Requesting help to flesh out my dragon disciple. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Requesting help to flesh out my dragon disciple. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
inthesto
12-10-06, 10:37 PM The necessary background is that he's a Fighter 4/Sorc 2/DD 6. The general backstory is that he was a run-of-the-mill adventuring fighter who spontaneously and involuntarily manifested sorceror powers, and eventually draconic powers. The character's basic response to this is "I didn't ask for it, but I might as well make the best of it."

As it stands, he's currently adventuring with the group to help overthrow the tyrannical government of his homeland. Why he hates the government isn't completely clear to me - he was introduced as set for execution for being a spellcaster (magic is mostly illegal under the government), when the party saved him. I'm not sure if he hates the government because of this ("They were going to kill me just because of who I am!"), because of some past slight ("They killed my father/mother/brother/dog/sea monkey!" - but that's so overplayed), or if he's just one of those random crusaders ("I can't stand by while I see the people under such oppression").

I've been trying to incorporate his PrC into his character, with his draconic hertiage leaking into his personality in either typical or ironic ways. The typical includes being excessively arrogant (though I haven't been able to demonstrate that in past sessions - any help on that one?) and having a voracious appetite. The ironic is that his alignment is diametrically opposed to that of his draconic ancestor (he's CG as a blue DD - not that I expect DDs to take on the alignment of a certain dragon, but it was just something I used to angle the character) and he's very altruistic about his money. While I wasn't stupid enough to take Vow of Poverty, the character does go and make sizeable donations to orphanges and the like when he reaches large cities.

While I feel like this is a nice base to start with, I don't really have much else to go off of. Roleplaying him in most situations isn't incredibly interesting other than "Hey, when's dinner?" as some light comic relief. Also, the fuzziness of his background bothers me a little. While I'm not trying to write a novella about his origins, I'd like some ideas about a few things about his past that could influence the present more. His skills seem to suggest that he was something of an outdoors guy back in the day (ranks in Survival, Knowledge Nature, Heal, and Survival), but other than that I don't have a whole lot.

Thoughts and suggestions?
Kitaki
12-11-06, 08:09 AM Well first of all, don't do the crusading thing, save it for paladins. Also its alot easier to play your motivation when its personal (Sea Monkey, NOOOOOOOOO) rather than an ideal. As for fitting in the draconic part, what color of dragon will your character be? That will typically help you out with the attitude adjustment your character will be going through. Races of the Dragon has a good section on Half-Dragon and Draconic attitudes.
TroubleWolf
12-11-06, 11:09 AM I like this type of character. I've played a similar one myself, though mine was a Shifter Ranger/Sorcerer/Dragon Disciple/Weretouched Master. Talk about a freak!

As far as motivation for your character, I suggest taking the "mutant" approach. You didn't ask to be a creature of magic, you didn't study to get spells or become a freakish half-dragon. So why are they trying to execute you? Is it your fault that your god made you this way? Why are there laws against living your life?

Personality-wise, I'd suggest playing up your draconic heritage by coveting gold and items. Get a bag of holding and carry tens of thousands of gold coins in it. At night when the party makes camp, make a big show of sticking your hand in the sack and running your fingers through the coins with a stupid grin on your face. Sleep with the sack as your pillow. Maybe even steal some coins from your party, if you can get away with it, and add them to your "hoard".

Also, maybe start craving virgin sacrifices or wanting to destroy villages, but act horrified that you're having these thoughts. Struggle with your inner (evil) dragon. Keep being arrogant, but become increasingly apologetic about it. Really show your companions the war you're having with the other part of you. Inner conflict is always interesting.

Maybe if he's a woodsy-type, you could grumble sometimes about wishing you were a "green" rather than a "blue"?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
inthesto 12-10-06, 10:37 PM	The necessary background is that he's a Fighter 4/Sorc 2/DD 6. The general backstory is that he was a run-of-the-mill adventuring fighter who spontaneously and involuntarily manifested sorceror powers, and eventually draconic powers. The character's basic response to this is "I didn't ask for it, but I might as well make the best of it." As it stands, he's currently adventuring with the group to help overthrow the tyrannical government of his homeland. Why he hates the government isn't completely clear to me - he was introduced as set for execution for being a spellcaster (magic is mostly illegal under the government), when the party saved him. I'm not sure if he hates the government because of this ("They were going to kill me just because of who I am!"), because of some past slight ("They killed my father/mother/brother/dog/sea monkey!" - but that's so overplayed), or if he's just one of those random crusaders ("I can't stand by while I see the people under such oppression"). I've been trying to incorporate his PrC into his character, with his draconic hertiage leaking into his personality in either typical or ironic ways. The typical includes being excessively arrogant (though I haven't been able to demonstrate that in past sessions - any help on that one?) and having a voracious appetite. The ironic is that his alignment is diametrically opposed to that of his draconic ancestor (he's CG as a blue DD - not that I expect DDs to take on the alignment of a certain dragon, but it was just something I used to angle the character) and he's very altruistic about his money. While I wasn't stupid enough to take Vow of Poverty, the character does go and make sizeable donations to orphanges and the like when he reaches large cities. While I feel like this is a nice base to start with, I don't really have much else to go off of. Roleplaying him in most situations isn't incredibly interesting other than "Hey, when's dinner?" as some light comic relief. Also, the fuzziness of his background bothers me a little. While I'm not trying to write a novella about his origins, I'd like some ideas about a few things about his past that could influence the present more. His skills seem to suggest that he was something of an outdoors guy back in the day (ranks in Survival, Knowledge Nature, Heal, and Survival), but other than that I don't have a whole lot. Thoughts and suggestions?
Kitaki 12-11-06, 08:09 AM	Well first of all, don't do the crusading thing, save it for paladins. Also its alot easier to play your motivation when its personal (Sea Monkey, NOOOOOOOOO) rather than an ideal. As for fitting in the draconic part, what color of dragon will your character be? That will typically help you out with the attitude adjustment your character will be going through. Races of the Dragon has a good section on Half-Dragon and Draconic attitudes.
TroubleWolf 12-11-06, 11:09 AM	I like this type of character. I've played a similar one myself, though mine was a Shifter Ranger/Sorcerer/Dragon Disciple/Weretouched Master. Talk about a freak! As far as motivation for your character, I suggest taking the "mutant" approach. You didn't ask to be a creature of magic, you didn't study to get spells or become a freakish half-dragon. So why are they trying to execute you? Is it your fault that your god made you this way? Why are there laws against living your life? Personality-wise, I'd suggest playing up your draconic heritage by coveting gold and items. Get a bag of holding and carry tens of thousands of gold coins in it. At night when the party makes camp, make a big show of sticking your hand in the sack and running your fingers through the coins with a stupid grin on your face. Sleep with the sack as your pillow. Maybe even steal some coins from your party, if you can get away with it, and add them to your "hoard". Also, maybe start craving virgin sacrifices or wanting to destroy villages, but act horrified that you're having these thoughts. Struggle with your inner (evil) dragon. Keep being arrogant, but become increasingly apologetic about it. Really show your companions the war you're having with the other part of you. Inner conflict is always interesting. Maybe if he's a woodsy-type, you could grumble sometimes about wishing you were a "green" rather than a "blue"?