Gideon [Archive] - Wizards Community - Pages Merged by Solauren

Gideon [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Sudo_Nym
08-06-07, 03:15 PM So here is, quite possibly the most detailed RPG character I've ever created, and as such it behooves me to gather as many opinions as possible. So anything you guys can give me will be both useful and appreciated.

Gideon "The Viper" Selwyn

Physical Description:
Gideon is a lithe individual of average height. He has medium length black hair and a clean shaven face. He's the only member of the Selwyn family born with green eyes (all his brother have brown eyes). His nose looks like its been smashed against his face. In combat, he's capable of snapping his whole body like a whip, generating surprising force behind his double daggers.

Background:
Gideon was born the youngest son to a junk-metal scavenger, and gained rapport amongst his older brothers (all six of them) for his willingness to search the most dangerous places for scrap. He discovered quite young that he had a strange connection to snakes, especcially vipers, which became the source of his nickname. When he was 15, his parents were both killed- bitten by venomous snakes. Lashing out at his oldest brother's attempt at authority, he joined the Order of the Forked Tongue, a cult of demonic-snake worshipers. He'd leave the cult nearly ten years later, though, after suffering remorse for his role as one of the cults assassins (and eventually their lead assassin).

The cult was not so willing to let him go however, and branded him a traitor. Agents stalked him, plotting his death, and only his own knowledge of assassination kept him one step ahead. Shortly thereafter, several of his brothers started disappearing mysteriously. Gideon believes that the cult is involved, and despite the long period of time that has passed, he holds out hope that they still live, and are merely in hiding; he always keeps one ear open for any news that might lead him to them.

With the Order of the Forked Tongue drawing in on him, he joined the Navy, serving as crew abord The Ice Dagger. Fate had it that one of the fellow crewmembers was Maxamillion "Lotcrafter", a former friend. The two had a falling out after Gideon joined the cult, but they were now reunited. During a battle with a monster, Maxamillion saved Gideon's life. Max believed that Gideon thus owed him a life-debt, a feeling Gideon didn't share. When the two were back ashore, cult agents ambushed the two, and Gideon ran, leaving Max to fend for himself, and he just barely escaped the battle. Maxamillion would track Gideon down, and the two would duel. Max came of the better, injuring Gideon's leg, but refused to kill him. Feeling that his honor had been impuned, Gideon has become obsessed with defeating Max- to the point that he'll show up to offer aid, just so nobody will defeat Max before Gideon can.

After the two parted, Gideon would be approached by an overly-inquisitive youth by the name of Keln Whist. Somehow, Keln had learned of Gideon's proficiency in the arts of assassination and poison, and had come seeking instruction. Gideon, after much pestering, would agree to take Keln as an apprentice, though Keln would never learn where Gideon disappeared to (Gideon often taking leave of absence to fulfill his vendetta with Max). Ironically, Keln was eager to learn because he wanted revenge against the people who killed his parents- he had a list with the names of potential suspects, and he planned to track down and kill them one by one. The names on his list are all members of the Order of the Forked Tongue, and one of the names is a psuedonym used by Gideon on his assassination missions. Gideon used an assumed name with the cult to protect himself should the cult be exposed, and he was the one who killed Keln's parents on the cults orders, using his connection with snakes to prompt a venomous viper to slither into their house and bite them both. Perhaps Gideon's sense of grandeur led him to train the son of two people he murdered; maybe it's just a coincidence- but he doesn't look forward to the day when Keln learns the whole truth of the affair.

Now that Gideon is faced with the prospect of adventuring with two men who might try to kill him, he's got little choice but to hope that they'll be more forgiving than he would be in their place.
Sudo_Nym
08-07-07, 03:01 AM Nothing?
Sudo_Nym
08-08-07, 06:15 PM If a tree falls in the forest, does it make a sound? I tried looking up the definition of sound in the dictionary, but that didn't help. The first definition stated that sound was a series of vibrations in the air, which would seem to indicate that the tree wouldn't care whether anybody could hear it- a sound would be generated. But the third definition stated that sound was a vibrations, which through the medium of air, caused the ear to send electric impulses to the brain, which are translated as noise, which would seem to indicate that without an observer, there is no sound. So which is it? I seem to spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about problems like this one, even when I should be spending time doing something more productive.
Terjon of the Blue Rose
08-09-07, 02:56 AM Its well written and I don't really see much to improve upon. If you're not sure about any particular points feel free to ask for a more directed critique.

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.
.

Oh and

That a tree exist in the woods, independent of observation, indicates a universe in which things can exist free of the observer. Since the tree and woods are the only object known to exist in this hypothetical universe and both exist without an observer to verify their existance; one must assume that all things in this universe exist independent of observation. That being said, sound, if it exist at all, and it must since it has sufficient definition for the question to be asked, must exist without a verifying observer and therefore yes, If a tree falls in the woods it does indeed make a sound. In fact I believe it is a crashing sound.:cool: :rolleyes: :cool:
Free1983
08-09-07, 07:27 AM I agree with Terjon. You have some great plot hooks to hand over to your DM. If you want to improve this background/character description, you could include some traits and habits.

Possible traits:

Always looking for an exit strategy.
Not very talkative.
Interest in gambling.
Intrest in fine clothing.
Knows a lot about wine.
...

But seriously, I think your background gives a pretty good idea about how your character acts.

Cheers

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Sudo_Nym 08-06-07, 03:15 PM	So here is, quite possibly the most detailed RPG character I've ever created, and as such it behooves me to gather as many opinions as possible. So anything you guys can give me will be both useful and appreciated. Gideon "The Viper" Selwyn Physical Description: Gideon is a lithe individual of average height. He has medium length black hair and a clean shaven face. He's the only member of the Selwyn family born with green eyes (all his brother have brown eyes). His nose looks like its been smashed against his face. In combat, he's capable of snapping his whole body like a whip, generating surprising force behind his double daggers. Background: Gideon was born the youngest son to a junk-metal scavenger, and gained rapport amongst his older brothers (all six of them) for his willingness to search the most dangerous places for scrap. He discovered quite young that he had a strange connection to snakes, especcially vipers, which became the source of his nickname. When he was 15, his parents were both killed- bitten by venomous snakes. Lashing out at his oldest brother's attempt at authority, he joined the Order of the Forked Tongue, a cult of demonic-snake worshipers. He'd leave the cult nearly ten years later, though, after suffering remorse for his role as one of the cults assassins (and eventually their lead assassin). The cult was not so willing to let him go however, and branded him a traitor. Agents stalked him, plotting his death, and only his own knowledge of assassination kept him one step ahead. Shortly thereafter, several of his brothers started disappearing mysteriously. Gideon believes that the cult is involved, and despite the long period of time that has passed, he holds out hope that they still live, and are merely in hiding; he always keeps one ear open for any news that might lead him to them. With the Order of the Forked Tongue drawing in on him, he joined the Navy, serving as crew abord The Ice Dagger. Fate had it that one of the fellow crewmembers was Maxamillion "Lotcrafter", a former friend. The two had a falling out after Gideon joined the cult, but they were now reunited. During a battle with a monster, Maxamillion saved Gideon's life. Max believed that Gideon thus owed him a life-debt, a feeling Gideon didn't share. When the two were back ashore, cult agents ambushed the two, and Gideon ran, leaving Max to fend for himself, and he just barely escaped the battle. Maxamillion would track Gideon down, and the two would duel. Max came of the better, injuring Gideon's leg, but refused to kill him. Feeling that his honor had been impuned, Gideon has become obsessed with defeating Max- to the point that he'll show up to offer aid, just so nobody will defeat Max before Gideon can. After the two parted, Gideon would be approached by an overly-inquisitive youth by the name of Keln Whist. Somehow, Keln had learned of Gideon's proficiency in the arts of assassination and poison, and had come seeking instruction. Gideon, after much pestering, would agree to take Keln as an apprentice, though Keln would never learn where Gideon disappeared to (Gideon often taking leave of absence to fulfill his vendetta with Max). Ironically, Keln was eager to learn because he wanted revenge against the people who killed his parents- he had a list with the names of potential suspects, and he planned to track down and kill them one by one. The names on his list are all members of the Order of the Forked Tongue, and one of the names is a psuedonym used by Gideon on his assassination missions. Gideon used an assumed name with the cult to protect himself should the cult be exposed, and he was the one who killed Keln's parents on the cults orders, using his connection with snakes to prompt a venomous viper to slither into their house and bite them both. Perhaps Gideon's sense of grandeur led him to train the son of two people he murdered; maybe it's just a coincidence- but he doesn't look forward to the day when Keln learns the whole truth of the affair. Now that Gideon is faced with the prospect of adventuring with two men who might try to kill him, he's got little choice but to hope that they'll be more forgiving than he would be in their place.
Sudo_Nym 08-07-07, 03:01 AM	Nothing?
Sudo_Nym 08-08-07, 06:15 PM	If a tree falls in the forest, does it make a sound? I tried looking up the definition of sound in the dictionary, but that didn't help. The first definition stated that sound was a series of vibrations in the air, which would seem to indicate that the tree wouldn't care whether anybody could hear it- a sound would be generated. But the third definition stated that sound was a vibrations, which through the medium of air, caused the ear to send electric impulses to the brain, which are translated as noise, which would seem to indicate that without an observer, there is no sound. So which is it? I seem to spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about problems like this one, even when I should be spending time doing something more productive.
Terjon of the Blue Rose 08-09-07, 02:56 AM	Its well written and I don't really see much to improve upon. If you're not sure about any particular points feel free to ask for a more directed critique. . . . Oh and That a tree exist in the woods, independent of observation, indicates a universe in which things can exist free of the observer. Since the tree and woods are the only object known to exist in this hypothetical universe and both exist without an observer to verify their existance; one must assume that all things in this universe exist independent of observation. That being said, sound, if it exist at all, and it must since it has sufficient definition for the question to be asked, must exist without a verifying observer and therefore yes, If a tree falls in the woods it does indeed make a sound. In fact I believe it is a crashing sound.:cool: :rolleyes: :cool:
Free1983 08-09-07, 07:27 AM	I agree with Terjon. You have some great plot hooks to hand over to your DM. If you want to improve this background/character description, you could include some traits and habits. Possible traits: Always looking for an exit strategy. Not very talkative. Interest in gambling. Intrest in fine clothing. Knows a lot about wine. ... But seriously, I think your background gives a pretty good idea about how your character acts. Cheers