An excellent point. The core of the character is a challenge to the way evil is often depicted. I wanted to show how it's more than an excuse to be lazy, or megalomaniacal. In previous editions, he'd be LE.
First of all, the guy's not stupid. He's not going to murder a sandwich vendor to get a free lunch. The sandwich vendor's life is still meaningless to him. Second, he cares about success. Whether his opponents are good or evil, he wants to inflict the most severe damage possible. It's not that he cares about his men/allies, so much as he wants their full potential used.
At some point, he's left any semblance of morality behind. Sacrificing good civilians to evil humanoids is not something an unaligned character would do. And he really is a faithful devil-worshipper. He'd have very little objection to using blackmail or assassination to get ahead, if he saw this as the most effective method. Note that he will likely act against the cult's coup attempt, since it is an illegitimate seizure of power.
I hadn't seen your comment on your sergeant when I wrote this up. That's irony, it is. And thank you for the feedback.
I find this background really interesting, and although it could be reinforced better, I can see how you are warping the definition of evil somewhat - he's not so much classically "evil" as completely and utterly amoral. (He isn't going to go around eating babies, but if there were some concrete benefit from it? Well...pass the salt.)
One thing though, by the tenets he seems to follow, I would have thought his loyalties would have fallen more to Bane than Asmodeous. Am I missing something (or perhaps just misremembering Asmodeous's commandments?)
The character's attitude reminds me of a character from something else but I can't for the life of me figure out who...he was cool and badass, that's all I remember...Oh well.
Well, I'll readily admit it's nonstandard evil. When we do see Evil playing for the other team it's usually in the mold of Mister Hyde, or Belkar from OOTS. Someone ruled by their primal urges who can be dangerous if unleashed on a suitable foe. But I don't think that's the only way to do it.
I found Asmodeus a better fit for a few reasons. For all the tieflings who've turned their back on their infernal heritage and worship human gods, I thought It would be fun to play one who went back to basics. Also, he's an officer, and a very intelligent one. He's capable enough to work outside martial solutions. Asmodeus is playing Chess with the world, whereas Bane might only be playing Risk.
But mostly, I wanted him to be self-sufficient, and Bane would be both too visible and too hierarchical, since he could command any inferior to do his bidding. I see the Asmodian cult as sort of like the Hellfire Club, filled with bored nobles and ruled by a few real dangerous types. Since it's more about ambition than militancy, he can be a member and still pursue his own goals. It also allows me the fun of setting it in a good aligned kingdom. I like having LG and Evil supporting characters, with a Good enemy.
You said certain aspects of my background lack support. I'm not offended, but can you be more specific? I'll fix the original post if I can make it sound purty enough.
Well, I'll readily admit it's nonstandard evil. When we do see Evil playing for the other team it's usually in the mold of Mister Hyde, or Belkar from OOTS. Someone ruled by their primal urges who can be dangerous if unleashed on a suitable foe. But I don't think that's the only way to do it.
I like this approach.
Elfstar wrote:
I found Asmodeus a better fit for a few reasons. For all the tieflings who've turned their back on their infernal heritage and worship human gods, I thought It would be fun to play one who went back to basics. Also, he's an officer, and a very intelligent one. He's capable enough to work outside martial solutions. Asmodeus is playing Chess with the world, whereas Bane might only be playing Risk.
But mostly, I wanted him to be self-sufficient, and Bane would be both too visible and too hierarchical, since he could command any inferior to do his bidding. I see the Asmodian cult as sort of like the Hellfire Club, filled with bored nobles and ruled by a few real dangerous types. Since it's more about ambition than militancy, he can be a member and still pursue his own goals. It also allows me the fun of setting it in a good aligned kingdom. I like having LG and Evil supporting characters, with a Good enemy.
Ooooh. I see - good explaination. I see where you're coming from now. I agree wholeheartedly.
Elfstar wrote:
You said certain aspects of my background lack support. I'm not offended, but can you be more specific? I'll fix the original post if I can make it sound purty enough.
Uum...mostly I was agreeing with Hamster, in that he could be misconstrued as unaligned, but your various explaination have cleared that up alot.
Uum...mostly I was agreeing with Hamster, in that he could be misconstrued as unaligned, but your various explaination have cleared that up alot.
Elfstar,
This is what I was saying. Your ten-minute background shouldn't really need any more explaining outside of itself. (Trying to give contructive criticism).
Don't get me wrong, I love the character concept. You just need to try to contain your entire concept within the TMB. Sometimes, that can make for a long TMB, like one of my previous, but that's ok. It also makes for a good read. :D Your's is already a good read, there's just some ambiguity to it.
I think we're on the same page. I'd like it to be self-contained enough to be inspiring to a DM, if I ever hand it in.
Because I'm verbose, I sometimes overcompensate by leaving some things vague. Would it be too much to ask for a list of points you'd like to see adressed? I doubt I need to include all the material in my subsequent posts.
I notice Audric seems to have gotten lost in the shuffle...
Anyhoo, I thought I'd post an example of a TMB written up by one of my players. I've edited the post a little for grammar's sake (not all my players are English Majors like I am). I've also posted some notes in italiacs. Presenting our party's wizard, Xat!
The Ten Minute Background of Xat, Changeling Wizard
Step 1: Key Elements
"You who rests in flame, char all those that would stand against us. Scorching burst!"
1) Xat is a changeling (doppelgangers with the fey origin--Stray), which makes him very suspicious and narrow-minded about other races because: 2) He grew up in the capitol city of Avaleron, Minas Elendrii. This is a very dangerous place for changelings (who are hunted in my campaign--Stray), which has caused Xat to hate persecution of any kind though he is still a little bit racist. Xat’s older brother, Lim, formed an underground movement that consists of over two dozen changelings. 3) Because of the nature of the city he grew up in, magic was everywhere. Having acquired a spell compendium one day, Xat took as a quick study to self taught magic, giving his spells a personal twist. Over many years Xat found the study of magic quite intriguing and looked for more books, but found that it was just knowledge that he enjoyed. With knowledge came the power for him to deceive his enemies making his world just a little bit safer. 4) Not everything was safe though as the enclave of changelings was one day found and attacked by the Eladrin police force, which imprisoned, brandied, and executed many changelings. Very few escaped with their safety and body intact. 5) Ever since that day, (3 years from current year) when his brother was killed, Xat desired to continue on his brothers dream and create a safe haven for all changelings to come to. After wandering the Feywild for 1½ years Xat decided to move to the world, where it is safer, to make money, to buy land, to fulfill his brothers dream.
Step 2: Goals
"Why can't everyone live together harmoniously. Except for those damned racist Eladrin."
1) I would like to accomplish the goal of creating a changeling haven somehow. Whether its just creating a district in a town where changelings aren’t bothered or if its actually creating a self sustaining village somewhere. (I prefer the second but don’t see it as likely as the first) 2) It would be fun to discover that his brother wasn't actually killed (see secrets) and finding him. (I can’t think of a good one right now so this is what I’m putting but will probably change) 3) Xat feels a kinship to any other changeling he meets, for where he grew up they needed each other and they were family. He is racist but hates persecution at the same time. I hope one day he can see through all that and judge people for who they are not what they are, though he tries to do that now but his vision can be hazy. (This is more a character development goal, it also helps define the character a little more. Also so that when I do start heading towards the “don’t persecute” angle you don’t think it out of character.)
1) Xat is a changeling, which is a truth he doesn’t share to anyone. This is his most important secret because he thinks if anyone finds out him and Bee will be "burned at the stake" like so many others have. Because of this and his activity in keeping other changelings safe he is a wanted criminal by the Eladrin, for his crimes against elves. (what ever that’s supposed to mean.) 2) Lim, Xat’s brother, is actually alive. At the last moment before the Eladrin police force barged in someone took his face and forced him out to safety. That was 3 years ago. Now Lim still runs an underground movement meant to rescue imprisoned/marked changelings, remove their magical scars and smuggle them into the world for safety. (Like an underground railroad sort of deal) Spoiler:Show
3) (This one is the DM's secret, so don't go spoiling things for me, guys!) Lim was actually working for the Eladrin when the enclave was attacked. He, in fact, betrayed the changelings to the Eladrin. He didn't have much choice...his own family was (and still is) being held hostage somewhere in Minas Elendrii. The "Faceless Underground" he runs is actually an elaborate Eladrin trap that lures in changelings then hands them over to the Eladrin who have infiltrated the White Fox Society, which promptly butchers them. Lim hates what he's been forced to become, but he cannot see any way out of his predicament that won't end with all that he loves slaughtered in the end.
Step 4: People I know
"Bee? Her and I have a very unique, very open relationship."
1) Lim is Xat’s older brother by 3 years, he is 26 as of current campaign year. Both of their parents were changelings who lived as Eladrin in the capitol city. They were both well liked and helpful in their community. Many people liked them until one day they were caught in a changeling hunt. Everyone’s tunes changed the moment they found out they were changelings, and they were executed 9 years ago. Their parents sacrificed themselves to save Lim and Xat. Since that day, Lim has taken care of Xat. It didn’t take Lim long to create the underground safety for the other changelings. While Xat thinks Lim is dead he still tries to uphold his brothers ideals of a world where people can be safe being what they are, so he seeks to create a safe haven for changelings.
Lim has strong connections in the underground that even Xat doesn’t know about. If Xat discovers Lim is alive he can assist him with the safe transit of changelings, knowledge, and other random assortments of other things. While Lim has deep connections he can’t always pull through. (he may be a white fox member as a recent development)
2) Bee was rescued be Xat and Lim 8 years ago. When Bee and her mother came to Minas Elenrii she was only 10. They weren’t aware of the level of persecution and were quickly caught walking the streets. Xat and Lim attempted a rescue from the police force but Bee’s mother was killed during the process. Since that day she was adopted into the family of changelings. Because of the nature of her rescue she clung to Xat and became very close. Over the 5 years they got to know each other living in the enclave Bee didn’t want to hold back Xat so she became strong for him. They came to the world together, her wanting to help Xat complete his goal. Since she grew up Xat and her have gotten even closer, and fell in love.
She helps Xat earn the money he wants to collect to create his safe haven and is also a partner in crime. They are almost always together, so he is never alone.
3) (This is my own addition, based on campaign events) Doctor Gerard LeVaine is a tiefling who has hired Xat and Bee to perform spying missions for him on irregular occasions. Xat does not trust Gerard much, especially in light of recent events in the city. However, he is driven by the desire to acquire knowledge, and Gerard has many secrets that Xat would give much to know. Since he has learned that Gerard is actually a necromancer, his desire to study some of the doctors spells has only grown more intense. This could lead him down a very dark path.
Step 5: Memories (Given to me by the player after reading other backgrounds)
1) I remember the day when my parents were slaughtered. It seemed like any other evening. We all sat down for dinner after preparing knowing father would be home any moment. This night though he seemed troubled when he entered the house. He only yelled two words to my mother "They know.". At that point I didn't quite understand what that meant but I quickly learned. My mother huddled Lim and I into a small crawl space a moved the table in front of it. She said to both of us "Stay hidden and stay quite. We love you very much.". Within moments of that we heard a roaring crowd from outside. There was a loud crash on the front door. I heard my father try to speak, followed by what I now know to be the sound of a sword passing through flesh, followed by my mother screaming. The leader of the attack than made some rude mention about their birth appearance and left them just lying there.
2) That fateful tragic day when I met Bee. Lim and I had just went down to the market to "acquire" some food for us and some of the others in the enclave. We were shocked to see this woman and her daughter come into the market with gray skin, white hair, and featureless faces. People were already shouting for the guards before we could tell them to disguise themselves. The guards were storming down to the market and we ran out to help them get away. The moment they saw us "resisting arrest" they let fly a few bolts. Unfortunately they mother was hit in the throat by one as the little girl screamed out to her. All we could do was grab the girl and run at that point.
3) It was sunset, and everyone was coming back to the hideout. By this point our little group of misfits wasn't so little anymore, there were at least two dozen or more changelings. We had no clue that there were so many of us in the city, and these were only the ones that we knew of and didn't have any homes. Everyone was enjoying the meals they had acquired during their day, and was sharing them. My brother and I were in the corner enjoying our dinner when an ominous breeze of leaves blew through the hideout. We both knew any moment now the Eladrin militia would be teleporting in, but before we could warn everyone it was to late. Within seconds they were poring in and with swift strokes of their blades they were cutting us down. Than the head of the guard teleported in. My brother shoved me to the side and told me to get out of here. I grabbed Bee and pulled her towards the exit as many others of us scrambled for exits. I turned around just in time to witness my brother pulling his sword, and going toe to toe with the guard master. That was the last moment I ever saw him.
I notice Audric seems to have gotten lost in the shuffle...
Oops! Sorry - I read it and then forgot to respond! I thought Audric was great - I like the whole "past generation of adventurers you have floating around your campaign. I like also that despite being a past religous man, he is engaging (or trying to) in a very dangerous affair. It occurs to me - it would be really cool to try writing up and playing the adventures of the last generation - Audric, and the dragonborn, and all those guys who've since retired or moved on been killed.
The Stray wrote:
Presenting our party's wizard, Xat!
This was a good background - fits nicely in the world you've prepared. And man! Eladrin in your world are a bunch of Royal ***** holes! I kinda want to play one, just to see how people treat him. :P
Oops! Sorry - I read it and then forgot to respond! I thought Audric was great - I like the whole "past generation of adventurers you have floating around your campaign. I like also that despite being a past religous man, he is engaging (or trying to) in a very dangerous affair. It occurs to me - it would be really cool to try writing up and playing the adventures of the last generation - Audric, and the dragonborn, and all those guys who've since retired or moved on been killed.
It would, but I never got very far when I tried before. I DID get the stuff you see fleshed out, but it also took up a lot of the time that I could have spent writing up stuff for my current generation of players to do. So I just have a general vague idea of what that company of heroes did in the time before the party met them, and not much further at the moment.
This was a good background - fits nicely in the world you've prepared. And man! Eladrin in your world are a bunch of Royal ***** holes! I kinda want to play one, just to see how people treat him. :P
More specifically, the Eladrin Nobilityof a crumbling empire are Royally Screwed Up. The common Eladrin aren't so bad, except for a superiority complex. Also remember that most of the Eladrin dickery is done in the shadows: they may secretly be a race of scheming, manipulative bastards, but publicly they are viewed as aloof, magical, and strangely alluring, making them Villains with Good Publicity, especially in Coralton, which they essentially built behind the scenes in order to have breeding stock loyal to their race. It's like the Angel Ilsington from Neverwhere: they look good on the surface, but open the lid and you'll see something writhing underneath.
