Vigilant Ambition - A Force for Good [Archive] - Wizards Community

Vigilant Ambition - A Force for Good [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Stormbrand
01-31-07, 06:53 PM When playing Good-aligned, the trend seems to be "stop the bad guys." While I like stopping bad guys, opposing injustice and saving the innocent, I want a hero that can do more. In essence, I want my character to have more influence on the world than merely cancelling-out the bad guys.

While evil characters can command legions of undead or fiends, good characters gain... what? Good-aligned spellcasters seem to be short-changed when it comes to mystical allies. Keeping celestials as permanent retainers drags them from their own tasks, which to me Good-alignment would object to. You have probably read my other threads inquiring about inevitables, this is why.

So I would like opinions on this, partially as an intellectual exercise, but I will be using it in fiction that I am writing.

In quiet times, in the absense of evil to vanquish, how would this character contribute to the cause of good?

The story is set in Tethyr (Forgotten Realms), with the main character being a Paladin-Sorcerer (gish really, but with more flavour) among the Knights of Chevangard, in service to the Champions Vigilant. The nearest settlement to Chevangard is Survale Ford, which is a devout town devoted to Helm, too small, too close-knit and too near a Helmite stronghold (Chevangard) to harbour some foul peril (as well as no sign of anything worth the effort of some dread foe).

Mostly the character does warding magic, with a slightly darker slant. Steps had been taken along the road of infernal magic before his conscience intervened (he refused a bargain that involved an innocent sacrifice, he instead rescued said innocent and banished the demon, then decided not to do things halfway). Because of the history of his magic use, he is uncomfortable dealing with celestials.

Part of his work is as an arcane specialist, handling planar threats & corrupt magic-users, scry-wards and the more subtle/misdirecting defences comes from him (Illusory Walls, Screens, Guards & Wards, that sort of thing). For flavour reasons, he has almost no blasting spells. Shout is the closest thing he has.

One of his duties is the care of an isolated stronghold, which serves as a vault keeping great evil locked away - unholy artifacts beyond his means to destroy, a mighty archdemon chained up and imprisoned inside countless wards. To assist in the defences he has contracted two Maruts, plus a third he can take with him on appropriate missions, although he takes care to limit it's contact with the outside world to avoid the risk of it taking up the wrong mission. The maruts serve because there is a necromantic icon locked away, while they are at it, they might as well guard the other items too. Mutual interest. It is worth pointing out that he plans on building a second fortress-vault, to avoid the risk of the demon breaking free and gathering all the items from inside.

Following on from that, he also commands "the Enforcers." Long-term retainer Inevitables amounting to twenty-five zhelekhuts (grouped in fives) and ten kolyaruts (never in less than a three), in addition to the three maruts (who are only drafted in emergencies, so a marut is supported by whatever else he can muster). Where appropriate, he brings a pack of Enforcers with him on assignments. Otherwise, him and the priests seek out transgressors using divination (suggestions for the right spells for this would be welcome).

What I am looking for, are ways in which the character can meaningfully contribute to the community. What can he do to make the realm a better place?

In essence, what would the hero have for ambitions?

Thank you.
Adrian_Crane
02-02-07, 07:22 PM Hmmm...it sounds like things are pretty well in hand around Chevanguard. Lemme just start randomly spouting thoughts here. I assume you're after things he can do in the general area, as opposed to running off on some crusade?

He could continue questing for ways to destroy the darker artifacts he has locked down. There has to be SOME way to do it.

He could work on mustering and training suitable defenders for the area temples, though I suspect they already have those. In that vein, though, he could establish a training academy for Paladins, martial-minded Clerics, and devout warriors of faith from all backgrounds.

The big problem is it sounds like the majority of this stuff is dealt with, and your character has strong reasons to stay where he is. Is there anyone else capable of guarding the storage fortress?
Stormbrand
02-04-07, 10:48 AM First of all, thanks.

Mainly what I am after is how the character keeps busy between assignments, his 'routine' in a way. Since replacing the wardings would take less than a few hours, and reports from active inevitables require only a few minutes attention. Almost a "day-job" so to speak.

Guarding the vault-complex is done mostly by the 2-3 Maruts, a few posted stone golems, countless magical wards and traps, as well as the occasional bound elemental. Clever as much of it is, the forces seem somewhat sparce, so the character would be interested in other permanent reliable guardians (how do we make Minogons by the way?).

What he does do is return every couple of weeks to check all is as it should be and to renew the wards.

One idea he is toying with is finding a "successor" - he is the only powerful mage in the order, and he actively serves in the field, so he wants to make sure that his fortress-vault will not break down if he falls on the field.
Adrian_Crane
02-04-07, 01:14 PM No idea regarding Minogons. As to a successor, sounds like it's time to take a more active hand in training the new recruits, so you can keep an eye out for any who show significant arcane talent.

Aside from that, if I were a magic-weilding Paladin, what would I do in my down time...hmmm.

Really, dropping by the training fields and slinging some magic around doesn't seem like a bad idea. Show up, talk to the trainees, and have them deal with a bit of your arcane powers so they get some non-standard instruction; you know, aside from the usual drills and such.

He's a Paladin 24/7, but nothing says he can't develop a love interest. That could certainly add a new direction to your game if it's something you'd want to pursue. Perhaps he's considering starting a family once he's no longer needed on the front lines all the time?
razhan
02-04-07, 03:50 PM hello for a 'day job' one of my parties had invested in the remaking of a tavern we had been to that was destroyed. maybe you could like i dunno umm get some land somehow and start making a keep of your own and starting up your own army. have leadership?
Stormbrand
02-06-07, 01:35 PM No idea regarding Minogons. As to a successor, sounds like it's time to take a more active hand in training the new recruits, so you can keep an eye out for any who show significant arcane talent.

Aside from that, if I were a magic-weilding Paladin, what would I do in my down time...hmmm.

Really, dropping by the training fields and slinging some magic around doesn't seem like a bad idea. Show up, talk to the trainees, and have them deal with a bit of your arcane powers so they get some non-standard instruction; you know, aside from the usual drills and such.

He's a Paladin 24/7, but nothing says he can't develop a love interest. That could certainly add a new direction to your game if it's something you'd want to pursue. Perhaps he's considering starting a family once he's no longer needed on the front lines all the time?

Adding magical threats to the challenges for the novices would be very interesting. Those who show an affinity for dealing with the things would be considered to learn further details.

A love interest would be difficult - there is inner conflict on the matter. Yes he is lonely and wants a loved one, but he also feels his life and duty is too dangerous to include a family, and I can't see the character wantiong to leave the paladin life for the world.

However, I do know of a potential love interest on his next quest... Even if she is certain to infuriate him.

hello for a 'day job' one of my parties had invested in the remaking of a tavern we had been to that was destroyed. maybe you could like i dunno umm get some land somehow and start making a keep of your own and starting up your own army. have leadership?

Yes, have leadership. Could easily raise followers, have trounced enough of the unrighteous to know of several empty strongholds. There is in fact a town called Talascar which were really upset when he decided to stop ruling it (he was the best thing to ever happen to the place). Other than training them, how would he spend his time regarding them?
Adrian_Crane
02-06-07, 05:13 PM Well, if I had followers of reasonable capability, I'd point them in the direction of challenges. If he wants to go all mother hen, he can even follow discretely to make sure they complete the job in one piece.

Your mention of an "infuriating" love interest definitely seems promising. Why not another headstrong Paladin? I can just see them clashing over the "it's too dangerous" argument, and besides, they can be on the front lines together awhile without necessarily having a kid. Loneliness, fixed, and it gives him someone to both be a lover and a rival (playing up the latter aspect sounds like it'd be a LOT of fun).

... "Oh, you only now found the demon's lair? I've been sitting here waiting for you for half an hour!" :D
Stormbrand
02-26-07, 02:24 AM New idea. Handily enough, events in the current storyline base themselves near Saradush. The Champions Vigilant have a base in Saradush which is so far completely undetailed (yay for freedom as an author!) All the character has to do in Chevangard is deliver his report and handle his vault-fortress. From the vault-fortress (which I need to name, any thoughts welcome) he could get to the base in Saradush.

From there, he can begin his investigations for the forces at work. Using both spells and detective work. Here his magic becomes a liability, because it shows him red-herrings (he finds dark forces which are not the problem he is looking for).

One angle I have is meeting a renegade cultist seeking suicide by paladin. I think how the character reacts would be an interesting storyline to develop.

My other thought was about the training angle - how to use magic on the training field to make things interesting for the novices? Any ideas? What kind of tests would you suggest?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Stormbrand 01-31-07, 06:53 PM	When playing Good-aligned, the trend seems to be "stop the bad guys." While I like stopping bad guys, opposing injustice and saving the innocent, I want a hero that can do more. In essence, I want my character to have more influence on the world than merely cancelling-out the bad guys. While evil characters can command legions of undead or fiends, good characters gain... what? Good-aligned spellcasters seem to be short-changed when it comes to mystical allies. Keeping celestials as permanent retainers drags them from their own tasks, which to me Good-alignment would object to. You have probably read my other threads inquiring about inevitables, this is why. So I would like opinions on this, partially as an intellectual exercise, but I will be using it in fiction that I am writing. In quiet times, in the absense of evil to vanquish, how would this character contribute to the cause of good? The story is set in Tethyr (Forgotten Realms), with the main character being a Paladin-Sorcerer (gish really, but with more flavour) among the Knights of Chevangard, in service to the Champions Vigilant. The nearest settlement to Chevangard is Survale Ford, which is a devout town devoted to Helm, too small, too close-knit and too near a Helmite stronghold (Chevangard) to harbour some foul peril (as well as no sign of anything worth the effort of some dread foe). Mostly the character does warding magic, with a slightly darker slant. Steps had been taken along the road of infernal magic before his conscience intervened (he refused a bargain that involved an innocent sacrifice, he instead rescued said innocent and banished the demon, then decided not to do things halfway). Because of the history of his magic use, he is uncomfortable dealing with celestials. Part of his work is as an arcane specialist, handling planar threats & corrupt magic-users, scry-wards and the more subtle/misdirecting defences comes from him (Illusory Walls, Screens, Guards & Wards, that sort of thing). For flavour reasons, he has almost no blasting spells. Shout is the closest thing he has. One of his duties is the care of an isolated stronghold, which serves as a vault keeping great evil locked away - unholy artifacts beyond his means to destroy, a mighty archdemon chained up and imprisoned inside countless wards. To assist in the defences he has contracted two Maruts, plus a third he can take with him on appropriate missions, although he takes care to limit it's contact with the outside world to avoid the risk of it taking up the wrong mission. The maruts serve because there is a necromantic icon locked away, while they are at it, they might as well guard the other items too. Mutual interest. It is worth pointing out that he plans on building a second fortress-vault, to avoid the risk of the demon breaking free and gathering all the items from inside. Following on from that, he also commands "the Enforcers." Long-term retainer Inevitables amounting to twenty-five zhelekhuts (grouped in fives) and ten kolyaruts (never in less than a three), in addition to the three maruts (who are only drafted in emergencies, so a marut is supported by whatever else he can muster). Where appropriate, he brings a pack of Enforcers with him on assignments. Otherwise, him and the priests seek out transgressors using divination (suggestions for the right spells for this would be welcome). What I am looking for, are ways in which the character can meaningfully contribute to the community. What can he do to make the realm a better place? In essence, what would the hero have for ambitions? Thank you.
Adrian_Crane 02-02-07, 07:22 PM	Hmmm...it sounds like things are pretty well in hand around Chevanguard. Lemme just start randomly spouting thoughts here. I assume you're after things he can do in the general area, as opposed to running off on some crusade? He could continue questing for ways to destroy the darker artifacts he has locked down. There has to be SOME way to do it. He could work on mustering and training suitable defenders for the area temples, though I suspect they already have those. In that vein, though, he could establish a training academy for Paladins, martial-minded Clerics, and devout warriors of faith from all backgrounds. The big problem is it sounds like the majority of this stuff is dealt with, and your character has strong reasons to stay where he is. Is there anyone else capable of guarding the storage fortress?
Stormbrand 02-04-07, 10:48 AM	First of all, thanks. Mainly what I am after is how the character keeps busy between assignments, his 'routine' in a way. Since replacing the wardings would take less than a few hours, and reports from active inevitables require only a few minutes attention. Almost a "day-job" so to speak. Guarding the vault-complex is done mostly by the 2-3 Maruts, a few posted stone golems, countless magical wards and traps, as well as the occasional bound elemental. Clever as much of it is, the forces seem somewhat sparce, so the character would be interested in other permanent reliable guardians (how do we make Minogons by the way?). What he does do is return every couple of weeks to check all is as it should be and to renew the wards. One idea he is toying with is finding a "successor" - he is the only powerful mage in the order, and he actively serves in the field, so he wants to make sure that his fortress-vault will not break down if he falls on the field.
Adrian_Crane 02-04-07, 01:14 PM	No idea regarding Minogons. As to a successor, sounds like it's time to take a more active hand in training the new recruits, so you can keep an eye out for any who show significant arcane talent. Aside from that, if I were a magic-weilding Paladin, what would I do in my down time...hmmm. Really, dropping by the training fields and slinging some magic around doesn't seem like a bad idea. Show up, talk to the trainees, and have them deal with a bit of your arcane powers so they get some non-standard instruction; you know, aside from the usual drills and such. He's a Paladin 24/7, but nothing says he can't develop a love interest. That could certainly add a new direction to your game if it's something you'd want to pursue. Perhaps he's considering starting a family once he's no longer needed on the front lines all the time?
razhan 02-04-07, 03:50 PM	hello for a 'day job' one of my parties had invested in the remaking of a tavern we had been to that was destroyed. maybe you could like i dunno umm get some land somehow and start making a keep of your own and starting up your own army. have leadership?
Stormbrand 02-06-07, 01:35 PM	No idea regarding Minogons. As to a successor, sounds like it's time to take a more active hand in training the new recruits, so you can keep an eye out for any who show significant arcane talent. Aside from that, if I were a magic-weilding Paladin, what would I do in my down time...hmmm. Really, dropping by the training fields and slinging some magic around doesn't seem like a bad idea. Show up, talk to the trainees, and have them deal with a bit of your arcane powers so they get some non-standard instruction; you know, aside from the usual drills and such. He's a Paladin 24/7, but nothing says he can't develop a love interest. That could certainly add a new direction to your game if it's something you'd want to pursue. Perhaps he's considering starting a family once he's no longer needed on the front lines all the time? Adding magical threats to the challenges for the novices would be very interesting. Those who show an affinity for dealing with the things would be considered to learn further details. A love interest would be difficult - there is inner conflict on the matter. Yes he is lonely and wants a loved one, but he also feels his life and duty is too dangerous to include a family, and I can't see the character wantiong to leave the paladin life for the world. However, I do know of a potential love interest on his next quest... Even if she is certain to infuriate him. hello for a 'day job' one of my parties had invested in the remaking of a tavern we had been to that was destroyed. maybe you could like i dunno umm get some land somehow and start making a keep of your own and starting up your own army. have leadership? Yes, have leadership. Could easily raise followers, have trounced enough of the unrighteous to know of several empty strongholds. There is in fact a town called Talascar which were really upset when he decided to stop ruling it (he was the best thing to ever happen to the place). Other than training them, how would he spend his time regarding them?
Adrian_Crane 02-06-07, 05:13 PM	Well, if I had followers of reasonable capability, I'd point them in the direction of challenges. If he wants to go all mother hen, he can even follow discretely to make sure they complete the job in one piece. Your mention of an "infuriating" love interest definitely seems promising. Why not another headstrong Paladin? I can just see them clashing over the "it's too dangerous" argument, and besides, they can be on the front lines together awhile without necessarily having a kid. Loneliness, fixed, and it gives him someone to both be a lover and a rival (playing up the latter aspect sounds like it'd be a LOT of fun). ... "Oh, you only now found the demon's lair? I've been sitting here waiting for you for half an hour!" :D
Stormbrand 02-26-07, 02:24 AM	New idea. Handily enough, events in the current storyline base themselves near Saradush. The Champions Vigilant have a base in Saradush which is so far completely undetailed (yay for freedom as an author!) All the character has to do in Chevangard is deliver his report and handle his vault-fortress. From the vault-fortress (which I need to name, any thoughts welcome) he could get to the base in Saradush. From there, he can begin his investigations for the forces at work. Using both spells and detective work. Here his magic becomes a liability, because it shows him red-herrings (he finds dark forces which are not the problem he is looking for). One angle I have is meeting a renegade cultist seeking suicide by paladin. I think how the character reacts would be an interesting storyline to develop. My other thought was about the training angle - how to use magic on the training field to make things interesting for the novices? Any ideas? What kind of tests would you suggest?