[Eberron] Help with Paladin character [Archive] - Wizards Community

[Eberron] Help with Paladin character [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Darkblade
02-28-06, 08:51 AM Howdy y'all--

I'm currently in the process of fleshing out a half-elven Paladin of Freedom (CG paladin variant) character for a new Eberron campaign. Now, I've only played in a few Eberron games, so I'm lacking significantly in Eberron-lore. However, here's what I've got so far:

He's a displaced resident of Cyre due to the ravages of the Last War, and he has relocated to Breland (New Cyre specifically, but I can't say I know much about Breland, except for a little about Sharn).

Shortly after he relocated to Breland, he was adopted by House Medani as a hireling. He feels quite a debt of gratitude towards the house for helping him get back on his feet after the war.

The end of the Last War was what drove him to seek becoming a paladin. He champions the individual freedoms which are often tread upon during times of war. He serves the Soverign Host, specifically Dol Dorn.

Now I'm pretty much looking for any kind of suggestions for character background and personality. To be more specific, I would like to incorporate more Eberron-lore into his background. Also, how hard is it for one to join or rise in the ranks of a House? I was thinking of getting the Dragonmarked feat later on in his career.

Besides that, the DM has pretty much given us a free-hand on what kind of characters we can come up with, so feel free to suggest whatever :D . Thank you for you help
Che
02-28-06, 12:32 PM sounds like you're off to a great start so far. most of cyre was wiped out on the 'day or mourning', so there is a lot of potential there.

as for dragonmarked houses... you don't need to manifest a dragonmark in order to have associations within the houses. you could have been an errand boy, a guard, or any number of support personel within a dragonmarked house. if you need a real world point of reference, try to imagine a modern corporation crossed with a noble family. very few people truly wield the influence, but there are many others that fill supportive roles within the organization.
JulesCARV
03-01-06, 12:11 AM Looks good. Overall, I find it fine, but If I may make one criticism, I'd say that I think his "spiritual motivation" isn't strong enough for a PoF. He didn't like infringements on freedom that come with a wartime government -- which might justify a CG fighter or ranger, or even a CG cleric (although Dol Dorn, being the god of war, might not be the best choice for someone who doesn't like the policies that usually accompiany war: maybe Olladra? Not really sure.). However, I think a paladin should have some kind of deeper motivation than dissatisfaction with civil rights abuses. Like, for example, being raised in a profoundly religious family that worshipped Dol Dorn a lot, or being exceptionally free-spirited and exceptionally offended by governments telling people what to do. Maybe have an uncle who was a dissident in Cyre, who he tried to free from prison by organizing protests against his imprisonment or something. Just generally, something more intense than "that darn PATRIOT act! *grumble*" of the sort that most people are accustomed to.
Darkblade
03-01-06, 02:03 AM Many thanks to the both of you for the help. Now for some follow-up questions. :D

First, how common/uncommon is it for one to manifest a Dragonmark later in life?

Second, I agree with your criticisms Jules; my motivations for being a PoF aren't really that well thought out. Plus, Dol Dorn isn't a good choice, although I am not sure how to go about choosing a patron deity, since he is the only CG one out of the bunch (unless there are more I don't know about that aren't in the Eberron campaign setting). Maybe just devotion to the Soverign Host as a whole would be better, but I'm looking for better ideas here.

I like the idea of an uncle, or other family member, being wrongfully imprisoned for a imaginary crime, or for political reasons. One new idea springs to mind from these new questions: Maybe said family member could have been excoriated from House Medani (before my character was born), but is later imprisoned wrongfully during my character's youth through some politicial string-pulling by the House as "revenge" against said family member. However, he joins House Medani after the end of the Last War unknowing of the crimes they committed against his family. No doubt when his Dragonmark manifests, he might find out about them or another House member might leak the information. This would definitely add some interesting character conflict. :)

Of course, anger over the wrongful imprisonment would be his primary motivation for becoming a PoF, but more suggestions are welcome. Thanks again for the help.
Darkblade
03-06-06, 09:18 AM :bump:

Still looking for feedback on the revision from my last post, and maybe the incorporation of more Eberron lore. Thank you.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Darkblade 02-28-06, 08:51 AM	Howdy y'all-- I'm currently in the process of fleshing out a half-elven Paladin of Freedom (CG paladin variant) character for a new Eberron campaign. Now, I've only played in a few Eberron games, so I'm lacking significantly in Eberron-lore. However, here's what I've got so far: He's a displaced resident of Cyre due to the ravages of the Last War, and he has relocated to Breland (New Cyre specifically, but I can't say I know much about Breland, except for a little about Sharn). Shortly after he relocated to Breland, he was adopted by House Medani as a hireling. He feels quite a debt of gratitude towards the house for helping him get back on his feet after the war. The end of the Last War was what drove him to seek becoming a paladin. He champions the individual freedoms which are often tread upon during times of war. He serves the Soverign Host, specifically Dol Dorn. Now I'm pretty much looking for any kind of suggestions for character background and personality. To be more specific, I would like to incorporate more Eberron-lore into his background. Also, how hard is it for one to join or rise in the ranks of a House? I was thinking of getting the Dragonmarked feat later on in his career. Besides that, the DM has pretty much given us a free-hand on what kind of characters we can come up with, so feel free to suggest whatever :D . Thank you for you help
Che 02-28-06, 12:32 PM	sounds like you're off to a great start so far. most of cyre was wiped out on the 'day or mourning', so there is a lot of potential there. as for dragonmarked houses... you don't need to manifest a dragonmark in order to have associations within the houses. you could have been an errand boy, a guard, or any number of support personel within a dragonmarked house. if you need a real world point of reference, try to imagine a modern corporation crossed with a noble family. very few people truly wield the influence, but there are many others that fill supportive roles within the organization.
JulesCARV 03-01-06, 12:11 AM	Looks good. Overall, I find it fine, but If I may make one criticism, I'd say that I think his "spiritual motivation" isn't strong enough for a PoF. He didn't like infringements on freedom that come with a wartime government -- which might justify a CG fighter or ranger, or even a CG cleric (although Dol Dorn, being the god of war, might not be the best choice for someone who doesn't like the policies that usually accompiany war: maybe Olladra? Not really sure.). However, I think a paladin should have some kind of deeper motivation than dissatisfaction with civil rights abuses. Like, for example, being raised in a profoundly religious family that worshipped Dol Dorn a lot, or being exceptionally free-spirited and exceptionally offended by governments telling people what to do. Maybe have an uncle who was a dissident in Cyre, who he tried to free from prison by organizing protests against his imprisonment or something. Just generally, something more intense than "that darn PATRIOT act! grumble" of the sort that most people are accustomed to.
Darkblade 03-01-06, 02:03 AM	Many thanks to the both of you for the help. Now for some follow-up questions. :D First, how common/uncommon is it for one to manifest a Dragonmark later in life? Second, I agree with your criticisms Jules; my motivations for being a PoF aren't really that well thought out. Plus, Dol Dorn isn't a good choice, although I am not sure how to go about choosing a patron deity, since he is the only CG one out of the bunch (unless there are more I don't know about that aren't in the Eberron campaign setting). Maybe just devotion to the Soverign Host as a whole would be better, but I'm looking for better ideas here. I like the idea of an uncle, or other family member, being wrongfully imprisoned for a imaginary crime, or for political reasons. One new idea springs to mind from these new questions: Maybe said family member could have been excoriated from House Medani (before my character was born), but is later imprisoned wrongfully during my character's youth through some politicial string-pulling by the House as "revenge" against said family member. However, he joins House Medani after the end of the Last War unknowing of the crimes they committed against his family. No doubt when his Dragonmark manifests, he might find out about them or another House member might leak the information. This would definitely add some interesting character conflict. :) Of course, anger over the wrongful imprisonment would be his primary motivation for becoming a PoF, but more suggestions are welcome. Thanks again for the help.
Darkblade 03-06-06, 09:18 AM	:bump: Still looking for feedback on the revision from my last post, and maybe the incorporation of more Eberron lore. Thank you.