Fleshing out my Changeling Warrior [Archive] - Wizards Community

Fleshing out my Changeling Warrior [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Zuj
09-19-06, 03:12 PM Hey folks,

I am trying to hash out my changeling character for an Eberron game I just started. We started at level 6, and I will post my character below:

"Aldrahn of Sharn" (not his real name; one of his personas. I haven't worked out any others).

CG Changeling Warblade 2/Fighter 2/Warshaper 2
Strength: 16
Dexterity: 18
Constitution: 12
Intelligence: 14
Wisdom: 10
Charisma: 12

Feats: Exotic Weapon Proficiency (spike chain), Weapon Focus (spiked chain), Combat Expertise, Combat Reflexes, Improved Trip.

Martial Abilities: All of them will be Iron Heart stances and maneuvers.

Skills (the ones I am focusing in; don't have my sheet handy): Disguise, Knowledge (history), Knowledge (local: Sharn), Tumble, Jump, Craft (weaponsmithing)

Rough concept: During the Last War, Aldrahn spent a few years serving in a mercenary company of House Deneith. He traveled to many battlefields across Khorvaire, and through his skill and luck, he survived. As the Last War ended, he grew bored of the mercenary life, and decided to head to Sharn. Nearly immediately, he signed on with a group of explorer's from Morgrave University, serving as a guard for their dangerous expeditions.

I have DMed an Eberron campaign for a long time, and I am very familiar with the campaign setting (I have all of the source books). For some reason, I am really having trouble flesh out this character. I wanted to work out a reason that he would have decided to become a mercenary. I would also like to work a criminal element into his concept (maybe he was on the run from the Tyrants when he joined Deneith?), but I am experiencing a huge creative block.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. As far as his build goes, I plan on him gaining more levels in warshaper, and the becoming an exotic weapon master. In the interim, he will be adding more fighter and warblade levels.
ericSHINRA
09-19-06, 05:27 PM I'm not all that familiar with Eberron but since you posted in my thread I thought I'd toss out a few ideas concerning how be came to work as a mercenary.

NOTE: I'm using the idea you gave me back in my 'Sorcerer and a Scholar?' thread

Most mercenaries in fiction, or at least a good deal of them seem to believe 'war' is the only thing they have any real skill in which is why after the battle's over they might continue to enlist their services as a 'sword-for-hire'. While I'm sure you knew this already, Aldrahn also started out as a mercenary it seems. I'm wondering where he trained and if he served as a traditional soldier for any period of time before this. I don't need a history of Eberron, don't worry, just a name or two if any.

With this information I can start tossing out some ideas... Sorry I can't be more helpful outright.
Zuj
09-19-06, 10:59 PM I was thinking that he was recruited by the Blademarks' Guild, a campaign-specific mercenary group that is owned and operated by House Deneith (a powerful, continent spanning noble house/organizations).

He began as the son of a lieutenant in the criminal organization known as the Tyrants (a shapechanger guild operating out of Sharn, Eberron's largest metropolis). I wanted something to happen to him to drive him away from the life of a common rogue, and more towards the combat arts. Signing onto a mercenary group would have been a good escape frm his former life, especially in the midst of a century long war.

Another character quirk I wanted to add was his feelings about the nature of being a changeling. In general, changelings have no cultural identity, and the vast majority live their lives without revealing to other their true nature. Because of their shapechanging ability (anyone you meet could be one in disguise), changelings are generally met with disdain or mistrust.

Aldrahn feels differently. He dislikes deceiving others, and wishes he would be accepted based on the merits he has. This justifies him trying to hone the abilities he was given towards other methods besides deception (thus the warshaper class), and his pursuit of being a weaponmaster/warblade might be because of his desire for fame or a need to prove himself. A character goal might be to "become one of the most reputable warriors across the Five Nations".

Does this make sense at all? I sometimes have difficulty organizing my thoughts, and obviously, I'm still trying to organize it all.
ericSHINRA
09-20-06, 10:31 PM No, it does make sense. Sorry I took a while to reply.

Depending on his alignment a rogue's life simply might not be his style. If he wants to become one of the greatest warriors in Eberron I think he'd want his true form to be the one people recognize and hopefully come to respect desipte or rather because of the common view people hold towards those of his race.

He seems to be out for fame, glory and to prove himself so perhaps he came to the conclusion he'd never be satisfied working for the Tyrants and he had higher expectations of himself then one of their members.

As part of a Mercenary band he still has to follow a chain of command he'd still have an greater opportunity for making a name for himself. Then again, you mentioned in your first post he grew tired of the mercenary life. It could be that once the war had ended he realized his dreams of becoming the glorious warrior he wanted to be were never going to be achieved in his current position. Maybe as a changeling he experienced some distrust even from his comrades and his prevented him from moving up.

Sorry if I'm not helping.
Zuj
09-21-06, 03:09 PM Depending on his alignment a rogue's life simply might not be his style. If he wants to become one of the greatest warriors in Eberron I think he'd want his true form to be the one people recognize and hopefully come to respect desipte or rather because of the common view people hold towards those of his race.

He is Chaotic Good in alignment. And yes, I was thinking he would spend most of his time in his true form, maybe with some recognizable added on physical feature (bright red hair, or something like that).

He seems to be out for fame, glory and to prove himself so perhaps he came to the conclusion he'd never be satisfied working for the Tyrants and he had higher expectations of himself then one of their members.

I could see him leaving the Tyrants because he dislikes their deceptive nature so much. He honestly wants his race's lot to be bettered and he sees the Tyrant organization as a step backwards in Changelings earning a true place in the world.

As part of a Mercenary band he still has to follow a chain of command he'd still have an greater opportunity for making a name for himself. Then again, you mentioned in your first post he grew tired of the mercenary life. It could be that once the war had ended he realized his dreams of becoming the glorious warrior he wanted to be were never going to be achieved in his current position. Maybe as a changeling he experienced some distrust even from his comrades and his prevented him from moving up.

I think he could have left for a few of these reasons. Being chaotic, he dislikes the strict regimental life of serving in a military/mercenary unit. Coupled with distrust from his other comrades (maybe when he signed on, they didn't know he was a changeling), this would give him plenty of reason to decide to leave. Now that the war has ended, there would be less for his unit to do. I was also thinking that maybe he just had a falling out with his commanding officer, and left rather unceremoniously because of it. This would give him a good hook for a past rival for the DM to use.

Thanks for bringing this stuff up. It seems that being able to type it out helps more than anything else.
dormcook
09-22-06, 06:29 PM One point I would like to make about changlings is they are always set up as trying to have no true form, just changing from one persona or another; or they are in natural form, which is just blank.

Why not look at modern punk rockers and goths for inspiration.
I you could change your features to any bi pedal form what could you do with that.
Why not blue skin, with scales.
One half black one half pale white.
Demonic or Vampiric.
Run wild with it.
I you are a fighter, how better to stike fear into your enemy that a sword swinging demonic creature bearing down on them.

I am not sure you would need to do it 24/7 but when changling "dress up" think of all the non standard forms they could adopt.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Zuj 09-19-06, 03:12 PM	Hey folks, I am trying to hash out my changeling character for an Eberron game I just started. We started at level 6, and I will post my character below: "Aldrahn of Sharn" (not his real name; one of his personas. I haven't worked out any others). CG Changeling Warblade 2/Fighter 2/Warshaper 2 Strength: 16 Dexterity: 18 Constitution: 12 Intelligence: 14 Wisdom: 10 Charisma: 12 Feats: Exotic Weapon Proficiency (spike chain), Weapon Focus (spiked chain), Combat Expertise, Combat Reflexes, Improved Trip. Martial Abilities: All of them will be Iron Heart stances and maneuvers. Skills (the ones I am focusing in; don't have my sheet handy): Disguise, Knowledge (history), Knowledge (local: Sharn), Tumble, Jump, Craft (weaponsmithing) Rough concept: During the Last War, Aldrahn spent a few years serving in a mercenary company of House Deneith. He traveled to many battlefields across Khorvaire, and through his skill and luck, he survived. As the Last War ended, he grew bored of the mercenary life, and decided to head to Sharn. Nearly immediately, he signed on with a group of explorer's from Morgrave University, serving as a guard for their dangerous expeditions. I have DMed an Eberron campaign for a long time, and I am very familiar with the campaign setting (I have all of the source books). For some reason, I am really having trouble flesh out this character. I wanted to work out a reason that he would have decided to become a mercenary. I would also like to work a criminal element into his concept (maybe he was on the run from the Tyrants when he joined Deneith?), but I am experiencing a huge creative block. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. As far as his build goes, I plan on him gaining more levels in warshaper, and the becoming an exotic weapon master. In the interim, he will be adding more fighter and warblade levels.
ericSHINRA 09-19-06, 05:27 PM	I'm not all that familiar with Eberron but since you posted in my thread I thought I'd toss out a few ideas concerning how be came to work as a mercenary. NOTE: I'm using the idea you gave me back in my 'Sorcerer and a Scholar?' thread Most mercenaries in fiction, or at least a good deal of them seem to believe 'war' is the only thing they have any real skill in which is why after the battle's over they might continue to enlist their services as a 'sword-for-hire'. While I'm sure you knew this already, Aldrahn also started out as a mercenary it seems. I'm wondering where he trained and if he served as a traditional soldier for any period of time before this. I don't need a history of Eberron, don't worry, just a name or two if any. With this information I can start tossing out some ideas... Sorry I can't be more helpful outright.
Zuj 09-19-06, 10:59 PM	I was thinking that he was recruited by the Blademarks' Guild, a campaign-specific mercenary group that is owned and operated by House Deneith (a powerful, continent spanning noble house/organizations). He began as the son of a lieutenant in the criminal organization known as the Tyrants (a shapechanger guild operating out of Sharn, Eberron's largest metropolis). I wanted something to happen to him to drive him away from the life of a common rogue, and more towards the combat arts. Signing onto a mercenary group would have been a good escape frm his former life, especially in the midst of a century long war. Another character quirk I wanted to add was his feelings about the nature of being a changeling. In general, changelings have no cultural identity, and the vast majority live their lives without revealing to other their true nature. Because of their shapechanging ability (anyone you meet could be one in disguise), changelings are generally met with disdain or mistrust. Aldrahn feels differently. He dislikes deceiving others, and wishes he would be accepted based on the merits he has. This justifies him trying to hone the abilities he was given towards other methods besides deception (thus the warshaper class), and his pursuit of being a weaponmaster/warblade might be because of his desire for fame or a need to prove himself. A character goal might be to "become one of the most reputable warriors across the Five Nations". Does this make sense at all? I sometimes have difficulty organizing my thoughts, and obviously, I'm still trying to organize it all.
ericSHINRA 09-20-06, 10:31 PM	No, it does make sense. Sorry I took a while to reply. Depending on his alignment a rogue's life simply might not be his style. If he wants to become one of the greatest warriors in Eberron I think he'd want his true form to be the one people recognize and hopefully come to respect desipte or rather because of the common view people hold towards those of his race. He seems to be out for fame, glory and to prove himself so perhaps he came to the conclusion he'd never be satisfied working for the Tyrants and he had higher expectations of himself then one of their members. As part of a Mercenary band he still has to follow a chain of command he'd still have an greater opportunity for making a name for himself. Then again, you mentioned in your first post he grew tired of the mercenary life. It could be that once the war had ended he realized his dreams of becoming the glorious warrior he wanted to be were never going to be achieved in his current position. Maybe as a changeling he experienced some distrust even from his comrades and his prevented him from moving up. Sorry if I'm not helping.
Zuj 09-21-06, 03:09 PM	Depending on his alignment a rogue's life simply might not be his style. If he wants to become one of the greatest warriors in Eberron I think he'd want his true form to be the one people recognize and hopefully come to respect desipte or rather because of the common view people hold towards those of his race. He is Chaotic Good in alignment. And yes, I was thinking he would spend most of his time in his true form, maybe with some recognizable added on physical feature (bright red hair, or something like that). He seems to be out for fame, glory and to prove himself so perhaps he came to the conclusion he'd never be satisfied working for the Tyrants and he had higher expectations of himself then one of their members. I could see him leaving the Tyrants because he dislikes their deceptive nature so much. He honestly wants his race's lot to be bettered and he sees the Tyrant organization as a step backwards in Changelings earning a true place in the world. As part of a Mercenary band he still has to follow a chain of command he'd still have an greater opportunity for making a name for himself. Then again, you mentioned in your first post he grew tired of the mercenary life. It could be that once the war had ended he realized his dreams of becoming the glorious warrior he wanted to be were never going to be achieved in his current position. Maybe as a changeling he experienced some distrust even from his comrades and his prevented him from moving up. I think he could have left for a few of these reasons. Being chaotic, he dislikes the strict regimental life of serving in a military/mercenary unit. Coupled with distrust from his other comrades (maybe when he signed on, they didn't know he was a changeling), this would give him plenty of reason to decide to leave. Now that the war has ended, there would be less for his unit to do. I was also thinking that maybe he just had a falling out with his commanding officer, and left rather unceremoniously because of it. This would give him a good hook for a past rival for the DM to use. Thanks for bringing this stuff up. It seems that being able to type it out helps more than anything else.
dormcook 09-22-06, 06:29 PM	One point I would like to make about changlings is they are always set up as trying to have no true form, just changing from one persona or another; or they are in natural form, which is just blank. Why not look at modern punk rockers and goths for inspiration. I you could change your features to any bi pedal form what could you do with that. Why not blue skin, with scales. One half black one half pale white. Demonic or Vampiric. Run wild with it. I you are a fighter, how better to stike fear into your enemy that a sword swinging demonic creature bearing down on them. I am not sure you would need to do it 24/7 but when changling "dress up" think of all the non standard forms they could adopt.