Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Fenrir_Greyback 01-19-08, 09:51 PM	Ok, I'm playing a half-elf Rogue, currently 3rd lvl Name: Nycro (Misspelling of necro, he is coincidentally, somewhat goth) Here are stats if you need them STR: 16 Dex: 18 Con: 16 Int: 16 Wis: 13 Cha: 16 Here's his story: Born on a small farm on the outskirts of an elven wood, he lived often alone with his mother, as his father was often in the woods with the other elves, hunting orcs. One day a lone elf came stumbling back home, bloody and haggard, and told the story of how they'd been caught by surprise by a troll. This elf was the only one left alive. and Nycro (Then Fuern) was at that point crushed. His pain and sorrow for his father left him with nothing but an urge to leave his home and escape from the sight of the woods. So after a few months, he ran away, living by the seat of his pants, stealing a little food here, begging a little here, and eventually he found his way to a town called (insert name here, I've forgotten it) There he stole and solicited his way through life, picking up various skills here, a few tricks here, growing all the more dark and depressed during these years. Something was nagging him, something in the back of his mind told him that he had taken wrong turns, and he couldn't go back if he tried. Finally, he slipped into total depression, sometimes going for days without food or water, mulling his problems over in the back alleys of the city, but he couldn't find his answers. (Low wisdom) Eventually, he got tired of being a shadow, and strode back out into the world, turning back to his sinful way of living. And that's when he met his current party. Two of the members were in a tavern, blah blah blah, you all know the story. What think?
Terjon of the Blue Rose 01-19-08, 10:55 PM	I think its a good start with a few holes. He lives with his mother and father, though his father is often away for long periods of time. Does he connect more heavily with his mother then (in which case give a little about who she is) or long for more time with his father (in this case you need a child's overly heroic viewpoint on who he is). After his father's death he runs. Presumably he never knew or believed that his father would die? This works well with his father being a great hero, if only in his eyes, who could never have been defeated. His time in the shadows could use a little more detail. In particular what dark roads is he travelling? Gangs? Theft (petty or serious)? Violence? Drugs or prostitution? Its ok to gloss over the details here but give a more direct impression of what type of life he's at. Lastly I'd remark on some turning point that allows him to realize he needs to change roads or reach a bleak destination. It just doesn't work out in most cases that a person simply decides to change. Generally they need something to force them to actually come to that conclusion even if it is what they already desire. In summation, I'd have him be a bit of an apron-clinger as a child who adored his great and heroic father (remember this is his childish impression so dad need not be an actual hero). After dad's death he can't deal so he runs off and learns rather quickly about how harsh the real world can be. He allows himself to be dragged into a few dens of iniquity (or other minor evil of your choice) before encountering a changing point in his life. After this he should begin actively seeking a new path which is what has led him to the doorstep of the other PCs.
Fenrir_Greyback 01-20-08, 08:23 AM	Great advice, but I'm wondering how a dramatic change in lifestyle and new resolve for facing the world fits with a CN alignment. Also, I wasn't found groveling for the other PCs, I actually saved their sorry behinds. See, the clerics brother's servant came rushing in, and some mean nasty wizards took an interest in him. Well, the cleric and the dwarf (who were traveling together before they met me) didn't like that too much and the dwarf went and killed one because they were threatening the servant. Long story short, I managed to negociate a proper exchange between the two parties before they demolished the tavern in a frenzy of Magic Missiles and axe swings.
I_roll_ones 01-20-08, 06:36 PM	Maybe there was more to the father's death. Maybe his group was denied extra resources by the guards, because the mission was supposed to be routine. Maybe someone sold the father out, and they were ambushed at night. If going with the first, the character would have the opinion that you need to look out for you and your buddies, that the law will not help you and might send you to your death. He's reluctant to get into pointless fights, expending resources that he might latter need.