House Vadalis Servant of the Silver Flame [Archive] - Wizards Community

House Vadalis Servant of the Silver Flame [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
mightyix
11-30-06, 01:46 PM Right now I'm playing a replacement character for one that died recently in our campaign. (level 6 is the wrong level to expect having a Raise Dead available in Eberron).

Anyway, the concept is this:

House Vadalis member with dragonmark was slated to be trained as a Druid in Thrane. Somewhere along the way he realized that he didn't have the disposition to pursue life as a druid. Somewhere around the same time he became enamored of (and completely devoted to) the church of the Silver Flame. The new Dragonmarked book indicates that House Vadalis pretty much lets family members pursue their own agendas without a problem, but I'd like a little bit more in the way of stressors from a roleplay perspective.

Here's the character idea in a nutshell --

Current Level: Druid 1/Fighter4/Vadalis Beastkeeper 1
Alignment: NG
Personality: Quiet, Fierce, Faithful, Helpful
Concept: By taking Beastmaster (Complete Adventurer) at level 7, I've got access to an animal companion equal to a Druid -1 starting at that level and all the way through lv. 16. My intention is to have my character operate more or less like a paladin devoted to the Silver Flame, with a pet instead of a warhorse, and a little bit more moral... flexibility...

My specific questions are:

1) What are some potential reasons that I turned my primary focus from my house to the Church of the Silver Flame in the first place?
2) What sorts of conflicts might I face in service to the Church that place me at odds with my house? (Remember, it's Vadalis... pretty easygoing folks)
3) Any suggestions on being that NG paladin with a pet from a roleplay perspective?

Thanks in advance!!!
Syltorian
12-01-06, 09:32 AM Amazing - my current character in our campaign is a Vadalis paladin of the Flame, too, although so influenced by druidic believes that the more puritan members of the Church consider her something of a heretic.

To your questions:

There could be several reasons. First, the druids and the Flame are not at odds. According to Faiths of Eberron, the Purified believe that the druids are doing a great job protecting Eberron; they merely could do more - work towards betterment, rather than preserving the status quo. Some would actually like the druids to join them. Perhaps your character was convinced by that argument, or discovered it on his own, or found a new interpretation to ancient texts.

Perhaps, too, he was called by the Flame. Maybe there was some event that triggered this. For instance, being the only one around to help against a Whispering Flame cult (that's what happened to my character; being in the right place at the right time to stop an incursion from the Demon Wastes into the Reaches).

Vadalis itself is, so far, a good-aligned house. Of course there are exceptions, but the overall policy of the house is good. They are not looking for profit or fulfilling their ambitions; a fact that puts other houses ill at ease with them according to Dragonmarked. Vadalis also has strong connections to the Silver Flame. They did create that dragonhound, Skaravojen, for the Keeper. Maybe he was helping out with curing the creature of a magical attack by enemies of the Flame, and came to make contacts in the Cathedral; maybe even spoken to by the Keeper herself.

Overall, however, House Vadalis seems unlikely to be at odds with the Church. As you say, they are easygoing. With Vadalis, you have to go to great length to find yourself excoriated. As a Purified, you could even extend your ideal of saving the innocent to animals and magical beasts, and all living creatures, not only the common races. Believe that such creatures have souls too, and that even they might fuel the Flame after their death, if they are good.

You might risk to be at odds with Vadalis if you try to become too political. Work against Karrnath, for example (though I assume many in Vadalis are against the undead horses there anyway, both because the Vadalis seem to love their animals and because undead horses aren't good for their own business). Trying to convert people with too much insistence also works wonders on good relations.

Conflicts could arise if the Church told you to investigate something Vadalis is involved in. Perhaps some in your House are experimenting with fiendish animals. Then again, I doubt the majority of the house will be pleased, so working against these factions could be portrayed as, ultimately, working for your House too.

The Church might decide to launch a crusade (a second Purge) against shapeshifters, including druids under that name. Many in Vadalis could be targetted, being druids themselves, and having excellent relations with most of them. Though Vadalis would be happy if you could divert the Flame's attention solely to the Ashbound... Being morally flexible, that should work out. After all, the Ashbound are a threat, to your family, the good people in the Reaches and Aundair, and even the Purified - as they work against all who use divine magic, too.

One thing to remember, however, is that being a devotee of the Silver Flame does not mean fanatically following the Church. Does the Flame really want you to go against your family, or does it want you to stay loyal, do some good, and perhaps help Vadalis become a force for good? Doesn't the Flame want you to be a good friend/relative to your House? Save for some Puritans, the Flame is not that confrontational if it can avoid it, at least towards those who are not pure evil.
mightyix
12-01-06, 05:30 PM Thanks for the insights. I'm going to wander off and see what I can think of along those lines.

I had already determined that I was invited to see the Holy Flame for some reason or another, and that when it spoke to me I swore my devotion to the Order then.

I AM thinking of roleplaying closer to the Flame fanatic than to the "Hi, I'm a nice guy and happen to worship the Silver Flame" deal. Hunting outsiders, lycanthropes, and posessed is real high on my priority list.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
mightyix 11-30-06, 01:46 PM	Right now I'm playing a replacement character for one that died recently in our campaign. (level 6 is the wrong level to expect having a Raise Dead available in Eberron). Anyway, the concept is this: House Vadalis member with dragonmark was slated to be trained as a Druid in Thrane. Somewhere along the way he realized that he didn't have the disposition to pursue life as a druid. Somewhere around the same time he became enamored of (and completely devoted to) the church of the Silver Flame. The new Dragonmarked book indicates that House Vadalis pretty much lets family members pursue their own agendas without a problem, but I'd like a little bit more in the way of stressors from a roleplay perspective. Here's the character idea in a nutshell -- Current Level: Druid 1/Fighter4/Vadalis Beastkeeper 1 Alignment: NG Personality: Quiet, Fierce, Faithful, Helpful Concept: By taking Beastmaster (Complete Adventurer) at level 7, I've got access to an animal companion equal to a Druid -1 starting at that level and all the way through lv. 16. My intention is to have my character operate more or less like a paladin devoted to the Silver Flame, with a pet instead of a warhorse, and a little bit more moral... flexibility... My specific questions are: 1) What are some potential reasons that I turned my primary focus from my house to the Church of the Silver Flame in the first place? 2) What sorts of conflicts might I face in service to the Church that place me at odds with my house? (Remember, it's Vadalis... pretty easygoing folks) 3) Any suggestions on being that NG paladin with a pet from a roleplay perspective? Thanks in advance!!!
Syltorian 12-01-06, 09:32 AM	Amazing - my current character in our campaign is a Vadalis paladin of the Flame, too, although so influenced by druidic believes that the more puritan members of the Church consider her something of a heretic. To your questions: There could be several reasons. First, the druids and the Flame are not at odds. According to Faiths of Eberron, the Purified believe that the druids are doing a great job protecting Eberron; they merely could do more - work towards betterment, rather than preserving the status quo. Some would actually like the druids to join them. Perhaps your character was convinced by that argument, or discovered it on his own, or found a new interpretation to ancient texts. Perhaps, too, he was called by the Flame. Maybe there was some event that triggered this. For instance, being the only one around to help against a Whispering Flame cult (that's what happened to my character; being in the right place at the right time to stop an incursion from the Demon Wastes into the Reaches). Vadalis itself is, so far, a good-aligned house. Of course there are exceptions, but the overall policy of the house is good. They are not looking for profit or fulfilling their ambitions; a fact that puts other houses ill at ease with them according to Dragonmarked. Vadalis also has strong connections to the Silver Flame. They did create that dragonhound, Skaravojen, for the Keeper. Maybe he was helping out with curing the creature of a magical attack by enemies of the Flame, and came to make contacts in the Cathedral; maybe even spoken to by the Keeper herself. Overall, however, House Vadalis seems unlikely to be at odds with the Church. As you say, they are easygoing. With Vadalis, you have to go to great length to find yourself excoriated. As a Purified, you could even extend your ideal of saving the innocent to animals and magical beasts, and all living creatures, not only the common races. Believe that such creatures have souls too, and that even they might fuel the Flame after their death, if they are good. You might risk to be at odds with Vadalis if you try to become too political. Work against Karrnath, for example (though I assume many in Vadalis are against the undead horses there anyway, both because the Vadalis seem to love their animals and because undead horses aren't good for their own business). Trying to convert people with too much insistence also works wonders on good relations. Conflicts could arise if the Church told you to investigate something Vadalis is involved in. Perhaps some in your House are experimenting with fiendish animals. Then again, I doubt the majority of the house will be pleased, so working against these factions could be portrayed as, ultimately, working for your House too. The Church might decide to launch a crusade (a second Purge) against shapeshifters, including druids under that name. Many in Vadalis could be targetted, being druids themselves, and having excellent relations with most of them. Though Vadalis would be happy if you could divert the Flame's attention solely to the Ashbound... Being morally flexible, that should work out. After all, the Ashbound are a threat, to your family, the good people in the Reaches and Aundair, and even the Purified - as they work against all who use divine magic, too. One thing to remember, however, is that being a devotee of the Silver Flame does not mean fanatically following the Church. Does the Flame really want you to go against your family, or does it want you to stay loyal, do some good, and perhaps help Vadalis become a force for good? Doesn't the Flame want you to be a good friend/relative to your House? Save for some Puritans, the Flame is not that confrontational if it can avoid it, at least towards those who are not pure evil.
mightyix 12-01-06, 05:30 PM	Thanks for the insights. I'm going to wander off and see what I can think of along those lines. I had already determined that I was invited to see the Holy Flame for some reason or another, and that when it spoke to me I swore my devotion to the Order then. I AM thinking of roleplaying closer to the Flame fanatic than to the "Hi, I'm a nice guy and happen to worship the Silver Flame" deal. Hunting outsiders, lycanthropes, and posessed is real high on my priority list.