Post/Author/DateTime	Post
LGMoses 06-27-07, 03:43 AM	What motivates your characters or the party you usually play with? Is it the promise of gold that moves you to action? The need to protect the innocent or serve your deity? Is it just lust for adventure? What motivates you and how well do you find most adventure hooks at getting you to WANT to go on this adventure?
_metz_ 06-27-07, 04:03 AM	What motivates your characters or the party you usually play with? Is it the promise of gold that moves you to action? The need to protect the innocent or serve your deity? Is it just lust for adventure? What motivates you and how well do you find most adventure hooks at getting you to WANT to go on this adventure? It depends on character of course. 1. My Pirate is motivated by adventure/gold 2. My cleric is motivated by defeating evil, helping the downtrodden, and learning the secrets of the world. 3. My Fighter is dedicated to defeating evil and the enemies of the dwarves. 4. My Wizard is quite mad and wants magic, knowledge, gold, adventure and glory! Me personally as a Human being, I want entertainment.
copper_wyrmling 06-27-07, 04:18 AM	It's pretty easy for most of my characters: 1. Neutral Good Cleric of Joramy 8 / Sacred Exorcist 6 / Contemplative 1 The following make her drop everything to go investigate (i.e. I tend to try to play this character if the following are indicated by a module blurb): - Investigating volcanoes, the Plane of Fire, or other sites possibly sacred to Joramy - Dealing with problems caused by fiends, undead or evil gods, especially if Iuz is involved - Working to advance the cause of Perrenland or Tenh Otherwise, helping innocents in need, aiding good-aligned churches, anything that allows her to raise funds to better support the causes she cares about, or assisting friends can all draw her into an adventure. 2. Chaotic Good Sorcerer 6 / Wild Mage 6 Drops everything to go investigate: - Reports of wild magic or other strange magical effects - Incidents involving dragons or dragonkin - Interesting magical items - Missions for arcane organizations - Working against forces of oppression, particularly slavers and ESPECIALLY the Scarlet Brotherhood - Aiding the cause of Rary or Hardby - Strange dreams Otherwise, anything that gets her money, jewels, or a chance to play with fun magic items (she's dragonkin and rather acquisitive) is good, and she's a sucker for pleas for help, especially from other magic-users. She's also exceedingly protective of her friends. 3. Neutral Good Ranger 1 / Fighter 2 / Barbarian 2 / Dervish 5 Drops everything to go investigate: - Threats to elven communities - Missions for the church of Pelor or other good-aligned deities - Anything involving undead - Anything that can be interpreted as "for the good of Bissel" (After finishing Red Hand of Doom, he doesn't want anything to do with dragons or goblinoids ever again. EVER.) He will go along on practically any mission just for the sake of sharpening up his skills: he's a perfectionist, and nothing hones your abilities quite like getting into fights to the death every few days. He also tends to tag along with any clerics of Pelor in the area, since he assumes they'll inform him if Pelor wants him to do anything in particular. 4. Neutral Sorcerer 5 Drops everything to go investigate: - Dragons! - Ancient ruins or magical artifacts - Any interesting magic, especially shadow-related magic - Advancing the interests of gnomish communities - The restoration of the Bright Lands She'll also go along on most missions for the promise of riches, and because she doesn't have anything better to do and it gets her useful contacts: it's the nature of being a dragon researcher that you want some fairly well-equipped and experienced research assistants ;) I don't think I've ever had a problem with plot hooks not enticing my characters: most of them are pathologically curious and will go along just to see what happens next. I have on occasion had problems with my PCs getting ahead of themselves and launching into the module without ever actually encountering the designated hook, but most GMs can cope with that ;)
gomeztoo 06-27-07, 06:41 AM	- Nesalia, my dragon disciple, wants adventure, fun, and exciting events. She'll volunteer for an adventure before she is told what is up. Anything dealing with dragons makes her even more motivated. She has been known to pay money to go on a mission (she doesn't grasp that people wish to pay her - what does they think she is, a dwarf?). - Voa, my waste druidess does anything to protect 'her' wastes (the Bright Desert). She is hard to catually motivate for anything else, but as she likes conflict she'll tow along anyway, jsut to see how much can go wrong (with or wijhout her help). - Fat Dwarf, my fighter, pretends he does it for the money. In reality he is a big softy who would do anything for the good cause. Fat Dwarf is a follower type (despite very low Cha, one of the easiest PCs to get along with), and thus follows if others agree to a mission. - The Great Greaser, my rogue, considers himself a professional, and everyone else (who is not from Dyvers) an amateur. He'll go for the coin, but can be coaxed into goin on a non-profit mission if people give him the impression they can't do it without him. Most of his adventures so far have been in Ekbir, where he is a member of a group that can also get him to act. - Adonyee, my retired priestess, tried to further teh acsue of good wherever she went. On occasion, she would follow friends on a mission that she herself had no actual interest in. She also has brow-beated friends into taking up a mission. - Clover, my bard, from a filty rich family, generally starts a scenario out 'shopping'. Adventure just 'happens' to her, and she often rolls along mostly out of a snobbish curiosity. She does not consider herself an adventurer. Due to her shopping-fad she has, so far, started all her scenarios in Greyhawk City (where the best shops are).
Cardinal Teplin 06-27-07, 07:30 AM	Teplin - Druid - mainly motivated by loyalty to his country and the house of Relaster. He sees his adventueres as excersies in foreign relations. Behind that is a more general loyalty to that which is good, and natural, versus that which is evil. He sees himself essentially as a very destructive force for change, and wants to place himself in a context where he can use this responsibly. A storm by itself changes nothing. A storm in the right place can alter the history of the world. Lethey - Wizard - mainly motivated by personal development. At first this basically meant getting a job, and proving to the local authorities that he could be trusted with difficult tasks. Later on it meant gaining personal power, and pushing back the boundaries of magic to expose those areas that fuddy-duddy folk don't seem to want to look at. Summoning of outsiders, practical necromancy, Far realms, beholdkin magic, and so on. These days it's more about balancing power with ethics. He's noticed that power doesn't make him happy, while being moral generally does, which leads him to conclude he must be more moral than he first thought. In order to continue this experiment he has set off on a long adventure with four different clerics in the party, and encouraged them to shout at him if he does anything wrong. Obviously he can't outsource his moral compass forever, but he feels greatly reassured by their presence as he doesn't seem to have terribly good judgement himself... He's likely to be attracted to ostensibly 'good' causes for the forseeable future simply because that's what he wants to be, and doesn't trust that he'll get there without people to push him in the right direction. Buried deep is the idea that most alienists turn into mad lonely hermits and then get consumed by the far realms, so as long as he keeps lots of people around, that can't possibly happen to him. Canarius the Bright Sands barbarian was first motivated by the idea to see the world. More lately he's been trying to solve the problem of a mad archmage killing off his people by looking at the rest of the Flanaess and seeing how other people deal with their mad archmages. His conclusion, that they don't deal with them, but either kill them or exile them to... the Bright Desert, isn't helping his peace of mind. Cue levels of Occult Slayer coming up, as he gears himself up for the big showdown.
NiTessine 06-27-07, 07:44 AM	Xaylen Ambedor, my main character, is a wizard/divine oracle of Boccob. He is motivated by magical knowledge, forbidden or otherwise, and always takes an opportunity to kill Scarlet Brotherhood agents or oppress the Idee Volunteers and church of Trithereon. He also likes to show off Boccob's Blessed Boat, his caravel. Failing those, he works for the highest bidder. He operates primarily in coastal areas and the former Great Kingdom, though avoids Sunndi. Dar, my secondary, is a scout/ranger and a member of the Ex-Scarlet Brotherhood Soldiers metaorg. His primary motivation is reinforcing the superiority of the Suel race, culture and pantheon, followed by whatever cause pays best. Dar has been known to use lethal force against good-aligned outsiders in pursuit of these goals. Would've killed it, too, if the bastard hadn't fled like the coward it was. He is also a devout follower of Wee Jas. Dar tends to operate primarily in the Principality of Naerie, Sunndi, and the Wild Coast, though he is also an expert on the southern jungles and has often travelled the icy northlands as well. He delights in going to the Bakluni lands, pointing at the desert and shouting: "See that? We made it!" Achmed is my Bright Lands character. He's the closest thing to a nice guy in my character stable, and a bard/swashbuckler. His primary motivation is the restoration of the Bright Lands to the verdant paradise it was, as mandated by the goddess Geshtai, and to this end he works for Rary. Secondarily, he is concerned with the restoration of Tenh and his holdings there. He adventures exclusively in the Bright Lands, the Domain of Greyhawk and Tenh.
Reska 06-27-07, 08:13 AM	My retired character was generally motivated by greed...to an extent. Even if it wasn't money, he was motivated by currying favors with anyone, doing things for them for a favor later. I think when he retired, he had somewhere around 200 favors (including influence points and Geoff Influence with the high court), and only just under 50 AR's. Course, he's now a diplomatic liason for Geoff with the Keoish Court...so those favors would probably come in handy, and who knows what he could garner. My current main (who started as my Quartiary character) is from the Bright Lands. His belief is while he'll do things for good, he doesn't like being used. In the desert, you share what you have with travellers, or one of you dies. That said, he wants a promise before he goes to do something out of the goodness of his heart. It doesn't have to be money, it doesn't even have to be a favor. It has to be a genuine respect for he and his party to be doing this for the "employer". Course, it doesn't work in every mod (some have no "employer", some turn out to be the bad guy anyway). It doesn't mean I won't do the mod, I just might grumble in it more and be a bit more crass and non-subtle with everyone. "So", saying in a crowded pub in the Gran March, "We found a dead body. Does it belong to anyone in here?" My secondary (who has stayed my secondary), travels because she's a taxidermist. She's interested in the inner workings of all the creatures she meets. Even though she's a Jasian Witch, she feels it is easier to defeat your enemies if you know how they live. Course, in the slightly necromantic way, she'll autopsy them after they've been defeated. On the battlefield sometimes. And only once while in combat. So far she's up to about 20 different creatures in her "Vitae's Anatomy" book she's writing.
UMiskatonic 06-27-07, 09:30 AM	Well, the high level group I play with are generally helpful people, but we're really there for the beatdown. It's the challenge that pushes us forward, action junkies that we were. My cleric is both a Canon of the church, and Mayor of a small town. It's hard for him NOT to be involved in regionals, and he tends to show up on any mod that sounds like it might deal with undead (shout out for The Reaping, one of the finest mods I've ever played) My paladin templar was questing to find the cup and talisman of Al' Akbar, since there's not much sense defending an empty temple. He's retired now. Finally, my sorcerer is out to aid Emperor Rary, and make more money.
ShinAkuma2 06-27-07, 12:46 PM	I like playing heroic characters who do the right thing because it's right. Pretty much everyone I game with plays totally mercenary or "I don't care about anything but myself" characters...Way too many Chaotic and/or Neutral characters for my taste.
solbergb 06-27-07, 02:08 PM	Varies by character of course. I'll toss in my wife's characters too, to give more motivations. Senior Blessed Defender Burke, Master of Disicipline, Drama, Acrobatics and Arms: started out with self-improvement goals, now is more mature and takes more of a protective/instructional role. Will drop anything to investigate: fiendish activities (including anything involving evil clerics, all evil gods are fiends) lawbreaking of any kind heretical behaviors by Pholtans (ie, "bad" pholtans) any mission the Church sends him on, or sends Mareyl on anything involving the theatre or theatre performers anything that might help Orcs leave the Path of Rage any time he might get to test his abilities against other martial artists anything that threatens the Pale or Eagle Crag Pass He is also fairly likely to tag along on any mission where somebody needs protection, including other party members. He's still got enough need for gold and "test himself" that purely mercenary adventures are ok too Bishop Mareyl Ilena Jinone, Sacred Exorcist and "field librarian" of Pholtus Will drop anything to investigate: extraplanar incursions, especially fiends undead outbreaks heretical behaviors by Pholtans (ie, "bad" pholtans) any kind of hidden or secret knowledge "This belongs in our LIBRARY!" any threats to the Pale and its citizens iuzian activities She's also genuinely nice, so will be easily hooked by most "heroic" threads or even a plea from a friend. She's more likely than Burke to get hooked into things that are legally dubious. Olivia Lusoschenko, telekenetic sorceress Will drop anything to investigate: attempts to do large scale planar manipulation unusual magical manifistations anything that scores points with Rhenee, and her clan in particular anything that strikes a blow against Iuz any threats to the Pale citizens, but not necessarily the church Mostly though, she adventures to stretch her own limits and to help people - she is an active experimentalist with magic and grows by doing. She has enough empathy to also genuinely wish to help people, and is also just plain greedy for wealth too, but that tends to be a secondary motivation these days - do mighty deeds and wealth will come. Orofin Elar - Phostwood elf Arcane Archer Will drop anything to investigate threats to children or other helpless (in his mind) creatures. threats to elves, although he's usually pretty condescending about it violations of the Ehlenestran view of what's "natural" activities that are in keeping with his tribe's alliance with the Pale anything that might strike a blow against malicious faries (rarely) something that might impress a cute, often human, woman of his maturity level (in human years, 40ish) Mostly though, he adventures to keep an eye on his daughter and because she keeps getting into bigger and nastier situations, to keep his skills up so he can help. He's probably the most laid back of all my adventurers, but he's easy to "hook". He'll do nearly anything even when his daughter isn't around just for something to do with himself. He doesn't take inactivity well. Kivrin Elar - Phostwood druid, mental age late teens/early 20s She just lost her animal companion and has turned her back on Ehlenestra as a result, so her adventuring motivations are likely going to be more bitter and revengeful till she gets over it. But until that happened: Will drop anything to investigate mistreatment of animals (and threats to animals) threats to natural settings as a whole "scoreing political points" for nonhumans/nonpholtans in the Pale Mostly though she drifts through life, reacting to threats. She doesn't think of herself as caring much about people, but hurt somebody in front of her and she will get involved. She has a bit of the strident activist in her and takes most things too seriously. Mogoom Naalkavar, Dwarf Warchanter Will drop anything to investigate secrets and/or forbidden knowledge rumors of vast wealth, especially underground any situation so "big" that participating might make him famous Mostly Mogoom is reactive though, rather than active. He's been on some adventures from getting drunk and getting on the wrong ship...he likes wealth, he likes praise and he'll help people just for their thanks. Saka Naalkavear, Dwarf Stonelord Will drop anything to investigate anything to do with rocks, especially talking rocks (eg, Xorns) anything her little brother Mogoom wants to do, cause he's not careful anything "Mama told us we shoulda..." "beatin up on folks what can't defend themselves" Mostly Saka picks someone small and weak looking and appoints herself bodyguard - if they're hooked or Mogoom is hooked, she's hooked Katryn, Tiger nomad....who is slowly turning into a tiger Will drop anything to investigate anything that might remotely have a shapeshifter as the prime mover grudgingly, druidic oath stuff(protecting nature, etc) anything that scores points with the Rel Mord university any rumor of knowledge that might remotely apply to shapeshifting Katryn is mostly self-absorbed, trying to master shapeshifting. As such she's inclined to tag along on most adventures, as in her experience, half involve other shapeshifters and all provide wealth and social contacts for training or study. Also her shapeshifting mostly manifests under stress, so it is good "practice" for when she finally gets some control Mugwort, gnome Favored Soul of Procan Will drop anything to investigate any unfortunate event he can remotely blame on Procan, to clean up anything to do with impinging on free will (slavery, prison breaks, etc) Mostly, events just happen around Mugwort, no matter how he tries to lead a quiet life, and he's learned not to fight it, but to just try to resolve it as efficiently as possible. So about the only way to not "hook" him is to have him working FOR a slaver, and not as a "mole". Thistle, draconic gnome sorcerer Will drop anything to investigate any rumor of wealth, shiny things, bizzare critters - anything not boring anything to do with impinging on free will (slavery, prison breaks, etc) Mostly, Thistle is a trouble-magnet and bores easily, so nearly any adventure will cause her leaping to get involved. Ret Mitimah, asherati cleric Will drop anything to investigate Scorpion-throne destruction stuff - he considers even the asherati form to be a mere expedient to prevent his people from being manscorpions and considers the forced worshop of his deity by all asherati to be an abombination. as the Chosen One, there at the creation of his people, he's there to bring an end to the cycle. Mostly when Ret isn't on the Bright Sands plotline, he's just an essentially nice entity, who will help out in any situation that crosses his path. He values wealth for what it can buy, and doesn't turn it down. Zenarys Hru, centaur Will drop anything to investigate anything that furthers her vendetta against Rary stopping obviously chaotic or evil activities Zenarys isn't the sharpest knife in the block, but she's also nice and tries to do the "right thing". As with Ret, the outcome of Dominion will have a lot to do with future "hooks" Bela - "Intrusion expert" Will drop anything to investigate anything that promises wealth opportunities to vent his anger violently while being praised for it anything that might "impress" whatever poor girl he's hopelessly chasing Bela is a poorly socialized teenage boy who has decided that adventuring is the fast track to wealth and power. He cuts corners, takes shortcuts but is goal oriented - he'll never 'screw the party' because he is very clear on the concept that if the party doesn't win, he doesn't win, and adventuring is a long road - he has to work with these people and dead men do tell tales. Bertrand Saevil - Suel Noble Warmage Will drop anything to investigate anything that would score points with his family anything that would further the cause of a romance, or get him out of one Obviously bad/nasty goings-on. Noblise Oblige and all that what? helping a friend. Bertrand makes friends easily Any challenge he thinks he should be able to do. He overestimates himself. anything his family insists that he must do (or that the Duchy insists on) Bertrand is another genuinely nice person. He's also fairly easy to trick into thinking something shady is something nice. Jarvis - Bertrand's "Gentleman's Gentleman" anything that makes Bertrand look good anything that cements Bertrand's dependence on him anything that tests his wits or talents against a worthy foe he's also a bit of a romantic and helps with romantic entanglements anything that helps one of Bertrand's friends. covertly assisting the duchy, the Saevil house or his own...guild Jarvis isn't as nice as Betrand but he's pretty duty-bound and extremely professional. Jarvis won't let Bertrand adventure without him, and is quite capable of manipulating Bertrand into any adventure he deems advisible that bertrand is reluctant to do.
ThaiGQ 06-27-07, 06:18 PM	I like playing heroic characters who do the right thing because it's right. Pretty much everyone I game with plays totally mercenary or "I don't care about anything but myself" characters...Way too many Chaotic and/or Neutral characters for my taste. I'm with ShinAkuma on this one...although admittedly, there are very few players in my physical region, and most of them are of dubious character (you know who you are! :P ). I've been astonished on more than one occasion by a paladin that has argued against my "knight's" decisions to try and delay missions (non-time sensitive) to help save innocents/allies. :thinks: So far, he's had pretty much only one truly staunch ally when it comes down to doing "the right thing". What's "right" could be open to interpretation as well, I suppose...but I like to play a character that is almost the quintessential "paladin" in terms of morality. Maybe I should try playing a character with a different personality type... :schemes:
Mattastrophic 06-27-07, 07:22 PM	All right, I'm jumping in... Solaufyn Ithilnelle, grey elf Virtuoso, once a hopeless fop, now a do-gooding, evil-slaying romantic hero. Still has the charming smile, too. He will drop everything for the sake of: -People who geniunely need his help. No case too small. Sol sees his considerable abilities as a blessing from his goddess Hanali Celanil, and believes they are to be used as a force of goodness and altruism in a dark world with evil around every corner. -Destroying evil, in whatever form it may take. -An opportunity to brighten the lives of others with his musical talents. -He has a soft spot for people who've been placed in bad situations or have been exploited by others. He enjoys that feeling of being someone's guardian angel. -The well-being of other elves. Particularly Celenites. -Attractive female admirers. He loves those. He's quite the romantic individual who has a way of making others see him as the dashing hero who will always save the day. -Queen Yolande of his home of Celene. He's a loyalist, though he chooses to endanger himself (which Yolande doesn't wish to have the elves as a whole do to fight humanity's wars) to do good in the world outside of Celene. He has a certain faith in the wisdom of her decision to be an isolationist, trusting that she knows of things he is not yet meant to know. So he protects his Kingdom and his Queen from harm, thus enabling the Celenite elves to preserve themselves. He has this subconscious love and wonder for his Queen, and secretly wishes to gain her attentions and her respect. -Melf Brightflame and the Knights of Luna. He sympathizes and fights alongside their cause, but for a slightly different final objective. Where the Knights risk themselves to do good in the world around them, Sol risks himself so that other elves won't have to. He would love to gain Melf's respect and friendship in the future. -And of course, if Hanali calls, he answers. She is the higher authority whom he looks to for purpose and for encouragement. He doesn't really care for: -People who present this terrible tragedy to him, but all the while treating him as a common sellsword whom they see as a lower-risk, cheaper option than getting their hands dirty and solving the issue themselves. -People who immediately offer payment when presenting him with an objective, as if he were merely a service to be traded. He hates it when people place a money value on good works. So yeah, Sol finds himself often doing some grumbling during the plot-hook phase of modules. And he'd like to start getting some attractive admirers. -Matt
clannagh 06-27-07, 07:27 PM	- an elven tart with a taste for "rough" boys (been known to cavort with the odd ogre) who prides herself as an exotic dancer ... her first comments when accosted by thugs is often along the lines of "hello big boy, what are you doing later tonight". Has a nice collection of manacles. - a badlands stonelord who is trying to convert Perrenland to Joramy (a deity who seems oddly unpopular in Perrenland) he is not meeting with a lot of success - a young Gnome Paladin of Velnius .. basically a niave valley girl. She believes anyone can redeem themselves and deserves a second chance. Her favourite quote "They cant always help being evil but there is no excuse for bad dress sense" . She believes as a paladin you cant always make the world better .. but you CAN make it look more fashionable.
cycloptic_squirrel 06-27-07, 08:48 PM	Andelle Reasharem (bard1/cleric7 of Phyton) -anything that might increase the power and prestige of Keoland, including opportunities to plant the seed of thought that former vassal states might be better off if they rejoined the kingdom - anything to increase the prestige or further the goals of Phyton; while this commonly involves the protection of farmers or farmland, it frequently includes opportunities to show druids/fey/forest spririts that all their fears/misgivings/hatred of Phyton and his teachings are misconceptions or failure to understand exactly what the ultimate goals are. Eric the Scholar (brb1/wiz5) - adventure, pure and simple, thought this has declined somewhat since he somehow acquired a half-fey child - knowledge, though it's somewhat superficial since he gathers any tidbit that is arcane in nature and ignores all others - any scheme that might serve to prove to Lendor how patient he is, especially if the scheme can be quickly accomplished Wedgie (wiz4) - a chance to sell some stock - anything that's good for business, preferably his own, but takes the view that if the economy is good, everyone profits - has been know to pick up on a plot hook due to harassment from his raven familiar, who is becoming increasingly more independent - Underpants! [no one's really sure what his name is] (ftr1/knt1) - eh. whatever. - pretty much follow the lead if someone in the party is loud, opinionated, and foulmouthed Thunkar [signs his name as a stick figure with a ludicrously large axe killing what might be a stick goblin] (brb1) - whatever the will of god (god = a goat that is with him)
draxynnic 06-28-07, 02:27 AM	Here we go: Caldyssa Thanarr (NG F half-elf Brd10/Seeker of the Song 4 of Joramy; originally Caldus, M human) Caldyssa's motivations are similar to CW's primary ((s)he spent a certain infamous Year 3 Core as that character, and has what is probably the second-highest cleric of the Perrenland branch of the church of Joramy as her cohort) - investigation of sites sacred to Joramy and promoting the interests of Perrenland and Tenh. She's not as specifically interested in fiendish and similar problems as CW's primary, except where related to Perrenese or Tenha interests. She and her cohort do, however, have a particularly strong grudge against Pyremius-worshippers even for followers of Joramy. As a bard, she's also interested in the general collection of information and music (especially the primal music as befits a SotS). She also has a fairly strong grudge against the city of Greyhawk - she's likely to flat-out refuse any request for help from a citizen, and if she gets a chance to hurt the government of Greyhawk she'll probably take it. Off the table, I generally see her as acting as an ambassador for Tenh, Perrenland and/or the faith of Joramy in general (which helps explain her travelling to some unusual locations) both to other governments directly, and to drum up support at the level of the common citizen through music. Jenna Brockoerth (cohort to the above; NG F human Clr12 of Joramy) Similiar motivations to the above. In her background, she hails from Onnwal, so she feels less of a connection to Perranland and Tenh (I hadn't taken Leadership at the times I did the Tenh modules) and doesn't like the Scarlet Brotherhood. However, her reasons for leaving Onnwal were due to actions by the resistance that she didn't approve of (some of the more fanatical elements decided her brother was a collaborator...). Trassin Kiranthar (LG M high elf Ftr10 of Mayaheine) As a member of the Perrenese military, the defense of Perrenland is pretty much at the top of Trassin's list of priorities. However, when off-duty, he does have a reason to travel and (occasionally) run into adventures elsewhere - he comes from a trading family, and puts his experience as a military officer into leading (and training) caravan guards. Unless it interferes with some other mission or will result in the creation of a greater problem, he generally won't turn down a request for help - and once he gets involved in something, he considers himself honour-bound to see it through if possible. Of special note is his involvement in the Bright Sands series, where he's been growing increasingly frustrated at the number of so-called heroes who appear to feel that working hand-in-glove for a tyrant is a reasonable means to an end. Kherros Turali (CG M grey elf Swb3/Ftr2/Wiz1 of Corellon Larethain) Kherros started adventuring when, after a magical barrier isolating his home fell (Perrenland players will know what I'm talking about), he grew bored with his magical studies and decided to go see the world. Mostly his motivation remains that - to see the world and to have fun in general - but learning new magic and opposing slavery and other violations of freedom are also important considerations. Anything that would help a good-aligned dragon will also bring him running - he feels he owes them a debt after something that happened early in his adventuring career. (Note: Generally, though, such modules do tend to attract my higher-level characters for continuity reasons. Kherros had been earmarked for RHoD, but that's probably not going to happen - at least not in its entirety - due to reasons I'm not going to go into here.) He also sees himself as something of a ladies' man. He's not as good as he thinks he is (Cha 10), but that doesn't stop him from trying, and helping a damsel in distress would be a strong motivator for him, despite the number of times he's been rejected. Sareena (CN F human Wiz4 of Procan) Sareena generally responds to most job offers with something along the lines of "Sounds like fun" (oh, and derisive laughter when the prospective employer uses the word "reliable" or something similar...). She is particularly interested, however, in storms (or unusual weather in general, but especially storms...) and naval expeditions. She also approves of the Archbaroness of Ratik, and while she's far from being good Silk Garter material, she does tend to take threats to the Archbaroness personally. Falkthen (NG M dwarf Clr3 of Dumathoin) Falkthen's motivations are basically those you'd expect from a cleric of Dumathoin - protection of dwarven communities and the sanctity of the underground. Generally, though, he tends to stumble into things rather than seek them out, although he does have something of a fatherly attitude that generally means he doesn't turn his back on what he stumbles onto. (Note: This character has mostly been on the backburner since Mad God's Key. He generally gets pulled out in response to a party needing a cleric in a module that doesn't call for another character rather than being one I specifically look to get modules for - although I wouldn't turn down a module that does seem to be perfect for him) Ku'rak Sandwalker (N M human SSDrd2 of Obad-Hai) Ku'rak belongs to a tribe that rebelled against Rary, so his primary motivation is fighting against Rary. (However, since Trassin has mostly taken up the series, Ku'rak has also pretty much gone on the proverbial backburner, generally only coming out for Bright Sands modules where a party of an APL suitable for Trassin is not available. Wyran Stanvos (C* M human Rog1, deity undecided) *Currently listed as CG, but I'm not sure if that's going to bear out. Wyran is mostly interested in getting money... legally or not, but he disapproves of taking more than the mark can afford to lose. Elrinde Tuellabe (NG F high elf Clr1 of Ehlenestra) Elrinde's interests aren't much beyond (yet, anyway) to what you'd expect from a follower of Ehlonna/Ehlenestra: promotion and protection of nature (but lenient of sustainable use of the resources that nature can provide) and the punishment and destruction of despoilers of nature. Hails from Celene in her background, but has decided to see the world for herself. Has a fairly dim view of Pholtus due to an encounter with a grey elf who had been "reeducated" in a Dawn Camp. (Note: The reason I have two level 1 characters is because I was invited to a table of Scourge which already had a rogue, so I created a character that I thought would better complement the rest of the party. Unfortunately, I ended up having to pull out of the table at the last minute due to my health going downhill.)
jstorrie 06-28-07, 03:12 AM	Well, of the ones that I actively still play: Zekir al-Dhabiya, LG Baklunish Paladin/Marshal: Zekir has some sworn foes in Dhabiya that he doesn't really have the capabilities to take on just yet, so he adventures to gather power and collect trustworthy allies. Of course, while out on the trail he does the usual Lawful Good heroic deeds routine whenever applicable. So he's motivated first and foremost by 'powering up' for his personal crusade, and second by always doing the right thing. This appeals to both my power-gaming and hero-fantasy instincts. Israfez, CG Baklunish/Flan Enchanter: Israfez is a sort of medieval psychonaut, adventuring to experience all he can. He likes things that are fun to do and deeds that are awesome in any way. This appeals to my instinct for pure fun. He may be pre-Alienist, I haven't decided. Zeiri: NG/CG Baklunish Daring Outlaw: Zeiri is an archetypal bandit-with-a-heart-of-gold. He steals for the thrill of stealing and fights for the thrill of fighting, but is still motivated to go for good causes. This appeals to my instinct for mischief.
copper_wyrmling 06-28-07, 07:07 AM	Andelle Reasharem (bard1/cleric7 of Phyton) -anything that might increase the power and prestige of Keoland, including opportunities to plant the seed of thought that former vassal states might be better off if they rejoined the kingdom You've got to be kidding: you're one of those "Rejoin the Empire!" people? Most of my characters aren't even from Bissel and that still annoyed them ;) (I attended a Bissel convention rather near the Keoish border earlier this year, and I think I had at least one player shouting "Rejoin the Empire!" in every single slot...) (Note: The reason I have two level 1 characters is because I was invited to a table of Scourge which already had a rogue, so I created a character that I thought would better complement the rest of the party. Eh, I have four L1 characters I think (in addition to the PCs listed above) - Calanna Elani, a very young grey elf wizard from the Kershane who regards all adventures as opportunities for research and experimentation; Erike, Yolande's younger sister, who at present doesn't have many motivations apart from a pressing desire to stay far, far away from shapeshifting dragons; Acoya, an Olman druid and ex-Scarlet-Brotherhood-slave who is presently trying to stay warm in Ratik (not an easy task), defend nature and eventually work towards revenge on the Brotherhood (via storm magic); and Nakima, an archer who is obsessively working towards perfecting her skills and gaining personal power for a very specific reason - which I'm not revealing to anybody yet ;) I'll soon have to create a fifth for Greyhawk Ruins: Nakima or Acoya will probably play Scourge of the Howling Horde.
Madfox11 06-28-07, 07:35 AM	Personally I find the mercenary attitude also boring, but I can see why some people like them. When I still could play I had: Ulgar: bard/barbarian who loved to do heroics, the more visible the end-result the better, and if there was a damsel in distress all the better. Maelor: Justicar, more concerned with catching criminals and enemies of the Old Faith than in actually earning a coin. Torkann: Cleric of Xan-Yae, knowledge and secrets were his driving motives, that and getting revenge on the SB, he was a bit of a coward and prefered to keep the amount of enemies to a minimum, often walking around in disguise just in case.
JohnduBois 06-28-07, 09:18 AM	Dwarf Bard4/Ftr1/Warchanter8: Has changed. Started out as "try to implement a diplomatic solution to Furyondy's problems." After a particularly nasty curse from Iuz, became, "Take the fight to Iuz. Quickly." Now that he's exiled from Furyondy, "Convince Veluna of the error of its inquisitive, repressive ways." Human Fav6/Alienist2: Learn new things to further the "glory" of the Summoner (Trithereon)! Gnome Wizard7/Shadowcraft Mage1: Again, has changed. Started out with "Get rid of this shield over Chendl". Became "Find and destroy this 'T' fellow." Now, "Step 1: Free this guy from these goggles. Step 2: ???. Step 3: Profit." Centaur4: Become the dreadest pirate ever known to the Bright Desert (otherwise known as, "starting out the easy way"). Halfling Drd2: Teach the halflings of Ket that it is possible to breed goats just as well as the humans breed horses. Human (Dragonblood) Sor2: Get far away from the black dragon that wants to do unpleasant things to me. Human Pal1 (Greyhawk Ruins PC): Show the people of Greyhawk City the glory of the Cudgel.
LachlarlanIII 06-28-07, 10:55 AM	My characters too have varying desires when it comes to adventuring. Plakk my Bbn1/Ftr10 BDF started his career as a chaotic neutral mercenary type. Now though, he's helped so many people, he hardly ever asks for any rewards and should probably shift to chaotic good. I also have a lawful neutral fighter/hexblade/marshal that worships Zilchuss. His tagline is "Would you sign this contract?" He's a diplomancer, but doesn't use it for what most people use it for. He uses it to swindle people during negotiations. Then there's my mad wizard. He's quite insane and adventures for adventure's sake. If there's any chance he'll encounter entities from the Far Realm or forbidden tomes of knowledge he's there.
gomeztoo 06-28-07, 11:06 AM	Way too many Chaotic and/or Neutral characters for my taste. If the assumption is that chaotic PCs do not do the 'right' thing, my should-realistically-register-as-overwhelming-chaotic-by-now insane elf should prove you wrong on that one... ;) But yeah, I do sometimes get the idea that there too many "what's in it for us" type of PCs.
gomeztoo 06-28-07, 11:10 AM	- an elven tart with a taste for "rough" boys (been known to cavort with the odd ogre) who prides herself as an exotic dancer ... her first comments when accosted by thugs is often along the lines of "hello big boy, what are you doing later tonight". Has a nice collection of manacles. She should visit Dullstrand City. Try the Welcome Inn. Poke one of the Gatz boys and tell them Nesalia send you and you want to party :)
katrick 06-28-07, 01:38 PM	Not having to eat the mod at the next games day. The extra prep and RP that comes from different runnings of the same game. But mostly, trying to outdo each other in prowess or lack thereof. katrick
Mommy was an Orc 06-28-07, 02:16 PM	My characters: Nexkile Hedrosh Human(Oeridian) CG Bard 8/Marshal 1: He's an actor/diplomat who kept finding himself involved in...situations inbetween shows. He's a live and let live type, but behaves in a professional manner at all times - he's not the kind of Bard who tries to overdramatize, tell horrible puns, or in other ways offend. He is extremely curious about all kinds of knowledge and anything that remotely seems as if it will further that will draw him in. He is also very interested in magic items that are only supposed to be used by the very few(meaning he usually can - he has plans to buy a holy sword of Heironeous as an example) Erendil Faerdin Wood Elf, NG, Rogue 2/Fighter 2/Ranger 2/Pious Templar 2(Ehlonna) - yes, looks like a complete mutt, but those are the only classes he's likely to have until at least 14th: He belongs to a metaorg which involves him patrolling the forests of Keoland, Ehlonna's temple. He might join up with another one next year to reflect his protecting a temple of Ehlonna. He strongly dislikes Pelor and will often mock or grudgingly say backhanded compliments to those who worship him(Pelor cursed him for helping Pelor) - anything involving Pelor will attract his attention as he will want to make sure things get done properly. Ishkara Zahira - Baklunish, LG, Monk 2/Sorc 2/Paladin 2(Al'Akbar). Sounds like the ideal Kettite, right? If only she lived in Ket instead of Keoland. She's strongly motivated to prove she belongs. She also tries to set an example for good behavior. She's not one for being the stereotypical Paladin(aka Lawful Good Annoying) - if there's a problem with her code, she'll interject before, not after it becomes a problem. Hammat-Dur. Suel NG, Wizard 4. Nature/Summoning-oriented Wizard. Very interested in the arcane - and it doesn't take someone with his intelligence very long to realize it is a lot faster to learn outside the tower. He's half-heartedly Suel - he tends to forget about it for the most part, but then he'll mumble something about how Suel will once again extend their benevolence across the Flanaess. But in a way that sounds like he doesn't actually believe it. Marokep Hennae. Flan, NG, Beguiler 2. "Favored of Pelor" - he thinks he's a favored soul of Pelor and all his abilities come from there. Why wouldn't Pelor give a Favored Soul Color Spray? He's going to take Arcane Disciple 3-4 times to give himself a range of clerical spells to cast. Obviously, as a favored soul of Pelor, it is important to right wrongs and show just how wonderful a deity Pelor is. And any time adventurers come along to 'fix' things, it is important to go along and make sure they do it right.
mlund 06-28-07, 03:44 PM	Tyrin of Nyrond - Human Oeridian - Neutral Good (Brd 6, Ftr 1, Spellsword 1) Born into the peasantry he wanted to make his fortune elsewhere and was eventually displaced by the Usurper's policies in Nyrond CY595 - being swept up in the Loyalist cause. His experiences left him with a loyalty to the faith of Pelor and a disposition to defeat any who seek to oppress others or despoil the lives of decent folk. Kerrek the Chain - Human Suel - Neutral (SwS 1, Brd 1, Ftr 2) At age 12 his prosperous family's coastal villa was sacked by greedy and indiscriminate slavers subcontracting for the Scarlet Brotherhood. Six long years as a slave on an Orc war-galley taught him just how little loyalty race and blood buys compared to solid coin. When the captain died, his assets where split among his heirs and creditors and the slave crew was brought to Highport for auction. He was freed from the undercity by a band of adventures and fled to Relmor Bay where he seeks means to exact his revenge from the Scarlet Brotherhood, the Promaj Empire, and any other captain who dares sale with men chained to his decks. Ruric the Mad - Human Flan - Neutral (Wiz 3) Those poor nuns at the asylum are probably still looking for a confused and wizened old man named "Ruric." The aftermath of Ivid the Mad's hordes of fiends might have been more kind if they had taken this Almorian's life along with everything else. It took ten years of constant struggles to gain some semblance of lucidity and the only thing that seems to anchor him to reality are the arcane logics of higher arcana. Searching for a method within a life of madness, he seeks knowledge of monsters of every sort - especially outsiders. Someday he'll kill all the monsters that fools claim remain only in his mind. Jeb Laukes - Human Oeridian - Chaotic Good (Brd 1) The "Revend Jeb Laukes, Preacher of Pelior" seeks to spread the faith of the benevolent life-giver wherever he goes. He also makes it a point to spread the blessing of clear conscience by rescuing hapless people from the burdens of excessive and wasted wealth. With the funds he collects this wandering minister seeks to rebuild the crumbling Pelorite orphanage in the Duchy of Almor that was his childhood home. - Marty Lund
awroe 06-29-07, 03:25 PM	Main characters with motivations: Aurora (Wiz5/DO2) is motivated by people wearing pretty colours and the opportunity to make the world a more joyful place. After some unwise choices recently (e.g. giving an artifact to the Assasin's Guild), she is motivated to spend time away from home (in RHoD). Flynn (Mutt 5) is a member of the City Watch in Greyhawk, and is involved in most adventures around that area. He's recently been on a number of person-retrieval operations, and is looking to increase his training in that area (Justicar). Sir Didymus (Deep Halfling Mounted Fighter 2) turned up in Onnwal in following rumours about a tribe of Deep Halflings living in the area. He is motivated by anything that might lead him to them. Kaldaira (Deep Halfling Rog1/Cleric1) is the cousin of Sir Didymus, and the one who first told him of the rumour. She is searching the lands trying to find him and explain to him that it was all a joke, but while she can find many people who've seen him, he never seems to be around. Semerkhet (Bright Lands Druid 3) was helping out in the Brightlands, but has been a bit lax lately since all the challenges are a little out of his league (only has Tears and Dominion to play and won't be high enough level to finish the arc). AW.
AOSOL 06-30-07, 05:58 PM	My speed fighter/ranger/Prestiege class mut motives lie with Fame, glory from defeating the most powerful allies of evil. My cleric of Pelor motives are someone has to do it. My Bard motives......FOR THE LADIES! My Beef cake dwarf's motive is to be able to free his Clan hold from Orc occupancy and to bury his axe in the back of head of the Orc Overlord, Turrosh Mak and to cheapen the cost of ale.
LachlarlanIII 07-01-07, 03:38 PM	What motivates my party? Hmm... The most obvious choice would have to be Dex. :D
cycloptic_squirrel 07-03-07, 12:41 AM	You've got to be kidding: you're one of those "Rejoin the Empire!" people? Most of my characters aren't even from Bissel and that still annoyed them ;) (I attended a Bissel convention rather near the Keoish border earlier this year, and I think I had at least one player shouting "Rejoin the Empire!" in every single slot...) Nar, she's more of the subtle type. She's a diplomacy build, and shouting it out doesn't seem like it would be the most effective strategy; more of lead by example and tactfully lay out the facts of the nation's situation and let people draw their own conclusion. :cool: The sister/cohort might be more vocal in the way you speak, but that's not really how it's developing.
Ancillary 07-03-07, 01:00 AM	My characters are all flavors of good, but in addition to doing the right thing: My wood elf bear warrior, Tririn, tries to keep his necromancer companion out of trouble, his demanding intelligent magic item properly pampered, and is always on the lookout for things to grapple. My Elf Spellsword, Iri, is looking for her younger brother (see above) who was able to go adventuring earlier than her since he did not have to spend any time studying. She has been traveling with a Half - Orc cleric of Nazarn and has recently converted. Finally, she has vague ambitions towards finding a Unicorn companion some day. My gnome cleric Jerdan (say it like you are saying garden with a horrible french accent) honestly wants to protect and nurture people, and spread his wisdom about agriculture to those he meets. He also has a multiple personality disorder sister who he has to keep from getting into to much trouble. Finally, my Grey Elf wizard Thistle is a devout follower of Pelor and drifts where the winds take him and tries to spread light. He travels with a half orc who (surprisingly) is an honest emmisary on behalf of her people.
Prof. Pacali 07-04-07, 04:05 PM	My main character, Yehoash, a Human Sorceror, used to be an idealist, dedicated to helping the helpless, rescuing kittens and defeating evil. Then he became cynical and worldweary (i.e. I gained access to Mindbender and needed to become Neutral pronto), and while he still thinks about others, he is now more prone to casting Charm Person at the drop of a hat, eats peas with a knife, and enjoys the company of loose women and female shapeshifters masquerading as loose women. He will still help the less fortunate, but is very cynical about whether they will ever stop being less fortunate. My Rogue 6/Fighter 1 is decidedly mercenary. Never saw a reason to lift a finger for the less fortunate, unless there was some way to get a monetary advantage. My Druid, Ayelet, is a member of the Dreadwalker Reserves in Keoland, and she takes her duties seriously. If she even suspects that the traditional enemies of the Dreadwalkers are afoot she jumps at the chance to fight them. She is a very kindhearted person, and she doesn't demand treasure for helping people, though she wouldn't object to getting a reward.