Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Hustler One 08-15-06, 04:44 PM	This is a bit long...okay...not a bit. A lot. lol But I was thinking of making a human fighter/cleric and this is the background I've come up with for a new campaign our DM is making. We're going to be starting new characters. This is the first time we've seriously considered doing a full campaign with "Good" characters. Mostly our group is pretty much sticks with Neutral or evil tendencies. lol But I was wondering if this would be suitable as a well grounded character background. Zohar Torte Beginings: A great mist filled all across the mountainous forest covering the entire area, no one knew if it was some ill omen or dark sorcery at work. All anyone did know was, they must make it to the abandoned watchtower fort. Tired and frightened masses of people followed the herders that lead them, protecting them from their dark pursuers. Over the last season a great evil had swept across the plains of the kingdom. A small group of necromancers had begun working together to wipe out village after village, until the kingdom was nearly cut in two. The local lords and soldiers tried to quell the intruding undead forces, only to bolster the ranks of their attackers. Eventually matters became so desperate that the men of the villages created make shift militias. But by then it was too late, they were being over run. One of the young men that had joined the militia, he instructed a few riders to go to other villages and townships to head to one last bastion. It was the son of a minor lord; his father in his younger years was a soldier in the kings’ army and was given a parcel of land for his servitude and loyalty. His father had fallen within the first battles that occurred during the initial conflict. What the young man lacked in experience, he made up for in valor. He could see that there would be no other way to get through the situation. Everyone would have to band together and do what was necessary to survive. That’s all that they could do. There was nowhere to run or to hide. Not from these monstrosities anyway. The townspeople and what were left of the soldiers that survived made their way across the plains to the mountain, and it was a half days walk to reach the forest. They had left at dawn, but weather and other problems delayed them. It was mid afternoon when they reached the edge of the forest. It wasn’t long before they could see their pursuers from atop the watchtower. Undead creatures of all sorts flying and shambling across the plains followed the villagers with a tenacity that only the mindless could muster. Luckily their dark masters did not accompany them; the necromancers had turned their attention on the castle city. The youth instructed the villagers to bring any weapons and provisions they could as the first ones arrived at the small watchtower fort they began making room for the others and reinforcing the rotted and faltering defensive positions. As more and more poured in they tried to find places to rest. Only the women and very young hid in the deepest parts of the fortress, a small cropping within the mountainous wall hid them decently enough. A small group of the militia- men guarded them. The youth instructed the few experienced hunters from the area to prepare traps around the encampment to hamper the enemies’ movement but also to warn them should their enemies wait until the deeper night. As hours passed and the last of the villagers dragged their tired bodies through the gates, the youth went to a nearby spring. He followed a small natural pathway that had carved itself through the forest undergrowth upwards a bit. He could see the entire fortress from the vantage point he had, he saw all the tired men. He stood for a moment watching them, his eyes taking in what could very much be the last thing he’d ever remember. He watched them with anger and sadness in his heart; his thoughts were utterly silent sinking into peaceful serenity. “Why do you despair son of man” A soft and gentle voice spoke. Quickly the youth turned to the voice. It was a young woman, an Elf he thought at first glance. After careful study though he realized it was not, but a forest nymph. “Why do you humans come to the forest they have abandoned long ago?” “Miss.” The youth said kneeling before the nymph. “We’ve returned because we have nowhere else to turn to. I fear that it is not safe here, I’m dreadfully sorry for the situation. But the villagers are being chased by a horde of undead. They are part of a larger force that are trying to overthrow the kingdom.” The youth stated without raising his eyes to meet the nymph. He’d heard that they were very protective of their personal space. “Your apologies are unnecessary, human matters are complicated and this is not my forest alone.” The nymph said in a soft tone, she crept closer to the young man. “You don’t need to kneel.” She said with a bit of laughter. “Ah, I’m sorry. I’ve just never really…. I’ve not met many cultures before.” The youth explained. He turned his gaze back down to the fortress trying to keep his mind off of the nymph before him. He didn’t want to say anything out of turn. “Are you their protector?” The nymph asked intrigued at the way he was looking at the goings on beneath in the fortress. “Me? No, I’m no different then any of them. Most of the actual soldiers were already defeated or were called back to the castle city. We’re what’s left over.” The youth stated with a melancholy laugh. “We’re farmers, stable masters, blacksmiths, clerics, Bakers, money changers, and porters.” He continued as he tried to not laugh at the situation, how desperate it was. “Which are you?” The nymph inquired with a hint of curiosity. “Ah, I’d be the cleric miss. Well, I would be if I actually had a chance to finish my studies.” The youth said with a half smile. “So you are their Shepard then, and whom do you serve.” The nymph said smiling in return, the youth could only look away from her beauty. “I serve the good in all of us.” The youth said after a bit of thought. It was true. He didn’t serve a certain god. He had studied the faiths of many but he did not devote himself to one god. He based his beliefs in a much broader sense. He believed in the power of the human heart. The human skill and ingenuity, resolve, courage, and right now; the will to survive against all odds. He had seen what the undead hordes could do. He’d seen their merciless savagery. Everyone had, and they would not fall back any further. Here they would meet their end with the strength and courage befitting the race of men. “The good in all things you say?” The nymph said mysteriously. “Strange, not many clergymen do not devote themselves to a god.” “But we are gods my lady.” The youth responded with a bit of the fire in his heart. “We’re just much smaller and our powers are less grand.” He said with a bit of a laugh again. “We create fire from stone, we create smiles and dances with sticks and strings, and we create words that can move the soul. We have burning passions, and fantastic dreams. My personal favorite of course, is our strength and our will. We have to fight twice as hard for what we wish. We do everything we can to leave our marks on the world. Though we are short lived and our life spans are nothing but a passage in time, we strive for eternity with a desire that no one can match.” “Will you? Will you reach eternity?” The nymph asked with a bit of a smile. The youth only looked down at the fortress beneath them. He stood silent for a long time as he watched them intently. He then turned to the nymph. ”Yes. Yes I will.” He said with an absolute resolve. The nymph smiled at him and he didn’t know if it amused her or if she accepted the answer. “The enemy, are they near?” The nymph asked as she looked at him carefully. “Yes, they will be upon us before midnight.” He said the smile leaving his lips. “I see. Well, I’m not sure what good it will do you. But I have something that may be of use to you. I had found it near the edges of the forest. I’m not sure why I kept it. But it’ll do you more good then it will me.” The nymph said as she motioned the young man to wait a moment. “I’ll return shortly.” He stayed in the same spot and just watched the activity below. Before too long the nymph returned carrying a small object wreathed in an emerald sheet of cloth. She carefully unwrapped it. It was a longsword and it was cold to the touch. “It’s nothing special I’m afraid. But it’s probably a bit better then the blade you have now. Take it with you. It will act in my stead, I’m afraid I will not be able to help your people during the battle.” She said with a small smile, he bowed slightly as he accepted her gift. He hadn’t expected her to join their fight; he wouldn’t want to burden their fate on such a wonderful creature either way. “I’m in your debt. Even this is more then I could ever ask of you.” The youth stated gratefully. “I must go now.” She said with a concerned look on her face. “Hopefully we’ll meet again. Take care of yourself.” She said as she turned to leave. “Wait…” The youth stuttered as he spoke up, his hand reaching out as if to stop her. “May I have your name Miss?” He asked his voice regaining his confidence. “Azalee.” She turned to him with a smile. ”I’m..” He was replied but was cut off quickly. ”You can give me your name when the battle is over. I’ll return here in a few days time.” Azalee replied with a bit of a mischievous grin on her face. “Very well. I will return here without fail.” The youth said as he bowed deeply. Azalee turned and walked back to him as he stood up straight and kissed his forehead. “Never lose hope during the battle. The earth itself will support you, the wind will give you breath, and the forest is with you. For the undead are a vile blight that must be swept from this land.” The nymph said as she looked into his eyes with a bright smile. After a short moment she left without a word as the young man stood once again looking down at the villagers. His heart was heavy with the fate they were given; he knew he was asking much of them. The few left were not trained soldiers, and most were older or too young. But they would fight either way because that is all they could do. He knelt down setting down the sword that Azalee had given him beside him and said a silent prayer. ‘Lords and Ladies of all the virtues we strive for in life. I will not ask for aid or protection in these dire times. This is our trial and we welcome our fates, I only ask that you watch, and see the courage in our hearts. We will face our enemies and the forces of darkness will no our ferocity. I simply ask when our lives leave our bodies, that your followers be shown mercy for their injustices in life. For this fate is far worse then any of them deserves, I’ve known most of them my entire life. They are good people. I ask that you give them peace at their end.’ After he was done he picked up the sword and walked slowly back to the small fort. It was late afternoon and they would be closing the gate to the fort. Once they were around the newcomers were give water and supper to return their strength. Those that could wield a weapon stood watch, taking turns. The hunters had setup what traps they could to hamper the enemies movements. These were not just simple undead creatures. Their dark masters had made them even more deadly then they already were, and with them were some that had minds of their own. The youth had been thinking of the events that had transpired. His attention returned to the present. It was his groups’ turn to be on watch. The fog was deepening still, and he could almost feel the tenseness of the forest. It was as if it was preparing for the battle as well. In moments the nights silence was broken, the alarm traps the hunters had made resounded loudly. Those on watch quickly gathered those that were sleeping; soon the enemy would be on them. Everyone able went quickly to the posts they were given. The enemy could be heard, the shambling and groaning of the undead army advanced forward. The few flying creatures quickly came into the middle of the encampment the archers firing at them as soon as they had a clear shot. They were zombified dragons; only a few in number but still difficult to handle for people that had never even used a sword before. Skeletonized minotaurs and trolls rammed at the gate of the fort as the archers showered them with arrows. The men were had just finished off the dragons when the monsters broke through the gate. A wave of undead poured through the small opening quickly the make shift militia moved to engage them quickly forming a half circle around the entrance in order to bottleneck the enemy. They had already lost a few men to the dragons and this was no exception, but each of them fought with the strength of many. Though the line held for a while eventually the overwhelming numbers of the undead broke through. Fighting scattered within the small fort, and some of the men took up defensive positions near the hiding place of the women and children. They had nowhere else to fallback to, with their backs to the wall they fought harder. With every ounce of strength they defied their attackers, and every second they remained breathing and able to fight was a blessing. The undead enemies ranks were being depleted as they had not anticipated such fierce resistance. The field commander decided to set the fortress ablaze, he commanded some creatures to shower the battlefield with alchemical fire as he pushed his forces back. The enemies that they could not crush they would burn. The enemy retreated but the militia did not know why at first. They had other matters to deal with either way. They quickly evacuated the women, children, and the sick and injured; trying to save as many lives as possible. Though he himself was seriously injured the youth ordered the militia to take the villagers further up to the spring further up the mountain. The fires spat at the villagers as they fled. Some getting trapped under falling rubble others from undead creatures that had ignored the call to retreat or were too slow to. The youth ignored his wounds and carried any that he could free or fight back those that would hamper the evacuation. As he did, he felt his own fatigue setting in but he fought onward. He could rest later. As he continued to help people get to safety a wreath of flame jumped up at him. It wasn’t harmful, he looked at it carefully for a moment and it jumped at him engulfing him but not burning him in any way. It gathered at the top of his head as a ring halo and disappeared. At the time he believed it to be a blessing from the gods, perhaps they had come to their aid after all. There they could tend to the injured, they would not be safe leaving the forest right now. Of the approximately 200 townspeople from the surrounding area, only around 70 managed to survive, most of them women and children. The militia had been decimated leaving only 10 ‘soldiers’. Once they reached the spring they gathered around the wounded men being tended to as well as the others that had been burned or injured up the mountain. As the youth lay between the realm of dreams and reality, he could almost here a faint whisper in his heart ‘Sleep little lion, sleep and be at peace.’ He stayed vigilant however even though his wounds were being tended to. It was not until the following day when scouts ventured through the forest that they realized why the undead horde had retreated. Apparently they had decided to raze the villages, crushing and burning everything in their path. The townspeople had no homes to go to and could not go to the castle city because it was most likely already under siege. They agreed to make the long trek to the neighboring kingdom and seek refuge there. It would take the better part of a week to get there, but assuredly they could find rest and aid there. The youth decided to leave a letter to Azalee at the place of their meeting, explaining his reasons for not being around when she would return. When they did finally reach the kingdom they were welcomed with open arms. Other townspeople from other villages had already made the trek there. It was matter of weeks before most of the displaced townspeople found their own places in the new city doing many of the things they had done previously. The youth was summoned to the capital along with the others in the militia that had survived. Their king had received word of the small groups gallantry and had asked the king to reward them in his stead as the city was still under attack. They were given a good reward for their efforts. The youth however did not accept it, instead he had asked the king if he could request enrollment into the soldiers’ academy for officers. As he requested this, the wreath of light that had formed above the youths’ head during the attack in the forest appeared again. The king accepted quickly after seeing it; seeing it as a blessing and good omen. Soon afterward the youth found his place in the new kingdoms’ capital. A few years had passed and the young man graduated from the academy with exceptional marks and all the while he also maintained his faith. Whenever he could manage a holiday, he would ride out to the forest fortress and meet with his dearest friend Azalee. Though at the moment they had met she was sure he would meet his end, he had shown her that he had other plans in mind. They had kept their friendship for the few years it took for him to graduate. He could not become a true knight of the realm not being of the countries noble blood, he still learned much from his tenure. He found a dream within his learning and within his teachings. He would create a band of mercenaries, then a church and spread his ideals, he would gain all that he could and rise into infinity. Kings pass, countries pass, but to become an eternal legend was to become a god unto ones self. This was his dream and what he would strive for until it was achieved. It was the reason he couldn’t lay down his life or give up to darkness and mortality in the fort and it was the reason why he would fight evil as it spread and keep fighting until his last breath. Even in the depths of darkness, a man of dauntless faith can still see the light of the future. This was what the young man saw. This was the story of the start of his dream.
taradusis 08-15-06, 10:52 PM	You may want to shorten this a bit,the DM will probably want to have more flexibility in designing an adveture around your backstory,and fill in his ideas.The DM might not have time to wade thru it all,either,sorry if I sound harsh.
GaffeR 08-15-06, 11:46 PM	Isn't there a Character Development board for this sort of thing?
CryoSilver 08-15-06, 11:52 PM	Whoa, whoa, way too many words. When I get a minute, I'll hack out the excess fluff so the good parts show through. Zohar Torte Beginnings: Over the last season a small group of necromancers had begun working together to wipe out village after village, until the kingdom was nearly cut in two. Eventually matters became so desperate that the men of the villages created makeshift militias, but by then it was too late. One of the young men that had joined the militia, the son of a minor lord, instructed a few riders to go to other villages and townships to head to one last bastion. He could see that there would be no other way to get through the situation; everyone would have to band together and do what was necessary to survive. There was nowhere to run or to hide. The townspeople and surviving soldiers made their way across the plains to the mountain. They had left at dawn, but weather and other problems delayed them; it was mid afternoon when they reached the edge of the forest and the watchtower. Undead creatures of all sorts flying and shambling across the plains followed the villagers with a tenacity that only the mindless could muster, fortunately without their dark masters accompanying. The youth instructed the villagers to bring any weapons and provisions they could and as the first ones arrived at the small watchtower they began making room for the others and reinforcing the faltering defensive positions. The youth instructed the few experienced hunters from the area to prepare traps around the encampment to hamper the enemies’ movement but also to warn them should their enemies wait until the deeper night. As hours passed and the last of the villagers dragged their tired bodies through the gates, the youth went to a nearby spring. He could see the entire fortress from the vantage point he had, all the tired men. He stood for a moment watching them, his eyes taking in what could very well be the last thing he’d ever remember, with anger and sadness in his heart. “Why do you despair son of man?” The youth quickly turned to the voice. It was a young woman, an Elf he thought at first glance. After careful study though, he realized it was not, but a forest nymph. “Why do you humans come to the forest they have abandoned long ago?” “Miss.” The youth said kneeling before the nymph. “We’ve returned because we have nowhere else to turn to. I fear that it is not safe here, I’m dreadfully sorry for the situation. But the villagers are being chased by a horde of undead. They are part of a larger force that are trying to overthrow the kingdom.” “Your apologies are unnecessary, human matters are complicated and this is not my forest alone. You don’t need to kneel.” “Ah, I’m sorry. I’ve just never really…. I’ve not met many cultures before.” The youth explained. He nervously turned his gaze back down to the fortress trying to keep his mind off of the nymph before him. “Are you their protector?” The nymph asked intrigued at the way he was looking at the goings on beneath in the fortress. “Me? No, I’m no different then any of them. Most of the actual soldiers were already defeated or were called back to the castle city. We’re what’s left over. We’re farmers, stable masters, blacksmiths, clerics, Bakers, money changers, and porters.” “Which are you?” “Ah, I’d be the cleric miss. Well, I would be if I actually had a chance to finish my studies.” The youth said with a half smile. “So you are their Shepard then, and whom do you serve?” “I serve the good in all of us.” The youth said after a bit of thought. It was true. He didn’t serve a certain god. He had studied the faiths of many but he did not devote himself to one god. He based his beliefs in a much broader sense. The human skill and ingenuity, resolve, courage, and right now; the will to survive against all odds. “The good in all things you say?” The nymph said mysteriously. “Strange, not many clergymen do not devote themselves to a god.” “But we are gods my lady.” The youth responded with a bit of the fire in his heart. “We’re just much smaller and our powers are less grand. We create fire from stone, we create smiles and dances with sticks and strings, and we create words that can move the soul. We have burning passions, and fantastic dreams. My personal favorite of course, is our strength and our will. We have to fight twice as hard for what we wish. We do everything we can to leave our marks on the world. Though we are short lived and our life spans are nothing but a passage in time, we strive for eternity with a desire that no one can match.” “Will you? Will you reach eternity?” The nymph asked with a bit of a smile. The youth only looked down at the fortress beneath them. He stood silent for a long time as he watched them intently. He then turned to the nymph. ”Yes. Yes I will.” He said with an absolute resolve. The nymph smiled at him and he didn’t know if it amused her or if she accepted the answer. “The enemy, are they near?” The nymph asked as she looked at him carefully. “Yes, they will be upon us before midnight.” He said the smile leaving his lips. “I see. Well, I’m not sure what good it will do you. But I have something that may be of use to you. I had found it near the edges of the forest. I’m not sure why I kept it. But it’ll do you more good then it will me.” The nymph said as she motioned the young man to wait a moment. “I’ll return shortly.” Before too long the nymph returned carrying a small object wreathed in an emerald sheet of cloth. It was a longsword, cold to the touch. “It’s nothing special I’m afraid. But it’s probably a bit better then the blade you have now. Take it with you. It will act in my stead, I’m afraid I will not be able to help your people during the battle.” She said with a small smile, he bowed slightly as he accepted her gift. “I’m in your debt. Even this is more then I could ever ask of you.” “I must go now.” She said with a concerned look on her face. “Hopefully we’ll meet again. Take care of yourself.” “Wait…” The youth stuttered as he spoke up, his hand reaching out as if to stop her. “May I have your name Miss?” “Azalee.” ”I’m..” ”You can give me your name when the battle is over. I’ll return here in a few days time.” Azalee replied with a bit of a mischievous grin on her face. “Very well. I will return here without fail.” The youth said as he bowed deeply. Azalee turned and walked back to him as he stood up straight and kissed his forehead. “Never lose hope during the battle. The earth itself will support you, the wind will give you breath, and the forest is with you. For the undead are a vile blight that must be swept from this land.” After a short moment she left without a word as the young man stood once again looking down at the villagers. His heart was heavy with the fate they were given; he knew he was asking much of them. But they would fight either way because that is all they could do. He knelt down setting down the sword that Azalee had given him beside him and said a silent prayer. ‘Lords and Ladies of all the virtues we strive for in life. I will not ask for aid or protection in these dire times. This is our trial and we welcome our fates, I only ask that you watch, and see the courage in our hearts. We will face our enemies and the forces of darkness will no our ferocity. I simply ask when our lives leave our bodies, that your followers be shown mercy for their injustices in life. For this fate is far worse then any of them deserves, I’ve known most of them my entire life. They are good people. I ask that you give them peace at their end.’ After he was done he picked up the sword and walked slowly back to the small fort. Those that could wield a weapon stood watch, taking turns. The hunters had set up what traps they could to hamper the enemy’s movements. The youth had been thinking of the events that had transpired. His attention returned to the present. It was his groups’ turn to be on watch. In moments the nights silence was broken. The enemy could be heard, the shambling and groaning of the undead army advanced forward. The few flying creatures quickly came into the middle of the encampment the archers firing at them as soon as they had a clear shot. Skeletonized minotaurs and trolls rammed at the gate of the fort as the archers showered them with arrows. Fighting scattered within the small fort, and some of the men took up defensive positions near the hiding place of the women and children. With every ounce of strength they defied their attackers, and every second they remained breathing was a blessing. The undead commander decided to set the fortress ablaze; commanding some creatures to shower the battlefield with alchemical fire. The enemy retreated but the militia did not know why at first. They quickly evacuated the women, children, and the sick and injured. Though he himself was seriously injured the youth ordered the militia to take the villagers further up the mountain. The youth ignored his wounds and joined the effort. As he continued to help people get to safety, a wreath of flame jumped up at him. It wasn’t harmful, and it jumped at him engulfing, him but not burning him in any way. It gathered at the top of his head as a ring halo and disappeared. At the time he believed it to be a blessing from the gods; perhaps they had come to their aid after all. Many had died, and few survived the attack. As the youth lay between the realm of dreams and reality, he could almost here a faint whisper in his heart ‘Sleep little lion, sleep and be at peace.’ It was not until the following day when scouts ventured through the forest that they realized why the undead horde had retreated. Apparently they had decided to raze the villages, crushing and burning everything in their path. They agreed to make the long trek to the neighboring kingdom and seek refuge there. The youth decided to leave a letter to Azalee at the place of their meeting, explaining his reasons for not being around. When they did finally reach the kingdom they were welcomed with open arms. The youth was summoned to the capital along with the others in the militia that had survived. Their king had received word of the small group’s gallantry and had asked the king to reward them in his stead as the city was still under attack. The youth however did not accept it, instead he had asked the king if he could request enrollment into the soldiers’ academy for officers. As he requested this, the wreath of light that had formed above the youths’ head during the attack in the forest reappeared. The king accepted quickly after seeing it; seeing it as a blessing and good omen. A few years had passed and the young man graduated from the academy with exceptional marks and unwavering faith. Whenever he could manage a holiday, he would ride out to the forest fortress and meet with his dearest friend Azalee. Though at the moment they had met she was sure he would meet his end, he had shown her that he had other plans. He could not become a true knight of the realm, not being of the countries noble blood, but he still learned much from his tenure. He found a dream within his learning and within his teachings; he would create a band of mercenaries, then a church and spread his ideals, he would gain all that he could and rise into infinity. Kings pass, countries pass, but to become an eternal legend was to become a god unto ones self. This was the reason he couldn’t lay down his life in the fort and it was the reason why he would fight evil and keep fighting until his last breath. You like? Take note of that in all the editing, I added one word, a well-placed "but" to link two sentences together. The rest was sheer pruning and syntax repair.
Hustler One 08-16-06, 09:44 AM	Thank you everyone for the creative criticism. :) It is much appreciated. Usually we just make a character and run with it. But the DM is wanting to start a more well grounded and serious campaign. So I wanted to have an actual background. Thanks for the editing. Haha, I'm know that I rambled at some parts but I didn't know what I should trim and what I shouldn't. So thank you very much for that. That and we've only tried to be good guys a few times. Usually we're the not so good guys. But as a challenge to ourselves we decided to be good guys this time. This character I'm hoping to keep alive for a while. lol Hopefully throughout the campaign. We're going from 1 to epic so it'll be interesting. I'm considering having the "Saint" template eventually. The wreath of flame will actually turn out to be the "Nimbus of Light" and also "Holy Radiance" from the Book of Exalted Deeds. Also thinking of taking the "Sanctified Martial Strike" or "Nymphs Kiss". I'm leaning more towards the kiss because sanctified martial strike would be over-ridden if the character does make it to the Saint template.
CryoSilver 08-16-06, 10:49 AM	If you haven't played good before, I suggest you not try to be exalted; it's like good on crack. You can't do anything evil, ever, in addition to other restrictions based on your specific exalted feats.
Hustler One 08-16-06, 12:02 PM	If you haven't played good before, I suggest you not try to be exalted; it's like good on crack. You can't do anything evil, ever, in addition to other restrictions based on your specific exalted feats. We have been. We just don't do it often is what I mean. I know all the restrictions and everything that will be expected of me. I've played them enough to give me the experience for it. It's just we rarely get the chance to. Our group tends to lean towards the evil side if allowed to. But this time we won't be allowed to have evil characters because it would ruin the campaign setting. And its more of a challenge. So I think it will be fun.