Post/Author/DateTime	Post
hayved 11-25-07, 10:21 PM	I'm about to start a fresh D&D campaign. My DM has said that we may use only races and classes found in the players handbook, and that we are to begin at level 5. I decided I'd play a human fighter. However, when I sat down to think out a story for my character I found myself thinking "God, this sounds a little cliche." Anyway, if anybody has any advice on how to make this story sound a little more original, or any other comments, I'd be happy to know. :D Carlo, The Freedom Fighter There was once born a slave. He was given no name. He was shown no love, nor pity. And yet; he was happy. This set him apart from the others. He had a will to survive, a reason to wake up in the morning; a dream. In this dream he stood atop the highest pyramid in Mulhorand, and looked down upon leagues of men all shouting to the heavens. “Carlo! Carlo! Carlo!” At the age of 17, terrible luck befell the boy. There was an explosion in the mines, many were killed; many more were injured. As for the boy, a piece of shrapnel was embedded in his left arm, the wound became infected, and the boy took on fever. The only way to save his life was through amputation. “A cripple cannot work the mines!” they said, and he was loaded onto a ship to be sold for entertainment in Reth. Here he would be forced into the arena; surely killed in his first fight. But as look would have it, he won. And he kept winning; fight after fight after fight, soon becoming a favorite of the crowd. They called him the One Armed Giant, as he grew very tall and very strong, being able to swing his greatsword one-handed with ease. He enjoyed the fame, but he never forgot his dream. After years of fighting in the arena, the man amassed enough coins with which to buy his freedom. He approached his owner and handed him the sack of gold. “Why leave?” his owner said “You have amassed such fame, such glory. Surely, you can see what you have accomplished. I will not refuse your offer if you wish to buy your freedom, but tell me. Why is it that you throw this life away?” “I have won many fights” the man replied “and I have taken many lives, simply for entertainment. I wish now to fight for a cause.” With that the man dropped the sack into his owners hand and left, taking up the name “Carlo”, meaning “free man”. The man knew it was his destiny to end slavery in Mulhorand, but he knew too that he was not yet powerful enough to do so. In his journeys he would eventually come to Waterdeep, where his quest would truly begin…
VampyresThrenody 11-26-07, 12:15 AM	The cause he may be aiming for does seem cliche, but that doesn't mean its a bad idea. The background from working the mines going into a gladiator is an interesting setup. Also the fact that he's missing an arm intrigues me. Definately has the feel of a vigilante-type CG fighter who will do whatever he can to bring freedom to friends who are still slaves.
False-paradox-Truth 11-26-07, 12:21 AM	With the exception of the cause, it's not really a cliche. Even then, the cause is appropriate and seems like a natural transition.
Aramil_Delanur 11-26-07, 09:37 PM	I like your story. It has a number of plot elements that are able to define his character and enable you to decide his actions without putting in too much detail that the DM would have to work into his world's background. I like the simplicity along with the character definition. On another note, don't be afraid of cliché. D&D is a game with its deepest roots in the most cliché of stories. The game is embroiled in it. It is one of the places that enables people to live the heroic cliché without being really looked down upon by the people who have already had it. Enjoy your character! Aramil
KIDS 11-27-07, 06:22 AM	You can prove that pretty much anything is a cliche, you really don't need to worry about it. It is what characterization and personality comes forth from those that is important and judging from this I'm sure you're on the good path. Keep up the good work :)
hayved 11-27-07, 06:02 PM	Thanks a ton guys! I'll leave it as is then. 'Cept I'll change "look" to "luck". "As look would have it", lame mistype :P