Or maybe the end has already arrived, and civilation as we know it is utterly destroyed. The humanoid races survive as best as possible in the ruined world, waiting for someone to come along and raise them up out of the muck and grime.
Welcome to Hero Craftsmen #16, where you make a character and get it voted on according to all its facets by our judges, to see who can make the best character!
This time our chosen theme is Doomsday, in honor of the end of 3.5's run. Your goal for this Hero Craftsman contest is to make a character suitable for play in an end-game scenario, where the destruction or survival of the world hinges upon the actions of the heroes. There are three basic scenarios with which you can work:
- The end is approaching fast, and only true heroes can prevent the destruction of the world
- The end is here now, and the world is in turmoil. The world needs heroes to stop events from going any further.
- Doomsday happened; most of the world lies in ruin. Death and disease are everywhere. Only the strong can survive in such a world.
The required level for this competition is 20th level, with 760,000gp to spend on magic items and equipment, though no more than 253,334gp can be spent on any one item.
The following section contains the specific rules of the competition, as well as the standards for how the characters will be scored, and general tips to consider when creating a submission.
The Rules
Contest Rules
The following are rules for the Hero Craftsmen competition, and are subject to change at any time between competition periods.
Do note that the Code of Conduct is in effect for all aspects of this contest, and those who break it will be disqualified, and their post will be reported.
Character Creation Parameters
Effective Character Level (ECL): 20th
Ability Score Generation: 28 pt. buy (DMG p.169)
Character Wealth: 760,000gp
Max. Value of any single item: 253,334gp
1) All entries must be submitted with a complete stat block of any format or length, (so long as the stat block is complete, including content like equipment, skills, special abilities etc.) accompanied by a character background also of any format or length.
2) All entries must be submitted by the date and time given by the Coordinating Judge; any entries submitted late will not be judged but they are still allowed to be commented on by other users/judges, and may provide a valuable resource to other players out there. The time given for any competition is likely to be within 2-3 weeks; the exact times and dates will be stated by the Coordinating Judge during the contest's start.
3) After submitting an entry, a 30-minute grace period is allowed to edit your work, in the case of mechanical or formatting errors, typos, and the like. Editing your work after 30 minutes is considered breaking the rules. Hence, we urge you to revise your entry thoroughly prior to submitting it, to save hassle. Making use of the preview button in the post window will help you catch most errors before posting.
4) One Entry Per Contestant, and that creator must be the submitter (meaning that all work has to be original, and not stolen from someone else.) Also, do not post an entry if you do not want it to be officially judged.
5) At the start of each competition, the coordinating judge will state a single theme around which to base your entry. There are no restrictions based on the character theme itself; it is merely a suggested guideline, but following it in a creative and interesting way will give merit to your entry.
6) There are other restrictions, however. Material in the three core books is allowed. Any material found in the following books is also permitted: Complete Adventurer, Complete Arcane, Complete Divine, Complete Warrior, Complete Mage, Complete Scoundrel, Complete Champion, Complete Psionic, Magic Item Compendium, Spell Compendium, Tome of Battle: Book of 9 Swords, Tome of Magic, Expanded Psionics Handbook, Races of Stone, Races of Destiny, Races of the Wild, Races of the Dragon, Players Handbook 2, Miniatures Handbook, Frostburn, Stormwrack, Sandstorm, Dungeonscape, Cityscape, Heroes of Horror, Heroes of Battle, Weapons of Legacy, Monster Manual 3, Monster Manual 4, and Monster Manual 5. The use of Psionics, Item Creation rules, Epic Characters, and anything else in the Official SRD is permitted. In addition, the following variant rules from Unearthed Arcana are permitted: Variant races, variant classes, bloodlines, and paragon levels. For this specific contest, no other material may be used, including any variant rules in Unearthed Arcana (including, generic classes and gestalt, among others).
7) Additionally, the character must be created with the wealth parameters discussed above, with average hit points per hit die (eg-2.5hp for d4, 3.5hp for d6, 4.5hp for d8, 5.5hp for d10, 6.5hp for d12; Max hit points at 1st level), using the 28 point-buy system, as discussed in the DMG pg169.
For those who do not have access to the DMG, the following sample arrays of scores have been set up for your convenience:
18, 14, 12, 10, 8, 8
15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10
8) One special rule regarding Crafting: When crafting a magic item from your character, you may pay the 50% gp cost and ignore the XP cost. However, your character must still meet all prerequisites in spells, minimum level requirements, etc., or account for the cost of hiring a spell caster to cast the spells for you.
9) Judges reserve the right to disqualify entries that do not follow the above rules, as they see fit.
The following are rules for the Hero Craftsmen competition, and are subject to change at any time between competition periods.
Do note that the Code of Conduct is in effect for all aspects of this contest, and those who break it will be disqualified, and their post will be reported.
Character Creation Parameters
Effective Character Level (ECL): 20th
Ability Score Generation: 28 pt. buy (DMG p.169)
Character Wealth: 760,000gp
Max. Value of any single item: 253,334gp
1) All entries must be submitted with a complete stat block of any format or length, (so long as the stat block is complete, including content like equipment, skills, special abilities etc.) accompanied by a character background also of any format or length.
2) All entries must be submitted by the date and time given by the Coordinating Judge; any entries submitted late will not be judged but they are still allowed to be commented on by other users/judges, and may provide a valuable resource to other players out there. The time given for any competition is likely to be within 2-3 weeks; the exact times and dates will be stated by the Coordinating Judge during the contest's start.
3) After submitting an entry, a 30-minute grace period is allowed to edit your work, in the case of mechanical or formatting errors, typos, and the like. Editing your work after 30 minutes is considered breaking the rules. Hence, we urge you to revise your entry thoroughly prior to submitting it, to save hassle. Making use of the preview button in the post window will help you catch most errors before posting.
4) One Entry Per Contestant, and that creator must be the submitter (meaning that all work has to be original, and not stolen from someone else.) Also, do not post an entry if you do not want it to be officially judged.
5) At the start of each competition, the coordinating judge will state a single theme around which to base your entry. There are no restrictions based on the character theme itself; it is merely a suggested guideline, but following it in a creative and interesting way will give merit to your entry.
6) There are other restrictions, however. Material in the three core books is allowed. Any material found in the following books is also permitted: Complete Adventurer, Complete Arcane, Complete Divine, Complete Warrior, Complete Mage, Complete Scoundrel, Complete Champion, Complete Psionic, Magic Item Compendium, Spell Compendium, Tome of Battle: Book of 9 Swords, Tome of Magic, Expanded Psionics Handbook, Races of Stone, Races of Destiny, Races of the Wild, Races of the Dragon, Players Handbook 2, Miniatures Handbook, Frostburn, Stormwrack, Sandstorm, Dungeonscape, Cityscape, Heroes of Horror, Heroes of Battle, Weapons of Legacy, Monster Manual 3, Monster Manual 4, and Monster Manual 5. The use of Psionics, Item Creation rules, Epic Characters, and anything else in the Official SRD is permitted. In addition, the following variant rules from Unearthed Arcana are permitted: Variant races, variant classes, bloodlines, and paragon levels. For this specific contest, no other material may be used, including any variant rules in Unearthed Arcana (including, generic classes and gestalt, among others).
7) Additionally, the character must be created with the wealth parameters discussed above, with average hit points per hit die (eg-2.5hp for d4, 3.5hp for d6, 4.5hp for d8, 5.5hp for d10, 6.5hp for d12; Max hit points at 1st level), using the 28 point-buy system, as discussed in the DMG pg169.
For those who do not have access to the DMG, the following sample arrays of scores have been set up for your convenience:
18, 14, 12, 10, 8, 8
15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10
8) One special rule regarding Crafting: When crafting a magic item from your character, you may pay the 50% gp cost and ignore the XP cost. However, your character must still meet all prerequisites in spells, minimum level requirements, etc., or account for the cost of hiring a spell caster to cast the spells for you.
9) Judges reserve the right to disqualify entries that do not follow the above rules, as they see fit.
- Free the forged "Mithralman", by PhiloticallyEntwined
- Wit Wolfrunner, by Heros_Backpack
- Brevi, The Pseuodragon Warlock, by Doomsought
- Jorge Pedersen, by Haruspex
- Viktor Fairweather , the old, by gullas
- Corvin Belle, by Johnathan_Vagabond
- Alanna Aonir, the Undying Soldier, by Mercurius
- Buffy Summers, by jennibert
- Dumas Thorges, by LivingShadow
- Ramirez Silvanus, by Revan54115110
- Artekus Wingchild, by Ecalsneerg
- Jason Whitebloom, by animunculi
- Rurik Rumnahiem, by RaythMolba (DQ'ed for being a late entry)
- Ulrich LaHarle, by CheeseMan (DQ'ed for being a late entry)
If you use non-core material, it's always best to cite your source. This makes it easier for judges to locate material, which should help your clarity score.
I think this is especially important this time around. ECL 20 characters have the potential to reference all sorts of material; it really makes it easier on the judges if you cite your source. You can do it through the use of footnotes, or you can have a reference chart at the end of your post, or really any other method you'd like.
If you'd like to go the footnote route, remember that the forum has a superscript code: [noparse]This has a footnote on the end1[/noparse]
gives: This has a footnote on the end1
*
I also want to take this opportunity to thank everybody who has entered a contest up to this point, and helped make this event what it is today. I don't think anybody envisioned this thing becoming as popular as it is; and it's that way because of everybody who has taken the time to enter a character over the previous 15 contests. Thank you.
That said, I fully expect these contests to continue in the future, but going forward we'll likely be including a mix of 3.5 and 4.0 contests - and possibly on different forums. So let's rock HC16 like it's never been done before! I would love to see HC16 set a record for the most number of entries!
Again -- good luck to everybody who enters! It has been my absolute pleasure to bring you along through the 16 various incarnations of this contest.
Sorry if this is posted in the wrong thread, it's my first time doing HC.
A +0 LA race with a major bloodline would need to take three "bloodline levels." So yes, that character would have 17 class levels at ECL20.
Dromites: irradiated cockroaches?
What a great choice for the last HC before 4e1! I am highly amused.
Now I just have to go think of a character....and build one....I've never actually built a 20th level character before. Highest is 16....
*rubs hands together and wanders off to write the background to end all backgrounds...*
1. Please don't start a 4e flame war. I just mean that, for better or worse, 4e is the end of what we know and the beginning of something else.
Though, a quick question to the judges - If someone was to take some Vestige bindings to get access to Savnok's bindings (Bind Vestige, Improved Bind Vestige, possibly even Practiced Binder) netting the character a suit of +1 Full Plate, would it be possible to get said full plate enchanted? It'd never improve on its own, but it does exist physically. I guess it depends on whether or not you can have armor enchanted while you wear it, but I open it up to the judges to decide. (Savnok is in Tome of Magic, page 46. Feats from same book).
Let's see...
Just want an opinion here. Is this a character who has been played from first level, or starting at 20 ECL? Heck, it could be somewhere in the middle. I'm just having a hard time deciding that... It affects my background.
Oooooohh....... This gets the writer's muscles going...
Let's see...
Just want an opinion here. Is this a character who has been played from first level, or starting at 20 ECL? Heck, it could be somewhere in the middle. I'm just having a hard time deciding that... It affects my background.
I'm not a judge, but the idea is that your entry is a real person. He didn't just wake up at 20th level (unless he's a really high ECL character), so he theoretically should have been going for a very long time. He can still be an optimized build that may have actually sucked at 1st level, but his background should reflect that he has leveled through to 20th.
The general premise - more or less - for most HC contests is that you're bringing a new character into an existing game. So, for example, one element judges will generally look for is how well you seem to be able to play in a group. A character who is described as a depressed maniacal loner is probably going to get a "doesn't play well with others" comment from judges. Just as an example.
That said, "He didn't just wake up at 20th level (unless he's a really high ECL character), so he theoretically should have been going for a very long time." (as Mercurius put it) is exactly correct. Your character got to (in this case) 20th level by doing stuff; we generally want to hear the character's story - how, what, when, etc.
Part of your job, as an entrant in the contest, is to build an interesting and fun ECL 20 character; and part of your job is to write an interesting and fun background for that character.
Hopefully, we've answered your question, but if not please say so and I can take another crack at it.
*
Mercurius: I don't have Tome of Magic so I can't offer you a solid answer. One place to look, however, might be towards Eberron's warforged race. They can gain what amounts to body armor through the acquisition of feats. The issue isn't directly addressed in the FAQ (at least that I could find). But the FAQ does have this answer:
Can a warforged character attach an armor augment crystal (Magic Item Compendium, page 221) to his own body?
Yes, but only if the warforged A) has some sort of composite plating (either the base version or an augmented version from a feat such as Adamantine Body), and B) that plating has a sufficient enhancement bonus to accept the crystal. For example, a warforged whose plating has a +1 enhancement bonus could attach a least or lesser augment crystal to his own body. Without at least a +1 enhancement bonus, the warforged couldn’t even use least armor augment crystals, since his body isn’t considered a masterwork suit of armor.
That answer seems to indicate a warforged can add an enhancement bonus to their armor (but I'm too lazy to go look it up in my ECS). As best as I can tell from the description you provided, the bindings seem to function similar to a warforged's body armor; therefore, I'd extrapolate that they can be enchanted.
If someone could provide some rules quotes, that might prove useful. Otherwise, waiting for a judge with the book to chime in might be the best course of action.
The general premise - more or less - for most HC contests is that you're bringing a new character into an existing game. So, for example, one element judges will generally look for is how well you seem to be able to play in a group. A character who is described as a depressed maniacal loner is probably going to get a "doesn't play well with others" comment from judges. Just as an example.
That said, "He didn't just wake up at 20th level (unless he's a really high ECL character), so he theoretically should have been going for a very long time." (as Mercurius put it) is exactly correct. Your character got to (in this case) 20th level by doing stuff; we generally want to hear the character's story - how, what, when, etc.
Hmm. So what about this: if you would bring an evil character to an evil party, he might be well received. However, if you bring the same character to a good party, he's gonna cause some trouble. So which kind of party is meant here? Since this is HERO craftsman, I'm leaning towards good...
What were we thinking? :P
Mercurius, by the rules on p.46 of Tome of Magic, the Full Plate improves based on your Effective Binder Level. Thus, I would say that the armor can't be improved by normal means.
Shinikama, the advice Mercurius gave you is solid. Your background should match your class levels, and we want to know how you managed to achieve those levels. That being said, you don't have to detail everything you did from level 1 to 20. The important things to cover include: family & other important NPCs (i.e.: mentors), antagonists, allies, character goals & motivation.
Technically, you could do that pretty well in just a few paragraphs. Your welcome to elaborate to any extent you feel necessary, but the general way that most people approach the story is to focus on on several key events in the character's life that led up to the character's current state.
Edit: Typically, we look at this contest as if the character would be assisting a good or neutral aligned party. While it's possible to have an evil character in such a party, you should take some time to indicate how and why an evil character would work with such a party.
For example: "You know, normally I'd rather just cut you to ribbons and leave your bodies to be devoured by birds, but seeing as the world is about to end, and I have a vested interested in not dying, I think I'm willing to put aside my seething hatred and help you stop this madness. Once this is all said and done, we can go back to trying to kill each other."
Also, I personally wouldn't be opposed to a character that is a member of an evil group that is actively trying to destroy the world for whatever reasons. You may want to let other judges chime in on that concept before you go with it though.
Hmm. So what about this: if you would bring an evil character to an evil party, he might be well received. However, if you bring the same character to a good party, he's gonna cause some trouble. So which kind of party is meant here? Since this is HERO craftsman, I'm leaning towards good...
You're correct - the general rule of thumb is that the group you're joining is not an evil group; it's either good or neutral.
That said, we've had several attempts at an evil aligned character. I recall, for example, jennibert pulling it off very well once. If your evil-aligned character can "play nice with others" then you have a decent chance. A serial killer isn't going to fair too well; a thug who's willing to bust kneecaps when advantageous might do OK, depending on his/her background and such.
I just realized our fatal error. We made an ECL 20 competition... and jennibert will be writing a background for that competition.
What were we thinking? :P
Mwa ha ha ha ha! Your loss is my gain!
Hmm. So what about this: if you would bring an evil character to an evil party, he might be well received. However, if you bring the same character to a good party, he's gonna cause some trouble. So which kind of party is meant here? Since this is HERO craftsman, I'm leaning towards good...
Generally speaking, good aligned characters are easier to convince that they are both heroes and play well with others. That said, there is no rule against evil characters, and we have had them do well. We don't provide a party for you, so you are basically trying to make sure your party would work well with just about anyone. There's no reason why an evil character might not be trying to stop the apocalypse, and as long as he or she is willing to work with others and not be too overtly evil (killing babies a big no-no!), there's no reason why you couldn't enter one.
So that paragraph boils down to this: You can enter an evil character, but you'll want to be extra careful justifying how and why he might work with a party of unknown composition.
All that said, I am not officially a judge for this competition, but as such for many previous ones, that's how I view it.
Edit: Ack! Ninja'd! But I think that should be sure to answer your question
.Thank you, jennibert and Zherog, for the insights though :D
Ooh, I've had a character knocking round my head on this theme for ages!
I'll just go and tweak his level a little... :D
For the second question I would need to see rules text to say yes or no. Based on how you described it, I would lean towards no -- it gives the unarmed damage of a monk, by your description, but nothing else.
Can you post a quote from the rulebook?
If the variant is in a book (or part of a book) mentioned in the above list, then yes -- it's allowed.
For the second question I would need to see rules text to say yes or no. Based on how you described it, I would lean towards no -- it gives the unarmed damage of a monk, by your description, but nothing else.
Can you post a quote from the rulebook?
Firstly, the variant isn't clearly set out like in Unearthed Arcana, it's phrased more as a suggestion.
Secondly, if you're going to use that logic, monks aren't proficient with their own unarmed strikes. :P
What page is the Unarmed Swordsage variant found on? Are you referring to the text under "Adaptation" on page 20 of ToB?
Yep.
To create a monklike character with a tremendous array of fantastic moves and strikes, give the swordsage the monk's unarmed strike progression and remove his light armor proficiency.
The monk's unarmed strike class ability says:
Unarmed Strike
At 1st level, a monk gains Improved Unarmed Strike as a bonus feat. A monk’s attacks may be with either fist interchangeably or even from elbows, knees, and feet. This means that a monk may even make unarmed strikes with her hands full. There is no such thing as an off-hand attack for a monk striking unarmed. A monk may thus apply her full Strength bonus on damage rolls for all her unarmed strikes.
Usually a monk’s unarmed strikes deal lethal damage, but she can choose to deal nonlethal damage instead with no penalty on her attack roll. She has the same choice to deal lethal or nonlethal damage while grappling.
A monk’s unarmed strike is treated both as a manufactured weapon and a natural weapon for the purpose of spells and effects that enhance or improve either manufactured weapons or natural weapons.
A monk also deals more damage with her unarmed strikes than a normal person would, as shown on Table: The Monk. The unarmed damage on Table: The Monk is for Medium monks. A Small monk deals less damage than the amount given there with her unarmed attacks, while a Large monk deals more damage; see Table: Small or Large Monk Unarmed Damage.
Just figured I'd see how the judges felt. Either ruling I can accept, but it'll affect some character building.
Secondly, if you're going to use that logic, monks aren't proficient with their own unarmed strikes. :P
Everyone's proficient with their unarmed strikes.
Secondly, if you're going to use that logic, monks aren't proficient with their own unarmed strikes. :P
I think if you want to go with an actual Rules as Written interpretation, that's correct. Clearly, though, it's not what's intended -- nor is it how 99% of people rule it.
I've received, via PM, the swordsage text. I see no problem with posting it, so here it is (as it was sent):
The name Swordsage naturally implies a character who carries a sword or weapon of some kind. However, a swordsage works very well as a supernatural martial artist of almost any school or origin. To create a monklike character with a tremenoud [sic] array of fantastic moves and strikes, give the swordsage the monk's unarmed strike progression and remove its light armour proficiency.
I'd be inclined to say, yes -- giving the "unarmed swordsage" the Improved Unarmed Strike feat is a reasonable interpretation of that "variant" rule.
That's only my opinion, though. I'd be curious to hear what others - especially the judges - think.
Is that a deliberate attempt at confusion, or just something that slipped through from last time?
[/edit]When you say a character will be judged on "all its facets," what do you mean? Since there's no single aspect we're building for, how do you define the "best" background, the "best" build, and so forth?
First off, I really have a hard time saying that a monk's unarmed strike damage = Light Armor Proficiency. You gain a lot, but lose very little. (Though, yes, I do think that the "variant" would actually gain Improved Unarmed Strike.) It's not too unbalancing by any measure, but I probably wouldn't allow it into a game as is.
Second, most recent WotC products include an "Adaptation" section for classes and PrC's listed in those books. If I pop open Heroes of Horror, there are "Adaptation" sections for each class. These sections are suggestions, not clear cut variants (like the options we're allowing from UA).
In general, my opinion is that the material under "Adaptation" for any such class is not really RAW, but rather possible House Rules. Personally, I wouldn't allow for any material under "Adaptation" for any class since it is frequently too vague. For example, the "Adaptation" for the Dread Witch mentions possibly broadening the situations that incur the DW's fear abilities or increasing the duration of a DW's fear abilities. However, there are no hard, fast rules on how to handle this "variant." It's just a set of guidelines for possible House Rules.
Now, granted, the Swordsage text is more specific and easy to incorporate than that particular example, but my overall feeling is that anything under an "Adaptation" heading isn't RAW, and therefore isn't viable for these competitions. In saying that, it prevents the judges from needing to make a case-by-case decision every time it comes up (or worse, deciding if they agree with it after a character has been submitted).
Besides, in the case of ToB material, there is already a method for non-ToB classes to gain maneuvers: the feats section.
There's already a clearly written method for a character to gain access to those rules without a class rewrite.
Query:
When you say a character will be judged on "all its facets," what do you mean? Since there's no single aspect we're building for, how do you define the "best" background, the "best" build, and so forth?
That's really up to each individual judge. When I judge (and remember, I'm not this time), there's a few things I look for:
- Does all your math add up correctly?
- Do you meet pre-reqs for every feat and prestige class?
- Does your character fit into the theme? In this case, is your character built to A) stop Doomsday; B) Survive as Doomsday is happening, perhaps even reversing it; or C) Survive (and even thrive) in a world where Doomsday has already occurred.
- Does your background match your abilities? The example I often give (and it's a true story): I once had a player give me a background for a first level character that included slaying a dragon. By herself. In this instance, you need to be concerned with the opposite -- as a 20th level character, you've likely made a name for yourself; your deeds should reflect that.
- Does your background touch on key points for the DM to integrate you into the background: friends, enemies, family, and so on.
The first two are objective. I can take your character, and compute his saves and attack bonuses and so on. I can look at when you acquired feats or prestige classes and determine if you met pre-reqs.
The latter, though, is purely subjective. I've already seen entries in these contests where one judge loved a background and another judge disliked it. That's one of the reasons, honestly, why we try to get at least three judges for each contest -- to help smooth out those sort of things.
I don't know if my rambling actually answered your question, EL. If not, let me know.
Characters are judged according to four "criteria," as it were.
-Thematic Creativity
-Background
-Rules Use/Mechanics
-Clarity
The first three criteria are the most heavily weighted, at 10 points each. No one section is more or less important than the others. Clarity is valued at half the weight of the other three criteria, but as any regular can tell you, 5 points can make world of difference when the final scores are totaled.
I won't bother repeating every thing mentioned in the first post, but I will tell you the criteria I use when I judge those categories.
Thematic Creativity
I judge this very quickly. I read the background. I browse (though not nitpick) the rules section. Then I ask one question: Does this character meet the "Theme" of the contest. I very rarely give anyone below a 5 in this category since most entries are pretty true to the theme. A "Wow" concept scores much higher.
The tie-in between background and Theme should be pretty obvious, but some quick commentary on crunch and theme may be in order. Let's say your character concept in this competition is one of a few scattered survivors of a horrible apocalypse, desperately carving a life out of the ruins of civilization. I expect to see ranks in Survival, rations, and other "crunch" that supports your theme. You would get docked points if your character was walking around in Aristocrat's clothes, with several bottles of Fine Wine, as well as other sorts of hedonistic attire. Your crunch should match your concept should match the theme.
Granted, the second set of crunch would be perfectly fine if your character concept was a spoiled brat who only wants to party his last nights away.
I'm pretty broad in terms of how I'm willing to let people approach the End of the World. Just be certain that your fluff matches your crunch when you approach the theme. (Judge specific warning: I'm hesitant about the "sole survivor of Apocalypse" concept. You can use it, but be warned, I expect a masterful entry if you take that route. Other judges will have varying opinions.)
Background
There are several things to cover here, but I'll try and list some big ideas:
Important NPC's
Yes, it's the end of the world, but I doubt every friend you ever had is already dead (except possibly in the "sole survivor" scenario, but then you'd better have a dog). Give me some strong NPCs that I could use as a DM to help drive the plot of the story. This can be family, friends, old mentors, etc... It could even be Man's Best Friend, your loyal pet dog. I just need something I can latch onto.
Allies & Antagonists
You're level 20, I want a reasonable selection of allies and antagonists for your characters. Obviously, these can tie in with the Fast-Approaching Armageddon.
"Yeah, the guy who's trying to crash a meteor into the earth so he can set himself up as a god. I don't like him."
Now, in that case, you'd want to do a little more than that. Make the antagonist a little more personal to you. Have said meglomaniacal antagonist kill off your girlfriend while she's praying earlier in the story (or similar plot point). Your antagonist should be someone that you personally want to best (or even kill), regardless of the current scenario.
(It doesn't fit the above scenario, but there's a lot to be said about a character who's sole goal is to finish off his rival before the world erupts into flames.)
Of course, you need some allies as well. Maybe it's the chain-smoking, foul-mouthed airship pilot who helped you escape from corporate goons. Maybe it's the good-aligned Flame hound who the last of his breed. Give me some compelling allies that have helped you reach this point in your career.
You may have crazy hair, but that alone did not carry you this far.
Motivation & Goals
Tell me what motivates your character. Does he want to save the world? Does she want to bring the world down in flames? Is it a party to the end? Are you seeking to right your wrongs before it is too late?
Give me at least one viable character goal that motivates you to adventure.
Realistic Background
Convince me you're level 20. If you've killed a few orcs and an ogre in your valorous career, I'm going to think you're level 4, and your stats aren't justified. You don't have to detail every battle you've ever had (and in fact, brushing over them is perfectly acceptable), but make sure I'm convinced you deserve your level.
In one of my former entries, I accomplished this in one sentence. I haven't had a chance to hunt that entry up yet, but basically I mentioned that my character had faced off against a series of monsters. I listed about 5 monsters, and each was +1 CR higher than the previous monster. One sentence. 5 levels of stat justification. It doesn't take a lot of work to convince me you're level 20.
Also, please note that I expect your antagonist to be realistic. Your level 20. If you tell me that your character's primary antagonist is an (unmodified) Winter Wolf... you lose points.
"Plays Well with Others"
I currently DM for a group of 8 people. I have a long waiting list for those who want to join my group. I have booted players who don't play well with others since it's a waste of my time to run for people who can't function in a group. I know it's mean, but I put too much work into a game to watch one sour apple derail the campaign.
I want to know if your character can fit into a group setting. Serial Killers. Stubborn Loners. Kleptomaniacs (of PC gear). These things do not a fun game make.
Please, play nice with others.
As noted elsewhere, this doesn't rule out evil characters, just evil characters who would make the group miserable.
Rules Use/Mechanics
Mechanics
To me, Mechanics is RAW. Things like BAB, Saves, Skill Points, Attack Bonuses, etc...
Mechanics is 75% of your grade in this category.
Rules Use
Will this character hold up well in a campaign. You can create some really cool concepts in 3.5, but frequently, wild multi-class combinations have a serious glass jaw.
This is not power gaming, this is solid character construction.
Specifically, I compare your entry to the NPC class tables in the DMG (p.111-127). If one facet of your character is sub-par in comparison to the closest associated class in those pages, then you lose points. (Ex: a warrior character with significantly less hit points than a Level 20 NPC fighter would probably be deemed too fragile, and suffer a point reduction.)
Rules Use is 25% of your grade in this category.
Clarity
New contestants beware, I am an Elementary School teacher, and I will RED INK the daylights out of your paper.
Please take the time to make sure your entry is readable, and mostly free of spelling and grammatical errors. Consistent errors can lead to a deduction of .5-1 points from your clarity score. (Typically, the phrase "Minor Red Ink" does not denote an actual point deduction.)
I also, like any good teacher, expect you to CITE YOUR SOURCES!!!
I expect source & page #, which you may accomplish via footnotes or in-text citations. The only material I do not expect direct citations of is anything in the Core 3 books (PHB, DMG, MM1) as well as The Expanded Psionics Handbook. Any other book should be cited, or you will lose points. Each improper citation is worth .25 points, up to a maximum of 2 points overall.
Other issues include the readability of the entry. Please include plenty of white space. Other judges may disagree, but I'm completely ambivalent to the use of sblocks. I copy/paste entries into Microsoft Word, so sblocks are irrelevant to me.
For this competition, please make sure that you spell out your skill points clearly. That is a level 20 nightmare!!! Don't make the poor judges cry.
Other good ideas include a Table or separate "crunch behind the scenes" section that breaks down complicated sections of your entry.
Last, but not least, make sure you include ALL the appropriate information for your character. If you're a caster, make sure you have a spell section. If you're a melee character, make sure I can see your attacks. List saves. List alignment. Make sure you submit a complete character sheet!
____________________________
For any other commentary on my expectations as a judge, please use the links in the Hero Craftsman Feedback thread to read my comments in previous competitions.
Please take the time to make sure your entry is readable, and mostly free of spelling and grammatical errors. Consistent errors can lead to a deduction of .5-1 points from your clarity score. (Typically, the phrase "Minor Red Ink" does not denote an actual point deduction.)
This cropped up a couple of MDMCs ago. Does the use of US/UK spellings matter, as long as it's consistent?
And you seem confused as to the role of the dog at the end of the world. I'm level 20, it better be an awakened dog Ranger 4/Scout 16, or it's my lunch. :D
Last, but not least, make sure you include ALL the appropriate information for your character. If you're a caster, make sure you have a spell section. If you're a melee character, make sure I can see your attacks. List saves. List alignment. Make sure you submit a complete character sheet!
Since there are no entries yet, I'll use this as a springboard to point out something I see missing in a lot of stat blocks -- even those written by freelance writers. Languages.
At the very least, your character almost certainly speaks Common. He or she has a racial language in a lot of cases, too. And finally, don't forget to take your bonus languages for high Intelligence score. And remember: only the languages listed under each race can be selected as a bonus language. That means, as an example, that an elf cannot know Dwarven as one of her bonus languages, because it isn't on the list.
*
Also, Jason -- you have some minor red ink issues in your last post, mostly small spelling errors and such. ;)
This cropped up a couple of MDMCs ago. Does the use of US/UK spellings matter, as long as it's consistent?
I personally don't care.
Interesting side note: I have a habit* of using the British spelling of "theatre." I have no idea why.
* I'll leave it up to the reader to decide if it's a good or bad habit. ;)
And you seem confused as to the role of the dog at the end of the world. I'm level 20, it better be an awakened dog Ranger 4/Scout 16, or it's my lunch. :D
Also, Jason -- you have some minor red ink issues in your last post, mostly small spelling errors and such. ;)
In my defense, I am recovering from a mild case of food poisoning.
Not to mention, that post is not my official entry into this competition.
On to the topic at hand, I am indifferent to the use of British/US spelling conventions. I am a fan of both J.R.R. Tolkien & C.S. Lewis, so I won't be thrown off too badly.
Oh, and Ecalsneerg, the term "dog" was used very loosely in my post. As in "Half Gold Dragon Celestial Dog Cleric 7." I am well aware that in an Apocalyptic scenario, Man's Best Friend is easily Man's Midnight Snack.
And even if you do eat the dog, the case of Ennui that would set in after you purposefully take the life of your last remaining friend...
:evillaugh
In Tome of Battle, there are Legacy Weapons. First, can we use them (since Weapons of Legacy itself isn't allowed)? Second, is it possible to change the type of weapon into a different Discipline preferred weapon instead (like, if I wanted to use the weapon for Devoted Spirit, could I make it something other than a Falchion)?
...since Weapons of Legacy itself isn't allowed...
I could've sworn that Weapons of Legacy was on the list of books we decided to allow. Oh well.
The information in ToB covers the Nine Weapons in sufficient detail to make use of them, so I'd say you're more than welcome to make use of them. While it's probably a irrelevant detail, I'm inclined to say that they should probably be used as written, including the base weapon.
If the other judges are willing to allow the base weapon to be shuffled around, then I won't worry about it. However, my default response is to use the default weapon.
Given that there are no entries yet, I'm inclined to put it back on the list. Thoughts?
Thoughts?
Thought #1: No one told me this was up. Curse you all!
I shan't be denied!Thought #2: I have no problem with Weapons of legacy being added now.
Thought #3: I think that if you're using one of the Disciplines' weapons, you should use it as listed, not rearrange it to suit your tastes.
Thought #4: I don't care whether your spelling is British or American, as long as it's legitimate English.
Thought #5: I like chocolate ice cream.
And I like Strawberry or Orange Sherbert. And Root Beer Floats. :D
Then you numbercrunch and all the coolness is replaced by anger and frustration.
Yummy... Legacy Weapons...
Then you numbercrunch and all the coolness is replaced by anger and frustration.
Yeah, I love the concepts in the book. I think it's fun and creative and all that. But the numbers make me weep man tears of frustration.
I've been considering giving a martial adept one of the nine swords, but I'm not sure I like the idea of losing out on some of that stuff...
Yeah, it is way more complicated than it really needed to be. A simple system of bonding weapons to you would have been fine. Losing attack bonus, HP, and saves? That's kinda mean.
I've been considering giving a martial adept one of the nine swords, but I'm not sure I like the idea of losing out on some of that stuff...
I don't know, the opinion I've seen is that, apart from making your own, the ToB weapons are superior to the Weapons of Legacy ones.
If you make your own legacy you can launch scorching rays at will from level 7.
Question: How far do we have to go to describe the apocalyptic event? The emphasis should be on the Heroe, but a great hero needs a great nemesis to proove himself...
In My OpinionTM -- That's really something for each contestant to decide upon for his or her own entry. Let me turn the question around on you. How much do you think you need to describe in order for your character to make sense? That should probably be the determining factor.
But I has big lizard :D
Entry forthcoming within a week, I'm guessing. Stay tuned.
Man, it takes a lot of work to do a full 20 level character. And I've just done the build. And it's not exactly an innovative build.
I learned a long time ago never to complain about simple, strait-forward builds. One of the most hilarious characters in any of my games was a heavily stereotyped Barbarian who's vocabulary basically consisted of "Rage, Frenzy."
I won't go into how much damage this guy could do in one round. Instead, I'll give you his commentary on the Tarrasque. "Wait. You mean to tell me this thing regenerates? Awesome!"
Sometimes, simple builds are the best.
I'll be entering this one, for the good ol' times. Gotta do the big finale! But one question...
For this requirement:
* The end is approaching fast, and only true heroes can prevent the destruction of the world
* The end is here now, and the world is in turmoil. The world needs heroes to stop events from going any further.
* Doomsday happened; most of the world lies in ruin. Death and disease are everywhere. Only the strong can survive in such a world.
Do we just simply make a background covering these aspects or are we creating three stages to our character, stating what he would be at each stage of these events?
You don't have to cover all three aspects. (though it might make a cool character background to have survived the doomsday and the immediate aftermath, struggled to build power and resources, and then plan to enter a fight to save the rest of the world from destruction)You can build a character who is trying to stop the Apocalypse.
You can build a character who is watching his world go down in flames.
You can build a character who is trying to scavenge through the shattered pieces that are left over.
If you manage to accomplish all three in a neat, unified fashion, that'd be interesting to see, but that is not the intention of this contest. Use "The End of the World" in whatever fashion you see fit.
Also, I like French Vanilla.
If we make a generally vague apocalypse with only general descriptions it could hurt our Creativity Element.
If we make it thorough with specific descriptions it could hurt our Adaptability Element.
At what point do we strike an acceptable middle ground?
Should we explain what abilities do like the book designers do? 'Cause I see some CoC problems that might come up that way.
Also, I like French Vanilla.
I'm not sure what CoC problems you're referring to, but...
Generally speaking, no -- you don't need to describe your abilities. You're making a character sheet (sort of), not an NPC. That said... judges like to see some detail on your character sheet. For example, rather than having "Lay on Hands" on your paladin's sheet, take a moment to list "Lay on Hands (80 hp)" instead. Another example would be Turn Undead. Rather than just mentioning the ability, take the time to list your turning "caster" level, damage, turning bonus, etc.
Will it cost us points if our apocalypse story is vague? Here's my issue.
If we make a generally vague apocalypse with only general descriptions it could hurt our Creativity Element.
If we make it thorough with specific descriptions it could hurt our Adaptability Element.
At what point do we strike an acceptable middle ground?
There isn't a specific "adaptability" requirement. For an example, in HC14 I heavily used Eberron stuff in my character's background.
Write the character background you want to write.
Hopefully, that helps both of you.
Will it cost us points if our apocalypse story is vague? Here's my issue.
If we make a generally vague apocalypse with only general descriptions it could hurt our Creativity Element.
If we make it thorough with specific descriptions it could hurt our Adaptability Element.
At what point do we strike an acceptable middle ground?
For this specific aspect, I think you should focus more on Creativity than Adaptability. It's the end of the world, after all, who matters what was before? Unless you're very campaign specific, like "Cyric ambushed Talos and killed him. He became the god of destruction, and went on a destruction frenzy!"...
We've had FR backgrounds before, and I've used Eberron. As long as the story you come up with is coherent and makes sense to the judges reading it, I don't see any problems with adding specific details such as those.And the answer isn't nice.
I think I might use my own Icelands setting, and take the opportunity to reveal just what the hell happened to all the elves.
And the answer isn't nice.
Good. The elves had it coming. :evillaugh
time to put my epic gygaxian tpk'ing to work
edit: this one's gonna be a blast, i can already tell. gonna miss 3.5e HC if it comes to an end, but hopefully there's a 4e HC in the future. GL everyone!
I think I might use my own Icelands setting. . .
As in based on actual historical Iceland? That would be neat since I just took a class where we spent half the semester reading Icelandic Sagas.
As in based on actual historical Iceland? That would be neat since I just took a class where we spent half the semester reading Icelandic Sagas.
No, I just wanted to use Frostburn heavily and couldn't think of a better name for the setting.
No, I just wanted to use Frostburn heavily and couldn't think of a better name for the setting.
lol :P
Ok.
What sort of crunch is in DMG2? I'm having difficulty remembering much of any. There's a few magic items, as I recall; is there anything else?
(note: you can always use fluff from any book; I'll go back to my example from HC14 where I used Eberron material in my character's background.)
There's lots of variants and abilities for magic items.
If you're looking to pull fluff, that would be OK; for example, if you wanted to rely on the write-up of Saltmarsh for a home town and use the NPCs and such from that town, that would be fine.
While we'll often add a book to the list early on if it's one we intended to add and forgot, this is a different situation. We never considered this book in the first place (though now I'll keep in mind for future 3.5 contests).
* The precedent for this was set last contest, when one contestant used a race from a Forgotten Realms book.
what Z said.While we'll often add a book to the list early on if it's one we intended to add and forgot, this is a different situation. We never considered this book in the first place (though now I'll keep in mind for future 3.5 contests).
Actually, this is the first time I can recall this happening. According to Jennibert, the last contest was supposed to have the PHBII, but someone forgot to put it in when he set up the contest thread, and it was never added. I can't say as any other books have ever been added to a contest after its posting.
Free the forged wanders aimlessly the plains of what used to be the most prolific continent of the planet, but is now almost desert with the ocasinal survivors and some rampaging fiend. He'd really like to help survivors due to his good nature, but people are afraid of his own fiendish heritage. So he wanders pursuing his creator's goal... Improving himself as much as he can to protect... something.
Backstory
Breskin
Our story doesn't begin with Free himself but rather with Breskin the wizard. Breskin wasn't especially good a wizard, as most of them he was phisically weak so he decided to make his own bodyguard. For months he researched the materials and ways of making constructs and with every find he realised how his powers wouldn't be able to make a very good bodyguard, but after some time genius struck him. The warforged improved themselves over time, but he didn't think it was enough. He had heard about warlocks who have exeptional abilities to create magic items due to their fiendish heritage. That is how Breskin started his search for mithral(wich he considered better then adamantine for speed... and price) wich was tainted by dark fiends. He found enough after years of searching for the precious metal. Age had taken it's toll on Breskin but he'd finally have the greatest guard.
Mithralman
Free was born a simple warforged, frail looking yet in an elegant design. He wasn't called Free back then, Breskin never really thought of a name for him so he named him Mithralman I, in hopes of living long enough to make a second one since he had already spent his early life making this one. Free didn't know about all the possibillities of life yet so he stayed with his master and caried out simple tasks and defended him from agressors. As Free got older and his mind matured he started asking himself questions about his situation."What will happen if master dies?""What if master preffers Mithralman II to me?" Breskin was seeing Free getting more and more mature, so he started letting him out in their town to meet others persons so he'd have a better idea of what humans are like.
The end Breskin's world
As Free reached what we could call adolescence for his mind he wanted to get away more and more. One night he had is first argument with Breskin, whom hadn't seen it coming at all. Anger rose because Breskin forgot about the "free will" element of warforged. In his rage, Free killed his master with his enchanted fist. That's when Mithralman became Free the forged and made a promise to himself to help constructs be free whenever he could.
Thieves
To not be an empty shell Free decided to join the thieve's guild from where he might have a glimpse of the blackmarket for warforged slaves. They licked him, he was fast and had talent for making magic item. He wasn't very silent but always tremendous help when ever someone got into trouble. He always stayed out of shadier buisness and advised his friend to do so too, many followed him due to is good natured personality.
Call to adventure
Breskin wasn't wrong on the self improving of the warforged. Free soon became one of the best in the guild at moving in tight spots and escaping pursuers. He soon got involved with a group of adventurers, their Bard told him about a cruel wizard who made hundreds of warforged work in mines day and night. It didn't take much convincing for free to join up. The rest of the party told him more about this Farsird, the evil wizard. Farsird's enslavment of the warforged wasn't his worse sin, he was also preparing some rituals involving demons and destroying whole cities and countries. Free didn't pay as much attention as he could have, but his "blood was pumping" already as he put it.
Farsird's downfall
Free and his party of adventurers battled their way to stop Farsird's doomsday plan. While the rest of the party were fighting Farsird's personal guards, Free was going to rescue the hundreds of warforged to help them make sure the evil's wizard is no more after that encounter. All did not go according to plan, Free was running up the stairs followed by an army of his angry brothers when he saw he was too late, the copse of his frinds lay in there motionless in the circles of blood painted for the ritual. Free saw Farsird as he was too dying but still had the time to finish his incantations, just not enough to see the result. The energy from the summonings all hapenning at once propulsed all the warforged far away, killing more then half of them. Free was lucky and ended in a lake, sad that he couldn't stop it he found an underwater cave and thought he'd stay there for eternity
Reawakening
After a few years of meditation only bothered by the ocasionnal sea creature, Free accepted the fact that he did his best and he'd better help the world anyway he can again. When he got to the surface he noticed how much the world had changed, the city next to his lake seemed empty. walking through it he saw a few children fighting over a few pieces of bread, when he aproached them they ran away. He remembered that normal persons don't see warforged the same as his late adventuring friends. He was sure the city had more habitants, but knew he wouldn't be welcomed so he walked away looking for more survivors.
The plains of death
Free knew the lanscape surrounding him but most vegetation was long dead now. Walking without a destination he fought many lesser fiends that he had never seen before, but he couldn't deal with such an evil kin. He met a few of the other survivors of the blast that sent him away but most didn't stay with him long after noticing is warlock powers from fiendish heritage. He triend his best not to use them but he couldn't with threats all around him and everyone he met, living or forged. He soon realised that his only family was the master he himself killed.
Requiem fo the father
Free returned to his native town to commemorate his "father". The city was off course only a shadow of what it was, but Free didn't mind he only came to see a dead human. After this event Free started to do as is master had first intented for him, imbuing his own body with magic to be the best bodyguard for a memory, a memory of his father and a memory of the glorious world that was now just ruins for few survivors and hunting ground for the few fiends that decided to stay.
Breskin
Our story doesn't begin with Free himself but rather with Breskin the wizard. Breskin wasn't especially good a wizard, as most of them he was phisically weak so he decided to make his own bodyguard. For months he researched the materials and ways of making constructs and with every find he realised how his powers wouldn't be able to make a very good bodyguard, but after some time genius struck him. The warforged improved themselves over time, but he didn't think it was enough. He had heard about warlocks who have exeptional abilities to create magic items due to their fiendish heritage. That is how Breskin started his search for mithral(wich he considered better then adamantine for speed... and price) wich was tainted by dark fiends. He found enough after years of searching for the precious metal. Age had taken it's toll on Breskin but he'd finally have the greatest guard.
Mithralman
Free was born a simple warforged, frail looking yet in an elegant design. He wasn't called Free back then, Breskin never really thought of a name for him so he named him Mithralman I, in hopes of living long enough to make a second one since he had already spent his early life making this one. Free didn't know about all the possibillities of life yet so he stayed with his master and caried out simple tasks and defended him from agressors. As Free got older and his mind matured he started asking himself questions about his situation."What will happen if master dies?""What if master preffers Mithralman II to me?" Breskin was seeing Free getting more and more mature, so he started letting him out in their town to meet others persons so he'd have a better idea of what humans are like.
The end Breskin's world
As Free reached what we could call adolescence for his mind he wanted to get away more and more. One night he had is first argument with Breskin, whom hadn't seen it coming at all. Anger rose because Breskin forgot about the "free will" element of warforged. In his rage, Free killed his master with his enchanted fist. That's when Mithralman became Free the forged and made a promise to himself to help constructs be free whenever he could.
Thieves
To not be an empty shell Free decided to join the thieve's guild from where he might have a glimpse of the blackmarket for warforged slaves. They licked him, he was fast and had talent for making magic item. He wasn't very silent but always tremendous help when ever someone got into trouble. He always stayed out of shadier buisness and advised his friend to do so too, many followed him due to is good natured personality.
Call to adventure
Breskin wasn't wrong on the self improving of the warforged. Free soon became one of the best in the guild at moving in tight spots and escaping pursuers. He soon got involved with a group of adventurers, their Bard told him about a cruel wizard who made hundreds of warforged work in mines day and night. It didn't take much convincing for free to join up. The rest of the party told him more about this Farsird, the evil wizard. Farsird's enslavment of the warforged wasn't his worse sin, he was also preparing some rituals involving demons and destroying whole cities and countries. Free didn't pay as much attention as he could have, but his "blood was pumping" already as he put it.
Farsird's downfall
Free and his party of adventurers battled their way to stop Farsird's doomsday plan. While the rest of the party were fighting Farsird's personal guards, Free was going to rescue the hundreds of warforged to help them make sure the evil's wizard is no more after that encounter. All did not go according to plan, Free was running up the stairs followed by an army of his angry brothers when he saw he was too late, the copse of his frinds lay in there motionless in the circles of blood painted for the ritual. Free saw Farsird as he was too dying but still had the time to finish his incantations, just not enough to see the result. The energy from the summonings all hapenning at once propulsed all the warforged far away, killing more then half of them. Free was lucky and ended in a lake, sad that he couldn't stop it he found an underwater cave and thought he'd stay there for eternity
Reawakening
After a few years of meditation only bothered by the ocasionnal sea creature, Free accepted the fact that he did his best and he'd better help the world anyway he can again. When he got to the surface he noticed how much the world had changed, the city next to his lake seemed empty. walking through it he saw a few children fighting over a few pieces of bread, when he aproached them they ran away. He remembered that normal persons don't see warforged the same as his late adventuring friends. He was sure the city had more habitants, but knew he wouldn't be welcomed so he walked away looking for more survivors.
The plains of death
Free knew the lanscape surrounding him but most vegetation was long dead now. Walking without a destination he fought many lesser fiends that he had never seen before, but he couldn't deal with such an evil kin. He met a few of the other survivors of the blast that sent him away but most didn't stay with him long after noticing is warlock powers from fiendish heritage. He triend his best not to use them but he couldn't with threats all around him and everyone he met, living or forged. He soon realised that his only family was the master he himself killed.
Requiem fo the father
Free returned to his native town to commemorate his "father". The city was off course only a shadow of what it was, but Free didn't mind he only came to see a dead human. After this event Free started to do as is master had first intented for him, imbuing his own body with magic to be the best bodyguard for a memory, a memory of his father and a memory of the glorious world that was now just ruins for few survivors and hunting ground for the few fiends that decided to stay.
Z's Big List of Awesome Entries
- Free the forged "Mithralman", by PhiloticallyEntwined
And it's an awesome one
First Entry!
Ok... now I have to start coming up with viable excuses for why I won't be getting a head start on the judging.
Let's see...
...decrepit computer...
(nah... done that one before)
...the world is facing destruction via a massive alien army set to invade in the next few hours, requiring me to expend all of my superhuman powers in a brutal, pitched battle for the existence of humanity...
(nah... totally unbelievable. Seriously, who's going to think that aliens are about to invade?)
...I'm just really lazy...
(There we go. They'll buy that one!)
...I'm just really lazy...
(There we go. They'll buy that one!)
Hey! I was gonna use that one!
Hmph...Well...
There's this massive alien army about to invade, and the Pentagon has just contacted me, and...
Sorry Talisman. You gotta be quick if you want to use the "lazy" excuse around here.
Oh... and just a quick piece of advice. SHIELD pays so much better than the Pentagon. I'd hold out a little longer and see if you can't land a position with them.
Is the monster manual 3.5 core? If it is I can get my favorite character, Brevi, leveled up and ready for this, he seems to fit in perfect.
MM 3.5 is, indeed, core. Just be extra-careful with the math for a "monster" PC.
How do we handle multiclassing experience penalties? Am I to ignore them or reduce my character level appropriately?
The target is ECL 20 characters, so reducing your PC's level doesn't make any sense. I'd say just ignore multiclassing penalties.
Just bear in mind that this competition is ECL 20.
Racial Hit Dice (RHD) + Level Adjustment (LA) + Class Levels = Effective Character Level.
For example, a Mind Flayer is ECL 15. It has 8 Racial Hit Dice & a Level Adjustment of +7. Thus, if you wanted to submit a Mind Flayer as an entry, you could only add 5 class levels to achieve the appropriate ECL.
Also, while judges may disagree in their assessment of what precise benchmark to use, races with Extremely High LA's are often considered too weak. I'll avoid a full conversation as to why at the moment. Instead, let me recommend that you avoid races with an Level Adjustment above +2 or +3. (Some judges would argue that you could go higher, but that's a safe benchmark for these competitions.)
As for Multi-classing penalties, as an experienced judge, I can tell you that we basically ignore them. Why? Multi-classing penalties cause you to level up slower. Since you're writing the background, as opposed to actually playing the character, that's not really a problem. Just write in the extra time that would be needed to account for the slower learning rate.
I also personally ignore the Multi-classing penalty since I've never seen clear rules on how they interact with Prestige Classes.
As for Multi-classing penalties, as an experienced judge, I can tell you that we basically ignore them. Why? Multi-classing penalties cause you to level up slower. Since you're writing the background, as opposed to actually playing the character, that's not really a problem. Just write in the extra time that would be needed to account for the slower learning rate.
Can we get a consensus from the judges on this. The wife says she's pretty sure she's seen it counted off before, and I've gotta say that I was rather enamored of dipping a level of something that wasn't a favored class for my race. I was opting against it if the multiclassing penalties would cost me in rules use or something, but if the judges agree that they won't be doing that, I'll probably look back into it.
I've never counted off points (to the fullest extent of my memory) for multi-classing. I may have noted that it would be a poor choice in game (due to the slower XP progression), but I can't recall a situation where the person had multi-classed to such an extent as to make warrant a point deduction. Though, in certain extreme cases I could see where a point deduction could occur for this reason, I'd probably be more inclined to scold the person for not specializing effectively.
Still, in keeping with my previous "saving the world from aliens" comments, I'm really too lazy to chase down all of my previous work as a judge and double check. It's probably wise to wait and hear from all the judges before taking an extreme multi-classing route.
Also, I'm curious. Does anyone know any official rules on multi-classing and PrC's? My really vague, rarely enforced house rule is something to the effect of: "When you take levels in a PrC, choose one base class you have levels in. Levels in the PrC now count as levels in that Base Class for determining multi-class penalties."
Usually, I just tell my players "No." if I think they are multi-classing (or taking too many PrC's) too often.
Edit: Hey Heros, welcome back.
Wit Wolfrunner
AKA Fuzz-fur, Dimwit and Lew of the Woods
"You know, I'm kinda busy right now. Got a bug to squish. You want to come help?"
Stats
Wit Wolfrunner
Male human Barbarian (Wolf-totem variant) 5/ Druid 15
TN medium humanoid
Initiative +5 (+1 Dex, +4 feat), Senses: Listen +19, Spot +11
Languages: Common, Druidic
Age 27, Height 5’ 0”, Weight 132 lb
Deity: Obad-Hai.
AC 29 (+7 armor, +5 nat armor, +1 dex, +5 deflection, +1 Insight) Touch 17, Flatfooted 28
HP 205 (5d12 + 15d8 + 20 feat + 80 Con)
Fort +17 (+4 Barb, +9 Druid +4 Con)
Ref +7 (+1 Barb, + 5 Druid, + 1 Dex)
Will +21 (+1 Barb, +9 Druid +11 Wis)
Spell Resistance 13
20% displacement miss chance (cloak)
Speed 40’
Melee: +5 elf bane, ghost touch, Greatclub, +26/+21/+16/+11, Dam 1d10+12 (1d10+14 + 2d6 vs. elves), x2
Ranged: +4 comp longbow (Str +5), +21/+16/+11/+6, Dam 1d8+9, x3, Range 110ft
BAB +16/+11/+6/+1 (+5 Barb, +11 Druid) Grapple +21
Base Abilities (28 pt array - 16, 14, 14, 12, 10, 8)
Str 14
Dex 12
Con 14
Int 8
Wis 16
Cha 10
Current Abilities (modifier)
Str 20 (+5) (+6 Belt)
Dex 12 (+1)
Con 18 (+4) (+4 Manual)
Int 8 (-1)
Wis 32 (+11) (+5 level, +5 Tome, +6 periapt)
Cha 10 (+0)
Special Abilities
Animal Companion (Silverbrow - Dire wolf)
A thousand faces
Darkvision 60' (goggles)
Evasion (ring)
Fast movement +10
Illiteracy
Nature sense
Rage 2/day
Resist nature's lure
Timeless body
Trackless step
Venom Immunity
Wild empathy +17 (+15 class, +2 synergy)
Wild shape 6/day (5 class, 1 vestments)
Wild shape (huge)
Wild shape (large)
Wild shape (plant)
Wild shape (tiny)
Woodland stride
Feats: Extend Spell, Improved Initiative, Improved Toughness (CW), Improved Trip (bonus) Open Minded (SRD), Power Attack, Rapid Metabolism (SRD) (Human Bonus), Silent spell, Still Spell, Track (bonus)
Skills:
Concentration +19 (+4 Con, 15 ranks)
Handle Animal +23 (23 ranks)
Intimidate +8 (8 ranks)
Knowledge (nature) +18 (-1 Int, 15 ranks, +2 class, +2 synergy)
Listen + 19 (+11 Wis, 8 ranks)
Ride +8 (+10 to stay in saddle) (+1 Dex, 5 ranks, +2 synergy (+2 military saddle))
Survival +36 (+38 above ground in natural areas) (+11 Wis, 23 ranks, +2 class, (+2 synergy))
Use Rope +3 (+1 Dex, +2 circ - silk rope)
Possessions (all prices in gp):
+5 Wild, Spell Resistance (13), leather armor (100,160)
+5 Ghost touch, Bane (elf), Greatclub (98,305)
+4 Composite Longbow (Str +5) (32,900gp
Ring of Protection +5 (50,000)
Heward's Handy Haversack (2000)
Winged Boots (16,000)
Decanter of Endless Water (9,000)
Periapt of Wisdom +6 (36,000)
Druid's Vestment (10,000)
Dusty Rose Ioun stone (5,000)
Goggles of Night (12,000)
Tome of Understanding +5 (used) (137,500)
Manual of Bodily Health +4 (used) (110,000)
Cloak of Displacement, minor (24,000)
Belt of Giant Strength +6 (36,000)
Immovable Rod (5,000)
Ring of Evasion (25,000)
Wand of CLW (750)
Glove of Storing (10,000)
Gauntlet of Rust (11,500)
Ointment for True Seeing (4 doses) (1,000)
Silversheen x4 (1,000)
Marvellous Pigments (4,000)
Cure Serious Wounds potion (750)
Cure Light Wounds potion (50)
Quall's Feather token (tree) x2 (800)
Quiver of Ehlonna x2 (3,600)
20 adamantine arrows (1,201)
20 cold iron arrows (2)
20 silver arrows (41)
10 sleep arrows (1,320)
10 serpentstongue arrows (RotW) (1.5)
40 ordinary arrows (2)
Dust of Sneezing and Choking (2,400)
Oil of Bless Weapon (100)
Everburning Torch (110)
Explorer's Outfit (free at Creation)
Bedroll (0.1)
2 sacks (0.2)
Belt pouch (1)
Spell component pouch (5)
50' silk rope (10)
Soap (0.5)
Flint and Steel (1)
Tent (10)
6 parchment (1.2)
1 vial ink (8)
2 Inkpens (0.2)
Winter Blanket (0.5)
3 flasks acid (30)
2 flasks alchemist's fire (40)
4 flasks holy water (100)
2 tanglefoot bags (100)
10 pieces chalk (assorted colours) (0.1)
Military saddle (20)
Saddlebags (4)
Hide Barding (60)
Holly & Mistletoe (-)
8 Goodberries (-)
Cash: 245gp, 7sp
TOTAL OWNED: 760,000gp
Typical Spell Selection: (Saves DC21 + spell level)
8th lvl
Finger of Death
Cure Serious Wounds (mass)
7th lvl
Animate Plants
Heal
True Seeing
Silent Dispel Magic (greater)
6th lvl
Find the Path
Stone Tell
Transport via Plants
Wall of Stone
Still, silent, Dispel Magic
5th lvl
Animal Growth
Baleful Polymorph
Commune with Nature
Cure Critical Wounds
Death Ward
Wall of Fire
4th lvl
Cure Serious Wounds
Dispel Magic
Flame Strike
Freedom of Movement
Ice storm
Spike stones
3rd lvl
Cure Moderate Wounds
Daylight
Magic Fang (greater) (cast and included in Silverbrow stats)
Neutralise Poison
Plant Growth
Speak with Plants
Windwall
Extended Barkskin (cast and included in stats)
2nd lvl
Barkskin
Cat's Grace
Fog cloud
Resist Energy x2
Restoration (lesser)
Spider Climb
Woodshape
1st lvl
Cure Light Wounds
Detect Animals & Plants
Endure Elements
Entangle
Faerie Fire
Goodberry (cast)
Longstrider
Speak with Animals
0th lvl
Cure Minor Wounds
Guidance
Light
Mending
Purify Food & Drink
Resistance
Level breakdown
Level 1 - Barb 1
Feats: Power Attack, Rapid Metabolism (SRD-psionics) (Human bonus)
Skills: 4pts each in Handle Animal, Intimidate, Listen and Survival
Level 2 - Barb 2
Feat: Improved Trip (bonus)
Skills: 1 pt each in Handle Animal, Intimidate, Listen and Survival
Level 3 - Barb 3
Feat: Imp Initiative
Skills: 1 pt each in Handle Animal, Intimidate, Listen and Survival
Level 4 - Barb 4
Ability boost: +1 Wis
Skills: 1 pt each in Handle Animal, Intimidate, Listen and Survival
Level 5 - Barb 5
Feat: Track (bonus)
Skills: 1 pt each in Handle Animal, Intimidate, Listen and Survival
Level 6 - Barb 5/Druid 1
Feat: Imp Toughness
Skills: 1 pt each in Concentration, Handle Animal, Knowledge (nature) and Survival
Level 7 - Barb 5/Druid 2
Skills: 1 pt each in Concentration, Handle Animal, Knowledge (nature) and Survival
Level 8 - Barb 5/ Druid 3
Ability boost: +1 Wis
Skills: 1 pt each in Concentration, Handle Animal, Knowledge (nature) and Survival
Level 9 - Barb 5/Druid 4
Feat: Open Minded (SRD-psionics)
Skills: 1 pt each in Concentration, Handle Animal, Knowledge (nature) and Survival, 5 pts in Ride
Level 10 - Barb 5/Druid 5
Skills: 1 pt each in Concentration, Handle Animal, Knowledge (nature) and Survival
Level 11 - Barb 5/Druid 6
Skills: 1 pt each in Concentration, Handle Animal, Knowledge (nature) and Survival
Level 12 - Barb 5/Druid 7
Ability boost: +1 Wis
Feat: Natural Spell
Skills: 1 pt each in Concentration, Handle Animal, Knowledge (nature) and Survival
Level 13 - Barb 5/Druid 8
Skills: 1 pt each in Concentration, Handle Animal, Knowledge (nature) and Survival
Level 14 - Barb 5/Druid 9
Skills: 1 pt each in Concentration, Handle Animal, Knowledge (nature) and Survival
Level 15 - Barb 5/Druid 10
Feat: Extend Spell
Skills: 1 pt each in Concentration, Handle Animal, Knowledge (nature) and Survival
Level 16 - Barb 5/Druid 11
Ability Boost: +1 Wis
Skills: 1 pt each in Concentration, Handle Animal, Knowledge (nature) and Survival
Level 17 - Barb 5/Druid 12
Skills: 1 pt each in Concentration, Handle Animal, Knowledge (nature) and Survival
Level 18 - Barb 5/Druid 13
Feat: Silent Spell
Skills: 1 pt each in Concentration, Handle Animal, Knowledge (nature) and Survival
Level 19 - Barb 5/Druid 14
Skills: 1 pt each in Concentration, Handle Animal, Knowledge (nature) and Survival
Level 20 - Barb 5/Druid 15
Ability Boost: +1 Wis
Skills: 1 pt each in Concentration, Handle Animal, Knowledge (nature) and Survival
Wit Wolfrunner
Male human Barbarian (Wolf-totem variant) 5/ Druid 15
TN medium humanoid
Initiative +5 (+1 Dex, +4 feat), Senses: Listen +19, Spot +11
Languages: Common, Druidic
Age 27, Height 5’ 0”, Weight 132 lb
Deity: Obad-Hai.
AC 29 (+7 armor, +5 nat armor, +1 dex, +5 deflection, +1 Insight) Touch 17, Flatfooted 28
HP 205 (5d12 + 15d8 + 20 feat + 80 Con)
Fort +17 (+4 Barb, +9 Druid +4 Con)
Ref +7 (+1 Barb, + 5 Druid, + 1 Dex)
Will +21 (+1 Barb, +9 Druid +11 Wis)
Spell Resistance 13
20% displacement miss chance (cloak)
Speed 40’
Melee: +5 elf bane, ghost touch, Greatclub, +26/+21/+16/+11, Dam 1d10+12 (1d10+14 + 2d6 vs. elves), x2
Ranged: +4 comp longbow (Str +5), +21/+16/+11/+6, Dam 1d8+9, x3, Range 110ft
BAB +16/+11/+6/+1 (+5 Barb, +11 Druid) Grapple +21
Base Abilities (28 pt array - 16, 14, 14, 12, 10, 8)
Str 14
Dex 12
Con 14
Int 8
Wis 16
Cha 10
Current Abilities (modifier)
Str 20 (+5) (+6 Belt)
Dex 12 (+1)
Con 18 (+4) (+4 Manual)
Int 8 (-1)
Wis 32 (+11) (+5 level, +5 Tome, +6 periapt)
Cha 10 (+0)
Special Abilities
Animal Companion (Silverbrow - Dire wolf)
A thousand faces
Darkvision 60' (goggles)
Evasion (ring)
Fast movement +10
Illiteracy
Nature sense
Rage 2/day
Resist nature's lure
Timeless body
Trackless step
Venom Immunity
Wild empathy +17 (+15 class, +2 synergy)
Wild shape 6/day (5 class, 1 vestments)
Wild shape (huge)
Wild shape (large)
Wild shape (plant)
Wild shape (tiny)
Woodland stride
Feats: Extend Spell, Improved Initiative, Improved Toughness (CW), Improved Trip (bonus) Open Minded (SRD), Power Attack, Rapid Metabolism (SRD) (Human Bonus), Silent spell, Still Spell, Track (bonus)
Skills:
Concentration +19 (+4 Con, 15 ranks)
Handle Animal +23 (23 ranks)
Intimidate +8 (8 ranks)
Knowledge (nature) +18 (-1 Int, 15 ranks, +2 class, +2 synergy)
Listen + 19 (+11 Wis, 8 ranks)
Ride +8 (+10 to stay in saddle) (+1 Dex, 5 ranks, +2 synergy (+2 military saddle))
Survival +36 (+38 above ground in natural areas) (+11 Wis, 23 ranks, +2 class, (+2 synergy))
Use Rope +3 (+1 Dex, +2 circ - silk rope)
Possessions (all prices in gp):
+5 Wild, Spell Resistance (13), leather armor (100,160)
+5 Ghost touch, Bane (elf), Greatclub (98,305)
+4 Composite Longbow (Str +5) (32,900gp
Ring of Protection +5 (50,000)
Heward's Handy Haversack (2000)
Winged Boots (16,000)
Decanter of Endless Water (9,000)
Periapt of Wisdom +6 (36,000)
Druid's Vestment (10,000)
Dusty Rose Ioun stone (5,000)
Goggles of Night (12,000)
Tome of Understanding +5 (used) (137,500)
Manual of Bodily Health +4 (used) (110,000)
Cloak of Displacement, minor (24,000)
Belt of Giant Strength +6 (36,000)
Immovable Rod (5,000)
Ring of Evasion (25,000)
Wand of CLW (750)
Glove of Storing (10,000)
Gauntlet of Rust (11,500)
Ointment for True Seeing (4 doses) (1,000)
Silversheen x4 (1,000)
Marvellous Pigments (4,000)
Cure Serious Wounds potion (750)
Cure Light Wounds potion (50)
Quall's Feather token (tree) x2 (800)
Quiver of Ehlonna x2 (3,600)
20 adamantine arrows (1,201)
20 cold iron arrows (2)
20 silver arrows (41)
10 sleep arrows (1,320)
10 serpentstongue arrows (RotW) (1.5)
40 ordinary arrows (2)
Dust of Sneezing and Choking (2,400)
Oil of Bless Weapon (100)
Everburning Torch (110)
Explorer's Outfit (free at Creation)
Bedroll (0.1)
2 sacks (0.2)
Belt pouch (1)
Spell component pouch (5)
50' silk rope (10)
Soap (0.5)
Flint and Steel (1)
Tent (10)
6 parchment (1.2)
1 vial ink (8)
2 Inkpens (0.2)
Winter Blanket (0.5)
3 flasks acid (30)
2 flasks alchemist's fire (40)
4 flasks holy water (100)
2 tanglefoot bags (100)
10 pieces chalk (assorted colours) (0.1)
Military saddle (20)
Saddlebags (4)
Hide Barding (60)
Holly & Mistletoe (-)
8 Goodberries (-)
Cash: 245gp, 7sp
TOTAL OWNED: 760,000gp
Typical Spell Selection: (Saves DC21 + spell level)
8th lvl
Finger of Death
Cure Serious Wounds (mass)
7th lvl
Animate Plants
Heal
True Seeing
Silent Dispel Magic (greater)
6th lvl
Find the Path
Stone Tell
Transport via Plants
Wall of Stone
Still, silent, Dispel Magic
5th lvl
Animal Growth
Baleful Polymorph
Commune with Nature
Cure Critical Wounds
Death Ward
Wall of Fire
4th lvl
Cure Serious Wounds
Dispel Magic
Flame Strike
Freedom of Movement
Ice storm
Spike stones
3rd lvl
Cure Moderate Wounds
Daylight
Magic Fang (greater) (cast and included in Silverbrow stats)
Neutralise Poison
Plant Growth
Speak with Plants
Windwall
Extended Barkskin (cast and included in stats)
2nd lvl
Barkskin
Cat's Grace
Fog cloud
Resist Energy x2
Restoration (lesser)
Spider Climb
Woodshape
1st lvl
Cure Light Wounds
Detect Animals & Plants
Endure Elements
Entangle
Faerie Fire
Goodberry (cast)
Longstrider
Speak with Animals
0th lvl
Cure Minor Wounds
Guidance
Light
Mending
Purify Food & Drink
Resistance
Level breakdown
Level 1 - Barb 1
Feats: Power Attack, Rapid Metabolism (SRD-psionics) (Human bonus)
Skills: 4pts each in Handle Animal, Intimidate, Listen and Survival
Level 2 - Barb 2
Feat: Improved Trip (bonus)
Skills: 1 pt each in Handle Animal, Intimidate, Listen and Survival
Level 3 - Barb 3
Feat: Imp Initiative
Skills: 1 pt each in Handle Animal, Intimidate, Listen and Survival
Level 4 - Barb 4
Ability boost: +1 Wis
Skills: 1 pt each in Handle Animal, Intimidate, Listen and Survival
Level 5 - Barb 5
Feat: Track (bonus)
Skills: 1 pt each in Handle Animal, Intimidate, Listen and Survival
Level 6 - Barb 5/Druid 1
Feat: Imp Toughness
Skills: 1 pt each in Concentration, Handle Animal, Knowledge (nature) and Survival
Level 7 - Barb 5/Druid 2
Skills: 1 pt each in Concentration, Handle Animal, Knowledge (nature) and Survival
Level 8 - Barb 5/ Druid 3
Ability boost: +1 Wis
Skills: 1 pt each in Concentration, Handle Animal, Knowledge (nature) and Survival
Level 9 - Barb 5/Druid 4
Feat: Open Minded (SRD-psionics)
Skills: 1 pt each in Concentration, Handle Animal, Knowledge (nature) and Survival, 5 pts in Ride
Level 10 - Barb 5/Druid 5
Skills: 1 pt each in Concentration, Handle Animal, Knowledge (nature) and Survival
Level 11 - Barb 5/Druid 6
Skills: 1 pt each in Concentration, Handle Animal, Knowledge (nature) and Survival
Level 12 - Barb 5/Druid 7
Ability boost: +1 Wis
Feat: Natural Spell
Skills: 1 pt each in Concentration, Handle Animal, Knowledge (nature) and Survival
Level 13 - Barb 5/Druid 8
Skills: 1 pt each in Concentration, Handle Animal, Knowledge (nature) and Survival
Level 14 - Barb 5/Druid 9
Skills: 1 pt each in Concentration, Handle Animal, Knowledge (nature) and Survival
Level 15 - Barb 5/Druid 10
Feat: Extend Spell
Skills: 1 pt each in Concentration, Handle Animal, Knowledge (nature) and Survival
Level 16 - Barb 5/Druid 11
Ability Boost: +1 Wis
Skills: 1 pt each in Concentration, Handle Animal, Knowledge (nature) and Survival
Level 17 - Barb 5/Druid 12
Skills: 1 pt each in Concentration, Handle Animal, Knowledge (nature) and Survival
Level 18 - Barb 5/Druid 13
Feat: Silent Spell
Skills: 1 pt each in Concentration, Handle Animal, Knowledge (nature) and Survival
Level 19 - Barb 5/Druid 14
Skills: 1 pt each in Concentration, Handle Animal, Knowledge (nature) and Survival
Level 20 - Barb 5/Druid 15
Ability Boost: +1 Wis
Skills: 1 pt each in Concentration, Handle Animal, Knowledge (nature) and Survival
I also personally ignore the Multi-classing penalty since I've never seen clear rules on how they interact with Prestige Classes.
In the 3.0 DMG, it was explicitly stated that prestige classes are immune to multiclass penalties. Unfortunately, when they upgraded, the intention was to remove the entire paragraph except that sentence; unfortunately, they removed everything.
In 3.5, all we have is this FAQ entry:
In the previous version of the D&D game, having levels in a prestige class never caused you to pay the experience penalty for being a multiclass character without uneven class levels. (The prestige class levels didn’t count when checking to see if you had a penalty.) The section on prestige classes in the new Dungeon Master’s Guide no longer mentions that you don’t suffer an experience penalty for having levels in a prestige class. Is this a change or an error?
It’s an error. Having levels in a prestige class won’t give you an experience penalty.
So there ya go.
*
Can we get a consensus from the judges on this. The wife says she's pretty sure she's seen it counted off before, and I've gotta say that I was rather enamored of dipping a level of something that wasn't a favored class for my race. I was opting against it if the multiclassing penalties would cost me in rules use or something, but if the judges agree that they won't be doing that, I'll probably look back into it.
I have two things to add.
1) The contest calls for ECL 20 characters; so even if you made a halfling fighter/wizard (a combo that would suffer XP penalty), you would still make your character at level 20.
2) I do recall judges mentioning it in their comments in the past; however, I've never brought it up (because it's something I don't even notice - I've ignored that rule for years). So I can't tell you if the judge(s) was just pointing it out, or if the judge actually docked some points for it.
Back story:
Brevi is the son of the familiar of a powerful necromancer. From his mother's dark pact he has become stronger than the normal Pseuodragon, with magic unavailable to them, and a seemingly longer life.
As he left his mothers car he joined an adventuring band. His tactics of hiding and blasting kept him alive, and saved his companions several times.
But all good things come to an end, years later as he and his companions had become veteran adventurers, his mover sent him word her master was on the move. He had been conscripted as the lieutenant of an even greater evil.
He informed his party, putting the greatest emphasis on the direness of the situation by telling them about an incident where his mother's master over powered several great old worms Easily.
The party split up, the cleric and paladin had their vows, the rest went to ground. They now survive a dim life, co-inhabiting an underground fortress with a tribe of cobalds. Every day they must fend of hundreds of undead, if not thousands. None of Brevi's scouting trips have showed any sign that they are not the only living things left.
Stats
Level 20: +3 LA, +2 Dragon, +15 Warlock
Str 4, Dex 24, Con 16, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 10.
HP 119
AC 34=10+12+6+2+4
Bab 13
Saves
Fort 3+5+3+1=9
Reflex 3+5+6+1=10
Will 3+9+1+1=14
Racial abilities
Movement 15', fly 60' good
+4 natural armor
Blind sense: 50'
Darkvision: 60'
Telepathy: 60'
SR 19
Dragon immunities
Size: tiny
+4 racial bonus to hide, +8 in forests
Feats and class abilities
1 hover
3 eldrich blast: +20 attack, 7d6 damage, 19-20 crit
3 Point blank shot
4 detect magic
5 DR 4/coldiron
6 deceive item
6 weapon focus: ray
9 improved critical: ray
10 fiendish resilience
12 maximize spell like ability: eldrich blast
12 energy resistance: 5 electricity & cold
14 imbue item
15 craft magic arms and armor
Invocations
Least: eldrich spear, entropic warding, see unseen
lesser: Brimstone blast, elderich chain, flee the scene
Greater: vitriolic blast, eldrich cone, wall of perilous flame
Skill..rank+ability+synergy+racial+magic
Bluff 5+0+0+0+1=6
Diplomacy 5+0+2+0+1=8
concentrate 7+3+0+0+1=11
craft armor 5+2+0+0+1=8
hide 23+6+0+4+15+1+8(size)=67
know arcana 5+2+0+0+1=8
Know religion 8+2+0+0+1=11
spot 10+1+0+0+1=12
spellcraft 12+2+0+0+1=15
survival 10+1+0+0+1=12
use magic device 10+0+0+0+1=11
move silently 0+6+0+0+15+1=22
Magical items
+10 Mithral Chain Shirt
Silent Moves, Greater +15 move silently
Shadow, Greater +15 hide
+12 ac
118,600gp
Pale green Ion stone
+1 competence bonus on attack rolls, saves, skill checks, and ability checks
30,000gp
greater ring of energy resistance fire
fire resistance 30
44,000gp
Tactics
Brevi is a skirmisher. every day he goes out in stealth lay in ambush for the undead army that soon comes. He destroys as many as possible and uses flee the scene to escape if he is spotted.
His small size, agility and magic grant him an insane bonus to his ability to hide that he is very aware of. He will always make sure he is hidden before he attacks and will maintain this advantage throughout combat.
Btw, welcome to the competition Doomsought. Thanks for taking the time to enter.
Regarding multiclassing whatnot: as others have stated, the goal is "build an ECL 20 character," not "build a character with 190,000 XP." I personally think the penaly is silly...I'd be more concerned with whether your multiclass choices make sense.
Welcome to the contest, Doom! It's great to have you join in.
Well I just saw this, but I want to try to whip something up. I've actually got an idea already that might work. Then again, L20 means lots of adding so I might just wuss out and watch.
In short, I'd ignore them for the entries in this contest.
I'm bitter.
oh, and
:D
Edit: So, if I'd known Mercurius had a question, I'd not have bothered bumping....oh well! Also, did anyone else notice we're now in "Previous Edition" forums?
Oh, so, one more quick character building question, and then I'm done. Also, it's something of a general question, since I have little experience with the book. Can you add further enhancements to a Legacy Weapon after you've unlocked the full thing? If a weapon peters out at +3 Flaming Burst or something, can you pay the difference to increase it to +5 Keen Flaming Burst Acid Burst or whatever? Or are you stuck with it as written? I can't find an answer one way or the other in WoL, but I might not be looking in the right place.
Y'know, I never really considered XP penalties to be that much of an issue, but I pretty much always play humans, so it's never actually mattered to me (also, I just almost never play anyway). That said, I love what the Pathfinder RPG is doing about Favored Classes. A bonus skill point per level of your race's favored class. It's like a mini substitution level built right in to the standard rules. Brilliant.
Oh, so, one more quick character building question, and then I'm done. Also, it's something of a general question, since I have little experience with the book. Can you add further enhancements to a Legacy Weapon after you've unlocked the full thing? If a weapon peters out at +3 Flaming Burst or something, can you pay the difference to increase it to +5 Keen Flaming Burst Acid Burst or whatever? Or are you stuck with it as written? I can't find an answer one way or the other in WoL, but I might not be looking in the right place.
The new Pathfinder rules sounds interesting. I'll have to check that out.
As to your question, please see the text box at the bottom of the p. 11 in Weapons of Legacy. If you don't have the book on hand, the summary is as follows:
1) Weapon of Legacy items can not be further enhanced by any normal means. Only new founding events, or some of the material in WoL can alter/enhance an item's powers (ex: Legacy Champion PrC)
2) Spells that temporarily alter an items enchantments work normally. (ex: Holy Sword)
Also, did anyone else notice we're now in "Previous Edition" forums?
Yes...it makes me cautiously optomistic that the 3.5 forums will have a decent presence post-June, and will not be crammed into 1 or 2 sub-forums in the Out Of Print area.
Cautiously.
Yes...it makes me cautiously optomistic that the 3.5 forums will have a decent presence post-June, and will not be crammed into 1 or 2 sub-forums in the Out Of Print area.
Cautiously.
Cautiously optimistic even when we've been shunted into the past editions before the new edition comes out?
I continue to try to get an answer as to whether the new "Player Advice" forum will allow players to seek advice on any game, or just 4.0. Again, Community Management is less than helpful in providing answers.
Cautiously optimistic even when we've been shunted into the past editions before the new edition comes out?
Yes...because we've (currently) still got all the 3.5 forums. If we get cut down to 5-6, as Z said, that might be enough to maintain a decent 3.5 community here. If the 3.5 forums got nuked entirely, and rolled into the (one) Out Of Print forum, along woth Basic D&D, AD&D and AD&D2...I doubt I'd be coming back.
In other news, my crunch is about done. Now I get to work to see if I can beat jennibert for length of background.
Yeah! If the 3.5 forums get consolidated too much, I'll just go start my own forums! With black jack... and hookers! In fact, forget the forums!
Where people throw darts at balloons, and nothing's the way it seems!
Sign me up!
Yeah! If the 3.5 forums get consolidated too much, I'll just go start my own forums! With black jack... and hookers! In fact, forget the forums!
may as well forget the black jack and the lunar lander while you're at it
My character owns a double weapon, and I plan to be attaching a weapon crystal (Magic Item Compendium pg 221) to it. The rules state that only a single crystal can be attached to a weapon at a time, but normally a double weapon has each end enchanted separately....and the designers didn't remember to address this issue on the aforementioned page.
I can think of three possible solutions:
1. A double weapon can have only 1 weapon crystal and it affects only 1 side.
2. A double weapon can have only 1 weapon crystal and it affects both sides.
3. A double weapon can have 2 weapon crystals, 1 per side.
I, personally, like the 2nd interpretation best. Has WoTC addressed this anywhere? If not, could the judges please give a ruling so I can figure out if I need to go refigure my characters gear?
Thanks guys!
However, you'll probably want to wait for the other judges to chime in before you run with that answer.
Magic Item Compendium has errata, but (of course) this isn't covered. I'm gonna go dig into the FAQ and Ask Wizards next to see if I can turn up anything.
Edit: doesn't seem to be any official word anywhere. So this one is entirely up to the judges; if any of the judges need rules text from MIC, please let me know and I'll send you the quotes.
Hey, on the subject of weapon crystals: can they be applied to a weapon that has a temporary enhancement bonus got from spells such as Greater Magic Weapon?
I would have to say no. There are augment crystals that can be applied to masterwork weapons, but the ones that need an enhancement bonus require a permanent enhancement bonus. Otherwise, I think that one of the examples given would have included something along the lines of, "such as a longsword under the effects of Greater Magic Weapon."
Unless there's errata or a FAQ ruling otherwise, of course.
I really need to finish my background....or is 20 pages already too long?
:evillaugh
Jorge Pedersen
Lawful Good Male Human Non-Spellcasting Paladin* 20.
5 foot 9 inches tall, 180 pounds, 32 years old.
A grim armored figure steps into the room, shield in hand and sword sheathed at his side. On his back is a hammer of dark metal, and you see a row of flasks at his belt. The signs of battle are evident on his armor, his body, and his general demeanor. He goes around the room for a few minutes, talking to the gathered mercenaries. Each time he walks away shaking his head. He stops at the bar and asks for a beer and pie oddly enough. After he downs the entire tankard in one gulp, he gives a long and deep sigh, then eats the pie.
Ability Scores:
Str: 27 (+5 level, +6 belt)
Dex: 10
Con: 10
Int: 10
Wis: 14
Cha: 19 (+5 tome)
Str: 27 (+5 level, +6 belt)
Dex: 10
Con: 10
Int: 10
Wis: 14
Cha: 19 (+5 tome)
Viktor Fairweather , the old. 5'9'' 480lb
If it wasn't for his white hair and beard you could have sworn this guy was large dwarf in his mid 30's.His face is old and tired and his armor is really dirty. He's fully armored with his a black cape on his back , a sheeth strapped over his back with a huge sword in it and a backpack, and is holding his helmet in his right hand. Few steps away from him is a warforged. They are looking over a fjord , much of the vegetation stilll lives and the water seems crystal clear by the looks of it.
"Well Jane , we've found ourselves a home." he says to the warforged.
Backstory
"If I hadn't helped him" Viktor thinks about every day.
Born as a son of a farmer, no one expected Viktor to become anything more then that. But as a child, Viktor was exceptionally strong one and around the age of 12 he could wrestle the miners and lumberjacks from the village. Few years later, Viktor was drafted into military service. Viktor fought well and soon was assigned as one of the King's bodyguard. Then after few years of saving the king from assassination and such, Viktor and other great adventurers was assigned to retriew an artifact, an artifact that legends had spoken about that would bring piece to the world. Good hearted Viktor didn't question his king's intention but his companions did.
In the quest of finding the artifact , Viktor found the greatsword “Galder” which he uses as his weapon. Strangely enough ,Galder always seemed to “warn” Viktor about things and questionable characters.
The king used this artifact to make a gate, a direct way from the material plane to the astral plane, to try to emerge the material plane with the astral plane. Viktor and his companions killed the king but the process had already begun. Viktor's companions ran away but Viktor stayed and somehow managed to stop the process.
But when he did that a green cloud escaped out, soon turning other clouds green and acid rain poured from the sky. Viktor ran out, in great pain, and was lucky enough to fall down a manhole. Down in the severs he met Jane, the warforged, and they decided to stay underground until the rain had stop.
The rain continued to pour for the next 25 years, killing most living creatures and vegetation on the surface and leaving only the greatest mountain peaks and ruins of great cities left.
Now Viktor and Jane wander around the surface, trying to find few remaining survivors and rebuild the world.
So far they’ve only found a few survivors from the mountains but creatures underground have come up to the surface and pose a constant threat to the remaining survivors.
So far , Viktor and Jane have made a settlement , called Yarjni in a fjord wich didn't sustain a lot of damage done by the rain , and more and more people who survived seek refuge in Yarjni
Viktor knows he does no have many years left to live and hopes that Jane will continue his work , after his day.
Born as a son of a farmer, no one expected Viktor to become anything more then that. But as a child, Viktor was exceptionally strong one and around the age of 12 he could wrestle the miners and lumberjacks from the village. Few years later, Viktor was drafted into military service. Viktor fought well and soon was assigned as one of the King's bodyguard. Then after few years of saving the king from assassination and such, Viktor and other great adventurers was assigned to retriew an artifact, an artifact that legends had spoken about that would bring piece to the world. Good hearted Viktor didn't question his king's intention but his companions did.
In the quest of finding the artifact , Viktor found the greatsword “Galder” which he uses as his weapon. Strangely enough ,Galder always seemed to “warn” Viktor about things and questionable characters.
The king used this artifact to make a gate, a direct way from the material plane to the astral plane, to try to emerge the material plane with the astral plane. Viktor and his companions killed the king but the process had already begun. Viktor's companions ran away but Viktor stayed and somehow managed to stop the process.
But when he did that a green cloud escaped out, soon turning other clouds green and acid rain poured from the sky. Viktor ran out, in great pain, and was lucky enough to fall down a manhole. Down in the severs he met Jane, the warforged, and they decided to stay underground until the rain had stop.
The rain continued to pour for the next 25 years, killing most living creatures and vegetation on the surface and leaving only the greatest mountain peaks and ruins of great cities left.
Now Viktor and Jane wander around the surface, trying to find few remaining survivors and rebuild the world.
So far they’ve only found a few survivors from the mountains but creatures underground have come up to the surface and pose a constant threat to the remaining survivors.
So far , Viktor and Jane have made a settlement , called Yarjni in a fjord wich didn't sustain a lot of damage done by the rain , and more and more people who survived seek refuge in Yarjni
Viktor knows he does no have many years left to live and hopes that Jane will continue his work , after his day.
I guess the onslaught of entries is finally starting. To coincide with the onslaught of pathetic excuses for not getting a head start on judging... but that's to be expected.
Corvin's Descriptiom
Corvin is a 5'7" woman 30 years of age with dark brown hair and hazel eyes. Despite her real age, she appears to be anywhere between 15 and 50. The war aged her terrible and the scars and pain shows. On the other hand the talisman unbalanced her youth and altered her puberty. Her face is covered in acne as her body makes up for the years between being a man and a woman. Corvin wears a dull black chain shirt and carts around a backpack and a side slung bag. An elegant scimitar dangles from her hip. Her clothes are a variety of browns and greens with leaf shaped cuts that stand up. Atop her head is a leather skullcap that has been smeared with mud and dried leaves. Corvin may be a woman, with curves and shapes in all the right places, but she carries herself like a man. When she wears her cloak her outline is fuzzy and difficult to pinpoint.
Corvin tends to think in a straight line without a great deal of finesse. Find enemy and kill it is a generally acceptable solution. Naturally executing her decisions occurs with more finesse, but the thought process is relatively simple. Her mind is scarred from the revelation of who she really is. Although she goes out of her way to 'be a woman' she still residually thinks and acts as a man. This confusion often manifests into anger, which is only fueled by her new puberty. Thanks to her military training however, this anger is a focused and cool rather than chaotic and hot.
In combat Corvin runs and tumbles straight lines through the ranks of the weakest enemies first, cutting a bloody swathe as she goes. When facing a small group she will often dash into battle and cut at two opponents before disappearing into the forest. If outnumbered by a much larger force, Corvin has no problem waiting for them to pass and slipping out to kill one or two before disappearing into the terrain.
Corvin's Backstory
Corvin Belle was born twenty years before the Dirge began. She was the daughter of Agnes and Hamish Belle, the wealthy and avarous leaders of Heath's Hollow; a logging and farming community in the midst of the Endarrion Forest. Agnes and Hamish needed a boy child to inheret but had a great deal of difficulty conceiving. When Agnes finally was blessed with child they went to the forest witch, Rogamagog, to determine this gender. The witch told them it was to be a girl but she could change that; for a price. The price would be unnamed, to be claimed when it pleased her. They agreed and traded a drop of blood each in exchange for a boy. Ragamagog appeared the night of the birth and acted as their midwife. When the baby girl was born she fixed The Black Talisman around the girl-child's neck. She writhed and churned and became a boy. Rogamagog warned them never to remove the charm, or she would again be a girl. This is how Corvin Belle, the man born woman, was born.
Corvin grew up awkward. Dealing with the townsfolk was trying on him, social conventions were strange, and interacting with others was difficult. Introverted and quiet, Corvin found a place of solace amongst the Rangers. Woodsmen employed by The Reach of Man (the reigning kingdom within which Heath's Hollow lay), the Rangers were responsible for patrolling the woods. Grimlocks and Derro lived deep in nearby K'thipgig Caves, Harpies on the cliffs, and Minotaur in the underground ruins of the ancient temple Orochomenos. Corvin spent time amongst the quiet and withdrawn veterans of many years and wars. Calloi Ulei-he, an elf and a rarity within the human-centric Reach, was especially welcoming of Corvin. By 13 Corvin was accompanying the Rangers as a porter, by 14 he was allowed to fight with bow and sword. He was officially inducted into the Rangers at 15 years old, and allowed to take on solo missions. His hit and run tactics against the grimlocks and harpies, and the uncanny slaying of a loose minotaur earned him a good reputation. Calloi recommended him to Captain Jennibert of the King's Scouts for recruitment. The Reach declared war with Calloi's homeland, Endarrion, months later and Calloi defected.
Captain Jennibert was more than a ranking officer in the King's Scouts. She was the commander of the Doomsought Seekers. Unlike the King's Scouts, the doomsought were a mixed bag. Caliphot, Dent, and Lilywine were skilled with prayer, maces, and magic (respectively). She appealed to moderately lazy Duke Hawk (Duke Jason Orlando Hawk) to place Corvin in with the doomsought. Calloi's defection cast a doubt on Corvin and Captain Jennibert reasoned that if he turned traitor they could handle him. On the other hand if he was loyal, then he would complement their skills well. Duke Hawk approved of her reasoning and Corvin was granted immediate membership to the most respected group in the King's Scouts.
When The Reach declared war against the mostly elven neighbor nation of Endarrion, the doomsought were immediately ordered deep into enemy lands. They were to disable supply lines and hunt down wizards of significant power. Disrupting enemy supply lines was easy. Wizards, as expected, proved much more difficult. As the war itself rolled on for twelve years, Corvin and the doomsought tracked down wizards one by one. The elven wizards were master conjurors and abjurors and had been building a construct army. Fighting constructs and wizards became second nature to the doomsought.
Corvin learned a great many things in these years. Calliphot taught him about the light of Pelor and the languages of the planes. Lilywine expanded his education on the powers of the arcane and how to speak with many of the most ancient creatures of the world. Dent was the most down to earth of the group and taught Corvin the langauges of many of the races he had encounted during his service to the Reach. Corvin traded for this with unusual languages he had learned from the rangers, such as that of the fey. During the dull times in between strikes Corvin took up woodcarving. They finally ended the war by striking and slaying Endarrion's Eldritch Lord Mercurius. While the three bickered and bartered over the wizards robes and books and staffs, Corvin claimed the scimitar Ulei Legora from Mercurius's guard. Following the end of the war the doomsought returned bearing the scars and pillage of many battles and were each rewarded with the Wall of The Reach to recognize their deeds. Captain Jennibert as well brought each of them gifts, giving Corvin the dull black chain called Whisper. The doomsought were given a few days rest. Rumors that the Endarrion Forest was haunted by the spirits of dead soldiers began to circulate, but Corvin did not have time to investigate them. Jennibert assigned the doomsought to duty in the Gullas, a dwarven nation who held a tenuous alliance with The Reach.
Gullas translates to The Deep Valleys in dwarven and The Reach relied on those deep valleys for metals and well crafted weapons. Recently the dwarves at Gullas had had problems with strange creatures in their caverns, aberrations, and dwarves had been disappearing from mining crews, chasing 'a beautiful song'. The doomsought took split up and fell in with groups of experienced dwarven soldiers. Corvin was assigned to work with Hrudung, Boefl, and Glidig. He enjoyed the tunnel delving with the dwarves, who were appreciative of his awareness and provided him with a pair of goggles that let him see as dwarves do.
They traveled and fought through the deep tunnels for many days until they came upon 'a beautiful song'. They plugged their ears with candle wax and the three dwarves resisted the song for a number of days. Unlike the dwarves who were actively fighting the music, Corvin felt free. There was a warm thruming on his chest that matched the tune of the song. Since he required no strain to resist he tossed his wax aside and listened. The music was hauntingly beautiful, morose, and cruel at the same time. His body felt wrong as well, misshapen. His shoulders to wide and hips to small and many other things. The dirge had drawn the dominating personality of the Black Talisman into the song and had left Corvin's true mind alone. With the talisman's influence gone, Corvin felt like a woman for the first time since her birth. She chalked it up to the influence of the music and went about her business with the dwarves, still believing herself a man (mostly). Between the talisman's distraction and the dwarves determination they strove into the depths, slaying skum and chokers, chuuls and cloakers until they came to a deep pit filled with dwarves belting out the terrible, beautiful song. They're eyes were deepset and figures skeletal. They all stood around a gargantuan aboleth that lead the emaciated miners in the terrible Dirge. After Dwarves had finished the aboleth and knocked the other dwarves into their senses (dwarven psychiatry) the terrible song stopped and Corvin felt like a man again. Some part of him, deep down however, rejected it.
The other members of the doomsought had faired well, with few dwarven casualties and non of the doomsought dying. They were presented with magnificent dwarvencraft gifts. Corvin recieved Drogren this way. They were presented with an official letter for the King of The Reach and an official letter from the King of The Reach. The doomsought set off to return to The Reach and read the letter on the way. Terrible music had been stealing citizens away from villages and towns. Spies reported this to be happening in Endarrion as well. Only humanoids responded to the music. Undead, monsters, and aberrations seemed whipped into a bloody frenzy.
On their arrival the king had little to say about Gullas's support. He dispatched Lilywine and Caliphot to the various mage towers and temples to determine the roots and causes and retained Dent as a personal bodyguard against the rampaging creatures. After the King read of Corvin's immunity to the Dirge, he dispatched him to Endarrion. He was sent to study one of their areas plagued by the cursed song alongside some Endarrion rangers. The Reach had come to an accord with Endarrion concering this terrible song.
Deep within Endarrion Corvin joined up with a cold-shouldered bunch of elven rangers. They trekked deep into an ancient ruined temple called Nachemese, much like Orochomenos. Undead there walked and shambled with cold hate in their hollow eyes. The song was being sung there too and once again, Corvin felt the warm thrumming on his chest and had strange feelings of being improperly shaped. The catacombs were deep and it took the elves and Corvin many days to sneak through it. When they slept, Corvin had dreampt of being a woman. His mind began to revolt against the talisman's control over his form. Distracted and incapable of fighting back, Corvin's subconscious forced the talisman to bend to his will. Suddenly none of his clothes fit properly. Corvin, the man born woman, was woman again.
She wrestled with this new identity throughout the depths of the catacombs. Corvin avoided moroseness and self-pity thanks to combat. She brutalized the vampires and Haruspex the Liche who lead the dirge. They felled the lich and discovered hundreds of people that had been lured into the catacombs and subdued by the song. Many had starved with the dirge on their lips. When they returned from the dungeon the song was still audible. It had grown in the weeks they'd spent below the surface. She returned with the elves to Animunculi, the captial of Endarrion. A letter written jointly by Caliphot and Lilywine to Corvin awaited her there, detailing what they had learned. Wrecan, a Night Hag wizardess, had created the song out of nightmares and wove it into reality. She seeks to unmake civilization and return the world to the savage realm of monsters once again.
Corvin met another surprise in Animunculi. Calloi was there. Corvin revealed her identity to him and shocked the elf. After talking and sharing her story, Calloi filled her in on what he'd seen while he spied on Heath's Hollow and the Hags:
Rogamagog had returned in the height of the Reach-Endarrion War and recalled her favor. The Belles had been murdered and Rogamagog, a Green Hag, had replaced them with her covey; Zherog the Annis as Hamish and Ecalsneerg the Sea Hag as Agnes. Using their covey magic they had insinuated the song into the villagers dreams. The townsfolk awoke humming, whistling, or even making their own words up to the dirge. Finally the covey brought the townspeople together under the auspices of a celebration (the decorations, soiled with neglect, make the scene even more macabre). Zherog and Ecalsneerg began singing the Dirge in full and the song slinked out into the minds of the townsfolk. The townsfolk began to sing the Dirge as well.
At the end of his story he offered Corvin his bow and twenty arrows that he'd planned to use against the hags. She accepted and disappeared into the Endarrion Forest. Of course, the hags can see what her necklace sees and are aware that she is on her way.
Corvin Belle was born twenty years before the Dirge began. She was the daughter of Agnes and Hamish Belle, the wealthy and avarous leaders of Heath's Hollow; a logging and farming community in the midst of the Endarrion Forest. Agnes and Hamish needed a boy child to inheret but had a great deal of difficulty conceiving. When Agnes finally was blessed with child they went to the forest witch, Rogamagog, to determine this gender. The witch told them it was to be a girl but she could change that; for a price. The price would be unnamed, to be claimed when it pleased her. They agreed and traded a drop of blood each in exchange for a boy. Ragamagog appeared the night of the birth and acted as their midwife. When the baby girl was born she fixed The Black Talisman around the girl-child's neck. She writhed and churned and became a boy. Rogamagog warned them never to remove the charm, or she would again be a girl. This is how Corvin Belle, the man born woman, was born.
Corvin grew up awkward. Dealing with the townsfolk was trying on him, social conventions were strange, and interacting with others was difficult. Introverted and quiet, Corvin found a place of solace amongst the Rangers. Woodsmen employed by The Reach of Man (the reigning kingdom within which Heath's Hollow lay), the Rangers were responsible for patrolling the woods. Grimlocks and Derro lived deep in nearby K'thipgig Caves, Harpies on the cliffs, and Minotaur in the underground ruins of the ancient temple Orochomenos. Corvin spent time amongst the quiet and withdrawn veterans of many years and wars. Calloi Ulei-he, an elf and a rarity within the human-centric Reach, was especially welcoming of Corvin. By 13 Corvin was accompanying the Rangers as a porter, by 14 he was allowed to fight with bow and sword. He was officially inducted into the Rangers at 15 years old, and allowed to take on solo missions. His hit and run tactics against the grimlocks and harpies, and the uncanny slaying of a loose minotaur earned him a good reputation. Calloi recommended him to Captain Jennibert of the King's Scouts for recruitment. The Reach declared war with Calloi's homeland, Endarrion, months later and Calloi defected.
Captain Jennibert was more than a ranking officer in the King's Scouts. She was the commander of the Doomsought Seekers. Unlike the King's Scouts, the doomsought were a mixed bag. Caliphot, Dent, and Lilywine were skilled with prayer, maces, and magic (respectively). She appealed to moderately lazy Duke Hawk (Duke Jason Orlando Hawk) to place Corvin in with the doomsought. Calloi's defection cast a doubt on Corvin and Captain Jennibert reasoned that if he turned traitor they could handle him. On the other hand if he was loyal, then he would complement their skills well. Duke Hawk approved of her reasoning and Corvin was granted immediate membership to the most respected group in the King's Scouts.
When The Reach declared war against the mostly elven neighbor nation of Endarrion, the doomsought were immediately ordered deep into enemy lands. They were to disable supply lines and hunt down wizards of significant power. Disrupting enemy supply lines was easy. Wizards, as expected, proved much more difficult. As the war itself rolled on for twelve years, Corvin and the doomsought tracked down wizards one by one. The elven wizards were master conjurors and abjurors and had been building a construct army. Fighting constructs and wizards became second nature to the doomsought.
Corvin learned a great many things in these years. Calliphot taught him about the light of Pelor and the languages of the planes. Lilywine expanded his education on the powers of the arcane and how to speak with many of the most ancient creatures of the world. Dent was the most down to earth of the group and taught Corvin the langauges of many of the races he had encounted during his service to the Reach. Corvin traded for this with unusual languages he had learned from the rangers, such as that of the fey. During the dull times in between strikes Corvin took up woodcarving. They finally ended the war by striking and slaying Endarrion's Eldritch Lord Mercurius. While the three bickered and bartered over the wizards robes and books and staffs, Corvin claimed the scimitar Ulei Legora from Mercurius's guard. Following the end of the war the doomsought returned bearing the scars and pillage of many battles and were each rewarded with the Wall of The Reach to recognize their deeds. Captain Jennibert as well brought each of them gifts, giving Corvin the dull black chain called Whisper. The doomsought were given a few days rest. Rumors that the Endarrion Forest was haunted by the spirits of dead soldiers began to circulate, but Corvin did not have time to investigate them. Jennibert assigned the doomsought to duty in the Gullas, a dwarven nation who held a tenuous alliance with The Reach.
Gullas translates to The Deep Valleys in dwarven and The Reach relied on those deep valleys for metals and well crafted weapons. Recently the dwarves at Gullas had had problems with strange creatures in their caverns, aberrations, and dwarves had been disappearing from mining crews, chasing 'a beautiful song'. The doomsought took split up and fell in with groups of experienced dwarven soldiers. Corvin was assigned to work with Hrudung, Boefl, and Glidig. He enjoyed the tunnel delving with the dwarves, who were appreciative of his awareness and provided him with a pair of goggles that let him see as dwarves do.
They traveled and fought through the deep tunnels for many days until they came upon 'a beautiful song'. They plugged their ears with candle wax and the three dwarves resisted the song for a number of days. Unlike the dwarves who were actively fighting the music, Corvin felt free. There was a warm thruming on his chest that matched the tune of the song. Since he required no strain to resist he tossed his wax aside and listened. The music was hauntingly beautiful, morose, and cruel at the same time. His body felt wrong as well, misshapen. His shoulders to wide and hips to small and many other things. The dirge had drawn the dominating personality of the Black Talisman into the song and had left Corvin's true mind alone. With the talisman's influence gone, Corvin felt like a woman for the first time since her birth. She chalked it up to the influence of the music and went about her business with the dwarves, still believing herself a man (mostly). Between the talisman's distraction and the dwarves determination they strove into the depths, slaying skum and chokers, chuuls and cloakers until they came to a deep pit filled with dwarves belting out the terrible, beautiful song. They're eyes were deepset and figures skeletal. They all stood around a gargantuan aboleth that lead the emaciated miners in the terrible Dirge. After Dwarves had finished the aboleth and knocked the other dwarves into their senses (dwarven psychiatry) the terrible song stopped and Corvin felt like a man again. Some part of him, deep down however, rejected it.
The other members of the doomsought had faired well, with few dwarven casualties and non of the doomsought dying. They were presented with magnificent dwarvencraft gifts. Corvin recieved Drogren this way. They were presented with an official letter for the King of The Reach and an official letter from the King of The Reach. The doomsought set off to return to The Reach and read the letter on the way. Terrible music had been stealing citizens away from villages and towns. Spies reported this to be happening in Endarrion as well. Only humanoids responded to the music. Undead, monsters, and aberrations seemed whipped into a bloody frenzy.
On their arrival the king had little to say about Gullas's support. He dispatched Lilywine and Caliphot to the various mage towers and temples to determine the roots and causes and retained Dent as a personal bodyguard against the rampaging creatures. After the King read of Corvin's immunity to the Dirge, he dispatched him to Endarrion. He was sent to study one of their areas plagued by the cursed song alongside some Endarrion rangers. The Reach had come to an accord with Endarrion concering this terrible song.
Deep within Endarrion Corvin joined up with a cold-shouldered bunch of elven rangers. They trekked deep into an ancient ruined temple called Nachemese, much like Orochomenos. Undead there walked and shambled with cold hate in their hollow eyes. The song was being sung there too and once again, Corvin felt the warm thrumming on his chest and had strange feelings of being improperly shaped. The catacombs were deep and it took the elves and Corvin many days to sneak through it. When they slept, Corvin had dreampt of being a woman. His mind began to revolt against the talisman's control over his form. Distracted and incapable of fighting back, Corvin's subconscious forced the talisman to bend to his will. Suddenly none of his clothes fit properly. Corvin, the man born woman, was woman again.
She wrestled with this new identity throughout the depths of the catacombs. Corvin avoided moroseness and self-pity thanks to combat. She brutalized the vampires and Haruspex the Liche who lead the dirge. They felled the lich and discovered hundreds of people that had been lured into the catacombs and subdued by the song. Many had starved with the dirge on their lips. When they returned from the dungeon the song was still audible. It had grown in the weeks they'd spent below the surface. She returned with the elves to Animunculi, the captial of Endarrion. A letter written jointly by Caliphot and Lilywine to Corvin awaited her there, detailing what they had learned. Wrecan, a Night Hag wizardess, had created the song out of nightmares and wove it into reality. She seeks to unmake civilization and return the world to the savage realm of monsters once again.
Corvin met another surprise in Animunculi. Calloi was there. Corvin revealed her identity to him and shocked the elf. After talking and sharing her story, Calloi filled her in on what he'd seen while he spied on Heath's Hollow and the Hags:
Rogamagog had returned in the height of the Reach-Endarrion War and recalled her favor. The Belles had been murdered and Rogamagog, a Green Hag, had replaced them with her covey; Zherog the Annis as Hamish and Ecalsneerg the Sea Hag as Agnes. Using their covey magic they had insinuated the song into the villagers dreams. The townsfolk awoke humming, whistling, or even making their own words up to the dirge. Finally the covey brought the townspeople together under the auspices of a celebration (the decorations, soiled with neglect, make the scene even more macabre). Zherog and Ecalsneerg began singing the Dirge in full and the song slinked out into the minds of the townsfolk. The townsfolk began to sing the Dirge as well.
At the end of his story he offered Corvin his bow and twenty arrows that he'd planned to use against the hags. She accepted and disappeared into the Endarrion Forest. Of course, the hags can see what her necklace sees and are aware that she is on her way.
...
What're you lookin' at? I didn' say anything.
If you've entered a character, please double-check that I have your entry (link, character name, your screen name) correct.
I hope we're not "off topic" now that we're in the 4e forums.
Hey, they put us here...
Wrecan as the evil Night Hag bent on destroying all humanoids.
Ecalsneerg as an evil Sea Hag in league with Wrecan
Oooh, you are going doooown.
a) I'm pretty!
b) wrecan doesn't like his plans revealed.
Oooh, you are going doooown.
a) I'm pretty!
b) wrecan doesn't like his plans revealed.
If it's any consolation, during the sequel the hag covey and wrecan are forced to join forces with a group of wacky, off-beat youths to stop a misunderstood fey from stealing all the world's cupcakes. Casting is still in process, but I already have a commitment from Chris Tucker and Dennis Leary, and have extended a reasonable offer to Cher for the role of the fey. We're green screening the entire movie unless I can get a budget boost from the fanbase. But since there isn't one, I think we're going to stick with the green screen.
[noparse]
Show
This is a spoiler
Jennibert as commanding liaison between the King's Scouts and the doomsought seekers.
Ha! I'm a good guy! And important! Yay! I feel redeemed...but shouldn't you have saved your sucking up for the actual judges of the competition? ;)
Seriously, though, using the names that way, that's a new one. I'm amused.
he appealed to moderately lazy Duke Hawk (Duke Jason Orlando Hawk)
You're going to regret that... one of these days... when I get around to punishing you for your insolence.
Of course, I should probably make a note of that... but that stupid dog chewed up my notebook.
Zherog the Annis
The contest doesn't end for three days. So go for it!
Crud, I better hustle.
Zherog the annis
That right there is almost worth a bonus point for the laugh I got...
...you know what, I'll be unusually kind. Zherog, enjoy your bonus point!
Oh, JV, I'd say the real issue I have with your post is that, no where in the story was Jason Orlando Hawk's penchant for demolitions or open flame mentioned. I'm just really disappointed that no really good explosions were attributed to me...
I may be lazy (the dog didn't chew up the revenge, he ran off with it... probably should chase him down before he buries it), but if there's not an open flame, it's not a Hawk.
It's ok. You can just say the dog ate your revenge. I believe you.
No, I just realised the potential symbolism in a half-celestial with daylight always on.
Coincidentally, this also halved my source list from my previous scrawling.
That right there is almost worth a bonus point for the laugh I got...
...you know what, I'll be unusually kind. Zherog, enjoy your bonus point!
Oh, JV, I'd say the real issue I have with your post is that, no where in the story was Jason Orlando Hawk's penchant for demolitions or open flame mentioned. I'm just really disappointed that no really good explosions were attributed to me...
I may be lazy (the dog didn't chew up the revenge, he ran off with it... probably should chase him down before he buries it), but if there's not an open flame, it's not a Hawk.
If I'd had any idea about your penchant for open flame I probably would have made you the Eldritch Lord of Endarrion. Too late now though, you should have filled out the casting call questionaire more carefully.
-----------------------------
Wait, is Zherog irritated about the similarity in the terms Annis and the anatomical term for the human body's waste outlet portal (**** is a forbidden word, gracious me)? Thats completely unintentional. The Annis is the brute force version of the Hags listed in the Monster Manual. I hadn't intended that at all (fine line between comedic and rude).
-----------------------------
Actually Jennibert, I was trying to bribe you into not entering...
Pelor dammit, I spotted to mechanical errors in my character , oh well:P
Crud, I better hustle.
i freqently (as in almost always) start my entry within 3 days of the deadline
might not make it this time since (gasp!) i'm not some unemployed scrub anymore
I find it slightly perverse I now get the urge to stat up my 'Sea Hag Sorcerer 14' self...
You should consider specializing in enchantments and illusions. Possibly divinations. Multiclass into fighter and rogue if you feel so inclined.
You should consider specializing in enchantments and illusions. Possibly divinations. Multiclass into fighter and rogue if you feel so inclined.
I don't think I'd need many fighter levels, Monstrous Humanoid HD have the full BAB.
Now, Savage Species gives 3 racial HD Sea Hags a nasty +5 LA. So, I think I should make a gish, as I'm not going to be a full caster.
Sea Hag HD 3/Sorcerer 4/Spellsword 3/Eldritch Knight 5/+5 LA.
BAB +13, caster level 14th if I take Practiced Caster and I get to cast 5th level sorcerer spells. Not hugely optimal, but I could make it work.
And that's how to take something too far!
Fluff
Happiness... A distant memory that Alanna clung to as if it were a raft in a stormy sea. She had been happy, once, so many years ago. Her family, her mother and father and brothers... her husband. She tried to recall him. His hair was brown, bordering on dishwater blond... When he was young. His eyes were a soft gray that played with the light and occasionally masqueraded as hazel. His name... Meleph? Yes, Meleph. Alanna was certain that was right. He had been a young officer of the Guard, a defender of the Utopia and a warrior against the incursion. They had met, had fallen in love, before the Daemons. Before the chaos and the return of Lisseth. But it was not until after the War began that they had married. Even amidst the death and fighting, there had been a sliver of happiness. A shining hope. How long ago had that been? It was like trying to grasp water, the years poured through her mind so fast... But they had been happy. Years of happiness. So many, but so very few. She had had a son with him, one child. He had had children of his own now; had passed on to his grave. His name had been Aston.
Meleph had died fighting, of course. Most people did now. His age had caught up with him, slowed his movements, crippled him in combat. Alanna had escaped all that. Even as his body had wrinkled and slowed, she had remained as young and strong as she had when she bore him their son. When had the aging stopped, dwindling down to nothing? She was not certain, could not remember if she had even noticed. Her hair had once been the deep brown of chocolate. She thought back and considered it. Her green eyes and red hair had not been so when Aston was born. It was after her son that her hair and eyes had changed. What had her eyes been originally? Try as she might, she could not remember. Aston's were blue... perhaps hers had been once as well. But, that had been happiness. Her family, her life. Happiness... Her husband had died of old age and death on the battlefield, while she had stubbornly refused to follow. She had not aged, seemed almost incapable of dying. It was a lonely existence.
The War had started so very long ago. Too long. She had put her trust, her faith, in the Sage King and his Utopia. And then, without warning, he had betrayed them. He had stolen the life-spark of the goddess of Magic and used it to tear a hole into the Without, conjuring the Mystic Moon and bringing Lisseth and her Daemons and gods with her. The fighting had been intense, impossible. Armies of monsters never before seen in all of A'Thea - green skinned humanoids with massive tusks and black eyes. Enormous, savage men with strength surpassing anyone, and their magic wielding masters. Flesh-eating bull-men, covered in shaggy hair with horns like lances. The dragons, with their magics, breath, fangs, and claws. They were all monsters, but they were merely the soldiers, the weakest of the invading armies, impossibly strong even so. The true Daemons, the ones who warped reality, who could temporarily be banished away. They had plagued A'Thea before, when foolish mages had summoned them, or they had breached the Wall before being caught or destroyed by the followers of Eirias and Rhiannon. En masse they entered the world, marching to the slaughter. And then, even beyond them, were creatures almost as powerful as gods.
Alanna had been there, when the Swan May, Minagin, had appeared on the summit, and announced that she had come to mete justice upon the world on Lisseth's behalf. So many years later, so much blood later, and Minagin had realized that this was not a war of justice. It was a war of vengeance. She had turned ranks, sided with the native gods, but the Ice Wolf had come along then, Lisseth only deprived of an idealistic ally. More gods, too, had come across. The corruptor and his eternal foe - Alanna had once met Adoloa, even fought alongside him and his servants in the battle at Maaya Fields against Baumol's servants. Her husband had already passed. So many other gods had come through the Mystic Moon, whether to aid Lisseth or to oppose her. The World Spine Mountains were rent in twain by the Beast before the gods challenged him.
Yes, the gods. Some had arrived swiftly to the battle, Flammaryon and Miara mustering cadres of divine servants to battle the forces of evil and death. Alran-Kor had set to battle, giving the beleaguered forces a heartening presence on the battlefield. But they were not enough. Gods could not be everywhere, fighting every monster and Daemon that invaded. Nor could anyone have anticipated the attacks from their own. When the kage elves had turned against their fellows and struck, their duplicity was a great blow. It almost cost them the south of Agris in one swoop. The malruuka gnomes and the renegade dwarven clan had done unimaginable damage to the defenders of their world.
So much damage... Alanna's brother, Van, had been in Mav when it had fallen from the skies, a ruined husk that was once the greatest testament to magic the world had seen. The day the Mystic Moon had appeared, an entire continent had been lost. Every connection to Arkusyan had been severed - magical ley lines, the World Thought Network - gone in a flash. Attempts had been made early on to regain the continent, but the traitorous Reth Dekala elves fought the allies as well as the Oni that were still attacking. Ships had been wastefully squandered retaking a lost continent, when those lives could have been put to use fighting the forces in the lands still lived in. Arkusyan was dead to the world.
How many years had this fighting and death continued? The gods, clashing against each other, mortals clashing against Daemons... Alanna had once had to hold a pass against an onrushing horde of the beast-men called orcs by herself for twelve hours, while she awaited the evacuation of the valley beyond. She had done it, had not needed food nor water, had slain every last soldier as they had come to her. Her body would mend itself as she fought, almost as if she was feeding on death, on combat. She had become unnatural, every bit the monster that she faced on the battlefield. Her scimitar, bathed in the blood of so many magical entities, had grown strong. It revitalized her, smote those of impure heart, kept her strong. The spear she had gained from the dwarves of Asina had grown in power, too. It could defeat the toughest hide, banish Daemons for a time; A blessing that had surfaced in the battle of Schezar, when she had fought alongside Rhiannon herself. The elf wizard Susumu had gifted her with her bow - it flew far, struck well, but Alanna was ill-suited to it. She treasured it still, for the enemy was not one to play only to her strengths.
Her armor was heavy. Even now, as she sat, it was immobile, hard. It had been with her for years, the dull grey of its material hued to a lustrous pearl through the magics wrought within. Some days, she cursed it and its constant protection. She had seen elves grow from birth into men, and she still had not aged, and her armor helped her live longer. To give up would be to fail, though. Death was escape, and she could not do it. She seemed cursed to continue on, fighting and killing until, finally, Yarin would accept her soul and send it along. Perhaps she might one day meet Meleph's soul reincarnated...
A nudge at her arm. She opened her eyes, looked at the hippogriff beside her. Ai'Muri eyed her curiously, clearly contemplating her contemplation. He was not one for introspection like Alanna. He was a constant friend, unaging and strong, clever but slow. Alanna looked about her. The soldiers were huddled, some talking amongst themselves, striving to calm themselves. Others were withdrawn, perhaps in meditation, perhaps in prayer. Across from her, beside the portcullis, Fassa eyed her knowingly. This could very well be it. These soldiers were traveling to perhaps the last battle of the War. Eirias had returned, scant months before, and now the tides were turning. This airship, one of the last of its kind, was traveling with every able-bodied soldier available to a final battle. There had been so many battles that Alanna had thought might be the last, but perhaps this would truly be it. Eirias had banished most of the greatest Daemons. There were hundreds, thousands left, but the strongest seemed to have been banished. Lisseth was weakened, had retreated with most of the gods. Only the servants remained. Perhaps, with one final push on all fronts, the War could finally be over. After over a century of conflict, did Alanna dare to dream that they could return to normalcy. Could she ever return?
The airship rocked and shuddered. The sound of an explosion reverberated throughout the cabin. Alanna sprang to her feat as the entire ship began to violently shake. Soldiers fell from their seats, scrambled to move towards the deck. Alanna hastily ascended the stairs when the airship bucked once more and then split in two, plummeting from the skies. Immediately, instinctually, her golden cloak exploded into wings and she was airborne. Ai'Muri and Fassa caught themselves in a moment. Soldiers were falling all around them, some relying on spells or magics to slow their descent or take flight, but so many more simply falling. Ai'Muri didn't stop to think - He dove, grasping at figures with his claws in a desperate struggle to catch them. A bolt of energy ripped from Fassa at the hippogriff, invigorating him and bolstering his strength and speed. Alanna looked around, saw their attacker. Flames licked from the mane and hoofs of the black steed as it ran through the skies. Atop its back sat the onyx-skinned elf crone, her body powerful but wracked with impossible age. Though she had died before Alanna had even become a Guard, still she plagued the world, a gift from Lisseth. Alanna the Undying gripped Faithful Avenger in her adamantine-clad hands. Her wings pushed back, launching her towards their attacker. Two immortals clashed in the skies, as debris and soldiers fell to the ground below.
Adventures
Alanna is a soldier, first and foremost. She knows how to fight, how to live. She is had a life of constant battle, and knows almost nothing else. The thin belief that she might one day put away her weapons keeps her strong, but she doubts it more and more. Living through a war between gods has made her weary, and her transformation has made her life before the war hard to recollect. She adventures to end the war, to defeat the invaders, and to rebuild what she once fought to defend.
Character
I picture Alanna looking something like this.
The Undying Soldier was not always so. Alanna was born as a human woman in a time of great peace. The Utopia was united across the face of the world, with only small difficulties that threatened it. The Sapphire Guard was the single line of defense for the Utopia, a world-spanning organization dedicated to upholding the rule and will of the Sage King and protecting the citizens. Alanna's older brother, Van Crowley, had joined the Guard to learn magic and craft magic items, while Alanna took up the sword to defend her land on the front lines. Early on, she was dedicated to the virtues of the Utopia. She is unsure how it happened, but sometime after her son's birth, Alanna was transformed. Though she appeared much the same, her hair changed from dark brown to brilliant scarlet, her eyes from ultramarine blue to emerald green. She appeared to simply cease aging. She gained a connection to the realm of Dreams that she had never known, allowing her to utilize psionic abilities and go for days without eating or drinking. Her friends and loved ones aged and died around her while she remained eternally young.
Alanna is driven, because she must be. In times of passivity, she finds herself digging through her memories, trying her best to reclaim details from so very long ago. With her unnaturally extended life span, her perceptions have altered, washing away days, years, into a muddy soup of recollection. It frustrates and saddens her, as if she loses a part of herself even as she continues on. Some days, she wishes for death, to feel the final embrace when everything ends and she can be free, but she cannot bring herself to let it end. She is determined, driven, focused. She is skilled at living and fighting, and she will continue to do so until fate finally choses for her to die.
Allies and Enemies
Alanna has allies and enemies spread throughout A'Thea. She has battled Daemons from the Without, fought alongside gods, and led troops into battle against impossible odds. How can one number the friends and foes one can amass in over one hundred and twenty years of conflict? Perhaps a small sample will suffice.
Family: As far as Alanna knows, she has none left. Her son, Aston, had children of his own, but in the turbulence of war, Alanna lost track of them. They may live still, may even know of her, but she has not seen them, nor any children of theirs. She believes her brother Van died when the floating city of Mav fell to the earth, but he may have survived, perhaps even fathered children himself. She does not hold out any hope of this. As far as Alanna is concerned, she has no living family.
Ai'Muri: A hippogriff warped by the magical energies loosed during the War, Ai'Muri is as immortal as Alanna, and a dedicated friend. Though she is somewhat slow of thought, she is a skilled and devoted warrior who bolsters Alanna in battle in a reciprocal relationship.
The Crone Queen: An ancient and powerful kage elf, the Crone Queen was slain by agents of the Guard before the War. A devoted servant of Lisseth despite the goddess's absence, she returned to the world, empowered and transformed. Now a potent Night Hag cleric, she has led her people in battle throughout the war, and never stayed dead.
Anrellim, the Flayer: A powerful barbed devil, Anrellim has battled Alanna on three occasions, and been banished each time. At this point, he frankly has it in for the woman.
Fassa: The human warlock, Fassa, is a skilled magic user who owes a life-debt to Alanna. She saved his life when he was fourteen, protecting him from an ogre mage. He considers her something of an enigma, and is incredibly curious about her immortality, something he himself craves.
Caelihedr'n Windstrider: A young wood elf woman, Caeli is a skilled tracker and swift hunter who has dedicated her life to battling the outsiders that plague the land. She has already begun to embrace the new, shamanistic faith that is spreading amongst her people, taking on an animal totem and gaining some power as a result. She has, on rare occasions, been a comfort to Alanna, who she respects for her strength and devotion, as well as her experience.
Setting Information
Those who have read other entries from my campaign setting may wish to take note: Alanna hails from a time long before the modern age of the world of A'Thea, during the Incursion War, when everything was torn down. She does have the last name of a very important individual in the modern era, implying, at least, that one of her descendants still lives. There's a fair amount of name droppage here, but suffice it to say that during the Incursion War, Lisseth, banished goddess of pain and learning, returned with an army of demons, dragons, orcs, minotaurs, ogres, ogre magi, and lesser gods to retake her throne. This was accomplished by stealing the power of Aya-Rha, goddess of magic, critically injuring her and causing massive amounts of damage to the world. The war that followed lasted almost one and a half centuries, and, at the end of it, the world was in ruins and a whole lot of new monsters and gods had taken up residence.
Eirias, the god of Time and the world's Over-Deity, was the one who finally ended the war, banishing the most powerful daemons back into the Without, the realm beyond the material and elemental planes. Many of the weaker monsters and outsiders, whose presence was less immediately harmful to reality, had already acclimated themselves so thoroughly to the world that they could no longer be banished, and thus remained behind.
Happiness... A distant memory that Alanna clung to as if it were a raft in a stormy sea. She had been happy, once, so many years ago. Her family, her mother and father and brothers... her husband. She tried to recall him. His hair was brown, bordering on dishwater blond... When he was young. His eyes were a soft gray that played with the light and occasionally masqueraded as hazel. His name... Meleph? Yes, Meleph. Alanna was certain that was right. He had been a young officer of the Guard, a defender of the Utopia and a warrior against the incursion. They had met, had fallen in love, before the Daemons. Before the chaos and the return of Lisseth. But it was not until after the War began that they had married. Even amidst the death and fighting, there had been a sliver of happiness. A shining hope. How long ago had that been? It was like trying to grasp water, the years poured through her mind so fast... But they had been happy. Years of happiness. So many, but so very few. She had had a son with him, one child. He had had children of his own now; had passed on to his grave. His name had been Aston.
Meleph had died fighting, of course. Most people did now. His age had caught up with him, slowed his movements, crippled him in combat. Alanna had escaped all that. Even as his body had wrinkled and slowed, she had remained as young and strong as she had when she bore him their son. When had the aging stopped, dwindling down to nothing? She was not certain, could not remember if she had even noticed. Her hair had once been the deep brown of chocolate. She thought back and considered it. Her green eyes and red hair had not been so when Aston was born. It was after her son that her hair and eyes had changed. What had her eyes been originally? Try as she might, she could not remember. Aston's were blue... perhaps hers had been once as well. But, that had been happiness. Her family, her life. Happiness... Her husband had died of old age and death on the battlefield, while she had stubbornly refused to follow. She had not aged, seemed almost incapable of dying. It was a lonely existence.
The War had started so very long ago. Too long. She had put her trust, her faith, in the Sage King and his Utopia. And then, without warning, he had betrayed them. He had stolen the life-spark of the goddess of Magic and used it to tear a hole into the Without, conjuring the Mystic Moon and bringing Lisseth and her Daemons and gods with her. The fighting had been intense, impossible. Armies of monsters never before seen in all of A'Thea - green skinned humanoids with massive tusks and black eyes. Enormous, savage men with strength surpassing anyone, and their magic wielding masters. Flesh-eating bull-men, covered in shaggy hair with horns like lances. The dragons, with their magics, breath, fangs, and claws. They were all monsters, but they were merely the soldiers, the weakest of the invading armies, impossibly strong even so. The true Daemons, the ones who warped reality, who could temporarily be banished away. They had plagued A'Thea before, when foolish mages had summoned them, or they had breached the Wall before being caught or destroyed by the followers of Eirias and Rhiannon. En masse they entered the world, marching to the slaughter. And then, even beyond them, were creatures almost as powerful as gods.
Alanna had been there, when the Swan May, Minagin, had appeared on the summit, and announced that she had come to mete justice upon the world on Lisseth's behalf. So many years later, so much blood later, and Minagin had realized that this was not a war of justice. It was a war of vengeance. She had turned ranks, sided with the native gods, but the Ice Wolf had come along then, Lisseth only deprived of an idealistic ally. More gods, too, had come across. The corruptor and his eternal foe - Alanna had once met Adoloa, even fought alongside him and his servants in the battle at Maaya Fields against Baumol's servants. Her husband had already passed. So many other gods had come through the Mystic Moon, whether to aid Lisseth or to oppose her. The World Spine Mountains were rent in twain by the Beast before the gods challenged him.
Yes, the gods. Some had arrived swiftly to the battle, Flammaryon and Miara mustering cadres of divine servants to battle the forces of evil and death. Alran-Kor had set to battle, giving the beleaguered forces a heartening presence on the battlefield. But they were not enough. Gods could not be everywhere, fighting every monster and Daemon that invaded. Nor could anyone have anticipated the attacks from their own. When the kage elves had turned against their fellows and struck, their duplicity was a great blow. It almost cost them the south of Agris in one swoop. The malruuka gnomes and the renegade dwarven clan had done unimaginable damage to the defenders of their world.
So much damage... Alanna's brother, Van, had been in Mav when it had fallen from the skies, a ruined husk that was once the greatest testament to magic the world had seen. The day the Mystic Moon had appeared, an entire continent had been lost. Every connection to Arkusyan had been severed - magical ley lines, the World Thought Network - gone in a flash. Attempts had been made early on to regain the continent, but the traitorous Reth Dekala elves fought the allies as well as the Oni that were still attacking. Ships had been wastefully squandered retaking a lost continent, when those lives could have been put to use fighting the forces in the lands still lived in. Arkusyan was dead to the world.
How many years had this fighting and death continued? The gods, clashing against each other, mortals clashing against Daemons... Alanna had once had to hold a pass against an onrushing horde of the beast-men called orcs by herself for twelve hours, while she awaited the evacuation of the valley beyond. She had done it, had not needed food nor water, had slain every last soldier as they had come to her. Her body would mend itself as she fought, almost as if she was feeding on death, on combat. She had become unnatural, every bit the monster that she faced on the battlefield. Her scimitar, bathed in the blood of so many magical entities, had grown strong. It revitalized her, smote those of impure heart, kept her strong. The spear she had gained from the dwarves of Asina had grown in power, too. It could defeat the toughest hide, banish Daemons for a time; A blessing that had surfaced in the battle of Schezar, when she had fought alongside Rhiannon herself. The elf wizard Susumu had gifted her with her bow - it flew far, struck well, but Alanna was ill-suited to it. She treasured it still, for the enemy was not one to play only to her strengths.
Her armor was heavy. Even now, as she sat, it was immobile, hard. It had been with her for years, the dull grey of its material hued to a lustrous pearl through the magics wrought within. Some days, she cursed it and its constant protection. She had seen elves grow from birth into men, and she still had not aged, and her armor helped her live longer. To give up would be to fail, though. Death was escape, and she could not do it. She seemed cursed to continue on, fighting and killing until, finally, Yarin would accept her soul and send it along. Perhaps she might one day meet Meleph's soul reincarnated...
A nudge at her arm. She opened her eyes, looked at the hippogriff beside her. Ai'Muri eyed her curiously, clearly contemplating her contemplation. He was not one for introspection like Alanna. He was a constant friend, unaging and strong, clever but slow. Alanna looked about her. The soldiers were huddled, some talking amongst themselves, striving to calm themselves. Others were withdrawn, perhaps in meditation, perhaps in prayer. Across from her, beside the portcullis, Fassa eyed her knowingly. This could very well be it. These soldiers were traveling to perhaps the last battle of the War. Eirias had returned, scant months before, and now the tides were turning. This airship, one of the last of its kind, was traveling with every able-bodied soldier available to a final battle. There had been so many battles that Alanna had thought might be the last, but perhaps this would truly be it. Eirias had banished most of the greatest Daemons. There were hundreds, thousands left, but the strongest seemed to have been banished. Lisseth was weakened, had retreated with most of the gods. Only the servants remained. Perhaps, with one final push on all fronts, the War could finally be over. After over a century of conflict, did Alanna dare to dream that they could return to normalcy. Could she ever return?
The airship rocked and shuddered. The sound of an explosion reverberated throughout the cabin. Alanna sprang to her feat as the entire ship began to violently shake. Soldiers fell from their seats, scrambled to move towards the deck. Alanna hastily ascended the stairs when the airship bucked once more and then split in two, plummeting from the skies. Immediately, instinctually, her golden cloak exploded into wings and she was airborne. Ai'Muri and Fassa caught themselves in a moment. Soldiers were falling all around them, some relying on spells or magics to slow their descent or take flight, but so many more simply falling. Ai'Muri didn't stop to think - He dove, grasping at figures with his claws in a desperate struggle to catch them. A bolt of energy ripped from Fassa at the hippogriff, invigorating him and bolstering his strength and speed. Alanna looked around, saw their attacker. Flames licked from the mane and hoofs of the black steed as it ran through the skies. Atop its back sat the onyx-skinned elf crone, her body powerful but wracked with impossible age. Though she had died before Alanna had even become a Guard, still she plagued the world, a gift from Lisseth. Alanna the Undying gripped Faithful Avenger in her adamantine-clad hands. Her wings pushed back, launching her towards their attacker. Two immortals clashed in the skies, as debris and soldiers fell to the ground below.
Adventures
Alanna is a soldier, first and foremost. She knows how to fight, how to live. She is had a life of constant battle, and knows almost nothing else. The thin belief that she might one day put away her weapons keeps her strong, but she doubts it more and more. Living through a war between gods has made her weary, and her transformation has made her life before the war hard to recollect. She adventures to end the war, to defeat the invaders, and to rebuild what she once fought to defend.
Character
I picture Alanna looking something like this.
The Undying Soldier was not always so. Alanna was born as a human woman in a time of great peace. The Utopia was united across the face of the world, with only small difficulties that threatened it. The Sapphire Guard was the single line of defense for the Utopia, a world-spanning organization dedicated to upholding the rule and will of the Sage King and protecting the citizens. Alanna's older brother, Van Crowley, had joined the Guard to learn magic and craft magic items, while Alanna took up the sword to defend her land on the front lines. Early on, she was dedicated to the virtues of the Utopia. She is unsure how it happened, but sometime after her son's birth, Alanna was transformed. Though she appeared much the same, her hair changed from dark brown to brilliant scarlet, her eyes from ultramarine blue to emerald green. She appeared to simply cease aging. She gained a connection to the realm of Dreams that she had never known, allowing her to utilize psionic abilities and go for days without eating or drinking. Her friends and loved ones aged and died around her while she remained eternally young.
Alanna is driven, because she must be. In times of passivity, she finds herself digging through her memories, trying her best to reclaim details from so very long ago. With her unnaturally extended life span, her perceptions have altered, washing away days, years, into a muddy soup of recollection. It frustrates and saddens her, as if she loses a part of herself even as she continues on. Some days, she wishes for death, to feel the final embrace when everything ends and she can be free, but she cannot bring herself to let it end. She is determined, driven, focused. She is skilled at living and fighting, and she will continue to do so until fate finally choses for her to die.
Allies and Enemies
Alanna has allies and enemies spread throughout A'Thea. She has battled Daemons from the Without, fought alongside gods, and led troops into battle against impossible odds. How can one number the friends and foes one can amass in over one hundred and twenty years of conflict? Perhaps a small sample will suffice.
Family: As far as Alanna knows, she has none left. Her son, Aston, had children of his own, but in the turbulence of war, Alanna lost track of them. They may live still, may even know of her, but she has not seen them, nor any children of theirs. She believes her brother Van died when the floating city of Mav fell to the earth, but he may have survived, perhaps even fathered children himself. She does not hold out any hope of this. As far as Alanna is concerned, she has no living family.
Ai'Muri: A hippogriff warped by the magical energies loosed during the War, Ai'Muri is as immortal as Alanna, and a dedicated friend. Though she is somewhat slow of thought, she is a skilled and devoted warrior who bolsters Alanna in battle in a reciprocal relationship.
The Crone Queen: An ancient and powerful kage elf, the Crone Queen was slain by agents of the Guard before the War. A devoted servant of Lisseth despite the goddess's absence, she returned to the world, empowered and transformed. Now a potent Night Hag cleric, she has led her people in battle throughout the war, and never stayed dead.
Anrellim, the Flayer: A powerful barbed devil, Anrellim has battled Alanna on three occasions, and been banished each time. At this point, he frankly has it in for the woman.
Fassa: The human warlock, Fassa, is a skilled magic user who owes a life-debt to Alanna. She saved his life when he was fourteen, protecting him from an ogre mage. He considers her something of an enigma, and is incredibly curious about her immortality, something he himself craves.
Caelihedr'n Windstrider: A young wood elf woman, Caeli is a skilled tracker and swift hunter who has dedicated her life to battling the outsiders that plague the land. She has already begun to embrace the new, shamanistic faith that is spreading amongst her people, taking on an animal totem and gaining some power as a result. She has, on rare occasions, been a comfort to Alanna, who she respects for her strength and devotion, as well as her experience.
Setting Information
Those who have read other entries from my campaign setting may wish to take note: Alanna hails from a time long before the modern age of the world of A'Thea, during the Incursion War, when everything was torn down. She does have the last name of a very important individual in the modern era, implying, at least, that one of her descendants still lives. There's a fair amount of name droppage here, but suffice it to say that during the Incursion War, Lisseth, banished goddess of pain and learning, returned with an army of demons, dragons, orcs, minotaurs, ogres, ogre magi, and lesser gods to retake her throne. This was accomplished by stealing the power of Aya-Rha, goddess of magic, critically injuring her and causing massive amounts of damage to the world. The war that followed lasted almost one and a half centuries, and, at the end of it, the world was in ruins and a whole lot of new monsters and gods had taken up residence.
Eirias, the god of Time and the world's Over-Deity, was the one who finally ended the war, banishing the most powerful daemons back into the Without, the realm beyond the material and elemental planes. Many of the weaker monsters and outsiders, whose presence was less immediately harmful to reality, had already acclimated themselves so thoroughly to the world that they could no longer be banished, and thus remained behind.
"Don't worry, I've got it all under control," she assures him. "This isn't my first apocalypse."
Background
I used to be a normal girl. You know, a typical teenager of the type that adults roll their eyes at. Mildly atheltic, averagely intelligent, reasonably pretty, but distracted by boys and generally not concerned with much beyond myself. Did I know there were monsters? Sure. Did I care? Not so much. That was for other people to pay attention to. I was going to marry a wealthy man, possibly a noble, and then spend my time patronizing the arts or something.
And then, one day, this guy showed up at my school to talk to me. And when I agreed to it, he threw a knife at me.
"What in the name of the gods do you think you're doing?" I shouted at him as I dodged it. And then registered: I had dodged it. Effortlessly, without even thinking about it. And, what was more, when I grabbed him by the collar to further make my point, I could lift him so his feet dangled, even though he was bigger than me. Two days before I couldn't have done that. Why suddenly now? I dropped him to the ground and demanded an explanation.
"My name is Merrick," he said with a hoity-toity formal accent. "I am your Watcher."
After he recovered from me punching him at that, he explained that the Watcher's Council was a group dedicated to going against Furst, the god of evil. They had discovered that magical forces created superstrong girls from average ones like me, uniquely suited to fight the forces of Furst, particularly the undead that many of his clergy either became or used against their enemies.
I listened more or less politely to his explanation, and then laughed at him. Me, a superhero? He had to be kidding. I turned to go home. On the way, I was attacked by ghouls. If Merrick hadn't been following me, I probably wouldn't have made it back, even with my nifty new superpowers. I mean, I did hold my own better than I would have expected, but I was still no match for them. And when Merrick told me that my new powers would draw such monsters to me...I was scared. So I told him I'd train with him.
Training was a lot more fun than I expected. Fighting made me feel whole, complete for the first time, even if Merrick made me promise not to tell anyone about my newfound powers. Furst's minions feared me--or at least, what I represented--and would look for me, so telling people about me would put my friends and family in danger. That really kind of blew, especially when my parents questioned the late hours I'd started keeping, but Merrick wasn't kidding when he said that Furst's minions would be drawn to me. I'd never even seen undead before I met Merrick, and suddenly I was running into them all the time. Ghouls here, zombies there, the occasional skeleton. Somtimes in large groups, sometimes in small, but they just kept coming....and I just kept beating them.
It made me cocky. When I met Lothos, I figured he was just another undead. I wasn't prepared for a full fledged vampire. He should have killed me...the way he did Merrick. Ripped him limb from limb....I tried to fight, tried to stop him, but in the end all I could do was crawl away.
Life sucked so much. I had no one to turn to--my family didn't know the truth, and my friends had mostly drifted away when I wouldn't spend time with them. Also about that time my parents had been arguing a lot, so when my mom said she was leaving, I seized the chance and went with her and my sister.
We ended up in a sleepy little town called Sunnydale. It seemed pretty nice--temperate climate, close enough to civilization that you miss out on most monsters, but not so close that too much would be happening. I hid my sword and my holy water under my bed and went to school, pretending that I was normal.
It didn't last, of course. One of the teachers at the school, a Mr. Giles, turned out to be another member of the Watcher's Council. I told him I wasn't interested, that I was retired, but when people started showing up dead from obvious undead attacks, I couldn't just let it go. Not when I could stop it. And so my resolution to never again fight undead lasted only about three months.
But, honestly, life in Sunnydale was still better than it had been before. Giles, after we got over his initial stuffy patch, turned out to be a good friend and teacher. And Willow and Xander, two of my classmates who accidentally discovered my secret, quickly became the best friends I'd ever had. And then, there was Angel.
At first, I thought he was just another kid like me, and when I learned he was actually a vampire, I nearly killed him. But, it turns out, he was on our side--a vampire fighting for the forces of good. (Color me amazed.) With his help, we managed to defeat a powerful vampire living (unliving?) beneath the city. Not that it was a piece of cake or anything--the vampire actually drank some of my blood and left for me dead, and only Xander and Angel disregarding my instructions and following me down saved my life.
Life was pretty sweet. I had friends, undead activity was down, and I was in love. I was convinced that nothing could go wrong...which meant that, of course, it would. Horribly, horribly wrong. And it started when, on my seventeenth birthday, I made love with Angel for the first time.
I had known that Angel had been, in his earlier days as a vampire, a horrible sadistic fiend. But then he'd been cursed with guilt for all that he'd done, and it had changed him. What neither of us knew was that a moment of perfect happiness would lift the curse. Bully for me for giving him that. Suddenly my adoring boyfriend had become my darkest enemy, a willing servant of the dark god Furst, who only refrained from killing me immediately because it amused him more to torture me.
It was at that point that I learned I was not the only girl with my abilities, despite the "one girl in all the world" crap that first Merrick and then Giles had been handing me. Kendra arrived on the scene, having apparently been activated upon my near death experience the year before. She was trying to help, but she wasn't experienced as me. When one of Angel's allies, a clairvoyant (and insane) vampire named Drusilla, raided our stronghold, Kendra died trying to keep her from kidnapping Giles. I was far away, having gone to a meeting Angel had set up entirely for the purpose of enabling the raid.
Sick with grief and worry-not just for Giles, but also for Willow, who'd been gravely injured in the raid--I set out to stop him once and for all. By this time, we knew he had obtained an artifact that would allow him to open a portal to one of the nine hells. With the help of Drusilla's lover, a vampire named Spike who was horribly jealous of Angel, I learned where. With Xander as my only backup, I went to their stronghold to rescue the man who had become my surrogate father and to kill the vampire part of me still loved.
If anyone had been watching, it would have been a fantastic fight. Spike took Drusilla and ran away with her, and Xander got Giles out while Angel and I went round and round, dueling with swords and fists and whatever else might come to hand. But I had to kill him, or at least spill large portions of his blood. It was the only way to seal the dimensional portal that was already beginning to open. Finally, I worked him around to where I could stab my sword into him and finish him off...and as I poised to do so, he let out a cry of pain, and I was once again looking into the eyes of my lover. I hadn't even known that Willow was attempting a complicated ritual to once again curse him with the guilt that had changed him into a force of good, but she succeeded too late. I had to kill him or our whole world would be overrun with demons. So I kissed him, told him I loved him, and then pierced his body with my sword and let the portal close in on him. Unable to face what had happened, or the knowledge that Giles had been tortured, Willow injured, and Kendra killed due to my stupidity in showing up at Angel's call, and still reeling from a fight I'd had with my mother over my duties, I once again ran away. But this time, I was determined not to come back.
I actually spent three months living on my own, working as a serving girl in a small tavern and generally trying to be invisible. But Furst's minions found me even there, and I was forced to act to protect innocents...and as I did so, realized that despite the hardships my abilities had brought me, using them to fight evil is what makes me who I am. It's not something I can ignore. So I returned home, and even managed to make it up to my family and friends.
Life continued. We met Kendra's replacement, a girl my own age named Faith who'd had a hard life even before she was called to fight undead and demons. I tried to be nice, really I did, but I resented the way my friends were initially drawn to her, and she was jealous of my life with family and friends. And when she took an innocent life by accident...she told herself it didn't matter and went on being wilder and wilder. In the end, she teamed up with the warlock who was trying to turn himself into a demon prince that we were trying to stop, and I was forced to leave her on the brink of death before going to finish him off.
Something else came out of that as well. Up to that point, my only contact with the Watcher's Council had been my watchers. But they weren't pleased with Giles's handling of me (said we were too close) or of Faith (not his fault--she was a mental case before he met her), so they fired him and sent a replacement--a real ponce named, of all things, Wesley Wyndam-Pryce. And when Faith started to go wild....they sent in a team of assassins to dispose of her....and they broke in just as we were starting to get through to her. Furious with Wesley's uselessness and restrictions and with the way they'd handled Faith, I told the Council I wasn't working for them anymore.
Life went on. I fought undead, and recovered enough to have a new boyfriend. Riley was sweet and handsome and seemed perfectly normal....and also happened to be part of an organization that was building mishmashed golems out of parts of humans, demons, and mechanics. (In Riley's defense, he didn't know that, but do I know how to pick 'em or what?) That little monstrosity was a gigantic pain to take out, not to mention all the trapped demons that the jerks in charge let loose while I was trying to raid the place to kill him.
And then there was the incident with the minor demon lord who was looking for my sister. Because, as it turns out, I don't have a sister. Which threw me for a loop, let me tell you. Who could have thought that an order of monk-wizards could have turned some sort of mystical whozit into a person and made everyone including my parents and me think she was my sister? But I couldn't just give her up because I still felt like Dawn was my sister. It's my job to protect everyone innocent, and my sister goes double....triple when Riley left me, claiming I didn't really love him (possibly true, though I tried), and quadruple when I came home one day to find my mother dead. Just dead, totally naturally. All of my superstrength and ability to fight couldn't help me save her. She was gone.
Fortunately for us, it took the demon lord, Glory, longer to figure out my sister was the thing she sought than it took us. Willow, Xander, Giles, and even Spike, my sometime vampire ally who'd been rendered unable to hurt regular people by the same outfit Riley had worked for, were all trying to help me protect her, but it wasn't enough. Glory took Dawn to a giant tower and prepared to sacrifice her to open a portal to the demon realm she had been banished from.
I almost gave up. The losses I had suffered nearly were too much for me to handle. But Willow got me through it, convinced me that all was not yet lost. We went to the tower, but by the time we killed Glory and got to Dawn, the ritual was too far gone. Struck with the memory of Angel's face as I killed him, I stopped Dawn from going to her death and sacrificed myself instead, trusting to the fact that the monks had created her from my blood to allow me to close the portal. And so I died.
It's disorienting to come back from the dead. Especially since it took them time to get everything set up, and I was only mostly sure I wanted to come back. And then mundane life was such a chore--I had a sister to support, and my skills at killing demons were not exactly going to put food on the table....especially since you can't eat demon (some are poisonous, and the rest are just majorly icky). Giles left, feeling I was relying too much on him and not enough on myself and that it was doing me more harm than good. Xander had gotten engaged to his girlfriend, Anya, but really wasn't ready for the commitment that entailed. And Willow...Willow was starting to rely too much on magic for everyday things....charming all of us to forget things she'd done, and eventually putting Dawn in danger while she researched new spells in a dangerous place. We were all spiraling out of control.
And then Tara, the woman that Willow loved, was murdered by a worshipper of Furst. Not even an undead one, just a regular human who up to that point had been more of annoyance than anything else. We'd thought him a joke, and he killed her so that we couldn't even bring her back. Willow went nuts. She gave herself over to the dark power she had to that point merely been dabbling in--not Furst's power, not after that was what had killed Tara, but she made a pact with a demon that gave her incredible power, and she very nearly killed us all. In the end, it wasn't even me who stopped her--though we had a pretty epic fight when I tried--but Xander, who talked her down with words of the friendship they had had since they were children.
So, as you can see, I've been through quite a lot. But that is just the beginning compared to what's going on now....
A few months ago, the minions of Furst began to be more prominent. Suddenly the undead I was fighting were more often wearing his holy symbol around their necks, and the demons I killed were more prone to declaiming on his power. People were dying, and their bodies were carved with his name. It was creepy, and it was bad. Very bad.
Giles turned up not long after this started, a couple of teenage girls in tow...teenage girls with the same abilities I had. Giles, shaking with fury, then explained the truth about my abilities--the Watcher's Council had not found me after I had randomly been hit by some sort of mystical whammy. They had created me. They had a ritual that allowed them to hit young females with the power that I had been using for years. They typically used it on one girl at a time, and then created another as soon as she died--which apparently my near-death experience had triggered. But when I had turned my back on them and Faith had become a murderer, they sought to create another girl they could control. And learned that the power was prone to taking action on its own.
Unbeknownst to them, the ritual called upon Furst's own power to activate us, which was what allowed him to send his minions after us. It made us stronger, yes, but he drew on their energy to make himself even more powerful. And when they tried to activate another girl with two already active, he drained them dry, and created dozens of girls with powers like mine all around the world.
What remained of the Watcher's Council after its highest ranks died performing the ritual split into factions. Giles and some of his allies said that they should find the girls and gather them together to form concentrated force against Furst. But many of them, too many of them, sought only to cover up their mistake, claiming that killing the girls would consequently weaken Furst, since creating us had allowed him to gain in power. That group failed to notice that Furst was sending his minions to kill us as well...and they were winning.
We moved around a lot trying to evade both groups, especially since the new girls were only barely trained, making me afraid for their safety. And everywhere we went, we picked up more and more girls. I don't remember most of the places we stayed, but there is one I will never forget.
It was a temple to the goddess Slaira, a primal goddess of the hunt whose priests were impressed by my devotion to ridding the world of undead. It was probably the safest place we had been in weeks, but I still couldn't sleep. I wandered in and out of the corridors, until suddenly I felt myself drawn to a particular spot in the wall. Finding secret panels was not usually my strong point, but I located that one with no trouble. In the small space behind it was a weapon--a dwarven urgrosh from the look of it. I took it in my hand, and it felt right. I wasn't even trained with the weapon, but it felt like it had been waiting for me to come to it.
The priests identified it as Saith, a weapon that had been wielded in years past by Nikki, a champion of Slaira from many years before. They had thought the weapon lost, and reverantly declared that my finding of it was a blessing on me from their goddess. I gained permission to ask aid of them whenever I wished--which was a pretty good thing, actually, as Slaira is a pretty powerful goddess...and I need all the allies I can get.
Xander and Dawn took some of the most inexperienced girls to various temples of Slaira for training. Giles went underground, looking for all of the information he could find, contacting me at odd hours and in odd ways. Willow and I stayed together, trying to learn as much as we can about Furst, and what weaknesses he may have as we struggle to keep the girls with us alive, fighting vampires and demons and fiends of all kinds.
Because we've figured out what Furst is up to. He's only killing us off because we're a threat to his main plan: the destruction of all of those of the mortal races who don't worship him. And I can't let that happen. It's my duty. Because I'm Buffy....and I'm the Slayer.
Description
Buffy is small for a human, standing about 5'2" and slimmer than her above average muscle should make one expect. Her hair is blonde and typically worn up and out of her way while travelling, though she prefers to leave it down whenever she takes a few precious moments to relax. Her clothes are generally in good shape, and she favors bright colors and nice fabrics and has an assortment of outfits that she changes with her moods.
Buffy is a natural leader, with a take charge bent and a tendency to assume she is right that has historically been backed up by the fact that she usually is. Not that she hasn't made mistakes, but they've been few enough to make her rather implacable once she'd made up her mind. But she is generally friendly, even if her hardships--and the current situation--have made her less cheerful than she was as a teenager.
Also, Bufy believes in being always prepared. She carries a number of weapons, just in case someone manages to get one away from her, and generally carries extra survival gear, just in case.
Allies and Enemies
Cohort: Willow Rosenberg. NG Human Wizard. Willow used to be shy and mousy, but her increased arcane power has boosted her confidence in herself. On the other hand, a brief foray into the darkest of pact magics has made her a little leery of her own power. Willow is taller than Buffy but every bit as slim, with long red hair.
Notable Followers:
Kennedy. CG Spellwarped High Elf Warblade 3. Kennedy comes from a privileged background, and has no trouble speaking her mind She tends to be a leader among the new girls...and she's Willow's new girlfriend.
Vi (Spellwarped Half-Elf Barbarian 1), Rona (Spellwarped Xeph Swashbuckler 1), and Amanda (Spellwarped Human Duskblade 2). As some of the earlier recruits, they are leaders among the girls as well.
Andrew. N Gnome Expert 3. Andrew has lots of ranks in Knowledges and in Handle Animal. He has no ranks in Perform, but that doesn't stop him from trying to make everything into an overdramatic production. But he's loyal to Buffy, and does his best to help the girls.
Also, she has an assortment of minor priests of Slaira, random innkeepers she's befriended along the way, and several armor- and weaponsmiths
Other Allies:
Xander Harris. NG Half-Elf Bard 15. Xander is one of Buffy's oldest friends and trusted allies. He is generally considered the heart of the team, always ready with a joke to lighten the mood....or a word of advice to make sure that things go the way they should.
Rupert Giles. N Grey Elf Archivist 17. Formerly a member of the Watcher's Council and still Buffy's surrogate father figure, Giles is the researcher. He's the one who knows what each monster's weak point is, and the one who gives directions in Buffy's absence.
Dawn Summers. NG Human Rogue 2/Wizard 3. Buffy's little sister didn't used to be human, but she is now. She's been through some tough times, but now she's determined to help her sister in any way she can.
Anya. CN Efreet Rogue 5. Formerly Xander's fiancee, Anya was a human who was granted an efreet's form, lost it, and was granted it again. Mostly she uses her wish-granting abilities to harm men who have hurt the women in their lives, but she is not opposed to assisting Buffy now and again...as long as she doesn't have to see Xander.
Spike. CN Human Vampire Barbarian 11. Hit with a mystical whammy by a group of human anti-demonists, Spike is no longer evil. He is rather desperately in love with Buffy, and helps her and her friends more for that reason than any other.
Angel. NG Human Vampire Crusader 14. Back from the hell dimension he sent himself to, Angel mostly avoids Buffy, fearing that their relationship isn't good for her. But, on the other hand, if he thought she needed his help, he'd be there in a minute.
Faith. CN Spellwarped Human Barbarian 14. Faith spent a year in a coma, and then came out raring for a fight. After a run-in with Angel, she saw some of the error in her ways and spent some time in prison. She's out now, and she's still not happy with Buffy, but she's willing to assist for the sake of the new recruits.
Enemies:
Caleb. NE Cleric (Furst) 20. Caleb is a sadistic bastard who delights in torture and pain. He is the leader of Furst's minions, and has had a couple of run-ins with Buffy that have left him with a strong desire to tear her apart. Caleb is focused on the necromancy aspect of divine magic, and is always surrounded by an assortment of undead.
Jasmine. NE Half-Elf Necropolitan Scout 18. Jasmine is Caleb's cohort and tracker, focused on ranged weapons. She's the one more likely to find Buffy, though she'll be unlikely to engage without her master's say-so.
Reginald Smythe-White. LE Human Transmuter 10/Red Wizard of Thay* 10. The only person to survive the ritual that created the dozens of slayers, Reginald is now the head of the faction of the Watcher's Council that is tracking down Buffy and her girls. He sees them as a mistake, and truly believes he is weakening Furst by killing them.
Cecily Delloth-James. LN Halfling Enchanter 6/Red Wizard of Thay* 10. Reginald's chief lieutenant, she is currently on the lookout for Xander and Dawn's group, but would not in the least mind getting her hands--and her minions--on Buffy herself.
Maggie Walsh. LE Gnome Wizard 20. Formerly in charge of the project that neutered Spike, Maggie Walsh hasn't learned her lesson and continues to make golems and constructs that could be dangerous...especially since she never liked Buffy and considers her the reason that her previous project failed.
Drusilla. CE High Elf Vampire Psion(Seer) 12. Drusilla is a former cohort of Angel's and lover of Spike's. She is completely insane, and while she's not specifically looking for Buffy, she also wouldn't object to a chance to take her out.
*I like the cooperative spell part of this prestige class, and it makes sense for the Watcher's Council. Please ignore the actual flavortext that goes along with it.
I used to be a normal girl. You know, a typical teenager of the type that adults roll their eyes at. Mildly atheltic, averagely intelligent, reasonably pretty, but distracted by boys and generally not concerned with much beyond myself. Did I know there were monsters? Sure. Did I care? Not so much. That was for other people to pay attention to. I was going to marry a wealthy man, possibly a noble, and then spend my time patronizing the arts or something.
And then, one day, this guy showed up at my school to talk to me. And when I agreed to it, he threw a knife at me.
"What in the name of the gods do you think you're doing?" I shouted at him as I dodged it. And then registered: I had dodged it. Effortlessly, without even thinking about it. And, what was more, when I grabbed him by the collar to further make my point, I could lift him so his feet dangled, even though he was bigger than me. Two days before I couldn't have done that. Why suddenly now? I dropped him to the ground and demanded an explanation.
"My name is Merrick," he said with a hoity-toity formal accent. "I am your Watcher."
After he recovered from me punching him at that, he explained that the Watcher's Council was a group dedicated to going against Furst, the god of evil. They had discovered that magical forces created superstrong girls from average ones like me, uniquely suited to fight the forces of Furst, particularly the undead that many of his clergy either became or used against their enemies.
I listened more or less politely to his explanation, and then laughed at him. Me, a superhero? He had to be kidding. I turned to go home. On the way, I was attacked by ghouls. If Merrick hadn't been following me, I probably wouldn't have made it back, even with my nifty new superpowers. I mean, I did hold my own better than I would have expected, but I was still no match for them. And when Merrick told me that my new powers would draw such monsters to me...I was scared. So I told him I'd train with him.
Training was a lot more fun than I expected. Fighting made me feel whole, complete for the first time, even if Merrick made me promise not to tell anyone about my newfound powers. Furst's minions feared me--or at least, what I represented--and would look for me, so telling people about me would put my friends and family in danger. That really kind of blew, especially when my parents questioned the late hours I'd started keeping, but Merrick wasn't kidding when he said that Furst's minions would be drawn to me. I'd never even seen undead before I met Merrick, and suddenly I was running into them all the time. Ghouls here, zombies there, the occasional skeleton. Somtimes in large groups, sometimes in small, but they just kept coming....and I just kept beating them.
It made me cocky. When I met Lothos, I figured he was just another undead. I wasn't prepared for a full fledged vampire. He should have killed me...the way he did Merrick. Ripped him limb from limb....I tried to fight, tried to stop him, but in the end all I could do was crawl away.
Life sucked so much. I had no one to turn to--my family didn't know the truth, and my friends had mostly drifted away when I wouldn't spend time with them. Also about that time my parents had been arguing a lot, so when my mom said she was leaving, I seized the chance and went with her and my sister.
We ended up in a sleepy little town called Sunnydale. It seemed pretty nice--temperate climate, close enough to civilization that you miss out on most monsters, but not so close that too much would be happening. I hid my sword and my holy water under my bed and went to school, pretending that I was normal.
It didn't last, of course. One of the teachers at the school, a Mr. Giles, turned out to be another member of the Watcher's Council. I told him I wasn't interested, that I was retired, but when people started showing up dead from obvious undead attacks, I couldn't just let it go. Not when I could stop it. And so my resolution to never again fight undead lasted only about three months.
But, honestly, life in Sunnydale was still better than it had been before. Giles, after we got over his initial stuffy patch, turned out to be a good friend and teacher. And Willow and Xander, two of my classmates who accidentally discovered my secret, quickly became the best friends I'd ever had. And then, there was Angel.
At first, I thought he was just another kid like me, and when I learned he was actually a vampire, I nearly killed him. But, it turns out, he was on our side--a vampire fighting for the forces of good. (Color me amazed.) With his help, we managed to defeat a powerful vampire living (unliving?) beneath the city. Not that it was a piece of cake or anything--the vampire actually drank some of my blood and left for me dead, and only Xander and Angel disregarding my instructions and following me down saved my life.
Life was pretty sweet. I had friends, undead activity was down, and I was in love. I was convinced that nothing could go wrong...which meant that, of course, it would. Horribly, horribly wrong. And it started when, on my seventeenth birthday, I made love with Angel for the first time.
I had known that Angel had been, in his earlier days as a vampire, a horrible sadistic fiend. But then he'd been cursed with guilt for all that he'd done, and it had changed him. What neither of us knew was that a moment of perfect happiness would lift the curse. Bully for me for giving him that. Suddenly my adoring boyfriend had become my darkest enemy, a willing servant of the dark god Furst, who only refrained from killing me immediately because it amused him more to torture me.
It was at that point that I learned I was not the only girl with my abilities, despite the "one girl in all the world" crap that first Merrick and then Giles had been handing me. Kendra arrived on the scene, having apparently been activated upon my near death experience the year before. She was trying to help, but she wasn't experienced as me. When one of Angel's allies, a clairvoyant (and insane) vampire named Drusilla, raided our stronghold, Kendra died trying to keep her from kidnapping Giles. I was far away, having gone to a meeting Angel had set up entirely for the purpose of enabling the raid.
Sick with grief and worry-not just for Giles, but also for Willow, who'd been gravely injured in the raid--I set out to stop him once and for all. By this time, we knew he had obtained an artifact that would allow him to open a portal to one of the nine hells. With the help of Drusilla's lover, a vampire named Spike who was horribly jealous of Angel, I learned where. With Xander as my only backup, I went to their stronghold to rescue the man who had become my surrogate father and to kill the vampire part of me still loved.
If anyone had been watching, it would have been a fantastic fight. Spike took Drusilla and ran away with her, and Xander got Giles out while Angel and I went round and round, dueling with swords and fists and whatever else might come to hand. But I had to kill him, or at least spill large portions of his blood. It was the only way to seal the dimensional portal that was already beginning to open. Finally, I worked him around to where I could stab my sword into him and finish him off...and as I poised to do so, he let out a cry of pain, and I was once again looking into the eyes of my lover. I hadn't even known that Willow was attempting a complicated ritual to once again curse him with the guilt that had changed him into a force of good, but she succeeded too late. I had to kill him or our whole world would be overrun with demons. So I kissed him, told him I loved him, and then pierced his body with my sword and let the portal close in on him. Unable to face what had happened, or the knowledge that Giles had been tortured, Willow injured, and Kendra killed due to my stupidity in showing up at Angel's call, and still reeling from a fight I'd had with my mother over my duties, I once again ran away. But this time, I was determined not to come back.
I actually spent three months living on my own, working as a serving girl in a small tavern and generally trying to be invisible. But Furst's minions found me even there, and I was forced to act to protect innocents...and as I did so, realized that despite the hardships my abilities had brought me, using them to fight evil is what makes me who I am. It's not something I can ignore. So I returned home, and even managed to make it up to my family and friends.
Life continued. We met Kendra's replacement, a girl my own age named Faith who'd had a hard life even before she was called to fight undead and demons. I tried to be nice, really I did, but I resented the way my friends were initially drawn to her, and she was jealous of my life with family and friends. And when she took an innocent life by accident...she told herself it didn't matter and went on being wilder and wilder. In the end, she teamed up with the warlock who was trying to turn himself into a demon prince that we were trying to stop, and I was forced to leave her on the brink of death before going to finish him off.
Something else came out of that as well. Up to that point, my only contact with the Watcher's Council had been my watchers. But they weren't pleased with Giles's handling of me (said we were too close) or of Faith (not his fault--she was a mental case before he met her), so they fired him and sent a replacement--a real ponce named, of all things, Wesley Wyndam-Pryce. And when Faith started to go wild....they sent in a team of assassins to dispose of her....and they broke in just as we were starting to get through to her. Furious with Wesley's uselessness and restrictions and with the way they'd handled Faith, I told the Council I wasn't working for them anymore.
Life went on. I fought undead, and recovered enough to have a new boyfriend. Riley was sweet and handsome and seemed perfectly normal....and also happened to be part of an organization that was building mishmashed golems out of parts of humans, demons, and mechanics. (In Riley's defense, he didn't know that, but do I know how to pick 'em or what?) That little monstrosity was a gigantic pain to take out, not to mention all the trapped demons that the jerks in charge let loose while I was trying to raid the place to kill him.
And then there was the incident with the minor demon lord who was looking for my sister. Because, as it turns out, I don't have a sister. Which threw me for a loop, let me tell you. Who could have thought that an order of monk-wizards could have turned some sort of mystical whozit into a person and made everyone including my parents and me think she was my sister? But I couldn't just give her up because I still felt like Dawn was my sister. It's my job to protect everyone innocent, and my sister goes double....triple when Riley left me, claiming I didn't really love him (possibly true, though I tried), and quadruple when I came home one day to find my mother dead. Just dead, totally naturally. All of my superstrength and ability to fight couldn't help me save her. She was gone.
Fortunately for us, it took the demon lord, Glory, longer to figure out my sister was the thing she sought than it took us. Willow, Xander, Giles, and even Spike, my sometime vampire ally who'd been rendered unable to hurt regular people by the same outfit Riley had worked for, were all trying to help me protect her, but it wasn't enough. Glory took Dawn to a giant tower and prepared to sacrifice her to open a portal to the demon realm she had been banished from.
I almost gave up. The losses I had suffered nearly were too much for me to handle. But Willow got me through it, convinced me that all was not yet lost. We went to the tower, but by the time we killed Glory and got to Dawn, the ritual was too far gone. Struck with the memory of Angel's face as I killed him, I stopped Dawn from going to her death and sacrificed myself instead, trusting to the fact that the monks had created her from my blood to allow me to close the portal. And so I died.
It's disorienting to come back from the dead. Especially since it took them time to get everything set up, and I was only mostly sure I wanted to come back. And then mundane life was such a chore--I had a sister to support, and my skills at killing demons were not exactly going to put food on the table....especially since you can't eat demon (some are poisonous, and the rest are just majorly icky). Giles left, feeling I was relying too much on him and not enough on myself and that it was doing me more harm than good. Xander had gotten engaged to his girlfriend, Anya, but really wasn't ready for the commitment that entailed. And Willow...Willow was starting to rely too much on magic for everyday things....charming all of us to forget things she'd done, and eventually putting Dawn in danger while she researched new spells in a dangerous place. We were all spiraling out of control.
And then Tara, the woman that Willow loved, was murdered by a worshipper of Furst. Not even an undead one, just a regular human who up to that point had been more of annoyance than anything else. We'd thought him a joke, and he killed her so that we couldn't even bring her back. Willow went nuts. She gave herself over to the dark power she had to that point merely been dabbling in--not Furst's power, not after that was what had killed Tara, but she made a pact with a demon that gave her incredible power, and she very nearly killed us all. In the end, it wasn't even me who stopped her--though we had a pretty epic fight when I tried--but Xander, who talked her down with words of the friendship they had had since they were children.
So, as you can see, I've been through quite a lot. But that is just the beginning compared to what's going on now....
A few months ago, the minions of Furst began to be more prominent. Suddenly the undead I was fighting were more often wearing his holy symbol around their necks, and the demons I killed were more prone to declaiming on his power. People were dying, and their bodies were carved with his name. It was creepy, and it was bad. Very bad.
Giles turned up not long after this started, a couple of teenage girls in tow...teenage girls with the same abilities I had. Giles, shaking with fury, then explained the truth about my abilities--the Watcher's Council had not found me after I had randomly been hit by some sort of mystical whammy. They had created me. They had a ritual that allowed them to hit young females with the power that I had been using for years. They typically used it on one girl at a time, and then created another as soon as she died--which apparently my near-death experience had triggered. But when I had turned my back on them and Faith had become a murderer, they sought to create another girl they could control. And learned that the power was prone to taking action on its own.
Unbeknownst to them, the ritual called upon Furst's own power to activate us, which was what allowed him to send his minions after us. It made us stronger, yes, but he drew on their energy to make himself even more powerful. And when they tried to activate another girl with two already active, he drained them dry, and created dozens of girls with powers like mine all around the world.
What remained of the Watcher's Council after its highest ranks died performing the ritual split into factions. Giles and some of his allies said that they should find the girls and gather them together to form concentrated force against Furst. But many of them, too many of them, sought only to cover up their mistake, claiming that killing the girls would consequently weaken Furst, since creating us had allowed him to gain in power. That group failed to notice that Furst was sending his minions to kill us as well...and they were winning.
We moved around a lot trying to evade both groups, especially since the new girls were only barely trained, making me afraid for their safety. And everywhere we went, we picked up more and more girls. I don't remember most of the places we stayed, but there is one I will never forget.
It was a temple to the goddess Slaira, a primal goddess of the hunt whose priests were impressed by my devotion to ridding the world of undead. It was probably the safest place we had been in weeks, but I still couldn't sleep. I wandered in and out of the corridors, until suddenly I felt myself drawn to a particular spot in the wall. Finding secret panels was not usually my strong point, but I located that one with no trouble. In the small space behind it was a weapon--a dwarven urgrosh from the look of it. I took it in my hand, and it felt right. I wasn't even trained with the weapon, but it felt like it had been waiting for me to come to it.
The priests identified it as Saith, a weapon that had been wielded in years past by Nikki, a champion of Slaira from many years before. They had thought the weapon lost, and reverantly declared that my finding of it was a blessing on me from their goddess. I gained permission to ask aid of them whenever I wished--which was a pretty good thing, actually, as Slaira is a pretty powerful goddess...and I need all the allies I can get.
Xander and Dawn took some of the most inexperienced girls to various temples of Slaira for training. Giles went underground, looking for all of the information he could find, contacting me at odd hours and in odd ways. Willow and I stayed together, trying to learn as much as we can about Furst, and what weaknesses he may have as we struggle to keep the girls with us alive, fighting vampires and demons and fiends of all kinds.
Because we've figured out what Furst is up to. He's only killing us off because we're a threat to his main plan: the destruction of all of those of the mortal races who don't worship him. And I can't let that happen. It's my duty. Because I'm Buffy....and I'm the Slayer.
Description
Buffy is small for a human, standing about 5'2" and slimmer than her above average muscle should make one expect. Her hair is blonde and typically worn up and out of her way while travelling, though she prefers to leave it down whenever she takes a few precious moments to relax. Her clothes are generally in good shape, and she favors bright colors and nice fabrics and has an assortment of outfits that she changes with her moods.
Buffy is a natural leader, with a take charge bent and a tendency to assume she is right that has historically been backed up by the fact that she usually is. Not that she hasn't made mistakes, but they've been few enough to make her rather implacable once she'd made up her mind. But she is generally friendly, even if her hardships--and the current situation--have made her less cheerful than she was as a teenager.
Also, Bufy believes in being always prepared. She carries a number of weapons, just in case someone manages to get one away from her, and generally carries extra survival gear, just in case.
Allies and Enemies
Cohort: Willow Rosenberg. NG Human Wizard. Willow used to be shy and mousy, but her increased arcane power has boosted her confidence in herself. On the other hand, a brief foray into the darkest of pact magics has made her a little leery of her own power. Willow is taller than Buffy but every bit as slim, with long red hair.
Notable Followers:
Kennedy. CG Spellwarped High Elf Warblade 3. Kennedy comes from a privileged background, and has no trouble speaking her mind She tends to be a leader among the new girls...and she's Willow's new girlfriend.
Vi (Spellwarped Half-Elf Barbarian 1), Rona (Spellwarped Xeph Swashbuckler 1), and Amanda (Spellwarped Human Duskblade 2). As some of the earlier recruits, they are leaders among the girls as well.
Andrew. N Gnome Expert 3. Andrew has lots of ranks in Knowledges and in Handle Animal. He has no ranks in Perform, but that doesn't stop him from trying to make everything into an overdramatic production. But he's loyal to Buffy, and does his best to help the girls.
Also, she has an assortment of minor priests of Slaira, random innkeepers she's befriended along the way, and several armor- and weaponsmiths
Other Allies:
Xander Harris. NG Half-Elf Bard 15. Xander is one of Buffy's oldest friends and trusted allies. He is generally considered the heart of the team, always ready with a joke to lighten the mood....or a word of advice to make sure that things go the way they should.
Rupert Giles. N Grey Elf Archivist 17. Formerly a member of the Watcher's Council and still Buffy's surrogate father figure, Giles is the researcher. He's the one who knows what each monster's weak point is, and the one who gives directions in Buffy's absence.
Dawn Summers. NG Human Rogue 2/Wizard 3. Buffy's little sister didn't used to be human, but she is now. She's been through some tough times, but now she's determined to help her sister in any way she can.
Anya. CN Efreet Rogue 5. Formerly Xander's fiancee, Anya was a human who was granted an efreet's form, lost it, and was granted it again. Mostly she uses her wish-granting abilities to harm men who have hurt the women in their lives, but she is not opposed to assisting Buffy now and again...as long as she doesn't have to see Xander.
Spike. CN Human Vampire Barbarian 11. Hit with a mystical whammy by a group of human anti-demonists, Spike is no longer evil. He is rather desperately in love with Buffy, and helps her and her friends more for that reason than any other.
Angel. NG Human Vampire Crusader 14. Back from the hell dimension he sent himself to, Angel mostly avoids Buffy, fearing that their relationship isn't good for her. But, on the other hand, if he thought she needed his help, he'd be there in a minute.
Faith. CN Spellwarped Human Barbarian 14. Faith spent a year in a coma, and then came out raring for a fight. After a run-in with Angel, she saw some of the error in her ways and spent some time in prison. She's out now, and she's still not happy with Buffy, but she's willing to assist for the sake of the new recruits.
Enemies:
Caleb. NE Cleric (Furst) 20. Caleb is a sadistic bastard who delights in torture and pain. He is the leader of Furst's minions, and has had a couple of run-ins with Buffy that have left him with a strong desire to tear her apart. Caleb is focused on the necromancy aspect of divine magic, and is always surrounded by an assortment of undead.
Jasmine. NE Half-Elf Necropolitan Scout 18. Jasmine is Caleb's cohort and tracker, focused on ranged weapons. She's the one more likely to find Buffy, though she'll be unlikely to engage without her master's say-so.
Reginald Smythe-White. LE Human Transmuter 10/Red Wizard of Thay* 10. The only person to survive the ritual that created the dozens of slayers, Reginald is now the head of the faction of the Watcher's Council that is tracking down Buffy and her girls. He sees them as a mistake, and truly believes he is weakening Furst by killing them.
Cecily Delloth-James. LN Halfling Enchanter 6/Red Wizard of Thay* 10. Reginald's chief lieutenant, she is currently on the lookout for Xander and Dawn's group, but would not in the least mind getting her hands--and her minions--on Buffy herself.
Maggie Walsh. LE Gnome Wizard 20. Formerly in charge of the project that neutered Spike, Maggie Walsh hasn't learned her lesson and continues to make golems and constructs that could be dangerous...especially since she never liked Buffy and considers her the reason that her previous project failed.
Drusilla. CE High Elf Vampire Psion(Seer) 12. Drusilla is a former cohort of Angel's and lover of Spike's. She is completely insane, and while she's not specifically looking for Buffy, she also wouldn't object to a chance to take her out.
*I like the cooperative spell part of this prestige class, and it makes sense for the Watcher's Council. Please ignore the actual flavortext that goes along with it.
Oh, good Lord...
[looks at Jennibert's entry]
Oh, good Lord...
:evillaugh
(Idle curiosity...the length or the content?)
Once again, if you've entered a character please double check the master list at the beginning of the thread. If your character is there, the link is correct, etc, then no worries - you don't have to do anything. If I've screwed anything up, though, please let me know!
Let's get those last minute entries in! I want to set a record for most entries! Ya'll are slacking off! :D
List updated!
Once again, if you've entered a character please double check the master list at the beginning of the thread. If your character is there, the link is correct, etc, then no worries - you don't have to do anything. If I've screwed anything up, though, please let me know!
Let's get those last minute entries in! I want to set a record for most entries! Ya'll are slacking off! :D
Hey, typing 16 levels worth of background is time-consuming (hurray for level adjustment?)
Show
I wanted my character to be the Witch. She just told the Terrible Word that killed all her enemies in one shot, and everyone else as well. Now, she would be trying to find a way to travel to another plane and set herself as rightful leader...
My problem is in D&D, it's 1000 times easier to find a way to travel to another plane than finding a spell that would kill all sentient life on a whole planet.
In addition, I wanted her to be a wizard (to cast a spell!), but I didn't felt like searching the spell list for a 20th level wizard!
I wanted my character to be the Witch. She just told the Terrible Word that killed all her enemies in one shot, and everyone else as well. Now, she would be trying to find a way to travel to another plane and set herself as rightful leader...
My problem is in D&D, it's 1000 times easier to find a way to travel to another plane than finding a spell that would kill all sentient life on a whole planet.
In addition, I wanted her to be a wizard (to cast a spell!), but I didn't felt like searching the spell list for a 20th level wizard!
Though yes - building spell lists can be a pain.
Dumas Thorges:Stats
Dumas Thorges (Paladin 10/ Gray Guard 10)
Medium Humanoid (Human)
HD: 10d10 + 10d10 + 40 (150 hp)
Initiative: +4
Speed: 20ft (30ft without full plate)
Armor Class: 40 (+13 armor, +7shield, +5natural, +5deflection)
Touch: 15
Flat Footed: 40
Base attack/Grapple: +20/+27
Attack: Longsword + 32/27/22/17 (1d8+17+holy+blessed:17-20x2)
And shield +22 (1d8 + 8:20x2)
Or 30ft ranged shield +32 (1d8 + 8:20x2)
Space/Reach: 5ft/5ft
Special Attacks: Smite Evil 5/day (+3 to hit, +20 damage), Remove Disease 2/week, Turn Undead 6/day (as lvl7 Cleric), Lay on Hands (60hp), Detect Evil at will, Justice Blade (all alignments), and Devastating Touch
Special Qualities: Aura of Courage, Divine Health, Divine Grace, Aura of Good, Sacrament of Trust, Sacrament of the True Faith, and Unbound Justice
Saves: Fort +23, Ref +14, Will +18
Abilities: Str 24 (18), Dex 10, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 16
Skills: Heal +13, Intimidate +18, Sense Motive +23
Feats: Improved Shield Bash, Quick Draw, Power Attack, Cleave, Great Cleave, Improved Initiative, Blind Fight, Good Karma (1/day)
Alignment: Lawful Good
Equipment: +4 blessed, undead bane, holy, collision longsword (“Sleep for the Fallen”), +5 ghost touch, ranged, bashing spiked heavy steel shield, +5 heavy fortification full plate, ring of protection +5, ring of regeneration, amulet of natural armor +5, cloak of resistance +5, belt of giant’s strength +6, gem of seeing, and 32,455gp
Spells: (Cast as Lvl 15 Paladin, 2/1/1/1, DC 10 + spell level, Wisdom based)
Typical spells
1-detect undead, create water
2-shield other
3-daylight
4-cure serious wounds
Dumas Thorges (Paladin 10/ Gray Guard 10)
Medium Humanoid (Human)
HD: 10d10 + 10d10 + 40 (150 hp)
Initiative: +4
Speed: 20ft (30ft without full plate)
Armor Class: 40 (+13 armor, +7shield, +5natural, +5deflection)
Touch: 15
Flat Footed: 40
Base attack/Grapple: +20/+27
Attack: Longsword + 32/27/22/17 (1d8+17+holy+blessed:17-20x2)
And shield +22 (1d8 + 8:20x2)
Or 30ft ranged shield +32 (1d8 + 8:20x2)
Space/Reach: 5ft/5ft
Special Attacks: Smite Evil 5/day (+3 to hit, +20 damage), Remove Disease 2/week, Turn Undead 6/day (as lvl7 Cleric), Lay on Hands (60hp), Detect Evil at will, Justice Blade (all alignments), and Devastating Touch
Special Qualities: Aura of Courage, Divine Health, Divine Grace, Aura of Good, Sacrament of Trust, Sacrament of the True Faith, and Unbound Justice
Saves: Fort +23, Ref +14, Will +18
Abilities: Str 24 (18), Dex 10, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 16
Skills: Heal +13, Intimidate +18, Sense Motive +23
Feats: Improved Shield Bash, Quick Draw, Power Attack, Cleave, Great Cleave, Improved Initiative, Blind Fight, Good Karma (1/day)
Alignment: Lawful Good
Equipment: +4 blessed, undead bane, holy, collision longsword (“Sleep for the Fallen”), +5 ghost touch, ranged, bashing spiked heavy steel shield, +5 heavy fortification full plate, ring of protection +5, ring of regeneration, amulet of natural armor +5, cloak of resistance +5, belt of giant’s strength +6, gem of seeing, and 32,455gp
Spells: (Cast as Lvl 15 Paladin, 2/1/1/1, DC 10 + spell level, Wisdom based)
Typical spells
1-detect undead, create water
2-shield other
3-daylight
4-cure serious wounds
OK, here's my entry. It's not as long as Jennibert's
Nobody's is.
List updated.
:evillaugh
(Idle curiosity...the length or the content?)
Yes. ;)
Nobody's is.
That's only because I'm judging.
If I had known it was going to be a 20th level contest, I would have entered my Master Diplomancer with Leadership and a full-blown Cohort with Cohorts with Cohorts cascade.
What is the character limit on posts, anyway?
What is the character limit on posts, anyway?
I don't recall, but I hit it once. Melanie was kind enough to increase it for me when it happened.
Unless my math is off, we have more than 24 hours. More than enough time to pull things together.
looks like its time for me to start
any way fluff
Ramirez Silvanus
Child hood : Born in the head house hold of house WolfBane as the third son of Duke Alien Wolfbane, A respected high level of the cities wizards’ guild. In Raven’s bluff there use to be a lottery were every year children the age of four are selected from both noble and commoner homes 600 children are taken and forced to live in the academy there they get a state sponsored education. Till there the class reaches the 11th year. Then the final exam is held there the class is divvied up in to two groups and they in turn throw loots. To find out who enters when. Now at this event all the big shots, the guilds and the families of the participants. Then they fight one on one to the death, he was forced to kill his best friend.
He became a caption in the Ranger core and During a war, the Minotaur Empire killed his older brothers (both Duskblades), and Father blames himself for it for he thinks he could have done more and swore Revenge on his honour to see them all dead and will kill an Minotaur on sight. He also has to two sisters Janaga a high ranks member of the wizards guild, and Branna Priestess/druid of Ehlonna, both are as different as day and night. Ramirez does not cares about good or evil just his honour and believes that the ends does at time justify the means
After the war the army was disbanded and was replaced by warforge warriors his uncle order his assassination and hade men capture him and he was brought before his uncle (Bass and a strong Warlock) and for his uncle he was the only thing standing in the way of him becoming the next Duke but the men he sent failed and he has the scar from a failed hanging around his neck. After that Kane slipped in the criminal underworld taking up a new name and became a killer for hire using the same tenacity and brutality that made him a caption.
Lead up to the apocalypse:
After assassinating his cousin during a hunting party, Duke Wolfbane became stricken with grief and made a pack with the servants off Tiamat a simple deal to open a portal in that the volcano called the Hells Caldera becomes there is something in the there that interferes with scaling there and allow her armies to march on the martial realm, In exchange he will be given immortality and the right to rule men for all eternity. Ramirez using his contacts in the criminal underworld found out that his uncle was paining something Big at the Hells Caldera. So after reciting the elite members of the thief guild and some Rangers from his old company he made his move, to end things one way or the other during the ritual there was a final step a human sacrifice, and planed on using his unconscious, Sister Janaga. Ramirez struck and killed his uncle before he could sacrifice his sister. But buy killing his uncle in the ritual circle he finished the ritual and opened the partial. After wakening his sister he gave her, her spell book open a had her use the spell teleportation circle and they made their escape.
Ragnarök
After speaking with the mages of the guild of what he and his sister say in the Hells Caldera, and quickly took his place as Duke he sent messengers to the dwarfs and Elven kingdoms asking for add and then activated the warforge legions and started them marching toward the Hells Caldera. Well his armies marched he ordered an evacuation of the city of Ravens bluff and putting his sister Branna in command and told her to sail away in what direction agents the dominant wind that goes to the Hells Caldera when she said to Ramirez see said to him “Be good to nature and it will take care of you, be wrong to nature and it will take of you”. Ramirez had a simple plain use the warforge to contain the armies of Tiamat at the Hells Caldera, using one two of the Floating citadels to go to high as it can fly and then dive in to the volcano and hopefully trigger very large eruption and seal the portal, one way or another. Ramirez took the command of the Floating citadel the Ravens Bane and had the Floating citadel Ehlonna’s wrath to stay in reserve and support. The battle as it raged and tuck many turns the as the Elves, Dwarfs and followers of Bahmut joined the chaos of battle. And as it and the caption Ehlonnas Wrath sent a message to Ramirez on the Ravens Bane that the engines are damaged and they were started to make their run. Moments later there was a sound of the thunderous explosion and then to Ramirez everything went black.
After Math
As Ramirez woke in a feal the pain he thinks that he is not dead unforchently the rest of the crew cant say the same. He found that the Ravens Bane was landed sideways but landed as he looked for a way out of the Floating citadel he found that the ground was covered with ash and looked at the new found wast land of ash and he asked himself “Does this mean I won ?”
Stats
Name : Ramirez Silvanus
Male Human Ranger 7
Lawful Evil
Strength 12 (+1)
Dexterity 18 (+4)
Constitution 14 (+1)
Intelligence 14 (+2)
Wisdom 12 (+1)
Charisma 10 (+0)
Size: Medium
Height: 6' 4"
Weight: 200 lb
Skin: Pale
Eyes: Green
Hair: Red; Straight; Beardless
scars: nech and on right side of face
Total Hit Points: 113
Speed: 30 feet
Armor Class: 14 = 10 +4 [dexterity]
Touch AC: 13
Flat-footed: 10
Initiative modifier: +3 = +4 [dexterity]
Fortitude save: +8 = 6 [base] +2 [constitution]
Reflex save: +18 = 14 [base] +4 [dexterity]
Will save: +6 = 5 +1 will[base]
Attack (handheld): 16+6+6 = 15 [base] +1 [strength]
Attack (unarmed): 16+6+6 = 15 [base] +1 [strength]
Attack (missile): 19+9+9 = 15 [base] +4 [dexterity]
Grapple check: 16+6+6 = 15 [base] +1 [strength]
Light load:43 or less
Medium load: 44-48
Heavy load:87- 130
Languages: Common Dwarven Elven
Feats:
Combat Reflexes
Dodge
Mobility
Endurance [free to rangers]
Die Hard
Ride-By Attack [ranger mounted combat track]
Spirited Charge [ranger mounted combat track]
Track [free to rangers]
Hide in plain sight
evasion
darkvision
uncanny doge
summon shadow (never used)
shadow illision
shadow jump 40 ft.
defence roll
improved uncany doge
slippery mind
Death Attack
sneak attack +3D6
+2 save agenst poision
poision use
Point blank shot
death blow
Run
Spring attack
Traits:
Skill Name Key
Appraise Int 2
Balance Dex* 4
Bluff Cha 0
Climb Str* 6 14
Concentration Con 1
Diplomacy Cha 0
Disguise Cha 5
Escape Artist Dex* 4
Forgery Int 3
Gather Information Cha 0
Heal Wis 6
Hide Dex* 18 +2
Intimidate Cha 0
Jump Str* 7
Listen Wis 18
Move Silently Dex* 23
Perform_Dance Cha 5
Ride Dex 3
Search Int 21
Sense Motive Wis 0
Spot Wis 20
Survival Wis 11
Swim Str** 1
Use Rope Dex 8
Tumble 12
Sleight of hand 12
Use magic device 24
* = check penalty for wearing armor
Search >=5 ranks gives +2 on survival checks while tracking.
Use Rope >=5 ranks gives +2 on climb checks involving ropes.
Use Rope >=5 ranks gives +2 on escape artist checks involving ropes.
1-level Ranger spells: 2 per day
1-level Ass spells : 5 per day
2-level Ass spells : 4 per day
3-level Ass spells : 2 per day
spells know
lvl 1 fether fall, obscuring mist, sleep, true strike
lvl 2 Invisability , pass with out trace, undetectable alignment
lvl 3 Nightmare Terrain, Pall of twilight (both form complete Mage)
Human:
Extra feat at first level (already included)
Four extra skill points at first level (already included)
One extra skill point at each additional level (already included)
Favored Enemies:
Humanoids (human) +2
Monstrous Humanoids +4
This ranger chose the mounted combat track.
Class HP rolled
Level 1: Ranger 4.5 +1
Level 2: Ranger 4.5 +1
Level 3: Ranger 4.5 +1
Level 4: Ranger 4.5 +1
Level 5: Ranger 4.5 +1
Level 6: Ranger 4.5 +1
Level 7: Ranger 4.5 +1
Level 8: shadow Dancer 4.5 +1
Level 9:shadow Dancer 4.5 +1
Level 10:shadow Dancer 4.5 +1
Level 11:shadow Dancer 4.5 +1
Level 12:shadow Dancer 4.5 +2
Level 13:shadow Dancer 4.5 +2
Level 14:shadow Dancer 4.5 +2
Level 15:Assassin 3.5 +2
Level 16:Assassin 3.5 +2
Level 17:Assassin 3.5 +2
Level 18:Assassin 3.5 +2
Level 19:Assassin 3.5 +2
Level 20:Assassin 3.5 +2
Equipment:
oufits
Explorer's Outfit (Free at Creation)
Hydration Suit 1000
Magic items
Armour
Hydration Suit
elven chain
glamered
large mithral sheald
weapions
1+ str long bow composie master class with
Keen
Brilliant energy
distant shot
Wakizashi
Vorpal
short sword master class
Vorpal
rings
Regeneration
Ring of Mind Shield
other
Decanter of endless Water
amulet of natural armour +5
horn of valhalla (iron)
Immovable rod
Rod of Security Rod
Necklace of adaptation
bag of holding V
quiver of Eholnna
bag of tricks rust
bag of tricks Tan
boots and cloke of elvenkind
Healing Belt
glove of storing
Everlasting Rations
Magic Bedroll
Everfull Mug
Daern's Instat Tent
bracers of armour +8
Other items
Flint and Steel (1)
Grappling Hook (1)
Waterskin (1)
Hammer (.5)
Shovel (2)
Silk Rope (100 ft) (20)
Arrows 60 (3)
left over gold 78224.5
TO THE BATCAVE!
Background
A hundred years ago, a young noblewoman was swept off of her feet by a mysterious figure. Incredibly charming and handsome, he swept her off of her feet and ultimately got her pregnant. It was here that the Ghaele Eladrin revealed his true nature to the woman and took her to Arborea until the child was born, to reside in the court of the draconic goddess Hlal. The noblewoman’s wish was the child be born on her home plane, and the Eladrin gladly obliged. However, the stress of labour and plane shifting severely weakened the woman, and she died cradling her child. The Eladrin buried her on the mountainside solemnly, then took his son to be raised in Arborea as a champion of Chaos and Good, naming him Artekus Wingchild.
Twenty years later, the noblewoman’s native kingdom of Arborvale had been overthrown. The local liege, in grief over his daughter’s disappearance, hadn’t been aware enough to prevent a cruel corsair captain, calling himself Lord Blacksteel, taking the only town of the small country, and enslaving the local population. He put them to work in the fields and mines to supply his fleet with weapons and food. This state of affairs lasted ten years, until the child’s father went to him. He told his son, now a grown man, of what had become of his mother’s homeland. Artekus resolved to right this wrong, as it went against all of his principles.
A week later, a glowing figure arrived at one of the logging camps to the far east of the kingdom. It appeared as a young man with pale gold skin and hair, with piercing ice-blue eyes. He had huge wings, of feathers white as fresh snow and wreathed in a pure daylight glow. The head warden of the camp, walking out to meet him despite his dread, told this celestial being to leave them to their work. “Let the people go,” commanded Artekus, to the dismay of the wardens. After much discussion, they drew their swords and charged him, unwilling to give up their positions of luxury. Artekus drew his greatsword, hewing the head warden in two and letting both pieces thud to the ground. He looked up again at the guards and said, “Let the people go.” This time they complied, fleeing to the west to warn their leader.
These encounters happened in logging camps and mines across the kingdom as Artekus made his exodus across the kingdom, freed slaves with weapons forming a crude but determined army. At last, with an army of at least two hundred slaves with spears and crossbows at his back, Artekus entered Arborvale’s large port town and walked up to the gates of Blacksteel’s abode. With a single stroke, his sword shattered the doors and the people flooded in, hacking down the guards within by sheer force of numbers. Amidst the chaos, Artekus walked unopposed to the chamber of the usurper, once more destroying the door in one stroke. As soon as it fell, a gout of flame hit him full on in the chest. However, Artekus walked on unscathed before putting his weapon on the floor in front of the cowering ‘Lord’ Blacksteel.
“Do you agree to leave this place and never return?” asked Artekus quietly. Blacksteel sneered at him, then spat on his boots. “I’d rather die than surrender to you scum,” he swore, only for Artekus to snatch him up and crash through the window of the room, flying straight upwards. At sufficient height, he dropped Lord Blacksteel over the sea to crash against the waves, before returning to the town to ensure a suitable government was set up. He refused the wishes of the people begging him to assume the mantle of sovereign, instead setting up a democratic council. He then left the kingdom of Arborvale, returning to his father in Arborea.
He spent the next 20 years learning to harness his heritage to perform feats of sorcery from a dragon of Hlal’s court. After having perfected a few spells of protection and offence, his father went to him once more. Arborvale was under threat from the imminent invasion of a necromancer and his horde of undead orcs and goblins he’d gathered from the mountains. So, once more Artekus went back to his homeland to help prepare for the attack. As the defences were being prepared, Artekus went to the governing council to ask what it was he could do to assist them. He was introduced to two warriors, the famed swordsman Garrus Redshanks and the warrior priest Jarren Blake. The three warriors were tasked with sailing to the west, in order to find the Tower of High Wizardry. The wizards based there often travelled covertly through the land, taking away those of talent to be trained. If they could be persuaded to help then Arborvale would be aided in its cause by potent magical spells and weapons.
The search was arduous, hindered by stormy seas and the fact that the tower was guarded by magical wards. Luck alone helped them find the isle where the tower stood. They found the door of the tower to be open and the bodies of the wizards strewn about inside. Besides them, not a soul lived. The library had been burned, the magical artefacts destroyed and the menagerie of magical beasts slaughtered. Eventually the trio abandoned the search to return to Arborvale to aid the defence without the wizards. But their presence in the tower had attracted attention. As they exited the tomb it truly was, they were assaulted by a mighty skeleton formed from a giant. It crushed Jarren with one swipe as Garrus dived to the side and drew his sword, and Artekus took to the air. It resisted much of their attacks, retaliating by pummelling them with huge bony fists. After a long battle, the two warriors eventually managed to shatter its left leg and skull, leaving it helpless. Without time to give a proper burial to Jarren, and with it becoming evident the necromancers knew that they would be coming here, they ran for the ship, to find it shattered on the rocks, surrounded by skeletons of various shapes and sizes. With an almighty effort, Artekus grabbed Garrus and took to the air, flying east hoping to warn his people.
But it was to no avail. The undead pursued them, great zombie wyverns taking wing and attacking them as they tried to escape. Hunted and weary, Garrus and Artekus had no choice but to land on a nearby island to make their stand. As skeletal sea creatures crawled along the beach to face Garrus’s blade, Artekus brawled in mid-air with the wyverns. Beating back the horde, they retreated into a cave for the night.
After a week of flight and resting on outcrops and tiny islets, they touched down in Arborvale’s port town. The undead were already in the streets, cutting down the defenders where they stood. Exhausted and wounded, the two heroes nonetheless cut their way through to the cathedral where the last bastion seemed to be holding out. Then out of nowhere a black-robed figure summoned a fireball, rendering the defences a charred ruin. As he walked in flanked by brutish zombies and ghouls, lightning and ice exploded from his fingers to mercilessly slaughter the last few survivors in the country.
Enraged, Artekus and Garrus hacked their way through the press to try and reach their enemy, but the sheer volume of corpses was too much. Ten minutes later, as they tried and tried to force an opening, the necromancer pushed back his hood to reveal a decaying head. He was a lich. “My name, good sirs, is Davies Blake, but you will call me master. I have come to get what I required, the hidden orb of Arborvale. Observe.”
He lifted it and a blast of black light exploded forth from it, sweeping out as far as the eye could see. And farther. In the streets, the dead stood up. The wave spread across the kingdom, as the dead arose and the living collapse in agony, flesh falling from their bones. Then they stood up. The wave continued inexorably onwards, slaying and reanimating everything in the kingdom. The continent. The world.
The lich threw back his head and laughed and laughed and laughed, a hacking charcoal noise from beyond the grave. With the simple words, “Now die,” he teleported away. Artekus looked around, tears in his eyes as the dead rose up once more. Garrus stood, flesh falling off of him in clumps and his eyes taking on the vacant stare of the undead.
Artekus ran. He grabbed a sack of potions from the local alchemists before flying to the mountains. Davies Blake was his to kill, and with this land of the dead, perhaps he was the only one alive to do it.
Twenty years later, the noblewoman’s native kingdom of Arborvale had been overthrown. The local liege, in grief over his daughter’s disappearance, hadn’t been aware enough to prevent a cruel corsair captain, calling himself Lord Blacksteel, taking the only town of the small country, and enslaving the local population. He put them to work in the fields and mines to supply his fleet with weapons and food. This state of affairs lasted ten years, until the child’s father went to him. He told his son, now a grown man, of what had become of his mother’s homeland. Artekus resolved to right this wrong, as it went against all of his principles.
A week later, a glowing figure arrived at one of the logging camps to the far east of the kingdom. It appeared as a young man with pale gold skin and hair, with piercing ice-blue eyes. He had huge wings, of feathers white as fresh snow and wreathed in a pure daylight glow. The head warden of the camp, walking out to meet him despite his dread, told this celestial being to leave them to their work. “Let the people go,” commanded Artekus, to the dismay of the wardens. After much discussion, they drew their swords and charged him, unwilling to give up their positions of luxury. Artekus drew his greatsword, hewing the head warden in two and letting both pieces thud to the ground. He looked up again at the guards and said, “Let the people go.” This time they complied, fleeing to the west to warn their leader.
These encounters happened in logging camps and mines across the kingdom as Artekus made his exodus across the kingdom, freed slaves with weapons forming a crude but determined army. At last, with an army of at least two hundred slaves with spears and crossbows at his back, Artekus entered Arborvale’s large port town and walked up to the gates of Blacksteel’s abode. With a single stroke, his sword shattered the doors and the people flooded in, hacking down the guards within by sheer force of numbers. Amidst the chaos, Artekus walked unopposed to the chamber of the usurper, once more destroying the door in one stroke. As soon as it fell, a gout of flame hit him full on in the chest. However, Artekus walked on unscathed before putting his weapon on the floor in front of the cowering ‘Lord’ Blacksteel.
“Do you agree to leave this place and never return?” asked Artekus quietly. Blacksteel sneered at him, then spat on his boots. “I’d rather die than surrender to you scum,” he swore, only for Artekus to snatch him up and crash through the window of the room, flying straight upwards. At sufficient height, he dropped Lord Blacksteel over the sea to crash against the waves, before returning to the town to ensure a suitable government was set up. He refused the wishes of the people begging him to assume the mantle of sovereign, instead setting up a democratic council. He then left the kingdom of Arborvale, returning to his father in Arborea.
He spent the next 20 years learning to harness his heritage to perform feats of sorcery from a dragon of Hlal’s court. After having perfected a few spells of protection and offence, his father went to him once more. Arborvale was under threat from the imminent invasion of a necromancer and his horde of undead orcs and goblins he’d gathered from the mountains. So, once more Artekus went back to his homeland to help prepare for the attack. As the defences were being prepared, Artekus went to the governing council to ask what it was he could do to assist them. He was introduced to two warriors, the famed swordsman Garrus Redshanks and the warrior priest Jarren Blake. The three warriors were tasked with sailing to the west, in order to find the Tower of High Wizardry. The wizards based there often travelled covertly through the land, taking away those of talent to be trained. If they could be persuaded to help then Arborvale would be aided in its cause by potent magical spells and weapons.
The search was arduous, hindered by stormy seas and the fact that the tower was guarded by magical wards. Luck alone helped them find the isle where the tower stood. They found the door of the tower to be open and the bodies of the wizards strewn about inside. Besides them, not a soul lived. The library had been burned, the magical artefacts destroyed and the menagerie of magical beasts slaughtered. Eventually the trio abandoned the search to return to Arborvale to aid the defence without the wizards. But their presence in the tower had attracted attention. As they exited the tomb it truly was, they were assaulted by a mighty skeleton formed from a giant. It crushed Jarren with one swipe as Garrus dived to the side and drew his sword, and Artekus took to the air. It resisted much of their attacks, retaliating by pummelling them with huge bony fists. After a long battle, the two warriors eventually managed to shatter its left leg and skull, leaving it helpless. Without time to give a proper burial to Jarren, and with it becoming evident the necromancers knew that they would be coming here, they ran for the ship, to find it shattered on the rocks, surrounded by skeletons of various shapes and sizes. With an almighty effort, Artekus grabbed Garrus and took to the air, flying east hoping to warn his people.
But it was to no avail. The undead pursued them, great zombie wyverns taking wing and attacking them as they tried to escape. Hunted and weary, Garrus and Artekus had no choice but to land on a nearby island to make their stand. As skeletal sea creatures crawled along the beach to face Garrus’s blade, Artekus brawled in mid-air with the wyverns. Beating back the horde, they retreated into a cave for the night.
After a week of flight and resting on outcrops and tiny islets, they touched down in Arborvale’s port town. The undead were already in the streets, cutting down the defenders where they stood. Exhausted and wounded, the two heroes nonetheless cut their way through to the cathedral where the last bastion seemed to be holding out. Then out of nowhere a black-robed figure summoned a fireball, rendering the defences a charred ruin. As he walked in flanked by brutish zombies and ghouls, lightning and ice exploded from his fingers to mercilessly slaughter the last few survivors in the country.
Enraged, Artekus and Garrus hacked their way through the press to try and reach their enemy, but the sheer volume of corpses was too much. Ten minutes later, as they tried and tried to force an opening, the necromancer pushed back his hood to reveal a decaying head. He was a lich. “My name, good sirs, is Davies Blake, but you will call me master. I have come to get what I required, the hidden orb of Arborvale. Observe.”
He lifted it and a blast of black light exploded forth from it, sweeping out as far as the eye could see. And farther. In the streets, the dead stood up. The wave spread across the kingdom, as the dead arose and the living collapse in agony, flesh falling from their bones. Then they stood up. The wave continued inexorably onwards, slaying and reanimating everything in the kingdom. The continent. The world.
The lich threw back his head and laughed and laughed and laughed, a hacking charcoal noise from beyond the grave. With the simple words, “Now die,” he teleported away. Artekus looked around, tears in his eyes as the dead rose up once more. Garrus stood, flesh falling off of him in clumps and his eyes taking on the vacant stare of the undead.
Artekus ran. He grabbed a sack of potions from the local alchemists before flying to the mountains. Davies Blake was his to kill, and with this land of the dead, perhaps he was the only one alive to do it.
The story of Jason Whitebloom
Jason was born to a lumberjack’s family in the mountains. His parents were very proud of their many sons and daughters. Jason’s father, Perrin, was a large and strong man, with a big black beard and golden skin. Contrastingly to his father, Jason’s mother Nora was small and delicate, with rather pale complexion. Jason didn’t know her other very well, besides the fact that she was very caring and supportive.
Nora and Perrin had three sons -Pyrrhus, Jason and Simon- and two daughters -Theia and Phoebe. The children were amazingly healthy and happy. They quickly grew to resemble their parents - daughters beautiful and of pale complexion, sons strong and proud.
Jason was the third child and second son to the family, yet he was the one who grew up looking most like Perrin. At the age of 8, he took up many duties in the forest and around the house, which trained him to be strong and self-reliant. This simple life continued till the age of fourteen.
It came to an end when a priest passed through the area and stayed at Perrin’s lodge for one night. When the priest was sitting at the fireplace and warming his back, he noticed that the sons were extraordinarily strong, yet they were obedient to their parents. He said: “Perrin, your sons are the mightiest I have ever seen, yet they have lived here in the mountains, knowing nothing of the ways of the outside world. Let me take one of them to be educated in the ways of men and gods, to become a priest like myself.” The great man considered this offer and saw the wisdom in it. He then took Jason aside and said: “Son, what do you think? Do you wish to leave your lodge behind and be educated in the city to be the servant of god?” Jason thought for a while and answered with a question of his own: “Father, I do not question your judgment often, but is this frail man worthy of our trust? We do not even know which god he serves.” Perrin smiled at his son’s answer and asked directly from the priest: “What is the god that is worthy of my son’s worship?” And the priest answered: “It is the god of birth and rebirth, spring and fall, dawn and dusk. He is the Keeper of Order and an epitome of all good and honorable! He is Hyperion!”
And so Jason was convinced and followed the priest into the city, devoting the next ten years of his life to the Sun God. His strength, endurance and undying faith were well respected in the Order of the Sun God, where he raised in ranks quickly. Accompanying his rise in ranks was a change in his physical prowess - his strength was said to be unrivaled by anyone, his endurance as undying as his faith. His skin became golden, his eyes deep blue. The cause of this phenomenon was widely debated, but it was to be uncovered in a later event.
Just when Jason was accepted to the Templar Order of The Sun God, the world collapsed. The very earth was torn asunder and melting hot lava poured out of the cracks. Continents moved and kingdoms were destroyed. In the midst of this all, a cult reared its head, proclaiming that this was The Cleansing and that destroyed was all that was too weak to live. It attracted many followers in this utter chaos and chaos was what the cult spread. It had many names in many languages, but the one that became most known was the Cult of Chaos.
Followers of Hyperion lost faith in him, turning away their faces from his shining rays. The High Order of the Sun God had to react, but the organization was crippled by the unexpected turn of events. Every day the High Priests woke up in terror and nightmares of Hyperion perishing and leaving the world. Yet Hyperion was kept alive by the true faithful, those whose faith hadn’t wavered even in the cataclysm.
In the chaos of the Cataclysm, Jason traced his way back to his birthplace. He was saddened by what he saw there - the peaceful world of his childhood had collapsed and even there, so far away from civilization, destruction and havoc had prevailed. Jason came to his old mountain lodge to find her mother long dead of disease, his father lying on his deathbed, his older brother, Pyrrhus, dead having tried to protect his sisters and the other brother having abandoned his family and joined the Cult of Chaos.
Perrin, the great father of Jason, asked Jason to come closer and listen, for what he heard then would be something that had been passed on from generation to generation. He said, in between coughing fits: “Know this, son. My great grandfather was found as a baby in the higher mountains than here, lying in a small wooden cradle in the middle of snow-fields. His parents were not known, but an honest community of miners and prospectors brought him up nevertheless. He was said to be special, just like you, his skin golden and eyes of deepest blue. He was said to be twice the size of man and strong enough to lift and toss a boulder half that size. He was honorable like you, my son. He was said to be divine. The blood has dilated somewhat, but it has once again manifested strong in you. My boy…You are the son of the Sun God! I know it to be true, for I see the same faith in your eyes. Go now, and fulfill your destiny!” With these words on his lips, Perrin died, his soul satisfied.
Jason took the man’s body and buried it in the small family grave patch in the higher mountains. Too many graves he counted there: one for beautiful Nora, one for noble Pyrrhus and now one for Perrin, father of many a good soul. He mourned not for those that passed away into the great celestial realms, though – he was saddened that Simon had abandoned the family, that he had fallen, that he had forgotten all that was good and right. At his family’s graves, he swore to bring the goodness back to the world, to let the Sun dawn pure once again.
His faith renewed at his birthplace, Jason returned to the Order, proclaiming himself the son of Hyperion, the Bringer of the Sunrise Anew. The High Order understood that people needed something to believe in, that they needed someone to show them all good is not gone. So they acknowledged him and granted him leadership of the Order of the Templars. Jason didn’t muck about and immediately led the Order on a crusade against the Cult of Chaos, which was moderately successful. Many saw that there was still hope and their faith was renewed. Others, however, succumbed to the Cult’s sweet words and false promises in the times of hardship. So the war raged on and natural disasters harried the world. So much was destroyed, so few remained, yet even the last were brought into the war between Order and Chaos.
Jason played an important role in the wars, being the commander of the powerful and influential Templar Order of the Sun God. His appearance inspired the soldiers of light, especially when he scoured the skies on his pegasus, delivering strikes where they hurt the enemy most. Yet the Cult seemed to replenish itself, and just as the Order had its heroes, so had the Cult. There were many mighty battles fought between the champions of law and chaos, and there seemed many to come.
However, even the Cult and the Order didn’t have limitless resources and so the wars have finally come into a stalemate, with only a few skirmishes fought. The world is scarred, there is few if nothing left, yet it has to be rebuilt. The Son of Hyperion is not sleeping, though. He walks the land and heals the men and women, looking for people to support the idea of rebuilding, giving them hope and some warm light in the darkness of the apocalypse. He is also constantly looking for people who are able to help him in the rebuilding, who are capable of undoing the damage and fighting the everlasting enemy.
Appearance
Jason Whitebloom stands about 2 meters tall, his body a massive bulk of muscles. He wears his blonde hair in a warrior’s tail; his eyes are deep blue, his gaze piercing. His skin is equally outlandish – it has taken on a golden hue due to his heritage. He is clad in full mithral plate mail shining bright in golden light. However, he usually wears a white tabard with the symbol of sun over his armor, which symbolizes his allegiance to the forces of light. His preferred weapon is the glaive, decorated with the finest mithral and adamantine filigree, yet still perfectly functional. Jason is often seen scouring the skies in the saddle of Cypte, a noble pegasus.
Possible hooks
Jason’s brother, Simon, could be his equivalent in the Cult of Chaos, a champion of evil and chaos. Jason doesn’t have to know it, but it is possible they have met on the battlefields. Simon perfectly fits the character antagonist bill and is suitable for a lot of dramatic scenes. Depending on the lightness of the campaign, he may or might not be redeemable. (Personally, I’d make him redeemable, but only into some kind of chaotic, freedom-loving heroish character.)
If you read the background carefully, you might have noticed that Jason has two sisters who are not mentioned after the cataclysm. I imagine them running off and becoming druids, healing the land and seas with their powers. Of course, they are a totally loose end; they could easily be anything the DM comes up with.
Also, one might consider having the Order of the Sun God collapse as it is revealed that a member of the High Order was actually a spy for Cult of Chaos.
Or maybe you’d rather have Jason fall on bad terms with the Church (but not with his god, he’d lose all of his powers).
Hyperion
Hyperion, the titan of the sun, is lawful good. He is the father of Dawn and Dusk and the Sun. He is said to be the sun itself and its god, yet it is not agreed upon. Some think that Hyperion is the Sun and then there is the Sun God who walks the lands in the shape of a mortal. It has spawned some debate, but the difference is not big enough to justify a schism. Either way, Hyperion’s domains are Destiny, Good, Law, Strength, Sun, Hope and Healing. His favored weapon is the glaive.
Nora and Perrin had three sons -Pyrrhus, Jason and Simon- and two daughters -Theia and Phoebe. The children were amazingly healthy and happy. They quickly grew to resemble their parents - daughters beautiful and of pale complexion, sons strong and proud.
Jason was the third child and second son to the family, yet he was the one who grew up looking most like Perrin. At the age of 8, he took up many duties in the forest and around the house, which trained him to be strong and self-reliant. This simple life continued till the age of fourteen.
It came to an end when a priest passed through the area and stayed at Perrin’s lodge for one night. When the priest was sitting at the fireplace and warming his back, he noticed that the sons were extraordinarily strong, yet they were obedient to their parents. He said: “Perrin, your sons are the mightiest I have ever seen, yet they have lived here in the mountains, knowing nothing of the ways of the outside world. Let me take one of them to be educated in the ways of men and gods, to become a priest like myself.” The great man considered this offer and saw the wisdom in it. He then took Jason aside and said: “Son, what do you think? Do you wish to leave your lodge behind and be educated in the city to be the servant of god?” Jason thought for a while and answered with a question of his own: “Father, I do not question your judgment often, but is this frail man worthy of our trust? We do not even know which god he serves.” Perrin smiled at his son’s answer and asked directly from the priest: “What is the god that is worthy of my son’s worship?” And the priest answered: “It is the god of birth and rebirth, spring and fall, dawn and dusk. He is the Keeper of Order and an epitome of all good and honorable! He is Hyperion!”
And so Jason was convinced and followed the priest into the city, devoting the next ten years of his life to the Sun God. His strength, endurance and undying faith were well respected in the Order of the Sun God, where he raised in ranks quickly. Accompanying his rise in ranks was a change in his physical prowess - his strength was said to be unrivaled by anyone, his endurance as undying as his faith. His skin became golden, his eyes deep blue. The cause of this phenomenon was widely debated, but it was to be uncovered in a later event.
Just when Jason was accepted to the Templar Order of The Sun God, the world collapsed. The very earth was torn asunder and melting hot lava poured out of the cracks. Continents moved and kingdoms were destroyed. In the midst of this all, a cult reared its head, proclaiming that this was The Cleansing and that destroyed was all that was too weak to live. It attracted many followers in this utter chaos and chaos was what the cult spread. It had many names in many languages, but the one that became most known was the Cult of Chaos.
Followers of Hyperion lost faith in him, turning away their faces from his shining rays. The High Order of the Sun God had to react, but the organization was crippled by the unexpected turn of events. Every day the High Priests woke up in terror and nightmares of Hyperion perishing and leaving the world. Yet Hyperion was kept alive by the true faithful, those whose faith hadn’t wavered even in the cataclysm.
In the chaos of the Cataclysm, Jason traced his way back to his birthplace. He was saddened by what he saw there - the peaceful world of his childhood had collapsed and even there, so far away from civilization, destruction and havoc had prevailed. Jason came to his old mountain lodge to find her mother long dead of disease, his father lying on his deathbed, his older brother, Pyrrhus, dead having tried to protect his sisters and the other brother having abandoned his family and joined the Cult of Chaos.
Perrin, the great father of Jason, asked Jason to come closer and listen, for what he heard then would be something that had been passed on from generation to generation. He said, in between coughing fits: “Know this, son. My great grandfather was found as a baby in the higher mountains than here, lying in a small wooden cradle in the middle of snow-fields. His parents were not known, but an honest community of miners and prospectors brought him up nevertheless. He was said to be special, just like you, his skin golden and eyes of deepest blue. He was said to be twice the size of man and strong enough to lift and toss a boulder half that size. He was honorable like you, my son. He was said to be divine. The blood has dilated somewhat, but it has once again manifested strong in you. My boy…You are the son of the Sun God! I know it to be true, for I see the same faith in your eyes. Go now, and fulfill your destiny!” With these words on his lips, Perrin died, his soul satisfied.
Jason took the man’s body and buried it in the small family grave patch in the higher mountains. Too many graves he counted there: one for beautiful Nora, one for noble Pyrrhus and now one for Perrin, father of many a good soul. He mourned not for those that passed away into the great celestial realms, though – he was saddened that Simon had abandoned the family, that he had fallen, that he had forgotten all that was good and right. At his family’s graves, he swore to bring the goodness back to the world, to let the Sun dawn pure once again.
His faith renewed at his birthplace, Jason returned to the Order, proclaiming himself the son of Hyperion, the Bringer of the Sunrise Anew. The High Order understood that people needed something to believe in, that they needed someone to show them all good is not gone. So they acknowledged him and granted him leadership of the Order of the Templars. Jason didn’t muck about and immediately led the Order on a crusade against the Cult of Chaos, which was moderately successful. Many saw that there was still hope and their faith was renewed. Others, however, succumbed to the Cult’s sweet words and false promises in the times of hardship. So the war raged on and natural disasters harried the world. So much was destroyed, so few remained, yet even the last were brought into the war between Order and Chaos.
Jason played an important role in the wars, being the commander of the powerful and influential Templar Order of the Sun God. His appearance inspired the soldiers of light, especially when he scoured the skies on his pegasus, delivering strikes where they hurt the enemy most. Yet the Cult seemed to replenish itself, and just as the Order had its heroes, so had the Cult. There were many mighty battles fought between the champions of law and chaos, and there seemed many to come.
However, even the Cult and the Order didn’t have limitless resources and so the wars have finally come into a stalemate, with only a few skirmishes fought. The world is scarred, there is few if nothing left, yet it has to be rebuilt. The Son of Hyperion is not sleeping, though. He walks the land and heals the men and women, looking for people to support the idea of rebuilding, giving them hope and some warm light in the darkness of the apocalypse. He is also constantly looking for people who are able to help him in the rebuilding, who are capable of undoing the damage and fighting the everlasting enemy.
Appearance
Jason Whitebloom stands about 2 meters tall, his body a massive bulk of muscles. He wears his blonde hair in a warrior’s tail; his eyes are deep blue, his gaze piercing. His skin is equally outlandish – it has taken on a golden hue due to his heritage. He is clad in full mithral plate mail shining bright in golden light. However, he usually wears a white tabard with the symbol of sun over his armor, which symbolizes his allegiance to the forces of light. His preferred weapon is the glaive, decorated with the finest mithral and adamantine filigree, yet still perfectly functional. Jason is often seen scouring the skies in the saddle of Cypte, a noble pegasus.
Possible hooks
Jason’s brother, Simon, could be his equivalent in the Cult of Chaos, a champion of evil and chaos. Jason doesn’t have to know it, but it is possible they have met on the battlefields. Simon perfectly fits the character antagonist bill and is suitable for a lot of dramatic scenes. Depending on the lightness of the campaign, he may or might not be redeemable. (Personally, I’d make him redeemable, but only into some kind of chaotic, freedom-loving heroish character.)
If you read the background carefully, you might have noticed that Jason has two sisters who are not mentioned after the cataclysm. I imagine them running off and becoming druids, healing the land and seas with their powers. Of course, they are a totally loose end; they could easily be anything the DM comes up with.
Also, one might consider having the Order of the Sun God collapse as it is revealed that a member of the High Order was actually a spy for Cult of Chaos.
Or maybe you’d rather have Jason fall on bad terms with the Church (but not with his god, he’d lose all of his powers).
Hyperion
Hyperion, the titan of the sun, is lawful good. He is the father of Dawn and Dusk and the Sun. He is said to be the sun itself and its god, yet it is not agreed upon. Some think that Hyperion is the Sun and then there is the Sun God who walks the lands in the shape of a mortal. It has spawned some debate, but the difference is not big enough to justify a schism. Either way, Hyperion’s domains are Destiny, Good, Law, Strength, Sun, Hope and Healing. His favored weapon is the glaive.
I was hoping to be able to announce this sooner -- but better late than never.
I have managed to convince Community Management to award a Custom Title to all Hero Craftsman gold medal winners! There's no ETA on when it will actually happen, but the 10 folks who have won the previous 15 contests as well as the winner of HC16 will, at some point, receive "Hero Craftsman" as their title, in place of the "member" that appears there now.
Seven hours to get those characters in.
I was hoping to be able to announce this sooner -- but better late than never.
I have managed to convince Community Management to award a Custom Title to all Hero Craftsman gold medal winners! There's no ETA on when it will actually happen, but the 10 folks who have won the previous 15 contests as well as the winner of HC16 will, at some point, receive "Hero Craftsman" as their title, in place of the "member" that appears there now.
Seven hours to get those characters in.
EDIT: Oh yeah, I just remembered. I'm using the Fist of the Forest prestige class (pg 80, Complete Champion), and I'm taking the feat Superior Unarmed Strike from Tome of Battle (pg 33). I can't seem to find any rules that say how these two interact. I am going to assume that it would progress FotF unarmed strike, so it is a monk four levels higher, but I'm not entirely sure, and I don't think that really works. Anyone that can get back to me on this is greatly appreciated!
EDIT AGAIN: Oh, one more question. Sorry lol. I am also planning on using the Bear Warrior prestige class (pg 16 Complete Warrior), and it says that you use the bear's natural attack. However, I assume that they didn't plan on a character that does more damage unarmed than the bear's normal 1d4 damage. How would the judges rule that? Would it just be the 1d4 claws, or the increased damage from the improved unarmed strike? Thanks for your time.
Hi everyone. I'm planning on entering this, but I've got a quick question. I have an unarmed fighter planned, but what I need to know is: If an unarmed fighter wears gauntlets, to apply magic damage or whatever to his attacks, he would use his normal, increased unarmed damage, correct? That seems to be the natural assumption, but I have never seen a definite rule for it as far as I know, and I don't want to have my character use a piece of equipment that will make him do less damage. I had another question, that was more important than this one, but I can't remember what it is, so I may post it later if I remember in time.
A fighter's unarmed damage (assuming Medium sized) is 1d3, whether or not he wears gauntlets.
EDIT: Oh yeah, I just remembered. I'm using the Fist of the Forest prestige class (pg 80, Complete Champion), and I'm taking the feat Superior Unarmed Strike from Tome of Battle (pg 33). I can't seem to find any rules that say how these two interact. I am going to assume that it would progress FotF unarmed strike, so it is a monk four levels higher, but I'm not entirely sure, and I don't think that really works. Anyone that can get back to me on this is greatly appreciated!
I'm not at my books - and even if I was, I don't have ToB. So I'm not going to be able to provide an answer to this one; hopefully somebody jumps in soon.
Just a reminder that the deadline for official entries is 11:59pm GMT - which is 7:59pm EDT, 6:59pm CDT, 5:59pm MDT, and 4:59pm PDT.
Since it is perfectly legal to take a move action (easily 10+ feet/round) and then perform a standard (attack) action to fire your bow, as long as you meet all other prerequisites, then the damage bonuses stack.
Btw, CharOp Boards may disagree, but I have found OotBI to be one of my favorite PrC's.
If you wuss out, we'll endlessly taunt you. You wouldn't want that to happen, would you? :P
Let the taunting begin ;)
I can't find any rules about how the two interact, but the Fist of the Forest PrC does not give a character equivalent levels in Monk for purposes of unarmed strike. Instead, if the character already had levels in Monk, it improves the the character's unarmed strike damage by 1 or 2 steps if the character's base damage was already equivalent...
Thus...
...the way I, and I alone, would be inclined to read it...
-Determine what your unarmed damage would be based on the Superior Unarmed Strike feat, and then increase the damage dice the appropriate # of steps if the base damage is above the normal amounts of unarmed damage for the class (which it should be in most cases, since this is an ECL 20 competition... but double check to be sure).
*Please realize that the above interpretation is the opinion of one judge, and does not represent a consensus among the judging panel.*
Other Issues
1) Gauntlets: While I don't know your specific build, I can almost assure you that you don't need these. Gauntlets basically allow you to do lethal damage w/ an unarmed strike... which by any variant build you may use, is something you can already do. Ditch the gauntlets and pick up an Amulet of Mighty Fists (which works w/ unarmed strikes and natural attacks).
As a maniacal, evil judge, I'd also probably rule that no matter your build, gauntlets always deal 1d3 damage... not a pretty sight.
2) Bear Warrior: Rough answer w/o much time to look it up...
Natural Weapons and Unarmed Strikes are two different things. (If it helps, imagine a Natural Weapon as a Bear Claw, and and Unarmed Strike as a Bear Head Butt.) Your Unarmed Strike Damage wouldn't affect the damage of your Natural Attack. (However, the increased Strength from Bear Form would probably help you Bear Head Butt impressively...)
Sorry if these rules-interpretations seem rushed, but they are. I know you don't have much time, so a lot of these statements are based on less than 3 minutes browsing of my rule book collections.
As a maniacal, evil judge, I'd also probably rule that no matter your build, gauntlets always deal 1d3 damage... not a pretty sight.
That's the correct ruling, in my opinion.
2) Bear Warrior: Rough answer w/o much time to look it up...
Natural Weapons and Unarmed Strikes are two different things. (If it helps, imagine a Natural Weapon as a Bear Claw, and and Unarmed Strike as a Bear Head Butt.) Your Unarmed Strike Damage wouldn't affect the damage of your Natural Attack. (However, the increased Strength from Bear Form would probably help you Bear Head Butt impressively...)
I disagree on this one.
A monk’s unarmed strike is treated both as a manufactured weapon and a natural weapon for the purpose of spells and effects that enhance or improve either manufactured weapons or natural weapons.
I'm glad you answered it, though -- it was edited in after my reply and I hadn't seen it.
That's the reason I was looking at them as different things.
Is that correct by anyone's standards? I want to make sure that my first (and last, if this contest ends with the end of 3.5) is as accurate as possible. Thanks for the help.
Exactly how often can a monk attack with a single manufactured weapon when using the flurry of blows ability? For example, if I have a +1 alchemical silver dagger, and I’m allowed three attacks in a flurry, how many of those attacks can be dagger attacks? What if I have two daggers? How about with natural weaponry, such as a claw or bite? For example, if I have a vampire monk, can I flurry with a slam attack and drain energy multiple times from one living foe? If natural weaponry doesn’t work with a flurry, why not?
You can’t use a dagger with a flurry of blows at all. When you use the flurry ability, you must attack with either unarmed strikes or with special monk weapons. Only six of the latter are included in the Player’s Handbook (kama, nunchaku, quarterstaff, sai, shuriken, and siangham). A natural weapon (any natural weapon) is neither an unarmed strike nor a special monk weapon, so you can’t use it along with a flurry.
If you have one (or two) special monk weapons, you can freely substitute attacks with those weapons with unarmed attacks in the flurry (see the flurry of blows description on page 46 of the Player’s Handbook). If you’re allowed three attacks in a flurry, and you have a +1 alchemical silver sai (or other special monk weapon), you could use the sai up to three times in the flurry. The examples given in the flurry of blows entry don’t make that completely clear because they don’t cover all the combinations of weapon attacks and unarmed strikes that are possible.
If you have two special monk weapons to use, you can use either or both of them in the flurry. For example, if you’re entitled to three attacks using flurry of blows, and you’re armed with a +1 alchemical silver sai and a cold iron sai, you can make three attacks with one sai and no attacks with the other, two attacks with one sai and one attack with the other, one attack with each sai and one unarmed attack, or any other combination of three attacks. Note that having a sai in each hand won’t prevent a monk from making unarmed attacks. A monk with her hands full can still make her full complement of unarmed strikes (see the unarmed strike entry on page 41 of the Player’s Handbook).
It might seem a tad strange that you cannot use a natural weapon, such as a slam or a claw when you can use a monk weapon such as a sai or a kama. However, natural weaponry isn’t as handy as manufactured weaponry. You never get extra attacks from a high base attack bonus with natural weaponry, and the monk’s flurry ability is another way to get extra attacks from your base attack bonus. Please note that a vampire monk using its unarmed strike ability is not using its slam attack and cannot drain energy.
Thanks for all of the answers guys :D . I really appreciate the time. One last clarification though. I took Superior Unarmed Strike, and at level 20 that gives you a 2d6 unarmed strike. Fist of the Forest first gives you a 1d8 unarmed strike, which increases to 1d10 at the end of the 3 level class. Since that is an increase of 2 dice sizes, following the monk unarmed combat table, that would give me an unarmed attack of 2d10.
I'll let somebody who has the material answer this.
Is that correct by anyone's standards? I want to make sure that my first (and last, if this contest ends with the end of 3.5) is as accurate as possible. Thanks for the help.
It's my opinion that this isn't the last of these contests. I foresee working out some sort of contest going forward; I enjoy them too much to just stop.
If you were working on a character but didn't get it posted in time, I would like to urge you to post it anyway. Folks (including judges) are still free to comment on your entry, and maybe you'll pick up a handy tip or trick or idea.
Thanks to everybody who entered, and good luck!
:bounce: 
:OMG! There. That just about does it, I think. Cool beans, Zherog. Shame I'll be getting the gold for this one, too.
Backstory and Fluff
The ash flowed through the air, propelled by a gentle breeze, the gray flecks resembling a river. The burnt remains of the flotsam and jetsam of civilization choked the large dwarf standing on top of a hill, but he made no sign of it. To his left stood a cleric, one in the service of the Shining One. To his right stood a blasted elf, a supposed "master of the arcane arts". The long time in the wild didn't seem to dull the dwarfs dislike of the frailer race, and he wondered how someone as.....twiggy.....as he could have survived the destruction, that leveled cities, destroyed the land the dwarf had come to hold to dear, and boiled the very oceans. Further to his right was a halfling, whose nimble fingers had pried many a treasure out of the hands of their fallen owners.
Rurik took a moment to brush the ash out of his beard, and turned around to gaze behind him. There, assembled behind the hill, were roughly 10,000 men, women, anyone that could hold a weapon. Their eyes full of hope, fear, despair, and a kind of soft, quiet courage. The hardships they had been through these last few months, or it even could have been years, were all leading to this day. In front of him, were assembled the forces intent on destroying all that was left in the world, all that was left worth saving. Their demonic faces, beings spawned in the pits of the Abyss themselves, finally overwhelmed all defenses that were put against them, their aims on unraveling the law that held the world together, like beings of entropy themselves. Their foul visages filled Rurik with fury, but he contained it. He would need it in the battle to come.
He turned towards his allies. They had helped him rebuild, and even make a city that thrived, despite the environment almost working against them. The cleric, his healing magic had saved many a soul. The elf, whose raw power had destroyed many an enemy before Rurik could reach them. And the halfling, whose small size hid a fierce determination to win back the world she shared with her loved ones. The elf's hands prepared to glow, a powerful spell coming to mind to start the battle off on an explosive foot. The cleric placed more magical protections on the four of them, trying to ensure that they all made it through. Not to the end of the battle. But through their forces, to the castle in the background. To where that foul force had done this to the nature that Rurik loved so much. And the halfling pulled out two short swords, twirling them in anticipation.
The demons surged forward, a roiling mass of evil and destructive intent. Rurik's voice barked over the noise, addressing his troops, his terrified men and women who had already given so much, and now may have to give the ultimate sacrifice. "You know I am not one for long speeches, worthy of rememberance by men and women in times long after today, worthy of recording in tomes of history, telling how men and women stood against ridiculous odds, and came out the victors. So I will just say this. These foul demons wish to destroy everything we hold dear, everything we have left! They wish to eradicate us from the face of this world! I do not know if they will succeed, or if we will win back our world. But I do know this! If we are to die, we will give them hell before we do!" A cheer erupted from the crowd. "We will send them back to the foul pits that spawned them, wishing that they had never faced the wrath of men and women who have had everything taken from them! And who are willing to strike back just as hard!" The sound of cheers were almost deafening. The foul demons were only a small distance away, but Rurik had nothing more to say, besides one last order. "CHARGE!!!", and as the survivors of the largest catastrophe in recorded history charged into battle, the 4 heroes made their last preparations. The cleric began radiating an angelic glow, and wings came forth from his back. The elf made arcane gestures, and meteors, changed to a frigid blue by the elf's arcane might (which even Rurik had to admit was considerable), crashed into their forces, scattering lesser demons like leaves in an autumn breeze. The halfling did combat drills in her mind, and charged with the rest of the army. And Rurik reared his head back in a blood-fury, and as he grew the long, shaggy fur of a primevial shape, covered in claws and fangs, he charged, and knew that there was no way he would fail, not while the power of his lost ancestors still flowed through him.
Rurik Rumnaheim was a completely normal dwarf in his city of Rothgirn. He trained in the militia, and excelled in combat. Rothgirn itself was an almost stereotypical dwarven settlement, except for its dual religious leadership. The dwarves still worshipped Moradin, but there was also a following of ancient druidic traditions, based in the dwarves reliance on the land, and their natural powers helped make Rothgirn thrive. The druids themselves were very proficient on combat, favoring the form on the bear, which represented dwarven strength, fortitude, and protectiveness of their children and families. Rurik was quickly rising the ranks in the dwarven armies when the unthinkable happened. The ancient protections keeping the hordes of the Abyss at bay were removed, and the demonic forces of that vile plane spilled forth. Rothgirn fell, along with a majority of the dwarven residents. However, Rurik and his platoon were away during the attack, fighting the evil forces of the goblins. When they returned, they saw their city in ruins. The demons persued the retreating dwarves, and the rest of his platoon were destroyed.
Rurik, heavily wounded, stumbled through the forest, forced to revert to barbarism to survive. His fury at his homelands destruction fueled his rage, and he managed to survive in the wilderness, all the while the world crumbled around him. After some amount of weeks, or months, even Rurik himself is unsure, he attained a symbiosis with nature, and its fury at its own destruction lent itself to his strength. He continued to survive, and as he spent more time with nature, he himself began to discover the strength of the bears the druids invoked, and began to use this strength himself. Eventually, after an amount of time lost to Rurik's almost feral mind, he found a settlement, made of survivors from cities far and wide, all trying to make a living and survive the demonic onslaught. Rurik lent his strength to the small town, called Harmalk, a dwarven name translating to stalwart village. He was joined by the human cleric Neil, the elven wizard Aramil, and the halfling rogue Cora. Together they helped Harmalk thrive, with Rurik forming the cornerstone of the cities defense, Neil providing training in the healing arts, Aramil lending his mighty magic for whatever is needed, and Cora "finding" supplies and equipment for the town.
Eventually, the demons encroached on the city, but Harmalk was ready. They had long prepared for this, and trained as well as they could. They made seige engines, forged armor, and crafted weapons using any materials at hand, as well as taking any that they could find in the destroyed cities. Recently, the four heroes discovered that an ancient, evil lich, whose name has been lost to time, was the one that tore the hole through which the demons poured, and that an artifact in his possession could close the portal. The four mighty warriors prepared to storm the liche's fortress during the upcoming battle, intent on rescuing what was left of their world.
Rurik himself plans on rebuilding Rothgirn once the battle is over, and plans on making the city, which he intends to lead, thrive as a shining example of dwarven strength. Dispite his fierce demeanor to his enemies, he is still a fun-loving dwarf around friends, who have slowly been bringing him back from his feral state, although they suspect they will never be able to drive it out of him. Speak with him, and you will hear stories about his terrible strength and tales of his valor, such as the time he "single-handedly wrestled a Great Red Wyrm to the ground." Remarkably, this story is almost true, however it was only an Old dragon, and he only helped to hold the wandering hunter down so his allies could defeat it with powerful magic and guile, and although Rurik's contribution was great in itself, he is prone to exaggerate his share of the battle.
The ash flowed through the air, propelled by a gentle breeze, the gray flecks resembling a river. The burnt remains of the flotsam and jetsam of civilization choked the large dwarf standing on top of a hill, but he made no sign of it. To his left stood a cleric, one in the service of the Shining One. To his right stood a blasted elf, a supposed "master of the arcane arts". The long time in the wild didn't seem to dull the dwarfs dislike of the frailer race, and he wondered how someone as.....twiggy.....as he could have survived the destruction, that leveled cities, destroyed the land the dwarf had come to hold to dear, and boiled the very oceans. Further to his right was a halfling, whose nimble fingers had pried many a treasure out of the hands of their fallen owners.
Rurik took a moment to brush the ash out of his beard, and turned around to gaze behind him. There, assembled behind the hill, were roughly 10,000 men, women, anyone that could hold a weapon. Their eyes full of hope, fear, despair, and a kind of soft, quiet courage. The hardships they had been through these last few months, or it even could have been years, were all leading to this day. In front of him, were assembled the forces intent on destroying all that was left in the world, all that was left worth saving. Their demonic faces, beings spawned in the pits of the Abyss themselves, finally overwhelmed all defenses that were put against them, their aims on unraveling the law that held the world together, like beings of entropy themselves. Their foul visages filled Rurik with fury, but he contained it. He would need it in the battle to come.
He turned towards his allies. They had helped him rebuild, and even make a city that thrived, despite the environment almost working against them. The cleric, his healing magic had saved many a soul. The elf, whose raw power had destroyed many an enemy before Rurik could reach them. And the halfling, whose small size hid a fierce determination to win back the world she shared with her loved ones. The elf's hands prepared to glow, a powerful spell coming to mind to start the battle off on an explosive foot. The cleric placed more magical protections on the four of them, trying to ensure that they all made it through. Not to the end of the battle. But through their forces, to the castle in the background. To where that foul force had done this to the nature that Rurik loved so much. And the halfling pulled out two short swords, twirling them in anticipation.
The demons surged forward, a roiling mass of evil and destructive intent. Rurik's voice barked over the noise, addressing his troops, his terrified men and women who had already given so much, and now may have to give the ultimate sacrifice. "You know I am not one for long speeches, worthy of rememberance by men and women in times long after today, worthy of recording in tomes of history, telling how men and women stood against ridiculous odds, and came out the victors. So I will just say this. These foul demons wish to destroy everything we hold dear, everything we have left! They wish to eradicate us from the face of this world! I do not know if they will succeed, or if we will win back our world. But I do know this! If we are to die, we will give them hell before we do!" A cheer erupted from the crowd. "We will send them back to the foul pits that spawned them, wishing that they had never faced the wrath of men and women who have had everything taken from them! And who are willing to strike back just as hard!" The sound of cheers were almost deafening. The foul demons were only a small distance away, but Rurik had nothing more to say, besides one last order. "CHARGE!!!", and as the survivors of the largest catastrophe in recorded history charged into battle, the 4 heroes made their last preparations. The cleric began radiating an angelic glow, and wings came forth from his back. The elf made arcane gestures, and meteors, changed to a frigid blue by the elf's arcane might (which even Rurik had to admit was considerable), crashed into their forces, scattering lesser demons like leaves in an autumn breeze. The halfling did combat drills in her mind, and charged with the rest of the army. And Rurik reared his head back in a blood-fury, and as he grew the long, shaggy fur of a primevial shape, covered in claws and fangs, he charged, and knew that there was no way he would fail, not while the power of his lost ancestors still flowed through him.
Rurik Rumnaheim was a completely normal dwarf in his city of Rothgirn. He trained in the militia, and excelled in combat. Rothgirn itself was an almost stereotypical dwarven settlement, except for its dual religious leadership. The dwarves still worshipped Moradin, but there was also a following of ancient druidic traditions, based in the dwarves reliance on the land, and their natural powers helped make Rothgirn thrive. The druids themselves were very proficient on combat, favoring the form on the bear, which represented dwarven strength, fortitude, and protectiveness of their children and families. Rurik was quickly rising the ranks in the dwarven armies when the unthinkable happened. The ancient protections keeping the hordes of the Abyss at bay were removed, and the demonic forces of that vile plane spilled forth. Rothgirn fell, along with a majority of the dwarven residents. However, Rurik and his platoon were away during the attack, fighting the evil forces of the goblins. When they returned, they saw their city in ruins. The demons persued the retreating dwarves, and the rest of his platoon were destroyed.
Rurik, heavily wounded, stumbled through the forest, forced to revert to barbarism to survive. His fury at his homelands destruction fueled his rage, and he managed to survive in the wilderness, all the while the world crumbled around him. After some amount of weeks, or months, even Rurik himself is unsure, he attained a symbiosis with nature, and its fury at its own destruction lent itself to his strength. He continued to survive, and as he spent more time with nature, he himself began to discover the strength of the bears the druids invoked, and began to use this strength himself. Eventually, after an amount of time lost to Rurik's almost feral mind, he found a settlement, made of survivors from cities far and wide, all trying to make a living and survive the demonic onslaught. Rurik lent his strength to the small town, called Harmalk, a dwarven name translating to stalwart village. He was joined by the human cleric Neil, the elven wizard Aramil, and the halfling rogue Cora. Together they helped Harmalk thrive, with Rurik forming the cornerstone of the cities defense, Neil providing training in the healing arts, Aramil lending his mighty magic for whatever is needed, and Cora "finding" supplies and equipment for the town.
Eventually, the demons encroached on the city, but Harmalk was ready. They had long prepared for this, and trained as well as they could. They made seige engines, forged armor, and crafted weapons using any materials at hand, as well as taking any that they could find in the destroyed cities. Recently, the four heroes discovered that an ancient, evil lich, whose name has been lost to time, was the one that tore the hole through which the demons poured, and that an artifact in his possession could close the portal. The four mighty warriors prepared to storm the liche's fortress during the upcoming battle, intent on rescuing what was left of their world.
Rurik himself plans on rebuilding Rothgirn once the battle is over, and plans on making the city, which he intends to lead, thrive as a shining example of dwarven strength. Dispite his fierce demeanor to his enemies, he is still a fun-loving dwarf around friends, who have slowly been bringing him back from his feral state, although they suspect they will never be able to drive it out of him. Speak with him, and you will hear stories about his terrible strength and tales of his valor, such as the time he "single-handedly wrestled a Great Red Wyrm to the ground." Remarkably, this story is almost true, however it was only an Old dragon, and he only helped to hold the wandering hunter down so his allies could defeat it with powerful magic and guile, and although Rurik's contribution was great in itself, he is prone to exaggerate his share of the battle.
despite the length i'd say this is my laziest, least well-written backstory, but oh well, i'm already DQ'd, i can just go back and rewrite it if i care to.
Ulrich LaHarle
Fluffy
No one who knows him now knows his story, but he has one nonetheless, and you shall be the only ones privy to it.
Born in the Third Era year 1220 during the prosperous reign of the beloved Emperor Malese III, Ulrich was raised in the outskirts of the grand capital Forleigh by his seamstress mother and bowyer father. As a child his life was uneventful, but when he turned 17 he enlisted in the army. Due to an uncanny knack for archery, he was quickly assigned to the Red Legion, the emperor’s first response force. There he had an illustrious career, earning several commendations. In his first tour, a peacekeeping action in a far off corner of the empire against a horde of marauding gnolls, he managed a miraculous shot, earning him the title of ‘gnollbane’ amongst the legion. From atop the battlements of Fort Skogol, he picked off the gnoll chieftan coming out of his tent from nearly 100 yards.
Years went by, and Ulrich and the Red Legion moved about the vast empire keeping various ill-behaved groups in check; kobolds, ogres, necromancers, and other rowdy sorts. Finally the big one came: war. In the empire’s dead center, the Tols Wood, the long-dormant brood of Erthyos the Emerald Scourge was finally from their hidden warren. Hundreds of green dragons swept the countryside, destroying all they encountered.
The empire, taken completely by surprise, was devastated. The Legion was more than a match for the younger, weaker dragons, and even single older ones were easily defeated, but the sheer numbers of the Emerald Brood were too vast. Then luck smiled upon Malese and his empire when a simple farmer, Bander the Mute, discovered Erthyos’s remains in a cavern, and with it a great weapon against the Brood.
From Erthyos’s bones sixty-three arrows were carved, each promising instant death to one of his Brood. The Emperor himself hand-selected eleven archers to wield the arrows against their scaly foes, and among them was Ulrich.
Swiftly the dragons fell one by one until only eight remained, and soon the hills of Tols Wood split open as Erthyos’s eldest son Vyrthul finally emerged from beneath the earth to join his brothers. Swiftly he lead them towards the capital, widespread panic grasped the city as the dragons approached. As his brothers milled about the skies above Forleigh, Vyrthul took up perch on the highest spire of the imperial palace.
“This city is now mine, and you soon all will perish” he roared in draconic. Ulrich, meanwhile, was in one of the palace’s nearby ballista towers. Lashing his final remaining bone arrow to the ballista bolt’s head, he turned the massive weapon toward Vyrthul. Though he worked as fast as he could, the weapon’s size made it excruciatingly slow to aim. The eight circling dragons landed one by one and began ripping up the city. Finally, he had the ballista in place, Vyrthul was sitting exposed on the spire, Ulrich took the shot.
The gargantuan dragon toppled from the palace, the ballista bolt protruding from his chest. His remaining brothers, panicking, took flight and disappeared from the empire and Ulrich became a national hero.
Many months passed, and slowly the empire began to rebuild. Far out in the mountainous northlands, Ulrich and the Red Legion had begun work on rebuilding the demolished Fort Wayat. Out collecting firewood one morning before breakfast, Ulrich wandered alone up the mountain….
Rrrrrrroooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaccchhhhhh!! An avalanche! The hero of the empire had been buried beneath a sheet of snow and ice. But he did not die. Oh no sir, he did not die.
Thirty-three hundred years passed before Ulrich finally awoke from his icy slumber. Three millennia of wear upon the ice sheet had taken its toll, and finally a small piece containing Ulrich was washed down a river to land on a bank far to the south, where a pair of hungry Kobolds discovered it. Believing they’d found a free meal, they started a fire and defrosted the archer, not expecting him to be alive. Unfortunately for them he was quite alive and slew them both.
The world around him was not the one he’d left. A large dimensional rip dominated the sky, casting a pale hue-shifting light across the world. There was no civilization, and vast expanses of land were nothing more than cinders. What few people he encountered did not know what had come to pass, just that that’s ‘how it’d always been.’ Ulrich drifted across the land, until one day he spotted the first building he’d seen in over three thousand years, a tower standing amidst a deep forest. Inside he met Lurru the Astromancer, a celestial elf, and the only being he’d met who had some idea what had occurred.
Far, far to the west, across a vast ocean, there had once been the kingdom of Thule, and it was once ruled by the insane Mage-King Arabor. He had been the one to rip the hole in the sky by attempting to channel the raw energy of the outer planes in order to become a god. It is unknown if he succeeded, but the planar tear became an unrestricted gateway from the material plane to all others, and soon Outsiders of all shapes and kinds flooded through. Many of the more benevolent Outsiders attempted to block the gate, while many of those of a more evil persuasion tried to push their way through. Soon all the outer and inner planes were embroiled in war. As the material plane became a wasteland, the other planes were devastated tenfold by godly warfare. Time passed, gods fell, and all the universe was utterly ravaged, save the material plane (which, while a wasteland, was in good shape when compared to the other planes).
Upon hearing the Astromancer’s story, Ulrich resolved to steer the universe away from oblivion and set it on a course towards a prosperous future. But to have any chance, he needs a plan, and he needs allies….
Personality: A true romantic, Ulrich loves over-the-top heroics and storybook deeds of daring. He thrives on danger and epic challenges, and his life hasn’t been short of either.
Battle Tactics: Ulrich prefers to keep himself hidden and wait for his target to come to him. Once in range he lets loose with a devastating flurry of arrows. If waiting doesn’t suit the situation, he makes full use of his fantastic movement abilities to keep his enemy out of reach. If something does make it into melee range, he uses a Close Combat Shot/Ranged Disarm combo if he can and attempts to move away.
Story note: both Arabor and the eight remaining dragons of the Emerald Brood may still be alive if that hadn’t occurred to you….
No one who knows him now knows his story, but he has one nonetheless, and you shall be the only ones privy to it.
Born in the Third Era year 1220 during the prosperous reign of the beloved Emperor Malese III, Ulrich was raised in the outskirts of the grand capital Forleigh by his seamstress mother and bowyer father. As a child his life was uneventful, but when he turned 17 he enlisted in the army. Due to an uncanny knack for archery, he was quickly assigned to the Red Legion, the emperor’s first response force. There he had an illustrious career, earning several commendations. In his first tour, a peacekeeping action in a far off corner of the empire against a horde of marauding gnolls, he managed a miraculous shot, earning him the title of ‘gnollbane’ amongst the legion. From atop the battlements of Fort Skogol, he picked off the gnoll chieftan coming out of his tent from nearly 100 yards.
Years went by, and Ulrich and the Red Legion moved about the vast empire keeping various ill-behaved groups in check; kobolds, ogres, necromancers, and other rowdy sorts. Finally the big one came: war. In the empire’s dead center, the Tols Wood, the long-dormant brood of Erthyos the Emerald Scourge was finally from their hidden warren. Hundreds of green dragons swept the countryside, destroying all they encountered.
The empire, taken completely by surprise, was devastated. The Legion was more than a match for the younger, weaker dragons, and even single older ones were easily defeated, but the sheer numbers of the Emerald Brood were too vast. Then luck smiled upon Malese and his empire when a simple farmer, Bander the Mute, discovered Erthyos’s remains in a cavern, and with it a great weapon against the Brood.
From Erthyos’s bones sixty-three arrows were carved, each promising instant death to one of his Brood. The Emperor himself hand-selected eleven archers to wield the arrows against their scaly foes, and among them was Ulrich.
Swiftly the dragons fell one by one until only eight remained, and soon the hills of Tols Wood split open as Erthyos’s eldest son Vyrthul finally emerged from beneath the earth to join his brothers. Swiftly he lead them towards the capital, widespread panic grasped the city as the dragons approached. As his brothers milled about the skies above Forleigh, Vyrthul took up perch on the highest spire of the imperial palace.
“This city is now mine, and you soon all will perish” he roared in draconic. Ulrich, meanwhile, was in one of the palace’s nearby ballista towers. Lashing his final remaining bone arrow to the ballista bolt’s head, he turned the massive weapon toward Vyrthul. Though he worked as fast as he could, the weapon’s size made it excruciatingly slow to aim. The eight circling dragons landed one by one and began ripping up the city. Finally, he had the ballista in place, Vyrthul was sitting exposed on the spire, Ulrich took the shot.
The gargantuan dragon toppled from the palace, the ballista bolt protruding from his chest. His remaining brothers, panicking, took flight and disappeared from the empire and Ulrich became a national hero.
Many months passed, and slowly the empire began to rebuild. Far out in the mountainous northlands, Ulrich and the Red Legion had begun work on rebuilding the demolished Fort Wayat. Out collecting firewood one morning before breakfast, Ulrich wandered alone up the mountain….
Rrrrrrroooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaccchhhhhh!! An avalanche! The hero of the empire had been buried beneath a sheet of snow and ice. But he did not die. Oh no sir, he did not die.
Thirty-three hundred years passed before Ulrich finally awoke from his icy slumber. Three millennia of wear upon the ice sheet had taken its toll, and finally a small piece containing Ulrich was washed down a river to land on a bank far to the south, where a pair of hungry Kobolds discovered it. Believing they’d found a free meal, they started a fire and defrosted the archer, not expecting him to be alive. Unfortunately for them he was quite alive and slew them both.
The world around him was not the one he’d left. A large dimensional rip dominated the sky, casting a pale hue-shifting light across the world. There was no civilization, and vast expanses of land were nothing more than cinders. What few people he encountered did not know what had come to pass, just that that’s ‘how it’d always been.’ Ulrich drifted across the land, until one day he spotted the first building he’d seen in over three thousand years, a tower standing amidst a deep forest. Inside he met Lurru the Astromancer, a celestial elf, and the only being he’d met who had some idea what had occurred.
Far, far to the west, across a vast ocean, there had once been the kingdom of Thule, and it was once ruled by the insane Mage-King Arabor. He had been the one to rip the hole in the sky by attempting to channel the raw energy of the outer planes in order to become a god. It is unknown if he succeeded, but the planar tear became an unrestricted gateway from the material plane to all others, and soon Outsiders of all shapes and kinds flooded through. Many of the more benevolent Outsiders attempted to block the gate, while many of those of a more evil persuasion tried to push their way through. Soon all the outer and inner planes were embroiled in war. As the material plane became a wasteland, the other planes were devastated tenfold by godly warfare. Time passed, gods fell, and all the universe was utterly ravaged, save the material plane (which, while a wasteland, was in good shape when compared to the other planes).
Upon hearing the Astromancer’s story, Ulrich resolved to steer the universe away from oblivion and set it on a course towards a prosperous future. But to have any chance, he needs a plan, and he needs allies….
Personality: A true romantic, Ulrich loves over-the-top heroics and storybook deeds of daring. He thrives on danger and epic challenges, and his life hasn’t been short of either.
Battle Tactics: Ulrich prefers to keep himself hidden and wait for his target to come to him. Once in range he lets loose with a devastating flurry of arrows. If waiting doesn’t suit the situation, he makes full use of his fantastic movement abilities to keep his enemy out of reach. If something does make it into melee range, he uses a Close Combat Shot/Ranged Disarm combo if he can and attempts to move away.
Story note: both Arabor and the eight remaining dragons of the Emerald Brood may still be alive if that hadn’t occurred to you….
I was hoping to be able to announce this sooner -- but better late than never.
I have managed to convince Community Management to award a Custom Title to all Hero Craftsman gold medal winners! There's no ETA on when it will actually happen, but the 10 folks who have won the previous 15 contests as well as the winner of HC16 will, at some point, receive "Hero Craftsman" as their title, in place of the "member" that appears there now.
That is awesome, Z. Very cool, even if the ETA is something along the lines of "sometime this year." Thanks for getting that for us!
Now off to read the competition.....I love backgrounds....:D
Well, this will likely be my last go-around as judge. Guess that means I have to be extra critical this time. Thanks to all entrants. If you're running late, feel free to post anyways. Since this is (likely) my last time judging, I am going to make it a point to comment on every entry, even those that came in late.
Now...
...off to bed.
Hang on, if the deadline is at 11:59 PM GMT, what is that on the U.S. Eastern Shore? I thought I had time left, but if the timezones messed me up then it's already too late. (I hope I have time left >> << )
I mentioned it earlier Friday, but 11:59pm GMT is 7:59pm EDT. I'll add your entry (and CheeseMan's) to the list, but they won't be eligible for winning; hopefully you'll score some comments, compliments, and suggestions though.
edit: list updated!
EDIT: On second though, never mind. I don't really think that there is much to add or change, so it can be judged or evaluated or whatever based on whats already there.
It helps pass the time until scores are submitted (and makes it easier to dig this thread up when time to post scores arrives).
And... for those of you who are considering pestering the judges for news about the rate at which they are completing the scoring process, I'll just fill you in now. At my current rate of progress, I can safely assure that my scores will be submitted (at the latest) by June 4th...
...2013.
1) Does not count levels of prestige classes
2) To the ranger choice abilities I need to look over the code because
when I type I click on archery it puts mounted archery and vice versa o well at least the double weapon option it types out and it looks like I may have to scrap the entire program with 4e coming out in a few days.
3) one weapion not showing up at all
O well feel free to highlight any other bugs in my program.
But then agen I hardly every what the maxed out perfect build for a character I like my characters fun to play and that make me try to out think my DM with tactics not just round 1 kick down door round 2 on Pandemonium !!!
At my current rate of progress, I can safely assure that my scores will be submitted (at the latest) by June 4th...
...2013.
You do realize that, according to the Mayans, that will be approximately 6 1/2 months after the end of the world?
Me, I plan to have my scores ready just before the apocalypse...say, December 1st, 2012.
:coolcthul
How dare you question the timing of my actions, Talisman? I'm a Mind Flayer in a Priest's outfit!
Yeah, and I'm a gnoll pimp [points at new avatar]. We gnoll pimps know things...terrible, hideous things.
animunculi: That's the one...apparently, December 20, 2012 is the end of the current Long Count.
Yeah, and I'm a gnoll pimp [points at new avatar]. We gnoll pimps know things...terrible, hideous things.
That funny I thought it was a werewolf pimp
I wanted Officer Bugbear (bugbear in a policeman's uniform), but it's not available as an avatar.
My thoughts on some characters' equipment, JUDGES DONT LOOK
First thing I noticed that many characters had spent money very easily, buying things like +5 weapons like they were candy. The flat +damage, +hit is not worth very much, IMO. The weapon abilities are generally better. Besides, the enhancement bonus can be replicated very easily with greater magic weapon spells, which can conveniently be chained to affect all your weapons.
First thing I noticed that many characters had spent money very easily, buying things like +5 weapons like they were candy. The flat +damage, +hit is not worth very much, IMO. The weapon abilities are generally better. Besides, the enhancement bonus can be replicated very easily with greater magic weapon spells, which can conveniently be chained to affect all your weapons.
response to animunculi
In my case, the +5 weapon was bought only for my bow, and mainly because I have terrible ranged accuracy. Getting a bigger bonus was more of a concern for me. I didn't feel like getting creative with other items for the bonus. I'd have boosted Faithful Avenger if I could have, but darn Legacy Item rules...
another response to animunculi--ha ha judges!
I picked up a +5 weapon with special abilities because I built a melee based character with a +3 LA and a primary class with a +3/4 BAB. Also, my character has followers and whatnot, but I see her as not wanting to always have to have someone else cast the spell to give her what she needs--she'd rather her cohort spend her spells on killing things, or on buffing her weaker followers. Finally, I'd never had a character who could by a +5 weapon before....I couldn't resist.
Now, having said that, I haven't looked much at the other entries stat blocks. I read all the backgrounds (and there were some great ones! Good job!), so I don't know exactly what anyone has (will have to go check now...). For what it's worth though....I agree on the special abilities. Usually worth more in the end, depending on the character. I'm also fond of weapon crystals from the Magic Item Compendium.
I picked up a +5 weapon with special abilities because I built a melee based character with a +3 LA and a primary class with a +3/4 BAB. Also, my character has followers and whatnot, but I see her as not wanting to always have to have someone else cast the spell to give her what she needs--she'd rather her cohort spend her spells on killing things, or on buffing her weaker followers. Finally, I'd never had a character who could by a +5 weapon before....I couldn't resist.
Now, having said that, I haven't looked much at the other entries stat blocks. I read all the backgrounds (and there were some great ones! Good job!), so I don't know exactly what anyone has (will have to go check now...). For what it's worth though....I agree on the special abilities. Usually worth more in the end, depending on the character. I'm also fond of weapon crystals from the Magic Item Compendium.
discussing characters
To be honest, I haven't had the pleasure of reading your background yet, jennibert, however, I'm gonna do it first thing tomorrow.
On the weapon subject: I think it's really a matter of preference, actually. Weapon crystals are great for their cost too. I was a bit thrown down by the decision that the crystals don't work with temp. enhancement bonus, though. No matter, it left me with more money to spend on other stuff.
On the weapon subject: I think it's really a matter of preference, actually. Weapon crystals are great for their cost too. I was a bit thrown down by the decision that the crystals don't work with temp. enhancement bonus, though. No matter, it left me with more money to spend on other stuff.
My all time favorite piece of WotC art comes from the same book. My vote for the most "Sanity Damaging" Art printed can be found on page 199 of d20 Modern.
On sblocks
Oh my god, judges can't read sblocks! Nya nya nya nya nyaaa nyaaa. That felt good. Wait, I did my whole entry in sblocks. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo............................................................................................................................................................................ (for those curious, those were not periods, but very very small 'o's.
[/Shatner]
Equipment
At the amount of mony availably at level twenty one might as well spend liberally. Special abilities like Greater shadow (+15 to hide) are great but the flat bonuses to AC are always a help.
So, judges.....done yet? :D
Oh jeez... that's pretty rude...
*whispers to the judges* Are you ?:D
Oh jeez... that's pretty rude...
What, like none of them have ever done that to me
. Though...I notice they haven't answered. Probably means they're off in the Judge Cave, being judgey. Or else that they're sitting out by a pool somewhere and have forgotten their duties..."So, that's -5 points each to jennibert and PhiloticallyEntwined? All right..."
:P
Oh, and Z, you have to forgive Talisman. He's new to judging. The steeper penalties come w/ cynicism related to extraordinary lack of "gift packages."
If everyone must know, I was delayed last week, and I'm behind schedule. Big program at church today... However, I should get back on track by tomorrow. My goal is to submit scores Saturday/Sunday.
My progress in judging precisely mirrors the progress of delivery for the standard "gift packages" being provided by contestants.
What, you mean my snickerdoodles (hah! I know your weakness!) didn't arrive? Darn, and after I went to all the trouble of sabotaging Mercurius's....I mean, trying to make sure Mercurius's gift packages got sent out too.....
Unbeknownst to jennibert, I sent a second set of gift packages Post Haste. I have faith that they will arrive in as timely a manner as they did for Romeo & Juliet...
I sent the judges an e-mail explaining that I had mispelled my name and return address on the packages I had sent them. Sometimes I accidentally spell my name J-e-n-n-i-b-e-r-t or M-e-r-c-u-r-i-u-s.
It's the wierdest thing.
I could go continue judging, but I think I will go dream of snickerdoodle cookies instead...
they should be taking effect any day now.
It is all going according to plan.
Computer recognizes Doomsought's thought pattern from nano's.
Computer grants Johnathan_Vagabond access to Doomsought's entry.
Click: Edit
Type: CTRL+A
Type: Backspace
Click: Reason for Editing
Type: Because I hate the judges and they smell funny. Ha-ha-ha!
Click: Save Changes
However my gift was some mind control nanotech, delivered by Robo-sketers.
they should be taking effect any day now.
:evillaugh
You fool! I am the antithesis of technology. It deteriorates at impossible speeds just from being in my presence. You will not take me down w/ your petty technology.
Of course, jennibert would be set for a perfect score, if those snickerdoodles would ever arrive...
I can get them to send me their life savings, make them forfeit, and send the rest to the judges.
Of course, jennibert would be set for a perfect score, if those snickerdoodles would ever arrive...
Stupid carrier services. Two packages sent out, and none of them arrive. Stupid cookies will probably be stale if they ever do get there.....Oh well. Next time I'll have to try transporting them by mind power.....
Very sorry guys. From the judging I have accomplished, the entries were very high quality this time around. Life just conspired to keep me from getting things done.
now we play the waiting game...again:D...Of course, I'm not a contestant, and have nothing riding on it this time, so I can say whatever I want.
Hey guys... it feels nice to have a few minutes to breathe. I am doing the eternally insane routine called "Summer Camps." If the others have not submitted their scores by Friday night, I will try to get my scores in... but it may be as late as Sunday. I hate to make you all wait.
I was a late addition to the team, literally less than 12 hours before the first trip out of town... if I had known this was coming, I would have tried to have been farther along.
Oh well, time to prepare for tomorrow.
The waiting game sucks. Let's play Pathfinder!
Well, gents, what about a friendly little card game to pass the time? And maybe a few small wagers...just to make it interesting.
[smiles as only a gnoll pimp can smile and ruffles the cards]
If the scores get submitted w/o me, I probably won't post comments, since I won't take the time to finish judging. If I do post scores, I'll post comments like always, but it may take over a week, since on Monday, I go right back to camp.
I've made this decision from one simple reason. The point of Hero Craftsman - at least back when we started them - was to help people improve their character building skills, both fluff and crunch. In my opinion, Jason's comments are some of the best at helping folks in that regard. So if I can delay scores by a few days in order to get Jason's comments for the community, that's a trade-off I'm willing to make.
So, stay tuned!
Also, I hope to be able to wrap up the Custom Title stuff soon as well. Community Management is, understandably, swamped at the moment and so stuff like these CTs take a bit of a back seat. Rest assured, though, that I'll stay on top of it to make sure everybody who has earned one to this point (including the winner of this contest) gets "Hero Craftsman" as their custom title eventually.
I regret to inform you all that Jason will be unable to enter scores for this contest.
* sobs uncontrollably *
<--- see?*ahem*
With that announcement out of the way, let's get on to the scores, shall we?
Coming in third place and winning a BRONZE medal, with a final average score of 28.33:
Bronze Medal Winner
Jason Whitebloom, by animunculi
Jason Whitebloom, by animunculi
Well, as always, thanks to the judges for judging such a great competition. And what a competition...really awesome job, everyone!
Congrats to Mercurius, Johnathan_Vagabond, and animunculi on their prizes! All excellent characters--I enjoyed reading them.
And I'm pleased with Buffy's finished. She's not my best work, I must say....but I had a ton of fun building her, and that's what matters, right? ;)
GOOD JOB EVERYONE!!!
Thirty... point... seventeen?! 
Seriously, how high is the highest score a winner of these competitions has ever pulled off? Because I'm reasonably sure that's a personal best on my part, at least, but I can't honestly say if I've ever seen a score that high.
Wow... I'd love to see the comments on these entries, for scores that high... (shame Jason won't be posting his typically very long commentary.)
Is there any way we could see the point break down so I can see were I lost points in with the comments?
Ha what do you know, I did not come in last on my first time in one of these computation. Now I have a bar for my next entry.
Is there any way we could see the point break down so I can see were I lost points in with the comments?
I'd be glad to share my point-score breakdown, assuming everyone promises to hold off on the torches and pitchforks. :P
And assuming the other judges don't have a problem with it...I'm still the newbie; don't wanna rock the boat.
And, yeah: 30.17...that's impressive. Apparently the apocalypse brings out the best in some people.
My congratulations to our winners. I got about half of the entries done before the world turned upside down, and everything was very high quality.
I really feel horrible that I didn't get finished, but I've had a truly roller coaster set of health issues & lucky (but demanding) job breaks. As it stands, I've decided that I'm not going to judge for the rest of the summer. Maybe, when school comes back around, things will be a bit more peaceful, and I can return to a position I relish (despite the utter lack of snickerdoodle cookies...).
Good night everyone!
pretty good for a first entry :DWhen I was writing up the character's background, I was really testing my limits and exploring the borders, it was my first time doing a detailed background. I didn't expect I had that much in me. Next time I will harness it better, I promise ;).
I'd be glad to share my point-score breakdown, assuming everyone promises to hold off on the torches and pitchforks. :P
And assuming the other judges don't have a problem with it...I'm still the newbie; don't wanna rock the boat.
And, yeah: 30.17...that's impressive. Apparently the apocalypse brings out the best in some people.
Post away. Comments are always useful, in my opinion.
Congratulations to all the medalists! Well done, judges! I really enjoyed creating this character and I hope all the others had as much fun too.
When I was writing up the character's background, I was really testing my limits and exploring the borders, it was my first time doing a detailed background. I didn't expect I had that much in me. Next time I will harness it better, I promise ;).
I'm glad you had fun, and I'm glad you found it a challenge. That's absolutely what this contest is about.
Thirty... point... seventeen?!
Seriously, how high is the highest score a winner of these competitions has ever pulled off? Because I'm reasonably sure that's a personal best on my part, at least, but I can't honestly say if I've ever seen a score that high.
I'll check later. I have to add this list of medalists to the master thread anyway, so I'll see if I can figure out the highest gold medal score.
And one of them is my old foe, Mercurius...
While I may not be judging for a while, if the 3.5 competitions continue, I may have to step back in the dueling ring. You have this round Mercurius, but I shall return!
En guard!!
:fight!:
And don't think I've forgotten about you, Mister Vagabond. You fought valiantly. Impressive. You will certainly be a worthy foe in contests to come.
Btw, my post should be read as a subtle "Well done," as opposed to any actual damage to my ego. If I need any ego, I just devour it.
:coolcthul
Edit: Ok, so I managed to hunt up my old record from HC#7 (over a year ago), and it was 29.17. Still, not one, but two people managed to bring my old record down. If I get a chance, I may have to do something about this...
First, let me say that I'm still a newbie at this whole judging business. As such, I don't have complicated rubrics or systems like some folks [eyes Jason] to determine how I scored you. Here are my critera:
Thematic Creativity: Looking for interesting and unusual characters here. Unusual class/race combos, nonstereotypical archetypes, and other oddness got higher points, assuming it made logical sense for the character (I'm not trying to encourage weirdness for weirdness's sake). Also, classics done well (as opposed to stereotypes regurgitated) impress me.
This includes stuff surrounding your character. In this specific contest, I was also looking for unique and creative apocalypses as well.
Background: A background that made sense, obviously. I wanted one that told me something about your character, and that felt right for a PC of your race/class/level. Extra points for having your PC interact with the world (allies, enemies, contacts, organizations, whatever).
Mechanics/Rules Use: I primarily looked for errors here. I'd rather see a weak build that works than a strong build that's riddled with bad math.
Clarity: How easy was it to read your entry? Use of bolding = good; wall-o-text = bad. Was the entry arranged coherently? Or was the stat block mixed with the stat breakdown? Anything I had to reverse-engineer got negative points.
Now, on with the comments. At Revan54115110's request, I am including his point breakdown in with comments; if anyone else wants to see theirs, let me know and I'll post or PM it to ya.
Free the Forged, by PhiloticallyEntwined
Thematic Creativity: Although it's fine mechanically, I felt that Free's "warlockness" didn't really show much in the story. Aside from his "father" crafting him out of tainted mithral and a reference to his "fiendish powers," his background could have applied to virtually any class. Aside from this, I quite like Free.
Background: I would have liked more on the apocalypse itself. What happened? Why did it devestate the world? What was Farsird trying to accomplish? How? Why?
Again, aside from this, Free has an interesting and flavorful background...I can see many potential plot threads.
One thing I did not see in Free's background that I would have liked: a nemesis!
I think the legacies for the Fist of the Free were interesting, and the weapon itself is cool as well as logically put together. You also had Free awaken each legacy in a logical way.
Rules Use #1: The bracers of armor +2 don't count, since Free already has a +10 armor bonus from his enchanted Mithral Body. The only benefit from the bracers would be to buff his AC against incorporeal touch attacks (since the bracers are a force effect, and his normal armor isn't). AC is therefore 32, flat-footed 27.
#2: Touch AC should be 17, not 15 (+5 Dex, +2 deflection from that ring of protection +2).
#3: Fort save should be +8 (+4 warlock, +3 battle trickster, +1 uncanny trickster, +4 Con, -4 legacy)
#4: Reflex save should be +16 (+4 warlock, +1 battle trickster, +3 uncanny trickster, +8 Dex).
#5: Will save should be +12 (+8 warlock, +1 battle trickster, +1 uncanny trickster, +2 exemplar).
#6: If I'm not mistaken, Free's Fist (least legacy) should cost 1,500 gp, not 1,800 gp.
#7: The creature compass ability requires you to select a specific subtype of Humanoid.
#8: Enhancement bonuses to speed do not stack. Thus, your speed is only 40', not 45'.
#9: The haste ability of the Fist of the Free is usable 5 rounds/day, not 10 rounds/day.
Clarity #1: Nice bolding and use of tables. Very legible and logically laid out.
#2: Misspellings ("wich" instead of "which," "licked him" instead of "liked him," "copse" instead of "corpses," "ocasionnal" instead of "occasional")
#3: You damage totals seemed to imply you use hideous blow with every attack, which is fine for a single attack but doesn't work for a full attack sequence (hideous blow requires a standard action, although it can be combined with an attack). This should be noted somewhere.
#4: You list Free's flat-footed AC as 5 points less than his normal AC, yet he has "cunning" from his fist, indicating that he can't be caught flat-footed. A note by the AC entry would have made this easier to catch.
#5: Eldritch blast does 7d6 damage...or 7d6+1 within 30' due to point Blank Shot. You listed the attack bonus, but forgot the damage bonus (although I admit it's trivial at 20th level...).
Thematic Creativity: Although it's fine mechanically, I felt that Free's "warlockness" didn't really show much in the story. Aside from his "father" crafting him out of tainted mithral and a reference to his "fiendish powers," his background could have applied to virtually any class. Aside from this, I quite like Free.
Background: I would have liked more on the apocalypse itself. What happened? Why did it devestate the world? What was Farsird trying to accomplish? How? Why?
Again, aside from this, Free has an interesting and flavorful background...I can see many potential plot threads.
One thing I did not see in Free's background that I would have liked: a nemesis!
I think the legacies for the Fist of the Free were interesting, and the weapon itself is cool as well as logically put together. You also had Free awaken each legacy in a logical way.
Rules Use #1: The bracers of armor +2 don't count, since Free already has a +10 armor bonus from his enchanted Mithral Body. The only benefit from the bracers would be to buff his AC against incorporeal touch attacks (since the bracers are a force effect, and his normal armor isn't). AC is therefore 32, flat-footed 27.
#2: Touch AC should be 17, not 15 (+5 Dex, +2 deflection from that ring of protection +2).
#3: Fort save should be +8 (+4 warlock, +3 battle trickster, +1 uncanny trickster, +4 Con, -4 legacy)
#4: Reflex save should be +16 (+4 warlock, +1 battle trickster, +3 uncanny trickster, +8 Dex).
#5: Will save should be +12 (+8 warlock, +1 battle trickster, +1 uncanny trickster, +2 exemplar).
#6: If I'm not mistaken, Free's Fist (least legacy) should cost 1,500 gp, not 1,800 gp.
#7: The creature compass ability requires you to select a specific subtype of Humanoid.
#8: Enhancement bonuses to speed do not stack. Thus, your speed is only 40', not 45'.
#9: The haste ability of the Fist of the Free is usable 5 rounds/day, not 10 rounds/day.
Clarity #1: Nice bolding and use of tables. Very legible and logically laid out.
#2: Misspellings ("wich" instead of "which," "licked him" instead of "liked him," "copse" instead of "corpses," "ocasionnal" instead of "occasional")
#3: You damage totals seemed to imply you use hideous blow with every attack, which is fine for a single attack but doesn't work for a full attack sequence (hideous blow requires a standard action, although it can be combined with an attack). This should be noted somewhere.
#4: You list Free's flat-footed AC as 5 points less than his normal AC, yet he has "cunning" from his fist, indicating that he can't be caught flat-footed. A note by the AC entry would have made this easier to catch.
#5: Eldritch blast does 7d6 damage...or 7d6+1 within 30' due to point Blank Shot. You listed the attack bonus, but forgot the damage bonus (although I admit it's trivial at 20th level...).
Anyways, not much else to comment. Thanks and rock on!
Personal question: Although you didn't specifically call it out, is there a connection between Jarren Blake (priest) and Davies Blake (uber-lich)?
Well, not intentionally... I may have accidentally used the same surname twice.
Next time clarity well be focused on more heavily .
“ And as a side note hydration suit is from the book Sandstorm in the mundane equipment and was never meant to part of the eleven chain”
Atlantis falling into the ocean would have been an apocolyptic event.
The Troubled Times from Forgotten Realms was apocolyptic.
To a secluded tribe that worships a god that lives in an active volcano, and nearly gets destroyed when it erupts would be apocolyptic, no? The end of their known world.
). Those 480 pounds are a result of an random weight roll and frankly I didn't think of it much more:P
I was not in the mood for detailed level breakdown when I was posting the character:embarrass
Totally forgot about the nemesis/friends and to talk about Jane more then I did.
I did so many mechanical errors because I hadn't fully finished the character before posting and I'm not that good making 20 level characters.
I generally dislike many magic items and I sort of didn't think a +2flaming,holy,keened,etc,etc greatsword really didn't fitted the character.
Ranged attack are for pansie elves;) not for a 80 year old human fighter:D
Yarjni/Yarnji its just misspelling
and frankly I don't remember wich is correct.And I didn't think more about clarifying the backstory/background for anyone else then me:embarrass
Buffy Summers, by jennibert
Thematic Creativity: I've never watched the Buffy TV show...not sure if that's an advantage or disadvantage when reviewing this. Nice, heroic background, and good work adapting Buffy & Friends to a more traditional fantasy setting.
Background: Eep!
I was a little disappointed by the apocalypse itself - it seemed kind of bland after that build-up.
Rules Use #1: AC is wrong...you include a +6 Dex bonus, but a chain shirt's maximum Dex bonus to AC is +4. AC should be 34 (38).
#2: Reflex save should be +23 (+7 Dex, +7 scout, +5 ranger, +4 resistance)
#3: You did not list Saith's Ego score; by my calculation, it should be 18.
Clarity #1: Why does Buffy have bracers of armor +1? You (correctly) did not add this to her AC, since they don't stack with her +5 chain shirt, so why does she even have this item?
#2: Nice breakdown and layout.
Next time I'll remember to make it much easier for you guys and double check everything. Although I'm fairly sure I did include some of the stuff you said I left out. (I keep on forgetting that you get max HP per HD at first level
, but your confusion on skill points was due to the fact that I actually put heal and intimidate at partial ranks thus making the bonuses lower.)A couple of comment responses:
She gets a +6 dex bonus to AC because she's wearing a Mithral Chain Shirt, which ups the max dex by +2.
And she has bracers of armor so that she can gain the benefits of the second armor crystal I stuck on there
As for the apocalypse....yeah, I kinda fell down at the end, largely because I had some trouble translating the events at the end of Season 7 with the way I moved a few things around...oh well! Like I said, I had fun with her. (Side note: Are there any Buffy fans out there who have a comment on how well my translation went? Just curious
But thanks ever so much for posting comments, Talisman! I really appreciate your taking the time to judge and to post comments.
What?? It was really taken from Buffy The Vampire Slayer?
Wow. I thought you made it all up and that the only similarity was the name. Though, you have to excuse my ignorance, I have seen only a few episodes.
[edit] Nevermind; I'm just going with a handful of regular power stones, instead.