Notes on a Catastrophy (long character background... help needed) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Notes on a Catastrophy (long character background... help needed) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
pyro_cat
06-14-07, 10:33 PM So I got tired of trying to write up a descriptive background in biographical form, so I tried fleshing out my character in a different way. I'm playing Daniel D'tarrise, a complex and occasionally troubled individual.

Build Stub
Wizard 2/Binder 1/Anima Mage 10/??? 7

What follows are selected passages from a personal journal recovered from the rubble of Headmaster Colandreus' tower, which was destroyed during the assault of Highcrest Academy for the Magical Arts.

I was told he was by the lake, so I went.

I wanted one more chance to talk to him before he was gone; one more chance to unravel the mystery that still remained tightly wound around the events of the past few days, but even as I approached, a small voice predicted my efforts would be in vain. One cannot help but feel that certain events would transpired if I had heeded that voice.

But I didn't.

I saw him out on the pier. He was still a young man, casually perched between the awkward discomfort of adolescence and the self-assured blindness of adulthood. I saw him sitting; looking out into the lake, lost in the thoughts I knew often troubled him. Those melancholy contemplations had led to my door more than once in his time here, but in recent days he had changed, and the transition troubled me.

His long legs hung over the edge of the wall, and his hands, once slim and manicured, now rough with the calouses earned in reward for their unknown duties, rested back on the stone. His slight shoulders were hunched, head bowed, with his coppery blonde hair spilling down across his forehead into his eyes. He turned, and, to my surprise, I found myself relieved when I saw they were still a clear blue, perhaps a shade greener than the waters he had just been surveying.

He saw me, and for a moment a painfully self-aware, sardonic grin flashed across his thin face, almost too quick to see, but then the cruel cut of his mouth was replaced by a quietly mocking smile.

He stood. He was tall, I suppose, and only seemed more so for his thinness; a sort of bony leaness that was belied by the softness in his step. His stride seemed surprisingly relaxed and comfortable for one who was so often to be found sitting alone, and as he drew nearer, his almost-full lips shifted into a broader smile.

In what I took to be an uncommon display of physical affection, he raised his hand and clasped me on the shoulder, with a surprisingly firm grip, looking straight into my eyes. Memories of his arrival at my academy flashed back to me; his father, a tutor and schollar, requested we take him, and we soon found ourselves with a very interesting student. Early in his studies, he was confounded by a seeming lack of magical talent, but sudden breakthroughs and an abruptly precocious grasp of the Arts had sent him to the top of his class, where he remained throughout his years, regardless of his lack of academic interest.

A slight breeze off the waves brought me back to the moment, and I examined his face, as if to look for signs of further change reflected on his features. But his hair still seemed to have that rakish sweep to it, always almost falling into his eyes, only to be arrested by the gentle sweep of one finger. His high, freckled cheekbones were flushed from the sun, still contrasting his pale complexion. Blue eyes, still humourous and cynical, surveyed me from over a thin, straight nose, and when he opened his mouth to speak, I could see his teeth flashing in the sunlight.

And when he said he understood the decision I had to make, I almost believed him. He was that good.

The proceeding entries were found in a book of records retrieved from the Highcrest administrative archives, following the attack. The archives themselves were spared from the greatest of the destruction, but were thoroughly ransacked, and many volumes were removed to parts unknown.

Discipline Log 1: Fouth year Daniel D'tarrise was found this morning in the catacombs, after a burst of unusual conjuring energy alerted the watchmages of unauthorised Art inside the eastern complex. Upon arriving, no summon was present, a young female student (who had presumably accompianed the older student into the catacombs) was lying in a daze on the corridor floor. Upon further examination, it became clear that Daniel was not directly responsible for her condition, and both were confined to quarters until further action could be taken.

Discipline Log 2: At ten past the stoke of midnight, Daniel was caught, by a patrolling watchmage, leaving the room of the younger student who was also involved in the catacomb incident. A guard was posted on his door, and questioning will begin in the morning.

Discipline Log 3: After extensive questioning, Daniel refused to provide either his tutor or the headmaster with any useful information, and when subjected to similar examination, the younger girl became distraught and would only ask to see Daniel. She was deemed to be little more than a victim, by the headmaster, and sent home to recover in more familiar surroundings. With no co-operation, the only remaining possibility for Daniel is expulsion.

The text below is passage from an eyewitness testimony of the attack on the academy, provided by a fisherman who was not far offshore when it occured.

I've lived here my whole life, I've seen magic every day. But not like that. I don't know. I don't know if it was even magic. The air, everywhere, suddenly seemed full and heavy, as if it was thicker. Like tryin' to breathe water. I stowed my net and looked out to sea, I thought there was a storm coming, but every time I turned my head, I found myself somehow staring at the academy back on the shore. There was something, I don't know what, but I blinked, and soon as I had my eyes shut, there was a godly loud noise. When I opened my eyes, the academy was leveled, like some giant hand had come and swept it all away. An' the queer part is, everyone else I talked to missed it too. They all just... wern't lookin' when it happened. No one actually saw the damn thing happen. Now I don't know how that's so, maybe you can tell me.

Further Information
While I have yet to write this up in a format in keeping with the entries above; this is some important information: Daniel, though he is a Wizard, has very little magical talent garnered from academic study. His spellbook, in fact, is actually a medium that lets him communicate with an unknown entity and patron who has been coaching Daniel in the Art, and lending him some of it's power. In an effort to understand this mysterious benefactor, Daniel began to study binding; an interest this entity seemed to encourage. Soon, he began to learn how to blend his capabilities to become something new; something better. However, he needed to access certain tomes that existed only in the archives of his old school before he could continue his investigations. Much to his surprise, he awoke one morning to find his book contained instructions for the perfect ritual...

Sorry if all is not up to snuff... I kinda just made this up as I went. Basically, I'm looking for improvements, suggestions, and criticisms.
warwinner
06-15-07, 07:03 AM There's no conflict or tension between the academy and the binder.They just expel him and apparently that's that.
Maybe some hint of the entity suggesting that people in the academy are planning to spy on him after he leaves or maybe wanting to inform paladins/inquisitors because they suspect something fishy is going on.
There must be some concrete reason [apparent or subtle] to destroy the academy than just "they expelled me".
pyro_cat
06-15-07, 11:42 AM There's no conflict or tension between the academy and the binder.They just expel him and apparently that's that.
Maybe some hint of the entity suggesting that people in the academy are planning to spy on him after he leaves or maybe wanting to inform paladins/inquisitors because they suspect something fishy is going on.
There must be some concrete reason [apparent or subtle] to destroy the academy than just "they expelled me".

Hm, I suppose from all I wrote, thats true. You see, I wanted to describe him entirely from the perspective of other people, and that ends up just leaving things unclear. I'll either have to write more (which is what I planned), or just put down some direct information.

He needed some documents from the school, the entity in his spellbook provided him with a way to get them, and he had no reason NOT to destroy the academy. Also, I'm thinking of elaborating on his relationship with the young girl. He wanted/needed her for SOMETHING, and perhaps the academy took steps to protect her from his influence after the incident. Between the encouragement of the unknown entity, his need to get at the girl, and his desire to look at books that he'd never be able to normally, the destruction of the academy might be justified in his mind. He doesn't consider himself to be outright evel, but he's certainly no pillar of society.

I do like the suggestion about inquisitors. I'll throw that in there too.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
pyro_cat 06-14-07, 10:33 PM	So I got tired of trying to write up a descriptive background in biographical form, so I tried fleshing out my character in a different way. I'm playing Daniel D'tarrise, a complex and occasionally troubled individual. Build Stub Wizard 2/Binder 1/Anima Mage 10/??? 7 What follows are selected passages from a personal journal recovered from the rubble of Headmaster Colandreus' tower, which was destroyed during the assault of Highcrest Academy for the Magical Arts. I was told he was by the lake, so I went. I wanted one more chance to talk to him before he was gone; one more chance to unravel the mystery that still remained tightly wound around the events of the past few days, but even as I approached, a small voice predicted my efforts would be in vain. One cannot help but feel that certain events would transpired if I had heeded that voice. But I didn't. I saw him out on the pier. He was still a young man, casually perched between the awkward discomfort of adolescence and the self-assured blindness of adulthood. I saw him sitting; looking out into the lake, lost in the thoughts I knew often troubled him. Those melancholy contemplations had led to my door more than once in his time here, but in recent days he had changed, and the transition troubled me. His long legs hung over the edge of the wall, and his hands, once slim and manicured, now rough with the calouses earned in reward for their unknown duties, rested back on the stone. His slight shoulders were hunched, head bowed, with his coppery blonde hair spilling down across his forehead into his eyes. He turned, and, to my surprise, I found myself relieved when I saw they were still a clear blue, perhaps a shade greener than the waters he had just been surveying. He saw me, and for a moment a painfully self-aware, sardonic grin flashed across his thin face, almost too quick to see, but then the cruel cut of his mouth was replaced by a quietly mocking smile. He stood. He was tall, I suppose, and only seemed more so for his thinness; a sort of bony leaness that was belied by the softness in his step. His stride seemed surprisingly relaxed and comfortable for one who was so often to be found sitting alone, and as he drew nearer, his almost-full lips shifted into a broader smile. In what I took to be an uncommon display of physical affection, he raised his hand and clasped me on the shoulder, with a surprisingly firm grip, looking straight into my eyes. Memories of his arrival at my academy flashed back to me; his father, a tutor and schollar, requested we take him, and we soon found ourselves with a very interesting student. Early in his studies, he was confounded by a seeming lack of magical talent, but sudden breakthroughs and an abruptly precocious grasp of the Arts had sent him to the top of his class, where he remained throughout his years, regardless of his lack of academic interest. A slight breeze off the waves brought me back to the moment, and I examined his face, as if to look for signs of further change reflected on his features. But his hair still seemed to have that rakish sweep to it, always almost falling into his eyes, only to be arrested by the gentle sweep of one finger. His high, freckled cheekbones were flushed from the sun, still contrasting his pale complexion. Blue eyes, still humourous and cynical, surveyed me from over a thin, straight nose, and when he opened his mouth to speak, I could see his teeth flashing in the sunlight. And when he said he understood the decision I had to make, I almost believed him. He was that good. The proceeding entries were found in a book of records retrieved from the Highcrest administrative archives, following the attack. The archives themselves were spared from the greatest of the destruction, but were thoroughly ransacked, and many volumes were removed to parts unknown. Discipline Log 1: Fouth year Daniel D'tarrise was found this morning in the catacombs, after a burst of unusual conjuring energy alerted the watchmages of unauthorised Art inside the eastern complex. Upon arriving, no summon was present, a young female student (who had presumably accompianed the older student into the catacombs) was lying in a daze on the corridor floor. Upon further examination, it became clear that Daniel was not directly responsible for her condition, and both were confined to quarters until further action could be taken. Discipline Log 2: At ten past the stoke of midnight, Daniel was caught, by a patrolling watchmage, leaving the room of the younger student who was also involved in the catacomb incident. A guard was posted on his door, and questioning will begin in the morning. Discipline Log 3: After extensive questioning, Daniel refused to provide either his tutor or the headmaster with any useful information, and when subjected to similar examination, the younger girl became distraught and would only ask to see Daniel. She was deemed to be little more than a victim, by the headmaster, and sent home to recover in more familiar surroundings. With no co-operation, the only remaining possibility for Daniel is expulsion. The text below is passage from an eyewitness testimony of the attack on the academy, provided by a fisherman who was not far offshore when it occured. I've lived here my whole life, I've seen magic every day. But not like that. I don't know. I don't know if it was even magic. The air, everywhere, suddenly seemed full and heavy, as if it was thicker. Like tryin' to breathe water. I stowed my net and looked out to sea, I thought there was a storm coming, but every time I turned my head, I found myself somehow staring at the academy back on the shore. There was something, I don't know what, but I blinked, and soon as I had my eyes shut, there was a godly loud noise. When I opened my eyes, the academy was leveled, like some giant hand had come and swept it all away. An' the queer part is, everyone else I talked to missed it too. They all just... wern't lookin' when it happened. No one actually saw the damn thing happen. Now I don't know how that's so, maybe you can tell me. Further Information While I have yet to write this up in a format in keeping with the entries above; this is some important information: Daniel, though he is a Wizard, has very little magical talent garnered from academic study. His spellbook, in fact, is actually a medium that lets him communicate with an unknown entity and patron who has been coaching Daniel in the Art, and lending him some of it's power. In an effort to understand this mysterious benefactor, Daniel began to study binding; an interest this entity seemed to encourage. Soon, he began to learn how to blend his capabilities to become something new; something better. However, he needed to access certain tomes that existed only in the archives of his old school before he could continue his investigations. Much to his surprise, he awoke one morning to find his book contained instructions for the perfect ritual... Sorry if all is not up to snuff... I kinda just made this up as I went. Basically, I'm looking for improvements, suggestions, and criticisms.
warwinner 06-15-07, 07:03 AM	There's no conflict or tension between the academy and the binder.They just expel him and apparently that's that. Maybe some hint of the entity suggesting that people in the academy are planning to spy on him after he leaves or maybe wanting to inform paladins/inquisitors because they suspect something fishy is going on. There must be some concrete reason [apparent or subtle] to destroy the academy than just "they expelled me".
pyro_cat 06-15-07, 11:42 AM	There's no conflict or tension between the academy and the binder.They just expel him and apparently that's that. Maybe some hint of the entity suggesting that people in the academy are planning to spy on him after he leaves or maybe wanting to inform paladins/inquisitors because they suspect something fishy is going on. There must be some concrete reason [apparent or subtle] to destroy the academy than just "they expelled me". Hm, I suppose from all I wrote, thats true. You see, I wanted to describe him entirely from the perspective of other people, and that ends up just leaving things unclear. I'll either have to write more (which is what I planned), or just put down some direct information. He needed some documents from the school, the entity in his spellbook provided him with a way to get them, and he had no reason NOT to destroy the academy. Also, I'm thinking of elaborating on his relationship with the young girl. He wanted/needed her for SOMETHING, and perhaps the academy took steps to protect her from his influence after the incident. Between the encouragement of the unknown entity, his need to get at the girl, and his desire to look at books that he'd never be able to normally, the destruction of the academy might be justified in his mind. He doesn't consider himself to be outright evel, but he's certainly no pillar of society. I do like the suggestion about inquisitors. I'll throw that in there too.