Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Aluroon 05-12-04, 02:47 PM	Hello everyone. I am about to start a (another) new campain with my dm. I only found out we were starting over yesterday :hoppingma and need some help. Were starting level one, in a genaric campain setting. I'm fairly sure I want to play a Gnome Bard (note this is 3.0, I think :rolleyes: ) with the following abillity scores Str: 10 Dex: 16 Con: 12 Int: 18 Wis: 8 Cha: 18 He's also CN But I'm not sure exactly what to make his motavation. I'm also drawing a blank as to how he got to wherever he is.:confused: . Any help with ideas as to why he adventured, where he came from, as well as ideas as to how to play him (I've yet to try a bard), Oh...and btw...We start on the 15th.... Any help is very very appreciated, as I am very straped for time right now (exams :mad: ) Thanks in advance agian Aluroon
pres_man 05-12-04, 03:50 PM	First off, I'd switch your str and wis scores, that is unless you are planning on playing an annoying bard. Which I think would be a bad idea. As the bard your probably going to be the only one with social skills, so you don't want to be oblivious to the obvious. As for why he adventures, well he's probably very curious about people, places, stories, etc. So he is probably looking to see some of the wonderful sights he has heard about in songs. He might also want to become a legend in his own right and have songs sung about him all over the plane. Being CN he doesn't feel the need to be a hero, or at least would not be satisified being an unrecognized one. On the other hand he has no real interest in hurting people either. He might view himself as more of a passive watcher of world events. He can play cards with a bunch of evil orcs and later save a damsel from a dragon. He would probably have a problem with anyone telling him how to act or who he can speak to. Personally I think halflings make better bards (especially CN), but to each his own.
CJ1720 05-12-04, 09:21 PM	You don't give us much to go on. You've got stats and alignment and that's it? No setting, no preferences for character-type, no ideas about the campaign and you want help with backstory and motivation for adventuring. Well here are some generic ideas that should be useful in almost any setting: Why do people roam and live dangerous lives? Usually, they have to leave home or they feel like they don't fit in. Think about an upbringing that is chaotic -- why else would someone have a chaotic personality other than through some form of accident -- and where there is neglect or out right abuse. Perhaps your gnome escapes into the fantasy of fantastic stories he's heard in song and lore to avoid the pain of his home life. Perhaps, he decides that he is just a burden at home -- a non-contributing mouth to feed. Perhaps the old man doesn't appreciate his love of song and story -- too wimpy, doesn't pay well enough, hates everything his son does etc. Perhaps, he's convinced to travel with an entertaining troupe -- enticed somehow -- running away from home, goes for only a little while but finds he can't return (he's CN afterall, he's not the best planner). Perhaps it's connected to the family business -- scrap dealers, used and refurbished weapons, smugglers of spell components etc. On a collecting trip, he gets separated from the wagon and they leave without him now he's stuck making his way home best he can and... Some other things: IMHO gnomes make the best bards -- played several memorable ones. pres_man is right though, you'll want more wisdom than strength or constitution just from a role play stand point. If you're worried about having a strength or constitution that's sub-par, drop your intelligence to 16. You won't miss the skill points, really.
Aluroon 05-14-04, 06:27 PM	Thanks for the imput so far! However...CJ1720, you will notice if you look at my post that I said we were in a generic world, basically like the one that is referenced to in the PHB, DMG, and MM. Further more I also said I was playing a gnome bard. That said, I am happy to report....EXAMS ARE OVER!!! And while working on something unrelated I hit upon an idea. Please Give me some input as to what you think Witforlong grew up in the hidden gnome community of Lior. His birth was bittersweet for the community as just weeks beforehand his father had been killed by a rampaging troll, further more his mother died giving birth to him. Raised by another family that took him in his life was somewhat hectic. Although the family treated him like one of there own he never felt quite at home there. Shortly after turning twenty the community held the Festival of the Bountiful Earth. During the festival he met a traveling Bard, and intrigued by his tales decided to accompany him the next day when he set off on his travels again. Leaving his home, without some much as a word to his foster family. When after a few weeks he decided to head home, he discovered the community had been devastated by a surprise attack by a band of hobgoblins. Almost everyone was dead. Unsure of what to do he took to the road again, meeting another bard, and quickly joining up with him. He travailed with the bard, Quiton for some time before setting off alone. He has been traveling the area around (Insert towns name here) ever since. Well that’s it. It's changed some after you alls suggestions and comments. What do you think! Any other advice is much appreciated! I will check this thread tomorrow before the meeting! Thanks again Aluroon