I wrote this story a couple of years ago now, so forgive the writing. Although I have moved on from my obsession with "chosen one" narratives, I though I would share it with you all in case it inspires you to create something of your own, and to see how you would all change the story if she were your character.
This is an old story and character, so feel free to make her into whatever you like.
What do you like, and dislike. What would you change?
Kestra
Daughter of Shadow.. Child of Light
Kestra was born amidst the labyrinthine alleys and bustling markets of Baldur's Gate, where mournful shadows danced like gleeful spectres through the terraced throngs of moonlit streets. As a child of two worlds, and testament to the rare union between a Drow mother and a Human father, Kestra possessed a captivating allure and an enigmatic blend of heritages.
Her mother, a former thief with a tumultuous past, had found redemption and purpose in the clandestine ranks of the Harpers—a spy whose every step was cloaked in secrecy, she ventured into the darkest corners of the world, gathering vital intelligence to safeguard the fragile balance of power. Her mother's stories of cunning heists and covert operations captivated Kestra's young imagination, and fostered within her a fascination with the art of shadow craft. Meanwhile, her father was a scholar of no small renown, whose intellect was a beacon that shone through the shadows of the city's underbelly, but, beneath his facade of academic pursuit, a hidden fire smoldered—an insatiable desire for revolution and upheaval. Secret gatherings and whispered conversations mixed with the heady stench of cheap coffee filled his study, where like-minded individuals congregated, daring to dream of a world reborn, unshackled from the chains of oppression.
Kestra's childhood, though shrouded in the city's mysteries, was a tapestry woven with the vibrant threads of happiness. Her parents' unwavering love enveloped her, shielding her from the darkness that lurked beyond the sanctuary of the hearts, but amidst the clamour of merchants and the whispers of secrets, it was the stories and songs of the diverse cultures that thrived within Baldur's Gate, which Kestra loved the most. She relished any opportunity to listen to a story or song that she had never heard before, collecting them like precious memories, and weaving them into epic adventures of her own making. Her parents recognised the spark of creativity within their daughter and wishing only for her to be happy, fostered her burgeoning talents. Talents that would serve Kestra well, in the years to come, as the dancing strings of her lute and the haunting melodies of the lyre mingled with the words of her soul to create everlasting confidants, companions on her journey through life whose joys and sorrows swelled and crashed within her, allowing Kestra to reach out, and for a brief moment, touch the darkest recesses of the hearts of all who listened.
As Kestra matured, her path intertwined with the secrets of the night. Drawn by the allure of forbidden knowledge and the whispers that echoed within the shadows, she became an Acolyte of Shar, the goddess of secrets and darkness. Under the cloak of night, she honed her skills, mastering the arts of subterfuge and delving into the enigmatic mysteries that lay hidden, waiting to be found by someone like her. Mysteries that once resolved, promised her the power to change the world.
But destiny, in its boundless whimsy, had a different tune to play.
One fateful night, an image of Lliira, the goddess of joy and revelry, manifested before Kestra, bathing her surroundings in a luminous radiance. As the divine presence, a beacon of unadulterated joy, love and light, began to dance and sing, it exposed the fallacy of Shar’s promised path, and revealed the transformative power that resided within the purest of emotions. The celestial voice and graceful movements of the image of Lliira captivated Kestra and resonated throughout her very being, tearing away all illusions and banishing the shadows from her soul.
By the time it was over, and the image began to fade, Kestra was changed forever.
Enlightened and filled with newfound purpose, Kestra forsook her allegiance to Shar, embracing the brilliance of Lliira's divine gift. No longer confined to the shadows, her Bardic talents became a conduit for joy and hope. Through music and performance, she sought to mend the fractured soul of her beloved city, and heal the wounds etched upon the hearts of its inhabitants.
At the age of twenty, Kestra ventured forth from her childhood home, her heart ablaze with the duality of her heritage and the illumination bestowed upon her by the divine. The secrets taught by her mother, the revolutionary spirit instilled by her father, and the radiant light granted by Lliira merged within her, forging themselves into a singular iron will, that would carry Kestra towards her destiny.
This is from a very old characterfrom a years ago.
The DM didn't like the idea of having a good aligned Drow at the time, and they also said that her story was too convoluted, so I didn't get to play her. However, what do you think, if you were to make this character today, how would you change her story?
Feel free to share a story of one of your old characters.
Most of all though I hope it inspires you to create something awesome.
Like most “What do you think of my Backstory” posts it’s too long and convoluted your writing a character backstory for a level 1 PC not the start of a novel. The basic idea of a half Drow bard from a loving family is fine. I would cut out the entire Shar piece as it doesn’t seem to fit on several grounds ( 1. Why is it Shar and not Lolth, for that matter why is the mother a thief and not a priestess?, 2. given the parental info why would she have any real interest in the “Lady of Loss”? ) I would take her straight to Llira. How did her father (an academic) and her mother (a rogue from a hated race) meet, fall in love and manage not to have the mother killed as she was growing up? Why Llira and not Eillistraee? She would be the perfect goddess for a good half Drow bard.
Like most “What do you think of my Backstory” posts it’s too long and convoluted your writing a character backstory for a level 1 PC not the start of a novel. The basic idea of a half Drow bard from a loving family is fine. I would cut out the entire Shar piece as it doesn’t seem to fit on several grounds ( 1. Why is it Shar and not Lolth, for that matter why is the mother a thief and not a priestess?, 2. given the parental info why would she have any real interest in the “Lady of Loss”? ) I would take her straight to Llira. How did her father (an academic) and her mother (a rogue from a hated race) meet, fall in love and manage not to have the mother killed as she was growing up? Why Llira and not Eillistraee? She would be the perfect goddess for a good half Drow bard.
Good questions.
I don’t remember now why I made some of those choices, but I was trying to make a Drow that was not typical of the species. One who almost fell into darkness, but was saved purely by chance after seeing Lliira being Lliira and having fun.
At the time Shar and Lliira were my favourite deities. For different reasons.
I have had lots more practice since I wrote that story, and have grown past my obsession with being a chosen one.
Looking back, not only at this story, but at others from that time, there is a lot in there that I find cringe. I was a bit of an edgelord.
I still can be at times, but I’m starting to grow up, and thought I’d share one of my earliest attempts.
I agree with the points made by Wi1dBi11 except for the "writing a novel" part. I have a penchant for in depth backstories both as a player and as a DM. In other words, I don't think it's too long, but I agree that it's too convoluted. I have the same questions as he has. If I was writing your character's backstory, I would have to explain why her mother went against the status quo, why and how her parents fell in love, what the consequences of their union entail, how it affects her, why she followed Shar, and why Lliira chose her. If I don't have control over the narrative because I'm a player in a TTRPG, I would leave the answer to the last question ambiguous in order to leave it up to the DM.
If I was in control of the narrative because I'm the DM or a player in a LARPG, I would definitely include the twist that Lliira isn't actually the one who chose her, but Shar herself. Perhaps Kestra faced tragedy but forgot all about it when Shar healed her grief. But the truth is that Shar is a sadist who can't wait to see the day when Kestra finally discovers the truth. At that moment, Shar will manifest herself again and offer her help, this time not by making Kestra forget everything again but by numbing her pain. That way, Kestra will relinquish Lliira and willingly become one of the strongest followers of Shar.
Hi, everyone
I wrote this story a couple of years ago now, so forgive the writing. Although I have moved on from my obsession with "chosen one" narratives, I though I would share it with you all in case it inspires you to create something of your own, and to see how you would all change the story if she were your character.
This is an old story and character, so feel free to make her into whatever you like.
What do you like, and dislike. What would you change?
I sadly no longer have the character sheet to share with you. Here is an image of how I envisioned the character though. https://i.pinimg.com/originals/81/27/7f/81277fb56cfaf958ae86a7bd7a369448.jpg, although she is a Bard.
This is from a very old characterfrom a years ago.
The DM didn't like the idea of having a good aligned Drow at the time, and they also said that her story was too convoluted, so I didn't get to play her. However, what do you think, if you were to make this character today, how would you change her story?
Feel free to share a story of one of your old characters.
Most of all though I hope it inspires you to create something awesome.
XD
Forge
A caffeinated nerd who has played TTRPGs or a number of years and is very much a fantasy adventure geek.
Like most “What do you think of my Backstory” posts it’s too long and convoluted your writing a character backstory for a level 1 PC not the start of a novel. The basic idea of a half Drow bard from a loving family is fine. I would cut out the entire Shar piece as it doesn’t seem to fit on several grounds ( 1. Why is it Shar and not Lolth, for that matter why is the mother a thief and not a priestess?, 2. given the parental info why would she have any real interest in the “Lady of Loss”? ) I would take her straight to Llira. How did her father (an academic) and her mother (a rogue from a hated race) meet, fall in love and manage not to have the mother killed as she was growing up? Why Llira and not Eillistraee? She would be the perfect goddess for a good half Drow bard.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
Good questions.
I don’t remember now why I made some of those choices, but I was trying to make a Drow that was not typical of the species. One who almost fell into darkness, but was saved purely by chance after seeing Lliira being Lliira and having fun.
At the time Shar and Lliira were my favourite deities. For different reasons.
I have had lots more practice since I wrote that story, and have grown past my obsession with being a chosen one.
Looking back, not only at this story, but at others from that time, there is a lot in there that I find cringe. I was a bit of an edgelord.
I still can be at times, but I’m starting to grow up, and thought I’d share one of my earliest attempts.
A caffeinated nerd who has played TTRPGs or a number of years and is very much a fantasy adventure geek.
I agree with the points made by Wi1dBi11 except for the "writing a novel" part. I have a penchant for in depth backstories both as a player and as a DM. In other words, I don't think it's too long, but I agree that it's too convoluted. I have the same questions as he has. If I was writing your character's backstory, I would have to explain why her mother went against the status quo, why and how her parents fell in love, what the consequences of their union entail, how it affects her, why she followed Shar, and why Lliira chose her. If I don't have control over the narrative because I'm a player in a TTRPG, I would leave the answer to the last question ambiguous in order to leave it up to the DM.
If I was in control of the narrative because I'm the DM or a player in a LARPG, I would definitely include the twist that Lliira isn't actually the one who chose her, but Shar herself. Perhaps Kestra faced tragedy but forgot all about it when Shar healed her grief. But the truth is that Shar is a sadist who can't wait to see the day when Kestra finally discovers the truth. At that moment, Shar will manifest herself again and offer her help, this time not by making Kestra forget everything again but by numbing her pain. That way, Kestra will relinquish Lliira and willingly become one of the strongest followers of Shar.
Age: 33 | Sex: Male | Languages: French and English | Roles: DM and Player