Dorian Lancaster, lost, devastated and wasted [Archive] - Wizards Community

Dorian Lancaster, lost, devastated and wasted [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Sir_Chivalry
10-20-07, 09:58 PM Hi guys (and gals). I've got this character named Dorian Lancaster, and I'm wondering what class I should make him. And what alignment for that matter.

He used to be a soldier, fought for many years out in the middle of no where, fighting back goblins, orcs, giants and later fiends. He almost went crazy from the stress, and took up drinking and smoking a pipe to calm his frazzled nerves. Eventually he tried to kill himself by ingesting a vile poison, and was cured and nursed back to health by his platoon's cleric. And it turns out the cleric is a beautiful half-elf named Miranda.

They were married during his sick leave, but inevitably Dorian and Miranda get called back to duty, and unfortunately get separated during a major battle. When the dust clears, Dorian finds Miranda lying dead with an arrow in her back, slumped over a dying comrade, her holy symbol in hand.

Now, ten years later Dorian has gone back to the booze and his pipe. Suddenly one day he is called out to join an adventuring party by an old friend of Miranda’s, and he decides it might be time to leave the tavern before old age sets in. He is now 35.

Any suggestions on class, feats and alignment? And suggestions on fluff?
Sir_Chivalry
10-20-07, 11:26 PM I was thinking of adding in an attempt to resurrect his wife by making a bargain with fiends. Opens the door for the Tainted prestige class, and makes a killer plot hook.
Terjon of the Blue Rose
10-21-07, 12:11 AM Right now you're true or more likely chaotic nuetral. You're class is just fighter with what you have. Of course since you have a fairly decent backstory that could do fairly well for you. If your looking to set him apart from other soldiers consider giving him a little rank in the army. This opens the door up to just about any class. A seige engineer would make a decent artificer (assuming you have that class). Likewise mages of any sort, especially sorcerer, make great low rank officers.

If your not happy with fighter but are happy with him just being a soldier consider having him take a level in cleric after the war ends. fighter1/cleric? will put you on a decent route towards a good/evil character who's greatest hope is to be reunited with his love.

As a side note what god did said love worship. How would she feel about being kidnapped from heaven (or saved from hell) and resurected by you. If its a good diety she follows she'll only have two routes to take if you make that deal. She can try and save you or to escape you.
Sir_Chivalry
10-21-07, 12:23 AM I was thinking maybe Heironeous, Pelor, Rao, St. Cuthbert or Pholtus.
Terjon of the Blue Rose
10-21-07, 12:30 AM Don't know Rao and have heard of but can't remember Pholtus.

The other three leave you with someone who is never going to accept being raised by a demon and unless you are basically mad with grief there shouldn't be any way you believe that they would. Therefore accepting a deal with such a being is basically off.
Sir_Chivalry
10-21-07, 12:38 AM How should I play this character, and what crunch should I set up?
Terjon of the Blue Rose
10-21-07, 12:48 AM For the crunch I'd look to things like bull rush, meteoric charge, pursue, etc. Make him a battlefield control fighter who spends most of his time knocking enemies away from the other team members or setting up flanking for them if they need it.

As for how to play him. He's a man who lost everything. Now he is looking to either throw away his life or find a new meaning for it. Show great loyalty to your fellows but don't let them count on you to make decisions for them. They should really be making many of them for you since you don't much care what direction life takes you in at this point.

He should also constantly be on the lookout for a strong leader to follow; almost regardless of what they lead towards. He should show extraordinary disappointment at any sign of betrayal by something he has started to believe in and give up his belief at the first hint of such. He's wounded in a way that can't easily be healed and now seeks something to fill the wound that pierced his heart on that lonely battlefield.
Sir_Chivalry
10-21-07, 07:17 PM Okay, so...
Human Fighter, Chaotic Neutral

What weapon should he wield? two-handed damage smasher, light stealth weapon, or exotic weapon?
Outsider Subtype
10-21-07, 08:32 PM I agree that this seems like a battlefield control guy. What about making him a glaive user? Wear spiked armor or work Improved Unarmed Strike in there somewhere. Check the CO board for ideas.

Alternatively, this character could be LN and struggling to reconcile his warrior's code with the loss of his loved one. "She was only following orders! Why did she have to die? WHY?"
Sir_Chivalry
10-22-07, 03:42 PM I was thinking of making him one of the classes from Tome of Battle. (I do not want a discussion of the merits of ToB, just whether the classes are right for him) I was thinking either Crusader or Warblade. Thoughts?
Terjon of the Blue Rose
10-24-07, 11:05 PM Warblade would fit nicely after a level or two of fighter. It could indicate drawing a new strength from her death and his own now much wilder fighting style. Would kinda require a mentor of some sort pulling him (or at least trying to pull him) from his despair. Probably a swordsage master so try for cross-class styles. If you go that route he may well be trying to drown out the memories with combat in the place of the booze he initially went for. He goes over to more of a berserker style of play than a battlefield controller.

As far as the weapon goes without considering ToB styles I'd would definetly go for halberd. Trip works with it so you can keep up battlefield control and it has a decent "soldier" feel.
Sir_Chivalry
11-04-07, 02:51 PM I found the best PrC for Dorian. DEATH DELVER!!! Yay!
Thoughts?

Also, what should he wear?
the_narrator
11-04-07, 05:08 PM This character sounds a bit similar to a character I had a little while ago (to an extent: he was a soldier at a border outpost that had his father murdered). I went with a Warblade focusing on Iron Heart and Diamond Mind manouvers, with a bit of Stone Dragon, and played him up as a dedicated group member that focused on tactics as a party and aiding actions.

For weapons, I think that sticking closely to "normal" weapons is a pretty safe bet. Longspear, halberd, long sword, and bastard sword are all well representative of normal soldier training. I'd stay away from any kind of real niche weapons, or things too far afield of normal martial weapons, like spiked chains or a two-bladed sword.
Sir_Chivalry
11-04-07, 07:06 PM Any minor fluff quirks I should do?
Clothing? Mannerisms? Speech pattern? etc?
Outsider Subtype
11-05-07, 01:14 AM Maybe some sort of lingering effect from the poison? Perhaps he can't smile all the way because part of his face is paralyzed.

Alcoholism isn't pretty. Maybe he has puffy cheeks and dark circles under his eyes. Maybe he slurs his speech a little bit. Maybe he forgets to shave for days at a time. To what extent is CHA a dump stat? ;)

Or you could go with a classic "career soldier" quirk - never volunteering for any extra duty, standing at attention even in informal social settings, constantly spending free time maintaining armor and weapons, etc.
Terjon of the Blue Rose
11-08-07, 12:16 AM Good quirks suggested.

I'd also make it a point to ask the DM about a calendar and pick one or two dates of significance from your relationship to hold memorial moments on. A birthday and anniversary for example make good days that you should take special note on.
Sir_Chivalry
11-11-07, 08:18 PM How does everyone feel about him worshiping Hoar from forgotten realms?
Sir_Chivalry
12-18-07, 05:10 PM I took an alignment quiz featured through a link on the DnD boards, and Dorian turned out to be Chaotic Evil, with Lawful Good as his runner up alignment.

How should I play this?
Dravda
12-24-07, 02:22 AM Wow. How'd you manage that? CE, with LG in second place? That IS skill.

How about being violent, brutal, and agressive? CE characters don't HAVE to be brutal, murdering psychopaths, they just usually are. Just be a team player, but never pass up the opportunity to cruelly slaughter something when the "captain" says so.

Scars are a good idea for quirks. I had a character who had taken a sword gash from his right temple down to his lower left jaw, taking out his eye, nose, and disfiguring his mouth in the process. Cha is his dump stat...

Also, pick a member of the party. Refer to them as "Sir" or "Captain [insert character name]" always. Chaotic characters can have lawful streaks. Have him stand stiffly at attention in the presence of his chosen officer.

-Count Dravda
Sir_Chivalry
12-24-07, 10:01 AM Punisher style, I get it.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Sir_Chivalry 10-20-07, 09:58 PM	Hi guys (and gals). I've got this character named Dorian Lancaster, and I'm wondering what class I should make him. And what alignment for that matter. He used to be a soldier, fought for many years out in the middle of no where, fighting back goblins, orcs, giants and later fiends. He almost went crazy from the stress, and took up drinking and smoking a pipe to calm his frazzled nerves. Eventually he tried to kill himself by ingesting a vile poison, and was cured and nursed back to health by his platoon's cleric. And it turns out the cleric is a beautiful half-elf named Miranda. They were married during his sick leave, but inevitably Dorian and Miranda get called back to duty, and unfortunately get separated during a major battle. When the dust clears, Dorian finds Miranda lying dead with an arrow in her back, slumped over a dying comrade, her holy symbol in hand. Now, ten years later Dorian has gone back to the booze and his pipe. Suddenly one day he is called out to join an adventuring party by an old friend of Miranda’s, and he decides it might be time to leave the tavern before old age sets in. He is now 35. Any suggestions on class, feats and alignment? And suggestions on fluff?
Sir_Chivalry 10-20-07, 11:26 PM	I was thinking of adding in an attempt to resurrect his wife by making a bargain with fiends. Opens the door for the Tainted prestige class, and makes a killer plot hook.
Terjon of the Blue Rose 10-21-07, 12:11 AM	Right now you're true or more likely chaotic nuetral. You're class is just fighter with what you have. Of course since you have a fairly decent backstory that could do fairly well for you. If your looking to set him apart from other soldiers consider giving him a little rank in the army. This opens the door up to just about any class. A seige engineer would make a decent artificer (assuming you have that class). Likewise mages of any sort, especially sorcerer, make great low rank officers. If your not happy with fighter but are happy with him just being a soldier consider having him take a level in cleric after the war ends. fighter1/cleric? will put you on a decent route towards a good/evil character who's greatest hope is to be reunited with his love. As a side note what god did said love worship. How would she feel about being kidnapped from heaven (or saved from hell) and resurected by you. If its a good diety she follows she'll only have two routes to take if you make that deal. She can try and save you or to escape you.
Sir_Chivalry 10-21-07, 12:23 AM	I was thinking maybe Heironeous, Pelor, Rao, St. Cuthbert or Pholtus.
Terjon of the Blue Rose 10-21-07, 12:30 AM	Don't know Rao and have heard of but can't remember Pholtus. The other three leave you with someone who is never going to accept being raised by a demon and unless you are basically mad with grief there shouldn't be any way you believe that they would. Therefore accepting a deal with such a being is basically off.
Sir_Chivalry 10-21-07, 12:38 AM	How should I play this character, and what crunch should I set up?
Terjon of the Blue Rose 10-21-07, 12:48 AM	For the crunch I'd look to things like bull rush, meteoric charge, pursue, etc. Make him a battlefield control fighter who spends most of his time knocking enemies away from the other team members or setting up flanking for them if they need it. As for how to play him. He's a man who lost everything. Now he is looking to either throw away his life or find a new meaning for it. Show great loyalty to your fellows but don't let them count on you to make decisions for them. They should really be making many of them for you since you don't much care what direction life takes you in at this point. He should also constantly be on the lookout for a strong leader to follow; almost regardless of what they lead towards. He should show extraordinary disappointment at any sign of betrayal by something he has started to believe in and give up his belief at the first hint of such. He's wounded in a way that can't easily be healed and now seeks something to fill the wound that pierced his heart on that lonely battlefield.
Sir_Chivalry 10-21-07, 07:17 PM	Okay, so... Human Fighter, Chaotic Neutral What weapon should he wield? two-handed damage smasher, light stealth weapon, or exotic weapon?
Outsider Subtype 10-21-07, 08:32 PM	I agree that this seems like a battlefield control guy. What about making him a glaive user? Wear spiked armor or work Improved Unarmed Strike in there somewhere. Check the CO board for ideas. Alternatively, this character could be LN and struggling to reconcile his warrior's code with the loss of his loved one. "She was only following orders! Why did she have to die? WHY?"
Sir_Chivalry 10-22-07, 03:42 PM	I was thinking of making him one of the classes from Tome of Battle. (I do not want a discussion of the merits of ToB, just whether the classes are right for him) I was thinking either Crusader or Warblade. Thoughts?
Terjon of the Blue Rose 10-24-07, 11:05 PM	Warblade would fit nicely after a level or two of fighter. It could indicate drawing a new strength from her death and his own now much wilder fighting style. Would kinda require a mentor of some sort pulling him (or at least trying to pull him) from his despair. Probably a swordsage master so try for cross-class styles. If you go that route he may well be trying to drown out the memories with combat in the place of the booze he initially went for. He goes over to more of a berserker style of play than a battlefield controller. As far as the weapon goes without considering ToB styles I'd would definetly go for halberd. Trip works with it so you can keep up battlefield control and it has a decent "soldier" feel.
Sir_Chivalry 11-04-07, 02:51 PM	I found the best PrC for Dorian. DEATH DELVER!!! Yay! Thoughts? Also, what should he wear?
the_narrator 11-04-07, 05:08 PM	This character sounds a bit similar to a character I had a little while ago (to an extent: he was a soldier at a border outpost that had his father murdered). I went with a Warblade focusing on Iron Heart and Diamond Mind manouvers, with a bit of Stone Dragon, and played him up as a dedicated group member that focused on tactics as a party and aiding actions. For weapons, I think that sticking closely to "normal" weapons is a pretty safe bet. Longspear, halberd, long sword, and bastard sword are all well representative of normal soldier training. I'd stay away from any kind of real niche weapons, or things too far afield of normal martial weapons, like spiked chains or a two-bladed sword.
Sir_Chivalry 11-04-07, 07:06 PM	Any minor fluff quirks I should do? Clothing? Mannerisms? Speech pattern? etc?
Outsider Subtype 11-05-07, 01:14 AM	Maybe some sort of lingering effect from the poison? Perhaps he can't smile all the way because part of his face is paralyzed. Alcoholism isn't pretty. Maybe he has puffy cheeks and dark circles under his eyes. Maybe he slurs his speech a little bit. Maybe he forgets to shave for days at a time. To what extent is CHA a dump stat? ;) Or you could go with a classic "career soldier" quirk - never volunteering for any extra duty, standing at attention even in informal social settings, constantly spending free time maintaining armor and weapons, etc.
Terjon of the Blue Rose 11-08-07, 12:16 AM	Good quirks suggested. I'd also make it a point to ask the DM about a calendar and pick one or two dates of significance from your relationship to hold memorial moments on. A birthday and anniversary for example make good days that you should take special note on.
Sir_Chivalry 11-11-07, 08:18 PM	How does everyone feel about him worshiping Hoar from forgotten realms?
Sir_Chivalry 12-18-07, 05:10 PM	I took an alignment quiz featured through a link on the DnD boards, and Dorian turned out to be Chaotic Evil, with Lawful Good as his runner up alignment. How should I play this?
Dravda 12-24-07, 02:22 AM	Wow. How'd you manage that? CE, with LG in second place? That IS skill. How about being violent, brutal, and agressive? CE characters don't HAVE to be brutal, murdering psychopaths, they just usually are. Just be a team player, but never pass up the opportunity to cruelly slaughter something when the "captain" says so. Scars are a good idea for quirks. I had a character who had taken a sword gash from his right temple down to his lower left jaw, taking out his eye, nose, and disfiguring his mouth in the process. Cha is his dump stat... Also, pick a member of the party. Refer to them as "Sir" or "Captain [insert character name]" always. Chaotic characters can have lawful streaks. Have him stand stiffly at attention in the presence of his chosen officer. -Count Dravda
Sir_Chivalry 12-24-07, 10:01 AM	Punisher style, I get it.