Tips on playing ancient characters [Archive] - Wizards Community

Tips on playing ancient characters [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Gentlemanic
03-07-08, 01:51 PM Try to imagine this:

All around you, humans have died, dwarves have aged greatly, many of them are dead now as well. Even the 'immortal' elves you have outlived. Forests have grown since your youth, wars have started and ended. Houses crumbled, landscape changed. Years mean nothing to you.

How would you roleplay an ancient character? Even 2 centuries is a very long time for a human, or any player race. Currently I'm playing a Dragonwroungt kobold who is 193 years old, and he still has about 30 of them to go (he doesn't know this). Since he counts as a dragon, age penalties do not apply to him, bonusses do. Meaning he's still as nimble as an adult kobold. He lives in Eberron and has seen the great war come and go, fighting beside the king's men in many a battle.

How do you roleplay characters that are so old? Any tips for me?
Luis_Dragunov
03-07-08, 07:10 PM I guess that you trully are wise with age. Such an ancient character would be hardly surprised, especially one that is an adventurer and has survived that far. You always remember a story of an event that is similar to the one the party is just facing and, especially with your experience throughout the entirety of the Last War, you can see when something would escalate into conflict and either try to difuse the situation or welcome it with calculistic, dispassionate expertise.
Seeing so many that you knew grow old and die, you become either involved in the moment, seeking to experience the fleeting moments that you have with your short-lived friend or your eyes are always set on the bigger picture, on the larger implications of your actions, and treat even your party members as guests in your life, guests that can never stay for long.
ericSHINRA
03-08-08, 12:22 AM You've experienced nearly everything life has to offer, twice and speak half-a-dozen languages.

You know how people(not just Kobolds) think, act and ever other aspect of the multitude of cultures you've encountered.

You know more about war than most could hope to learn in a lifetime. Hell, you've probably read every published book possible. Perhaps you've even written a few based on your own experiences and skill-sets.

I'm guessing you relate more to your Dragon-heritage than Kobold nature? If so, why not adopt some of the traits of your matching heritage? For example, I had a player once, a Half-Dragon(Red) Fighter who worked as a Treasure Hunter, valuing his horde not for it's monetary value but rather as an extension of himself.
pmurray@bigpond.com
03-10-08, 12:03 PM Either competely disregarding of personal safety, or utterly paranoid about risk.
StackingZerglings
03-10-08, 02:44 PM Playing a very old character completely depends on the kinds of experiences he/she has had. Also, take mental attributes into account. It is difficult to come up with an example without knowing your character's alignment, attributes, class ect...
If you post those then I can give you some examples of really old characters.
Gentlemanic
03-11-08, 05:59 AM He's a Dragonwrought kobold fighter. He's been in contact with a Dragon who unveiled pieces of the Draconic prophecy for him, unlocking secrets unknown to men and kobolds, this has greatly enchanced his mental stats and allowed him to become of great age.

Right now he is 193 years old.
His alignment is LG (his patron is a Bronze dragon).
He is somewhat war scarred.
He is a fighter.
He prefers to give advice, not to lead.
His stats are:
Str 16, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 14, Wis 16, Cha 10.
Notable skills:
Knowledge history +5
Knowledge Nobility and Royalty +3
Survival +5

I could post his entire background story and timeline, but that's a lot to read... If anyone is interested I'll post it though, most of it is in English. :)
StackingZerglings
03-11-08, 08:54 PM Ok... it actually seems that you have the roleplaying aspect of him down, but here is some advice:
(Please note that I, as a Neutral Evil person am probably not the best person to be giving you advice on a Lawful Good character)

1. The Defender
Play him as suspicious and distrustful of others, yet honorable and trustworthy himself. A guardian of another of another one of the PCs (probably a spellcaster) you defend him/her with your life, and often save him/her from death not by battleing foes, but by wisely and cunningly avoiding the encounter in the first place.

2. The Retired Warrior
An gruff, yet honorable warrior, who has seen many a battle, and eventually retired to live out the rest of his life peacefully. However, a new evil has arose, and his legendary skills are needed once more. He is hardened from years of war, yet has great kindness. He enjoys using his experience to help others.

These are probably terrible examples, and as I said earler, you seem to have a pretty good idea about roleplaying your character, especially since you already have a background. The background is all you really need, just use that as guidelines and play him as you think is natural.
Gentlemanic
03-12-08, 04:56 AM Thanks for the tips Stacking Zerglings, especially the 'protector' role seems a very good idea, since the other ancient party member (150-yr-old-gnome) is a wizard and needs to be protected. :)
StackingZerglings
03-13-08, 12:33 AM You are welcome, but as a Neutral Evil person, I am obliged to take your soul. Please feel free to call customer servive fi you have any complaints. Have a nice day. :D
Terjon of the Blue Rose
03-13-08, 01:03 AM Personally to get across that kind of age I suggest you focus on the long-term effects of your efforts. It may not be enough to defeat a villian for you. You tend to consider the effect not only upon yourself and the few people you are saving but the wider reaching ramifications.

For example:

"It is not enough that we maintain this singular seal upon that ancient demon-lord. We must keep him locked away, certainly, but we must also destroy the knowledge of how to release him so that no future villian can attempt the same. We must find the priest who would have unleashed him and we must capture him. We must find how he learned the ancient rituals and destroy the knowledge at it's source."

or

"We must stop her, of course. But we must do it quitely. The Silver Flame has done great deeds in their time and, as a whole, strived to bring about and maintain peace. If the world learns of this one woman's actions the whole of that noble instution could be besmirched. That would be a failing as great as not stopping this one madwoman in the first place."
Gentlemanic
03-13-08, 10:04 AM Good idea Terjon, thanks for your imput :)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Gentlemanic 03-07-08, 01:51 PM	Try to imagine this: All around you, humans have died, dwarves have aged greatly, many of them are dead now as well. Even the 'immortal' elves you have outlived. Forests have grown since your youth, wars have started and ended. Houses crumbled, landscape changed. Years mean nothing to you. How would you roleplay an ancient character? Even 2 centuries is a very long time for a human, or any player race. Currently I'm playing a Dragonwroungt kobold who is 193 years old, and he still has about 30 of them to go (he doesn't know this). Since he counts as a dragon, age penalties do not apply to him, bonusses do. Meaning he's still as nimble as an adult kobold. He lives in Eberron and has seen the great war come and go, fighting beside the king's men in many a battle. How do you roleplay characters that are so old? Any tips for me?
Luis_Dragunov 03-07-08, 07:10 PM	I guess that you trully are wise with age. Such an ancient character would be hardly surprised, especially one that is an adventurer and has survived that far. You always remember a story of an event that is similar to the one the party is just facing and, especially with your experience throughout the entirety of the Last War, you can see when something would escalate into conflict and either try to difuse the situation or welcome it with calculistic, dispassionate expertise. Seeing so many that you knew grow old and die, you become either involved in the moment, seeking to experience the fleeting moments that you have with your short-lived friend or your eyes are always set on the bigger picture, on the larger implications of your actions, and treat even your party members as guests in your life, guests that can never stay for long.
ericSHINRA 03-08-08, 12:22 AM	You've experienced nearly everything life has to offer, twice and speak half-a-dozen languages. You know how people(not just Kobolds) think, act and ever other aspect of the multitude of cultures you've encountered. You know more about war than most could hope to learn in a lifetime. Hell, you've probably read every published book possible. Perhaps you've even written a few based on your own experiences and skill-sets. I'm guessing you relate more to your Dragon-heritage than Kobold nature? If so, why not adopt some of the traits of your matching heritage? For example, I had a player once, a Half-Dragon(Red) Fighter who worked as a Treasure Hunter, valuing his horde not for it's monetary value but rather as an extension of himself.
pmurray@bigpond.com 03-10-08, 12:03 PM	Either competely disregarding of personal safety, or utterly paranoid about risk.
StackingZerglings 03-10-08, 02:44 PM	Playing a very old character completely depends on the kinds of experiences he/she has had. Also, take mental attributes into account. It is difficult to come up with an example without knowing your character's alignment, attributes, class ect... If you post those then I can give you some examples of really old characters.
Gentlemanic 03-11-08, 05:59 AM	He's a Dragonwrought kobold fighter. He's been in contact with a Dragon who unveiled pieces of the Draconic prophecy for him, unlocking secrets unknown to men and kobolds, this has greatly enchanced his mental stats and allowed him to become of great age. Right now he is 193 years old. His alignment is LG (his patron is a Bronze dragon). He is somewhat war scarred. He is a fighter. He prefers to give advice, not to lead. His stats are: Str 16, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 14, Wis 16, Cha 10. Notable skills: Knowledge history +5 Knowledge Nobility and Royalty +3 Survival +5 I could post his entire background story and timeline, but that's a lot to read... If anyone is interested I'll post it though, most of it is in English. :)
StackingZerglings 03-11-08, 08:54 PM	Ok... it actually seems that you have the roleplaying aspect of him down, but here is some advice: (Please note that I, as a Neutral Evil person am probably not the best person to be giving you advice on a Lawful Good character) 1. The Defender Play him as suspicious and distrustful of others, yet honorable and trustworthy himself. A guardian of another of another one of the PCs (probably a spellcaster) you defend him/her with your life, and often save him/her from death not by battleing foes, but by wisely and cunningly avoiding the encounter in the first place. 2. The Retired Warrior An gruff, yet honorable warrior, who has seen many a battle, and eventually retired to live out the rest of his life peacefully. However, a new evil has arose, and his legendary skills are needed once more. He is hardened from years of war, yet has great kindness. He enjoys using his experience to help others. These are probably terrible examples, and as I said earler, you seem to have a pretty good idea about roleplaying your character, especially since you already have a background. The background is all you really need, just use that as guidelines and play him as you think is natural.
Gentlemanic 03-12-08, 04:56 AM	Thanks for the tips Stacking Zerglings, especially the 'protector' role seems a very good idea, since the other ancient party member (150-yr-old-gnome) is a wizard and needs to be protected. :)
StackingZerglings 03-13-08, 12:33 AM	You are welcome, but as a Neutral Evil person, I am obliged to take your soul. Please feel free to call customer servive fi you have any complaints. Have a nice day. :D
Terjon of the Blue Rose 03-13-08, 01:03 AM	Personally to get across that kind of age I suggest you focus on the long-term effects of your efforts. It may not be enough to defeat a villian for you. You tend to consider the effect not only upon yourself and the few people you are saving but the wider reaching ramifications. For example: "It is not enough that we maintain this singular seal upon that ancient demon-lord. We must keep him locked away, certainly, but we must also destroy the knowledge of how to release him so that no future villian can attempt the same. We must find the priest who would have unleashed him and we must capture him. We must find how he learned the ancient rituals and destroy the knowledge at it's source." or "We must stop her, of course. But we must do it quitely. The Silver Flame has done great deeds in their time and, as a whole, strived to bring about and maintain peace. If the world learns of this one woman's actions the whole of that noble instution could be besmirched. That would be a failing as great as not stopping this one madwoman in the first place."
Gentlemanic 03-13-08, 10:04 AM	Good idea Terjon, thanks for your imput :)