Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Felyndaer 11-25-06, 03:27 AM	I had a pretty nifty idea for an high-elven arcane archer. Lived 800 or so years ago, and was pretty famous. Very powerful, competent, all that great stuff. Then their career ended prematurely as they were turned to stone by a wicked medusa! Party finds elvish statue with perhaps a plaque hinting towards it actually being a stoned adventurer, and (hopefully) brings them back. Unfortunately for the archer though, it's very, very far into the future, and nobody knows them anymore... I say "they" so much because I haven't decided upon a gender yet, though I'm leaning heavily towards male. Anyway, what do you guys think? Any ideas, suggestions, questions... Any help at all is appreciated!
Sabular 11-25-06, 04:28 AM	very interesting idea, I would talk with your dm about some big changes that went on in your game world in the past 800 years (how many highelven lifetimes is that, 2?) and make frequent anachronistic remarks: you want to visit cities that have been razed by earthquakes 500 years ago, possibly speak archaic common: thy thou etc (maybe a bit too obvious). You are probably also disapointed that nobody has heard the great stories of your adventures, or contrariwise you have become mythical: the great adventurer that suddenly disappeared, perhaps to ascend to godhood? many options, cool idea.
Kitaki 11-25-06, 07:50 PM	For a bit of added humor, use old people references, like calling everyone children or something.
Ruslanchik 11-26-06, 08:21 PM	This would be a lot cooler if the character were aything but an elf. 800 years is a freakin long time in human communities, but for elves it's like one generation, the equivalent of going into a coman and waking up like 40 years later. Sure, things are different, but you would still know some people or at least know the parents of most people...
Felyndaer 11-26-06, 09:40 PM	This would be a lot cooler if the character were aything but an elf. 800 years is a freakin long time in human communities, but for elves it's like one generation, the equivalent of going into a coman and waking up like 40 years later. Sure, things are different, but you would still know some people or at least know the parents of most people... Yes, but Arcane Archer requires you to be an elf or half-elf. 1/2 elf, maybe? They do live a TAD shorter...
Fithero 11-27-06, 10:23 AM	Easy way to solve this problem... someone moved the statue. It was dragged back to the town closest to the dungeon (or whatever) where he was stoned and kept in a basement for a time, then later purchased by a wandering noble woman as she passed through. It sat in her home for a number of years until it was sold to a merchant to pay for her husbands gambling debts. Before it could be sold by the merchants, it was stolen by the local thieves guild and shipped overseas and sold to an art gallery. The gallery, wanting to know the sculpter and history of the statue, hired a bard to research the statue. The bard stumbled upon the fact that the statue was once an living being and (knowing that since they paid alot for it, the gallery wouldnt want it returned to life) he stole the statue and paid for it the Stone to Flesh spell. *Alot* can happen in 800 years :P Might as well make some a decent history about it... hell, if you go with this story, there are a few hooks there. The gallery might want him/her back (technically they paid for him) so they can turn him into a statue again. Peace ps: just a side note... when i first came into this thread, i took the title to mean something totally different :D
Alakar 11-27-06, 12:20 PM	One could always increase the time he has petrified. For instance, if in a FR game, say he had been turned to stone during the crown wars or something that happened along time ago. Perhaps his statue was found in Myth Dranor(SP?). He was legendary amongst his people, and they to this day still speak of him. Of course, stories are exaggerated, and would set up some interesting role play situations in hearing how he fought 4 balors and won. He could even remember when loth was a mortal elf if one went back far enough!
Felyndaer 11-27-06, 05:03 PM	These are all really great ideas. I thought that for a comedy aspect, I could suggest to my DM that Knowledge (History) is always a class-skill, in exchange for something more current-date, like Knowledge (local).
TheAnthroDM 11-27-06, 08:42 PM	Trust a High Elf to get stoned.
Clockwork_Apparition 11-28-06, 02:00 AM	Darn! I thought someone finally was going to go through with playing a historically accurate druid. Fine! I'm adding it to my next campaign! "Pass the Mandrake"! I had a similar idea to this once: An epic-level barbarian chained to a stone for thousands of years as punishment for stealing and reading a sacred book that raised his strength by astronomical levels. Sounds Greek, huh? For a bit of added humor, use old people references, like calling everyone children or something...very interesting idea, I would talk with your dm about some big changes that went on in your game world in the past 800 years (how many highelven lifetimes is that, 2?) and make frequent anachronistic remarks: you want to visit cities that have been razed by earthquakes 500 years ago, possibly speak archaic common: thy thou etc (maybe a bit too obvious). Austin Powers? This idea could be used for a load of comedic RP'ing. I think American judges should be required by law to wear those ridiculous wigs. Maybe your character insists on wearing archaic clothing, or hungers for a food no longer eaten normally. Of course, stories are exaggerated, and would set up some interesting role play situations in hearing how he fought 4 balors and won. The pressure to live up to the exagerated stories could be a driving force behind the character's renewed adventuring career. He'd probably be horribly depressed at first too. Everyone he's held dear being dead and all that.
Teflon Jeff 11-30-06, 07:26 PM	Try reading the Last Mythal series. Fflar Starbrow was returned to life after abou 600 years, and you can see a lot of the issues he had to deal with. To put a spin on it, perhaps people DO remember his exploits, but he doesn't want anyone to know it's him. That's one of the points from that series. Family, Friends, Cities? Did (s)he have children? A spouse? What about any other possessions?
Felyndaer 12-01-06, 04:22 AM	Aw man, I didn't know that I was stealing somebody's idea... Anyway, I've come to a few conclusions... First and foremost though is that this is for an epic campaign, which makes it even better! Began as a simple bard, worked way up and crossed as a fighter and eventually into an Arcane Archer. Got more and more powerful and famous, and took some pretty tough jobs. Eventually sent hunting down a very powerful Archmage Medusa with a party of friends while wearing a Robe of Eyes, which isn't such a wonderful idea based on the circumstances (not too wise)... One thing leads to another, and all are turned into statues. Statue is shipped around a lot (more details, all haven't been worked out yet), eventually ending up in a museum (thank you for that idea, it is wonderful!). Bard is called in to identify crafter, and finds that it's an adventurer! I thought of a few quirks, too... Speaks old english, using strange terminology frequently such as "Fie!", "Mettle", and "Grammarcy!" Invested heavily into Knowledge (history), as it makes sense Perhaps (s)he is looking for the lost stonified friends? Thinking that they may still be statues, or somewhere in the world? 800 years is a pretty long time, so it's possible that some of them have been unstoned and lived out their lives by then. Also, likely looking into the previous quest involving the mad medusa mage? She would probably have died by then, but I don't know how long medusae live for.
Fithero 12-01-06, 09:54 AM	Statue is shipped around a lot (more details, all haven't been worked out yet), eventually ending up in a museum (thank you for that idea, it is wonderful!). No worries :P Speaks old english, using strange terminology frequently such as "Fie!", "Mettle", and "Grammarcy!" Thats cool, perhaps he speaks very formally and/or is shocked to see that the elven language isnt known by only elves (perhaps back in his day each race rarely shared their languages or something) Invested heavily into Knowledge (history), as it makes sense This is also a good idea, what if he continually refered to these historical events as if they were recent. "Oh yeah, i was at the kings crowning 2 months ago..." (2 months before he got stoned) OR "Uh guys, we should probably sheeth out weapons. A law was passed 6 years ago disallowing brandished weapons in town." (A law that could have been taken away any time within the 800 years....) Also, he could still cling to old hatreds and such, not getting along with dwarves or finding the very idea of traveling with a human who is half orc, detestible. Perhaps (s)he is looking for the lost stonified friends? Thinking that they may still be statues, or somewhere in the world? 800 years is a pretty long time, so it's possible that some of them have been unstoned and lived out their lives by then. Also a good idea, deoending on how many there were (and how many players in your group) this could be the focus for a very long campaign. The other statues are in temples (good and evil), set up as features in the centre of small towns or buried in tombs all across the world. Totally awsome idea for a character, nigh-unlimited possibilities. Peace
Doomed_Penguin 12-01-06, 06:32 PM	With the old hatreds thing, maybe those hatreds are recent, and he never had them way back when. Like, it doesn't bother him to be hanging out with dwarves, but other elves can't understand how he can stand them. And I REALLY like the idea of knowing Lolth before she was a god. Like maybe Lolth was an old rival, just a leuitenate(sp?) in the minor Evil Elven rebellion. Maybe she even set your character up to be "stoned" as you call it. Now that your character is, uhm... rehabilitated? he/she seeks vengeance on Lolth, but has no idea how far the rebellion has progressed, and certainly no idea as to how powerful Lolth has become! Really awsome idea for a campaign, IMO.
Felyndaer 12-05-06, 02:27 AM	And I REALLY like the idea of knowing Lolth before she was a god. Like maybe Lolth was an old rival, just a leuitenate(sp?) in the minor Evil Elven rebellion. Maybe she even set your character up to be "stoned" as you call it. Now that your character is, uhm... rehabilitated? he/she seeks vengeance on Lolth, but has no idea how far the rebellion has progressed, and certainly no idea as to how powerful Lolth has become! Really awsome idea for a campaign, IMO. "Yeah, I once had a thing with a girl a loooong time ago... But then she just got all weird on me and decided that she hated all other elves. Oh lolth, why couldn't we see eye to eye? Oh well, I suppose it's not worth worrying about.. She's long since gone anyway."
Mr. VanderMeer 12-05-06, 10:26 AM	I' am sorry but every time I see the thread title I think it's about an elf that's been smoking something.
Felyndaer 12-06-06, 12:14 AM	I' am sorry but every time I see the thread title I think it's about an elf that's been smoking something. I think using this terminology is good, because that way more people want to know what it is, and thus more views!
TheAnthroDM 12-06-06, 01:01 AM	I' am sorry but every time I see the thread title I think it's about an elf that's been smoking something. See my above post.
Mr. VanderMeer 12-06-06, 05:47 AM	See my above post. Sorry, read too fast and missed it. My post seems a bit superfluous now. I agree with Felindaer though
Lord Karsus 12-08-06, 07:47 PM	[QUOTE=TheAnthroDM;10755064]Trust a High Elf to get stoned. -That is a great joke. :)
Radijs 12-08-06, 08:22 PM	The idea has some mind-boggling possibilities. You'd be out of your mind not to go through with this. Sory for going off-topic with all these mind-numbing jokes.
Felyndaer 12-10-06, 01:33 AM	The idea has some mind-boggling possibilities. You'd be out of your mind not to go through with this. Sory for going off-topic with all these mind-numbing jokes. The main point is, after all, there to be debated... Hahaha I'm just surprised that this thread has gone on as long as it has. Anyway, i've run into a few more splendid ideas... 1. Refers to all Balors as "balrogs", as was done before 3rd edition 2. All halflings are now "hobbits" 3. Has a small cache of "electrum" coins. Yeah, you guys remember electrum, right? How it rotated out of currency in 3rd ed, when they decided that it was unnecessary? 4. Reveres the elven god of Time, Labelas Enoreth, which is both ironic and funny, as he doesn't exist in 3rd edition, only in second. Just a bunch of fun little things to remind us of all the changes between way back then and right-around now... Ah, this character is going to be amazing.
Skrimshaw 12-10-06, 10:16 AM	I like Felyndaer's ideas.. Use 1st and 2nd edition references in his speach!
Lord Karsus 12-11-06, 12:55 PM	4. Reveres the elven god of Time, Labelas Enoreth, which is both ironic and funny, as he doesn't exist in 3rd edition, only in second. -Not true. See the Seldarine section of Faiths and Pantheons. Labelas is there, along with the rest of the Seldarine.