him and sat this young child down and spoke to him. “Only the wrong need to fear. A right orc is a strong orc. I am the leader and it is because I am right as the leader that I am strong enough to be a leader. Remember that if your cause is right the might will flow into you, if you hesitate to battle it can only be to show that you cannot know in your heart that you are right. The warrior who is right is right to strike.” After a while he asked if he knew why he was wrong and therefore lost his battles? When he said no he was soundly beaten – the Alphas Get came afterwards and laughed. It was the first time that the red haze engulfed the child and to this day he cannot explain how the gets severed hand ended in his mouth but he knew he was right because he won. The Alpha merely smiled. Chapter 4: Becoming a Warrior The next week the Alpha came to him and started to teach him how to hunt the weak. There were many weapons and much teaching of strange rules, of form and balance. These were not the lessons he craved – instead he learned to love the haze. Rage became his constant companion and his name changed from a joke about crying to a name of fear. Chapter 5: Caught by the weak Though not often sometimes the pride was attacked by the weak, usually the only time the weak were seen was when charging the pride (not usually as good an idea as they thought). One time a hunting party came upon a small group of the weak. Though they had done no wrong they were too close to the pride. Whilst others talked UAAARRRGHHH charged. Alone. This did not bother him. If he was right then the might to win would flow into him, if not the pride was in no danger. Though the haze came into him one of the weak spoke some words and gestured with a many pointed star and the rage left him. Whilst confused paralysis suddenly overcame him. Obviously he had been wrong and this strange might had flowed into the weak. They bundled him up and left with him to question. His hunting party merely watched. Chapter 6: Trained by the weak Since right made might and he had been so clearly beaten he talked freely and offered to help the weak – could they not use the strong he asked? A small wiry man dressed in tiny rings laughed and threw him a small blade which he insisted he call a short sword. The next hour was best described as embarrassing. Despite that he agreed to teach UAAARRRGHHH as “our gofer shouldn’t embarrass us”. For the next year and a half he learned the strange ways of the weak when they fight. Though he still loved the strong he could see why the weak would need help. In addition the one with the sun taught the power of glyphs to convey meaning and would talk of the sun. Obviously he stared at it for too long. Despite this he did convey a basic but nebulous desire to help those who needed it. Chapter 7: Freedom All good things come to an end. After a year and a half they came to a tiled opening in the ground. His good and strong masters ran into the darkness arcane energy brimming with righteous wrath. After a week or so of waiting for them to come back UAAARRRGHHH decided they were not coming back and wandered off. Chapter 8: Homecoming After several months he found once more his pride but they were not happy to see him-in his absence a strange tale of how he came to be missing was put in place and his cowardly death was part of it. Using the tricks learned from the weak he proved once more that right makes might but halfway through the slaughter the eldest came and demanded they stop. Chapter 9: A Quest His words were simple “the gods have shown me how to get rid of a nuisance”. Though unsure of its meaning UAAARRRGHHH was pleased to have a title. ”Go forth to the cave of lies and wait for the weak – deal with them as you see fit”. When he got there he saw another group like the one’s he had left. He was home once more. I had wanted it to run a bit more to humor but this is how it worked out. So far I have only had two comments from my group 1) Do you know what grammar and punctuation are used for? 2) Never realised he was so hard done to. I am going to feel sorry for him from now on Hope you like it! may not be perfect but at least it's done.
aleshandre 10-06-04, 03:18 PM	The best reason that I ever heard for being a barbarian is because his parents are the king and queen of the barbarian nation of Udragoth, so he is expected to be a barbarian.
Krilia 10-06-04, 05:32 PM	A suggestion, since his arrival at the group was so... underroleplayed. He's not really a half-orc barbarian with little patience and less tolerance for other people's flaws. He's actually under a curse. Work it out with the GM; have little hints start dropping and eventually the party can work towards curing him. When it's broken, he turns into whatever well developed character you've designed in the meantime. Anyway, I play a barbarian and it was pretty easy to determine why. It's in Living Arcanis and she's from the Yhing Hir people, who are loosely based on the Mongols... classic barbarian. On the other hand, she also has a 12 int and a 12 charisma, since just because you're uneducated means you can't speak at all well or that you're an idiot. :P
Vharuck 10-06-04, 09:12 PM	Not enough attention as a child, perhaps because of a better sibling, that he does amazingly stupid things to be noticed. Outwardly, he's a friggin idiot. Inside, he's a friggin idiot, but sadder.