Taking some "inspiration" from the Bard Forum, I thought it would be interesting for people to share their version of a Fighter...
Whether your a rank and file soldier whose seen too much, a disgraced noble duelist who lost their honor and wealth, a swashbuckling pirate whose ship was wrecked, a wandering mercenary looking for some easy gold, or a gladiatorial pit fighter having a hard time adjusting to civilian life, or a magic-wielding terror on the battlefield who may or may not be wanted for murder...let's hear about some of the backstories you've come up with to turn your standard, default "guy with a sword" into a true legend.
Names, race, backstory, subclass, fighting style and preferred weapon...feel free to even mention some achievement or crazy sh*t you've pulled off with the character.
Orrick Fireforge is a shield dwarf eldritch fighter from the province of Impiltur in eastern Faerun. He hails from a family of smiths who specialize in making mining and smith's tools, but he was never really good at it. However, his mother was a scribe, and he was fascinated with books and learning. He apprenticed under his mother until he joined Impiltur's army, the Warswords. He was mainly an information specialist, but saw a decent amount of combat. He hated fighting, and would rather have his nose in a book. But when he does have to fight, he's a force to be reckoned with.
After leaving the Warswords, Orrick traveled to the Master's Library in the mountains near Impiltur and enlisted to become a Librarian. Because of his military background, he was assigned to the fortified post outside the Library called the Reading Room. There, he rose to the rank of commander and had access to one of the biggest libraries in Faerun. He spent most of his free time reading, but he soon grew bored with just reading about things. He resigned from his post as commander and became an adventurer to experience the world for himself, recording his adventures along the way.
Orrick is a bit of an odd dwarf. He doesn't drink alcohol, only water. He does so because "alcohol clouds the mind, and my mind is my most important tool and weapon." He also takes great umbrage with bards, claiming they are purveyors of lies and hyperbole, spinning yarns of historical events and muddying the truth of history. He tends to be a bit on the gruff side, and while he is a skilled writer, he has trouble with verbal communication. He also has little patience for people who seem to not be as smart as he is.
My fighter has been applying to join the king's guard since he was fifteen. He has always been turned down because of his social rank and a black mark against him (adolescent event). Despite this he has maintained his skills through constant practice and helping out in his local area.
He's now 44, and on this journey to apply he's going to get caught up in a riot and deported to the wastelands.
Durgan Stormforge was one of few dwarves to enlist in the Waterdeep City Watch, a position with which he held with extreme pride, though he was often mocked for being among the shortest of the recruits. As he also kept his hair trimmed short and his beard shaved to maintain a professional demeanor, this led many to question his "legitimacy" as a dwarf...often, when forced to deal with other dwarves drunkenly brawling in local taverns, they would jokingly refer to him as "some gnomish sod" before berating him. Still, Durgan was as dedicated and skilled as any City Watch guard.
Over time, though, the taunting began to wear him down. Then, while off duty, a local gang of malcontents entered Durgan's favorite tavern. They saw him, and soon the name-calling resumed.
As the thugs began to teasingly refer to him as "halfling" or "gnome", something in Durgan snapped. He lashed out with two handaxes he kept on him at all times, cracking one of the goons with the blunt end, and a bloody brawl ensued. Throughout the fight, the gang still kept shouting "kill the gnome!", which only made Durgan more enraged (I'M A DWARF, DAMMIT...!!).
By the end, the thugs were either wounded or dead, and Durgan was probably going to lose his position within the city watch. To make matters worse, the thugs he had dispatched were members of a powerful criminal mafia within Waterdeep, with suspected ties to the Xanathur Guild.
Durgan was forced to flee the city, lest the criminal organization take revenge upon him. He now adventures full-time, using his two-weapon fighting and City Watch training to fuel his Manuevers with the Battlemaster subclass.
My dwarf fighter, Garf, believes himself to be the most talented bard in the world.his charisma of 9 rarely backs this up.
He thinks he is great with people and will step up as the groups front man whenever they let him, which usually results in him causing some offence to the person he is speaking with.
Garf is able to play pipes but I started him with a lute instead as a joke. It got funnier when he found pipes of haunting a couple of weeks back and now whenever he plays people run away.
Amazingly despite his poor optimisation of skills, somehow things naturally fall into place for him in games. The pipes and several acrobatics checks on his dex10.
He is a battle master and I work his maneuvers as being his bard songs.
A nice comic relief character who adds some colour to our group.
My fighter is a Genasi glaive wielding Eldritch Knight.
Born as a dwarf into the Shadowforge clan. A clan that has connections with a Dao that came from the Earthen Elemental Chaos. Altered his shape and lived among the dwarves for a very long time. Also had various dwarven female mates. This led to his dna to spread causing the occasional "mutation" to occur. It has been a few generations, but Berrig started to change into a genasi during his puberty. Thing is that this clan are greedy bastards dealing in slavery. Trading with the Underdark and other places nearby. Basically revering the Dao and living in their greedy image. As a Genasi the "mutations" are seen as special individuals that are being revered.
Berrig couldn't stand the teachings and what he witnessed. One night left and took as many slaves with him. One of them a Gnome Skulker that led them through the Underdark out of there. The genasi ran and of course was chased by the Dao Cultists. Some fights here and there until he collapsed from wounds and being worn out. A patrolling group of soldiers found the 18-19 year old Berrig. He followed them to their garrison and tried to join in service. There he learned how to fight and showed to be tactically strong as well, calm in stressful situations etc. Stayed in service for 5-6 years and eventually led his own small group into skirmishes here and there.
During his mid 20's Berrig had "figured himself out" and decided what to do with his life. Which is to learn as much as possible about the Dao, Elemental Chaos, possible relics and one day wipe out the ShadowForge clan. Also has a huge adversity versus slavery and similar oppression. Chaotic Neutral/Good. Planning this his growing hatred for the Dao and Slavery will turn him into Lawfull Evil which could be interesting.
For now he roams the world gathering information and relics, learning more about his own powers. Paranoid of dwarven pursuers. Avoids cities and densely populated areas as much as possible. However he does visit such places looking for work. After all he needs money for basic needs, or paying of informants. His background as a soldier helped him in being a proficient bounty hunter.
As a Bounty Hunter the Eldritch Knight gives a lot of possibilities. Around lvl 8-10 tons of mobility, some invisibility here and there. Adamantine armor for high AC and not having to worry about critical hits, displacer cloak to reduce chance of even getting hit. As well as various other tools like a crossbow and whip. Alongside investigating situations well and preparing accordingly.
============== one other player is the gnome skulker. our chars haven't seen each other since the few day period through the Underdark. So that's interesting to roleplay. Although paranoid Berrig is still professional when it comes to contractual bounty hunter work. Currently protecting a character within the group from harm. Which is not easy since he likes running in the midst of danger all the time hehe.
=========== hmm as for crazy shit.... I tied up a guy, threw him out of the magic portal so he'd lend into the swampwater face down. I left him there to die. That guy somehow made it out and raced to the city. There he wanted revenge and spend hundreds of gold hiring bloodhounds and militia searching for me. Observed the city for several days. Used an item of Polymorph to fly in as a local bird and observe from a perch. Then just polymorphed into a mosquito, flew into the building's back room. Spoke with the quest giver. Received 7k gold. Walked out through the backdoor. Used Pass Without a Trace racial to slink into the back alleys and walk out of the city without trouble.
Bjorn Mercer, a Viking battle master who has sold his father and his crew for his own survival. After hearing of their execution now he is searching for a way to earn their forgiveness in order to let his and their souls enter the halls of Valhalla
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Born under the watch of something from the furthest corners of the far realms.... It knows all.... it sees all... and it asks: "What is it that you want to see?"... and my answer is... ALL"
Playing through Waterdeep: Dragon Heist and I am playing Randal the Strong. He is a a Variant Human with the urchin background. I just got lvl 4 and my two feats are Tavern Brawler and Grappler, and going the Battle Master route. While I might not be the best person with a sword he is a blast to play and beware if he gets his hands on you.
Kheldar the Amazing (or Radlehk the defiler) eldritch knight / ancient paladin
I envisioned this guy at the end of the campaign like Arthur from ghost n goblins. Decent stat array, but played as a low int, low wis. Just a happy, dense guy trying to do his best.
This is the story of my funny guy from an old campaign. Kheldar is a folk hero in his home town, was sent out to find missing scouts. Came back with ancient treasure from an old family crypt, and a cursed ring affixed to his finger. His attempts to remove the ring were not successful, and set out to try and get it removed. Not too far into his adventure he was slain in combat (but didnt remain dead). The party thought he faked hi own death until they witnessed him "die" several more times. Each time he "came back from the dead" his personality shifted darker, becoming confused and paranoid. But this didnt stop kheldar from being himself too much, he was certainly happy raising his foes to be loyal zombie pets. Party later finds out that there is a dwarf hidden i the depths of the underdark that can remove the ring for kheldar. So off they go to track him down.
Instead of entering the underdark like normal adventuers, kheldar accidentally melted a hole into the upper layers of the underdark with a barrel of acid he was trying to use on a seemingly stuck and magically sealed door. (Magic password was "open" which none of the party or players said during the 1 hour event dealing with the door, lol.) Kheldars mental state deteriorated much more quickly after entering the underdark, since he now knew he couldnt be killed.
During his underdark travels there was plenty of combat with him using thunderous smite to summon purple worms as "backup" for more hazardous combat situations while also attempting to ride them for mounted combat shinanegans. He also changed his name to radlehk the defiler, since he wasnt so smart just using his name backwards.
After thoroughly "defeating the underdark" and getting the ring off, he returned to his normal self. Found some magical bracers that granted him great defense, got rid of his full plate and ran around in his under garments from that point. Oh, i also recall him trying to trade his many bars of soap to sentient dwellers of the underdark also, and at some point he got his hands on the book of vile darkness and used it as a bomb. As well as another ancient druid book that could make trees grow. So the underdark is now full of trees too.
Somehow he became the leader of a knights organization in a distant kingdom and retired. All while doing horrible dancing with fighting. Tons of performance checks failed.
His "signature" weapon was a personally engraved trident with his name on it that he tried to pawn off on rich merchants, only to summon it back at a later point. Trident of warning.
If i recall his character sheet..... 8 fighter, 8 paladin.
Dueling and tunnel fighter fighting styles. Feats were: mobile, mage slayer, warcaster, spell sniper, sentinel. Built to be exceptionally reactive in a dueling situation 1v1, but worked as a whole character concept.
P.S. he also stole a few cursed artifacts from a black great wyrm somehow during this, and just ran off with it. Haha.
Silver Centurion, a warforged battle master. Sword and sheild, protective style, with the inspiring leader feat, and coop oriented maneuvers, like rally and maneuvering attack. He was the tactics master of the group and the group leader in battle, but not in social environments.
This was a campain set in Nentir Vale, and to include warforged as a race in the setting, we dertermined they had been created by the best mages of the Arkhosian empire. Total, 909 warforged were created. A century of 100 soldier and one centurion to watch over them for each of the members of the Counsil of Nine, the conclave of metallic dragons that ruled the empire. So as you can guess, Silver was under direct orders from the silver dragon named Voihrsenlassar, and the warforged units were shock troops able to march for longuer periods and requirering no provisions.
During the great war between Bael Thurat and Arkhosia, Silver and his troops were buried in an avalanche caused by the enemy, Buried under the rocks, but alive, he stayed buried for around a century, in a stasis-like state, before being buried up by miners. The war was over, the Cataclysm had happened, and both empires where no more. No one knew what happened to the counsil.
Silver wandered for a bit, them became a mercenary specialised in protection before the mayor on a town send him a letter saying he would reveal the location of arkhosian ruins if he accepted to work for him. This is how he became an adventurer. He did visit the ruins, that became the base camp and stronghold of the party, now named Luna Argentum (we had a canine shifter, a rogue devoted to Sheanine, and a silver-tongued bard, so the name isn't just because of him). At some point they got jobs form an source only known as Ulf, that would be revealed to be a young steel dragon, the child of the steel dragon that was the akhosian counsil.
Sadly the campaing fizzeled away due to most other players beign unable to continue due to lack of time, so I will never truly know his fate, but I like to think that in the end he did manage to kill the blue dragon that was the big bad of the campain.
Taking some "inspiration" from the Bard Forum, I thought it would be interesting for people to share their version of a Fighter...
Whether your a rank and file soldier whose seen too much, a disgraced noble duelist who lost their honor and wealth, a swashbuckling pirate whose ship was wrecked, a wandering mercenary looking for some easy gold, or a gladiatorial pit fighter having a hard time adjusting to civilian life, or a magic-wielding terror on the battlefield who may or may not be wanted for murder...let's hear about some of the backstories you've come up with to turn your standard, default "guy with a sword" into a true legend.
Names, race, backstory, subclass, fighting style and preferred weapon...feel free to even mention some achievement or crazy sh*t you've pulled off with the character.
Orrick Fireforge is a shield dwarf eldritch fighter from the province of Impiltur in eastern Faerun. He hails from a family of smiths who specialize in making mining and smith's tools, but he was never really good at it. However, his mother was a scribe, and he was fascinated with books and learning. He apprenticed under his mother until he joined Impiltur's army, the Warswords. He was mainly an information specialist, but saw a decent amount of combat. He hated fighting, and would rather have his nose in a book. But when he does have to fight, he's a force to be reckoned with.
After leaving the Warswords, Orrick traveled to the Master's Library in the mountains near Impiltur and enlisted to become a Librarian. Because of his military background, he was assigned to the fortified post outside the Library called the Reading Room. There, he rose to the rank of commander and had access to one of the biggest libraries in Faerun. He spent most of his free time reading, but he soon grew bored with just reading about things. He resigned from his post as commander and became an adventurer to experience the world for himself, recording his adventures along the way.
Orrick is a bit of an odd dwarf. He doesn't drink alcohol, only water. He does so because "alcohol clouds the mind, and my mind is my most important tool and weapon." He also takes great umbrage with bards, claiming they are purveyors of lies and hyperbole, spinning yarns of historical events and muddying the truth of history. He tends to be a bit on the gruff side, and while he is a skilled writer, he has trouble with verbal communication. He also has little patience for people who seem to not be as smart as he is.
My fighter has been applying to join the king's guard since he was fifteen. He has always been turned down because of his social rank and a black mark against him (adolescent event). Despite this he has maintained his skills through constant practice and helping out in his local area.
He's now 44, and on this journey to apply he's going to get caught up in a riot and deported to the wastelands.
Durgan Stormforge was one of few dwarves to enlist in the Waterdeep City Watch, a position with which he held with extreme pride, though he was often mocked for being among the shortest of the recruits. As he also kept his hair trimmed short and his beard shaved to maintain a professional demeanor, this led many to question his "legitimacy" as a dwarf...often, when forced to deal with other dwarves drunkenly brawling in local taverns, they would jokingly refer to him as "some gnomish sod" before berating him. Still, Durgan was as dedicated and skilled as any City Watch guard.
Over time, though, the taunting began to wear him down. Then, while off duty, a local gang of malcontents entered Durgan's favorite tavern. They saw him, and soon the name-calling resumed.
As the thugs began to teasingly refer to him as "halfling" or "gnome", something in Durgan snapped. He lashed out with two handaxes he kept on him at all times, cracking one of the goons with the blunt end, and a bloody brawl ensued. Throughout the fight, the gang still kept shouting "kill the gnome!", which only made Durgan more enraged (I'M A DWARF, DAMMIT...!!).
By the end, the thugs were either wounded or dead, and Durgan was probably going to lose his position within the city watch. To make matters worse, the thugs he had dispatched were members of a powerful criminal mafia within Waterdeep, with suspected ties to the Xanathur Guild.
Durgan was forced to flee the city, lest the criminal organization take revenge upon him. He now adventures full-time, using his two-weapon fighting and City Watch training to fuel his Manuevers with the Battlemaster subclass.
People still mistake him for a gnome.
I think for Argyll (character mentioned above) it's one basic characteristic that's going to mark him for greatness: selflessness.
Last night he dived into the water with a hungry plesiosaur to save an NPC he didn't even know the name of.
My dwarf fighter, Garf, believes himself to be the most talented bard in the world.his charisma of 9 rarely backs this up.
He thinks he is great with people and will step up as the groups front man whenever they let him, which usually results in him causing some offence to the person he is speaking with.
Garf is able to play pipes but I started him with a lute instead as a joke. It got funnier when he found pipes of haunting a couple of weeks back and now whenever he plays people run away.
Amazingly despite his poor optimisation of skills, somehow things naturally fall into place for him in games. The pipes and several acrobatics checks on his dex10.
He is a battle master and I work his maneuvers as being his bard songs.
A nice comic relief character who adds some colour to our group.
My fighter is a Genasi glaive wielding Eldritch Knight.
Born as a dwarf into the Shadowforge clan. A clan that has connections with a Dao that came from the Earthen Elemental Chaos. Altered his shape and lived among the dwarves for a very long time. Also had various dwarven female mates. This led to his dna to spread causing the occasional "mutation" to occur. It has been a few generations, but Berrig started to change into a genasi during his puberty. Thing is that this clan are greedy bastards dealing in slavery. Trading with the Underdark and other places nearby. Basically revering the Dao and living in their greedy image. As a Genasi the "mutations" are seen as special individuals that are being revered.
Berrig couldn't stand the teachings and what he witnessed. One night left and took as many slaves with him. One of them a Gnome Skulker that led them through the Underdark out of there. The genasi ran and of course was chased by the Dao Cultists. Some fights here and there until he collapsed from wounds and being worn out. A patrolling group of soldiers found the 18-19 year old Berrig. He followed them to their garrison and tried to join in service. There he learned how to fight and showed to be tactically strong as well, calm in stressful situations etc. Stayed in service for 5-6 years and eventually led his own small group into skirmishes here and there.
During his mid 20's Berrig had "figured himself out" and decided what to do with his life. Which is to learn as much as possible about the Dao, Elemental Chaos, possible relics and one day wipe out the ShadowForge clan. Also has a huge adversity versus slavery and similar oppression. Chaotic Neutral/Good. Planning this his growing hatred for the Dao and Slavery will turn him into Lawfull Evil which could be interesting.
For now he roams the world gathering information and relics, learning more about his own powers. Paranoid of dwarven pursuers. Avoids cities and densely populated areas as much as possible. However he does visit such places looking for work. After all he needs money for basic needs, or paying of informants. His background as a soldier helped him in being a proficient bounty hunter.
As a Bounty Hunter the Eldritch Knight gives a lot of possibilities. Around lvl 8-10 tons of mobility, some invisibility here and there. Adamantine armor for high AC and not having to worry about critical hits, displacer cloak to reduce chance of even getting hit. As well as various other tools like a crossbow and whip. Alongside investigating situations well and preparing accordingly.
==============
one other player is the gnome skulker. our chars haven't seen each other since the few day period through the Underdark. So that's interesting to roleplay. Although paranoid Berrig is still professional when it comes to contractual bounty hunter work. Currently protecting a character within the group from harm. Which is not easy since he likes running in the midst of danger all the time hehe.
===========
hmm as for crazy shit....
I tied up a guy, threw him out of the magic portal so he'd lend into the swampwater face down. I left him there to die. That guy somehow made it out and raced to the city. There he wanted revenge and spend hundreds of gold hiring bloodhounds and militia searching for me. Observed the city for several days. Used an item of Polymorph to fly in as a local bird and observe from a perch. Then just polymorphed into a mosquito, flew into the building's back room. Spoke with the quest giver. Received 7k gold. Walked out through the backdoor. Used Pass Without a Trace racial to slink into the back alleys and walk out of the city without trouble.
Bjorn Mercer, a Viking battle master who has sold his father and his crew for his own survival. After hearing of their execution now he is searching for a way to earn their forgiveness in order to let his and their souls enter the halls of Valhalla
Born under the watch of something from the furthest corners of the far realms.... It knows all.... it sees all... and it asks: "What is it that you want to see?"... and my answer is... ALL"
Playing through Waterdeep: Dragon Heist and I am playing Randal the Strong. He is a a Variant Human with the urchin background. I just got lvl 4 and my two feats are Tavern Brawler and Grappler, and going the Battle Master route. While I might not be the best person with a sword he is a blast to play and beware if he gets his hands on you.
Kheldar the Amazing (or Radlehk the defiler) eldritch knight / ancient paladin
I envisioned this guy at the end of the campaign like Arthur from ghost n goblins. Decent stat array, but played as a low int, low wis. Just a happy, dense guy trying to do his best.
This is the story of my funny guy from an old campaign. Kheldar is a folk hero in his home town, was sent out to find missing scouts. Came back with ancient treasure from an old family crypt, and a cursed ring affixed to his finger. His attempts to remove the ring were not successful, and set out to try and get it removed. Not too far into his adventure he was slain in combat (but didnt remain dead). The party thought he faked hi own death until they witnessed him "die" several more times. Each time he "came back from the dead" his personality shifted darker, becoming confused and paranoid. But this didnt stop kheldar from being himself too much, he was certainly happy raising his foes to be loyal zombie pets. Party later finds out that there is a dwarf hidden i the depths of the underdark that can remove the ring for kheldar. So off they go to track him down.
Instead of entering the underdark like normal adventuers, kheldar accidentally melted a hole into the upper layers of the underdark with a barrel of acid he was trying to use on a seemingly stuck and magically sealed door. (Magic password was "open" which none of the party or players said during the 1 hour event dealing with the door, lol.) Kheldars mental state deteriorated much more quickly after entering the underdark, since he now knew he couldnt be killed.
During his underdark travels there was plenty of combat with him using thunderous smite to summon purple worms as "backup" for more hazardous combat situations while also attempting to ride them for mounted combat shinanegans. He also changed his name to radlehk the defiler, since he wasnt so smart just using his name backwards.
After thoroughly "defeating the underdark" and getting the ring off, he returned to his normal self. Found some magical bracers that granted him great defense, got rid of his full plate and ran around in his under garments from that point. Oh, i also recall him trying to trade his many bars of soap to sentient dwellers of the underdark also, and at some point he got his hands on the book of vile darkness and used it as a bomb. As well as another ancient druid book that could make trees grow. So the underdark is now full of trees too.
Somehow he became the leader of a knights organization in a distant kingdom and retired. All while doing horrible dancing with fighting. Tons of performance checks failed.
His "signature" weapon was a personally engraved trident with his name on it that he tried to pawn off on rich merchants, only to summon it back at a later point. Trident of warning.
If i recall his character sheet..... 8 fighter, 8 paladin.
Dueling and tunnel fighter fighting styles. Feats were: mobile, mage slayer, warcaster, spell sniper, sentinel. Built to be exceptionally reactive in a dueling situation 1v1, but worked as a whole character concept.
P.S. he also stole a few cursed artifacts from a black great wyrm somehow during this, and just ran off with it. Haha.
Silver Centurion, a warforged battle master. Sword and sheild, protective style, with the inspiring leader feat, and coop oriented maneuvers, like rally and maneuvering attack. He was the tactics master of the group and the group leader in battle, but not in social environments.
This was a campain set in Nentir Vale, and to include warforged as a race in the setting, we dertermined they had been created by the best mages of the Arkhosian empire. Total, 909 warforged were created. A century of 100 soldier and one centurion to watch over them for each of the members of the Counsil of Nine, the conclave of metallic dragons that ruled the empire. So as you can guess, Silver was under direct orders from the silver dragon named Voihrsenlassar, and the warforged units were shock troops able to march for longuer periods and requirering no provisions.
During the great war between Bael Thurat and Arkhosia, Silver and his troops were buried in an avalanche caused by the enemy, Buried under the rocks, but alive, he stayed buried for around a century, in a stasis-like state, before being buried up by miners. The war was over, the Cataclysm had happened, and both empires where no more. No one knew what happened to the counsil.
Silver wandered for a bit, them became a mercenary specialised in protection before the mayor on a town send him a letter saying he would reveal the location of arkhosian ruins if he accepted to work for him. This is how he became an adventurer. He did visit the ruins, that became the base camp and stronghold of the party, now named Luna Argentum (we had a canine shifter, a rogue devoted to Sheanine, and a silver-tongued bard, so the name isn't just because of him). At some point they got jobs form an source only known as Ulf, that would be revealed to be a young steel dragon, the child of the steel dragon that was the akhosian counsil.
Sadly the campaing fizzeled away due to most other players beign unable to continue due to lack of time, so I will never truly know his fate, but I like to think that in the end he did manage to kill the blue dragon that was the big bad of the campain.
Dungeon Master in the world of Greyhawk,
Rawilow