This is a very flavorful and interesting character! Thank you for sharing...I especially like the idea that the god she worships may not be very worthy of her patronage...it's a theme I like using myself.
I enjoyed the Kittybot as well. I like that her enemy isn't actually the total bastard she believes him to be.
I play with the concept of of serving an unreliable god, as well. As can be inferred from my treatment of Kord, who essentially makes a religion of saying "The gods can't be trusted to help, so pick one who won't." It's Basically Conan's Crom in D&D form. Saint Yav, as a onetime mortal, just takes it further. And on that note...
Alaric (the Barbaric Cleric), Half-orc Male Cleric(Saint Yav), CG/UA Background: Spoiler:Show
"This scar is for saving their Chieftan's life. Much fancier than the one I got while doing it. " 1.Alaric was born in an Orcish Village in the Highlands. His human mother died when he was very young, birthing a sibling who his father immediately killed, as punishment. 2. His father died a year or so later, in a barbarian raid following the human tribes' unification under the Lightbringer. In fact, It was a disciple of Saint Yav who found the half-orc child, and was surprised that it didn't cower or cry. He decided to raise the boy in service to his diety. 3. Now named Alaric, the half-orc acolyte found succor in his faith, but little among his peers, and quickly learned to respond with fierce wrath. Eventually, he could react without even thinking, and found that it suited him. 4. Confirmed as an Initiate, Alaric left abruptly to spend a year living among the Mountain orcs, a stack of leaflets in his backpack, his survival uncertain. He slowly earned their trust and ears, a healed wound or lit bonfire at a time. He gained many scars while there. 5. When he returned to the temple, he walked up to the current Lightbringer, and handed her a hemp sack heavy with uncut diamonds- the accrued payment for a year of minor miracles. It was at this time that the order began to see what they had, in Alaric...
"when they hear Kord, most people think of rainstorms or rugby. Saint Yav's folk are almost invisible- until we're not." Short: Alaric's currently on the trail of a snakeoil evangelist using Yav's name (and lucre) for impure ends. Ideally, he will catch this fellow, and do nasty things to him. Medium: Given his unusual perspective, Alaric sees orcs as a noble culture who should not be judged too simplistically. His issue isn't with the people killing them, so much as the lack of respect they have for the race. Maybe this will come to a head, further along. Long: I see this character as a sort of Nikita Khrushchev figure, who is able to practice leadership without excessive bombast or intrigue. I would like this to be fully realized (or neutralized), at some point.
"I'm sure you would, but that's just not in the cards..." 1. Known : It seems more obvious then it is, but Alaric isn't very smart. He's good at hiding it, and to his credit, his conclusions are usually correct, but he takes his sweet time getting them, and sometimes gets hung up over the most inconsequential details. In general, Alaric is more willing to be thought of us as uncaring than dumb, and plays this up. 2. Unknown: Alaric's mother wasn't some poor peasant girl, but a skilled cat-burglar evading her pursuers after a big score. After stashing the loot, she was captured by orcs, and eventually realized she'd never make it out to spend her fortune. So she had a map of the location tattooed on her infant son, scribed to become legible when he matured. Unfortunately, she died before this could be explained.
"Don't you know it's always the quiet ones?" *1. Father Adenauer, Human Male, UA. The man who adopted Alaric from the ruins of the village. He joined the order before Saint Yav ascended, and though well into his winter years, remains alert and wise. *2. Troika, Human Female, UA. A highborn refugee turned prostitute Alaric met early in his travels. She likes his faith well enough, but wasn't willing to try it on for herself. Her lack of a permanent residence means she could appear almost anywhere, and could potentially hear some interesting things while there... *3. Reverend Spivy Jimsonroot, Halfling Male, E. A Onetime cleric of Saint Yav, this well-dressed smooth operator received funds to start up a parish of his own-which never got built. Now Alaric is tailing him, hoping to retrieve the money, or at least make him pay.
"You wanna repeat that?" Alaric has an intelligence score of 6, but it manifests differently than most would expect; It might be accurate to say he has learned to turn his brain to sleep mode, and makes decisions solely with his instincts and reactions, which are more astute than most people's. He doesn't give sermons, and, indeed, usually doesn't bother arguing his opinions at all. He IS able to think his way through problems, but it takes a long time to get the flywheels fired-up. Mannerisms: "I'm hungry. Surprise me." Alaric dresses like a traveler, usually with his holy symbol tucked into.his tabard. He eats and drinks like an orc (or at least a Kordian), but never seems to get drunk, probably because he's on autopilot anyway. Periodically, he engages in deep meditation while cultivating his facial hair. Generally, he never draws his sword to threaten, only to follow through. He keeps a parchment scroll of Saint Yav's leaflet to share with those he feels would benefit, which isn't a judgement he makes lightly, or quickly.
Alric is an interesting take on both orcs and clerics...well done!
Thanks for your kind words.
One would hope that you couldn't get to 15k views without someone taking notice- I guess the threshold is a little bit higher. A worthy sticky, in any case.
One would hope that you couldn't get to 15k views without someone taking notice- I guess the threshold is a little bit higher. A worthy sticky, in any case.
Maybe you should pitch an article to Dragon?
It takes a request, from what I saw. I went ahead and made that request...I'm pleased to see the community Mods agreed enough with me to stick it up.
A Dragon article, eh? Hmmm...I'll propose one, but I've never submitted to either magazine before.
There may also be issue with the fact that I took a lot of inspiration from other sources, notably the Minimus system, for the layout of the TMB, and I don't want to step on any toes.
The Ten-Minute Background of: The Black Blade of Von Krueger The Mad
Step 1:"Surely your history books were not so thin? Do you not know what you hold? I am the black blade of Von Krueger The Mad! The Death Knight who stood at the right hand of The Witch Lord himself! I have been called the Black Razor, the Soul Reaver, and the Storm Bringer! I was forged to hasten the unworthy to their dooms! Feed me the souls of those you slaughter, and I will give you power beyond imagination!"
1) This black Lifedrinker sword was forged as the soulweapon of Jacob Von Krueger, a mad fighter who joined the forces of The Witch Lord in the early years of the Hundred Years' Chaos. Von Krueger helped the powerful lich invade the fortress city of Miir, creating an access point for the lich's forces to invade the rest of the Kelsenon Empire. As a reward for his service, Von Krueger was transformed into a Death Knight. 2) Von Krueger was very, very unhinged, with a flare for drama and a hunger for battle that made him difficult to control. His soul was bound to his weapon as part of the ritual that created him, so naturally it began to gain some of his personality traits. 3) For most of the Hundred Years' Chaos, Miir was held by the Witch Lord, but eventually a coalition of deposed Miirian Nobles and the forces of The West Star Companions broke the defenses and reclaimed the city. Von Krueger the Mad was slain by the Lord Naros Miir, who claimed the sword as a trophy. When Von Krueger was slain, however, part of his soul still resided in the blade. 4) For many years the sword was displayed as a trophy in The Tower of Miir, but, Miirian politics being what they are, when Naros was deposed, one of the other houses looted the sword. It was sold to pay a debt, and then passed into a number of hands. Each time, the sword was seemingly dormant, but it would awaken whenever a number of creatures were slain with it, and promise power to whoever would use it to sate its hunger for the souls of the innocent. Naturally, most right-thinking people decided to quickly get rid of a blade, either because they were revolted by its evil hunger or simply annoyed at its incessant, overblown personality. After being starved for a while, the sword's intelligence would go dormant, and the cycle would begin again. 5) The sword most recently found itself in the hands of a wight by the name of Kale, who died without unlocking the blade's intelligence or higher powers. The sword was claimed by one Dalton Krieg, an eladrin soldier trapped in a warforged body. Since he acquired it, he has put it to good use, and the sword's mind is beginning to awaken anew...
Step 2:"FOOLS! Do you not know death when you see it! We shall crush your puny camp before us, bathe in your blood, and drink the tears from the lamentations of your women!" --The black blade, trying to be helpful during a diplomatic mission.
1) :D Oh, this will be such a FUN thing to play around with. Now that intelligent Magic Items are no longer so game-breakingly powerful I don't have to wait to introduce interesting personalities on long-term weapons. I think I'll have fun playing a completely over-the-top bloodthirsty weapon... 2) The blade itself simply wants to be wielded by someone who will whet its appetite for mayhem and bloodshed.
Step 3:"NO! I beseech you, do not stuff me away in some dark hole! I will grant you power, life everlasting...but do not hide me away from the world! Do not leave me...alone..." --The blade, faced with an angry owner.
1) Despite the sword's bombastic claims, it does not actually harm the souls of creatures it dispatches. The magic of the sword simply transfers life force from dying opponents to the wielder for a brief time, granting temporary hit points. Not that this stops the sword from thinking it sups on the souls of the innocent, of course.
Step 4:"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Yes! Strike true, my master! Soon, we shall feast on the bounty of their life, and drain it to the last grain! Strike! No, you FOOL! Aim LEFT! LEFT! Are you a blind goat!?YES! THERE is a blow worthy of terror! SOON WE WILL BE UNSTOPPABLE!" --The blade, in combat with a not-very-talented swordsman.
1) The greatsword is forged from black iron engraved with golden filigree. A glaring green emerald that flickers with magical power is set into the guard, and when the blade is in use an eldritch green flame dances across the blade's edge, hungrily transferring the enemy's vitality to it's wielder. The blade's voice seems to come from somewhere around the emerald, though trying to muffle the emerald doesn't work particularly well. 2) The blade has been in many battles and, though insane, is quite knowledgeable about military history. It grants a small bonus on history checks related to military engagements of the past 300 years.
I know this is a 4e board but I thought I'd give the TMB a try with one of my current characters before I move on to my LFR characters.
Khale ir'Dantus- Favorite son of Cyre (a 3.5 Bard/Warblade, setting Eberron set mere days before the destruction of Cyre.)
Step 1: "How do I make flame dance along the edge of my blade? Simple, I know Fire's favorite song." BackgroundShow
1.Khale was born a musical prodigy, The age that most children are learning to speak properly, Khale was composing music. From an early age he was paraded around the courts of Cyre, as an example of Cyran appreciation given form. He began to loathe being used as a political tool by his parents, feeling like a costumed parlor monkey performing tricks for the amusement of others.
2. Because of his older (half)brother's questionable heritage, his penchant for causing trouble, and his refusal to take on the responsibilities of a firstborn noble son, this role was instead thrust upon Khale. His only respite was his music, everywhere he could hear the music of creation. The song the birds played as they danced upon the rhythm of the wind. The beat fire danced along to as it consumed anything in its way. The soothing rhythm of people doing work they loved. Everywhere music flowed around him, came from everything, and he found it a little sad that not everyone could perceive such beautiful melodies.
3.As he learned more about politics and nobility from his father, he saw the need for a noble class but became sickened by the inherent corruption it seemed to cause.. Khale hated politics from the beginning, believing merit should be awarded on what you have accomplished rather than who you know, and what you know
4.Soon he came of age and duty to Cyre called. His father had arranged for him to have a cushy commission far from any potential conflict, but Khale refused that post. Sickened more and more by the apathy and selfishness of the current Noble class, he decided that he would become an example for the young nobles who would replace those who currently held power. He focused himself on becoming a better warrior and every action he took he did with honor, valor, and courage. A Perfect Knight of Cyre.
5. Everywhere he went his skill in battle won the admiration of many companions who sought to transfer units whenever Khale was reassigned. His talent with music served him well, many a nights he would play or sing for the men, songs of hope, of beautiful Cyre, reminding them all what they were fighting for. While his plan of setting an example of how a Cyran warrior should act, was rubbing off on the men he fought beside it had little effect on influencing the nobility. Instead they used the stories of his bravery and valor, to pin their own political ambitions on. Everyone wanted to be the noble sponsor of the heroic Knight of Cyre, using what little influence he provided to increase their own. Khale refused to be associated with any noble family including his own, instead decreeing that he was fighting for Cyre and her alone. This actually served to boost his family’s reputation, without them even trying.
Step 2: "Just because their is an 'ir' in my name, does not mean I'm adverse to hard work" GoalsShow
1.To be an example for other Nobles, to prove the worth of courage and valor. To show that they can make a difference in this world, and should not sit idly by while the common man bleeds fighting to preserve their way of life.
2. To find out who is responsible for the destruction of Cyre and make them pay for their crime.
Step 3: "Truly what is more Noble? To own the land? Or to water the land with the sweat of hard work?" SecretsShow
1.Though he does his duty, and tries to show the worth of nobility, he hates the noble caste system and the hardships and suffering it brings on the common people. He would like nothing more than to drive out the "bad" corrupt nobles and replace them with those who would actually care about the people they lord over.
2. Khale feels so guilty about putting his mens lives in danger so much, that he will risk his own life if he thinks there is a chance to save even a single soldier, no matter their rank or social class.
Step 4: "I say to you now, that though we are not bound by blood, we are brothers, we are Cyrans! The Brelish will find that that is a bond that cannot be broken!" PeopleShow
1. Jarot ir'Dantus- Khale's older (half)brother. Truly the defination of a scoundrel, Jarot's adventurous lifestyle has caused great strain on Khale's. though he has not seen Jarot in years, due to his father casting Jarot out of the family estate and more or less disowning him, Khale still misses him from time to time. The two use the term "brother" as an insult of sorts. IE: "Got yourself into more trouble I see, Brother"
2. Sophia ir'Sentius- Khale's childhood friend and love interest. As they grew older, Khale grew very fond of precocious brunette that was the daughter of old family friends. He loved her more than anything in the world and was certain she felt the same way about him. They were both shocked however when their families announced that they were to be married in order to benefit both noble houses. Before the wedding took place Sophia disappeared, seemingly running away from her family. This devastated Khale, believing that she was running away from him, heartbroken still to this day he hesitates to let anyone close to him.
3. Drayton Selayine- a Brelish commander that Khale has crossed swords with on more than one occasion. All of those battles took place on CYran soil however and nothing would please Khale more than a chance to spill Drayton's blood on Brelish soil.
Step 5: "Music is all around us, in the rhythm of laughter, the patter of rain, the beat of my heart as I touch your soft skin." MemoriesShow
1. The exact moment he knew he was in love with Sophia. After a escaping from another dull party at the ir'Dantus home, Khale and Sophia ran up a hill to Sophia's favorite place under a tree over looking a beautiful valley. She asked him to sing for her, and he sang her favorite song, about an Angel that gives up her divinity to be with the mortal she loves. In the middle of that song he realized he was singing about her, this distracted him so much he stopped mid song.
2. Nearly drowning after attempting to swim a swift current on a dare from Jarot. Khale would have walked away from the whole situation, but Sophia called Jarot's bluff and attempted to cross the stream, not wanting to look foolish in front of the girl he dove right in as well. All three of them would have drowned if not for a mysterious savior emerged to pull them from the water. None of them knows who this mystery person was.
3.Travelling to Metrol to perform at the Royal Palace of Vemishard, in front of Cyran royalty. He was such a huge hit, that Queen Dannel herself said that he was welcome in her home anytime.
Well, yes, I suppose I should have qualified that...does any actually play FATAL, though? Or is it just some sort of RPG gamer's horror story, like the story of the hook hand left in the car door? Some big gamer urban myth? I mean, I read the infamous FATAL review but it's hard to believe something like that actually exists.
