I'm trying to put together a small back story for my character in ROTRL, could someone please offer some good examples I could use for a melee Druid with a dinosaur AC tied in. I'm new to this whole thing and I'm finding it challenging to come up with a story. Thank you.
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I'd say start by seeing if you can answer a few questions about your character. There are a few implied by even the simple details you give about.
1) A dinosaur animal companion is pretty unusual - where did you find it? and how did it come to be your companion? what did you call it and what does it like doing when it isn't fighting for you?
2) How did you learn to be druid - did someone teach you druidic magic? were they a lone individual or part of a group (druidic coven perhaps?) where do they live - might they still be around as NPCs the GM might let you visit in the campaign?
3) Druids are wilderness types, why are you in a town like Sandpoint? Are you just shopping for supplies or is there something more? Do you have any friends in town ? (perhaps the GM or the players background book might suggest some) Do you actually live in town yourself? (If not where is your home?)
4) Do you know any of the other player characters in the group? How did you meet and/or what connects you? (Having a link to some of the other party members before the start is a great way to build an interesting party)
5) What is your character interested in? What causes would they fight for? What would they love to find out more about ?
6) Assuming you are a wilderness druid type, what sort of terrain are you most at home in - woods? mountains? swamps? along a river?
PS Read the players' guide for Rise of the Runelords - and take a look at the map of the lands around it for ideas of what the local geography is like
You Tarzan. Family come from Sandpoint. Maybe rich merchant family who do sea trade. Lost in shipwreck on deserted island with dinosaurs. Rescued many years later by passing sailors - by then, dinosaurs your friend. Maybe festival also to celebrate your homecoming?
When I ran Rise of the Runelords, my fighter/cavalier left home to train in the arts of war (with some limited degree of sponsorship from Sheriff Hemlock in the process). He became a knight and returned to Sandpoint to visit old friends and enjoy the festival. Even if nothing at home appeals to you, it's very common for adventurers to leave home and it's also not unheard of for them to sometimes visit said places long after they've already established themselves elsewhere. Sorta like someone who leaves their hometown after high school and comes back for the 10 year reunion. (The above "Tarzan" idea is merely a suggestion - there's other ways to become a druid from Sandpoint without completely leaving behind the trappings of civilization.)
Thank you all great advice, this is more than enough to get me started! Thanks again.