She is a blind half-elven archer who can always find her targets' hearts with her arrows. I intend to leave it ambigious as to how this ability works, but I do want to flesh out her belief that it is her faith that guides her arrows.
I'm uncertain what god she should worship. Tyr was one thought (he's still alive in my campaign, though I don't intend for him to survive), as he is blind - but he doesn't seem to have any association with the blind beyond being blind himself. Solonor Thelandira is an obvious choice from the archery angle, but might be a bit heavy on tree-hugging and nature affinity for this character.
Anyone have any thoughts on alternatives to the above? Is there any god that I'm not aware of in the FR pantheon that is associated with the blind?
Second choice: Mielikki
Third choice: Shevarash
Fourth choice: Arvoreen
Fifth choice: Corellon
Depends upon which way you want to take the backstory and motivation for the NPC.
Keith
I'm thinking... the character was born in the Dalelands, and her family was killed when a drow raid struck the caravan they were travelling with on their way to Myth Drannor. She survived the attack due to the timely intervention of a party of Shevarash's faithful. During the fight, as she scrambled and crawled blindly across the ground in an attempt to hide - but by chance her hands found the bow of a fallen Shevarashan ranger. Letting instinct take over, she took up the weapon and fired a single arrow - killing the drow that had killed her sister.
Regarding her miraculous shot as a divine symbol, the Shevarashans adopted her and she was raised by their church. She become one of their most accomplished fighters.
Up until the death of her family, she had been raised as a follower of Sune, and suffers some inner conflict due to the contrast between the violent ways of Shevarash and the peaceful ways of Sune. For every person she kills, she carves a notch into the shaft of her bow - a reminder of what she owes Sune when she dies.
Yeah, I think I'll go with something like that. One of the PCs was orphaned during a drow raid in the Cormanthor forest. Hopefully that will create some kind of rapport between the two. It would be useful if it does, as it would make the character's inevitable death at the hands of the BBEG more memorable.
MOANDER! ;)
Who wants to worship a dead ArchFey?
It's an interesting idea, but being blind - wouldn't that negatively impact your character in a lot of other ways? Seems like a high cost for only a story/thematic element.
It is a NPC in a home campagin. I don't think it will be a problem. Now playing a blind character in Living Forgotten Realms game that is just flat out fun.
It's an interesting idea, but being blind - wouldn't that negatively impact your character in a lot of other ways? Seems like a high cost for only a story/thematic element.
It is a NPC in a home campagin. I don't think it will be a problem. Now playing a blind character in Living Forgotten Realms game that is just flat out fun.
Oh, I missed that it was an NPC. Definitely an interesting idea from a thematic/story perspective, though.
It's an interesting idea, but being blind - wouldn't that negatively impact your character in a lot of other ways? Seems like a high cost for only a story/thematic element.
Indeed, it does severely hinder the character. Notably, the character will have a hell of a hard time aiming against any enemy that doesn't have a heart. However, as noted, it's an NPC. She can have any flaws or weaknesses that I happen to find interesting, and it shouldn't "break" anything.
Definitely an interesting idea from a thematic/story perspective, though.
Bonus points* to anyone that can identify where I stole the idea from.
*The bonus points have no value and cannot be redeemed for anything.
It's an interesting idea, but being blind - wouldn't that negatively impact your character in a lot of other ways? Seems like a high cost for only a story/thematic element.
Indeed, it does severely hinder the character. Notably, the character will have a hell of a hard time aiming against any enemy that doesn't have a heart. However, as noted, it's an NPC. She can have any flaws or weaknesses that I happen to find interesting, and it shouldn't "break" anything.Definitely an interesting idea from a thematic/story perspective, though.
Bonus points* to anyone that can identify where I stole the idea from.
*The bonus points have no value and cannot be redeemed for anything.
Daredevil from Marvel comics, maybe?
Deity? Second Solonor Thelandira or Shevarash idea.
Blind archer idea? Could be a number of things. Xachariah from Planescape:Torment. Or Montolio from Drizzt saga.
Deity? Second Solonor Thelandira or Shevarash idea.
Bingo. Specifically, he was a blind archer whose arrows always found his target's heart.
Apparently, most players end up failing to find his appearance in the game and never really learn about him.
Solonor Thelandira. Shevarash and his little hate party suck.
Or Corellon. You can never go wrong with Corellon. 
she couldbe that good...
Hrm, I had never heard of Shevarash before. I like that.
I'm thinking... the character was born in the Dalelands, and her family was killed when a drow raid struck the caravan they were travelling with on their way to Myth Drannor. She survived the attack due to the timely intervention of a party of Shevarash's faithful. During the fight, as she scrambled and crawled blindly across the ground in an attempt to hide - but by chance her hands found the bow of a fallen Shevarashan ranger. Letting instinct take over, she took up the weapon and fired a single arrow - killing the drow that had killed her sister.
Regarding her miraculous shot as a divine symbol, the Shevarashans adopted her and she was raised by their church. She become one of their most accomplished fighters.
Up until the death of her family, she had been raised as a follower of Sune, and suffers some inner conflict due to the contrast between the violent ways of Shevarash and the peaceful ways of Sune. For every person she kills, she carves a notch into the shaft of her bow - a reminder of what she owes Sune when she dies.
Yeah, I think I'll go with something like that. One of the PCs was orphaned during a drow raid in the Cormanthor forest. Hopefully that will create some kind of rapport between the two. It would be useful if it does, as it would make the character's inevitable death at the hands of the BBEG more memorable.
I like how the Shevarashans are the ones who saw it as a divine symbol and took her in. Her story also echoes Shevarash's own. My favorite part is that she still continues to worship Sune as well. Nice job.
In case you were still brainstorming...if you didn't want to go with the dark vengeful flavor, there are a couple others you might brew up. Choosing Selune/Sehanine for your half-elf could play up seeing in darkness and oracle themes. To emphasize bringing justice to wrongdoers you might choose Amaunator (who would also emphasize light in darkness), Kelemvor (meting out what fate has decreed), or Ilmater (that accuracy certainly minimizes suffering, eh?). I agree that you probably couldn't go wrong with Corellon, and Solonor and Mielikki definitely have the traditional hunter/archer theme going, but what was this woman before taking up the bow? And from what point in her life is she blind?
Solonor Thelandira. Shevarash and his little hate party suck.
Or Corellon. You can never go wrong with Corellon.
Ouch. Shevarash is one of the great untouched resources of the Forgotten Realms lore. The short story concerning him is a fantastic read for sure.
I do love the angle for that character, origionally Shevarash was suppose to be a drow hater, but has spilled into a bit more of overall Revenge undertakings. They have tried to make this the Diety's main purpose but it is still very drowy targeted, so that's a plus.
Oh, and Shevarash followers are suppose to never smile or laugh or really show a hint of joy till all drow are killed (or their specific part in payback is sated). Just an important character note. Grim folk. I RPed one once and it was a fantastic undertaking. Extremely fun. Because the character still had a sense of humor, it just became the driest ever seen. No smiles, no nothing.