Elven rogue [Archive] - Wizards Community

Elven rogue [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
reddfox321
09-28-05, 12:33 AM ^ yeah, I know, pretty tame
Basically I'm writing this here because I'm bored with playing my regular character, Vilmar who is a lawful good sun-elf fighter. I'm leaning towards a female rogue, preferably a moon-elf. Basically I'm tired of being constrained by my alignment. I don't want to have an evil or good character but a character who follows her own code of ethics. These codes should leave her in the neutral area, leaning only slightly towards evil because hey, shes a rogue. Def not the lawful type, but won't backstab. Is known to stretch the truth, but not outright lie. Make sense?
I also need a convincing back story. I kind of want her to be that "middle class" prodigy, you know? Not the normal "my parents were killed so I had to feed myself, I'm so independent and cool" thing. But a reason why a Moon elf from a pretty normal back ground on the surface would turn to Roguedom. Any ideas?

Anybody?
Bael the Bard
09-28-05, 03:37 AM Eh anywhere between neutral to chaotic neutral its up to you, and as for why the change to roguedom. Well how about you're from a pretty well off elvish family and she's escaping a prearranged wedding set up for her by her family to some rich boring twit who's a complete idiot other than knowing how to make money. Now don't get me wrong your pc loves money thats why when she ran away she took some gold, gems etc from her families treasure hey some of it had to be yours right. She just couldn't stand the thought of being attached to someone she doesn't even know for the next 600 someodd years cause elves live a long time. So she decided to run away and live life according to her own rules. So when she left she also took along a set of studded leather armor and a few basic weapons, ie daggers shortsword maybe a bow. I know its not the best idea but its the best i can come up with at 2:30 a.m. but it still sounds pretty good to me. hope it helps
Sluagh
09-28-05, 10:03 AM Keep in mind that the rogue stereotype of being outside the law and kind of questionable in ethics is just that, a stereotype. Roges come in all alignments, a vast array of skill sets, backgrounds and everything else. They don't have to be dark, though that's fun too. They are skilled characters, not just simple thieves.

Alignment wise, it's sounding kind of like you want a mix of chaotic (personal ethics) and lawful (won't lie, won't backstab) aspects together, so I would suggest taking the neutral stance. True neutral wouldn't be a bad choice, nor would CG or CN, though with a slightly less than chaotic leaning in behaviour.

As for a reason, well, not everyone within a society are cookie cutter ethical/behavioural beings and what you've described isn't terribly far out of the scope of a normal moon elf behaviour. Being of the middle class, chances are you have some formal education, including education of the gods; perhaps you've been more jovial and carefree than the others in your home, taking an affinity to one of the more mischevious gods within the pantheon, leading towards a more rogueish profession. Perhaps you're just greedy and desire material wealth, being middle class you have some experience with material wealth, but you desire more and more power that comes with it... you turned to theft as you exhausted your other options and found you accelled at it... There are tonnes of ways to make it happen.
reddfox321
09-28-05, 10:07 AM thanks for the replies, they both sound good. I'm going to give it a bit more thought then try to flesh out a background.

Stay tuned
Bard-of-all-trades
10-07-05, 03:16 AM Why does she have to conform? She could be from a small family, as elves usually are. She was raised to independent. She could stalk a wild stag and touch it before it knew she were there. She can sense when others are near long before anyone else in her family could. Her abilities seem to put her over, above the laws of nature. So she walks outside the law. She travels the world above the laws of men. She does as she pleases without blatantly challenging lawmen and their petty laws. After all, she’ll be around for generations.
reddfox321
11-24-05, 03:37 PM I really like the above idea.
Could anybody give me an example as to how CG, CN, or NG rogues differ?
Morka
11-25-05, 09:59 AM I think rogue elves are pretty common.

Elves are cautious warriors and take time to analyze their opponents and the location of the fight if at all possible, maximizing their advantage by using ambushes, snipers, and camouflage. They prefer to fire from cover and retreat before they are found, repeating this maneuver until all of their enemies are dead.

This kind of fight is typical for a rogue. And the elves being usually chaotic good, I think individual elves do pretty much what they want, as long as it doesn't endanger their band. Save for the true royal famillies, the whole concept of "wedding for life" wouldn't exist for the common elf.

So you could be that common elf, member of the milicia and specialised at hiding in trees and sniping the brutal orcs while they are charging illusions created by the elven wizards. Now anything could happen:
- Her squad was victim of an ambush by some goblinoids, drows, or even orcs leaded by an intelligent warchief (discuss the specifics with your DM). Your character was the sole survivor, or at least the sole to escape. In her way to prevent her band leader, she meets some adventurers willing to help her to free the rest of her squad.
- She felt in love with an elf, but the love is not reciproque. She knows the pain will fade, but to help it, she begins a trip for a century or two...
- Someone is sick in her band, and she is chosen to seek the rare herb needed to heal him...

If the current party somewhat met her in her city in trees, your current gold elf paladin could even choose to remain there, becoming an NPC...
reddfox321
12-04-05, 04:26 PM Morka, I love the ideas there.

Anybody got a good idea on how CG, CN, or NG rogues differ?

I've heard LG rogues explained as private detectives, is there any analogy for CG, CN or NG alignments?
Treymordin
12-06-05, 12:15 PM I think the important thing is that you sit down and think about what you want your character to be like and make up the story that fits it.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
reddfox321 09-28-05, 12:33 AM	^ yeah, I know, pretty tame Basically I'm writing this here because I'm bored with playing my regular character, Vilmar who is a lawful good sun-elf fighter. I'm leaning towards a female rogue, preferably a moon-elf. Basically I'm tired of being constrained by my alignment. I don't want to have an evil or good character but a character who follows her own code of ethics. These codes should leave her in the neutral area, leaning only slightly towards evil because hey, shes a rogue. Def not the lawful type, but won't backstab. Is known to stretch the truth, but not outright lie. Make sense? I also need a convincing back story. I kind of want her to be that "middle class" prodigy, you know? Not the normal "my parents were killed so I had to feed myself, I'm so independent and cool" thing. But a reason why a Moon elf from a pretty normal back ground on the surface would turn to Roguedom. Any ideas? Anybody?
Bael the Bard 09-28-05, 03:37 AM	Eh anywhere between neutral to chaotic neutral its up to you, and as for why the change to roguedom. Well how about you're from a pretty well off elvish family and she's escaping a prearranged wedding set up for her by her family to some rich boring twit who's a complete idiot other than knowing how to make money. Now don't get me wrong your pc loves money thats why when she ran away she took some gold, gems etc from her families treasure hey some of it had to be yours right. She just couldn't stand the thought of being attached to someone she doesn't even know for the next 600 someodd years cause elves live a long time. So she decided to run away and live life according to her own rules. So when she left she also took along a set of studded leather armor and a few basic weapons, ie daggers shortsword maybe a bow. I know its not the best idea but its the best i can come up with at 2:30 a.m. but it still sounds pretty good to me. hope it helps
Sluagh 09-28-05, 10:03 AM	Keep in mind that the rogue stereotype of being outside the law and kind of questionable in ethics is just that, a stereotype. Roges come in all alignments, a vast array of skill sets, backgrounds and everything else. They don't have to be dark, though that's fun too. They are skilled characters, not just simple thieves. Alignment wise, it's sounding kind of like you want a mix of chaotic (personal ethics) and lawful (won't lie, won't backstab) aspects together, so I would suggest taking the neutral stance. True neutral wouldn't be a bad choice, nor would CG or CN, though with a slightly less than chaotic leaning in behaviour. As for a reason, well, not everyone within a society are cookie cutter ethical/behavioural beings and what you've described isn't terribly far out of the scope of a normal moon elf behaviour. Being of the middle class, chances are you have some formal education, including education of the gods; perhaps you've been more jovial and carefree than the others in your home, taking an affinity to one of the more mischevious gods within the pantheon, leading towards a more rogueish profession. Perhaps you're just greedy and desire material wealth, being middle class you have some experience with material wealth, but you desire more and more power that comes with it... you turned to theft as you exhausted your other options and found you accelled at it... There are tonnes of ways to make it happen.
reddfox321 09-28-05, 10:07 AM	thanks for the replies, they both sound good. I'm going to give it a bit more thought then try to flesh out a background. Stay tuned
Bard-of-all-trades 10-07-05, 03:16 AM	Why does she have to conform? She could be from a small family, as elves usually are. She was raised to independent. She could stalk a wild stag and touch it before it knew she were there. She can sense when others are near long before anyone else in her family could. Her abilities seem to put her over, above the laws of nature. So she walks outside the law. She travels the world above the laws of men. She does as she pleases without blatantly challenging lawmen and their petty laws. After all, she’ll be around for generations.
reddfox321 11-24-05, 03:37 PM	I really like the above idea. Could anybody give me an example as to how CG, CN, or NG rogues differ?
Morka 11-25-05, 09:59 AM	I think rogue elves are pretty common. Elves are cautious warriors and take time to analyze their opponents and the location of the fight if at all possible, maximizing their advantage by using ambushes, snipers, and camouflage. They prefer to fire from cover and retreat before they are found, repeating this maneuver until all of their enemies are dead. This kind of fight is typical for a rogue. And the elves being usually chaotic good, I think individual elves do pretty much what they want, as long as it doesn't endanger their band. Save for the true royal famillies, the whole concept of "wedding for life" wouldn't exist for the common elf. So you could be that common elf, member of the milicia and specialised at hiding in trees and sniping the brutal orcs while they are charging illusions created by the elven wizards. Now anything could happen: - Her squad was victim of an ambush by some goblinoids, drows, or even orcs leaded by an intelligent warchief (discuss the specifics with your DM). Your character was the sole survivor, or at least the sole to escape. In her way to prevent her band leader, she meets some adventurers willing to help her to free the rest of her squad. - She felt in love with an elf, but the love is not reciproque. She knows the pain will fade, but to help it, she begins a trip for a century or two... - Someone is sick in her band, and she is chosen to seek the rare herb needed to heal him... If the current party somewhat met her in her city in trees, your current gold elf paladin could even choose to remain there, becoming an NPC...
reddfox321 12-04-05, 04:26 PM	Morka, I love the ideas there. Anybody got a good idea on how CG, CN, or NG rogues differ? I've heard LG rogues explained as private detectives, is there any analogy for CG, CN or NG alignments?
Treymordin 12-06-05, 12:15 PM	I think the important thing is that you sit down and think about what you want your character to be like and make up the story that fits it.