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Hi everyone. My group is rapidly approaching Carrion Crown and I really (emphasise really) want to play a Tien-based character. However, I am kind of stuck on ideas for in her background to bring the character from Tian Xia to Avistan.
I am thinking of playing an arcane spellcaster (probably a sorcerer, may be a wizard) and had a thought about using New Oppara as an avenue to get to Andoran at least. I have kind of hit a creative block on this one.
Has anyone played a Tien character in the Inner Sea region yet? Do you have any ideas on how such a character could end up in Ustalav (not worrying too much about the possible racial discrimination and all)? Is it going to be too involve too much disbelief to have one there? I don't really want to prevent the other from immersing themselves in the adventure path!
If you're looking for an interesting spellcaster designed for use in Tian Xia, consider the Onmyoji (wizard archetype) from Rite Publishing's Way of the Samurai ($4.99) PDF
Although the archetype was designed for use in the Kaidan: a Japanese Ghost Story campaign setting, it would work well in any oriental setting. The Onmyoji were the 'official wizards' of ancient Japan, even with a branch of the government controlling them; the Ministry of Onmyodo.
Onmyoji fold their spells in origami, which burst into flames and are consumed when the magic is released. Onmyoji also feature a unique type of familiar called a Shikigami (think Asian goblin) with abilities that improve as the wizard does.
Wizards visiting lands beyond their origins to advance their studies in magic seems appropriate for any campaign, IMO. I don't see a loss in suspension of disbelief, but it depends on your group, and GM I suppose.
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Well, Feiya (who's of Tien ancestry) is one of the Iconic party that does Carrion Crown, so I think you're good there, thematically anyway. I mean, she's a spellcaster of Tien ethnicity, after all.
As for why your character might be there, isn't Carrion Crown predicated on all the PCs knowing a particular researcher? Just come up with a way in which you know him (which is pre-decided by the Campaign Traits to some degree, I believe) and you're good to go.
In terms of being in Avistan in the first place, some connection with the caravans that travel over the Crown of the World seems the likely explanation for anyone Tien in Northern Avistan (which Ustalav clearly is).
Came with a trade caravan. Magical muscle is a must for financial enterprises like trans-global trade. She might have decided to stay after the caravan arrived and picked up replacement muscle for the trip back, or perhaps the caravan failed or decided to stay in Avistan, stranding her.
As a wizard there is always rogue magic to blame -- perhaps a chance accident or large catastrophe at her wizard academy threw a handful of wizards through an overpowered dimension door or other kind of gate spell.
Perhaps she was a lesser member of a delegation that travelled magically (or otherwise) to absalom, but the people in charge were there to do something politically questionable or outright wrong -- Her escaping from the city without being jailed was an adventure in itself, but she now has expenses to pay for a trip home.
Perhaps the character is Part of a cultural attaché to Avistan from one of the greater kingdoms of the Tien -- and was sent to Avistan (or a particular city) with a few dozen others to represent Tien culture at a series of museums, schools, and venues of the affluent. You represented your culture and your family well, but when the tour ended, you decided that the best and longest-lasting cultural imprint you could make was to right a few wrongs or win a resounding triumph over evil in this barbaric land. In aspiring to make a place for a Tien in Avistan's myths and Legends, you will no doubt represent your people and ancestors, and show the people of this land that you're not some oddity to see at a museum performing regional magics -- you will be a walking example of a paragon of your great culture.
Any of those stick?
I'm also with Deadman -- Professor Petros was a renowned explorer... he could have travelled to Tien lands during his expeditions, and when he died -- his invitation/Dying wish to a friend from so far way would be hard to ignore.
well, you could have descended from a Tian traveling trade caravan that settled.
you could have escaped a purge and many people along with you seek a home. you might have to perform duties to your new country as repayment for thier allowing of your presence.
you could be a lone wanderer sent to spread your culture to other lands, and through your accomplishments, you get the reputation to start an educational establishment such as an academy, monastery, or something similar.
I've had two Tian-Xai based characters in my Carrion Crown campaign. It was a requirement I had of their players to write out a back story for the campaign as the group is all suppose to know Professor Lorrimor ahead of time. My suggestion is to take a look at the Carrion Crown player's guide specifically for the traits to this campaign. Many of them are detailed to talk about how Professor Lorrimor influenced your character. It might give you some ideas why you traveled all the way out this far for this man's funeral. Also, there's nothing to say that your character is from one of the regions adjacent to the Crown of the world, as even the Iconic witch is Tien.