Need advice for Cleric of Life & Death [Archive] - Wizards Community

Need advice for Cleric of Life & Death [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Raven Dark
08-27-05, 11:26 AM I am creating a new Mystic Theurge character for an upcoming Eberron Campaign. I have just finished writing up his backstory (shown below) and I wanted your opinions on it. I also wanted you all to check and make sure I didn't include anything inappropriate to the campaign setting. Thanks!

Ericzard Myseurge
(N male human, cleric 1)
Life & Death Domains

Appearance: Ericzard (Eric to most) is dark in both appearance and mood. With his long dark hair, pale skin, chiseled features, and intense gaze, he has an air of power about him that few others can match. He would be considered handsome if only it weren’t for his scars, gaunt physique, greased hair, grim expression, and hooked nose.

Clothing: Eric prefers expensive black clothes designed by some of the finest tailors (the so-called Mourningwear worn by so many Cyran refugees). He disdains the typical robes common to spellcasters, realizing that such garments would only make him an obvious target to enemies. He also favors sets of clothing that allow him to easily hide material components and devices that may not be socially acceptable, such as humanoid finger bones, poison, and the like.

Personality: Eric was touched by Xoriat in his grief. Despite his intermittent madness, he is very cunning and keenly aware of his surroundings. He has become a masochist of sorts, scarring his arms with sharp instruments in order to keep his mind clear from thoughts of his lost past. It is only through the blurred redness of this pain that he can escape his own tormented thoughts of his children. Like the Children of Winter, be believes that death is a part of the natural order and that only the strong will survive the coming of the end of the current age. To this end, he seeks out violent jobs, both to make himself stronger and to further study the nature of life and death.

Region of Origin: Eric grew up in Eston, Cyre as a cleric of the Sovereign Host up until the Day of Mourning. Having lost everything, he now travels the world taking on the most violent jobs he can find.

History/Background: Ericzard and his young brother were visiting a sister church in Seaside, the City of Sails, when the dead gray mist appeared and engulfed the great port. With hundreds of others, the Myseurge brothers huddled on the nearby docks only feet from the mist’s deadly touch. Fearful for the wellbeing of his friends, Eric’s brother ventured into the strange mist on the first day, only to collapse and die the moment he set foot upon the land. After seeing his brother fall, six burly sailors were forced to hold Eric back as the mist enveloped his brother’s corpse.

Survivors crazed with grief and desperate to see what happened to their kin, dared the mist on the second day…and were unharmed. The search of Seaside for survivors began. No bodies were found however, not even Eric’s younger brother. Worried for the rest of his family, Eric trekked across the blasted graveyard to his hometown of Eston. He found the remains of his old home, but found not but a nightmare that would torment him everlasting. His two young children had hidden themselves in a closet in fear. Their charred remains lay there still, the surrounding closet walls having protected them from the eldritch energies like so much parchment. The sight shattered Eric’s resolve and he had to be forcefully removed from the Mournlands. His wife was never found.

Like so many others that day, Eric’s life changed forever. He lost all faith in his church and fell into a deep depression which robbed him of his physical health. Mad with grief, Eric attempted to end his life by throwing himself bodily into the raging rocky river rapids of the Dagger River in Southern Breland. His body was broken, his blood washed the river red, and his will to live had long since shattered. Fate, however, simply refused to end his misery. A large grizzly bear wondered from the King’s Forest, dragged his unconscious body to safety, and licked his wounds clean as he rest upon the Eastern shore. His body was discovered by a pair of poachers who had been hunting illegally nearby. The strange bear was put to death.

In the coming months after his attempted suicide, all that was left for his mutilated body was pain, an endless blur of throbbing agony and heartache. In the end, it was in this pain that he found clarity. On the first anniversary of the Day of Mourning he chose a new spiritual path, one he believed would grant him powers over life and death—the power, he hoped, to be with his family again.

Character Hook: “Where…where are you my beautiful children?” –Eric, moments before tripping over the bodies.

If there is anything I could add to it or a way of rewording what I already said to make the story better, please lend your advice and ideas! :)
bobothehobo8
08-30-05, 07:19 PM Ah, the suicidal anti-hero.

I really like the depth and the story really evokes tragedy and reverberates with the characters angst.

First off, he needs a new last name. Myseurge? At least rearrange the letters in Mystic Theurge! Perhaps Ericzard...(fabricating a name from the void)...Meronua? Something has to be better than Myseurge...
Do you fight along size the ever-raging Christhor Barbrian? ;)

You might want to include some reason he would join a band of adventurers, as well as some motive that prevents you from just trying to kill yourself again. It seems like what pushing him through is the chance to bring his family back from the dead...but he cannot yet. The "Power over Life + Death" bit could be developed more... does he take pleasure in manipulating these forces? Is it only to become more adept at it so he can finally bring them back?

When this character unlocks the True Ressurection spell, everything changes.

What does he do if he can bring them back? What if he has changed so much they don't understand/love him anymore? What if it doesn't work? He will be crushed? I could see this guy going way over the edge crazy. The only thing preventing him from re-attempting suicide then would to become more powerful...to try to become a god himself!
Fithero
08-31-05, 02:27 AM personally i want to know what the deal was with that bear. that character is cool (although i agree....change the name)

Also...whats up with the grey mist? where does it take people?

answers!!!!

Later
Raven Dark
08-31-05, 03:16 AM personally i want to know what the deal was with that bear.

The bear is kind of a metaphor: Creatures live and die, that is just the way things are. There is supposed to be tragic irony in that the bear gives up its life to save someone who doesn't want to be saved. It is odd that the bear did it at all, but then again, who can explain fate?

that character is cool (although i agree....change the name)

Thanks, I think its a great concept too. The name is actually CLeric without the first two letters, WIzard without the first two letters, and then Mystic Theurge all smashed together. I'm usually good with names, but it really did fail me this time. I'll change the last name when soemthing more appealing comes along.

Also...whats up with the grey mist? where does it take people?

The mist isn't like that of Ravenloft. It doesn't take people anywhere, it simply kills you. Read the Eberron campaign setting to learn more about the Day of Mourning.
Raven Dark
08-31-05, 03:33 AM You might want to include some reason he would join a band of adventurers, as well as some motive that prevents you from just trying to kill yourself again. It seems like what pushing him through is the chance to bring his family back from the dead...but he cannot yet. The "Power over Life + Death" bit could be developed more... does he take pleasure in manipulating these forces? Is it only to become more adept at it so he can finally bring them back?

I wouldn't say he takes pleasure in it manipulating the forces of life and death, but being a cleric he is certainly devoted to the ideals they represent (what those ideals are, I'm not really sure, but you can help me flesh them out if you like). He approaches life and death as a philosopher might, seeking to learn the secrets of the univers through these fundemental forces of nature.

Now that he is on a new spiritual path which he truly believes may bring back his family, he won't be attempting suicide again any time soon.

When this character unlocks the True Ressurection spell, everything changes. What does he do if he can bring them back?

Yes, it will change. In Eberron, people's souls are erased some time after there death thanks to the Plane of Dolurrh (a nasty place where EVERYONE goes to regardless of life's deeds). Thus if my character takes too long, the spell may not matter at all. If that is the case, he will become truly power hungry seeking to defy the natural forces of nature only so that he may find a way to bring them back.

If the DM is nice and allows the family to be brought back, the character may very well retire at that point.

What if he has changed so much they don't understand/love him anymore? What if it doesn't work? He will be crushed? I could see this guy going way over the edge crazy. The only thing preventing him from re-attempting suicide then would to become more powerful...to try to become a god himself!

Exactly! At some point, Eric will seek lichdom as he likely won't live much longer to accomplish his goals in his current state (6 Constitution thanks to his suicide attempt and general abuse of his body and neglected health). If he accomplishes this before the return of his family however, they may even fear the one who saved them! How tragically ironic would that be?

Also remember that his wife's body was never found. Even if he gets his children back, how would he react if he attempted to raise his wife but couldn't? Could it mean she is still alive? Could something have taken her soul (ala The Keeper)? There are many directions this could go. Currently, he believes his wife to be dead (whether that is true or not is up to the DM).

I like this character because it could take a number of VERY interesting paths. In the mean time, he is just a plain cool anti-hero. :cool:

Thanks for your help. Keep it up!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Raven Dark 08-27-05, 11:26 AM	I am creating a new Mystic Theurge character for an upcoming Eberron Campaign. I have just finished writing up his backstory (shown below) and I wanted your opinions on it. I also wanted you all to check and make sure I didn't include anything inappropriate to the campaign setting. Thanks! Ericzard Myseurge (N male human, cleric 1) Life & Death Domains Appearance: Ericzard (Eric to most) is dark in both appearance and mood. With his long dark hair, pale skin, chiseled features, and intense gaze, he has an air of power about him that few others can match. He would be considered handsome if only it weren’t for his scars, gaunt physique, greased hair, grim expression, and hooked nose. Clothing: Eric prefers expensive black clothes designed by some of the finest tailors (the so-called Mourningwear worn by so many Cyran refugees). He disdains the typical robes common to spellcasters, realizing that such garments would only make him an obvious target to enemies. He also favors sets of clothing that allow him to easily hide material components and devices that may not be socially acceptable, such as humanoid finger bones, poison, and the like. Personality: Eric was touched by Xoriat in his grief. Despite his intermittent madness, he is very cunning and keenly aware of his surroundings. He has become a masochist of sorts, scarring his arms with sharp instruments in order to keep his mind clear from thoughts of his lost past. It is only through the blurred redness of this pain that he can escape his own tormented thoughts of his children. Like the Children of Winter, be believes that death is a part of the natural order and that only the strong will survive the coming of the end of the current age. To this end, he seeks out violent jobs, both to make himself stronger and to further study the nature of life and death. Region of Origin: Eric grew up in Eston, Cyre as a cleric of the Sovereign Host up until the Day of Mourning. Having lost everything, he now travels the world taking on the most violent jobs he can find. History/Background: Ericzard and his young brother were visiting a sister church in Seaside, the City of Sails, when the dead gray mist appeared and engulfed the great port. With hundreds of others, the Myseurge brothers huddled on the nearby docks only feet from the mist’s deadly touch. Fearful for the wellbeing of his friends, Eric’s brother ventured into the strange mist on the first day, only to collapse and die the moment he set foot upon the land. After seeing his brother fall, six burly sailors were forced to hold Eric back as the mist enveloped his brother’s corpse. Survivors crazed with grief and desperate to see what happened to their kin, dared the mist on the second day…and were unharmed. The search of Seaside for survivors began. No bodies were found however, not even Eric’s younger brother. Worried for the rest of his family, Eric trekked across the blasted graveyard to his hometown of Eston. He found the remains of his old home, but found not but a nightmare that would torment him everlasting. His two young children had hidden themselves in a closet in fear. Their charred remains lay there still, the surrounding closet walls having protected them from the eldritch energies like so much parchment. The sight shattered Eric’s resolve and he had to be forcefully removed from the Mournlands. His wife was never found. Like so many others that day, Eric’s life changed forever. He lost all faith in his church and fell into a deep depression which robbed him of his physical health. Mad with grief, Eric attempted to end his life by throwing himself bodily into the raging rocky river rapids of the Dagger River in Southern Breland. His body was broken, his blood washed the river red, and his will to live had long since shattered. Fate, however, simply refused to end his misery. A large grizzly bear wondered from the King’s Forest, dragged his unconscious body to safety, and licked his wounds clean as he rest upon the Eastern shore. His body was discovered by a pair of poachers who had been hunting illegally nearby. The strange bear was put to death. In the coming months after his attempted suicide, all that was left for his mutilated body was pain, an endless blur of throbbing agony and heartache. In the end, it was in this pain that he found clarity. On the first anniversary of the Day of Mourning he chose a new spiritual path, one he believed would grant him powers over life and death—the power, he hoped, to be with his family again. Character Hook: “Where…where are you my beautiful children?” –Eric, moments before tripping over the bodies. If there is anything I could add to it or a way of rewording what I already said to make the story better, please lend your advice and ideas! :)
bobothehobo8 08-30-05, 07:19 PM	Ah, the suicidal anti-hero. I really like the depth and the story really evokes tragedy and reverberates with the characters angst. First off, he needs a new last name. Myseurge? At least rearrange the letters in Mystic Theurge! Perhaps Ericzard...(fabricating a name from the void)...Meronua? Something has to be better than Myseurge... Do you fight along size the ever-raging Christhor Barbrian? ;) You might want to include some reason he would join a band of adventurers, as well as some motive that prevents you from just trying to kill yourself again. It seems like what pushing him through is the chance to bring his family back from the dead...but he cannot yet. The "Power over Life + Death" bit could be developed more... does he take pleasure in manipulating these forces? Is it only to become more adept at it so he can finally bring them back? When this character unlocks the True Ressurection spell, everything changes. What does he do if he can bring them back? What if he has changed so much they don't understand/love him anymore? What if it doesn't work? He will be crushed? I could see this guy going way over the edge crazy. The only thing preventing him from re-attempting suicide then would to become more powerful...to try to become a god himself!
Fithero 08-31-05, 02:27 AM	personally i want to know what the deal was with that bear. that character is cool (although i agree....change the name) Also...whats up with the grey mist? where does it take people? answers!!!! Later
Raven Dark 08-31-05, 03:16 AM	personally i want to know what the deal was with that bear. The bear is kind of a metaphor: Creatures live and die, that is just the way things are. There is supposed to be tragic irony in that the bear gives up its life to save someone who doesn't want to be saved. It is odd that the bear did it at all, but then again, who can explain fate? that character is cool (although i agree....change the name) Thanks, I think its a great concept too. The name is actually CLeric without the first two letters, WIzard without the first two letters, and then Mystic Theurge all smashed together. I'm usually good with names, but it really did fail me this time. I'll change the last name when soemthing more appealing comes along. Also...whats up with the grey mist? where does it take people? The mist isn't like that of Ravenloft. It doesn't take people anywhere, it simply kills you. Read the Eberron campaign setting to learn more about the Day of Mourning.
Raven Dark 08-31-05, 03:33 AM	You might want to include some reason he would join a band of adventurers, as well as some motive that prevents you from just trying to kill yourself again. It seems like what pushing him through is the chance to bring his family back from the dead...but he cannot yet. The "Power over Life + Death" bit could be developed more... does he take pleasure in manipulating these forces? Is it only to become more adept at it so he can finally bring them back? I wouldn't say he takes pleasure in it manipulating the forces of life and death, but being a cleric he is certainly devoted to the ideals they represent (what those ideals are, I'm not really sure, but you can help me flesh them out if you like). He approaches life and death as a philosopher might, seeking to learn the secrets of the univers through these fundemental forces of nature. Now that he is on a new spiritual path which he truly believes may bring back his family, he won't be attempting suicide again any time soon. When this character unlocks the True Ressurection spell, everything changes. What does he do if he can bring them back? Yes, it will change. In Eberron, people's souls are erased some time after there death thanks to the Plane of Dolurrh (a nasty place where EVERYONE goes to regardless of life's deeds). Thus if my character takes too long, the spell may not matter at all. If that is the case, he will become truly power hungry seeking to defy the natural forces of nature only so that he may find a way to bring them back. If the DM is nice and allows the family to be brought back, the character may very well retire at that point. What if he has changed so much they don't understand/love him anymore? What if it doesn't work? He will be crushed? I could see this guy going way over the edge crazy. The only thing preventing him from re-attempting suicide then would to become more powerful...to try to become a god himself! Exactly! At some point, Eric will seek lichdom as he likely won't live much longer to accomplish his goals in his current state (6 Constitution thanks to his suicide attempt and general abuse of his body and neglected health). If he accomplishes this before the return of his family however, they may even fear the one who saved them! How tragically ironic would that be? Also remember that his wife's body was never found. Even if he gets his children back, how would he react if he attempted to raise his wife but couldn't? Could it mean she is still alive? Could something have taken her soul (ala The Keeper)? There are many directions this could go. Currently, he believes his wife to be dead (whether that is true or not is up to the DM). I like this character because it could take a number of VERY interesting paths. In the mean time, he is just a plain cool anti-hero. :cool: Thanks for your help. Keep it up!