Heya, I'm starting to put together a character for STAP with my friends. We're going to be mostly made up of anti-heros mostly. Probably at least one of two Necromancers, not sure about the two other open slots. But this is what I put together so far.
I proposed a self-proclaimed Paladin of Asmodeus, and oddly my DM stated that it would be concievable in this campaign. Which I found quite amusing, anyway this is what I came up with:
Basically what I'm looking for is input on how well this background would fit into STAP. I'll be playing a Human Dusk Blade Lawful Evil.
Tony Frost
Self-provided Titles and Alias':
Paladin of the Star- This alias is used most outwardly and subtely at the same time. Tony Frost proclaims his faith to a 'godling' that sent him a message in his dreams. This God of the Star, as he calls it has an unshakable will for the word of Law and Justice. Tony will under no circumstances publically admit that the God of the Star is actually Asmodeus. Even his holy symbol, while it represents Asmodeus' symbol is silvery white and solid coloured. Any prayers made in public are generalistic and vague. Private prayers and rituals are very much directed to the Lord of Nine.
The Executor- This alias is used when confronting enemies, Tony Frost considers himself the Executor of Law, and when confronted with chaotic or any person(s) that do not serve his own twisted agenda, or other hostile forces he will do all in his power to demoralize, frighten, and murder his opponents (Usually in that order.)
Rhet Veiceed- An anagram of "The Deciever" Tony Frost uses this alias for those 'hard to get to opponents', as he sums up his victims weakpoints, any important information, or close family/friendships to anyone within the local community. He actually prefers these kinds of law breakers or other opponents as he has a thriving taste for assassination, he's been known to even speak with or at rare times warn his victims that they are being targetted for murder only for the joy of increasing the difficulty of his target.
Physical Attributes:
Tony Frost is slightly muscular in build, very lithe and athletic do to some of the activities required to reach his victims. He's of a generally short height, giving him a lower center of gravity that he uses to his advantage when necessary. He has short black hair, and usually has a light tan. Though he has been known to drastically change his skin tone, hairstyle, hairlength, and minor facial features as disguises. He however is branded on his upper right shoulder blade with a prison brand during his trial and conviction of a series of serial murders, the tattoo is a red cudgel with a chain wrapped around it.
History of Tony Frost:
What is recorded of Tony Frosts earlier years are that he was brought up in the Cudgel District, his parents teaching him the finer points of St. Cuthberts religion. As he grew into an adult he studied law eventually becoming a district prosecutor. He was successful to start but soon became restless with the gapping flaws in the system of justice practiced, it was very different from the laws and punishments as written. The Azure District most especially, where whalers would receive minimal punishment because of the nature of their work. After losing a major case that he had been working on because of the defendant having close ties to the Azure Districts Representative on the Dawn Council Tony snapped. His anger and frustration over the laws bending and breaking by people who were supposed to be upholding the laws surged after years of dealing with it. Tony became obssessed with his latest loss. For weeks along with his normal work he would follow the Defendant using disguises and watching his habits from afar. Whent he sailor went out to sea during whaling season and returned. He found his wife and child hanging from fish hooks left for him to find, Tony Frosts lesson of taking advantage of a bar maiden. Eventually a couple of months later, letting the emotional wounds fester Tony Frost went back and killed the sailor in his sleep.
Tony did not stop with his first victims, the thirst of meteing out the laws justice and to those that have gone unpunished would not be quenched. He stalked mostly the Azure District, The Merchant Disctrict, and the Shadowshore for victims, claiming 4 more victims over the course of 11 months before his capture in the Azure District by the City Watch during a botched break in. He would later be linked to the disappearances of a family of three, and the attempted murder of a ship captain who Tony was convinced had been selling bad whale and other fish meat to restaurant owners and butchers in the area. Tony Frost represented himself admirably and ably, but was sentenced to prison for 4 years, as the prosecution could not provide solid evidence that he had any hand in the disappearances of the small family.
Tony Frost was released 2 years early for good behavior, upon leaving he immediately was set free in the Shadowshore. After leaving the prison, his mind was working in a much stricter and twisted tone. He found general work in some of the few legitimate businesses in the area. His taste for justice did not dull however as he saw the injustices occuring every day. He vowed that he would bring order to this chaos.
Current information:
Tony Frost currently is inbetween jobs doing odd ends to get by. He's saved a lot of his money so far so that he might be able to either start a business in the Shadowshore or possibly move to a better resident in another district. He has gained infinite wisdom watching thieves, thugs, and murderers everyday. A lot of which has influenced and sharpened his skills. Working in the different businesses he's made business contacts with less official means though he usually doesn't do business with them in general. He has hired himself out for murders, seeing as most of the people he's had to kill are usually the exact kind of people he'd kill anyway he sees it as easy money. He's had various employers, Most of his work is done in the Shadowshore, but he's been known to do jobs of his own request in other districts when he feels they are low enough risk.
Basically a sociopathic serial killer.
Again, please no spoilers. Thanks for any input.
Hmmm, my impression (from a GM's PoV )
- He will be hard to integrate into the initial setup for the STAP, although this might depend on just how your GM intends to "kick off" the installment. There might be the problem of his reputation preventing him being sought out at all. The prison stint and criminal brand will even worsen this hurdle.
- His overall lookout on life ( follow the law or else ) might become a severe problem in those installments that require long voyages with a number of NPCs, especially with regard to the cooperation required then. quite a number of folks will be loath even to associate with him.
He appearantly also lacks motivation for the mid-level part of the STAP, unless he acts out of a strong sense of loyalty (and where should that stem from ?) to his co-adventurers, since he will have little if no reason of his own for the wild, un-stratified and "free of bounds" life in those stories. It will also make it very hard to survive in the last four installments, where his attitude will certainly become a source of hostility from some major players, unless he grows very good at keeping his mouth shut, and his face impassive, or unless your GM adapts the entire STAP to the group's "way of doing things".
Then again, the GM might just leave the STAP as is, and have you face up to the challenges with your less than "good" group, paying the price for not being socially compatible. In this case, to put it mildly, you are, in all likelihood, "fugged"
- I find the alleged amount of nefarious deeds in his past rather astounding in relation to his level and the corresponding competence to be expected. This will likely be a big problem with the STAP as written in installments #2 and #3 as well - his reputation in Sasserine will likely be an important factor for quite a number of developments. Given the size of Sasserine, he will be very well-known as a murderer, killer and thug, making cooperation unlikely.
- I see very little reason for this character to be involved in any long-term campaign, especially of the kind layed out in the STAP. Little if any goals in life, dreams, fears, preferences/loathings or past causes are appearant - hence your GM has lfew hooks that he can use to arrange motivation or scenes suitable for him.
There is no reason why Mr. Frost should even cooperate with (instead of dominate) his fellow companions, undertake the excursions required by the STAP or be someone taken along as absolutely essential for his skills or abilities. Best arrange some common denominator which binds you to your fellows and makes them loyal to you. And even then he will be forced to act against his convictions often enough - becoming a traitor to his cherished notions and past.
in conclusion
This is - as written - not a particularly rounded or suitable character. Far too much focus (IMHO) on the posture of "evil menace", and hardly anything/very little besides that.
Frost is pretty much the opposite of the "ideal' character envisioned for the STAP by its authors - that of a chaotic (neutral or kinder ) intrepid swashbucling roamer, with a noble heart and a soft spot for lost causes.
Even if the allowances in the STAP's design made for 'evil' characters are fully deployed and used by your GM, this charcter will be hard-pressed to remain a valid protagonist for long.
Tactically/strategically a 'Duskblade' is not an especially good choice for the STAP either, especially with the alignment of lawful evil.
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It'd be interesting if Tony wasn't aware of the identity of the "godling" who is guiding him at first - playing out the revelation that he is an unwitting follower of Asmodeus could make for an interesting hook. I played an eldrich disciple in Age of Worms that did this the other way around - he worshipped a creepy Angel of Death who was ultimately a conduit for the chaotic good powers of Corellan Lariethan.
In my campaign, a criminal record as a serial killer wouldn't be a problem, just a head start! Player characters tend to be sociopaths regardless of their stated alignment.
I wouldn't have a problem with this character in my campaign. Just a few tweaks for you to ponder. Tony's evolution into a true infernal force to be reckoned with should start slower. Have him hunting down and executing criminals who have escaped punishment. The way I see it, if Asmodeus really wants you to become a truly depraved and lost individual, he will start you out with stuff that looks good on the surface.
Killing families for stealing bread (not sure if you gave a reason for killing the family but it seemed like a good guess) seems a bit extreme and is maybe something he might do later when he's traveled down the path a bit more.
Also, having him hunt down the corrupt politician who is untouchable or the gang leader who has bought off everyone would have the added effect of making him appear respected by those officials who are frustrated by always seeing evil individuals get away with everything.
My only caveat, the way you describe him, he seems more neutral, leaning to chaotic. I always see Lawful as following the law to a T, and Lawful evil as using the laws to promote themselves.
"Oh, I'm sorry, you were told to pay this debt by the end of today or you would face the full force of the law."
"But I had not money."
"Now, that is not my problem. The law is clear. I sentence you to 40 years hard labor, or you may have your left hand removed. Because I'm lenient, I'll let you decide."
If he is following his own moral code or just violating the laws around him that seems more neutral or chaotic and don't get me started on how chaotic it is having multiple personas.
Hope this helps, it sounds like the kind of campaign I would like to play in.