Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Gadriel 09-17-04, 12:46 AM	Well, I'm starting a new character, a lvl 11 Figher/Extreme Explorer Valenar Elf, and the catch is that most people in Eberron are low level, like 3 or so, and only royalty or house leaders are up towards 11ish. So, I need some suggestions for a back story for my character. I've already considered the beginning of my story, with my character being around 170 years old, so he's probably from Aerenal originally, and was brought to Khorvaire in his late 20's with his parents. But what does he do in that 120 year gap that gives him 11 levels, and explains his levels in Extreme Explorer. Any help would be appriciated. Also, is there a magic item that allows a horse to fly? Or, even better, what would Valenar elves use for airial fighting? Since one of their closest enemies, the halflings, often use flying dinosaurs in their attacks, the elves probably have an airial cavalry of somesort, but what? Griffons, Pegasi, Hippogriphs? Gadriel
Save-vs-DM 09-17-04, 02:19 AM	Perhaps your character is the reincarnation of a powerful Valenar warrior? Maybe he was so lauded by his people that he was thrust to the forefront of every major battle. That would explain why he is such high level. As for a magic item for a flying steed, I'd go like this Pegasus Horseshoes: These four silver horseshoes are affixed like regular horseshoes. When worn they grant a horse a 60' fly speed (or 40 feet if it wears medium or heavy armor, or if it carries a medium or heavy load). All four horseshoes must be worn by the same animal for the magic to be effective. Moderate transmutation; CL 8th; Craft Wondrous Item, fly; Price: 96000 gp. Does this help at all? Cheers, Save vs DM
ThanisKartaleon 09-17-04, 07:13 AM	170 years, huh? Well, that means he's seen a lot of history. p 224-225 ECS can help you out there. So if he's been on Khorvaire since his 20s, that would mean since 848 YK, and that he was born in 828 YK. So basically that last column of events from 832 YK to present is all fodder for background ideas. He could be King Vadallia's right hand man, seeing as he's only 2 levels below him. Perhaps he has personally clashed with Kaius I; maybe he knew him when he was still human. Maybe on patrol one day his band was cut down by a group of fierce Talentan warriors. They were killed to a man except for your character, who weaponless and without any other means, singlehandedly beat down the Talenta's pet Swordtooth Titan, only to collapse in exhaustion afterwards. In respect for your character's amazing feat, they spared your life, and nursed you back to health. Weeks passed by as you remained an "honored prisoner" of the strange plainsfolk. Finally, the tribe elder decides he has learned enough about you and your people for now. He gives you your freedom, his friendship, and the reins to your very own Glidewing. Granted, that would be at the upper level of your achievements, but not out of your talents once you had a few levels in X X. Perhaps he fought with or against the LoB or faced the Order of the Emerald Claw. He could also have ventured into Q'barra to recover an ancient elven treasure stolen by the hobgoblins ten thousand years ago. If you wanted a Valenar mount, the griffon might not be a good idea, because griffons eat horses(but he could be unique); so I'd say hippogriff, though giant eagle, giant owl, pegasus, roc (though could be bad for same reason as griffon), spider eater (from his adventures in Q'barra?), wyvern (a dragon, yes, but not a very intelligent one, so probably no conflict there), and yrthak (could be nifty, not sure where he would have gotten it though) are all (somewhat) viable suggestions. Or, of course any land based mount in conjunction with Save-vs-DM's spiffy item there would also serve. (granted it has 4 hooves, so a behir is somewhat out of the question...) That's just a few ideas for your consumption. Have fun!
Gadriel 09-17-04, 08:56 AM	Thanks guys, this has given me some great ideas. Gadriel
Methos of Aundair 09-17-04, 03:40 PM	You might want to remember an elf doesn't even become an adult until the age of 110, and thats without class levels. Look at the Player's HB (page 109) for starting character age. Your character would start at age 110 plus 6d6 years for being a fighter. So on average your starting age would be 131, so you only need to figure out how he got those 11 levels in the past 40 years (approx.). Another thing an elf becomes middleaged at 175 years so your character is getting close. :)
ThanisKartaleon 09-17-04, 03:52 PM	good point, Methos... though Jaela of Thrane is 11 (and assumed power when she was 6!) so there is precendent for a younger age with class levels, even though she kind of does have the whole Silver Flame thing helping her out.
UltimaGabe 09-17-04, 04:57 PM	I believe there's an item in the DMG or Arms & Equipment Guide that allows a horse to fly- the name "Horshoes of Flying" seems to stick out in my mind. If you can't find anything, go with the cost for Boots of Flying, but possibly reduce the cost by up to 1/2 if you think that a horse with the ability is going to be much less advantageous than a PC with the ability.
Caul 09-17-04, 06:26 PM	My only question is, why so high a level? But, that aside, I would say that all of the information given to you so far is great, however, I have a concern about the need (want?) of a flying mount. I see the Valenar as being very earthbound, so much so that I would imagine them to be very like B.A. (if you don't know who I mean, shame on you) in that you would need to feed them drugged goatsmilk to get them to go up in an airship. The way that they deal with their (few) skybound neighbors would be their skill with the bow and speed on the ground. My two crowns...
Zorloff 09-17-04, 07:20 PM	I see the Valenar as being very earthbound, so much so that I would imagine them to be very like B.A. "I pity the fool who has to fly dinosaurs into battle..." :D
Gadriel 09-18-04, 12:36 AM	The reason that I want to be level 11 is that the rest of the party is lvl 11 or higher, so starting lower would be bad, especially in this really, really screwed up party. For example, we have.... A Pixie Wilder A Psion that's becoming a lich, and in addition to this, he commonly dominates party members. A Warforged Dervish And, an archer who doesn't shoot very well. Also, the party has almost half of the houses after us, not to mention several kingdoms. And the reasoning behind the flying mount is that past experience has shown that mounted combat people who don't take really good ranged weapons and feats, namely me, eventually have problems later on when your trying to attack that flying BBEG. In addition, the party has an airship (which they stole from House Lyrandar), and it might be good to have a way to escape from it very quickly....
Save-vs-DM 09-18-04, 12:45 AM	Wow, I really, really pity you. A Pixie Wilder A Psion that's becoming a lich, and in addition to this, he commonly dominates party members. *gibbers oncontrolably* *shakes head and walks away, dissapointed* Cheers, Save vs DM