Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Callista 07-13-07, 08:52 PM	So here's my problem: Pelor's priests are usually human. But a half-orc is half-human, too... Would a reasonable DM, given this backstory, allow me to play a half-orc cleric of Pelor? I'm not gaining any particular advantage from it; but my party lacks both a melee fighter and a healer, and at level 1, a cleric doesn't have too many buffs available. That problem gave me the idea of a half-orc, with the strength boost to allow better fighting; and that idea caused me to think of this backstory. Regarding her alignment: She's very obviously Good-aligned, but the LG/CG/NG distinctions aren't so clear. Is she Lawful, chaotic, or something in between? Also, her goals give the DM a pretty good amount of leeway when it comes to plot hooks: Just give the cleric a vision. That could be a big plus--automatic plot hooks. Or a big vulnerability--the DM could railroad us by it, and I probably couldn't find a reason to disobey a vision without being seriously out of character. Jewel, Half-Orc Cleric of Pelor Description: The typically fierce look of a half-orc has been tempered by a priest's robe and neat grooming. She's taller and stronger than most men; but she doesn't seem intimidating--anyone who looks at her can see that she isn't the sort to start a fight. Her gentle manner generally causes most to dismiss her as a threat. She moves a bit awkwardly, as though unused to her height--which, since Jewel has only recently passed through puberty, is exactly the case. Backstory: Jewel's mother was a human slave who was sold to an orc chieftain. As a slave, her mother had no choice but to submit to her owner's will; and whenever the chieftain quarreled with his wife, he imposed that will on Jewel's mother. Jewel herself was the child of that union. Her mother loved her dearly despite her orcish blood; however, both mother and daughter were mistreated. The chieftain often became angry with her mother for spending too much time taking care of Jewel. When she was only two years old, the chieftain grabbed Jewel and threw her across the room. She survived with only bruises, but her mother was frightened. Days later, the two ran for freedom. A nearby human town took in Jewel and her mother. Most of the men there had spent years fighting the nearby orcish clans, and were reluctant to accept this half-orc girl; but they had to admit a toddler posed no threat. Jewel's mother soon proved herself to be a capable healer; and Jewel herself showed similar talent. Eventually, the town grew to accept her; even the most prejudiced would often say that her human blood must have won out over her orcish half. During her childhood, Jewel often spent time in the temple of Pelor. She learned both healing and religion from the priests there; and she grew to love the humans' deity, in whom she saw the same love she felt from her mother. On her fifteenth birthday, Jewel went to the temple to bring an offering of freshly-baked bread and to pray about her future. She was already of marriageable age, and no young man showed interest--no wonder, with her orcish heritage. At first, Jewel's concerns overwhelmed her; but as she began to meditate, the familiar peace of the temple eased her concerns--and then the temple melted away altogether. Jewel found herself standing in a grand cathedral, much more elaborate than the humble village temple; but this did not amaze her nearly as much as the beautiful celestial who stood before her. "Child, Pelor has seen your devotion. Will you serve him?" Jewel, overwhelmed, immediately agreed. The celestial explained to her that she should stay in the village and seek out training from the priests; but in a year's time, she was to leave the village and become a traveling healer, to spread the doctrine of Pelor. "Leave my mother?" Jewel was not so certain anymore. She loved her mother... but she loved the temple, too. To her, Pelor represented everything good in the world, and everything good she saw in her mother. Mother would want me to say yes, she realized. Even if it means leaving her. Finally, Jewel agreed. The cathedral faded around her; and she felt the stone floor of her village temple against her cheek. She stood slowly, reflecting on the vision. A priest entered the temple, and his jaw dropped when he saw Jewel. The girl was surrounded by a glow of sunlight, and the radiant look on her face told the priest something out of the ordinary had happened. The account of the vision took very little time to tell; and the priests, with such irrefutable evidence, accepted her as an acolyte. The glow of sunlight faded after a few days; but it was replaced by Jewel's obvious sense of purpose and meaning. Jewel's mother also accepted her daughter's calling. Secretly, she had been quite worried about her half-blood daughter's future; and this opportunity, though it would take her daughter from her side, represented a chance she had thought Jewel might never have. She assured Jewel that she would be fine without her daughter; she was already well-established as a healer and could take care of herself. Before the year was out, Jewel's mother was married to a carpenter who promised to care for her. Jewel took it as a sign: Pelor was telling her that she could leave, and her mother would be fine. At the age of sixteen, Jewel ended her training and, bidding a fond farewell to her mother, took to the road. Goals: Jewel's main goal is to follow Pelor wherever he might lead her. She avoids violence if she can help it; but she's not above it, if it's necessary. She wants to show others what she learned from her mother: Love others; help those in need; stand against evil. She is young and inexperienced, though for Jewel, this is an advantage--she understands her own limitations and depends to a great degree on Pelor's guidance. What do you think?
Stormbrand 07-13-07, 09:21 PM	Any reasonable DM would not need such effort to justify a half-orc cleric of any religion. However, let me say that this is an excellent backstory and you should have no problems.
JellyPooga 07-13-07, 10:01 PM	Any reasonable DM would not need such effort to justify a half-orc cleric of any religion. However, let me say that this is an excellent backstory and you should have no problems. Ditto
warwinner 07-14-07, 02:44 PM	Couldn't you replace the celestial with some wise sage or old priest who took pity on her.Seems unlikely that one celestial would come to a level 1 cleric
Callista 07-14-07, 07:11 PM	Well, a minor celestial might. We're not talking about a solar or something equally grand here, just one of those CR 3, CR 4 types... the sort that might act as messengers. I wanted something supernatural because otherwise, there might be a lot of friction from the other clerics about accepting a half-orc as a cleric; and while it might've been fun to play "angsty cleric that nobody accepts as an actual cleric", I didn't want the character to go that way. She's going to have enough trouble just BEING a half-orc cleric.
the_icon 07-14-07, 09:22 PM	Heh. Sounds vaguely similar to my predicament aswell -- A half-orc trying to fit into a non-barbarian role. You are to be applauded in your ambition to take on a difficult role such as this. It sounds to me that your character should be neutral-good, at least for the time being. She's half-orc, after all, which does try to type-cast her as chaotic, but if you want lawful elements I'd say that neutral is the way to go. You shouldn't have any problems passing her off.