Post/Author/DateTime	Post
The Law 11-30-05, 12:04 AM	SEVENET PARTY MEMBERS! SPOILERS, STAY OUT! By order, DM Law :D Hi guys, I'm the DM for my 1st level group in Eberron. We play in Sharn, Breland, and have started the Forgotten Forge adventure in the back of the ECS. In our party we have: (yes, 7 players!!) - elven bard - warforged fighter - human artificer - human sorceror - human rogue - human cleric - human fighter I reward players that put extra effort in, and one of these players is the bard. She really wants to manifest a dragonmark and be on the Serpentine Table (See the House Phiarlan Dragonshards article, Part 2 and 3, on Wizard's site) eventually. She made her own background but it doesn't quite fit in with the actual campaign setting, or my campaign. So I told her I'd modify it a bit. I'm having a bit of DM's block and was hoping someone could make some recommendations? I really want her background to still fit in with that of the rogue - one of the things that I encourage is that some players have related background stories (this makes it easier to explain how 7 people decide to adventure together - its easier to explain why 3 groups of people adventure together). I've included her current background and the rogue's below. As you can see they tie in together (they met each other, and then realised that they're both looking for the Carnival of Shadows) but Luthien's needs some modification to make my life as DM easier. Luthuen Telemnar (bard) Luthien Telemnar, only daughter of Alfvinr Telemnar, only daughter of Aelfred Telemnar, only son of Huor Telemnar. Born unto the lines of Telemnar and Felagund, by the Will of Olladra, Luthien continues the line of Bardic blessing. After studying at the Demesne of Music in Flamekeep, Thrane, under her paternal Great Grandmother Neinna Helyanwe (rumoured to bear the Heirloom Performance of Maenol from Xen’drik) and the Demesne of Memory under her maternal Grandfather Aelfred Telemnar at Aundair, Luthien aspires to join the Demesne of Shadow in Sharn, Breland, to which she has already traveled. Under the auspices of learning to deliver her tales of Memory, Luthien searches for clues of Huor Telemnar – her Great Grandfather, bearer of the now missing Mark of Phiarlan – and the only member of her family to enter the Demesne of Shadows. Having taken his name, Luthien hopes to enter the Carnival of Shadows and once again join her family to the Serpentine Table. Born of the House of spirit-keepers, Olladra ensures that Luthien is never far from Mediation. Luthien has learned to use her teachings of settling disputes openly and mediating as a peacekeeper to acquire useful information with which to further her own quests and use to the good of the growing nation. One such occasion brought Luthien in contact with Mikhial. Both jostling for information on the Carnival of Shadows, a Changeling publically accused the traveler of theft. After talking Mikhial out of a possible run-in with the City Guards and convincing the Changeling of his own neuroticism, Luthien and Mikhial found that they shared more in common than a mere distrust of Changelings… Mikhial (rogue) Avoiding authority, resenting restrictions, and challenging tradition Mikhial left his family and the Lhazaar Principalities to journey through Khorvaire in search of fame and fortune. Being the largest, though not the most important in its political or economic life, its crime rates, the debauchery offered among its many entertainments, and the well-known corruption of its leaders brought him to Sharn - The City of Towers, and The City of Knives. Being a man who would rather steal a fish than learn to catch one, Mikhial's reputation had begun to preceed him on his entrance into any tavern in the Pricipalities. All except those which hummed with over-excitement and brimmed too full of unsuspecting, wealthy travelers when the Carnival of Shadows came to town. Mikhial tracked the Carnival of Shadows to its origins in Sharn and learned there of a Demesne of Shadows where he hoped to gain entry to refine his natural skills and further his chosen career. Scouring for information in the city centre, and trying to make a quick one in the jostling crowds, Mikhial was publically accused of pilfering from a decrepit old hag - who quickly shed her illusion to reveal an aggressive Changeling (with a pouch of gold a few coins lighter). New in town, not looking for trouble and obviously innocent, Mikhial was saved from the City Guards by a Phiarlan Mediator with a distrust of Changelings and an avid interest in the Carnival of Shadows... ...this is the rough idea of how Luthien's background should be to fit in with my story (and this will also allow me to give her secret side quests that the rest of the party doesn't know about, thus rewarding the player for extra effort). Luthien d'Phiarlan's proposed background (needs help) Born into the wealthy d'Phiarlan family in Sharn, Luthien learnt the skills of an entertainer at an early age via the tutors at the Demesne of Shadow. As a dragonmarked member of the bloodline, her father had numerous responsibilities and rarely got to see his daughter. He was always traveling and managing Phiarlan business across Khorvaire... or that's what everyone wanted her to believe, at least. What Luthien didn't know was that he was actually an information broker, and his public face was simply a ruse. When she was old enough her mother told her about the true shadows that lurk in House Phiarlan, its history, and the role of her father in modern day Khorvaire. Intrigued by the tales of espionage and mediation, Luthien's aspirations of sitting at the Serpentine table started to form. Then one day, her father never returned from an assignment. Rumours about Thuranni assassins were whispered by those who knew him, and others said he was captured by agents of his mark. His Phiarlan superiors reminded his weeping wife of the risks of the life of a spy, and that her husband was well aware of them when he accepted his numerous assignments. Little over two years later, Luthien's mother re-married - this time to an unmarked House member involved in the entertainment in Middle Menthis. Although heart broken, Luthien was never close to her father - mostly because she rarely got to see him because of his travels. Not put off by her father's fate, and not content with simply performing for the same crowds in Ten Torches, she started enquiring about the Serpentine Table. Rumours and hear-say lead to the Carnival of Shadows, where some of its members were rumoured to be. After saving a traveler from imprisonment for his indiscretions with a changeling's belt pouch, Luthien learnt that he also had an interest in the Carnival... And then a figure slipped from the shadows. "Patience, young one. You have much to learn. The Serpentine Table will look for you, should you be deemed worthy. Forget about such matters for now. The House has noted your interests. You will be relieved of your regular duties to the house, for now. Seek companions to travel with, and ply the trade of the phiarlan. You will be observed..." Comments, suggestions? I'd like the Phiarlan member that Luthien deals with to stay unnamed, and when the first part of the schema is returned to Elaydren for House Cannith, this Phiarlan figure will tell Luthien to find out what the schema's purpose is, and what Cannith plans to use it for (Phiarlan has its suspicions). The rest of the party (except the rogue) doesn't know Luthien's real story. IRL, the rogue's player and the bard are married, so it will be easier for the DM if they're both involved in the secrets going on in the background. Eventually, Luthien will manifest a dragonmark (level 6?) and then the same figure might let Luthien know that her father isn't dead, but has joined the Serpentine Table and now serves as its agent.
The Law 11-30-05, 01:38 AM	Me again, I've included the background and descriptions of the warforged fighter, and the human artificer. Algren Male personality warforged Neutral Good Fighter level 1 Description: The fearsome looking adamantine construct is 6'5" tall, with shoulders much broader than those of even a most muscular half-orc barbarian. His deep, metallic voice and lack of experience in civilized lands make him seem cold to most that meet him. A rune is engraved in his forehead, and his eyes glow a faint green. He is armed with warhammer and shield, and his backpack alludes to his profession as an adventurer. Background: As a warforged warrior built in the last days of the Last War, Algren never saw the heat of battle, save for a skirmish or two. For Algren, the War was over before it had begun. He was still receiving his combat instruction when the news reached his encampment. All the living creatures were ecstatic from the news - and all the warforged, confused. He was given a pouch of metal disks (he later came to know as coins) by Grelden, his human superior who recommended that he go to a big city with opportunities for warforged - like Sharn - and live a peaceful life there. With no war to fight, Algren had little choice - he was given a quick crash course in 'how to behave in a civilized environment' and made his way to Sharn. It didn't take long for Algren to find work in the form of manual labour. Gibli, a dwarf warehouse manager, noticed the fearsome looking adamantine warforged aimlessly wandering the streets near his warehouse. The shrewd dwarf knew cheap labour when he saw it, and soon after that Algren was unloading ships by day and guarding the warehouse at night. To pass the time at night, he sharpened some of the implements used around the warehouse and acquired some skill working metal on the odd days that Gibli released him of his duties. Gibli was a hard taskmaster, but a fair one, and also taught Algren the difference between 'right' and 'wrong', 'good' and 'evil.' Gibli encouraged Algren to do the 'right' thing at all times. Slowly, the creature that once only knew war started to see that there was much more to 'life'... As Aldren slowly grew accustomed to the city, he noted that people treat him much differently than they treat one another. The other sentient races had peculiar mannerisms with one another. The inclined their heads at each other as a form of greeting, and talked about trivial things. They were cold to Aldren's kind though - other than the odd sneer or comment, his presence was hardly acknowledged by most. And then he met Kaelanna, who passed by his sentry post on her way home from work at night. He was fascinated by this human, who treated him with all the mannerisms that the humans reserved for their own kind. They quickly became friends, and it didn't take much encouragement from her to convince him to join her on a life of adventure. With the money he made from Gibli he bought a great hammer and shield, and some other necessities - ready to do battle once more. But this time Algren wasn't fighting for someone else's cause - this time he was going to right wrongs, earn some (very useful!) money, and earn some respect in the process. Kaelanna Human female Chaotic Good Artificer 1 Description: Kaelanna has auburn hair, green eyes and a peaches-and-cream complexion. Most would consider her features attractive. She wears her shoulder length hair in a pony tail, held up with a ribbon that matches her outfit. She's slim and petite, standing 5'6" tall. Her quiet demeanour and soft spoken charm made her popular at the Fabricator's Guild where she was employed before choosing a life of adventure. Her dark brown leather armour has obviously seen very little use, as with the rest of her equipment. Background: Kaelanna was employed as an alchemist for House Cannith in the Fabricator's Guild until recently. She started working for the Guild shortly after finishing her studies at Morgrave University (specializing in alchemy, spellcraft and arcana, and also dabbling in architecture & engineering). At first she enjoyed doing what she was good at - creating alchemical substances. Her intention, like that of most skilled workers, was to earn enough to live a life of comfort and to be a respected employee, and she believed that employment at the Fabricator's Guild could help her achieve these goals. Perhaps she could even craft magic items for the Guild as her skills grew from her work experience and from her night time studies into weapon- and armorsmithing. Some time at the Guild made it apparent that artificers capable of crafting fine magical weapons & armor command respect and lots of gold... After a couple of months of working long hours and receiving very little recognition for doing so, she soon realised that unless one was a member of the bloodline, it was unlikely that you'd get promoted according to your skills - unless you were very patient, very skilled, and lucky. After a particularly inept House member was appointed as her superior due to his lineage (and started taking credit for most of her work), she knew that she had little hope of reaching her goals any time in the nearby future unless some minor scion of the House took an interest in her and proposed (making her a House Cannith family member as a result, and thus more eligible for promotion). Finding that thought less than appealing - and having had enough of concocting things in the alchemy lab all day (and House Cannith politics) - she chose the life of an adventurer and resigned. Along the way she met a companion, Algren - a warforged fighter that also finds the life of an adventurer more appealing than that of common worker. With no war to fight and having had enough of the sneers and comments made by the other races, he teamed up with Kaelanna, sharing her intention of becoming a hero - and wealthy in the process.
The Law 11-30-05, 01:45 AM	The party's cleric to those that are interested... and if anyone has noted similarities in writing style, then yes: I wrote Kaelanna, Algren and Morgan's background after some input from the players on what type of character they'd like to play. :D Morgan Billennus Human male Chaotic Good Cleric 1 Background: Since an early age, Morgan has shown wisdom and insight beyond his years. Living in Middle Dura, his parents weren't wealthy and couldn't give him all the opportunities that they would have liked to. Because Morgan was passive as a child, his parents gave him to priests of the Sovereign Host in the temple in Hope's Peak - grateful that he turned out the way he did, and not a thief or a hooligan like many his age. They hoped that he could one day be a spiritual leader in the community. He still saw them from time to time, as the visited him at the temple. And then that fateful day came. Father Kaerdius, his mentor and friend, broke the news to him as gently as he could... Morgan's parents were murdered in a seemingly random burglary and act of violence. His father tried to defend his mother - and died honourably doing so - injuring the burglars in the process as was evident from his blood stained mace. But Morgan questioned the priest, tears in his eyes. "Tell me! Tell me all you know!" he shouted at Kaerdius as he wept in a mixture of sadness and rage. The method of the crime was too brutal to be a Boromar clan job - and the stink of monster blood and the footprints left behind gave away that the criminals that killed his beloved parents were agents of Daask, the monstrous criminal organization from Droaam. Years passed... ...and the passive boy grew into a knight of the Sovereign Host, armed with sword, armour, and faith. Morgan paid special attention to the teachings of Dol Dorn and that of Olladra during his training. He swore vengeance on that day, years ago... and he will have vengeance. The Church knew he would do more good if released as a questing knight - and they knew that many wrongs will be righted as Morgan seeks the agents responsible for his parents' death. "Patience, my son. The Sovereign Host will grant you your vengeance, but first prove to them that you are worthy - the life of an adventurer will give you ample opportunity to gain the talents you need to be an instrument of their will. Daask is a powerful organization, rooted deep into an underworld of which we know little. May Dol Dorn give you skill in battle, and may Olladra keep you safe... and be careful not to let your hatred consume you. Seek the Clifftop Adventurer's Guild, and start your journey there."
The Law 12-01-05, 12:01 AM	bump... Hello... anybody? Strange that if one posts under CO, you'll get 50 replies 10 minutes later... not on CD though... <sigh>