Post/Author/DateTime	Post
hayved 01-12-08, 11:14 PM	This is a character story I just wrote up for a campaign taking place in the Forgotten Realms setting. Just thought I'd get some feedback/opinions/recommendations. Keep in mind that this is a VERY rough draft. Thnx! Aimo Bernardi: The Grand Castrato Known as Romanzesco In the land of Cormyr there was once born a man of terrible fortune. His name was Aimo of the renowned Bernardi-Grenouilles, a family whose beautiful voices echo through the halls of every theater from Waterdeep to Reth to Suzail and an uncountable more in between. The late elder of the family, Francesco Bernardi sang in a fiery basso that is said to have moved even the Orge King Olgmest to tears. His mistress was the beautiful and equally talented Marianne de Grenouille, and together they had two beautiful boys; Alberto and our hero Aimo. The first son, Alberto, grew fine and strong and first graced the theaters of Suzail at the age of 8. His pitch was flawless, and for this his parents adored him. He even possessed the same golden hair of his father and developed an almost identical basso. He would have three children and become inconceivably famous until his death at the age of 23 when he was accidentally smothered by adoring fans in Waterdeep. The second son, Aimo, was very sickly as a child and spent months in bed at a time. Despite his ailments, he had a very sweet voice, which, unfortunately, would become his greatest curse, for at the age of 12 his ********* were surgically removed as to maintain his sweet voice. At the time, this transformation greatly pleased the young Aimo, but this would soon change. From the moment he could read, Aimo adored stories pertaining to the knights of old, and, due to this, despised with all of his being constantly having to play the damsel or the princess or whatever other damned bint he would be hired. He did, however, consider himself quite becoming in a dress, but that did not make up for his total emasculation at the hands of his parents. After obtaining great fame and fortune, the man, now known as Romanzesco, set off to prove his masculinity; emulating the knights he hungered to become. With his halberd in hand and his magical cod piece between his legs, Romanzesco would play the greatest part any man has ever played.
taradusis 01-13-08, 12:06 AM	Try for something a little less freaky. Brevity is the soul of wit. A character backstory should probably fit on a 3X5 card. For what it cost to train,equip and mount this knight he probably could of had his giblets restored? Just a thought.
ObscureInfo 01-13-08, 12:10 AM	If his **** were cut off, why does he need a codpiece? An interesting character. Bard then Knight? Or is the singing just backdrop to the main story? So he is somewhat effeminate from his many years of playing a woman on stage and now he is seeking to do the most mascaline things he can think of and reclaim his manhood. As long as you didn't speek in a squeeky falcetto voice to represent Aimo, it could be a great character. I could see him doing stupid things like cliff jumping, hitting on every chick he can, picking fights with every jerk he meets, and even practice scratching or spitting in order to assert his maleness. Actually, I don't like the mutilation. You can still do the character without the ***** cutting. It's environment vs. nature. He wants to be a big powerful man, but he was raised as a girl and was forced to take girl parts in plays. I think it is the idea. I would constantly think about it every time you had him speak. But it's your character. And a rather unique one, I must say.
hayved 01-13-08, 12:36 AM	Well the whole balls getting cut off is ACTUALLY something they did in Italy. The types of singers it produced were called castrato, and wasn't unheard of. There is actually a great movie about a castrato singer called "Farinelli". But yeah, thanks for the input =D
Kouk 01-13-08, 03:29 AM	Well the whole balls getting cut off is ACTUALLY something they did in Italy. The types of singers it produced were called castrato, and wasn't unheard of. There is actually a great movie about a castrato singer called "Farinelli". But yeah, thanks for the input =D I don't think we are arguing about the historical accuracy of such a practice, but at most game tables the other players wouldn't want the game to even mention things remotely like that. I agree it would be better if you just looked and acted effeminately, or have a naturally higher pitched voice than most men. If someone in my adventuring party told me that story, I would be torn between putting him out of my misery and just paying for a Regeneration spell.
Heros_Backpack 01-13-08, 09:57 AM	You could probably have almost the identical character and reaction without the :eek: :yuck: comments simply by making him a natural countertenor. I know it is historical, but you are also mixing times. Casts tended to be either all castrati (and therefore with male and female roles to be filled by them) or mixed age male (adults in male roles and treble boys in female ones) or mixed gender with male and female roles taken by males and females respectively. They didn't have a combination of different types on stage at once. If you're determined to go through with your original idea though, you might want to read Anne Rice's 'Cry to Heaven' for ideas.
hayved 01-13-08, 02:58 PM	I don't think we are arguing about the historical accuracy of such a practice, but at most game tables the other players wouldn't want the game to even mention things remotely like that. I agree it would be better if you just looked and acted effeminately, or have a naturally higher pitched voice than most men. If someone in my adventuring party told me that story, I would be torn between putting him out of my misery and just paying for a Regeneration spell. Alot of you are saying he could have just gotten them regenerated but whenever me and my friends play we play without spells that can counteract major happenings. I prefer low magic campaigns as they seem more urgent and gritty and people have to use their imagination a little more. DM: You see a switch on the other side. Wizard: Oh okay, I'll cast fly/teleport and hit the switch. DM: O_o Okay fine. or Tragic NPC: You see, I was once a magnificent sculptor, but the king called for men to fight, and it cost me my arm. Wizard: Oh thats alright, I cast regeneration! You see, overpowered magic breaks any sense of desperation and tragedy. This obviously isn't always the case, but mine and my groups preference is low-magic. So no, my guy cant just poof his balls back =P