Post/Author/DateTime	Post
GandhiM 10-17-06, 07:19 PM	I have the skeleton of a background started, but I just can't think of any good ways to flesh it out, so I figured I'd post it up here and see what your opinions are. Here it is: A man with a light olive complexion, short, slightly curly black hair, and deep green eyes stands before you. His features are fair, even handsome, but his dress seems outlandish, for those not familiar with Ebou Dari style. He wears light tan pants and a wide black leather belt. His torso is covered by a white linen shirt with loose, wide sleeves and a multi-colored, long vest embroidered with an elaborate, and dizzying, pattern. A sturdy, dark traveling cloak tops the ensemble. The sleeves of his shirt are rolled up, revealing a few long, dark scars on his forearms. He wears a few rings of silver on his fingers, and a small pendent, portraying a Lilly in full bloom, hangs from a gold chain around his neck. In spite of all this, the most eye catching item is the magnificently jeweled dagger, its blade curved in the distinctive shape that all Ebou Dari men carry, resting comfortably tucked into his belt. Sam’s Diary Day One: It amazes me how little, seemingly insignificant, events can change someone’s life completely. No, I should rephrase that. It amazes me how little, seemingly insignificant, events have changed MY life. I was perfectly happy, working under my father, helping him run The Oarsman’s Pride. I grew up in that Inn, and it was a good life. We always had business, as merchants and travelers would come through Ebou Dar on there way to who knows where. And always they had their stories; news from across the world, or tales of adventures. I had a love, a beautiful girl named Melanie. How it pained me to leave her, to tell her only that I could not stay in Ebou Dar. She gave me her necklace, one she had worn every day since I met her. It had been her grandmothers, and passed down to her. She passed it onto me, to remember her by, to keep me safe…to bring me back, when I could come. It all started with little things. Someone would try to move through a door, only to find an invisible, but very solid, barrier in their way. A small fire would ignite, out of the corner of someone’s eye. People would be talking between rooms, and suddenly they wouldn’t be able to hear each other. Of course, all this happened in a matter of seconds. The door would be unblocked when you attempted to touch the barrier a moment later. The fire would be gone when you turned to look at it, leaving only a slight scorch mark and a warm spot. The silence would end a in just a few seconds. This went on for some time before I realized it was tied to me. Realized I was causing it! It seemed only to happen when I was upset about something, or angry at someone. Slowly I learned to control it, to see what it was I was doing. To my horror, and fascination, I realized I was channeling the One Power! As quickly as they had begun, the incidents stopped, but I was a changed man. I learned to tap into the power at will. Embracing it is like dancing on the blade of a knife. On one side you have ecstasy, and on the other ruin, and too much of both will destroy you. There is also something else, something…vile; I can not put the proper words to it, but it will not keep me from learning to harness this power. I will prove the stories wrong. Men who can channel should not be feared, but embraced. Day Two: In my search for information about the One Power, and how to wield it, I have left Ebou Dar. Word of the strange happenings in the Inn had spread, and already I was receiving strange looks as I walked down the street. I can learn no more here anyway, and it would be best to leave those I care for behind. A male Channeler can only bring trouble, with the current mindset of the world. I left the city traveling north, any other direction would lead me to the sea, but I don’t really know where to go. I can’t simply walk up to the White Tower and say, “Excuse me, could you teach me how to use the One Power? I promise not to destroy the world.” Day Five: I have met with many travelers in the past few days, most of them on their way to Caemlyn, in Andor. Apparently the False Dragon, Logain, has been captured by Aes Sedai, and is to be paraded through the city like some sort of trophy. I have decided the make Caemlyn my destination. I wish to see with my eyes the insanity that legend says dooms men like me. Perhaps I will learn something useful from the encounter. Heres the link to the character sheet: http://faerunonline.freehostia.com/public_profiler/view.php?id=10 Thanks in advance for your input!
aleshandre 10-17-06, 08:33 PM	Sounds like a good background. Only a minor point. Men sieze saidin, not embrace it. Controlling it is a battle, not a dance...unless you're Aiel in which case there's no difference between dancing and battle;)
GandhiM 10-17-06, 09:39 PM	Good point, thanks. How does this sound: "Seizing the power it is like walking a razors edge, while a strong current attempts to topple you. It is a struggle for balance. On one side you have ecstasy, and on the other ruin, and too much of both will destroy you."
Tiefling_Warlock 10-17-06, 11:09 PM	Also I think it's common knowledge that the Aes Sedai will pretty much kill you. And if not they *certainly* won't teach you (or even know how).
aleshandre 10-18-06, 07:20 PM	Which is why he said he can't go to the White Tower. ;)