Post/Author/DateTime	Post
mcgeedis 08-22-07, 08:24 AM	I was discussing with my buddy this the other day. He and I really get into the background of our characters. I created a middle aged Druid with the Vow of Poverty arc (I didn't say I don't min/max!). This is the first time that I have created a middle aged character, and I felt that it just fit with the Vow of Poverty theme. Well, I have been releasing Lost-esque flashbacks on a weekly basis, going into the history of my character. He started out as a rich artsy fartsy type, but eventually lost everything. Long story short, I'm finding my flashbacks are trending toward adventure stories in my character's past. But, how believable would it be for my guy to have all these adventures, but he is just a third level character? I mean, the guy couldn't have been a first level druid for 20 years, then all of a sudden be a third level druid over the course of 5 days, could he? It just... doesn't seem right. Any suggestions how to explain that? If anyone would like me to post these stories, feel free to let me know and I would be more than happy to oblige.
Free1983 08-22-07, 11:30 AM	Mechanically wise, it doesn't fit, but that shouldn't stop you from doing the "flashback-thing". You could think of some loyal companions that aided you in your adventures. That way all XP that you earned than, you'd had to divide into 4 (or more). I'm aware that this shouldn't solve all your problems, but it's a start. Perhaps the tragic death of these companions made you realize you wanted to stop adventuring (which you apparently did for some reason). Hope this helps, Cheers
someonelse812 08-22-07, 11:33 AM	I would like to read them I think it works, as long as you're not slaying balors or something. maybe all of your adventures involve running away or somehow getting through your challenges without killing badguys.
mcgeedis 08-22-07, 01:40 PM	I was thinking I could have diety intervention knock my guy back down to 1st level or something. Or better yet, level loss from some undead? I would like to read them. Here they are. Take it easy on me for grammar and spelling. Most of these are written after work before bed time. The Rise Julius Glinsdale was born to Henry Glinsdale, a farmer, and his wife Anastacia Glinsdale 51 years ago. Henry worked in the Food Farms, which now belong to Lord Isnale Greada. Julius has one sister, Caren, who is 5 years younger. From a young age, it was noticed that Julius was quite a talented artist – skilled with a paint brush. His family couldn’t readily afford the treasured dyes and paints to properly foster this gift of that Julius possessed, but on holidays his parents could afford a small paint kit as a gift. Julius would paint true visions of beauty, at least to the underground denizens of Mysenguard. From his imagination he would paint deep forests of green, buzzing with life and full of mystery. He would paint oceans blue and red orange skies at dusk, with waves lapping onto the sandy shores. Many scenes would come to his mind, and Julius would but them on the tapestry the best he could. So, home was a very happy place with these “windows” of dotted around the home. When Julius was 15, Henry and Anastacia had a feast with some friends for the second day of the King’s Days. One of the guests, a rich nobleman named Roberto who was a friend of Julius’ grandfather, fell so in love with one of Julius’ paintings, that he offered to purchase the painting on sight. As you can imagine, the Glinsdale’s refused. Not only did the paints cost a small fortune, but the paintings had a tremendous value sentimentally. But Roberto couldn’t be deterred. He came back the next day, with half a year of Henry’s earnings in coin, and the most exotic paints and exquisite brushes in offer of payment. Seeing Julius's eyes, Henry and Anastacia couldn’t refuse. They sold the painting, a yellow green grassy field with cows grazing, blue skies with red and orange birds flying through the fluffy white clouds, and beautiful pink and purple flowers with a myriad of insects bouncing among them. From that point on, things kind of took off from there. Word got out and more and more nobles came knocking on the Glinsdale’s doors offering to buy artwork. Some came offering coins, others came and offered food or other trade. One woman even attempted to make a purchase without even seeing a painting! Julius gained more and more notoriety with each painting sold. His family moved to a bigger home, on one of the better levels. In between creating paintings, Julius was invited to the best parties and was always celebrated wherever he went… Eventually, Julius met a beautiful daughter of a noblewoman by the name of Cendra Redzin. They fell madly in love and wed. They had one boy named Geoffrey. Together, they hosted all sorts of affairs, from art showings to dinner with the rich. Julius started to trade with the caravans as they came through Mysenguard, and now since since his paintings had become so popular, there was no need to paint as much now that he could get more from each painting. The Fall The years went by, and Julius painted less and less seeing as his paintings were higher in value. He became obsessed with money and the attention, ignoring his family in the process. He turned his back to his first love of painting and attempted other businesses. He spent several years and tried to trade in earthsilk and spent much of his money trying to get a farm going. But, the competition proved to great. Julius wasn’t a great businessman as he had come to find out. He tried to paint again to get himself back on track, but his paintings reflected his nature – they were no longer serene peaceful scenes that inspire. For some reason , his paintings weren’t as bright and detailed as before. The family was in complete disrepair. Julius’ parents died, and Julius didn’t go to either funeral he was too concerned with acquiring his inheritance and try to turn it to more money. His sister Caren pleaded and pleaded with Julius to stop being so greedy and to spend more time with his family… But her pleas fell on deaf ears. Having nothing left for her in Mysenguard, she secretly paid her way with one of the caravans that came through in the spring and left. She never returned. No one would buy Julius’ paintings. He became a laughingstock. Julius would ramble incessantly about how people just didn’t understand. They didn’t understand the beauty that he had seen in his dreams and in his mind. Years ago when he began painting, he knew that there was another world under the ice deserts outside, and he knew that they were indeed beautiful But, unknowingly, he twisted that beauty into something ugly. Something that he used to gain profit. He would show them. Julius planned to use the reminder of his fortune and buy his way to Excarcel. There he would start new and build an even bigger fortune. He would sell his paintings there and begin a new life where his work would be appreciated again. Julius found a dwarf, Tatus Strongchest, that had the means and the space to transport the three of them during the next trade caravan. It cost Julius almost all that remained of his fortune. Cendra and Geoffrey went willingly, being the devoted wife and son. Cendra said goodbye to her family (who greatly disapproved), and they set out. The first few days were rough. The wind would rip through them like icy daggers. They had little food, little sleep, and no control. When suddenly, a terrible storm overtook them. Along with two other groups of traders, Tatus’ sleigh was broken off from the main group. Horrible winds ravaged them. Snow was blowing at them sideways, and the temperature dropped dramatically. The snow was so thick that one could not see in front of their face. They had no choice but to attempt to dig into the snow and make a shelter until the storm passed. Julius aided the caravan members and left his family in the safety of the sleigh. He began to dig and dig and dig, his survival instincts taking over. Then the men heard a scream which was barely audible through the wind - it was Geoffrey! Julius started to run toward his son, except the scream did not come from where he had left Cendra and his son. Julius ran toward the scream anyways. Geoffrey was screaming “Help me father help me!” and Julius pursued. The screams got quieter and more distant. Still Julius ran and ran. Then he could no longer make out any sound, other than the ringing in his ears and the howl of the icy wind. He turned to go back to the caravan to get help, but all he saw was white. He tried to retrace his footsteps in the snow, but they were washed away by the storm. Julius started to run, fueled by fear in any direction, screaming the names of his wife and son “Geoffrey! Cendra! Geoffreeeyyyyyyyyy! Cendraaaaa!!!!” Then, panting in exhaustion, dizziness overcame him. Julius tried to move on, but all the whiteness around him slowly faded to a hazy gray, and then to a deep black…..
mcgeedis 08-22-07, 01:42 PM	The Man and His Owl Julius opened his eyes, staring at the wall of a deep, dark cave. He could hear the wind swirling outside off in the distance, but it seemed warm here. He was covered in a white animal skin blanket, and flickers of fire light were dancing on the wall in front of him. As he stirred, he heard a deep hoot. Looking over his shoulder Julius saw a pair of golden yellow eyes surrounded by white looking back. It was an owl, perched in the cave wall. Just then, Julius heard someone coming his way from the sound of the wind outside. Julius lay his head back down, playing asleep. The owl hooted again. “Yes, Jubo. Thank you very much” a deep voice said. The man picked up something that sounded metallic, and Julius heard some more rustling. “I know you are awake; Jubo has told me. Sit up, have something to eat with me” the voice said. Julius, sat up and turned to see who was talking to him. There was a Man sitting on the ground, crouching and naked. He appeared to be somewhat older – perhaps in his 60’s. He had long gray hair, tied in a pony tail with a leather band. The Man was just finishing the skinning of what appeared to be a small white furred mammal. Perhaps a fox or a rabbit? He completed his work on the animal and laid the pelt to the side. Already on the ground next to him was an identical skinned carcass. The strange Man picked up the dead animals, dropped there bloody corpses into a pot that was hanging over the fire. “Hope you like fox,” he said, looking up with his gray eyes. Julius decided he wasn’t going to stick around to found out. He leaped up, and dashed for the cave exit. Stumbling over rocks and debris, he moved as fast as he could toward the wind outside. Seeing the exit ahead, he had to squint and close his eyes more any more as the whiteness of the outdoors got brighter and brighter. At the exit of the cave, the stinging wind struck his face like a thousand tiny daggers and he light was blinding. Opening his eyes just barely and holding up his hand to protect his face, he was greeted by the vastness of the mountain tops. Where was he? He must be somewhere high up in the middle of the Frolen Mountains! Wind blowing, blue peaks surrounding him, white clouds swirling off in the distance. Frightened, confused, and feeling dizzy, Julius stumbled backward into the cave, tripping backward and landing at the feet of the Man. “I wouldn’t advise running out there right now. The storm is not done down there yet. Not to mention that you don’t look like much of a climber,” he said with a slight smirk on his face. “Come back, sit down and talk with me. I have food for you. You must be hungry after not eating for at least two days.” Did he say two days? It all came rushing back at once. The storm, Cendra… Geoffrey’s screams for help. Where is his wife and son! “Where am I!?!?” Julius demanded. “What have you done with my family!?!? Who are you!?!?” “You are at my home, high in the mountains at the southern end of the Frolen range. I do not know where your family is, I only found you. My name is Ursos,” was the reply. Julius felt like he was going to be ill and would have surely vomited if he had food in him. Ursos reached forward, and grabbed Julius by the shoulder and arm, and helped him back into the cave. The smell of the cooking meat surprisingly smelled good, given the fact that Julius was about to throw up. Ursos sat Julius down by the campfire, gave him a wooden cup filled with a deep red liquid. “Drink. It will help restore your strength, and dull the pain from your wounds,” Ursos said. Wounds? Julius looked down and sure enough, his fingers were gnarled and blackened. It hurt to grasp the cup with his damaged hands. He lifted the cup to his mouth, and took a sip. It stung his lips at first, undoubtedly because his lips were cracked. But then a warmth filled him. He did start to feel better, and was looking forward to getting his hands on some of this fox meat. Ursos put the finishing touches on the stew and spoke. “I came upon your caravan two days ago. The carts were ripped apart – valuable bone and wood strewn everywhere in the swirling snow. Coins, food, and metal ore were scattered as well. Looking through the wreckage, I saw no survivors. I could tell that there must’ve been a fight of some kind. Some of the wood had bite marks in it from a beast that I have never encountered before. But, there were also some sleigh tracks going off in another direction. I attempted to follow these tracks, but I heard the growl of a wolf just off to the side, behind a drift. I went toward the sound, only to see your body laying in the snow, about to be food for two wolves. I asked the wolves to leave and gave them something else to eat. You were badly hurt – the snow and the wind had taken a toll on you with frostburn. I picked you up and brought you to my home. You have been sleeping for two days since I brought you here. Jubo and I have been watching over you.” Ursos handed a bowl to Julius full with stew. Hunger escaped Julius suddenly. Thoughts of his son’s face flashing in his mind. His wife, smiling at him on his wedding day. He won’t see them again. All those years. Wasted. Chasing things. Chasing money. Chasing prestige. Those precious precious years. Wasted. Julius dropped his cup, his strength leaving him again. Red blood-like liquid splashing around him. Jubo flew into the air. Julius put his face into his hands, and wept. Jubo and Ursos left the cave, leaving Julius to his sorrow
mcgeedis 08-22-07, 01:43 PM	The Final Fall “Crkkkshtt…. Scrumble…” Rocks and dust, falling from the mountainside into the abyss below… Julius scrambled to take hold, shoving his cold, chapped fingers into the stone wall… It’s as if the mountain was trying to force him slip off the cliff face and tumble to the depths below! Not to mention the caribou skin he was wearing didn’t exactly help with mobility. He continued down, ever so slowly with the wind howling at his ears. It hurts. It hurts bad… No matter. Got to keep moving down. Each step down is a step closer to home. Closer to starting over. Closer to starting again, closer to honoring Geoffrey and Cendra. “Screeeeeee!” A heavy gust of wind and a flash of gold and brown sweeps by. Julius loses grip with the left hand… his body spins around as he stares down into the blue white depths below. Panicking and turning back, he keeps his hold onto the rock with the other hand, and finds his grip again. His face presses into the rockface, panting sighs of relief for not falling. The relief immediately turns to anger. “DAMN YOU! If you aren’t going to HELP me, why are you trying to HARM me!?!?” Julius screams into the wind. In response, an eagle flies in and perches onto the cliff face next to him. “Harm you? If I were trying to harm you, you would have fallen long ago” the golden brown eagle simply said staring back with its golden eyes. “I’m merely trying to help you realize how foolish you are being, trying to fumble down the mountain as you are.” “Well, if you would give me a hand, then I wouldn’t have to worry about being foolish, now would I!?!?” Julius screamed back at the eagle. The eagle sprang into the air, and morphed into a cone of wind. The wind got stronger and stronger, and Julius couldn’t hold the cliffwall any longer due to this, and he fell into the vortex of the cone. “NO ONE WILL HELP YOU ANYMORE. NO ONE IS WILLING TO GIVE YOU MONEY. NO ONE IS WILLING TO GIVE YOU FOOD. NO ONE IS WILLING TO GIVE YOU SHELTER. NO ONE IS WILLING TO GIVE YOU ANYTHING, MUCH LIKE YOU WOULDN’T GIVE ANYTING TO ANYONE!!!!!!” The wind that was surrounding him howled back. Julius body was being tossed and spun around. He was seeing the mountains, the sun, the clouds, all around him in a dizzying display of blue, white, and yellow. The strong wind that was surrounding Julius moved quickly, up and up the mountain face, violently spitting him out at Ursos’ cave entrance. Julius slammed hard into the gorund, blood spurting out of his mouth from the crash into the ground. The wind, spinning and spinning, came down next to Julius.. The air movement slowed, and evenually stopped, forming the now familiar shape of old Ursos. “You have to do it on your own from now on, Julius. No one is going to help you. No one one is going to bail you out. There is no one to pay to take you down. I certainly will not. This is where you will be, until you can make your way down.” Ursos said calmly. He then turned and walked back into the cave, raising his arm. Jubo flew in and perched upon Ursos’ outstretched arm and seemingly whispered into his ear. Julius picked up a handful of snow, dirt, and rock and hurled it at the figure walking away from him. “Damn you! I never asked to be brought here! I never asked for you to save me! Why didn’t you let me die? Why are you keeping me here? Why didn’t you let me DIE?!?!?!?” Julius bellowed from the mouth of the cave. Ursos’ silhouette suddenly stopped. He turned, and Julius could now see two pair of gold eyes floating in the dark back at him…. “You were already dead. Now it is time for you to be reborn, as all things are.” A gust of wind emitted from the cave and flung Julius into the air. He began to drop. Air left his lungs as he fell down and down. Whistling air streamed by his ears, as he plunged through into the clouds. With his heart beating faster and faster, not being able to see, Julius began to flail his arms in a panic. As the clouds passed him by, the jagged mountains below moved toward him even faster. The air moved into Julius’ lungs and he could no longer breathe. This will be the end. BAM! The wind suddenly got knocked out of Julius. He knew he was no longer moving downwards, but now he was moving toward the setting sun. He was grasped by what appeared to be large claws. Bird claws. Bird claws so large that one claw completely encompassed his body. Julius, barely conscious, tried to maintain awareness and pay attention to where he was going. He felt as if he were dead; a spirit flying high above the clouds, with the warm sun beating against his face. They approached a peak, and they slowed. Julius body was released from the iron grip of the bird claw, and his body tumbled onto the snow below. The warmth of the sun fled his face as the cold snow set in. A voice in his head spoke. “You will find me when you are ready. I await your arrival.” And with that, Julius collapsed into the snow unconscious. Again.
mcgeedis 08-22-07, 01:43 PM	Comfort at Last Julius awoke and pushed himself off the ground. The feeling of the cold snow, melting off his face was not a very welcome sensation. Looking around, he tried to find some shelter immediately, but to no avail. There was nothing but snow covered rock above and below. Luckily, he dressed for the climb down the mountain and was not terribly cold. During the time in which Julius was feeling sorry for himself, he spied a trail off to the east that was heading through the mountains. The night was coming soon, but there wasn’t any snow coming down right now. As a matter of fact, the wind died down too and the sky was clear and orange from the setting sun. Having no other choice, Julius started down the path, hoping to brave the night and not encounter any predators. The night came, and the moon was high and bright. By the light of the moon, Julius saw the same surroundings for the next several miles. He heard some cries off in the distance, perhaps it was a wolf howling. The sun was due to rise soon, and Julius knew he needed to get some rest. Sleeping outdoors would certainly be the end of him, regardless if it was night or day. Just then, Julius heard the sound of flowing water, trickling off in the distance. Julius started off toward where he last heard the sound. Rounding a bend in the mountain path, there was a cave, perhaps 20 feet above the pathway. And there was a mountain stream not too far in front of him, clear and crisp, trickling down the mountainside. The stream was not very large; perhaps 6 feet at its widest part and there were some pine trees and small bushes growing around this stream. This water was flowing over the rocks and was perhaps the most beautiful sight that Julius had ever seen. But, he then realized that he had seen this scene before – in a vision. He had painted this before! This was a scene that Julius put into a painting that he created for his wife, Cendra, as an engagement present so long ago. The water that was trickling down the moutainside in the soft glow of the moonlight looked like diamonds cascading down. It was a powerful image in the painting, and it is even more powerful now. Julius snapped out his trance, and knew he had to get out of the night and into the cave for some shelter from the wind and snow. He took some hurried drinks from the stream, dipping his hands into the frigid water and gulped the water down quickly. Julius then grabbed the side of the mountain, and slowly and clumsily climbed his way up to the cave above. Julius reached the top of the cave and made his way inside. The stream was flowing out from the inside of the mountain and into the snow outside, carving a path in its wake. There was something about this cave though – there was a blue glow, coming from deeper in the cave and around the rock ahead. Julius made his way toward the light, hoping to find something to help him on his way. He had heard of Dwarven clans that made homes close to the surface, and perhaps he would find one. As he went around the corner, he wasn’t welcomed by Dwarves or any other creature for that matter. In front of him, was a beautiful pool of blue water. It was glowing the purest of blue, deep and mysterious. It was a color that Julius had never seen before. The room that Julius was standing in was warm too! The outdoor clothes he was wearing had to be shed off, lest he dehydrate or collapse. The room had a high ceiling and it had vines climbing it from the side. There were several skylights in the ceiling, where moonbeams were shining through and revealing some stars that were in the sky above. Not able to contain himself any longer, Julius stripped off all his clothes and rushed into the pool, craving to ease his sore muscles and relieve some wounds. Julius forgot about where he was and his worries and enjoyed the warm body enveloping his body. No more sorrow for the loss of his family. No more pain at the thought of the cold creeping into his bones. No more hunger from the lack of food. All he heard was the sound of the water splashing around him and echoing off of the walls of the cave that he was in. Julius felt himself feeling better and better the longer he floated in the water. The pain in his limbs virtually disappeared. As a matter of fact, the bruise that he had on his torso from the giant bird was gone! This must be a magical pond of some form! Julius felt almost euphoric as the water soaked into him. Julius climbed out of the water, feeling relaxed and worry free. He sat near where he shed his clothes, trying to decide what he should do next. Although he wasn’t hungry at the moment, he knew that he would need food sometime soon, and he was wondering what he should do about it. Julius spotted some light growing to the east on the other side of the pool. The sun was rising. Just then, the entire room erupted into a deep blue light. The filled the room, the vines on the ceiling seemed to writhe in the glow of the blue light. The sun was burning brightly into the cave, only to show that the water in the center in the room was moving. And something started to rise from the center of the blue waters.. As the form rose higher and high, Julius could make out the form of a beautiful female figure, seemingly to stand on the surface of the water… The figure, stretched, the alluring curves of the female form exaggerated more by her twisting in the light. Julius gasped, amazed at the form’s figure. Suddenly, the head of the figure snapped in Julius’ direction. Deep blue eyes snapped open at Julius. Julius’ body stiffened, as if he was being frozen alive. Then, darkness encompassed him, and he collapsed with the lasting thought of those mesmerizing blue eyes.
CrimsonDeath 08-22-07, 05:15 PM	or somehow getting through your challenges without killing badguys. You still get XP for that.
sylas 08-22-07, 11:53 PM	These are wonderful backstories, and not too much if all of this is merely part of the training required for the character to reach level1. The amount of change that had to take place in a certain PC to finally become that class can vary widely, and I don't think this is too much different than the fighters, "I trained since I was old enough to hold a sword under master so-and-so.." Just terribly more interesting. Besides, "life experience" doesn't have to equate to actual xp. If so, you couldn't have middle age lvl1 PC's.