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Hey again. I have another Oracle question haha.
It's clear in the APG that Oracles are granted a curse & powers against their choice or knowledge.
How have you made this work in a character backstory? Not so much a "why did this lead them to go out and stumble into/look for adventure?", but maybe a little of that. I want to know more about how you turned the one paragraph of information about the Oracle class into your character's story. Do you make them have a life before that, or do you make it so they are born this way? etc etc
I can't decide on my Oracle of Nature's backstory at all. I could just copy & paste the gist of that paragraph in their class description from the APG whenever I'm asked about her history, but I'm trying to think more deeply. & somehow this week, my creativity has been drained. Hopefully my creative juices will come back soon haha. Until then, tell us about your Oracle/s & how they were chosen to receive their abilities/curses, etc! Or just share some advice for me if you don't want to do so. Discussing Mysteries, Curses, etc..
Thanks a ton!
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This is the backstory for my haunted lore oracle with automatic writing in Rise of the Runelords.
Sandpoint, feeling the duty of taking care of its own in the aftermath of its twin tragedies, sought homes and employment for those left destitute. Sabyl Som, respecting Sophy's new-found devotion to the chapel's books, offered the teenaged girl a place to live and a job taking care of the library beneath the House of Blue Stones. Quiet and introverted, she has spent the last five years perusing every volume she can find; when travelling caravans with dusty used book carts come to the Town Market, she arrives early and has accumulated quite a trove of history books to go along with the books on religion that were saved from the old chapel.
Over the past several weeks, when Sophy has been sitting alone in the library in the evenings, strange and inexplicable events have been happening. Although the room is below-ground and has no windows, sudden breezes ruffle the pages of books she is reading and cause her candle flame to flicker; books she is sure she has put away safely suddenly fall off the shelves with a startling thud; when she turns away for a moment, her quill moves from one side of her desk to another; and she hears sounds like whispering behind the bookshelves, although when she goes to investigate, there is no one there. She has grown increasingly fearful and has started carrying a concealed dagger at all times, as well as a little bundle she bought from a peddlar as a good-luck charm to ward off evil, but she hasn't told anyone about her experiences, afraid they will think she is going insane (an opinion she has overheard from many of the town matrons, sure that spending that much time with books will "addlepate" an impressionable young woman).
Her frightening experiences culminate the night before the celebration of the completion of the new church. Sitting alone in the library, Sophy was jotting down notes out of a book she was reading, half-distracted by thoughts of the festival the next day, when the long-displaced books from the old chapel were to be returned to their new home. One moment, everything was normal; the next thing she knew, her candle was burned down to a nub and in front of her was a page in her own handwriting, predicting blood and death to the inhabitants of Sandpoint at the festivities the next day. Staring at the paper in horror and confusion, Sophy wondered if the old wives of the town were right. Something was happening to her, something she didn't understand and couldn't control.
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While the cleric studies and prays and such like the wizard, the oracle is chosen. Often really, really bad things happen to people that are chosen in this way.
Phneri that's beautiful & helps me greatly. A very unique & interesting story.
Joana that's a lovely introduction. I love reading something written more with the character in mind, rather than stats/powers/fighting. Love it.
Thank you both.
I'm thinking that my character, Yazmeen Saleema, was a student of Nature & the sciences. In the Elven highlands, she had been an outspoken young philosopher, often taking the naive risk of speaking outside her own experience; as though she knew all the answers & aimed to enlighten everyone. She had been one who nearly idolized the notions of peace & truth, & she was certainly no pariah for doing so.
In time she grew frustrated with everyone practically shouting their suppositions at each other. She was tired of standing for something that her observance of Nature perpetually proved incorrect.
She grew more introspective & became more of a listener, rather than feeling as if she should always be speaking; as if she should join the constant buzzing of the other ants, humming with cosmogonies.
After some time of this 'staying hushed' so that she could actually learn, things changed significantly for Yazmeen.
In the amphitheatre where a class of discussion was taking place, a sort of instructor had posed a statement. "In Nature is beauty, & in beauty is peace." was the gist of it. Yazmeen said clearly from where she sat. "Nature is violence. There is no mercy, no security. Still it is beautiful. There can be nurturing, but there is no peace." She stated this matter-of-fact, for she sees no harm in it. & differing views were encouraged in this class.
etc etc I'm getting way too long but getting there haha. Finishing later, but you guys got me going, so yay!
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So far the Oracle is my favorite spell caster/divine healer. And with a interesting character you always need a interesting background.
Athris Combrae was 8 when her life completely changed. As a little child she practiced with wooden swords as the rest of the elves her age did. In the Southern Alistern Vales the elves were known for their outstanding talent with the sword and bow. This nation of elves were probably the second strongest of the elven kingdoms. There skill in crafting matched that of the Ozamar Dwarves. But to get these skills the founders of the great nation sacrificed every ounce of magic these Alistern Elves have. But on Mourning's Night (The nights the Elves mourn for their loss of magic. But don't get me wrong the elves are perfectly fine with what they have the just wish they had magic as well with their skill in combat and crafting) Andar (one of the greatest Alistern smith ever known) was in his forge and crafting a ring for the Castern (Their elven leader). When the ring was finished it was the most beautiful piece of craftsmanship he ever made. The ring was so breathtaking that Andar completely forgotten about the forge. So as he walked home the fire in the forge grew and grew. And even from the distant human city's the red glow of the fire could be seen as bright as day.
Poor little Athris as she heard the screams of her friends and family. But as the flames wrapped around her she knelt on the floor and cried. A voice spoke to her as she cried and screamed in pain and sorrow. "Don't worry little one the pain will make you strong you will rise above this petty scrabble. You will be the first of your people to have magic". These words shared no comfort. As the flame burned around her and the ceiling collapsed above her, a power entered her. So as the fire burned she felt no pain except the pain of loss. As the house she lived in she collapsed her consensus left. In the fiery realm of Amer the daemon of fire, she trained as an Oracle of Fire. Most of the scars healed but for the rest of her life she would remain with burn eyes unable to see beyond 30 feet. And through the decades Athris's body lay under the ash and burnt wood, until Athris rose out of the wreckage ready to face the world.
I did Elven Oracle With The Clouded Vision Curse And Flame Mystery.I hope you enjoyed my background.
I'm currently writing a backstory for a wrecker-curse life oracle.
She finds out he was basically forced into the cult by his father, and would rather be doing other things, like painting. My character and the boy who killed her brother fall deeply in love, but soon after her community finds out he killed the brother, and he is exiled.
One thing I like about this story is it gives the exact moment that she gains her curse (Wrecker), and her powers. It also plays nicely into the Life mystery, and motivates her strong belief in her deity (the setting's equivalent of Shelyn.)
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I play an Flame Mystery Oracle in PFS and, while I've yet to actually sit down and write up her backstory in full (which is quite silly of me, given that she's a 12th level character that I'm currently running through the Eyes of the Ten "retirement" story-arc), I do have a hefty amount of it drifting about in my head.
As to the general question of how she came about her powers/curse, my oracle Imperia's parents are the heads (or possibly the heirs apparent) of a middling Chelaxian noble family with great ambition and very few scruples (as one needs when trying to be a player in modern Cheliax) and quite eagerly turned to crafting deals with the Infernal powers in their efforts to improve their station. She was present as a fairly young child during one of these deals - specifically, the forging of a contract (likely via intermediary) between her parents and the Malebranche Rubicante, who has some dominion over both fire and nobility.
Though the pact itself does not directly impact her (and indeed, it may have yet to fully go into effect even now), Rubicante (through his agent) took notice of the child and "marked" her in such a way that eventually allowed her to channel both the fires of hell (in the form of her Flame Mystery) and the wayward souls of the damned (in the form of her Haunted Curse).
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Yesmoro Soulsnatcher, the undeniably awesome nagaji oracle, was born mute to a highly magical and respected family in his village. Though speechless, he was charming (though clumsy with a 7 dexterity, find out why later), and everyone expected him to manifest a serpentine bloodline like the rest of his family. He did not manage it, and, though he was a reasonable warrior, everyone began to tire of him due to his utter lack of magical talent. When he heard rumors of his parents sending him away to become (some spellcaster reliant on Charisma, probably bard), he grew desperate and attempted a deal with a devil. While his mind was exposed, Groetus decided to grant him what he wanted, through the devil. After being knocked out for days, he woke up, able to speak - but only in Infernal. His family found him soon after and, wanting an excuse to kill him, said he was possessed - which was a good assumption. When he defended himself, however, he was no longer clumsy - his instincts made him dodge attacks before he even noticed them. A dark alligator fought by his side, and he found he could use words of divine power (no, not actual Words of Power) he had no prior knowledge of. He praises Groetus for the manifold gifts of speech, power, and a friend, and curses him for forcing him to slaughter his entire family in self-defense. Oh, yeah - he learned he could speak Common and Draconic later.
Lunar Mystery, Tongues Curse, Prophetic Armor, Primal Companion.
I play an Flame Mystery Oracle in PFS and, while I've yet to actually sit down and write up her backstory in full (which is quite silly of me, given that she's a 12th level character that I'm currently running through the Eyes of the Ten "retirement" story-arc), I do have a hefty amount of it drifting about in my head.
As to the general question of how she came about her powers/curse, my oracle Imperia's parents are the heads (or possibly the heirs apparent) of a middling Chelaxian noble family with great ambition and very few scruples (as one needs when trying to be a player in modern Cheliax) and quite eagerly turned to crafting deals with the Infernal powers in their efforts to improve their station. She was present as a fairly young child during one of these deals - specifically, the forging of a contract (likely via intermediary) between her parents and the Malebranche Rubicante, who has some dominion over both fire and nobility.
Though the pact itself does not directly impact her (and indeed, it may have yet to fully go into effect even now), Rubicante (through his agent) took notice of the child and "marked" her in such a way that eventually allowed her to channel both the fires of hell (in the form of her Flame Mystery) and the wayward souls of the damned (in the form of her Haunted Curse).
Chelaxian nobles, crafting deals with infernal powers, present for the forging of a contract...I have got to say, I REALLY saw that going towards Legalistic!
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Chelaxian nobles, crafting deals with infernal powers, present for the forging of a contract...I have got to say, I REALLY saw that going towards Legalistic!
I thought about it, but at the time of character creation I only had access to the APG as far as Oracle's Curse options go and, alas, the curse is one class feature that is next to impossible to retrain via the rules in Ult Campaign. I could, in theory, "retrain" into the Black-blooded archetype and then out again, but I just decided to live with it. It helped a lot once I started thinking of it as "the wayward souls of the damned being drawn to her" rather than just "Sweet Asmodeus, why is it so hard to find things in my backpack?!"
I also considered "doubling down" on the fire and brimstone with the Blackened curse out of Blood of Angels (*snicker snicker*), but felt there was too much overlap and the "retraining" cost was too high...not to mention that it seems deliberately exploitative to me in regards to the retraining system.
Then again, what kind of self-respecting Chelaxian DOESN'T deliberately exploit the system to achieve their desired results!? Maybe I should reconsider! :p
Well, why'd the god grant them powers?
They must have had some sort of plan. You're a divine sponsored something something, that god must have a point with his gifting powers.
Having your character fated to do something big informs the character in a nice way in low levels, and helps with roleplaying them as awesome.
Suppose your character has to come from a small village on the outskirts of a forest. So you decide she's a barmaid in the local inn, but fed up with her life here, so she wants adventure.
Except, you know, that that's pretty boring backstory material. So in order to spice it up, we say she's an oracle of Iomedae, who's fated to root out corruption that's been stewing the 7 heavens for millenia, and has been blessed/cursed with powers for that purpose.
Doesn't matter if the destiny goes down ingame, it will still provide information about her character that you can use to provide fluff for RP purposes that you wouldn't have thought of before (so maybe she gets some sign when people are lying, for example) and provides an explanation for your character's powers that makes sense.
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Xanathos - originally created for Rappan Athuk - Dark Tapestry Oracle, Wasting curse, Seeker archtype.
Backstory, first person perspective:
Thomas was dying. My shield brother. I strained to see in the rapidly darkening night. My hands were steeped in his blood, trying to prevent his intestines from spilling out of the gaping wound in his gut. That was the day that changed my entire life. I swore, I would pay any price in order to save him. And then something out there..answered my call. I heard voices in my head. Thomas's wounds healed before my hands and he woke up, looked at me in the eyes, gasped a word, "Monster!" and ran away. How could he? We had fought together for many battles. I ran to the river, and looked at my reflection. I saw that I had become horribly disfigured, consumed by shadow. Now I seek out new lands, in hope of understanding what has laid its mark on me, and what my future holds...
I occasionally channel him when a level 1 party needs a trap finder, and possibly backup healer.
Was hoping to reach the level to use Many forms revelation, and channel temporarily the power that be (one of the great old ones) that answered his call...
The Oracle's Curse has so many potential uses for making off-beat characters (the most obvious being use of a reskinned Wasting Curse to make a monstrous character(*)) that I wish other classes had access to it without needing to dip in Oracle. This would also be useful when you are going to make an Oracle, but want them to start as something else while already having the Oracle's Curse.
(*) EDIT: Or a character who just has a monstrously bad case of gas.
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Thank You Veltharis for the mentioning the Curse Blackened. I never would of thought of it otherwise. Now if i ever have an oracle with the back story of the one i wrote earlier ill use blackened. Thanks so much
Glad I could help. :D
Something about the interplay between mystery and curse makes the Oracle a fascinating class for me, so I'm always on the lookout for more options.
Another concept I've been brainstorming is utilizing the Shattered Psyche curse from Iron Gods Book 4 (not yet PFS legal, sadly) and the Dark Tapestry mystery to create a character with a second, intrusive personality in his head (functioning as something like schizophrenia, dissociative identity disorder, and demonic possession all mixed together) that is the source of his powers, but simultaneously has him utterly terrified - particularly as it seems to grow stronger and more "assertive" as time goes on...even getting "its own body" once I pick up the Many Forms revelation a few levels in.
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Writing is a flower. It starts as a seed but as time continues the flower grows. At the end the flower can be beautiful. Its just like a story, starts small than grows larger and more outstanding. -Unknown
As i stood there in the cold,wet,dark i waited. Most would hate being in my position but i didn't care. I knew that the man leading this battle was full of bravery,honor, and best of all the ability to inspire us all to fight for a better future. "Stand Fast" His voice carried across the army. "Today we fight for a better future. As you know we are about to fight a great battle...a fight against the powers of hell. But stand fast,We have Grey Knights with us. TOGETHER WE WILL STEM THIS TIDE OF DARKNESS."
"Aren't you a Grey Knight"? A solider whisperer next to me. "What exactly do you do?
The Grey Knight solely fight to keep demons out of our lands."
As a horn blew the enemy appeared on the horizon. But the inspiring aura of the general made us stand fast. The battle was long most of it was straight forward. The two army's clashed the front ranks took the blunt of the attack until the enemy broke through. Just like that. Boom. Darkness approached at the corners of my vision. And my last heroic thought before i was knocked out was.... that's going to leave a bruise.
"Gahhhh", with a start i woke up. As i lay on the ground i heard nothing...nothing. I sat up and looked around nobody was anywhere. Not even a single demon. Just a lot of dead people. I looked at my arms and gasped i looked pale and sickly.
"Enjoy it while you can, for tomorrow you become one of my reapers". I looked around and saw a figure draped in black.
"Death"
"Yes i saved you from it, and gave you power and in return you serve me."
I Did The Wan Curse With The Mystery Of Bone
I have two Oracles. One is a life oracle with the lame curse who caused the death of a group of children through his arrogance and disregard for others. He almost died at the same time but was given the gift of life by Lythertida so he could redeem himself. He was not fully healed from the animal attack that killed his wards, however. Instead, he was left lame as a reminder of his past shame and his ongoing duty to improve the human/demi-human condition. I plan to make him an Oradin eventually.
The other is an ancestors oracle with the haunted curse. She is a Kitsune who was travelling in a merchant caravan from the East that was beset upon by Orc tribe. During the attack she behaved in a cowardly fashion, hiding while the rest of the caravan members were slaughtered. Taken prisoner by the Orcs when discovered after the fighting concluded, she wallowed as slave to the tribe's witch doctor/shaman until the day she began to hear the ghostly voices of her former companions. Some of the voices were angry with her cowardice and wanted only to harass, impede and torment her (haunted curse) but other voices were more forgiving and wanted to help her restore her freedom and honour (ancestor mystery). These two contingents wage an ongoing battle, helping or hindering her depending on which spirits manage to overcome the others at any given moment.
A friend of mine had a backstory where him and his companions were in darkness and could not see. They were being picked off by enemies who could see in darkness. He prayed to sarenrae to do something against there enemies. Instead he was cursed with blindness so he was able to stop the rest of his friends from dying.
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When Sarenrae's compassionate fire burnt the evil of her previous life out of Ailaun's soul, the now-amnesic Aasimar found that though Life and Fire freely flowed through her body and her hands, man-made items could not withstand her touch (Wrecker curse) and her hands kept the mark of Sarenrae's grace (Blackened curse).
{. . .}
I had an idea for an Oracle I'd like to try someday - a 'Witch'. No, they don't use the witch spell list, but how ELSE would you describe someone who got magic powers after performing a blood sacrifice (calm down, it was only a rabbit), in front of an ancient monolith to unknown gods on a moonless night? (Probably Dark Tapestry/Tongues, or similar.)
Yes, but was it a Vorpal Bunny?
I have also been thinking of Oracular Witch concepts. Again, too bad you currently can't get this without multiclassing, and Shaman (ACG) doesn't do the right thing here -- need one or more new archetypes, or preferably a more a-la-carte approach to character building in Pathfinder Unchained.