Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Nessaj 08-26-07, 02:56 PM	I'm fleshing out a character concept I've toyed with for awhile...The game is a gestalt "all-divine" campaign; every character has a level of Cleric, Favored Soul, Paladin, or something similar; tied directly to a diety. My character is Crusader 9//Favored Soul 9. Just looking for maybe some ideas to flesh the background out and character traits and personality. I'm imagining him to be a bit dour and to the point when it comes to conversation, always seeing the dark side of every coin. Not overly unfriendly, so much as not too much fun to be around. Typical Rashemi appearance; short, stocky but well-muscled, dark complexion, short black hair, green eyes. Wears a grey weathercloak over polished black scalemail. He wears a bastard sword at his hip, heavy black boots, grieves, and a shield matching his armor over his back with the symbol of Helm on the front (outstretched glove with an eye on the front, if I'm not mistaken...Or is that Torm...). His hair has grown in to the point that the tattoos are only visible under close inspection. They no longer detect as magic (or barely, at any rate). He does know Protection from Evil :P ---------------------- Brogan Mulander is one of the few unfortunates to have survived a losing battle against Thayan invaders at the Gorge of Gauros on the southern border of Rashemen. As an initiate battle-priest of Helm, the Thayans could not overlook taking a slave adept in magic, despite its impure source. Helm, god of Guardians was not as choosy as some deities when it came to patrons, and so a potential slave capable of channeling the protective magics of a neutral deity made for a premium pricetag. Despite his forced servitude to a number of red-robed wizards, “working” his way up from captain of the guard to personal bodyguard of a particularly high-ranking Red Wizard, he remained strong of spirit . When opportunity revealed itself in the guise of a rival mage killing his master in his sleep for some unknown and uncared for reason, the tattoos about Brogan’s skull lost their power and he was able to flee unseen into the dark. Leaving Thay was difficult; unauthorized magical transport would be extremely difficult to secure, and he would certainly be caught moving overland through practically foreign territory. Boat to ________ was really the most practical option. A few shows of capability as a deck-hand, and a few coins in the right hands, and he was on his way out of Thay for good. His path did not lead back home to Rashemen either, but wherever Helm directed him, the one constant he had to cling to, he would follow.
Nessaj 08-27-07, 03:08 PM	Anything at all? Is the story that bad? If so, at least say so and I will start from scratch :weep:
FlikTheBlueLightning 08-27-07, 04:05 PM	I like it
Terjon of the Blue Rose 08-28-07, 03:13 AM	Pretty good. Probably a boat to Sembia. Since coin rules there all he would need to do would be steal a single heavy purse and find someone (just about any sembian captain) with a "less noticable" storage hold on their ship. If that works you may want to consider how your character feels about his whole life being first purchased and then how money saves him. Also consider how your character feels about home. Does he want to return? Does he hate them for letting him languish in slavery? This can be a defining aspect for such a person.
Fithero 08-28-07, 03:25 AM	Also consider how your character feels about home. Does he want to return? Does he hate them for letting him languish in slavery? This can be a defining aspect for such a person. To build on what Terjon said, does your character even consider himself the same person he was before losing the battle? He's been through alot and probably learned a whole lot more, anyone is bound to change. That would be a good point to have in your background. Set up what you were like before the battle, and then how different it is from how you are now. So that when you go home, for good or bad, everyone will comment on how much youve changed.
Nessaj 08-28-07, 08:42 AM	If that works you may want to consider how your character feels about his whole life being first purchased and then how money saves him. That's gold (pun intended). I will have to definitely use this, have money be a defining characteristic. I suppose it would boil down to not hatred, but an odd fascination for the character, since money not only bound him into servitude, but freed him as well. I can imagine him even carrying a coin collection from each of the lands he visits, saying "money is as defining a character as race and political borders." That would be a good point to have in your background. Set up what you were like before the battle, and then how different it is from how you are now. So that when you go home, for good or bad, everyone will comment on how much youve changed. Good idea...He would probably have been a fairly young man when he was captured, so perhaps a lot more confident in his abilities would be a great start. He rose through the ranks fairly quickly and probably considered himself quite powerful, only to lose early on in his career. Badly. It would definitely have tempered his sense of humility. Although he'll never admit it, it was probably a good experience for him for he grew both in martial prowess and in the word of his god for Helm never abandoned him in Thay. I doubt he'd hold a grudge against his own people though...Thay's usually the aggressor, so he'd understand it would be foolhardy to risk troops to save a single person. At least he'd have realized that eventually. Thanks for the great comments so far.
Free1983 08-28-07, 12:08 PM	You should think about giving your character some motives to go out adventuring. This is connected to what Therjon and Fithero said about home, but you should look further than that. When he comes home, he will be welcomed and perhaps he can go back to the army, but what if the army doesn't need him anymore. Is he going to look for advantageous jobs to become rich (and so never to be in the same hopeless situation as before)? Or will he be consumed with feelings of revenge... Anyway, you should give your character some motives to leave home again and do stuff. Cheers
Terjon of the Blue Rose 08-28-07, 11:54 PM	Therjon :gah: :elf:
Free1983 08-29-07, 02:30 AM	:gah: :elf: Awwww, crap... :surrender
Nessaj 08-29-07, 10:19 AM	Alright...Say he met a fellow Rashemi by the name of _____ during his captivity. They became close friends over the years and his/her help was instrumental in Brogan's escape. However at some point they were separated. He wants to reconnect with him/her before returning home to Rashemen, or not return at all without knowing what fate befell them. Or perhaps a brother or other family member who served in battle when they were captured. Also decided to change the name to something both original and fitting; Rashemi names seemed gruffer when looking through the campaign setting, and using a stolen first name was starting to annoy me. Brogan Mulander I found out we're playing in the Dalelands BTW...
Nessaj 09-02-07, 03:02 PM	After the first game, I just thought I'd share some insights and ideas...Firstly WOW, Crusader/Favored Soul is an amazing gestalt combination...But in any case... With the DM's help I tweaked his background a little...He was exported to Sembia and worked there under forced labor until just recently escaping due to a threat, a creature the other PC's have been hunting, which allowed me to integrate myself better into the party. Brogan was recaptured by Sembian forces along with two compatriots, but my party-to-be saw fit to rescue me as I valiantly struggled alone vs. a Thayan knight who blamed me for his master's murder and the Sembians who simply formed a ring to watch the combat. I decided to make him a patriot; not annoying to the point of calling his country the greatest in Faerun; he simply refers to himself as a son of Rashemen, and prays/slips into his native tongue frequently. Swears in it alot as well. Think Amy from Futurama...Stub my toe; "gnath seggret dambrathil fortuid eth!!!!!!!" :P Fun char so far.