Excercise That Creativity [Archive] - Wizards Community

Excercise That Creativity [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Ensjak
05-04-07, 11:00 PM Ok so after a year long hiatus, I finally found a game to play in. I found a DM running World's Largest Dungeon in the Eberron Campaign Setting. The DM instructed everyone to come up with a primary and 2 backup characters. So I came up with a brash, overconfident, cocky young wizard as my main character. I got all excited to roleplay him only to find out that the party so far (I am the last to join) is made up almost entirely of casters and needs a frontline fighter.

I've got the mechanics down for the fighter I want to play. He's going to be a ranseur wielding, disarming specialist. Unfortunately, I don't have much of a sense of him beyond that. I have no history and no personality. I want him to have come from Karrnath, he should have received training at the Rekkenmark military academy, and I'd like him to be dragonmarked. I was thinking House Deneith for the dragonmark, but this is negotiable. Mental attributes are 14 intelligence, 10 wisdom, 8 charisma so roleplaying and personality should reflect that.

Any idea is welcome with one exception. I don't want him to be a rash, glory hogging, flamboyant fighter out to prove he's the best because I don't want him to be too similar to my wizard (who will remain as my back-up character). You're mission, should you choose to accept it, is to come up with a personality that will be fun to roleplay for the skeleton of a character I have just described.

I know I'm not giving you much to go on, but I'm really looking for something that will spark a vision of this character for me. Thanks in advance for your help.
dorkknight23
05-04-07, 11:24 PM Some questions to ask yourself/poorly organized thoughts:

Military History: Some questions to consider for that. Did he serve in the Last War? What rank did he hold (since he went to Rekkenmark, he was likely an officer, maybe a petty officer)? Is he still affiliated with the military or did leave (either voluntarily or otherwise?)
Karrnath: Since the Karrnath military uses quite a bit of undead, perhaps he's neutral towards the use of zombies and skeletons in combat. Warforged/Elves/Talenta Halflings he probably distrusts a bit since he's used to fighting them. Does he worship the Blood of Vol? Or does he follow the Host or another deity?
Dragonmark: House Deneith began in Karrnath, so that's a good start. Maybe his family connection are what got him to the Academy. How does he feel about Deneith? Is he proud to use his dragonmarked name, or does he feel otherwise? Why?

Personality ideas (with some background suggestions sprinkled in)

In my mind, when I'm thinking of this character, I'd make him stoic and almost wooden in personality (like some of the great hardboiled noir protagonists.) He's a military man and knows his composure. He'd stay calm under pressure, he knows staying calm equals living. He doesn't show feelings or pain, perhaps he puts up a lot of barriers (emotional or otherwise) between himself and the world. Maybe he was hurt once when he let people in (he fell in love with a femme fatale who broke his heart and betrayed him, maybe she was a spy for another government, or a Changeling.) Maybe he's really organized and keeps everything packed cleanly and neatly and properly labeled. He could clean and maintain his weapon with fastidious scrubbing and polishing so it gleams every morning before he does his exercises. He disarms before he kills, perhaps he's the kind of guy who'll give his opponent plenty of opportunities to surrender (he's seen too much death and carnage in one lifetime?)

Just some thoughts. I hope they help.
gaerfindel
05-07-07, 12:41 PM Three words: Basch fon Ronsenburg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Characters_of_Final_Fantasy_XII#Sir_Basc h_fon_Ronsenburg). Plenty of character ideas to steal adapt!
boggler65
05-08-07, 05:07 PM what is the character's race?
Why is he with the party?
Perhaps change to 10 INT 14 WIS and 8 CHA, wisdom is a representation of common sense, as a soldier who has lived long enough to see most of the people around him die he would have to have some common sense to have survived for this long.

*edit* why is your character the one taking the party hit? you've got a party of casters, that could be interesting to play, why not hire half a dozen meat shields to go in with you? In an entire party of casters there isn't a single one who could dominate/charm someone into serving as his body guard? If you become a dragonmarked why don't you have access to one or two warforged?
godbeepit
05-08-07, 07:00 PM I believe other people have mentioned alignment conflicts because of his want for structured society and such because of a military background but at the same time your image of him as of now creates a much more chaotic outlook. One thing that struck me was if he had a mild type of skizophrenia or split personality disorder. For instance, on a regular day to day basis he'll act Lawful Neutral and demand order amongst his party members and formulate well thought out tactics for battle, which will represent a cool calculating military background, but something sets him off on wild behavior. For instance, when people start reacting to him with violence he goes into a bloody frenzy and everything he does is complete spur of the moment with no forethought. Or even stranger, if he can still act "normal" but respond in a complete opposite way from what he's expected. For instance, normally he won't barter with merchants he simply pays what they ask and goes on his way. But after he gets disturbed or whatever you decide sets him off happens, he would threaten the merchant's life and family if he doesn't lower the price and begins taunting children etc. The most interesting thing about that I believe is that its not exactly a split personality because he would still be himself and call himself by the same name and still be aware of everything, he just has suddenly completely reversed outlooks on life.

I don't know, it is just a tiny bit far-fetched. Tiny tiny tiny bit.. :P
Ensjak
05-09-07, 12:23 AM Thanks everyone for throwing out some great ideas. So far everyone's thrown out something that I might potentially use.

I especially like the possibility of being betrayed and having prejudice against warforged and talenta halfings (ty Dorkknight). I also haven't thought about religion and that's a sure way to help shape some of his values at the very least.

Good tip Gaerfindel. I'll be sure to check that out.

Boggler, to answer your questions: The race is human. I'm not sure about why he's joining the party. Play started this past weekend. I leave for Spain on Tuesday for two weeks and will be joining the game upon my return, so I'll have a better idea for that when I get back. So far I told the DM I was thinking of being a soldier from Karrnath trained at the Rekkenmark and he said that works perfectly. I've played once with this DM before and he usually takes care of figuring out why a party member is joining/with the group when the time comes. The only reason for the int over the wis is mechanical reasoning. I want him to be a disarming specialist like I said so the feats I need req. 13 int. Plus, I usually play stoic, wise characters so being able to do something foolish once in a while will be a nice change of pace.

Also, the reason I'm taking the hit is because I'm the last person to join. The hiring of meatshields will just slow down combat way too much. The party will be about 6 or 7 PCs strong by the time my friend and I join. I imagine combat will be painstakingly slow without adding NPC allies to the mix.

Godbeepit, I like where you're going with the idea. DK mentioned maybe he was discharged from the military. I think I'll have him dishonorably discharged after having made a costly tactical error that cost many lives. He'll be having trouble coping with the freedom and lack of structure of life outside the military. This will manifest itself in the mood swings with sometimes accepting what he's been given and other times demanding and threatening others to heed his desires. Another take on this is that he will be scared to take command or lead others for fear of causing them to suffer. At other times he will yearn to be in command and feel urges to take the lead and go on a power trip like the good old days.

This was very helpful so far everyone. Really, I mean it. From now on, you guys are the Brain Trust. Any suggestions on how to work in the betrayal and tactical error that would get him discharged?

I'm thinking maybe after a successful engagement in Cyran territory one night he allowed what appeared to be local women to enter the camp for a night of revelry and debauchery. The women turn out to be changeling mercenaries who turn on his men after they're drunk, cause heavy losses, and dissappear into the night. Yes? No? Maybe?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Ensjak 05-04-07, 11:00 PM	Ok so after a year long hiatus, I finally found a game to play in. I found a DM running World's Largest Dungeon in the Eberron Campaign Setting. The DM instructed everyone to come up with a primary and 2 backup characters. So I came up with a brash, overconfident, cocky young wizard as my main character. I got all excited to roleplay him only to find out that the party so far (I am the last to join) is made up almost entirely of casters and needs a frontline fighter. I've got the mechanics down for the fighter I want to play. He's going to be a ranseur wielding, disarming specialist. Unfortunately, I don't have much of a sense of him beyond that. I have no history and no personality. I want him to have come from Karrnath, he should have received training at the Rekkenmark military academy, and I'd like him to be dragonmarked. I was thinking House Deneith for the dragonmark, but this is negotiable. Mental attributes are 14 intelligence, 10 wisdom, 8 charisma so roleplaying and personality should reflect that. Any idea is welcome with one exception. I don't want him to be a rash, glory hogging, flamboyant fighter out to prove he's the best because I don't want him to be too similar to my wizard (who will remain as my back-up character). You're mission, should you choose to accept it, is to come up with a personality that will be fun to roleplay for the skeleton of a character I have just described. I know I'm not giving you much to go on, but I'm really looking for something that will spark a vision of this character for me. Thanks in advance for your help.
dorkknight23 05-04-07, 11:24 PM	Some questions to ask yourself/poorly organized thoughts: Military History: Some questions to consider for that. Did he serve in the Last War? What rank did he hold (since he went to Rekkenmark, he was likely an officer, maybe a petty officer)? Is he still affiliated with the military or did leave (either voluntarily or otherwise?) Karrnath: Since the Karrnath military uses quite a bit of undead, perhaps he's neutral towards the use of zombies and skeletons in combat. Warforged/Elves/Talenta Halflings he probably distrusts a bit since he's used to fighting them. Does he worship the Blood of Vol? Or does he follow the Host or another deity? Dragonmark: House Deneith began in Karrnath, so that's a good start. Maybe his family connection are what got him to the Academy. How does he feel about Deneith? Is he proud to use his dragonmarked name, or does he feel otherwise? Why? Personality ideas (with some background suggestions sprinkled in) In my mind, when I'm thinking of this character, I'd make him stoic and almost wooden in personality (like some of the great hardboiled noir protagonists.) He's a military man and knows his composure. He'd stay calm under pressure, he knows staying calm equals living. He doesn't show feelings or pain, perhaps he puts up a lot of barriers (emotional or otherwise) between himself and the world. Maybe he was hurt once when he let people in (he fell in love with a femme fatale who broke his heart and betrayed him, maybe she was a spy for another government, or a Changeling.) Maybe he's really organized and keeps everything packed cleanly and neatly and properly labeled. He could clean and maintain his weapon with fastidious scrubbing and polishing so it gleams every morning before he does his exercises. He disarms before he kills, perhaps he's the kind of guy who'll give his opponent plenty of opportunities to surrender (he's seen too much death and carnage in one lifetime?) Just some thoughts. I hope they help.
gaerfindel 05-07-07, 12:41 PM	Three words: Basch fon Ronsenburg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Characters_of_Final_Fantasy_XII#Sir_Basc h_fon_Ronsenburg). Plenty of character ideas to steal adapt!
boggler65 05-08-07, 05:07 PM	what is the character's race? Why is he with the party? Perhaps change to 10 INT 14 WIS and 8 CHA, wisdom is a representation of common sense, as a soldier who has lived long enough to see most of the people around him die he would have to have some common sense to have survived for this long. edit why is your character the one taking the party hit? you've got a party of casters, that could be interesting to play, why not hire half a dozen meat shields to go in with you? In an entire party of casters there isn't a single one who could dominate/charm someone into serving as his body guard? If you become a dragonmarked why don't you have access to one or two warforged?
godbeepit 05-08-07, 07:00 PM	I believe other people have mentioned alignment conflicts because of his want for structured society and such because of a military background but at the same time your image of him as of now creates a much more chaotic outlook. One thing that struck me was if he had a mild type of skizophrenia or split personality disorder. For instance, on a regular day to day basis he'll act Lawful Neutral and demand order amongst his party members and formulate well thought out tactics for battle, which will represent a cool calculating military background, but something sets him off on wild behavior. For instance, when people start reacting to him with violence he goes into a bloody frenzy and everything he does is complete spur of the moment with no forethought. Or even stranger, if he can still act "normal" but respond in a complete opposite way from what he's expected. For instance, normally he won't barter with merchants he simply pays what they ask and goes on his way. But after he gets disturbed or whatever you decide sets him off happens, he would threaten the merchant's life and family if he doesn't lower the price and begins taunting children etc. The most interesting thing about that I believe is that its not exactly a split personality because he would still be himself and call himself by the same name and still be aware of everything, he just has suddenly completely reversed outlooks on life. I don't know, it is just a tiny bit far-fetched. Tiny tiny tiny bit.. :P
Ensjak 05-09-07, 12:23 AM	Thanks everyone for throwing out some great ideas. So far everyone's thrown out something that I might potentially use. I especially like the possibility of being betrayed and having prejudice against warforged and talenta halfings (ty Dorkknight). I also haven't thought about religion and that's a sure way to help shape some of his values at the very least. Good tip Gaerfindel. I'll be sure to check that out. Boggler, to answer your questions: The race is human. I'm not sure about why he's joining the party. Play started this past weekend. I leave for Spain on Tuesday for two weeks and will be joining the game upon my return, so I'll have a better idea for that when I get back. So far I told the DM I was thinking of being a soldier from Karrnath trained at the Rekkenmark and he said that works perfectly. I've played once with this DM before and he usually takes care of figuring out why a party member is joining/with the group when the time comes. The only reason for the int over the wis is mechanical reasoning. I want him to be a disarming specialist like I said so the feats I need req. 13 int. Plus, I usually play stoic, wise characters so being able to do something foolish once in a while will be a nice change of pace. Also, the reason I'm taking the hit is because I'm the last person to join. The hiring of meatshields will just slow down combat way too much. The party will be about 6 or 7 PCs strong by the time my friend and I join. I imagine combat will be painstakingly slow without adding NPC allies to the mix. Godbeepit, I like where you're going with the idea. DK mentioned maybe he was discharged from the military. I think I'll have him dishonorably discharged after having made a costly tactical error that cost many lives. He'll be having trouble coping with the freedom and lack of structure of life outside the military. This will manifest itself in the mood swings with sometimes accepting what he's been given and other times demanding and threatening others to heed his desires. Another take on this is that he will be scared to take command or lead others for fear of causing them to suffer. At other times he will yearn to be in command and feel urges to take the lead and go on a power trip like the good old days. This was very helpful so far everyone. Really, I mean it. From now on, you guys are the Brain Trust. Any suggestions on how to work in the betrayal and tactical error that would get him discharged? I'm thinking maybe after a successful engagement in Cyran territory one night he allowed what appeared to be local women to enter the camp for a night of revelry and debauchery. The women turn out to be changeling mercenaries who turn on his men after they're drunk, cause heavy losses, and dissappear into the night. Yes? No? Maybe?