jade regent question regarding romance and things


Advice

Silver Crusade

I know there is no set level for romance to occur other than what is written. I do have a player however whom wrote a fascinating background story as his characters lead in and tie in with Ameiko . I asked and he doesn't mind me sharing it here so I will. He took the trait childhood crush Ameiko as well and is a paladin of Shelyn .My question is should I reward him a bigger bonus due to his rp back story in regards to romance with Ameiko or not . Please let me know what you think of the story and what I should do as a reward . He is a great rp type gamer and enjoy it as much as the fights . I want him to earn her affection but at the same time after his story I could see where by book 2 they are very close. Please share your thoughts

The winter snows were heavy this season, heavier than any year that anyone could recall. The elder of the tribe was expecting his second child to be born during the height of this storm. The elder named Jarikai was known in the lands as a strong but wise leader. He had taken as his wife the second sister to the King whom ruled the lands he and his people lived upon. She was a gift of sorts for all he had done in faith and dutifulness in his allegiance to the newly sworn king. Her name was Milasni. The couples first child a girl had died in the winter season not two years prior. They were both excited yet scared at the chances of this childs survival. The storms in the north can be savage and the tribes tend to lose the weak during the severe times of the winter season. This coupled with the childs birth during the season made it extremely daunting that they would survive.
The winds swept across the snow covered barren lands as the tribe had safely moved to the lone forest of trees that was within their lands. It was bordered by a lake from which they could gather fish, as well as fur from animals who called the small forest home. The tribe was small and nomadic, as many of them are in the frozen lands. The sun rose the next morning brighter than it had been in what seemed like months. Milasni in labor felt the child move knowing it would be born soon. The small tent was heated with fires and furs laid about it for warmth. The old oracle seer of the tribe, aided her in the birth and spoke soothing words about the presence of the sun and it meaning the child had a destiny. Milasni pushed for a few more brief moments, and then a cry could be hear throughout the tiny tent village. The elder prayed thanks and passed around the mead to the hunters as the woman began clearing more room in the tiny tent. Jarikai finally stepped inside and was handed his son, his heir, his legacy. His eyes softened at seeing him and as he looked upon his mother he smiled even more. He held the tiny infant boy up and proclaimed him to be known as Arik. He then took his sword and cut his hand and then a small cut to the infant boy’s upper right arm pressing his hand to it letting the blood of kings pass from one to the other as was their custom. The child was then again wrapped in the finest furs the people had and was given to his mother so he may be fed. The child survived the harsh winter, though it did take its toll on the tribe whom lost 5 members.
Jarikai had been making trips south each summer to trade with a friend whom he met while adventuring the lands to the south. His name was Lonjiku Kaijitsu, a man of Tien heritage whom Jarikai had spent several years as a caravan guard and more so a friend. Lonjiku was of noble birth in his home lands yet had settled in Magnimar to make his home. He dabbled in any things but mostly trade. He welcomed Jarikai and treated him well when he visited. Jarikai found this arrangement beneficial for his people, as he was able to trade for things they needed or gold which they could buy what the needed. Jarikai made this journey each spring so that he was back home by summer so preparations for winter could be made.
The boy Arik grew as any child does and learned from the tribe how to survive in the harsh lands they called home. When he was 7 he was already versed in how to use a sword and shield though they were far too heavy for a boy his age. He was given wooden ones from his father and Arik spent many days practicing with them.
The following year Jarikai took Arik along with him on the journey to trade with Lonjiku. He wanted his son to see the value of friendships and also learn of trade and barter. The men, as men often do, sat talking about the good days and adventures they had together. Arik spent his time running and playing with the children of Lonjiku. The children played tag, among other games. As it always seemed, Arik was a step slower or too big or different to do well at the games they played. Arik at the age of 8 seasons was nearly 5 hands high. He carried his wooden sword with him because it was his most precious treasured item. One day as the children played and ran, a man grabbed the oldest daughter of Lonjiku , her name was Ameiko. The man had his arms around her as she flailed wildly about. Arik without a thought ran up and jumped on the man’s back taking him down to the ground. Arik was no match for the man in strength however and soon found himself being beaten by the man’s fist over and over. Ameiko stood horrified as her younger brother Tsuto ran for help. Lonjiku and Jarikai hearing this ran down to the edge of the estate and found Ameiko kneeling over an unconscious bloody Arik. Jarakai asked him what had happened, so she told them of Arik’s bravery to save her and of the man beating him over and over as tears ran down her cheeks. Jarakai furiously grabbed his sword and asked in what direction the man went. Ameiko merely pointed as the Ulfen man moved with zeal. Lonjiku had servants bring the boy to his home where he was tended too by healers of Shelyn. Lonjiku knew if Jarakai found the man that he would kill him. Lonjiku sent out a few of his guards to find the man to bring to him. Jarikai had no luck in his effort to find the man and in a few hours came back to the house to find his son awake yet badly injured. The healers of Shelyn were tending to him however. He spoke with Lonjiku and asked if he knew anything about the man. Lonjiku said nothing other than his status often times attract the wrong people in search of gold for ransom and that if Arik had not interceded he is sure Ameiko may have been taken. Lonjiku told Jarikai that a debt was now owed the boy. The men discussed this and it was understood that once Ameiko and Arik came of age they would be handfasted as man and wife. This was not told to the children, because it was customary they had no decision in such matters. The two men shook upon it and it was done. Arik healed over time and traveled back with his father. Jarakai told Arik he was proud of him as any father. That it was time for him to be tested as a man even though he would be only 10 when the trial happened, if it is what he wished. A few days later Lonjiku’s guards found the man whom tried to kidnap Ameiko and he was brought to the old man. He was questioned and in the end after all the information gathered put to death and left in the shadow district of the great city.
The following spring when Arik was now 10, he was brought before the other hunters of the tribe. They all thought him too young as usually the age is 14 seasons before you can attempt such a trial. They however knew Jarikai would do it anyhow and they agreed. Arik was taught then to track and to build fire. He was taught to survive with little or nothing. The week before the annual trip south Arik was taken into the forest and left with others of the tribe vying t be a hunter. The nights passed as they boy learned what it is to survive alone. He was however able to track and kill a large black wolf. The tribes welcome him as a hunter then. Arik took the 2 front k9 teeth from the large wolf as well as its black pelt. He wore the furs excitedly and had each tooth set in a leather cord. He wore his as a necklace and when asked by his mother whom the other was for he meagerly said a girl. His mother laughed at the boys shyness and later when Jarikai was told they chuckled together in their bed chamber.
Arik also had taken up using paints to make portraits often of Ameiko and though his skill lacked it was easy to tell he may paint some wondrous work one day . His love of art seemed to blossom after his beating at the hands of the man in Magnimar. His mother being a servant of the goddess as well encouraged it as she could because she too enjoy placing a brush to canvas and letting her soul our upon it.
That season as they traveled down to the great city to meet with Lonjiku, Arik was given a more prominent role in tending the animals . He was now being treated more as a man than a boy . The trip went by uneventful as usually because who would in their right mind attack a small caravan of Vikings on a road .
The men sat again telling stories and the children went to play . Arik was more ready now for games and before long easily could catch and tag even the young Tsuto. The children all laughed and played. Arik found time however alone with Ameiko and shyly gave her the gifts he had for her. She smiled to him as he placed the necklace around her neck telling her that as long as she wore it her heart would be next to hi because her had the other tooth. Arik then gave her a scroll case with the painting of her he had done . Ameiko was astonished by it and took the scroll case with the crude painting stashing it away in her room. She spent the late hours of that evening running her fingers over the necklace as she stared at the painting. The next morning she hugged him close. Arik blushed a deep crimsom and stayed silent. They then walked hand in hand along the grounds of her father’s keep talking and shyly trying to hide their first taste of love. Lonjiku and Jarikai both caught glimpses of their budding love for each other and clinked their mugs of ale together. The days went by fast and soon it was time for Arik and Jarakai to return home. Ameiko though had found a tiny piece of jade in the market and had it fashioned into a metal bracelet to be worn on the upper arm. She shyly placed it upon Arik’s arm and they quickly kissed hoping no one would see. The Old men talking beside the wagons however seen and just smiled to each other. The trip back went by slow as Jarikai asked Arik about the band on his arm and such. He pressured the boy mercilessly knowing the questions made him blush. The tribe welcomed the elder back home and preparations were once more made for winter. The tribe was for once growing and vibrant as it had been in years. This of course had caught the eye of another tribe whom soon made plans to attack and take the tribe and their land. Arik was out on a hunt when the attack happened silently walking through the woods thinking aimlessly of Ameiko. He heard nothing as he daydreamed. He was on his way back when he was jumped by the other tribe and after being beaten locked in cage with a few others that survived. He did not see his mother or father though he did see a man brandishing his father’s longsword. He knew this meant his father was dead as was his mother.
Lonjiku having not heard word from his friend did send a scout only to be told the tribe was wiped out. The old man broke the news to Ameiko that Arik and his family had been slain. The girl cried for a few days and vowed to always wear the necklace he gave her. It was her first love as it was Arik’s.
Time seemed to speed by for Arik from this point as in no time he was sold to slavers in Varisia.He was treated roughly and had to fight for each scrap of food he got to eat. He was then bought again by a old man whom groomed him to be a guard. Arik was given a sword and shield and shown the proper ways to fight. The boy did as he was told and served well until the man’s passing some 12 seasons of time. Arik was then freed by the old man on his deathbed . Arik spent a few months hiring on as a caravan guard to find his way back to Magnimar. Arik had grown now and was a man. He was over 6 ft 4 and very stocky built. He now carried a long sword and shield. Once the caravan reach the gates of Magnimar and he had been paid , Arik rushed to the estate grounds of the Kaijitsu family hoping to see Ameiko. The estate however was in ruin. Arik found out however through rumor that the family met with tragedy . Arik was more sad than he could remember and spent a few days in a grief stricken stupor from drink. He was then running short of money so he hired on with a caravan heading to the town of Sandpoint. He heard the goblins were ambushing caravans so his services seemed needed . He figured it would ease his mind from the grief he felt . He tucked the wolf tooth necklace, a mate to the one he had given Ameiko , into his armor and the jade armband was placed as always on his upper sword arm. He set out that morning to Sandpoint with the caravan . The trip only seen one skirmish though brief with goblins and made it to Sandpoint safely . He found an inn called the Rusty Dragon and stepped inside to get a room , his hooded cloak and armor covering his features from onlookers.

This is my problem. Do I have her react astonished at he is alive if he reveals himself . Do I have her because of what happened to a previous love interests stay distant ? how much do I reward him for a good backstory ? My thought is once it is known to her it is Arik that she feels those emotions but much time has passed so it may take a few weeks for it to bloom once more depending on his actions . please let me know your advice . thanks


GM discretion on how much bonus to award. Typically a +2 bonus for a good RP, a +3 or +4 for extraordinary. Up to you to decide how good this is.

Silver Crusade

thanks. Im guessing i'll have them meet and in time find out about each other . Alot has changed to both sicne their childhood. Once that happens though then depending on his rp and how he persues the romance I'll decide more then .


The way I would go about it is allow a small bonus as an initial reaction. Then allow bigger bonuses if he can bring about the "he hasn't changed" or "same old" moments of nastalgia. After this if there is what you would say is genuine affection then give a +4 max.

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