I was an avid player for many years, I then moved to the middle of nowhere (I will give you a clue, I now live in a Yurt)
While I no longer really roleplay, one aspect I have continued to participate in is thinking up characters and their backstories. I should say for this I have to limit myself by remaining within the lore as close as possible. One character I have always struggled with writing is a Warlock, particularly with the Fiend Pact.
A particular hurdle for this is because I am working backwards in the sense that I know what I want the character to look like, appearence, weapons etc
I want a Half-Orc Bladelock. That wields both a staff and their pact weapon. They wear predominantly furs, that skulls and bones are hung from. Wearing a Skull Mask, and a Headdress and Cloak of a Deer Carcass. The staff has a horses skull attached at the end. Overall it gives a very Savage/Feral/Primal/Nomadic appearance. While I side on alignment being more of an outsiders perspective, this character from appearance alone would NOT be considered lawful.
Now the challenge of the Fiend pact is it RP wise pushes you slowly towards that bottom right of the 9 square cube, Chaotic Evil. Which I am trying to avoid, along with Chaotic Neutral, Neutral Evil, and a Comedic/Stupid/Oblivious character. It goes without saying I hope "No Mary Sue's" So I am aiming for one of three "types" of character by the process of elimination.
(I hope you are following along nicely so far, as for me a Warlock backstory is a terrible thing to waste but, it is also full of moving parts that make up a deep, rich, and flavorsome backstory if it is not just tropes and cliches).
Why and how was the pact made? This is where I read my many drafts, and google search results and find they lack a certain depth that can be achieved with other classes (Not Evil). Ghost Rider, and to some extent Green Arrow provide great examples of this pact making. The difficulty is to reduce the number of hoops ones backstory must go through.
Unfortunately this is often the most tropey cliche filled section, and I am hoping out there in the 'Internet of many DnD things' we are able to find something that is not 'I am weak I need more power'.
Then there is the question of what Fiend, Archdevil, Demon Lord? Would a named one work or is it best left a secret (I lean on the later).
Finally I have a recent idea of powerful creatures from the Fiendish Planes, specifically would a Night Hag patron be a useful tool to remove a lot of the challenges I hope I have highlighted
So over to you, how would you right a balanced Warlock character? What ideas would you suggest for me
Well here it is so far, yet to settle on an idea how to close
"There is no surprise Maulkren is a strong able bodied half-orc. He came from the Grave Snow Clan, a nomadic clan of mixed races that herd their animals across the rocky and icy slopes of the Rising Crags of the Red Lightning Mountains.
The Reckonings came before his self-imposed exile. He was no more than three during the first coming. A terrible disease spread through the tribe, and animals, suffocating many prime males in their sleep, including his father. A strange occurrence occurred during this time that would not be revealed until many years later, many female infants would temporarily disappear only to be found safe a well shortly after.
The screams of the dead still ring in his ears. It was clear for the village elders he possessed the same strength and toughness his father’s lineage provided, he learned his role in his community well; Strong enough to protect their livelihood.
Nearly thirteen years after the last death from the first coming did the second one sweep through their yurts. The tribal shaman helpless to stop it, they saw strong men wither before their eyes, and children disappear without trace. In a moment of chance, as the bitter wind blew through their camp Maulkren and a handful of his peers saw a strange skeletal black skinned creature with burning red eyes that pierced through the night carrying a helpless child away.
The tribe sort to track down this monster and return their child to its rightful home. All those that were still able to walk were tasked with this goal, carrying whatever weapons they could find. Born on the mountain they made short work of tracking this foul creature to its lair. As they ventured further into the lair they slowly came across more and more skeletal remains until they saw it, a Coven of Night Hags.
Among the bones many of them that of an infants, the party launched their ambush, too late to stop the final ritual. Maulkren slashed at their surprisingly rigid frames with his father’s sword, and bludgeoned them with his quarterstaff. Alongside his mountain brothers and sisters, who were slowly dwindling in number beat back the Crones. As the fight waged on Maulkren came face to face with the Hag countess, the orchestrator of all bad omens that had befallen his tribe. Rage boiled under the surface, and in a furious assault knocked the creature to the ground. Raising his sword, the hag spat out
“Strike me with steel, and I will haunt your dreams forever!”
The steel tip of his sword pierced the tough abdomen, for the wicked creatures to disappear before their eyes. Surveying their surroundings, the effects of this fight would not be revealed for many weeks. As the nights passed after that fateful day Maulkren’s dreams twisted into something far more sinister; vivid memories of debaucherous events. Waking in cold sweats fearing every night; the nightmares were taking hold, and so was something else."
I just had a PC come up with a pretty good idea that led to a Fiend Pact. The pc wanted to play a grandpa whose wife died. In his overwhelming despair over his wife he searched for ways to bring her back. This led to a Pact with a Fiend. However, the wife, once brought back was alive but not as she was. The PC ended up having to "put his wife down" again. He is now haunted by the presence of his wife. I can use the wife as the fiends mouthpiece to relay messages. For example the Fiend can ask for tasks to be done or else he will bring back the pcs undead wife.
Perhaps this would work? [Admittedly this is based off of the assumption that a particularly strong Warlock (Lvl 20) can sorta be a patron on their own, and that the power is a conference of eldritch knowledge rather than actual sort of cleric type power or blessing.]
Batukhan was big and strong sure, but not nearly as big and strong as the rest of his tribe. He was only half-orc, so he had resorted to the power that was his mind. He studied fervently under the tutelage of the Witch-Doctor, learning of fey spirits and powerful fiends. After many winters of learning under the Witch-Doctor, they thought it time to bestow the greatest Arcane secret his tribe has ever held. "Young Batukhan, my time will come and the tribe will need a new Witch-Doctor, yet the greatest youth to have studied under me has yet to learn of our magic. Come, let me show you the powers which were granted to our ancestors more winters ago than the time of even my great grandparents. In the beginning, our tribe was naught but a scattered people, we had no direction no purpose. We were tormented and kept from each other by a great devilish spirit, who sought to revel in our broken and dark times. Yet that would not be so forever, for the first great Witch-Doctor, whose name is lost to time, spoke with the great spirit and tricked it. He stole the creatures secrets and banished it to the realms of which we know not. He was the first to unite the tribe and guide us into glory. Each Witch-Doctor henceforth learned of the fiendish secrets, and has used this eldritch wisdom to guide the tribe. Come now, it is time for your final lesson."
"While I side on alignment being more of an outsiders perspective, this character from appearance alone would NOT be considered lawful."
This from a man (probably) living in a yurt. :) I bet you don't look particularly 'lawful.'
Neither does Batman.
Appearance is -despite what 'modern-thinking' folks might tell you - important. Perhaps, like Batman, this warlock dresses to inspire fear in his enemies (and allies....?) Making a pact with a greater power suggests a certain amount of respect for law/order. Unless you intend to break it, in which case it suggests a chaotic attitude. :) Or maybe he has sacrificed his eternal soul for the good of the world/tribe? What is going on behind that skull mask? It could be anything - only a fool would make a judgement based on this guy's appearance.
“Strike me with steel, and I will haunt your dreams forever!”
The steel tip of his sword pierced the tough abdomen, for the wicked creatures to disappear before their eyes. Surveying their surroundings, the effects of this fight would not be revealed for many weeks. As the nights passed after that fateful day Maulkren’s dreams twisted into something far more sinister; vivid memories of debaucherous events. Waking in cold sweats fearing every night; the nightmares were taking hold, and so was something else."
So, reading this, I would assume that the deal was made with this Hag Countess, but perhaps not willingly (at first). Perhaps he spends a long while trying to help his people recover but the Hag interjects Necrotic magics and he ends up hurting a lot of people and so has to leave his people so as not to hurt them anymore. And over more and more time (levels) he learns to control the Hag's magics.
Perhaps eventually leading to a point where your character is able to forcefully TAKE her powers and she's too weak to stop him thus destroying an evil in the world...
I'm not sure what level you're planning on having this character be, but if low level (still learning to control) you could roll a check to see if your magic actually aims for the intended target, perhaps the Hag interjects and you hit a friend or otherwise innocent bystander...
Just some thoughts I had. I do like the back story you've written out so far though.
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I was an avid player for many years, I then moved to the middle of nowhere (I will give you a clue, I now live in a Yurt)
While I no longer really roleplay, one aspect I have continued to participate in is thinking up characters and their backstories. I should say for this I have to limit myself by remaining within the lore as close as possible. One character I have always struggled with writing is a Warlock, particularly with the Fiend Pact.
A particular hurdle for this is because I am working backwards in the sense that I know what I want the character to look like, appearence, weapons etc
I want a Half-Orc Bladelock. That wields both a staff and their pact weapon. They wear predominantly furs, that skulls and bones are hung from. Wearing a Skull Mask, and a Headdress and Cloak of a Deer Carcass. The staff has a horses skull attached at the end. Overall it gives a very Savage/Feral/Primal/Nomadic appearance. While I side on alignment being more of an outsiders perspective, this character from appearance alone would NOT be considered lawful.
Now the challenge of the Fiend pact is it RP wise pushes you slowly towards that bottom right of the 9 square cube, Chaotic Evil. Which I am trying to avoid, along with Chaotic Neutral, Neutral Evil, and a Comedic/Stupid/Oblivious character. It goes without saying I hope "No Mary Sue's" So I am aiming for one of three "types" of character by the process of elimination.
(I hope you are following along nicely so far, as for me a Warlock backstory is a terrible thing to waste but, it is also full of moving parts that make up a deep, rich, and flavorsome backstory if it is not just tropes and cliches).
Why and how was the pact made? This is where I read my many drafts, and google search results and find they lack a certain depth that can be achieved with other classes (Not Evil). Ghost Rider, and to some extent Green Arrow provide great examples of this pact making. The difficulty is to reduce the number of hoops ones backstory must go through.
Unfortunately this is often the most tropey cliche filled section, and I am hoping out there in the 'Internet of many DnD things' we are able to find something that is not 'I am weak I need more power'.
Then there is the question of what Fiend, Archdevil, Demon Lord? Would a named one work or is it best left a secret (I lean on the later).
Finally I have a recent idea of powerful creatures from the Fiendish Planes, specifically would a Night Hag patron be a useful tool to remove a lot of the challenges I hope I have highlighted
So over to you, how would you right a balanced Warlock character? What ideas would you suggest for me
I look forward to reading your thoughts
You mentioned yurts and nomads, so of course the first thing that came into my head was an image of a Mongolian warrior riding across the steppes.
So. Riders. Hmm. . .
They aren't technically fiends, but you made your pact with the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse--Death, War, Pestilence, and Famine.
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -- allegedly Benjamin Franklin
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Well here it is so far, yet to settle on an idea how to close
"There is no surprise Maulkren is a strong able bodied half-orc. He came from the Grave Snow Clan, a nomadic clan of mixed races that herd their animals across the rocky and icy slopes of the Rising Crags of the Red Lightning Mountains.
The Reckonings came before his self-imposed exile. He was no more than three during the first coming. A terrible disease spread through the tribe, and animals, suffocating many prime males in their sleep, including his father. A strange occurrence occurred during this time that would not be revealed until many years later, many female infants would temporarily disappear only to be found safe a well shortly after.
The screams of the dead still ring in his ears. It was clear for the village elders he possessed the same strength and toughness his father’s lineage provided, he learned his role in his community well; Strong enough to protect their livelihood.
Nearly thirteen years after the last death from the first coming did the second one sweep through their yurts. The tribal shaman helpless to stop it, they saw strong men wither before their eyes, and children disappear without trace. In a moment of chance, as the bitter wind blew through their camp Maulkren and a handful of his peers saw a strange skeletal black skinned creature with burning red eyes that pierced through the night carrying a helpless child away.
The tribe sort to track down this monster and return their child to its rightful home. All those that were still able to walk were tasked with this goal, carrying whatever weapons they could find. Born on the mountain they made short work of tracking this foul creature to its lair. As they ventured further into the lair they slowly came across more and more skeletal remains until they saw it, a Coven of Night Hags.
Among the bones many of them that of an infants, the party launched their ambush, too late to stop the final ritual. Maulkren slashed at their surprisingly rigid frames with his father’s sword, and bludgeoned them with his quarterstaff. Alongside his mountain brothers and sisters, who were slowly dwindling in number beat back the Crones. As the fight waged on Maulkren came face to face with the Hag countess, the orchestrator of all bad omens that had befallen his tribe. Rage boiled under the surface, and in a furious assault knocked the creature to the ground. Raising his sword, the hag spat out
“Strike me with steel, and I will haunt your dreams forever!”
The steel tip of his sword pierced the tough abdomen, for the wicked creatures to disappear before their eyes. Surveying their surroundings, the effects of this fight would not be revealed for many weeks. As the nights passed after that fateful day Maulkren’s dreams twisted into something far more sinister; vivid memories of debaucherous events. Waking in cold sweats fearing every night; the nightmares were taking hold, and so was something else."
I just had a PC come up with a pretty good idea that led to a Fiend Pact. The pc wanted to play a grandpa whose wife died. In his overwhelming despair over his wife he searched for ways to bring her back. This led to a Pact with a Fiend. However, the wife, once brought back was alive but not as she was. The PC ended up having to "put his wife down" again. He is now haunted by the presence of his wife. I can use the wife as the fiends mouthpiece to relay messages. For example the Fiend can ask for tasks to be done or else he will bring back the pcs undead wife.
Perhaps this would work? [Admittedly this is based off of the assumption that a particularly strong Warlock (Lvl 20) can sorta be a patron on their own, and that the power is a conference of eldritch knowledge rather than actual sort of cleric type power or blessing.]
Batukhan was big and strong sure, but not nearly as big and strong as the rest of his tribe. He was only half-orc, so he had resorted to the power that was his mind. He studied fervently under the tutelage of the Witch-Doctor, learning of fey spirits and powerful fiends. After many winters of learning under the Witch-Doctor, they thought it time to bestow the greatest Arcane secret his tribe has ever held. "Young Batukhan, my time will come and the tribe will need a new Witch-Doctor, yet the greatest youth to have studied under me has yet to learn of our magic. Come, let me show you the powers which were granted to our ancestors more winters ago than the time of even my great grandparents. In the beginning, our tribe was naught but a scattered people, we had no direction no purpose. We were tormented and kept from each other by a great devilish spirit, who sought to revel in our broken and dark times. Yet that would not be so forever, for the first great Witch-Doctor, whose name is lost to time, spoke with the great spirit and tricked it. He stole the creatures secrets and banished it to the realms of which we know not. He was the first to unite the tribe and guide us into glory. Each Witch-Doctor henceforth learned of the fiendish secrets, and has used this eldritch wisdom to guide the tribe. Come now, it is time for your final lesson."
"While I side on alignment being more of an outsiders perspective, this character from appearance alone would NOT be considered lawful."
This from a man (probably) living in a yurt. :)
I bet you don't look particularly 'lawful.'
Neither does Batman.
Appearance is -despite what 'modern-thinking' folks might tell you - important. Perhaps, like Batman, this warlock dresses to inspire fear in his enemies (and allies....?)
Making a pact with a greater power suggests a certain amount of respect for law/order. Unless you intend to break it, in which case it suggests a chaotic attitude. :) Or maybe he has sacrificed his eternal soul for the good of the world/tribe?
What is going on behind that skull mask?
It could be anything - only a fool would make a judgement based on this guy's appearance.
Roleplaying since Runequest.