Post/Author/DateTime	Post
ShadowQueen 03-14-07, 08:16 PM	Okay, so I want to make a charcter for DnD that is actually a complicated character, has a good storyline, history, all that jazz. I absolutly suck at this :P All I have so far is that she'll be a drow, probably a High Priestess of Lolth (it will be the first time I've done a cleric character). Not much, i know, but i'm pretty new to this. So, if nayone has any advise, it would be appriciated! Hey, if I like her enough maybe i'll use her in an RPG forum/chat. Squee!
Stormbrand 03-15-07, 08:51 PM	Well, let's start with what you have. Priestess of Lolth, something to build on but risks being two-dimensional. High Priestess, needs a reason for such high status, and probably removes too much character identity. The first step is to get a feel for your character. Something about that character which makes you take notice, something to recognise her by. For example, plan out some signature traits. Mannerisms - Habits when speaking or in conversation. Favourite phrases. How much formality in speech? If you were having a conversation with her, how would it come across? Methods - When facing a problem, what is her first idea for dealing with it? Brute force and intimidate? Subtlety and stealth (acting without others knowing)? Charm (getting people to like you, think of what you can offer)? Looks - You and I may think onyx skin and snowy hair stands out, but this is common in every other drow priestess. Beauty is too common. So what physical features seperate her from other drow female clerics? Tactics - Pick one favoured tactic in combat, or set of themed spells to kill people in a way that signs your name in their entrails. Acid to represent corrosive poison? Summoned spiders (although too standard, perhaps snakes for contrast)? Goals - What does your priestess want to do and why? Why this above something else? The single biggest problem with clerics of Lolth is that they are all too similar - selfish, cruel brutes who care only about the random whims of Lolth and seeking to become Matron Mother of the most powerful House. Every priestess of Lolth breaks promises easily and tortures people for no better reason than she can. General mentality is that no one can refuse a female - the matriarchy. In effect, every such priestess is thoroughly unlikeable. Problem with being High Priestess is that you have to be over 15th level for that, and you miss out on all the fun of becoming High Priestess. Maybe you work with other drow in the hope of murdering your bosses when their backs are turned and taking their jobs (how drow society works). Another option is you want to start from the top, and build your own temple to Lolth, without fearing the other priestesses who wouhld just as soon kill you as look at you. So think how you would make such a temple different? Would you seek to corrupt surfacers to the worship of Lolth? Feed them lies about her so that you are constantly in control. Minions? Other drow are too standard, and too eager to backstab you. Common demons (none Lolth specific)? Undead (although the Vengeful Banshee is a better goddess for that)? Blackguards? ------------------------------- Want to be really scary. Play a surface elf cleric of Lolth or Kiaranshee. Adds a layer of lurking horror, because you are not as OBVIOUS as a drow is... Be as much the villain as a drow priestess, only everyone sees a golden elf... and no one else knows you deal in spiders and hate.
fil kearney 03-16-07, 04:24 AM	are you going to solo this character? no one develops in a vacuum. Find out the rest of the team, and how you are going to synergize with them. that will set your focus, which will guide your personality. If yer gonna be party face, you won't be a bumbling idiot. if yer gonna be party buffer, then yer not going to be selfish. if you CoDzilla DMM combat, then yer think first, ask later... divining focus is the opposite. So give us some better details. what she will do dictates how she thinks. This is just basic thoughts become actions, but reverse engineered.