Lestrivius Hand of Devils
Lestrivius is a male elf wizard who became impatient with his studies and broke the Arcana compact to delve into the unknown and forrbidden magic of devils Summoning forth an imp to help him in his quest. Rumor traveled quickly and his fellow students saw there classmate change and master things more quickly which even the brightest students struggled on. The lorekeepers and Adminstrators at the school took notice. Were they found he had broken the Arcana Compact he was not only expelled from the school but banished from the Vale forever.
The Vale
A large copse of dark wood west of the Dyvvan river near west fork the local humans believe that wood is haunted but elves have lived in this place since before the end of the age of dream when they were at their height much life in the vale has stayed the same way since before the end of the dreamer they still keep there compact to use and develop benevolent spells to not summon or use corruptful entites to fuel their power and hurt the land
__________________ Human Wizard:"The world is but a manifestation of the dreamings
GlassEye, re: the Caernite Scholars and the Illene Mystics, more excellence. NPCs and adventure hooks are acceptable as long you keep them regional in scope. Detailing a local noble or innkeeper is fine. Will toss "Body of Law, Seeds of Chaos" into the bag. Any idea for a world name to go with the setting?
Welcome, Deuce Traveler. We've already got some chickens in the pot, but feel free to toss a few more in.
Arcanaman, the background on Lestrivius begs details that could be very interesting to hear more on. What is the origin of the Arcana Compact? Which school did Lestrivius study at? Since you imply these are details unique to your character's society, possibly the elves of the Vale, feel free to come up with them on your own time. I like the sound of it so far!
I did something on the elves, and plan to work the goblins, gnomes, and halflings in a similar vein:
The time of the Dreamer did not just effect the minds of individual humans, but it sundered entire races.
The elves of the enchanted forests seemed least affected by the Dreamer, since they do not rest or dream like many of the other races. However, there are strange rumors among men and half-elves that the Dreamer somehow touched several prominent elven sorcerers in their waking hours, finding slivers of dark perversities in their most guarded thoughts and enhancing them. These elves, it is said, began to twist ancient groves away from their kin and perform dark experiments in the deepest of caves until they were discovered by their shocked families. Perhaps they warred upon discovery, or perhaps they were simply banished, but either way they were not allowed to return to sun-lit, enchanted forests and caring society. It is said that they were cursed with the name drow, which means twisted in elven, but non-elves who bring up the subject are looked at with angry eye, stopping all chance at further conversation in regards to the topic.
__________________ My Involvement:
Spoiler:
Player of Doral Kinsman the Beguiler in Who Wants to Be a Wayfinder IC
Arcanaman[/b], the background on Lestrivius begs details that could be very interesting to hear more on. What is the origin of the Arcana Compact? Which school did Lestrivius study at? Since you imply these are details unique to your character's society, possibly the elves of the Vale, feel free to come up with them on your own time. I like the sound of it so far!
Arcana Compact: Is a written agreement with the benevolent gods of magic and the elves in return for arcane magic they refrain from using baleful and corrupt spells which in there basic nature are evil that hurt the dreamers creation the pact is dead since the foundation of necromancy but the elves of the vale still uphold the principles within the document. Ilreyne University: Ilyrene is a small village within the Vale but happens to be an important center of magical learning. The most important archmages of the elves hold council and apprentice hear and if one is hoping to learn anything other than cantrips they have to at some point come here for study
__________________ Human Wizard:"The world is but a manifestation of the dreamings
Deuce Traveler, we now have an origin for the drow in our world. I like it.
Arcanaman, I have a few questions. First, does the Arcana Compact only applies to spells with the Evil descriptor? Second, for a small village to be where the most important elven archmages take council must make it special indeed. Archmages, after all, are characters of 14th-level and higher. Why would they hold council in such a small community? Finally, you mention that this is where people must go to learn more than the simplest of spells. Do you mean elves or everyone? Certainly there are other ways to learn magic in this world. However, it could be a very well known and common place to learn magic.
Evil, demonic,diabloic, Conjuration(evil), and Necromancy
evocation is let off slightly after all one may need to protect themselves but this document is no longer binding after necromancy was founded
Ilreyne is an elven magic center a traditional seat of power perhaps a remnant of the vast elven empire during the age of dreams the elves are fond of places like Ilreyne where the magic of a bygone era hangs heavy in the air and their history is so present
__________________ Human Wizard:"The world is but a manifestation of the dreamings
The gnomes were always sensitive to Dream, and when the time of the Dreamer came they adopted rather than become twisted like so many others. Their entire race became like conduits of the Dream plane and they were able to form their own imaginings into substance. Now every gnome can exert a taxing effort in order to create minor illusions, such as lights that dance in midair. Many gnomes now suffer forms of mania or autism, some minor while others show extreme, detrimental symptoms. Mania-inspired gnomes usually end up acting as travelling minstrels or showmen, thrilling in a chaotic, emotionally-charged life. Gnomes with minor autism often seem emotionally detached, but are excellent engineers and tinkers-- it is said they dream of gears and mathematics.
Several halfling clans had a shared dream, which was so intense that they packed up their most precious belongings and left their shires forever. The current generation of halflings will not say what their ancestors saw, and whether it was a nightmare or prophecy. Perhaps they were never told by the older generations, or perhaps the dream was never fully recalled since their waking as it is said that even the short folk do not comprehend their desire to push ever onwards. Whatever the reason, these cursed halflings now live as travelling gypsies, earning a living through hook or crook while avoiding their homelands in their journeys. Their paths are random, meaning that a halfling encampment might spring up and settle in from anywhere to a night to a few years. In a similar fashion to their gnomish cousins, these gypsies often have slight behavioral quirks that are not detected until a halfling is befriended. Often these take the form of minor compulsions such as a desire to collect round, red pebbles or hum a tune repeatedly. Halfling gypsies are one of the few groups that has members willing to dare the nights of Naravan in the hopes to stealthily swipe valuables when the city folk least expect.
The goblins were always a savage, brutish race, but centuries ago they did boast a primitive civilization. They were talented in stone cutting, and created a series of now-crumbling ancient towers across the more sparse locations of the known world. The purpose of these diverse structures is generally unknown, except that they served as meeting points for the various shamans that once ruled the race. When the Dreamer came the goblins natural tendency towards barbarism was augmented and focused inward except among many of the more powerful shamans. It was one goblin shaman, the legendary dwarf-slayer Ghrist Yon, that eventually decided to try to save his people through his and his assistants combined magics. The twelve and one goblins climbed to the top of the greatest of the towers, a red-bricked cylinder that ended in the shape of a four-fingered claw. When the enchantment was finished the thirteen goblins were found in a comatose state that all eventually died from. Somehow their magic did save the goblin race, for the remaining clans ceased their self-inflicted genocide induced by the Dreamer. Still, the barbarism and insane desire to pillage and murder stayed strong but was focused externally while the goblin civilization never fully recovered. It is said the remaining madness comes from the fact that goblins have somehow lost the ability to dream at all. The location of the Tower of Ghrist Yon has also been lost in the chaos of the new goblin era.
__________________ My Involvement:
Spoiler:
Player of Doral Kinsman the Beguiler in Who Wants to Be a Wayfinder IC
That is a little more clear, arcanaman, but I still don't entirely understand what you mean when you say "necromancy was founded." We're operating under the core rule assumption that the eight schools of magic have always existed, even if they haven't always been recognized as formal schools of magic.
More good ideas, Deuce Traveler. I especially like the ideas behind the gnomes and their knack for illusory magic. An alleged tie-in between illusions and dreams is an interesting angle.
Thanks again! I will either go with a CN halfling gypsy rogue with a quirky fondness for tall women or a war-weary LG human paladin from a nearly extinct order associated with the Arm of Luthes if and when this game gets going. I'll try to fill holes in character composition. If we lack a cleric, I can also write up one of those character classes that cast cleric spells through a spellbook (name escapes me).
__________________ My Involvement:
Spoiler:
Player of Doral Kinsman the Beguiler in Who Wants to Be a Wayfinder IC
If we lack a cleric, I can also write up one of those character classes that cast cleric spells through a spellbook (name escapes me).
Archivist
Some interesting ideas floating around. If Arcanaman doesn't mind, I'd like to revise the Arcana Pact a little bit to make it between the elves and some other power. I kind of like not having any active gods floating around.
I think a Fey-based pact might work particularly well. The Sidhe/Seelie Court grant the elves power in exchange for extracting a promise to never use the magic to work against the natural order.
We could even combine the pact with Deuce Traveler's idea. During the time of the dreaming, a number of powerful dark elves were twisted into the drow. Their darks experiments went against the covenant, but they still possess their power, having struck a new bargain with darker fey powers that resent the alliance between the elves and the Sidhe.
This also creates a divide between the Drow, the race of evil elves; and characters like Lestrivius, who is still an elf, but has broken the pact and sought power from a new source. . . namely the devils in his case.
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As for characters, I was obviously considering an Akolite, which is why I bothered making it in the first place. But someone else expressed an interest, and I'm more than willing to step aside; as the whole thing was an excersize in creating a cleric that wasn't a cleric so that I could stand playing it. In general I prefer other classes anyway.
Maybe a dwarf. . . nobody has bothered to place them yet. . .
__________________
SOUL: Secret Organization for Underground Levity
You can't stop the laughter!
THE HIVE: One Mind, No Purpose. Public Member of the Secret Fraternal Order of the Hive.
...If Arcanaman doesn't mind, I'd like to revise the Arcana Pact a little bit to make it between the elves and some other power. I kind of like not having any active gods floating around...
As for characters, I was obviously considering an Akolite, which is why I bothered making it in the first place. But someone else expressed an interest...
I like the refinement of the Arcanaman Pact that you've suggested Hafrogman. I, too, like the lack of (active) gods. I also appreciate the way things are intertwining.
As far as characters, if you want to play an Akolite then go for it. If you don't want to, then play what you want. You were the first of us to get involved so IMO you've got dibs on character choice. But I think groups (myself included!) get too caught up with filling required roles instead of just playing something that they think will be interesting and entertaining. Viva la Fun!
On that note, I'm feeling Arden as a character much more than I am Karyl. I'm working on developing her history, her current situation, and her stats. Rough rundown: Arden is a young woman who has developed an ability to shape chaos. This happened during an inexplicable sojourn into the dream plane which she doesn't understand, nor can she recreate even should she want to. She only survived by splintering off the fear that was incapacitating her (now her psicrystal which keeps up a panicked commentary on everything she does) and she only has the vaguest (bad) memories of the entire event. She has frequent nightmares. She could reappear anywhere within the world with no problem but I'm currently thinking a trading station, Brackwallow Landing, near the confluence of the Dyvvan and Dyne rivers chosen mostly because I have a feeling the Moorlands are gonna be one of the first destinations. Anyway, Arden feels this power she has and doesn't want is just striving to get out and cause havoc. Remembering stories of the Illene Mystics she plans to seek one out for aid. Crunchy bits so far: Psion (shaper) with Psicrystal Affinity, the Astral Construct power, and a plan to move to Illene Mystic (a sort of divine psionic/monk idea which I haven't even begun to create ). Commentary welcome.
That is a little more clear, arcanaman, but I still don't entirely understand what you mean when you say "necromancy was founded." We're operating under the core rule assumption that the eight schools of magic have always existed, even if they haven't always been recognized as formal schools of magic.
More good ideas, Deuce Traveler. I especially like the ideas behind the gnomes and their knack for illusory magic. An alleged tie-in between illusions and dreams is an interesting angle.
gotcha yeah before it was utilised by mortals then sorry
__________________ Human Wizard:"The world is but a manifestation of the dreamings
Before you dive too deeply into character creation, let me offer up one other idea. I've never been too keen on the idea of multiclassing and prestige classes as written. However, I don't mind multclassing if you use gestalt rules and take an XP penalty (the XP penalty would vary depending on how complementary the gestalt combo is but is usually around 50%). And I don't mind reworking prestige classes so that they are just like any other 20-level class. Attached to this post are some examples. If any of you want to consider an option like this, let me know.
Edit: I realized there was an error in the eldritch knight spell progression. The document should be fixed now. If you had downloaded it before, check again to make sure they match up.
Hey if this is still recruiting, I am interested, and should have a character at least somewhat ready in a small bit....I already have some interesting ideas pertaining to him, among other things. As part of this I must quickly ask, are gods in play, or are we working with Greyhawks? (needed to know for a Clerical Order Im planning)
airwalkrr, it looks like we might have a party healer, so I'll actually either go for a paladin or rogue. Most likely paladin since we will likely need a meat shield.
__________________ My Involvement:
Spoiler:
Player of Doral Kinsman the Beguiler in Who Wants to Be a Wayfinder IC
Feel free to hop aboard, Kenku17. A couple more couldn't hurt. Thus far we have been pretty stingy about religion. The players have created one church (the Lawgiver) and rather than create different gods, there are different factions within the church. That said, while the area of the world we have devised so far predominantly follows this faith, you are by no means required to abide by that for your character. If you wish to create a patron deity for your character you are by all means encouraged to do so. Your character could simply be from another land where another religion is more prominent or be a member of a faith that has either fallen by the wayside or is up-and-coming.
I need more entries for the name of the setting, people. Every player ought to be able to think of at least one, even if you don't think it's very good, maybe it will spark someone else's imagination and they will come up with something good. Once I get a decent pool of setting names and world names, I'll make a short poll to see what we should call our setting. Then I will start putting these wonderful write-ups into the EN Wiki.
Umm...Im going to have to think on that then if I should make them set within the ways of the Lawgiver, or that of a chaotic god of the sky...but ill give you what I have thought on first, and if someone else wants to try to fit it in, be my guest.
The order of the changing sky
Within some of the larger cities of the great nation is a clerical/Wizardry order called "The Order of the Changing Sky". The Order of the changing sky follows the theories that while the future is always changing, with the right magic and guidance, a picture into it can be taken. They also believe that the sky is one of the easiest to predict, and have honed their skills on using their magics to help predict how the sky will change a couple days in the future, and have sometimes been praised for it. Such praise has unfortunately come with smite however, as there are times when a false forecast had caused for tragedies, and has caused many a time the hatred and death of thoes of the order. Thus the order is still very small, but do what they can for the cities they tend to.
Clerical Domains of the Order:Water, Air, Weather, Knowledge, Forecast(Ill have to think on this one...although I dunno if I will use it)
Under the Lawgiver, they are seen as making the ultimate sacrifice. Staring into the heart of chaos, and trying to impose laws and patterns upon it. However, they often seem a little bit touched by the chaos they court, and are often shunned for it, being the first to suffer when their predictions fail.
They would be a more scientific approach. Charts, records and math backed by predictive magic and prophetic visions.
As a heretical cult of Chaos, they would be those in a community who have touched Chaos far too deeply to ever return, now they flow and dance with it, as mutable as the very future they see. Normally they would be hunted down, but their predictions are beloved by the farmers, and thus their conspiracy with Chaos is looked upon with a kind of resigned benevolance.
This would be a more mystical order, they stare into the clouds for a moment, with eyes unseeing, and then utter their predictions for the coming days.
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Campaign Name:
The only thing that has come to mind is "Dreams Shatter". A sort of dual statement on the fragile nature of some dreams, and the destruction nature of others. I'm not very attached to the name, I just kind of like the sentiment.
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Characters:
Still kind of up in the air. Right now I've still got my idea for a human akolite, a son of a failing noble family who entered the Church as a route to power. Recently he's suffered a small set back, and is travelling to remove himself from the reach of his rivals, and to try and curry alliances in other areas.
My other thought is the dwarves, I have some ideas for what they're up to (suffice to say, they aren't doing better than anyone else), and thought a dwarven gladiator might be fun. Either a plain barbarian, or take another shot at class design, expanding a gladiator PrC, or making one from scratch. A flashy melee combatant with a focus on inflicting status effects over pure damage (bleeding, slowing, etc.), maybe some kind of perfom skill tie in as well.
__________________
SOUL: Secret Organization for Underground Levity
You can't stop the laughter!
THE HIVE: One Mind, No Purpose. Public Member of the Secret Fraternal Order of the Hive.
). Commentary welcome.
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