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3 years ago  ::  Dec 23, 2009 - 4:54PM #1
Shadows_of_Chaos
Date Joined: Dec 2, 2009
Posts: 28
Kalik Kaliso Story Background


.:Credits:.

DocterBadWolf: Keeping this Idea up and supporting it
Saring: Giving some good advice on the story and supplying most of it.
Mistwolf: Helping it with a good, and flaverfull opening


Backgrounds Used: [Luskan Benifit only]
Rased by another Race: Eladrin
Luskan: Bounty Hunter


.:Story:.

    I am Kalik Kaliso, brother to Kin Kaliso. I was raised by an Eldarin named Kelista. However, before you could understand my story. Long ago, during the age of Drow chaos, then Lolth seemed to abandon the Drows, one of my ancestors, a young leader named Korous, decided to gather a group of Drow convinces some of the Drow families to leave the under dark, to try and find a better life. They secretly met to plan there exodus, but one of the Drow in their group, was found and tempted with treasure and an extremely high ranking in Drow society. Sadly, he excepted, but most of us were able to leave the Underdark before they came to destroy us before we left. However, some of the Drow who had also planned to leave, had been trapped in there, including Kourous, and who's fates still remain a mystery to us.

    However, many years have passed. The Drow who were able to leave the under dark formed a small village, growing it with from the ground with there own hands. They happily lived there, not needing to scrounge around like the did in the under dark, feeling free for the first time in ages. We selected a group of seven Drow to Govern the small settlement, and uphold the order of things, and the even formed a small militia in case someone were to invade us our of fear, greed, or some other reason. The happily began to worship Correllon, turning there backs to Lolths teachings and treachery, I grew up with this, and took these teaching seriously, hatting Lolth for seeming to seal us up for so long, my brother taking a more pleasurable look on life, singing and dancing most of the day. However, this happiness would not last long.

    Even though these new surface Drow were "free" from Lolth, the Drow from the Underdark did not like them leaving. Though we  were living near a town called Luskan, which was to far from the settlement to send out a large invasion force, so they instead the planned to execute a raid on the new Drow settlement. A small force attacked at  night, disquisition themselves as humans, and killing many members of the village, including most of the militia and some of the Council, my mother and father also victim to the seemingly reasonless massacre. The Drow's from this settlement were outraged, but could do nothing about it, and openly blamed the humans for doing this to them out of fear and anger, for no reason. Though the humans denied this clam, no human settlement would trade with them, and during the winter months of that first argument, our village was almost destroyed.

    As time passed, things were not looking good for this new village, trade was bad, there were tensions between the other non Drow villages nearby, and we were helpless to do anything about it. However, one day an Eladrin named Kelista, who had been away from the land for travel and training, came back and had found out about the new "Drow Village." She had just returned to the region, to hears of the attack on the Drow city, who supposedly did not follow Lolth, but Correllon. She found two Drowish kids, me and my brother, who had been killed during these raids, and instead of seeing us as an evil, she saw us a helpless children, and decided to take sympathy on us and adopts us, as if were we her own children, taking us under our wing and raising us, though my brother did not focus on our practices and usually played while I studied.

    After she heard about these "raids" on this village from humans from a nearby settlement she decided to investigate these occurrences for herself, and during her investigations, she found evidence that the attack was done by the Drow, not humans. Soon after Kelista had collected enough evidence to convinced the Drow and the Humans to believe her story, and trade soon flourished in the town again, though trust was not easily forged, and it was still very brittle. One day, when I was still in my studies, my brother had decided to travel around the town and talk to the traders that had started to come, which they usually never came here in the first place. Out of his curiosity, he had heard rumors spread of a few local criminals, which had currently had a bounty on them. Being short on money, as we were being raised by one mother, we decided to go out and try to clam their bounty to get some extra gold. After a brief scuffle, the two have managed to capture a local criminal.  When we took him to the town, their skin intimidates the entire human village, especially since we had a bound man in town.  When the village discovers that we had not come to attack them, but had actually brought in the wanted criminal, the town pays us generously, giving us the full bounty on the mans head.

    Soon after the first bounty, I and my brother had decided to become bounty hunters and take advantage of this. On breaks from my studies, we would go out and find some small fry criminals with bounties on there heads to gain a few extra coin between days. Not only was it a great life style, giving use some coin, and making use less feared by the population of the other towns, but it gave us something to do, and quite frankly, we found it fun. After my studies with our mother was complete, I was to set out to train on my own, and my brother had joined me, seeing as we were a team and we were both bounty hunters. We set of to Luskan to become become better bounty hunters, so we may get better coin out of it. We also left to find the Drow who had originally sent a raid out on our village, and clam justice on them for taking our blood mother and father from us.
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3 years ago  ::  Dec 25, 2009 - 6:22PM #2
tiamatdragonwing
Date Joined: Jul 20, 2008
Posts: 414
hmm, maybe the settlement was starting to encroach on a mining operation for something similar, and either the old stereotype, or some greedy leader in the operation, resulted in the adventurers being hired to clean out the 'dangerous' threat.
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3 years ago  ::  Dec 25, 2009 - 11:38PM #3
Adun_Irving
Date Joined: Apr 23, 2009
Posts: 1,818
Another idea is that the drow were worshiping a new god, or maybe even a demon lord. The traditional Underdark drow and driders attacked, and that's what wiped out the settlement. This could also give your drow further motivation to be ashamed of his heritage. He might want revenge, or maybe he just wants to forget about the whole mess and try to move on.

The original core books said that this was our game too. It doesn't feel like that anymore.

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3 years ago  ::  Dec 26, 2009 - 7:21PM #4
Archaeologist
Date Joined: Dec 26, 2009
Posts: 106
If you want to establish a generally well understood and stereotyped race, then the key isn't to deviate from that course radically, but to flesh out a element of that personality and create something new from it.

The Drow, in 4e, are a Evil Race, worshiping a Chaotic Evil deity.  The priestesses of Lolth bring chaos into a otherwise stable society of backstabbing and alliances.  That reminds me of 15th century renaissance Italy, Florence to be specific.  Now think about the drow in terms of Machiavellian politics, and then add in a touch of utter chaos and madness with the Priestesses. 

So having now imagined this, think about what would it take for a family, or clan, or a group of disparate Drow even, to rally together and form a new society?  What would make them abandon the backstabbing ways of their race's culture?  Lolth demands treachery, and devious behavior, and she encourages conspiracy and betrayal in her followers.  Given that these are evil things, how can a stable "non-evil" society keep her as a figure of worship?  Would they abandon her as a patron?  Would they worship a new god, or perhaps refuse to worship any god at all?

Do all the Drow there hold these beliefs?  What made them change?  Do some secretly hold on to some of the old ways?  Are their politics and system of government different now that they're not part of a society focused on backstabbing and survival of the fittest?

Finally, how would/ has surface life altered these new Drow?  How has their culture changed?  Have they physically changed in any way?  Are these changes natural, or the result of magic?  Perhaps the interference of a God?  
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3 years ago  ::  Dec 28, 2009 - 3:55AM #5
evil_warlock
Date Joined: Apr 1, 2009
Posts: 68
How about making them a scientific group, maybe they are more interested not in hunting and killing other species but rather in finding out what caused their downfall as a race to the depths of the underdark. Whether their ulterior motive is to use what they find against others or not will be up to question. What you get is an ambiguous  group that will throw off balance most people. You can also introduce some facts of ancient history through this.
It is with great reluctance that I have agreed to this calling. I love democracy. I love the Republic. Once this crisis has abated, I will lay down the powers you have given me!
(Senator Palpatine, soon to be Emperor)

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3 years ago  ::  Dec 29, 2009 - 5:30PM #6
Shadows_of_Chaos
Date Joined: Dec 2, 2009
Posts: 28

Dec 26, 2009 -- 7:21PM, Archaeologist wrote:

If you want to establish a generally well understood and stereotyped race, then the key isn't to deviate from that course radically, but to flesh out a element of that personality and create something new from it.

The Drow, in 4e, are a Evil Race, worshiping a Chaotic Evil deity.  The priestesses of Lolth bring chaos into a otherwise stable society of backstabbing and alliances.  That reminds me of 15th century renaissance Italy, Florence to be specific.  Now think about the drow in terms of Machiavellian politics, and then add in a touch of utter chaos and madness with the Priestesses. 

So having now imagined this, think about what would it take for a family, or clan, or a group of disparate Drow even, to rally together and form a new society?  What would make them abandon the backstabbing ways of their race's culture?  Lolth demands treachery, and devious behavior, and she encourages conspiracy and betrayal in her followers.  Given that these are evil things, how can a stable "non-evil" society keep her as a figure of worship?  Would they abandon her as a patron?  Would they worship a new god, or perhaps refuse to worship any god at all?

Do all the Drow there hold these beliefs?  What made them change?  Do some secretly hold on to some of the old ways?  Are their politics and system of government different now that they're not part of a society focused on backstabbing and survival of the fittest?

Finally, how would/ has surface life altered these new Drow?  How has their culture changed?  Have they physically changed in any way?  Are these changes natural, or the result of magic?  Perhaps the interference of a God?  



... Good point xD
Well anyway, I decided against this build because of a few facts... ^^;;
- No longer aloud to play Rogue [DM says I should do something different and he is the only DM withing a reasonable driving distence that meets regularly.]
- Friend isn't going to play his Drow Bard, he made him a Half Elf instead

Thats is really xD

but in that stuff, couldn't really think of anything for reason "why" they do anything. Sorry to have bothered you about a worthess idea that didn't have a hope and now I cant even use xD

I am going to start a new thread for my Swordmage build to see if someone could help with that one.

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3 years ago  ::  Jan 04, 2010 - 8:16PM #7
DoctorBadWolf
Date Joined: Aug 5, 2008
Posts: 6,745
Why not keep going with this idea, using the new class? Eladrin in FR have a very old, strong tradition of swordmages, so being taken in by an Eladrin will certainly explain the class choice, and you'll have part of your mechanics tied to that part of your backstory. The idea of the Eladrin training you as a swordmage would surely disgust, even infuriate, other Eladrin, which could lead to even more background goodness.

As for the drow community, let's keep this going, if nothing else because I rather like it, and may use it when I DM.

Because of the nature of the drow, and a situation like this, the new community should have some kind of central figure that gathered the like-minded drow for the purpose of leaving the underdark. I would suggest that central figure, or other important people in the group, having died in the exodus, due to betrayal.
So, non-evil surface drow in 4e FR generally worship Correllon now, I believe. Your central Moses like figure could have turned to Corellon before deciding to abandon drow life. This may have occured during the chaos of that period when Llolth seemed to abondon her people and all hell broke loose.(haven't read the books, hopefully someone else can give some detail on that.) In that case, he/she may have started plans to leave way back then.
Divine intervention could have lead him to others who could help him with his plan, although it didn't save them from betrayal as they executed their exodus.

I'll put some more thought and time into this later. I've got friends over. :P

More sex and gender equality and racial equality shouldn't even be an argument--it should simply be an assumption for any RPG that wants to stay relevant in the 21st century.



Mar 8, 2012 -- 1:58PM, Skeptical_Clown wrote:

  I could say anything in D&D is silly though, because it's a silly game and we are silly people.

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3 years ago  ::  Jan 04, 2010 - 9:20PM #8
Shadows_of_Chaos
Date Joined: Dec 2, 2009
Posts: 28
Thanks Bad xD seem like you game some good import on this xD
I dont read DnD much, so I never heard about the chaos of that period when Llolth seemed to abondon her peopl, but that would make an excellent excuse for this! [and something to rub in my "All drows are evil no matter what" DM xP]

That makes an excellent Idea in my oppinion. And no worries about the friends, I understand [its late for me, so sorry if this seems rushed.] This is a great idea though, I like the "betrayal as they executed their exodus." I could talk my friend [who has changed his mind yet again [he loves Warlocks xD almost as much as I love Rogues xP] He has become a Drow Darklock, AND, I could talk him into the pact being with either the unrightfully slain citizens, or he could be the next leader and have a "connection" with the betrayed indivigual. We are working on our background togeather, so we donno.

As for the Drow Swordmage, I donno if I wanna be a Swordmage, Scorserer, or my favorite, the Rogue xD Think Swordmage might be good... 16 STR, 16 INT, 14 DEX, 14 CHA, 10 CON, 8 WIS? [after Racial adjustment?] Donno, need some help with that later, but it seems really good xD

I can't wait for my friend and I to start our background togeather xD maybe I could ask my DM if we could make a homebrew Paragon feat that makes it so we are immuned to each others Drow Powers xP [just an Idea, I bet he would say no cause I've already placed out so many hombew stuff. xP]

Thanks for your help again, I hope this is a pleasent thing.

BTW, what do you think would be best for our background, raised among another race, or somewhere in forgotten realms?
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3 years ago  ::  Jan 05, 2010 - 3:44PM #9
saring
Date Joined: Oct 21, 2007
Posts: 176
Here's a thought on the drow village.  They might have escaped, but that doesn't mean that the rest of the drow are done with them.  Maybe they moved too far away from any entrance to the underdark for the drow to launch an outright invasion of this village, but maybe the drow planned and executed the raid on this "corrupted" village of drow.  A small force attacked at night, targetting the most powerful of the village.  They disguise themsleves as humans, trying to sow the seeds of hatred among the village.  They want it to look like locals from the region are attacking for no reason.  They can hurt the "corrupted" and at the same time, possibly convince them to return to Lloth.  Due to the attack, there is now an even larger rift between the new village and the surrounding villages, making it harder for this new group to become an accepted part of the region.  Nobody will trade with them and their first few winters almost destroyed them.

Now to your character.  A powerful Eldarin has been gone from her region for years, only to return to discover this seeming invasion of Drow.  Fearing this is a prelude to a larger invasion to come, the Eldarin begins to investigate this village using all of the powers and connections at her disposal.  After months of investigation, and despite the hatred of the drow themselves, our Eldarin mentor figure cannot find any hints that these drow are here as an invasion force.  In fact, all evidence, though she hates to admit it, points to this being an entirely new group of Drow not seen in many Eldarin generations, non-evil Drow (can't bring him/herself to call them good).

It even looks like the rest of the Drow race might have it in for them.  The Eldarin has come to believe that the recent attack on the village was not the work of angry and scared humans from a nearby settlement, but rather the work of a Drow raiding party, far from the underdark.  There is no concrete evidence of this, though and Our Eldarin hopes to find out once and for all what this settlement is really all about.  In a quest for answers and to settle the local fears, the Eldarin enters the village and confronts the remaining elders.  This is not a pleasant meeting and many racial comments are thrown back and forth, however, the drow fear this Eldarin's powers, since many of their most powerful have been killed in the attack.  After a "demonstration of Power" by the Eldarin, they are left with little choice but to aggree to her demands. 

Not much is asked of them.  The Eldarin asks for free reign in the village to conduct investigations.  Also, witnesses to the attack are a must.  Many villagers saw the attackers, but few that survived saw anything of value.  The only true witnesses with anything of importance to be learned are two young brothers that watched as the raiding party slaughtered their parents and their sisters.  (the raiding party would have targeted this family because of the high number of females not devoted to Lloth).  They seem like the perfect witnesses to interview, and there appears to be a connection with her hunch about the Drow.  The Eldarin demands time with the children to interview them and find out what they know.  With no family to stand up for them or even care for them, the village agrees. 

The Eldarin takes them away to continue her investigation, with no intention of keeping them for long, however, during the course of her interviews, she comes to know that these are nothing more than scared little children who watched their family be massacred.  Drow or not, they need proper raising, or they WILL become the monsters that everyone believes Drow to be.  After just a few days, she returns to the village, convinced more than ever that this village is what they claim to be, refugees from the underdark.  She also is positive, all the facts hint at it, but nothing proves it, that the Dorw are after them.  She agrees to spread her protection over the village and chooses to raise these two orphans as her own.

Watching the death of their parents could explain why one becomes a darklock.  And their mentor's beliefs about that night's attack could also lead them to feel shame for the drow heritage.  Finally, their desire to protect their home from future raids like the one that destroyed their family could explain why they adventure, gathering information on the attack that they know must be coming.

This is just my take on it.  a ittle long winded, I know, but...
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3 years ago  ::  Jan 05, 2010 - 5:20PM #10
DoctorBadWolf
Date Joined: Aug 5, 2008
Posts: 6,745

Jan 4, 2010 -- 9:20PM, Shadows_of_Chaos wrote:

Thanks Bad xD seem like you game some good import on this xD
I dont read DnD much, so I never heard about the chaos of that period when Llolth seemed to abondon her peopl, but that would make an excellent excuse for this! [and something to rub in my "All drows are evil no matter what" DM xP]

That makes an excellent Idea in my oppinion. And no worries about the friends, I understand [its late for me, so sorry if this seems rushed.] This is a great idea though, I like the "betrayal as they executed their exodus." I could talk my friend [who has changed his mind yet again [he loves Warlocks xD almost as much as I love Rogues xP] He has become a Drow Darklock, AND, I could talk him into the pact being with either the unrightfully slain citizens, or he could be the next leader and have a "connection" with the betrayed indivigual. We are working on our background togeather, so we donno.

As for the Drow Swordmage, I donno if I wanna be a Swordmage, Scorserer, or my favorite, the Rogue xD Think Swordmage might be good... 16 STR, 16 INT, 14 DEX, 14 CHA, 10 CON, 8 WIS? [after Racial adjustment?] Donno, need some help with that later, but it seems really good xD

I can't wait for my friend and I to start our background togeather xD maybe I could ask my DM if we could make a homebrew Paragon feat that makes it so we are immuned to each others Drow Powers xP [just an Idea, I bet he would say no cause I've already placed out so many hombew stuff. xP]

Thanks for your help again, I hope this is a pleasent thing.

BTW, what do you think would be best for our background, raised among another race, or somewhere in forgotten realms?




Glad you're excited about it, and that I could help. Saring has some good thoughts.
Backgrounds: You could go with east rift, simply because it's connected to the underdark, and gives you deep speach. high imaskar would work as well, as rerolling insight seems appropriate for your character, and again, deep speach. Then again, with the eladrin idea, you may want to pick something that is near an eladrin settlement.

More sex and gender equality and racial equality shouldn't even be an argument--it should simply be an assumption for any RPG that wants to stay relevant in the 21st century.



Mar 8, 2012 -- 1:58PM, Skeptical_Clown wrote:

  I could say anything in D&D is silly though, because it's a silly game and we are silly people.

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