Creating characters is one of my favorite parts of D&D. I have a folder with about a dozen different characters my computer and with this new one, Id love to get some insight and possibly suggestions on improvements before I start using him. I'm hoping that any feedback i can get will help me with making him feel more real and more fleshed out.
His name is Baldrirr Steelheart. Hill Dwarf, Forge Domain Cleric, Clan Crafter. This is what I have so far.
He's an older dwarf, somewhere around the human equivalent of 40-45
His wife, a dwarf woman named Helena died some time ago, he's never really gotten over it
He has a daughter Isabelle who's a young adult, they are very close and have been since his wife's passing
He made his living as a smith and a miner, earned enough that he and his daughter have lived comfortably but not extravagantly
Most people like him, he's friendly enough but generally keeps to himself
Given his high wisdom, I'm thinking that a lot of people look to him and he has more friends than he thinks he does
He had never put much faith in the gods, his wife's passing ensured that
I'm not sure who will be his patron. For now, i'm using Tharmekhûl however I've been considering the possibility that his patron is an entity deep within the mountain he lives in. The soul of the forge or something to that effect. My only worry is that doing it like that kind of steps into Warlock territory. (I am open to the idea of making him a Warlock instead of a Cleric if it fits better.)
He has only recently become a cleric although he'd never call himself one, before that he outright ignored religion and put no faith in the gods
Backstory
Baldriir has never strayed far from his mountain city, only occasionally venturing outside to join a hunt or to explore the area with his daughter who loves the outdoors. He's spent his life working and living as many Dwarves do, forging and smelting the ores brought up from the mines and has earned a respectable place within his community.
Sometime recently, he was caught in a disaster. (Cave in, wild animal attack, avalanche etc.) He was then visited by what was to become his patron who explained that he was chosen for a great purpose and that he must follow a difficult path in order to save his people. He had to give up his life, leave his friends and daughter believing that he was dead and travel far away. The revelation that the gods actually existed forced him to re-evaluate his life and beliefs. At first he was angry that they took his wife from him and outright refused to let them take his daughter from him aswell. He cursed the gods and in response, his patron left him as they found him, trapped and almost certainly about to die. As he lay there waiting for death, he had a vision of his wife. He wasn't sure if it was real or just a hallucination, but in it she urged him to do what was asked of him, that he had to sacrifice who he was to ensure that his daughter lived. After it ended, he awakened to find himself still trapped. He knew that either way he would never see his daughter again but if his patron was telling the truth, he had to do what he could and so he offered up a prayer to his patron, accepting the deal. The patron granted him the power to free himself and he fled the area. He changed his name, forged a new set of armor and a war-hammer and took up the quest. Shortly afterward is when he meets the rest of the party.
Most of my previous characters have been young, no family kinda thing, i felt like trying something different. What do you guys think?
I like it. If your DM makes you ever need to go back or if your daughter turns up somewhere that you are there will be some very interesting RP needed. Imagine her reaction when the father she thought was dead actually is alive. She might hate you for abandoning her but that is the price of saving her. Also, a reluctant cleric sounds like a great character to play
Warlock definitely feels like it works. Maybe the gods showed up and as you lay there cursing the gods maybe a warlock patron showed up. If your DM allows it maybe going with the celestial patron and have your dead wife be the source of your power. (What you have is very good, this is just as an alternative if you decide you prefer warlock)
I like it, too... Could lead to some good drama between you and the patron. Sticking to Cleric might be a good angle for the DM - seeing as a Cleric's abilities are in effect tied to worship of a Deity, but for a Warlock (RAW) - you keep any abilities no matter what you think of your Patron. As Cleric, if you are particularly vehement in your cursing of your "god" maybe your foes roll for save with Advantage, or something...
I'm getting ready to play an older Dwarven Tempest Cleric. I'm thinking he's 88 years old, and has lived most of his life at home, in the temple. Parents alive, brother alive, no major loss or catastrophe. He just decided to up and "see the world," so he left the island and decided to explore, like the Vikings he worships. I want him to be fairly "happy go lucky" and up for anything. Except he doesn't trust Sorcerers and Wizards... especially of the female sort. His wife was a Sorcerer, and she found out he was cheating on her (one of his vices...) so she blasted him into last week (literally?) and moved on from there, never looking back. He's now got a vivid purple streak in his nearly-gray hair and beard, as a memento.
SwiftgaleI'd rather keep him a cleric as i haven't had a chance to play one yet, but having a deceased loved one be the celestial patron is really interesting idea, i might have to keep hold of it.
And yeah a large part of the future story is going to be about his daughter, it'll depend on the DM obviously but ideas such as her going off to explore the world and randomly encountering her father but maybe not recognizing him immediately, or as you said if we need to revisit that place at some point if i try to remain hidden or just come clean all sound ripe for some good rp.
DnD_BerzerkerI almost want to treat it as his level is how devoted he is. At first he's extremely hesitant and resistant to the idea, and as such he can't use much of the power, however as time passes, he grows to accept the bond and by doing so, is able to channel more of his patron's strength. it fits for rp and helps give some IC reasoning to his growing power as he levels up
That's a really cool character concept, the loss and pain aspect of characters is so common in most cases so it's good to see someone who's just adventuring because he wants to.
G'day guys.
Creating characters is one of my favorite parts of D&D. I have a folder with about a dozen different characters my computer and with this new one, Id love to get some insight and possibly suggestions on improvements before I start using him. I'm hoping that any feedback i can get will help me with making him feel more real and more fleshed out.
His name is Baldrirr Steelheart. Hill Dwarf, Forge Domain Cleric, Clan Crafter. This is what I have so far.
Backstory
Baldriir has never strayed far from his mountain city, only occasionally venturing outside to join a hunt or to explore the area with his daughter who loves the outdoors. He's spent his life working and living as many Dwarves do, forging and smelting the ores brought up from the mines and has earned a respectable place within his community.
Sometime recently, he was caught in a disaster. (Cave in, wild animal attack, avalanche etc.) He was then visited by what was to become his patron who explained that he was chosen for a great purpose and that he must follow a difficult path in order to save his people. He had to give up his life, leave his friends and daughter believing that he was dead and travel far away. The revelation that the gods actually existed forced him to re-evaluate his life and beliefs. At first he was angry that they took his wife from him and outright refused to let them take his daughter from him aswell. He cursed the gods and in response, his patron left him as they found him, trapped and almost certainly about to die. As he lay there waiting for death, he had a vision of his wife. He wasn't sure if it was real or just a hallucination, but in it she urged him to do what was asked of him, that he had to sacrifice who he was to ensure that his daughter lived. After it ended, he awakened to find himself still trapped. He knew that either way he would never see his daughter again but if his patron was telling the truth, he had to do what he could and so he offered up a prayer to his patron, accepting the deal. The patron granted him the power to free himself and he fled the area. He changed his name, forged a new set of armor and a war-hammer and took up the quest. Shortly afterward is when he meets the rest of the party.
Most of my previous characters have been young, no family kinda thing, i felt like trying something different. What do you guys think?
I like it. If your DM makes you ever need to go back or if your daughter turns up somewhere that you are there will be some very interesting RP needed. Imagine her reaction when the father she thought was dead actually is alive. She might hate you for abandoning her but that is the price of saving her. Also, a reluctant cleric sounds like a great character to play
Warlock definitely feels like it works. Maybe the gods showed up and as you lay there cursing the gods maybe a warlock patron showed up. If your DM allows it maybe going with the celestial patron and have your dead wife be the source of your power. (What you have is very good, this is just as an alternative if you decide you prefer warlock)
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
I like it, too... Could lead to some good drama between you and the patron. Sticking to Cleric might be a good angle for the DM - seeing as a Cleric's abilities are in effect tied to worship of a Deity, but for a Warlock (RAW) - you keep any abilities no matter what you think of your Patron. As Cleric, if you are particularly vehement in your cursing of your "god" maybe your foes roll for save with Advantage, or something...
I'm getting ready to play an older Dwarven Tempest Cleric. I'm thinking he's 88 years old, and has lived most of his life at home, in the temple. Parents alive, brother alive, no major loss or catastrophe. He just decided to up and "see the world," so he left the island and decided to explore, like the Vikings he worships. I want him to be fairly "happy go lucky" and up for anything. Except he doesn't trust Sorcerers and Wizards... especially of the female sort. His wife was a Sorcerer, and she found out he was cheating on her (one of his vices...) so she blasted him into last week (literally?) and moved on from there, never looking back. He's now got a vivid purple streak in his nearly-gray hair and beard, as a memento.
Swiftgale I'd rather keep him a cleric as i haven't had a chance to play one yet, but having a deceased loved one be the celestial patron is really interesting idea, i might have to keep hold of it.
And yeah a large part of the future story is going to be about his daughter, it'll depend on the DM obviously but ideas such as her going off to explore the world and randomly encountering her father but maybe not recognizing him immediately, or as you said if we need to revisit that place at some point if i try to remain hidden or just come clean all sound ripe for some good rp.
Thanks for the help!
No problem. Hope you enjoy your character
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
DnD_Berzerker I almost want to treat it as his level is how devoted he is. At first he's extremely hesitant and resistant to the idea, and as such he can't use much of the power, however as time passes, he grows to accept the bond and by doing so, is able to channel more of his patron's strength. it fits for rp and helps give some IC reasoning to his growing power as he levels up
That's a really cool character concept, the loss and pain aspect of characters is so common in most cases so it's good to see someone who's just adventuring because he wants to.
Thankyou :D