Character Motivation Tips Needed [Archive] - Wizards Community

Character Motivation Tips Needed [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Cam S.
11-20-03, 10:23 PM (Note: Forgive me, this is my first post on the character development board, so I don't know if I'm breaking any ettiquette or asking a dumb question.)

The character's name is Mamoru Gensai, he's a 17 year old Tiefling (though he looks a little younger--in this game, Tieflings age a bit slower.) Descended from demon stock.

He is True Neutral, though he has tendencies towards Chaotic Evil, Neutral Good and Lawful Neutral (Selfish and Hateful, protective of people who can't really protect themselves, and believes that a deal must be upheld.)

In game terms he's a seventh level Meiji Samurai (Homebrew class, half Samurai, half duelist, no Ancestral Daisho bonuses. d10 hit die, Fighter BAB)

Now, for a bit of background before I get to the actual question:

He is the second of three children (all brothers), the eldest is his half-brother (Kuromori)--he's got levels in both Sorcerer and Meiji Samurai. His younger brother (Saburo) still travels with his father, and is a straight-up sorcerer.

His parents were a human woman and a half-fiend (Kawakami), his mother died when Saburo was born. From that day on, his father insisted that they travel, and not get attached to one place.

A few years ago, things started getting interesting--it was found out that Kuromori did not possess a soul, even as much as Tieflings or Half-Fiends do. Though there was a way he could aquire the soul of a Tiefling--it required him to use Father's sword, Muramasa.

He broke away from the group, as did my character. They've been wandering around since then.

Recently, they met again, and dueled, as father watched. After a quick Iaijutsu duel, (less than 12 seconds, game time) my character took down a powerful foe with more firepower and three times the hit points (God bless Iaijutsu focus and natural twenties.) He attained father's sword, shortly thereafter.

Now, here's a list of things I need to take into account:

1) Mamoru didn't want his brother to die, he just wanted to live. Moreover, he looked up to his brother as his hero.
2) Somehow, his brother's conciousness lives on, and hates Mamoru for winning.
3) Somewhere in the north of this world, there's a small portal to the Abyss. That's where his brother is.
4) the Elf in the group (whom my character believes to be an idiot, albeit a useful idiot) needs to go to his home city to take care of family business.
5) He know owns one of the most powerful mortal weapons in existance. (+4 to hit, Ignore DR on evil outsiders, detect evil outsiders at 120 feet, and the speed enhancement.)
6) His scores are str: 12, Dex 18, Con 9 (10 next level) Int 16, Wis 7, Cha 12.

So my question is as follows: What would this guy do next? and how would he act after all that's happened so far?
Ashaman Nash
11-20-03, 11:22 PM I'd say he would at all costs get his brother out, if he really saw him as a hero and respected him.
Morka
11-21-03, 10:10 AM I'm maybe slow this morning, I don't fully understand. Did your character actually killed his brother without a soul? If yes, there is no hope for him, since outsiders can't be raised.

What is the alignment of your character's father? I would say some kind of evil, since he watched his two sons fighting to death without stopping them.

Now if the brother is not dead, and your character still want to help him, I believe he should not need an outsider-bane sword, but an artifact that offers redemption to a willing evil outsider.
Cam S.
11-21-03, 04:13 PM Yes, he did kill his brother, but the GM did something odd--according to some (reliable) in-game sources, his conciousness lived on.

Kawakami is either Lawful or Neutral Evil (though he's retired, now--hence he gave up his sword.)

The sword itself is a family heirloom--sort of a badge of honor. The son who possesses the sword is father's true inheritor. Mamoru's brother would've killed Mamoru, no matter what (perceiving him as the only real threat.) It was self defense, but the younger brother didn't want to have to do it.

Actually, considering that my character has 7 wisdom, I was thinking he might try to find a ring of three wishes, and use it to set things right. He's not dumb, so he'd have a failsafe, though. One wish to bring brother back, One to insure his own safety, by redeming his brother, and a third one to nix the entire thing if it didn't work out.

Though I would have to do this away from the party's paladin. That would really botch the entire plan.
nick012000
11-22-03, 06:32 AM Two words: Revive Outsider.

Level 6 cleric spell, works as Raise Dead (though it re-creates his body from scratch) but all you need is a pinch of natural earth from his home plane. From the Manual of the Planes.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Cam S. 11-20-03, 10:23 PM	(Note: Forgive me, this is my first post on the character development board, so I don't know if I'm breaking any ettiquette or asking a dumb question.) The character's name is Mamoru Gensai, he's a 17 year old Tiefling (though he looks a little younger--in this game, Tieflings age a bit slower.) Descended from demon stock. He is True Neutral, though he has tendencies towards Chaotic Evil, Neutral Good and Lawful Neutral (Selfish and Hateful, protective of people who can't really protect themselves, and believes that a deal must be upheld.) In game terms he's a seventh level Meiji Samurai (Homebrew class, half Samurai, half duelist, no Ancestral Daisho bonuses. d10 hit die, Fighter BAB) Now, for a bit of background before I get to the actual question: He is the second of three children (all brothers), the eldest is his half-brother (Kuromori)--he's got levels in both Sorcerer and Meiji Samurai. His younger brother (Saburo) still travels with his father, and is a straight-up sorcerer. His parents were a human woman and a half-fiend (Kawakami), his mother died when Saburo was born. From that day on, his father insisted that they travel, and not get attached to one place. A few years ago, things started getting interesting--it was found out that Kuromori did not possess a soul, even as much as Tieflings or Half-Fiends do. Though there was a way he could aquire the soul of a Tiefling--it required him to use Father's sword, Muramasa. He broke away from the group, as did my character. They've been wandering around since then. Recently, they met again, and dueled, as father watched. After a quick Iaijutsu duel, (less than 12 seconds, game time) my character took down a powerful foe with more firepower and three times the hit points (God bless Iaijutsu focus and natural twenties.) He attained father's sword, shortly thereafter. Now, here's a list of things I need to take into account: 1) Mamoru didn't want his brother to die, he just wanted to live. Moreover, he looked up to his brother as his hero. 2) Somehow, his brother's conciousness lives on, and hates Mamoru for winning. 3) Somewhere in the north of this world, there's a small portal to the Abyss. That's where his brother is. 4) the Elf in the group (whom my character believes to be an idiot, albeit a useful idiot) needs to go to his home city to take care of family business. 5) He know owns one of the most powerful mortal weapons in existance. (+4 to hit, Ignore DR on evil outsiders, detect evil outsiders at 120 feet, and the speed enhancement.) 6) His scores are str: 12, Dex 18, Con 9 (10 next level) Int 16, Wis 7, Cha 12. So my question is as follows: What would this guy do next? and how would he act after all that's happened so far?
Ashaman Nash 11-20-03, 11:22 PM	I'd say he would at all costs get his brother out, if he really saw him as a hero and respected him.
Morka 11-21-03, 10:10 AM	I'm maybe slow this morning, I don't fully understand. Did your character actually killed his brother without a soul? If yes, there is no hope for him, since outsiders can't be raised. What is the alignment of your character's father? I would say some kind of evil, since he watched his two sons fighting to death without stopping them. Now if the brother is not dead, and your character still want to help him, I believe he should not need an outsider-bane sword, but an artifact that offers redemption to a willing evil outsider.
Cam S. 11-21-03, 04:13 PM	Yes, he did kill his brother, but the GM did something odd--according to some (reliable) in-game sources, his conciousness lived on. Kawakami is either Lawful or Neutral Evil (though he's retired, now--hence he gave up his sword.) The sword itself is a family heirloom--sort of a badge of honor. The son who possesses the sword is father's true inheritor. Mamoru's brother would've killed Mamoru, no matter what (perceiving him as the only real threat.) It was self defense, but the younger brother didn't want to have to do it. Actually, considering that my character has 7 wisdom, I was thinking he might try to find a ring of three wishes, and use it to set things right. He's not dumb, so he'd have a failsafe, though. One wish to bring brother back, One to insure his own safety, by redeming his brother, and a third one to nix the entire thing if it didn't work out. Though I would have to do this away from the party's paladin. That would really botch the entire plan.
nick012000 11-22-03, 06:32 AM	Two words: Revive Outsider. Level 6 cleric spell, works as Raise Dead (though it re-creates his body from scratch) but all you need is a pinch of natural earth from his home plane. From the Manual of the Planes.