From the moment this character started to take shape when i first got into this world right up this point when i am finally getting a chance to play him in a week i have gone against the great wealth of the internet's advice, mechanically.
So as a 9/14/15/14/10/15 former scholar come soldier you can see that mix maxing my build isnt' my thing. Neither is my current (although not fixed) plan to have him welding two weapons from level 3, if a double bladed weapon presented id consider that too.
But what i cant put get settled on is his personality. So I'm hoping to get something here that is better than what i have now. Here is what you need to know, DM approved thus far.
He was a scholar, turned soldier after the tragic passing of his wife and those responsible got away Scot free (Think Unlawful Citizen).
When he returns from service he pours over his wife's books and in that moment of despair makes a pact which HE believes is 5 for 5 bring justice upon 5 others and justice against those responsible for his injustice.
545's (patron) history was working with its creator to bring justice upon 545 individuals but when they were struck down 545 was banished to the shadowfell the mission incomplete.
545 has over the ages attempted to usurp others so we don't know how long this list currently is. I'm expecting less than 50. These are in some cases descendants of the original transgressors or having conducted themselves in the same manner in our time. As a result of the former not all are themselves guilty of a crime, but they are the product of an injustice not rectified.
I believe 545 also seeks to reenter the material world by creating his own weapon, namely the PC and the pact weapon could bleed over into his arm when created, maybe even go the WitchBlade route.
With the deal struck 545 also on request takes all memories of his wife leaving a void in memories (Think Dhalinar Kholin). These may resurface? Incidentally the nature of the pact has also been mostly hidden.
I am no actor so i think he will be fairly straight laced/a bit uptight like myself but I'm hoping he is more fun than I am. I don't want this dark/broody character, which was one reason for the memory removal idea.
The only other ideas that I've been floating is that perhaps he was acquired information (interrogation) while in service, which is dark but might make some encounters outside of combat interesting, and/or work with another PC to create a Riggs/Murtogh Tango/Cash, or Bad Boys vibe. None of which I'm committed to.
But I'm really stuck on writing down his personality traits. Neither the soldier or scholar feel quite right. And I'm left currently with him being single minded focused on Justice which goes back to being a little darker and into the realms of Arya Stark or Frank Castle. So i welcome your thoughts on personality traits. bonds, ideals and flaws, the last of which i like the idea of having a mechanical aspect (Liam/Nott - Critical Role) although worried about the consequences to game play. Who is this guy in a few sentences that i can attempt to play to next week. Here is what i had
Personality Traits: I fear failure. Failure to find the answers. Failure to root out injustice? Ideals: Fairness. No one should get preferential treatment before the law, and no one is above the law. (Lawful). Bonds: I fight for those whom cannot fight for themselves. Flaws: Not only am I good at what I do, but I love what I do - and I hate myself for it.
Try a mix of Batman and Jack O'neill in Stargate SG1.
Single minded determination and intensity when his objective is in his reach, with a strong sentiment of duty.
But it is mentally stressing and difficult to be intense ALL the time, even when your objective isn't in reach, so cut back to a more casual but still melancholic and brooding persona, with the Wits and sarcasm neccesary for some caustic humour and a pragmatic/cynical point of view on life.
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"Normality is but an Illusion, Whats normal to the Spider, is only madness for the Fly"
Since he's single-minded, focused on justice, maybe consider what happens when he "slips" - maybe you could play up sort of a manic / depressive sort of thing. Maybe he does reckless stuff when distracted...
I like that idea. When compared to the rest of the party he has a high CON. So ive been toying with the idea that maybe he has survived torture? been subject to it as part of his own training in that vile skill? Hmmm. Perhaps seeing others having been tortured might set him into a rage? Perhaps it will send him cowering? Getting into edgy territory again thou.
ChaosRex's points about that darker side of O'Neill could fit well. I never considered him edgy but he has a tragic past.
Yes they kinda toned down on the edgyness when transitioning from the O'neill of the movie to the series, but he hides it with sarcasm and a sense of duty towards others.
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"Normality is but an Illusion, Whats normal to the Spider, is only madness for the Fly"
I would take the edge off the single-mindedness a bit, just as a practical matter. Inflexible characters have a tendency to lead to party conflict, and not the enjoyable kind. Being 'really focused' on one goal is one thing, but if you are tempted to play the character as never thinking about anything else and never compromising, I'd recommend reconsidering.
You can temper that a little with the scholar part. He feels pain and anguish, and he really wants to be a single-minded vigilante. He thinks his wife deserves that kind of commitment, and if he doesn't go that far, he feels like he's not honoring her or living up to what he 'has to do'. But his previous peaceful nature is really fighting him.
So he's got the bad guy disarmed in front of him, and he really wants to be the guy who kills the unarmed bad guy for vengeance. But can he actually bring himself to be that guy?
Going that route A) allows you to be flexible when party happiness calls for it, by failing to be the hard core vengeance guy, and B) over-react later because he's so ashamed of not having been 'tough enough' before. Much more complex character than a one-note "always kills the bad guys, ghost rider, etc etc." sort of character.
I would take the edge off the single-mindedness a bit, just as a practical matter. Inflexible characters have a tendency to lead to party conflict, and not the enjoyable kind. Being 'really focused' on one goal is one thing, but if you are tempted to play the character as never thinking about anything else and never compromising, I'd recommend reconsidering.
You can temper that a little with the scholar part. He feels pain and anguish, and he really wants to be a single-minded vigilante. He thinks his wife deserves that kind of commitment, and if he doesn't go that far, he feels like he's not honoring her or living up to what he 'has to do'. But his previous peaceful nature is really fighting him.
So he's got the bad guy disarmed in front of him, and he really wants to be the guy who kills the unarmed bad guy for vengeance. But can he actually bring himself to be that guy?
Going that route A) allows you to be flexible when party happiness calls for it, by failing to be the hard core vengeance guy, and B) over-react later because he's so ashamed of not having been 'tough enough' before. Much more complex character than a one-note "always kills the bad guys, ghost rider, etc etc." sort of character.
Good Advice. I like the idea of his Patron being the hard core vengeance influence, but he in turn is influencing the patron to consider that justice doesn't necessarily mean murder, and they are finding a balance that works.
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From the moment this character started to take shape when i first got into this world right up this point when i am finally getting a chance to play him in a week i have gone against the great wealth of the internet's advice, mechanically.
So as a 9/14/15/14/10/15 former scholar come soldier you can see that mix maxing my build isnt' my thing. Neither is my current (although not fixed) plan to have him welding two weapons from level 3, if a double bladed weapon presented id consider that too.
But what i cant put get settled on is his personality. So I'm hoping to get something here that is better than what i have now. Here is what you need to know, DM approved thus far.
But I'm really stuck on writing down his personality traits. Neither the soldier or scholar feel quite right. And I'm left currently with him being single minded focused on Justice which goes back to being a little darker and into the realms of Arya Stark or Frank Castle. So i welcome your thoughts on personality traits. bonds, ideals and flaws, the last of which i like the idea of having a mechanical aspect (Liam/Nott - Critical Role) although worried about the consequences to game play. Who is this guy in a few sentences that i can attempt to play to next week. Here is what i had
Personality Traits: I fear failure. Failure to find the answers. Failure to root out injustice? Ideals: Fairness. No one should get preferential treatment before the law, and no one is above the law. (Lawful). Bonds: I fight for those whom cannot fight for themselves. Flaws: Not only am I good at what I do, but I love what I do - and I hate myself for it.
Try a mix of Batman and Jack O'neill in Stargate SG1.
Single minded determination and intensity when his objective is in his reach, with a strong sentiment of duty.
But it is mentally stressing and difficult to be intense ALL the time, even when your objective isn't in reach, so cut back to a more casual but still melancholic and brooding persona, with the Wits and sarcasm neccesary for some caustic humour and a pragmatic/cynical point of view on life.
"Normality is but an Illusion, Whats normal to the Spider, is only madness for the Fly"
Kain de Frostberg- Dark Knight - (Vengeance Pal3/ Hexblade 9), Port Mourn
Kain de Draakberg-Dark Knight lvl8-Avergreen(DitA)
Since he's single-minded, focused on justice, maybe consider what happens when he "slips" - maybe you could play up sort of a manic / depressive sort of thing. Maybe he does reckless stuff when distracted...
I like that idea. When compared to the rest of the party he has a high CON. So ive been toying with the idea that maybe he has survived torture? been subject to it as part of his own training in that vile skill? Hmmm. Perhaps seeing others having been tortured might set him into a rage? Perhaps it will send him cowering? Getting into edgy territory again thou.
ChaosRex's points about that darker side of O'Neill could fit well. I never considered him edgy but he has a tragic past.
Yes they kinda toned down on the edgyness when transitioning from the O'neill of the movie to the series, but he hides it with sarcasm and a sense of duty towards others.
"Normality is but an Illusion, Whats normal to the Spider, is only madness for the Fly"
Kain de Frostberg- Dark Knight - (Vengeance Pal3/ Hexblade 9), Port Mourn
Kain de Draakberg-Dark Knight lvl8-Avergreen(DitA)
I would take the edge off the single-mindedness a bit, just as a practical matter. Inflexible characters have a tendency to lead to party conflict, and not the enjoyable kind. Being 'really focused' on one goal is one thing, but if you are tempted to play the character as never thinking about anything else and never compromising, I'd recommend reconsidering.
You can temper that a little with the scholar part. He feels pain and anguish, and he really wants to be a single-minded vigilante. He thinks his wife deserves that kind of commitment, and if he doesn't go that far, he feels like he's not honoring her or living up to what he 'has to do'. But his previous peaceful nature is really fighting him.
So he's got the bad guy disarmed in front of him, and he really wants to be the guy who kills the unarmed bad guy for vengeance. But can he actually bring himself to be that guy?
Going that route A) allows you to be flexible when party happiness calls for it, by failing to be the hard core vengeance guy, and B) over-react later because he's so ashamed of not having been 'tough enough' before. Much more complex character than a one-note "always kills the bad guys, ghost rider, etc etc." sort of character.
Looking for new subclasses, spells, magic items, feats, and races? Opinions welcome :)
Good Advice. I like the idea of his Patron being the hard core vengeance influence, but he in turn is influencing the patron to consider that justice doesn't necessarily mean murder, and they are finding a balance that works.