Post/Author/DateTime	Post
KnH 06-27-06, 12:20 PM	Hi, I'm looking to get some help filling out my character. Obviously I'm going to check to make sure its okay with my DM, but I thought I'd sound out some ideas first. The character is one I'm already running, but he's sort of ... lacking in background. We just chucked in PCs and started playing the first session. I can currently retcon my name, background and so on as much as I want. In terms of stats, he is a human TN Scout 3, with point-blank / rapid shot and quick reconnoiter (Complete Adventurer). He has Speak Language maxed out, and because of his 14 Int, he knows 9 languages. His abilities are 15 Str, 16 Dex, 12 Con, 14 Int, 12 Wis and 11 Cha. Roleplaying wise, he's a bit of a bast***. Hes willing to kill for money, and lie to keep himself out of trouble. As an extreme example, when walking down a street he noticed a child in the process of pick-pocketing him. He proceeded to grab the arm, then cut the poor kids hand off at the wrist before walking off without a look back. I'm often not so sure about the TN. Now, my problem is, what sort of a messed up background did he have? The things about the character that stand out to me are: - willingness to kill for money - the many languages known - expertise with weapons - excellence at sneaking (maxed Hide and Move Silently) - excellent awareness of the world around him (Uncanny dodge, Quick reconnoiter, possible Improved Initiative next level etc) What this seems to suggest to me is experience in a mercenary outfit- experience with weapons, practise at killing, being used to various environments and being paid to kill. However, why would he need to know so many languages? The only thing I can think of is that the mercenary outfit did jobs internationally, and that he used to be a translator. Can any of you think of any other possibilities for his background, or ways to use some of this ingame? I've already started coming up with various things to make him more individual such as constantly moving around quietly, but I want to have a definite idea of his background before going too much further.
Jedipilot24 06-27-06, 03:27 PM	Dude, I have some bad news. You're character is not TN. He is NE with CE tendencies. Doubt me? Reread the alignment descriptions. http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/description.html As for the languages....when a character levels up, he is considered to have taken the time off to develop/improve new abilities, gain feats, learn/improve skills etc. Yes, one has to wonder how he could learn so many languages so quickly, but you can always explain that by saying that he is a natural linguist. The kind of person who can walk into a bar full of people speaking a different language and come out fluent with no accent.
gss_000 06-28-06, 02:31 AM	However, why would he need to know so many languages? The only thing I can think of is that the mercenary outfit did jobs internationally, and that he used to be a translator. Can any of you think of any other possibilities for his background, or ways to use some of this ingame? I've already started coming up with various things to make him more individual such as constantly moving around quietly, but I want to have a definite idea of his background before going too much further. I can think of three other reasons to know languages. One, as a scout, sometimes you were sent deep undercover into enemy territory so knowing the local language was a plus. Two, your unit (whether you stayed with just one or moved to others often) was made up of a variety of cultures and you were in a position (training, recruitment, etc) where knowing many tongues was very helpful. Three, it's just a quirk. You just like languages and learn them where you can. Not every detail of your character needs to have a detailed reason for being there. As for incorporating it in th game, try maing some catchphrases in the language you know. If you've every seen Firefly, the characters swear in Chinese even though they speak in English generally. This adds a lot of flavor even if the viewer doesn't understand anything that is said. The same in games. I find a repeated phrase helps my character to stand out. Or, let a word or two from another language pop into your sentences from time to time like Kilingons do in Star Trek.
Schiz 06-28-06, 10:45 AM	My idea how your character would know those languages: He grew up in a training facility for rangers, rogues, scouts, whatever(maybe military training camp for the best). At first being an apprentice there, he learned his skills. With your character background it wouldn’t be strange if it was some kind of evil training facility where even monsters can train, as long as they pay. After his own apprentice time, he got a job as teacher (he has higher stats then normal so he would be better then the rest). Teaching all kinds of creatures, he had to learn their languages and with his INT score, that wasn’t a big problem to him. He was a harsh teacher, punishing his pupils if they did wrong. "I LEARNED THINGS FOR YOU!! (language) AND NOW YOU'LL LEARN FOR ME!!" Just a thought
KnH 06-29-06, 01:38 PM	Thanks for the help guys. Jedipilot24: Yeah, I'd sort of guessed that hes not TN, I just wasn't sure what alignment he actually is. I don't really like your suggestion, because I can't even start to imagine that level of being able to learn languages. To me, thats near enough AND too far from real life for me to be able to appreciate. Something completely different like magic I can deal with, but that- thats just silly. I know that in theory he would learn this throughout the level in downtime, but often there might be less than a week between levels without downtime, especially if I do any soloing, so that doesn't work. The only way I can see that happening is if hes somehow inherently magical, and if thats the case then he'd be a sorcerer or warlock. Thats why I wanted some sort of background by which he could have feasibly learnt the languages. gss_000: Thanks for the suggestions. I personally like a mix of 2 and 3- a variety of cultures from which he found a love of language. I also like the suggestion of how to roleplay it, I really should have thought of that myself. Schiz: Heh heh heh. I love the idea. Sort of like Full Metal Jacket, but with ogres and illithids. The experience with various monsters is also nice. Also, does anyone have any idea how I could become less evil subtly? This means no sudden epiphany or just ignoring whats already happened. It would have to take awareness of the fact that its set in a huge metroplois and I think I've met... 3 people who aren't involved in crime or regular violence. Ideas?
gss_000 06-29-06, 04:37 PM	Also, does anyone have any idea how I could become less evil subtly? This means no sudden epiphany or just ignoring whats already happened. It would have to take awareness of the fact that its set in a huge metroplois and I think I've met... 3 people who aren't involved in crime or regular violence. Ideas? A big step is being willing to change and allow circumstances to change them. A full blown conversion quickly is silly, I agree. But you'l have conversations and decissions that will be perfect opportunities for you to change. For instance, a perfect instance where your views will probably clash with your party is over prisoners. Do you kill that guard that is just doing his job or leave him knocked up? I'd say follow the pace you feel confortable with. If you think you are going too fast, revert back somewhat. If you think it is too slow, make the jump to more good. I think crucial here is letting your DM and maybe the other PCs know OOC that this is what you are trying to do. Being evil at a table of good characters can sometimes make people think you are being a jerk, especially if the line between IC and OOC is somewhat blurred. But if you let them know what you are doing, especially if it is something that is affecting their characters, they may help you along as well and be more engaged in your conversion, which can be a great roleplaying experience for everyone. Also, your DM at some point might think you are ready for an Atonement with an attached quest to finish the process. All this can bring your whole group together, so don't make it some tight secret unless it's crucial that it is. Or, that is my opinion. Again, my opinion. Do what you see best but I would at least talk with the DM about how this best can be done.
LefferDP 06-30-06, 07:44 AM	I am for the character being a part of training, possibly from a young age, to desensitize him and to make him an able killer/guerrilla, perhaps as a member of some sort of government/revolutionary group. The training would include various languages/cultures is to allow him to interact into a variety of cultures so they he can approach his target. I would imagine training to stay in one place under camoflouge for hours on end without growing weary would be included and thematic. Now then, if we assume this is a sort of brainwashing, we can assume reality might override it unless you continue undergoing it. Perhaps you essentially believe the strong look out for themselves and the weak deserve to be oppressed/die because they are weak. Have someone save you from certain death a couple times might help out greatly here to shift the attitude.
Etiquette_Gnome 07-01-06, 01:04 PM	Keep in mind, that in a setting with soo many different races, it's downright metropolitan. While even being bilingual is notable in the States, it's the norm from my understanding outside. It's not uncommon for some of the relatively educated to know three or four languages, and one friend of mine knows 7 (Hindii, Tamil, English, Gaelic, French, and two others that escape me). Just make sure your character actually has the personal desire to learn languages, and had enough exposure to pick them up.