Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Jastra of the clawed hand 10-04-05, 04:24 PM	I need help ( or better, suggestions for) a backstory for this character. The more detailed the better. Basically, she is a Fighter/Wizard( or Sorcerer, havent decided yet) ( only 1 level as fighter) who specialises in weapon-related spells ( steel dance, whirling blades, Mordenkainen's sword etc.) as well as spells useful for close-combat ( mage armor, blur, etc.). This character lives (and adventures in) Faerun and comes from Tethyr. She does not wear armor, nevertheless her appearance is...interesting. She carries numerous swords and daggers on her body, most of them clearly visible ( I rolled a 16 for her strength;)). I need suggestions for reasons why she decided to master blade combat the arcane way. I'd be grateful for any reply;) Her stats are: STR 16 DEX 15 CON 15 INT (depends on whether she's a wizard or sorcerer...if wizard, INT is 17) WIS 11 CHA ( see above, as wizard it's 14) Her Alignment is NE ( she's very ruthless) but on occasion she shows signs of a benevolence that might hint at a soft heart - but you better not mention that;)
Gingerbread Guy 10-04-05, 05:56 PM	Well, this isn't easy. Its a lot easier starting with a concept and then developing a sheet to express that concept, rather than starting with a sheet and coming up with some plausible reason why the character exists. Of course, its not impossible. ^_^ Basicly, you have a lot of questions to answer: 1. What race is she, anyway? Race and culture play a HUGE role in a character's development. 2. How did she become Neutral Evil? People learn their ethical and moral beliefs.. how did she learn her's? What was her childhood like, and how did it help shape the woman she is now? What other events were pivotal in her life? 3. How did she end up as a warrior (rather than a housewife or a tradesperson for example)? Did she chose her way of life, or was it more or less forced on her? 4. What are her goals and motivations? Its human nature to want. Anyone who doesn't want something is either dead or a very enlightened buddhist monk. lol Or a dead buddhist monk, I suppose. 5. What personality quirks does she have? Does she have any vices? Fears, dislikes, grudges, fettishes, or unusual behaviour? How does she talk, how does she walk? Does she take good care of her swords, or does she treat them like replaceable instruments good for nothing beyond their most basic purpose? How does she treat other people? 6. What do her abilities say about her? How do her intelligence, wisdom and charisma affect her personality? When push comes to shove, does she rely on her wits to save her butt, or does she resort to abusing her superior strength? 7. Who are the people in her life? Is she married, single, widdowed? Does she have children? Does she want children? Does she have family members, and if so, where are they and what is her relationship with them? 8. How on earth did she get symmetrical scars? Honestly, I'd lose that bit.. its horribly cliche. ~Ginger
Jastra of the clawed hand 10-04-05, 07:24 PM	Thank you. Even these questions are a great help for me ;) 1) How could I forget race? She's human. 2)Actually thinking about that question made me develop already half her backstory ;) Irytha was born into a family of magic-users - while her father had been a sorcerer of some renown and power, her mother had lacked the abilities to progress far as a wizard and thus felt herself confined to what she deemed to be a role unworthy of her - housewife. Irytha was born a few months after her father had died in an accident during a mageduel to settle an old rivalry. The moment her daughter opened her eyes for the first time, her mother decided that Irytha was destined for the greatness that had always eluded her. During Irytha's childhood, her mother was always on the lookout for the slightest bit of magical power in her daughter. And when it finally manifested itself, her mother took it upon herself to "train" her daughter. In her almost manic desire to produce a capable sorcerer, she put terrible pressure on her daughter, her training actually doing more harm than good for her methods bordered - and sometimes certainly overstepped that border - on cruelty. Finally, Irytha could not stand it any longer and even though she had no full control over her powers, she felt a surge of delight when one of the decorative swords flew from the wall and impaled her mother. She had never felt any regret over this. And though her mother had not been exactly evil, Irytha could not count the times her mother had taught her that all was acceptable as long as it allowed one to gain more magical power. 3) She no longer had a family, but an able body and some gold she took with her when she left her home ( which is haunted till today by the restless ghost of her mother who now feels that the world has wronged her twice). Irytha's heart had hardened under the " training" her mother had put her through. Because she did not want to proceed honing her magical powers ( an act of spite), she finally decided to work as a sellsword. But during the few fights she'd had, she found out that she had a magical connection to swords that was too strong to be ignored. Even her other spells were connected to the images of blades ( Spell thematics: Blades). During her time as a mercenary, she also found out that while she enjoyed fighting, something kept her from being totally cruel and heartless ( Touch of Benevolence feat). After she prevented the killing of a helpless man by slaying her commanding officer, she fled. 4) Actually, Irytha does not know what she wants. In a way she is driven, but she has no idea what is it that drives her. She wishes to forge her connection to blades into a weapon able to strike fear into her enemies, but this goal alone is not satisfying enough. Something is missing - if she only knew what it was.... 5) She absolutely does not like when someone puts her under pressure of any kind. That's an easy way to end up very, very dead. She tends to be suspicious, knowing very well that under their normal facade, many people hide darker sides they don't want anyone to see. She smiles quite often - but mostly to put others at ease...which, however, more often than not, does not work because that sort of smile never reaches her eyes. Rarely, however, she might let her guard down and most people who only know her as calculating, cold and sometimes outright cruel would be surprised that there is a warm, caring personality beneath. To strangers she is mostly indifferent unless they have something she wants. In these cases, she would do anything to get what she wants. Also, when completing a task, almost any means is acceptable. In rare cases, however, she does show signs of a conscience. She cannot stand violence against children, for example. Also, she is almost free of any prejudices. Basically, she looks down on everyone, regardless of race or gender. She is - a rather unusual aspect for someone like her - very protective of the people she allowed herself to trust. If travelling with a party she respects and trusts, she would die for them if necessary. Of course, she will not show signs of that to anyone. She has a very soft voice that can be like summer breeze but quickly turn as hard as stell when angered. Irytha is very conscious of her beauty - and she is very beautiful - but does not show it. When walking into a room, she pretends not to notice the stares she sometimes gets, knowing that this might make others lower their guard as it bewilders them. Her swords are instruments to her and she would dispose of them at any time if necessary. One sword, however, the one that she killed her mother with, she keeps with her all the time but never uses it. It is in excellent condition (as are her other blades) and always wrapped in silk. She considers it as a sign of her freedom. The sword, however, has still bloodstains on it and those cannot be removed by any means ( just as the house, the sword is haunted as well, though that might not have any in-game effect). 6) Irytha is quick-thinking and a good tactician. Long-term plans, however, are not her specialty. She likes to get into action as soon as possible and work from there. When there is something going on around her, she can think best. Quiet rooms are not for her. Her charisma mostly presents itself as a "quiet" beauty ( elegant features, an air of calm and serenity about her if she wishes so) but also as a piercing stare and an aura that can feel as cold and hard as a blade when she is angry. Some people have said that the air around her seems to take on a metallic taste when she's agitated.... If necessary - and the best option - she thinks on her feet and would rather outsmart her enemies, though her bloodlust sometimes gets the better of her. 7) Her family is dead, but there is a man from the mercenary company she was in whom she sometimes misses. She thinks of it as a weakness but the truth is that she is still in love with him and would like to find him ( one of the thinks that drive her). 8) I dropped it. You were right....too cliche:D Wow, thanks again;) Now I need someone to comment on the background ;)
jay 10-07-05, 06:49 PM	specialises in weapon-related spells ( steel dance, Where is this spell from and what does it do?
Jastra of the clawed hand 10-07-05, 08:05 PM	From Magic of Faerun. It turns two daggers into longswords and allows them to fly and attack an enemy.