French Wolf,
I had a chance to polish up my (Work In Process) backstory. I still have more to go, but I added more details from the backstory in my previous post. Any thoughts are appreciated. I hope your Holidays are going well.
Cheers,
Utak
Background
During a sea battle with Norgard Raiders, the Cailim’s navy vessel Crown’s Defender rescued several slaves while the Norgard vessel sunk to the depths of the Argos. One of these slaves was a Human female with a swollen belly. She was dressed in rags and had a slavers wooden half-token attached to a rope around her neck. The half-token, a symbol of slavery, identifies slaves and their slave masters. Wooden tokens are inlaid with the slaver’s personal crest then split in two. One half, the left side, is forced around the neck of the slave while the other half, the right side, is added to the slaver‘s collection. This woman was wearing the left side of the token.
Two days later the slave woman gave birth but did not survive the labor. The male child was not human, sharing blood with the Norgard. The Captain was tempted to put the child down, believing that no good could come from this life. The ship’s First Mate, a Half-Elf named Almira Jumanah, discussed the matter with the Captain privately and advocated for the life of the child. Four days later the Crown’s Defender arrived in the nearest port, the town of Bidikah. There the first mate met with a Gnome friend who ran a small orphanage. The Gnome, Zayna Tarub, decided she would care for the young infant Half-Orc.
The Half-Orc was given the name Yrar-Kynlas. Yrar, a prevalent Orc name, and Kynlas, a surname associated with abandoned children, seemed appropriate to the keen Gnome caretaker. Yrar spent the first ten years of his life with Zayna. During those first ten years, Yrar was taught the Common language, though, like most commoners, never learned how to read or write the language. These first ten years were a happy time for the Half-Orc. Zayna showed him love and, when needed, discipline. Yrar grew fond of the Gnomes that he grew up with.
On his tenth birthday, the Gnome gave Yrar the half-token that belonged to his mother. Zayna kept it these past ten years until Yrar was old enough to understand the meaning behind the token. She ingrained in him the importance of freedom and told him to keep the token as a constant reminder of the evil and tyranny in the world.
By now, the ten year old Yrar was outgrowing his living arrangements at the Gnome orphanage. Zayna helped him earn a commission out at sea, and on one Spring morning, the Crown's Defender docked in port. The ship's Captain, Almira Jumanah, previous First Mate and successor to the previous Captain, who was killed in battle, greeted Yrar and welcomed him to the crew. Yrar became a dedicated deckhand. A strong work ethic ingrained in him by Zayna, gave him a good reputation on the ship.
Five years of working hard out at sea, provided him with sufficient sailing knowledge to complete his tasks. He also learned of Krakis, The Seamaster and how any sailor should respect his domain. During these years Yrar grew substantially, towering over many of the crew. He turned into a big, strong adult Half-Orc and took on more responsibility. Yrar found that he loved the sea. The constant rolling, the sunrises and sunsets always open on the horizon pending cloud cover, and the fresh salty air truly appealed to him.
Because of his hard work and dedication, the Captain awarded him several commendations, and Yrar became very fond of the Half-Elf. Along with his regular duties, Yrar was also taught basic fighting techniques because of the volatile peace on the Argos. On several occasions, they were useful as he was called upon to help defend the ship against the Norgard.
Then on one military occasion his life changed once again. The Crown's Defender came under attack of the Raiders. Several of their dark drakkar assaulted the Cailim's vessel. The Crown’s Defender was overmatched, and the crew were either slaughtered or enslaved. Yrar, being of Orc blood, was taken captive but proving loyal to the slain Captain was also enslaved. After stripping Yrar down to issue an initial beating, the slavers found the half-token. They laughed and added another half-token around his neck. “They can fight about you when they meet,” the Orc with the whip said, as he began the lesson in subservience.
For countless months, Yrar worked below deck, earning callused hands and even stronger arms from rowing, while also receiving whippings and scars from not rowing fast enough. Yrar’s friendly personality became dark and disturbed. For the first time in his life, he felt hate. After receiving one such nasty beating, Yrar lashed out and broke the neck of a Norgard Orc, instantly killing the raider. Instead of throwing the Half-Orc overboard though, the harsh Orc Captain, Jolgeir Zstokkzren, had other plans. After witnessing the devastation that Yrar could cause to a living creature, the harsh sea master laughed and shouted an order in Orc. The ship changed directions and the crew shouted their approval.
Forced back to his duties below deck, Yrar waited with anxiety for what was coming next. The drakkar eventually docked into a port far to the north. This port was a pirate hideaway, and Yrar was brought to land. Taken to an arena, Yrar was forced to fight to the death in gladiatorial combat. He was the victor.
Port after port, Yrar sunk deeper into himself while fighting in the arena. He hated the prospect of killing or being killed, but while in combat, he would unleash his rage and fury on his opponents. For months, Yrar would enter a new port, kill, and earn a victory. He became a fan favorite in the northern pirate ports. They called him Nagelfar, and for how much the pirates loved him, he hated them. During these months with the constant chatter in the Orc language, Yrar was able to pick up a working knowledge of the harsh tongue. He deciphered that his arena name, Nagelfar, meant ‘The Ship That Carries The Dead’ . He accepted this translation, while he plotted his escape and revenge.
Back out at sea, Yrar was kept below decks and unable to keep track of where on the Argos he traveled. He just always assumed that his next destination was another port where a fight awaited him. Then, on one day, the drakkar shook and a hole burst into its side, in the room where Yrar was imprisoned. The Norgard were under attack. Yrar, trapped below deck, watched the hold fill with saltwater, but Yrar saw this as his salvation. He now had an escape route. The Half-Orc had to time it right. He had to hold his breath, allow the water inside the hull to stabilize with the surrounding sea, then exit the punctured hull and make it to the surface.
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Hey Ocho,
Spoiler for Fudrick and French Wolf
** spoiler omitted **
TheOcho/Yrar please read the spoiler and let me know what you think. Especially you TheOcho. If you want to make any changes then please reply in a spoiler. Ta
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just reposting for prosperity here Roman
** spoiler omitted **
Spoiler for Roman
Below are some questions I'd like answered to help flesh out his background and better immerse Roman in the adventures to come. When you complete his background on the profile could you try to answer them.
1) Who was Roman's mother and where did she raise him?
For instance, we could add in a sea elf enclave devoted to Deep Sashelas on the coast of Vinggor. A place called the Korkon Grottos.
2) What was the vague description of your father? name of his ship? any other info he has found about the man and how he met his mother?
3) What happened to the druid Roman to make him an avenger?
4) Why did he come to land to search for his father? Does he just want to meet him? punish him for leaving mother? or what?
Cheers
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Background spoiler for Yrar-Kynlas
I have one small nitpick, drakkar are single deck with a thin cargo hold underneath. The slaves doing the rowing would all be on deck, however Yrar could be tied up below decks when the drakkar was holed.
Another point is that Yrar has this great reputation as a gladiator a la Conan but is only first level. I have a solution. He wasn't first level, he was seventh level say. His last fight before he escaped he lost badly. In fact the opponent drained him of six levels as part of the arena combat. Alongside the level loss, Yrar lost much of his skills and abilities as a sailor and warrior becoming a "greenhorn" again. Nalfegar may have attracted the revenge of the undead?
Neat? No? over to you.
One question, what is his aim or ambition in life?
Cheers
Hey DM French Wolf,
Thank you for the input. Will work on an edit forthwith. Probably after the Holidays though. Hope Archie gets everything he wants. Even though he'll probably have more fun with the box ...
Cheers
Utak
Is Bidikah on the eastern shore of Vinggor?
Thanks.
Wow this week has just been crazy. This is the first time I have been on the computer in two days. I will not be on until the day after Christmas at a minimum. So Merry Christmas to all of you. I hope you get what you have asked for. :D
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And Santa has come down the chimney.
NOT TO BE OPENED UNTIL CHRISTMAS DAY.
Yrar-Kynlas Spoiler
Fudrick Boddymil Spoiler
Shulim El Bheddah Spoiler
Roman Spoiler
Avery Gavin Spoiler
Merry Christmas to you and your characters
And Santa has come down the chimney.
NOT TO BE OPENED UNTIL CHRISTMAS DAY.
Yrar-Kynlas Spoiler
** spoiler omitted **Fudrick Boddymil Spoiler
** spoiler omitted **Shulim El Bheddah Spoiler
** spoiler omitted **Avery Gavin Spoiler
** spoiler omitted **Merry Christmas to you and your character
Ah man, I have to wait until Christmas? But Daaaad? :)
Wait, is that Christmas day my time or your time? ...
Your time and NO PEEPING!
Cheers Utak - thanks for making me laugh.
You're Welcome. Just remember that you and Lady Janas taught me to look for the loopholes. :)
Merry Christmas, all! Been wacky this week, but things'll calm down after the holidays. Cheers to everyone, and I hope your holiday was all you hoped.
Happy Holidays
Thank you French Wolf Claus. I hope that you enjoyed the cookies and milk I left you. You did make a mess though, there are crumbs everywhere!
Cheers.
Hey Ocho,
You good with how Yrar and Fudrick met and the motivations for traveling to Musaal per the spoilers from me and French Wolf? I will add this to my background unless you have alternative thoughts.
Cheers,
Utak
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Wow this week has just been crazy. This is the first time I have been on the computer in two days. I will not be on until the day after Christmas at a minimum. So Merry Christmas to all of you. I hope you get what you have asked for. :D
Enjoy yourself and get back to normality whenever you can.
Cheers Fudrick
DM French Wolf,
My background is tentatively complete and waiting your approval in the profile. I will work on Yrar's description and personality tomorrow.
Cheers
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DM French Wolf,
My background is tentatively complete and waiting your approval in the profile. I will work on Yrar's description and personality tomorrow.
Cheers
Utak Spoiler
OK everyone it looks like the first PC is pretty much ready to go. One down and four to go. The rest of you have a week to ten days to knock the PC into shape. So please try and carve out an hour or two to get the stats/backgrounds done.
Cheers
DM French Wolf:
Now Yrar on the other hand, knows exactly who he is. I picture him as more fun. (Sailor buddies, stuff like that) Even though he has a low charisma, I see him filling a certain niche and that niche really likes Yrar. Yrar is also more intelligent and has a set goal, free all slaves, and he has thought about multiple ways on how to accomplish this.
Both Yrar and Scardd can be in your face destruction, but that is the Half-Orc in them talking. At times, Yrar will look for alternative ways to accomplish his goals, unless, of course, he is raging. Scardd, on the other hand, wants to blast things.
To summarize, Yrar's goals are more external where Scardd's are internal and selfish.
Any thoughts on these distinctions?
Also, I still have to add description and personality to Yrar's profile. Hopefully this will also help differentiate the two.
Just added Description and Personality to Yrar's Profile. Barring any thoughts and suggestions, he should be complete.
Cheers
hey,
I'm still here and kicking, thanks for the xmas present. Roman's backstory and such will be in tip top shape tonight hopefully.
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hey,
I'm still here and kicking, thanks for the xmas present. Roman's backstory and such will be in tip top shape tonight hopefully.
Spoiler for Roman
You have answered everything I wanted to know and given me plenty to work with - thanks!
I have a question for you. My guess is that English isn't your first language. Does this matter? Do you mind if I ask about the odd word? It would be arrogant of me to do this without your permission. Anyway I guess slaughlin may have been sahuagin but let's have a new race instead.
Cheers Logos - well done
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DM Update on Characters
Now that I've looked in more detail at each PC, I've realised that they are pretty much done.
Evil Genius - Shulim - just one or two comments to be added to the background to get him to Musaal.
Utak - Yrar-Kynlas - done
Logos - Roman Maelstrom - done
TheOcho - Fudrick Boddymill - just need to decide if you reach Musaal with Utak. There are two spoilers about this for you to check out.
Sully - Garyn Avery - to be done
It looks like you guys will be ready sooner than I anticipated so we may start before next Monday, if Garyn is ready.
Cheers
Ok, I am sort of back now. I have read through most of the posts so far and I think meeting Yrar on the way works out nicely. My next goal is to finish up on the background with the changes that were discussed. French, can you give us a date or timeline your world is set in? I wanted to turn Fudrick's background into a diary/journal style leading up to the pirate attack.
Thanks for the Christmas gift!! It is the gift that keeps on giving :) I am sure everyone will appreciate it very soon.
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Call it the Fiftieth year of Nimar Comash. This is the Cailim so soon with his death the year will reset again to first. It is a confusing system but one that shows the people of the Splintered Isles believe in their master.
The days and weeks follow those of our world but the months are named differently. Note that Saturday is a holy day in the Splintered Isles.
Avinad
Betan
Corlarnash
Delnad
Evanar
Frelarnad
Gisash
Horamar
Istornad
Jasna
Kammanad
Lenad
The campaign is starting in Frelarnad. Oh - the worst of the monsoon storms hit the Isles in Horamar and Istornad.
Cheers Fudrick
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Ok, I am sort of back now. I have read through most of the posts so far and I think meeting Yrar on the way works out nicely. My next goal is to finish up on the background with the changes that were discussed. French, can you give us a date or timeline your world is set in? I wanted to turn Fudrick's background into a diary/journal style leading up to the pirate attack.
Thanks for the Christmas gift!! It is the gift that keeps on giving :) I am sure everyone will appreciate it very soon.
Once Fudrick is set feel free to share whatever information with Yrar before the adventure begins. My guess is that you will have been in each others company for a couple of weeks.
Cheers
For Fudrick and French Wolf:
Here is the description of Yrar from his profile:
Yrar-Kynlas is large even by Half-Orc standards. Standing 6’6” and weighing 370 lbs., Yrar is mostly muscle. His dark green skin is almost a dull black from years at sea under an unforgiving sun. The whip scars across his back and decorating his heavily muscled arms tell of a tortured life. His chin-length dark black hair intermingles with a wild beard that sprawls down to his chest. His facial hair, along with his rutted forehead, form a cave for his dark, sunken eyes.
If you have any questions, just let me know.
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We have most of the PC's complete or near complete (barring a few comments above).
But Sully/Garyn is "work in progress". He has plenty of time still to do his ranger.
I had set a date of this Sunday evening (UK time) and I'll start then.
The secondary reason is that I DM all day Saturday once a month and it's coming up this weekend.
Got to prep for face to face gaming!
Cheers
The secondary reason is that I DM all day Saturday once a month and it's coming up this weekend.Got to prep for face to face gaming!
I'm booking my flight now. :)
Ok Fudrick's background is pretty much done. The only thing I believe I have left to do is change out my weapon to Hettama favored weapon. I will work on that tonight or tomorrow.
For Yrar and Mr. Wolf:
Please look through my background which is in the spoilers below. I took some liberty with the dates, etc but kept it within your timeline Mr. Wolf.
Yrar my background goes up unto a few days after we meet up. By the way thanks for saving my Gnome behind from those pirates.
Delnad, 26, Saturday, 50th Year of the Comash, early morning
I woke up this morning to a rousing birthday celebration in my honor. All 53 family members where there to sing and dance for my 38th birthday, it was awesome!
As a gift, my parents gave me this small journal to keep track of my thoughts. They also gave me a waterproof oiled wrap so it will stay dry. With the monsoon season starting soon it will definitely come in use. I figure it will also come in handy for writing down notes on my seamanship training. As long as I can take the two years of training then I will be next in line to captain the Seewocket.
Delnad, 26, Sat., 50th Year of the Comash, late evening
Today has been the best day of my life! Even Fatima talked to me .... she is soooo beautiful! We are supposed to meet up tomorrow night. She hasn't said which part of the ship yet, I can't wait!
Mom came in telling me how proud of me she was. She seemed a little sad that her little baby was growing up so quickly. She got a little misty eye and told me something I never knew:
On my birth date as I was born three bright white stars shot across the sky and lit the night up like daytime! WOW!
Evanar, 2, Friday, 50th Year of the Comash, late evening
This past week has been more work than I could handle. Growing up I learned, by watching, some of what it takes to captain a ship and even some of the sailors duties. Watching it and doing it are two completely different animals. UGH. I can barely move my arms and legs. Dad, hrm sorry Captain Cobwick as he likes to be called in my training, has been pushing me hard. He says I am just not used to the hard work. He's right.
Evanar, 4, Monday, 50th Year of the Comash, afternoon
We were attacked by pirates today. It has been over a month since the last attack. After a frantic half hour of maneuvers and fighting we finally repelled them. We lost three family members today. I couldn't get to them in time to heal them ... We are heading to a port to restock ... I need some sleep ...
Evanar, 5, Tuesday, 50th Year of the Comash, early morning
We finally reached the small village of Musaal. Mom and I went ashore in the dingy to meet up with my cousin, Zartari. When we got there he greeted Mom with her childhood name, Elo. She looked at him and the weariness of the last few days seemed to drain from her a little. He clapped me on the shoulders like he usually does and told me I looked like I was going to be a great captain someday. Someday can't come soon enough. The training, pirate attack, and the loss of family make it hard to go on. I pray everyday to Hettama for the courage to go on.
While in Musaal, Mom picked up some supplies so we can replenish our alchemy reserves. I know I have a lot of training to do and I may be crazy, but I asked her to teach me some alchemy. She kind of looked at me strange and said ok. She bought a few extra things to help me learn before leaving for the ship.
Evanar, 21, Wednesday, 50th Year of the Comash, evening
I can not believe it has been nearly a month since my birthday. My arms and legs don't hurt as bad anymore. I am finishing up my training before the sun goes down. Things seem to be working out great! Fatima even came by a little bit ago to talk. I think she wanted to say something important but she left before I could ask her. Women.....
Mom has been teaching me the basics of alchemical. At this rate I should be whipping up something useful by next week.
Evanar, 29, Thursday, 50th Year of the Comash, late evening
I am in my room. Training was called off today. A terrible storm swept in from out of nowhere. It is not even monsoon season yet but I think this is the worst storm I have ever been in! Dad didn't want me anywhere near the deck. He said it was to dangerous for a trainee to be out. I wish I could prove to him that I can handle myself. At least Fatima appreciates what I can do....
Evanar, 30, Friday, 50th Year of the Comash, very early morning
Sometime during the night the storm died down. I went up but everything was pitch black. Dad seemed worried since he could get a navigation reading. He sent me back down to practice on some knots.... busy work.
I talked to Mom and she said Dad was just worried. A storm that bad this early in the season is extremely rare. I better get to those knots.
Evanar, 30, Friday, 50th Year of the Comash, morning
I was on the deck talking with Dad. He said we were blown way of course and we are in pirate controlled waters. He sent me down to my room for the second time today. On my way down I heard shouts that ships were seen on the horizon closing fast. Sitting on my bunk I can feel the ship picking up speed and turning to try and outrun the pirates. I can hear the raining beating down. I'm going crazy down here while they are preparing up top.
Evanar, 30, Friday, 50th Year of the Comash, mid-morning
The pirates have nearly caught up with us. Eight of their Galleons to our one. Hettama help us in our time of need.
Evanar, 30, Friday, 50th Year of the Comash, noon
This may well be my last entry. I have been told by a sailor running by that we are surrounded. I can hear the magic being deployed above. I have to get out of here NOW! There has to be something I can do! I am wrapping this journal up. If you find this let the Navy know so we can be avenged.
Frelarnad, 2, Monday, 50th Year of the Comash
I am not even sure why I am still writing in this journal. Everything has been lost. Everything. My family murdered in front of my eyes. The dead and dying thrown overboard feeding the sharks. A half-orc saw me struggling to the beach. He went after the pirates following me to shore. He killed 5 of them yelling something about slavers. I don't know why he saved me. I just want to die.
Frelarnad, 5, Thursday, 50th Year of the Comash
I awoke this morning from a strange fever. There were dreams. Visions if you will floating just out of reach. I saw Hettama beckon me to follow her. I awoke strangly refreshed and the fever broken. The half-orc who calls himself Yrar said I was thrashing about all night. There has to be more to this. I need to find an answer.
I spoke with Yrar and he will take me to Musaal to meet with Zartari. Maybe he can help me figure out what the visions have asked of me.
We leave as soon as day breaks tomorrow.
For Fudrick & DM:
2 questions, probably for French Wolf.
1.) Is the cousin's name Kareem or Zartari bin Bodim or both?
2.) Are Badasah and Badarash synonymous?
Cheers
For Fudrick & DM:
** spoiler omitted **
The name chosen by the DM is correct. As I was typing I didn't go back and fact check my story. I will have mine updated in a sec.
*Edit* Kareem changed to Zartari. Sorry about the confusion.
*Edit #2* for DM:
I did not want to go to far into the current month but there are a few more journal entries I would like to put in. These can wait until we actually start playing and Yrar and I have made some time traveling to our destination. All of it fluff basically explaining how/why he has the items still on him.
French Wolf, this Sunday is the big day to start, right?
Just wondering if Sully is still with us? It looks like he hasn't posted since Christmas Eve.
Cheers
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Sunday we start.
I have noticed his lack of posts and it would be a shame but in the long run I'd rather it happen now.
He has a couple of days to sort this out but if he misses the start then I'm afraid that's it. I hope it doesn't get to that stage personally, but there is a fair amount of work involved as you (and Logos and Evil Genius) well know.
In answer to Logos' other question where will it start? I haven't come up with a thunderbolt title yet so it will probably be "The Splintered Isles," on the PBP section.
Cheers
Hey, are we down to 3 players now? That would be my guess.
Good start French Wolf. A dash of non-combat action, then a dash of combat. A sprinkle of this, a dollop of that.
Good Times.
Cheers
Sorry, all. As I posted in another board, I had a death in the family which pulled me away for a time. Good luck with the game, and I'll check regularly in case you have a spot reopen. Again, apologies, and I hope you have a great campaign!
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Sorry, all. As I posted in another board, I had a death in the family which pulled me away for a time. Good luck with the game, and I'll check regularly in case you have a spot reopen. Again, apologies, and I hope you have a great campaign!
Sully you are in. Some things are far more important and I am sorry for your loss. Make me a cracking ranger and forget the apologies there's really no need.
Cheers
Andy
Spoiler for Rag! (And French of course...)
Spoiler for Sully and French,...
Cool sully. I'm mainly leaning towards Either a Swashbuckler who will 'sprout sorcerer' within a level or 2, or a ships mage/sorcerer who took fencing lessons. Either way will probably know enough about boats to make his way around.
Chat ya when I have a clue!