And another. At this rate, I'll run low of PC allies and start into the villains of the game.
The Ten-Minute Background of Leroux Eol'rim, Bralani of Autumn Winds (old Leroux)
Step 1: write five things about your character’s concept and background, five things that you think are the most essential parts of your character. You don’t have to stop at five, if you like…this is just a minimum.
1) Old Leroux is an old eladrin who owns a shop in the Temple District. There he makes magical tattoos which dance and move of their own accord. He has been in the town of St. Clarice for over a century. 2) Old Leroux was once a noble, a Bralani of Autumn Winds, but left the Feywild for reasons he never discusses. He came to The World carrying a young half-elf child, and has watched over the descendants of that child ever since, playing the role of mentor and kindly grandfather figure. 3) Old Leroux is a sage, and has a great store of knowledge on history, arcane teachings, and religion. 4) Old Leroux is an old, old eladrin. his skin is a warm nut-brown color, and he is bald, with mystical tattoos covering his thin frame. His eyes are a solid white, and glow faintly when he concentrates. 5) Old Leroux is good at heart and means well, but he has an unfortunate tendency to be condescending towards those of other races, viewing members of those races as children who must be educated.
Step 2: List two goals for the character that you, as a player, think would be cool to see accomplished in-game. During any session in which you take positive action to achieve that goal, I will award you an action point that can only be used in scenes furthering that goal. These Action Points are separate from the action points you gain by resting and reaching milestones. You can change goals later, though you lose all the accumulated Action Points for the goal you abandoned.
1) I hope the players come to Leroux for his patronage and his knowledge. He is meant to be an ally and perhaps a patron for the party. 2) There are some interesting secrets that may be revealed...I hope that the party comes to care for Leroux, so that, when these secrets are revealed, the players have an emotional investment in them.
Step 3: List two secrets about your character. One is a secret the character knows, one is a secret that involves him but that he is not actually aware of yet. This will help me in creating plots that center around your character. I will also be creating a third secret which you as a player will not be aware of, so expect some surprises!
1) Old Leroux is a member of the White Fox Society, and uses his knowledge to further their ends. Lately he has been involved in the smuggling of changelings from the Feywild, helping them escape the persecution that they face beyond the veil. 2) Old Leroux isn't aware of it yet, but he is beginning to succumb to The Madness, an ancient eladrin curse that drives the eldest of that race insane, slowly but surely. His double life is beginning to take its toll on his mind. Spoiler:Show
3) Old Leroux is a spy for the Eladrin court. He manipulates the White Fox Society into working for the interests of Lady Wynowill, a Ghaele queen who has been manipulating the World for a century in preparation for an eventual Eladrin invasion of The World. The changelings Leroux "helps" are actually being lead to their deaths.
Step 4: Describe three people that are tied to the character though blood, romance or honor. Two of them are friendly to the character, one is hostile. All can do something useful for you, if you can get the situations to line up. If you like, you can include an enemy of yours here as well, so I have an instant NPC nemesis to throw at you.
1) Dominique Leroux is the granddaughter of the child Leroux came into the World carrying, and he watches over her when he can. 2) Audric Cwellen, a half-elven Paladin in the service of the Goddess of Love and Beauty, regards Leroux as a trusted friend and mentor. 3) Sheriff Bulrick of St. Clarice dislikes "that creepy old elf," but even he respects Old Leroux's wisdom, and will (grudgingly) take his advice on matters related to the security of the city.
Yet another revisited NPC from a previous game, Old Leroux was a mentor figure for the party who died (well, was petrified). In keeping with my "everything old is new again" design for my new campaign, I decided to make Leroux less altruistic this time around and more sinister. This way, he can lead the party into danger (and adventure!).
What I find most frustrating about 4E is that I can see it includes the D&D game I've always wanted to play, but the game is so lathered in tatical combat rules that I have thus far been unable to coax the game I want out.
Urantikkel Pin Slamminfools - Gnome Fighter Str 16, Con 16, Dex 12, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 12
Step 1: Write five things about your character's concept and background
1. Born and raised in the Feywild in one of the largest gnome cities, Faeraer. 2. Gnome Pride 'nuff said. (Thinks gnomes to be natural martial warriors; the reason he's such an amazing warrior has nothing to do with years of training, just natural racial battle magnificence)Worships Kord and believes Kord created the Gnomes as only that would explain how awesome they are in battle. 3. Claims to have succumbed to wanderlust. Left the Gnomish Battle Brigade to see the world and expand his arsenal of Gnome Bad-assness. 4. Loves tinkered tricks to befuddle his opposition 5. His alignment is truly neutral, but for non-altruistic reasons will easily sacrifice himself for his allies, save a village from marauding orcs, or any other deeds that separate heroes from the common folk. It would take intense philosophical arguments to detect his alignment is really unaligned rather than good and a firm disbelief of altruism. Urantikkel does these deeds simply for a thirst to name accomplishments. Firstly for himself; "A long list of deeds isn't going to add itself to my name" - Urantikkel pin Slamminfools. And secondly to win glory and renown and ultimately earn a seat next to Kord. "I'm pretty sure every morning begins with a drinking contest, then there is the before noon battle. Those that live through it get to enjoy the second drinking contest. Then there is the afternoon battle, which is much more fun than the before noon battle. All the weaker races like the humans, elves and dwarves have tuckered out at this point and just watch on the sidelines and the real champions fight it out. If too many people are alive at this point an after the afternoon battles will commence until there are about 50 or so who get to eat with kord that night. I plan on sitting next to him" - Urantikkel Pin Slamminfools
Step 2: List two goals for the character that you, as a player, think would be cool to see accomplished in-game
1. His goal is to locate the gnomish artifact Arumadd, the Gnomish Battle Hammer wielded by the greatest gnome warrior, Urantikkel (his name in most gnomish stories is quiet long and names many many deeds) . Urantikel the great fought readily in the Drow Wars. The war between the Drow, Eladrin, and Elves had far reaching consequences and almost all the races of the fey were involved. Urantikel and his weapon, Arumadd was lost in one of the last battles that took place, the battle of Segienabar. The knowledge of where this battle happened is known to only those with truly epic history skills. He believes the hammer is not in the Feywild and searches for clue's to it's whereabouts. 2. His much more realistic goal is to learn new fighting techniques to bring back to his brigade. He is also a beer connoisseur and plans to roam the world for a spell tasting all the best brews. 3. Slay a dragon is definitely on his to-do list. The gnomish name for dragon slayer is f'leshk Ra Tal and Urantikel Pin F'leshk Ra Tal Slamminfools just sounds cool. 4. He is a little delusional, maybe... He really just wants everyone to know the true might of the gnomes by being what he believes to be a paragon of his race. Only he's anything but that.. he doesn't tinker himself, has no real magical abilities, and his phasing ability barely works. More like a broken flashlight blinking in and out for a couple of seconds
Step 3: List two secrets about your character. One is a secret the character knows, one is a secret that involves him but that he is not actually aware of yet.
1. He didn't choose to leave his brigade as he often says. He was forced out of his position politically by the commander's son Wanndinel Difflepoof. This was due to an intense rivalry that inevitably led to Wanndinel losing. Humiliated he spread lies about Urantikel to his father and ultimately placed me in a position to be removed from my position. I officially am taking a very extended leave with an emphasis on "don't come back." They have replaced me with a very well respected gnomish warlord named Graveldust Roughntuff, the only gnome to beat me in a arm wrestling fight; but he only did it once, and I was connoisseuring my ass off that night.. 2. Wanndinel Difflepoof has hired a gnome assassin to make sure that I never return. The troops hold me in such high regard that if I returned I could easily usurp him. He is obsessive and paranoid and will only relax once I've been removed from the picture. Luckily I told no one of my travels, unluckly I brag to everyone about how bad ass gnomes are. "Isn't it too bad you aren’t a gnome" is my calling card. How hard can I be to find? Only the DM will know.
Step 4: Describe three people that are tied to the character through blood, romance, or honor. Two of them are friendly, one is hostile.
1. Graveldust Roughntuff, his best friend and current leader of the Gnomish Battle Brigade. Both of them started out in the Gnomish Death Squad and worked their way up the ranks. They have always had a friendly rivalry. Graveldust would go to great lengths to help out with any situation I might be having; it would take a great amount of pride swallowing to get me to ask him for help from him however. 2. Rasanna Tinkertatter, My sister she left home about five years ago and wanders around selling gadgets and gizmo's. She is an excellent tinkerer and has made our family quiet proud. Some of the gear I'm wearing she invented, like my helmet's shaded lenses that come down when I nod sharply twice. 3. Wanndinel Difflepoof, a sniveling waste of a Gnome. Spoiled and weak. If he wanted to he could lend me the support of an entire brigade of ready bodied gnomish warriors. Not likely to ever happen. He fears me and for good reason, if I ever found him in a dark alley I'd show him why Kord gave us gnomes strong well oiled bodies!
Step 5: Describe three memories that your character has. They don't have to be elaborate but they should provide some context and flavor.
1. Urantikkel remembers the first time he heard the story of the exploits of the greatest gnome champion and loved how they shared the first name. He remembers when he was a child, thinking that someday his list of accomplishments would extend his name across the pages of a book. 2. The first time he held a gnomish war hammer as a kid. Running around pretending he was the great gnome champion Urantikel Drow Slayer! 3. The day he earned his nickname "Shadow" not because of his silent movement, but because he cast the biggest shadow! "That's all muscle boys" - Urantikkel Pin Slamminfools 4. His involuntary leave that he was required to take and the pure betrayal he felt after many years of service; after first setting foot on this world he added a middle name Pin (elven for free).
Here's a writeup of a PC for a campaign that never quite got it's groove.
Boscombe Blackwater-Human Ranger, Unaligned. Background "I'm a man of few words, so most of these aren't mine..."Spoiler:Show
1. He is from further South, speaking with an accent no one can place. 2. He lost his elder sister to an arranged marriage with a phony nobleman, who later killed her to gain infernal power, and fled. 3.He set out with a number of his cronies to avenge this slight. All but one have died. 4.He had a falling out with the other survivor, leading this fellow to seek work elsewhere, while Boscombe quickly became entangled in a failed burglary, sentenced to a life of hard labor. 5.Due to a sudden outburst of religious fervor, he has escaped, and renewed his hunt.
Step 2:Goals(I got 3) "The gods don't speak very loudly, so you have to be a good listener." Spoiler:Show
Short Term- Kill the paladin Gyrecroft, who murdered his sister. Medium Term- Stay focused. "Lives were lost before, because you were weak." Long Term- find a way to redeem himself for his previous mistakes.
3:Secrets "I still remember the look in her eyes, when she sent me away. Ah, well-that's noblesse oblige for you..." Spoiler:Show
(Known) Boscombe's relationship with his sister was not strictly familial, thus casting shadows on his motivations for stopping this genuine villain, as well as his quest for renewal. (Unknown) Gyrecroft is still the Titleholder of the Blackwater estate. If he died, it would revert to Boscombe, probably just in time to be extremely inconvenient.
4: Relationships- 2 positive, 1 negative. "We're sending you back to hell- Your puppeteer too." Spoiler:Show
Eridd Ewestooth, Male Human, LG. Set out with BB to avenge his honor. Along the way, he grew enraged at the pointless loss of his friends' lives, as well as Boscombe's disregard for danger. Now employed as an Alderman, of sorts, it was his influence that prevented Boscombe from being executed. Mithril, Male Cat, UA. the plump silver tabby at the largest nearby town's Inn. Takes an uncommon liking to the Southerner, and his odd manner. Most locals are shocked to see Boscombe soften so much in the animal's presence, even if cats ARE the eyes of the gods... Gyrecroft, Male Human, CE. many aliases. A thoroughly evil fellow, he has managed to run the fortune gained from the estate into the ground, and now finds himself compelled to partake in dangerous rites to keep his demons (personal, and literal) happy. While he knows he is hunted, his recent activities have left him blindsided to the approaching danger.
5: Personality "I see. Kava, convince him of the insistence to the contrary..." Spoiler:Show
Boscombe keeps himself amused with a well-honed sense of gallows humor, revealing a nuanced and educated mind. He speaks more or less constantly, mainly to himself at low volume, raising his voice when he has a particular point to communicate. He's not unfriendly, but seems genuinely disinterested in much that goes on around him. Mannerisms: "I need 4 beers here. My companions probably would like some as well..." Since his self-led conversion to Kord, Boscombe exercises regularly, often doing calisthenics in harsh weather conditions. He eats and drinks well in towns, but remains peckish on the road. The nearby townsfolk avoid him, but no longer doubt his good intentions. When he is adventuring, he donates to any Kordite temple or shrine, anonymously if possible. He is not evangelical in any way, but will meet any challenge to his faith head-on.
For fun, imagine all these quotes are delivered by Peter Stormare. It's how I spoke them, after all. I wonder if anyone's reading these...Again?
What I find most frustrating about 4E is that I can see it includes the D&D game I've always wanted to play, but the game is so lathered in tatical combat rules that I have thus far been unable to coax the game I want out.
Another NPC background, this time of a full-out villain. As always, beware spoilers, PCs in my game!
The Ten-Minute Background of Doctor Gerard LeVaine, the Resurrectionist--Tiefling Necromancer, Evil
Step 1: write five things about your character’s concept and background, five things that you think are the most essential parts of your character. You don’t have to stop at five, if you like…this is just a minimum.
"Please, allow me to introduce myself. I'm a man of wealth...and taste."
1) Doctor LeVaine is a tiefling descended from a line of nobles who, during the Hundred Years' Chaos, made a pact with devil lords for power, disregarding the curse that would mark them "unto the last generation." 2) Doctor LeVaine came to St. Clarice claiming to be a physician looking after Brother Maynard, high priest of the Sacristy of The Raven Lord. During his time in town, he has helped the poor and unfortunate survive nearly fatal accidents and diseases, earning the nickname "The Resurrectionist" for his seemingly miraculous remedies. 3) Among his patients are the two children of the Lord Mayor of St. Clarice, which has earned him their eternal gratitude and an inroad into the city's high society, which give him a platform for his outspoken opinions on city politics. 4) The leaders of the local temple of Syriia Amyra, the Goddess of Love, and Cyra Morwyn, Goddess of the Sun, are not on good terms with Gerard. The Bishop of St. Clarice mistrusts his motives, while the Amyran Celebrant dislikes his vanity and arrogance. 5) When not working, Gerard dresses flamboyantly in a fine but gaudy courtier's garb, complete with a large, floppy feathered hat that draped over his horns.
Step 2: List two goals for the character that you, as a player, think would be cool to see accomplished in-game. During any session in which you take positive action to achieve that goal, I will award you an action point that can only be used in scenes furthering that goal. These Action Points are separate from the action points you gain by resting and reaching milestones. You can change goals later, though you lose all the accumulated Action Points for the goal you abandoned.
"Oh, I've been around for a long, long year. I lived around Abbeville, until I felt it was time for a change."
1) Gerard is seeking a magical tome that he believes lies in a crypt in the ruins of Abbeville. This tome was supposedly penned by the Raven Lord himself, and contains a great many strange necromantic rituals dating back to the time the god was an evil lord of death rather than the more neutral god he is now. 2) Gerard is also working to discredit the churches in town as part of a master plot to drive people from the worship of the gods in order to weaken their power. He has had some success, and is busy obtaining scandalous gossip about the leaders of the two churches to slip into his rants.
Step 3: List two secrets about your character. One is a secret the character knows, one is a secret that involves him but that he is not actually aware of yet. This will help me in creating plots that center around your character. I will also be creating a third secret which you as a player will not be aware of, so expect some surprises!
"Allow me to share a slice of personal philosophy. The gods are not worthy of the veneration man places with them. In fact, to the gods, we are but tiny crawling insects, and they will kill us for their sport."
1) Gerard is a necromancer. His "Miraculous" remedies are nothing of the sort...he is killing his patients and then transforming them into well-preserved undead as seeds for his plan to ruin the good name of the Raven Lord's church. The undead he has created do not yet realize what they are. He is expecting a mass panic to break out when these walking wounded are uncovered. 2) Victoria Montaire, the Mayor's daughter, was turned into a vampire at Gerard's hand. She has been taken into his confidence, and is actively working to help his plans along. What Gerard doesn't know is that she was a necromancer before her transformation, and has decided that Gerard's plans are moving too slowly. She has decided to help him out with what she thinks his goals are (creating an army of undead to conquer the city and sowing terror through undead attacks), which are actually hampering his ability to get his intricate plan set up properly. Spoiler:Show
3) Gerard LeVaine is a Vampire Lord, able to walk around in the sun and ignore many of the weaknesses folklore assigns to vampires. 4) Gerard was behind the Doom That Came To Abbeville, as part of a previous, failed plot.
Step 4: Describe three people that are tied to the character though blood, romance or honor. Two of them are friendly to the character, one is hostile. All can do something useful for you, if you can get the situations to line up. If you like, you can include an enemy of yours here as well, so I have an instant NPC nemesis to throw at you.
"Friends? I have many who are friends with me...but very few I consider friends in return."
1) Victoria Montaire has developed an obvious crush on Doctor LeVaine since her treatment at his hands, and is pursuing what many feel is a slightly scandalous relationship with him. 2) Brother Maynard, the high priest of The Raven Lord, is Gerard's patient, and though he is gravely ill his words still hold influence. 3) Xat, a changeling wizard, is a useful spy for Gerard, feeding him information on the politics of the city. Lately, however, Xat has come to suspect his patron's motives are less than pure.
Gerard is the BBEG of our game. He was always foppish and arrogant, but he moved from a human cleric necromancer working on lichdom to a tiefling wizard necromancer who is a vampire. The change has been interesting. Still, his MO hasn't changed...he was always the sort of manipulative chessmaster villain. This background doesn't give away too much of his ultimate goals, mostly because I'm holding open the possibility that he might actually buy it before his plans progress to the point they did during the last campaign.
What I find most frustrating about 4E is that I can see it includes the D&D game I've always wanted to play, but the game is so lathered in tatical combat rules that I have thus far been unable to coax the game I want out.
I read your background. Ta-da! The ten-minute background is my favorite. It makes you want to play the character.
I couldn't agree more. It keeps the information to a reasonable length, and everything is where it belongs, so you don't have to shuffle through it to get a particular fact. What redundancy there is actually helpful. Great Idea!
Xavier Blackcrest Step 1: write five things about your character’s concept and background, five things that you think are the most essential parts of your character. You don’t have to stop at five, if you like…this is just a minimum.
1) He is a child of the mildly wealthy Blackcrest family who was lost and raised for the first few years of his life by poor parents. His real parents were dead by the time they found out (that's how they found him, they were looking for an heir). 2) He enjoys gambling and dueling, which is why he is skilled with the sword. He's outgoing and likes to do absurd and flamboyant things. 3) He started adventuring mostly on a bet, but also because he was bored. He will prefer whichever adventure effects the most people, because of his flamboyant tendencies. 4) Although interested in women, he won't stay with one for very long. He has forgotten several a month after fighting to the death over them. 5) He
Step 2: List two goals for the character that you, as a player, think would be cool to see accomplished in-game. During any session in which you take positive action to achieve that goal, I will award you an action point that can only be used in scenes furthering that goal. These Action Points are separate from the action points you gain by resting and reaching milestones. You can change goals later, though you lose all the accumulated Action Points for the goal you abandoned.
1) Defeat his rival Interrer Greenson once and for all! 2) Make a bet with any major villain in the campaign, and win. 3) Becoming famous, ideally without doing much work.
Step 3: List two secrets about your character. One is a secret the character knows, one is a secret that involves him but that he is not actually aware of yet. This will help me in creating plots that center around your character. I will also be creating a third secret which you as a player will not be aware of, so expect some surprises!
1) No one outside the estate knows about his past. 2) His real parents are alive. They were forced to move to a slightly distant city because of bad weather.
Step 4: Describe three people that are tied to the character though blood, romance or honor. Two of them are friendly to the character, one is hostile. All can do something useful for you, if you can get the situations to line up. If you like, you can include an enemy of yours here as well, so I have an instant NPC nemesis to throw at you.
1) Xavier's estate, while not strictly a person, grants him significant resources and connections. 2) Xavier's fencing trainer, Toolazytothinkupanothername, is still something of a warrior, but won't be helpful much with events that occur outside his hometown. His greatest use may be in training other PCs to help them learn some of the same skills. 3) Xavier and his rival Interrer Greensen have insulted and dueled each other enough that no competition between them can be friendly. Although they do not outright try to kill each other unfairly, they scheme to ruin each other's reputations and forturnes.
Step 5: Describe three memories that your character has. They don't have to be elaborate, but they should provide some context and flavor.
1) All the friends he played with growing up. 2) Being taken away to a strange new place without his parents. 3) Meeting his rival. This memory is very twisted and exaggerated - they were actually sort of friends for a while, but he doesn't remember that part.
I like it. He's not superman, and you're aware of where his faults lie. I might suggest shoring up your secrets, however. They often make a good excuse to earn xp.
Monsieur Tutheinco-Ponayme could be called Toulouse, to good effect, although everyone might still call him "too lazy". :D However, if this disgusting trend of nobleborn characters continues, I shall have to post some sort of antidote. Serfs up, yo.
And another NPC. This background is useful not only for PCs, but those NPCs that you want to spend effort on. As always, Players of my Game should not read this, or at the very least beware spoilers.
The Ten-Minute Background of Brother Lazare Maynard
Step 1: Background.
"We should not fear the end. It is not a curse, but a blessing. Imagine, if you will, the true curse of immortality. Imagine watching all that was once good rot and fall into corruption. Of all the friends whom once you knew so well age and die, while you remained behind..." --Brother Maynard, from a sermon performed two decades ago.
1) Brother Maynard is the head minister of St. Clarice's local Sacristy of The Raven Lord. 2) He has served the church of the god of the dead faithfully for decades, but he is sadly approaching the end of his human life-span and has grown gravely ill. 3) He has turned to his physician, doctor Gerard LeVaine, to provide his care in his last days. However, his illness and senility have lead to him being removed from the public eye. 4) His visitors report that he has become increasingly obsessed with a book, ranting about it endlessly when he slips into his episodes. What book this may be is unknown, just that he wants this book, and he wants it badly. 5) Despite his advanced age and illness, he still conducts his duties as a minister of the Raven Lord, tending to the business of preparing funerals and burials for the city.
Step 2: Goals.
"THE BOOK! Bring me the book...please, fetch my book. I must have it. I must have the book, before it is too late...BRING IT! BRING ME THE BOOK! please...the book...bring me the book..." --Brother Maynard, during a fit of dementia.
1) I would like Brother Maynard to represent some of the horrors of aging for my players. His deterioration should seem tragic, especially as he grows ever more desperately ill. 2) Since one of my players is a cleric of the Raven Lord, I want him to act as a foil for her, and perhaps a lesson in blind faith.
Step 3: Secrets
"...and in the end, what is it all worth? Nothing. It's ashes, and dust. Where do the ashes lay? On the shattered, burned ruins of all of our hopes, our dreams..." --From one of Brother Maynard's rants, as he is held deep in the throes of dementia.
1) The book Brother Maynard rants about is actually the Liber Mortis Necronomicon, an unholy tome penned by The Raven Lord in ages past, when that deity was an evil god of death rather than the unaligned god of the dead he is today. Why he wants it is anyone's guess, as the book contains only horrible necromantic rituals, supposedly including the ritual that created The Dark Reaper himself. 2) Bishop Antoine Montaire, one of Brother Maynard's oldest friends, is growing increasingly worried over the minister's illness. He suspects Gerard LeVaine is actually keeping Brother Maynard sick instead of treating him. His Eminence the Bishop is planning on launching a full investigation of Doctor LeVaine in the near future. Spoiler:Show
3)Despite being in the service of the god of the dead almost all of his life, Brother Maynard found, as he approached his own end, that he didn't particularly want to pass into the Shadowfell. In fact, he found the ravages of his body as it aged horrifying. So when Gerard LeVaine offered him a chance to survive his illness through the use of necromancy, which the church should abhor, he found himself leaping at the chance to avoid death through the slow wasting away of his body. He is not as sick as he seems, and only maintains the facade because it is expected of someone his age. In fact, he is actively helping Gerard LeVaine set up and execute his plans. He lives on as a wight, filled with evil energy and an insatiable hunger. He helps Gerard because Gerard has promised him access to the Necronomicon, which he claims has a ritual that will grant him true immortality instead of just undeath.
Step 4: Contacts
"Fetch me a physician. I feel pangs and tremors beset me once more, and I wish relief from the pain. My end will not be long now...I wish to go with my dignity easily into His embrace." --Borther Maynard, a year and a half ago, before making the acquaintance of Gerard LeVaine.
1) Doctor Gerard LeVaine is Brother Maynard's physician and confidant, and the minister regards the good doctor as a trusted friend and companion in these, his last days. 2) Bishop Antoine Montaire is Brother Maynard's oldest friend, though they have grown distant from each other since the minister's illness began to overtake him. His Eminence the Bishop still visits Maynard, though infrequently these days as he has many other pressing duties to attend to. 3) Brother Maynard has a less cordial relationship with Victoria Montaire, daughter of the Lord Mayor, who has become infatuated with Gerard. He sees her as a silly, spoiler rich girl dragging the doctor into her pit of decadence, and has said as much in her presence.
Brother Maynard is a new NPC, a villain for the game I'm currently running. He is essentially Gerard's right-hand man. He also embodies a fear I have of growing older and approaching death trapped within a shell of sickness and infirmity. Maynard has decided to go to horrible lengths to escape this natural fate, which he should be a champion of given his profession as priest of the death god. In this way, he represents corruption on several different fronts. He should be a holy man approaching the end of his life with dignity, but instead he is a sick old man who has made a deal with a devil for petty reasons.
He also shows off another design principle: he knows several other NPCs that I've made up. This "six degrees of separation" approach creates a complex web of interactions and allows me to have one person affect a whole string of others in relation to the PCs. I always try to tie my NPCs to other existing NPCs, because it's easier to build plots this way. I will eventually detail all the other NPCs I've referenced, such as Audric Cwellen, Sheriff Bulrick, and Victoria Montaire.
What I find most frustrating about 4E is that I can see it includes the D&D game I've always wanted to play, but the game is so lathered in tatical combat rules that I have thus far been unable to coax the game I want out.
