Rystil Arden
First Post
It would be very uncommon for a Lacerta Shaman to even leave Chuliit, let alone to travel so much. Then again, it would seem even rarer for a Shaman to wind up in Jhaar, so it is certainly possible.Gli'jar said:
Yo Ho Ho! Recruiting Spelljamming Pirates and Roguish Sorts to fill Openings!
- Thread starter Rystil Arden
- Start date
Rystil Arden said:
Thanks for the constructive comment. I was figuring with a void spirit it would be interested in such aspects and would guide me as such, but on the other hand, abstract principles are rather aggressive. The background is written such that we will in essence grow together so more approachable spirits at least in some part should be in order.
Fenris
Adventurer
Rystil Arden said:
RA, Not a problem. If you do find time at some point, have you thought about the overall concept to the Skald. ie as a Barbarian Bard Gestalt? I only ask because it colors the background I am writing. If you haven't had time to begin figuring it out, don't sweat it.
I am having a ball writing up this background as it is. I hope to have it up tomorrow evening.
Rystil Arden
First Post
Heh, don't worry--it existed already at some point, so it's not like I have to invent it out of nowhere (though remembering some of these can be hard). It was indeed a Barbarian/Bard gestalt. The Skald has stories passed down through countless generations that hold insight into every situation and passions so powerful that with an ardent warcry, she can bring herself and others to new heights of bravery.Fenris said:
Fenris
Adventurer
RA,
Ok here is the background I am working with.
I kind of went overboard
But in trying to come up with a character who would fit in Jhaar, it was hard. But this character really clicked with me and the background wrote itself. But if anything is off let me know.
[sblock=Else's background]
The Niblean walked by her table, did a double take and walked back with a lecherous smile. Her eyes gave no sign of acceptance, but the Nibelan sat down anyway.
“Whats, a pretty little Narlsie like you doing so far from home” he said nearly drooling as his eyes devoured her.
The young woman stared at him, silently, as he shifted in his seat. Then she smiled. A beautiful smile that lit up her face, ice-blue eyes crinkling in a face framed by the wisps of blonde hair that were not tied back. She leaned in towards him, over the table. “I don’t see many Nibelans here in Jhaar” she said. Whether he heard her or not was hard to tell, when she leaned over the Niblean got such a view of her very ample cleavage, that he was pre-occupied with it.
Knowing that, calculating that, Else reached over and grabbed the Nibelan by his hair “And I don’t want to see anymore!” she screamed as she slammed his head repeatedly into the table until it was hard to tell which had more blood on it and both were broken.
Walking away from the broken, bloody table and the Nibelan without a face or life, she approached the bar, “I’ll take my drink on the patio” she said in a crystal clear voice as those nothing had happened. On the patio, she stared up at the sky, lost for a time in her past.
_____________________________________________________________________
Else Wurkunsdottir was born a Narlsewoman. Few looking at her could ever doubt that. Her fair skin, piercing blue eyes and blond hair told her heritage better than she could. She was the daughter of Wurkun, Skald to the Great King Ynim, while he lived at least. Wurkun had fought beside Ynim as he battled Tralg armies, and Niblean raiders. He told the great epics of those battles and of the past.
Else was born to his second wife, Siln, youngest and most beautiful daughter of the great warrior Gorj, to cement the alliance between the houses. Actually Gorj just wanted more of his own exploits told in the long houses. Still by all accounts Else was a beautiful child and Wurkun did not beat her very often, so that she would herself serve to ally his house with another.
Else was a very bright young child, and what’s more she had a lovely singing voice that kept her in the good graces of her father. Sitting behind his chair, she heard all the stories and all the songs of the battles and remembered them. She came to know the power of the songs and practiced them in secret, for a woman could never be a skald. But she practiced in secret. Her father encouraged her singing in the hall as it would boost her value for marriage later. But in her room at night she practiced the songs of power that she heard her father use. She trained her clear voice to work many wonders, all in secret. Songs of power and bravery, songs of grace and beauty, songs of healing and life. She listened well and practiced subtlely on her sisters. They never quite realized why they sewed better with Else humming in the room with them.
As Else grew to womanhood, her beauty was renowned through the land as the most beautiful Narlsewoman in many winters. She was a statuesque beauty, the essence of the Narlse desire. Tall, fair, slim and yet very busty. She was the product of the selection of the most beautiful daughters for many generations. Many suitors inquired of Wurkun for Else as a wife. But canny Wurkun knew the value of his daughter and was holding out an alliance with one of the up and coming young kings.
One of the suitors came to talk to Wurkun. They had gone out hunting, leaving the stead. It was an ill time to be out as a band of Nibelan raiders had chosen that time to attack. The rumors of old Wurkun’s wealth was well known among the Nibelans, not to mention hatred for him for his role standing beside Ynim against them. The raiders slew the door guards and made it inside. Wurkun’s two sons (Sigdun from his first wife Helgurd, and Magnin, Else’s brother through Siln) came to the front of the battle, driving off most of the raiders. But two had slipped past the fighting, looking for loot.
One found Sifi (daughter of Hegurd) and bound her to steal her away. Else found the raider tying up her sister and pawing at her. The blood of her Grandfather, Gorj, flowed strongly through her veins, and with a mad blood rage she had never felt before, Else grabbed a spear and stabbed the raider. They fought briefly and though he wounded her once, she did kill him, spitting him like the Nibelan pig that he was. But the Norns were cruel to her that day as the second raider showed up just as she shoved the fatal spear blow into the Nibelan.
Whether it was the sight of a Narlsewoman killing a Nibelan, or whether it was Else legendary beauty, something caused the Nibelan to decide that he had to have Else right then. Risking the prize, he grabbed the spear from her hands, caught and threw down Else and raped her right there rather than carry her off. Else still fought with wild frenzy, but she was exhausted from the previous fight, she was not a warrior. She managed to claw out one eye as she was being attacked. It was then that her brother Sigdun entered. The raiders had been defeated and he had come to check on his sisters. He found one bound and one being ravaged by a Nibelan. In a blind fury he slew the Nibelan even as he lay on top of Else.
Sigdun cut Sifi’s bonds and lead her out of the room, not looking or speaking to Else. Not even acknowledging the other dead raider. Sifi pleaded with Sigdun as they were leaving saying that Else had saved her. Had Else not come along, the raiders would have already have taken her away. Else was her salvation. Sigdun made no move to go back or acknowledge he had another sister. He only had one now, as Wurkun only had one daughter now.
Else knew as Sigdun walked away that she was worth nothing now. She was spoiled property. Defiled by a Nibelan, no Narlseman would take her now, especially not the suitors that were seeking Wurkun out. Here dim hopes of leading a somewhat comfortable life as a favored wife were dashed to bits in a few brutal minutes. Else sat and sobbed for hours. She beat at the dead corpses in anger, rage, frustration, and fear. In her heart though she knew what was destined for her, slavery, thralldom. Perhaps she would be given to a pig farmer, or worse yet given as a bribe or sold to the Nibelans themselves. But in any case she would no longer be a Narlsewoman worthy of respect, hailed for her beauty, bringing honor and alliances to her father’s house.
Else fled to her room and cried more. Her father would be returning soon and she could not face his disappointment. Not over her personally, but the loss of Else as a bargaining chip for more wealth and power. Else was beside herself, she went from the most envied woman to nothing. Despondent, fearful, alone, the dagger was in her hand, poised at her breast when she suddenly she remembered a song. One her father sang to her specifically long, long ago, yet it has resonated with her even then. Else hadn’t heard it sung in well over 15 years, not to anyone else. The Saga of Kalija told the tale of an ice maiden, who fell in love with a Narlseman who was slain by Tralgs. Kalija sought vengeance on the Tralgs and slew many by appearing as ice and then slaying them as they came nearer. It was a very old tale, and few Skalds even remembered or told it anymore. But to Else, it has been her favorite. She often pretended to be Kalija as she played as a young girl, slaying Tralgs with her stick spear. Kalija was strong, beautiful and cunning. Else had found strength in her as a child and now Kalija gave her strength again.
Else put the dagger aside and paced for a bit. Then it was decided. The Gods had had a use for Kalija even though she was a woman. The Gods had a plan for Else as well. She would be strong like Kalija. As it was she took after her grandfather and was a strong as most stripling Narlsemen with wispy beards. But strong inside as well. Else dried her tears and changed out of her torn and bloody rags. She tossed them into the fireplace and stood there naked in front of the fire watching them burn. Burning away the memories, but also burning them into her memory. She would not forget them, but she would not let them hurt her either. As the fire died she dressed in traveling clothes, tucked the dagger back into her belt. She grabbed a small bag of coins and some small token jewelry given to her by her mother. She was about to leave when she spied the ever present spears upon the wall. She stared at it. The Spear had doomed her to this. No! The Spear had freed her. Saved her, saved Sifi. Else grabbed the spear and left.
A group of guards tried to stop her from leaving. Her father had been found and was hastening back to the long house and ordered all to stay within its walls. Knowing what waited for her, Else refused to stay, she made as if to leave and they again refused to leave. Else sang a small verse to calm herself and focus on what to do, a habit she often had. But, Else had practiced in seclusion so long she did not realize her songs affected others. Four of the guards had fallen asleep from her short song. The one remaining though, looked at her wide-eyed “Witch! Sorceress!” he shouted. Else was appalled here this man guarded one of the most renowned Skalds of Scandaj and he didn’t recognize the music of a skald? Else became incensed, the blood of Groj flowed through her veins and a veil of blood covered her eyes again. As it passed the guard lay dead, and her spear was crimson with his blood. Else groaned. All she needed was a wereguild on her now. She had wanted to run away to some other stead, out-run the rumors, out-run the shame. Now she knew, with a were-guild on top of the dishonor, there was no where for her to hide on Scandaj.
Else had a sudden though, and started running for the stables, grabbing a horse she took off like a shot. She made for the stead of King Lagdur. There she had heard was a marvelous ship. One that came very seldom to visit and trade, but her father’s tales marked every time they came. A long ship that traveled not on the seas, but in the air. That came and went to different lands. That ship could save her she knew.
She managed to talk her way onto the ship, paying her way with the jewelry and the money from the horse. She rode the ship off planet and away from her past. She kept to herself the early part of the trip of the trip, barely coming out to even eat. View off deck scared her terribly and she wondered if she hadn’t made a mistake. But towards the end of the journey, she was very comfortable on deck and had begun to chat up the crew, her passion for learning not suppressed here and the crew just happy to have her out where they could see her. In this way she learned a bit of Eldish and a smattering, mostly curses, in other tongues. She also learned a bit about spelljamming. Enough to not be afraid at least. She hadn’t cared where they were going when they left and of course, the Norns were cruel to her still, as though her beauty had to be countered by hardship, they landed in Jhaar. Jhaar was a big shock to the young Narlsewoman.
She wander the streets for a day, agawk at the strange sights. She was blissfully unaware of either the sinsiter figures that followed her, or the mysterious cloaked figure who followed them. Fortunately a Sidhe Votress on some secret mission for Amaranthia saw her before too many others did. Amelia ushered her away from the unseen lurkers waiting for Else in various dark corners. Amelia took her back to her room, trying to figure out how such an innocent soul could land here. Else had never seen so beautiful a woman and Amelia’s calm steady voice reassured Else and she found her whole story flooding out before she knew it, ending up crying in Amelia’s arms. Amelia didn’t have the heart to turn Else back out onto the street at that point. Instead Else stayed there a while. Another taller, woman, came occasionally to look after Else. Together they taught Else some basic survival skills for Jhaar. Amelia taught her to control her rages a bit better and Vivika the Amazon helped her learn the spear better. But soon their mission ended and they had to leave. Else was apprehensive, but the Amaranthians assured her that she had a strong soul and would be fine.
Else walked out into the streets of Jhaar, no longer afraid, but also not longer unaware. She learned to cover herself more when on the streets as the Amarathians did. And eventually she found a ship to convince her to take her on board as a crewmember. She had enough of the lingo down to toss out a few terms and bat her eyes. And so Else learned a bit of spelljamming here and there. She didn’t get many trips. Generally she wasn’t invited back once her deception was revealed. But she learned more each time. Especially about other places. She desperately wanted to visit Amaranthia, but never found a ship going there.
Mostly she hung out in a tavern in Jhaar with other prospective crewpeople, waiting for another chance. She occasionally found work as a body guard having become a passable warrior. The wealthy especially liked her, since not only could she do her job, she looked so good doing it.
So Else sits, she often tells people her name is Kalija now. But she waits. Her past is buried. She cannot return home, almost certain death awaits her if not worse. And her future is very uncertain. She is waiting for something, but she knows not what yet.
___________________________________________________________________________
The waitress brings out another drink to Else. The bartender learned long ago not to send out a male server after one of Else’s outbursts. The waitress found her alone on the patio staring up at the sky, singing a song in some language unknown to the girl. Though she didn’t know the language she understood the song; sadness, loneliness, pain. A tear sprang to the girl’s eye for a reason she didn’t really know. Else turned and saw the tear. “I am sorry, do not cry my tears for me though” she said and sang a little refrain in that same language, that dispelled the despair of the girl and made her feel warm and happy as she turned to leave Else alone on the patio again, staring at the sky wondering what the Fate had next for her.
[/sblock]
Else Character
[sblock]
Appearance: XXXX
BAB Fort Ref Will Special Spells Per Day Spells Known
+1 +2 +2 +2 Skald's Battlecry, Skaldic Lore 2 4
Countercry, Cry of Courage +1
Illiteracy, Rapt Ardour
+2 +3 +3 +3 Shout of the Master 3/0 5/2
+3 +3 +3 +3 Stoke Passion 3/1 6/3
+4 +4 +4 +4 Ardour 2/day 3/2/0 6/3/2
+5 +4 +4 +4 Invincible Ardour 3/3/1 6/4/3
[/SBLOCK]
Ok here is the background I am working with.
I kind of went overboard
But in trying to come up with a character who would fit in Jhaar, it was hard. But this character really clicked with me and the background wrote itself. But if anything is off let me know.
[sblock=Else's background]
The Niblean walked by her table, did a double take and walked back with a lecherous smile. Her eyes gave no sign of acceptance, but the Nibelan sat down anyway.
“Whats, a pretty little Narlsie like you doing so far from home” he said nearly drooling as his eyes devoured her.
The young woman stared at him, silently, as he shifted in his seat. Then she smiled. A beautiful smile that lit up her face, ice-blue eyes crinkling in a face framed by the wisps of blonde hair that were not tied back. She leaned in towards him, over the table. “I don’t see many Nibelans here in Jhaar” she said. Whether he heard her or not was hard to tell, when she leaned over the Niblean got such a view of her very ample cleavage, that he was pre-occupied with it.
Knowing that, calculating that, Else reached over and grabbed the Nibelan by his hair “And I don’t want to see anymore!” she screamed as she slammed his head repeatedly into the table until it was hard to tell which had more blood on it and both were broken.
Walking away from the broken, bloody table and the Nibelan without a face or life, she approached the bar, “I’ll take my drink on the patio” she said in a crystal clear voice as those nothing had happened. On the patio, she stared up at the sky, lost for a time in her past.
_____________________________________________________________________
Else Wurkunsdottir was born a Narlsewoman. Few looking at her could ever doubt that. Her fair skin, piercing blue eyes and blond hair told her heritage better than she could. She was the daughter of Wurkun, Skald to the Great King Ynim, while he lived at least. Wurkun had fought beside Ynim as he battled Tralg armies, and Niblean raiders. He told the great epics of those battles and of the past.
Else was born to his second wife, Siln, youngest and most beautiful daughter of the great warrior Gorj, to cement the alliance between the houses. Actually Gorj just wanted more of his own exploits told in the long houses. Still by all accounts Else was a beautiful child and Wurkun did not beat her very often, so that she would herself serve to ally his house with another.
Else was a very bright young child, and what’s more she had a lovely singing voice that kept her in the good graces of her father. Sitting behind his chair, she heard all the stories and all the songs of the battles and remembered them. She came to know the power of the songs and practiced them in secret, for a woman could never be a skald. But she practiced in secret. Her father encouraged her singing in the hall as it would boost her value for marriage later. But in her room at night she practiced the songs of power that she heard her father use. She trained her clear voice to work many wonders, all in secret. Songs of power and bravery, songs of grace and beauty, songs of healing and life. She listened well and practiced subtlely on her sisters. They never quite realized why they sewed better with Else humming in the room with them.
As Else grew to womanhood, her beauty was renowned through the land as the most beautiful Narlsewoman in many winters. She was a statuesque beauty, the essence of the Narlse desire. Tall, fair, slim and yet very busty. She was the product of the selection of the most beautiful daughters for many generations. Many suitors inquired of Wurkun for Else as a wife. But canny Wurkun knew the value of his daughter and was holding out an alliance with one of the up and coming young kings.
One of the suitors came to talk to Wurkun. They had gone out hunting, leaving the stead. It was an ill time to be out as a band of Nibelan raiders had chosen that time to attack. The rumors of old Wurkun’s wealth was well known among the Nibelans, not to mention hatred for him for his role standing beside Ynim against them. The raiders slew the door guards and made it inside. Wurkun’s two sons (Sigdun from his first wife Helgurd, and Magnin, Else’s brother through Siln) came to the front of the battle, driving off most of the raiders. But two had slipped past the fighting, looking for loot.
One found Sifi (daughter of Hegurd) and bound her to steal her away. Else found the raider tying up her sister and pawing at her. The blood of her Grandfather, Gorj, flowed strongly through her veins, and with a mad blood rage she had never felt before, Else grabbed a spear and stabbed the raider. They fought briefly and though he wounded her once, she did kill him, spitting him like the Nibelan pig that he was. But the Norns were cruel to her that day as the second raider showed up just as she shoved the fatal spear blow into the Nibelan.
Whether it was the sight of a Narlsewoman killing a Nibelan, or whether it was Else legendary beauty, something caused the Nibelan to decide that he had to have Else right then. Risking the prize, he grabbed the spear from her hands, caught and threw down Else and raped her right there rather than carry her off. Else still fought with wild frenzy, but she was exhausted from the previous fight, she was not a warrior. She managed to claw out one eye as she was being attacked. It was then that her brother Sigdun entered. The raiders had been defeated and he had come to check on his sisters. He found one bound and one being ravaged by a Nibelan. In a blind fury he slew the Nibelan even as he lay on top of Else.
Sigdun cut Sifi’s bonds and lead her out of the room, not looking or speaking to Else. Not even acknowledging the other dead raider. Sifi pleaded with Sigdun as they were leaving saying that Else had saved her. Had Else not come along, the raiders would have already have taken her away. Else was her salvation. Sigdun made no move to go back or acknowledge he had another sister. He only had one now, as Wurkun only had one daughter now.
Else knew as Sigdun walked away that she was worth nothing now. She was spoiled property. Defiled by a Nibelan, no Narlseman would take her now, especially not the suitors that were seeking Wurkun out. Here dim hopes of leading a somewhat comfortable life as a favored wife were dashed to bits in a few brutal minutes. Else sat and sobbed for hours. She beat at the dead corpses in anger, rage, frustration, and fear. In her heart though she knew what was destined for her, slavery, thralldom. Perhaps she would be given to a pig farmer, or worse yet given as a bribe or sold to the Nibelans themselves. But in any case she would no longer be a Narlsewoman worthy of respect, hailed for her beauty, bringing honor and alliances to her father’s house.
Else fled to her room and cried more. Her father would be returning soon and she could not face his disappointment. Not over her personally, but the loss of Else as a bargaining chip for more wealth and power. Else was beside herself, she went from the most envied woman to nothing. Despondent, fearful, alone, the dagger was in her hand, poised at her breast when she suddenly she remembered a song. One her father sang to her specifically long, long ago, yet it has resonated with her even then. Else hadn’t heard it sung in well over 15 years, not to anyone else. The Saga of Kalija told the tale of an ice maiden, who fell in love with a Narlseman who was slain by Tralgs. Kalija sought vengeance on the Tralgs and slew many by appearing as ice and then slaying them as they came nearer. It was a very old tale, and few Skalds even remembered or told it anymore. But to Else, it has been her favorite. She often pretended to be Kalija as she played as a young girl, slaying Tralgs with her stick spear. Kalija was strong, beautiful and cunning. Else had found strength in her as a child and now Kalija gave her strength again.
Else put the dagger aside and paced for a bit. Then it was decided. The Gods had had a use for Kalija even though she was a woman. The Gods had a plan for Else as well. She would be strong like Kalija. As it was she took after her grandfather and was a strong as most stripling Narlsemen with wispy beards. But strong inside as well. Else dried her tears and changed out of her torn and bloody rags. She tossed them into the fireplace and stood there naked in front of the fire watching them burn. Burning away the memories, but also burning them into her memory. She would not forget them, but she would not let them hurt her either. As the fire died she dressed in traveling clothes, tucked the dagger back into her belt. She grabbed a small bag of coins and some small token jewelry given to her by her mother. She was about to leave when she spied the ever present spears upon the wall. She stared at it. The Spear had doomed her to this. No! The Spear had freed her. Saved her, saved Sifi. Else grabbed the spear and left.
A group of guards tried to stop her from leaving. Her father had been found and was hastening back to the long house and ordered all to stay within its walls. Knowing what waited for her, Else refused to stay, she made as if to leave and they again refused to leave. Else sang a small verse to calm herself and focus on what to do, a habit she often had. But, Else had practiced in seclusion so long she did not realize her songs affected others. Four of the guards had fallen asleep from her short song. The one remaining though, looked at her wide-eyed “Witch! Sorceress!” he shouted. Else was appalled here this man guarded one of the most renowned Skalds of Scandaj and he didn’t recognize the music of a skald? Else became incensed, the blood of Groj flowed through her veins and a veil of blood covered her eyes again. As it passed the guard lay dead, and her spear was crimson with his blood. Else groaned. All she needed was a wereguild on her now. She had wanted to run away to some other stead, out-run the rumors, out-run the shame. Now she knew, with a were-guild on top of the dishonor, there was no where for her to hide on Scandaj.
Else had a sudden though, and started running for the stables, grabbing a horse she took off like a shot. She made for the stead of King Lagdur. There she had heard was a marvelous ship. One that came very seldom to visit and trade, but her father’s tales marked every time they came. A long ship that traveled not on the seas, but in the air. That came and went to different lands. That ship could save her she knew.
She managed to talk her way onto the ship, paying her way with the jewelry and the money from the horse. She rode the ship off planet and away from her past. She kept to herself the early part of the trip of the trip, barely coming out to even eat. View off deck scared her terribly and she wondered if she hadn’t made a mistake. But towards the end of the journey, she was very comfortable on deck and had begun to chat up the crew, her passion for learning not suppressed here and the crew just happy to have her out where they could see her. In this way she learned a bit of Eldish and a smattering, mostly curses, in other tongues. She also learned a bit about spelljamming. Enough to not be afraid at least. She hadn’t cared where they were going when they left and of course, the Norns were cruel to her still, as though her beauty had to be countered by hardship, they landed in Jhaar. Jhaar was a big shock to the young Narlsewoman.
She wander the streets for a day, agawk at the strange sights. She was blissfully unaware of either the sinsiter figures that followed her, or the mysterious cloaked figure who followed them. Fortunately a Sidhe Votress on some secret mission for Amaranthia saw her before too many others did. Amelia ushered her away from the unseen lurkers waiting for Else in various dark corners. Amelia took her back to her room, trying to figure out how such an innocent soul could land here. Else had never seen so beautiful a woman and Amelia’s calm steady voice reassured Else and she found her whole story flooding out before she knew it, ending up crying in Amelia’s arms. Amelia didn’t have the heart to turn Else back out onto the street at that point. Instead Else stayed there a while. Another taller, woman, came occasionally to look after Else. Together they taught Else some basic survival skills for Jhaar. Amelia taught her to control her rages a bit better and Vivika the Amazon helped her learn the spear better. But soon their mission ended and they had to leave. Else was apprehensive, but the Amaranthians assured her that she had a strong soul and would be fine.
Else walked out into the streets of Jhaar, no longer afraid, but also not longer unaware. She learned to cover herself more when on the streets as the Amarathians did. And eventually she found a ship to convince her to take her on board as a crewmember. She had enough of the lingo down to toss out a few terms and bat her eyes. And so Else learned a bit of spelljamming here and there. She didn’t get many trips. Generally she wasn’t invited back once her deception was revealed. But she learned more each time. Especially about other places. She desperately wanted to visit Amaranthia, but never found a ship going there.
Mostly she hung out in a tavern in Jhaar with other prospective crewpeople, waiting for another chance. She occasionally found work as a body guard having become a passable warrior. The wealthy especially liked her, since not only could she do her job, she looked so good doing it.
So Else sits, she often tells people her name is Kalija now. But she waits. Her past is buried. She cannot return home, almost certain death awaits her if not worse. And her future is very uncertain. She is waiting for something, but she knows not what yet.
___________________________________________________________________________
The waitress brings out another drink to Else. The bartender learned long ago not to send out a male server after one of Else’s outbursts. The waitress found her alone on the patio staring up at the sky, singing a song in some language unknown to the girl. Though she didn’t know the language she understood the song; sadness, loneliness, pain. A tear sprang to the girl’s eye for a reason she didn’t really know. Else turned and saw the tear. “I am sorry, do not cry my tears for me though” she said and sang a little refrain in that same language, that dispelled the despair of the girl and made her feel warm and happy as she turned to leave Else alone on the patio again, staring at the sky wondering what the Fate had next for her.
[/sblock]
Else Character
[sblock]
Code:
[B]Name:[/B] Else
[B]Class:[/B] Skald
[B]Race:[/B] Narlse
[B]Size:[/B] Medium
[B]Gender:[/B] Femalle
[B]Alignment:[/B] Neutral
[B]Deity:[/B] None
[B]Str:[/B] 16 +3 (XXp.) [B]Level:[/B] 5 [B]XP:[/B] XXXX
[B]Dex:[/B] 22 +6 (XXp.) [B]BAB:[/B] +5 [B]HP:[/B] 37 (5d10-5)
[B]Con:[/B] 9 -1 (XXp.) [B]Grapple:[/B] +8 [B]Dmg Red:[/B] XX/XXXX
[B]Int:[/B] 16 +3 (XXp.) [B]Speed:[/B] 30' [B]Spell Res:[/B] XX
[B]Wis:[/B] 10 +0 (XXp.) [B]Init:[/B] +6 [B]Spell Save:[/B] +X
[B]Cha:[/B] 22 +6 (18+4p.) [B]ACP:[/B] -0 [B]Spell Fail:[/B] XX%
[B]Base Armor Shld Dex Size Nat Misc Total[/B]
[B]Armor:[/B] 10 +4 +0 +6 +X +X +1 21
[B]Touch:[/B] 17 [B]Flatfooted:[/B] 15
[B]Base Mod Misc Total[/B]
[B]Fort:[/B] 4 -1 +3
[B]Ref:[/B] 4 +6 +10
[B]Will:[/B] 4 +0 +4
[B]Weapon Attack Damage Critical[/B]
Greatsword +8 2d6+4 19-20x2
Longspear +1 of Frost +9 1d8+5 (+1d6) 20x2
Comp Longbow +1 +12 1d8+4 20x3
Rapid shot +10/+10 1d8+4 20x3
[B]Languages:[/B] Narlse, Eldish, Nibelangan, Seelie
[B]Abilities:[/B]Rapt Ardour (Ex): A Skald can enter a state of Ardour. In a fit of Ardour, a skald
temporarily gains a +4 to Strength and Charisma and a +2 morale bonus on Will saves,
but she takes a -2 penalty to AC. At the end of the Ardour, she becomes fatigued.
It is impossible to stoke up one's Ardour while in a fit of Euphoria, though Ardour
and Rage can mix.
Skald's Battlecry: As Bardic Music except for that the Skald is not able to extend
the effect through concentration and so always has a 5 round (or 10 with Lingering
Cry) duration. Cries with similar names to Bard songs are the same as those songs.
Countercry: As Countersong
Cry of Courage: As Inspire Courage
Skaldic Lore: As Bardic Lore d20+10
Illiteracy: As the Barbarian ability
Shout of the Master: As Inspire Competence
Stoke Passion: As a standard action, a Skald in Ardour can expend a use of Skald's
Battlecry to stoke the passions of her allies to new heights, or ignite the fiery
emotions stirring within her breast to create something truly spectacular. Even if
a single target has multiple effects and/or multiple Skald allies, only one use of
Stoke Passion can effect the same target at any one time.
Choose one of the following effects--
*If the target is under the effect of a Warcry, increase all morale bonuses granted
by +1
*If the target is under the effect of Rage, Euphoria, Ardour, or any similar effect,
choose one of those effects. All bonuses granted increase by +1, except stat bonuses,
which increase by +2.
*If you are using this ability on yourself and you are currently affected by both a
Skald's Battlecry and Ardour at the same time, end both effects and expend another
daily use of Ardour to gain a unique effect. If you have access to a higher Ardour,
you may choose to gain a lower effect by using a different Warcry. While under the
effects of these Ardours, you count as being under the effect of both a Warcry and
Ardour, so you cannot use either on yourself.
-Rapt Ardour (or higher) + Cry of Courage = Kyrivale's Ardour
+4 Dex, +4 Cha, Gain One Extra Attack on Full Attack,
Grow wings that grant Fly Speed of double base land speed
-Hero's Ardour (or higher) + Call to Greatness = Jotun's Ardour
+8 Strength, +4 Con, -2 Dex, +4 enhancement bonus to Natural Armour,
DR 10/Nivshaln, Grow to Size Large or Huge (your choice)
-Empyreal Ardour + Chant of Heroes = Ragnarok's Ardour
+6 to all stats, no death from HP damage until end of Ardour,
DR 20/Epic, SR 10+class level, Divine Bonus equal to your Cha bonus to AC
Invincible Ardour: While in Ardour, a Skald can shrug off some of her wounds as if
they were nothing. Every time she is struck while in Ardour, the Skald ignores an
amount of damage equal to her Charisma bonus for a number of rounds equal to her
Skald level divided by 4 (rounded down). At the end of this time, the damage applies
as normal.
[B]Feats:[/B] All Simple and Martial Weapon Proficiency, Light and Medium Armor Proficiency,
Point Blank Shot, Rapid Shot
[B]Spells:[/B]
Spells per day 5/5/2
Spells Known 6/4/3
Spells Known:
0 level: Detect Magic, Know Direction, Lullaby, Message, Prestidigitation, Summon Instrument
1st Level: Cure Light Wounds, Remove Fear,
2nd Level: Cure Moderate Wounds, Heroism,
[B]Skill Points:[/B] 72 [B]Max Ranks:[/B] 8/4
[B]Skills Ranks Mod Misc Total[/B]
Appraise 3 +3 +6
Balance X +X +X
Bluff 5 +6 +11
Climb X +X +X
Concentration X +X +X
Craft X +X +X
Decipher Script X +X +X
Diplomacy 8 +6 +6 +20
Disable Device X +X +X
Disguise X +X +X
Escape Artist X +X +X
Forgery X +X +X
Gather Information 6 +6 +2 +14
Handle Animal 2 +6 +8
Heal X +X +X
Hide 3 +6 +9
Intimidate 5 +6 +2 +13
Jump X +X +X
Knowledge (Local) 5 +3 +X
Knowledge (History) 5 +3 +X
Knowledge (Nobility) 5 +3 +X
Listen 5 +0 +5
Move Silently 3 +6 +9
Open Lock X +X +X
Perform 8 +6 +14
Profession X +X +X
Ride 2 +6 +8
Search X +X +X
Sense Motive 5 +0 +5
Sleight Of Hand X +X +X
Speak Language X +X +X
Spellcraft X +X +X
Spot X +X +X
Survival X +X +X
Swim 2 +3 +5
Tumble X +X +X
Use Magic Device X +X +X
Use Rope X +X +X
[B]Equipment: Cost Weight[/B]
Longspear +1 Frost* 5,481gp XXlb
Mithril shirt 3,300gp XXlb
Comp Longbow +1 (Str +3) 3,375gp XXlb
Greatsword 500gp XXlb
Ring of protection +1 2,500gp
Backpack 20gp
quiver 20 arrows 10gp
*Special item
[B]Total Weight:[/B]XXlb [B]Money:[/B] 264gp XXsp XXcp
[B]Lgt Med Hvy Lift Push[/B]
[B]Max Weight:[/B] XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX
[B]Age:[/B] 20
[B]Height:[/B] 5'10"
[B]Weight:[/B] 130lb
[B]Eyes:[/B] Blue
[B]Hair:[/B] Blonde
[B]Skin:[/B] FairBAB Fort Ref Will Special Spells Per Day Spells Known
+1 +2 +2 +2 Skald's Battlecry, Skaldic Lore 2 4
Countercry, Cry of Courage +1
Illiteracy, Rapt Ardour
+2 +3 +3 +3 Shout of the Master 3/0 5/2
+3 +3 +3 +3 Stoke Passion 3/1 6/3
+4 +4 +4 +4 Ardour 2/day 3/2/0 6/3/2
+5 +4 +4 +4 Invincible Ardour 3/3/1 6/4/3
[/SBLOCK]
Last edited:
Rystil Arden
First Post
Probably the end of the month--plenty of time.Shayuri said:Mew. Is there a time limit I should know about? All these choices are hard to pick between.
Rystil Arden
First Post
Cool backstory. A few minor points:Fenris said:RA,
Ok here is the background I am working with.
I kind of went overboard
But in trying to come up with a character who would fit in Jhaar, it was hard. But this character really clicked with me and the background wrote itself. But if anything is off let me know.
[sblock=Else's background]
The Niblean walked by her table, did a double take and walked back with a lecherous smile. Her eyes gave no sign of acceptance, but the Niblean sat down anyway.
“Whats, a pretty little Narlsie like you doing so far from home” he said nearly drooling as his eyes devoured her.
The young woman stared at him, silently, as he shifted in his seat. Then she smiled. A beautiful smile that lit up her face, ice-blue eyes crinkling in a face framed by the wisps of blonde hair that were not tied back. She leaned in towards him, over the table. “I don’t see many Nibleans here in Jhaar” she said. Whether he heard her or not was hard to tell, when she leaned over the Niblean got such a view of her very ample cleavage, that he was pre-occupied with it.
Knowing that, calculating that, Else reached over and grabbed the Niblean by his hair “And I don’t want to see anymore!” she screamed as she slammed his head repeatedly into the table until it was hard to tell which had more blood on it and both were broken.
Walking away from the broken, bloody table and the Niblean without a face or life, she approached the bar, “I’ll take my drink on the patio” she said in a crystal clear voice as those nothing had happened. On the patio, she stared up at the sky, lost for a time in her past.
_____________________________________________________________________
Else Wurkunsdottir was born a Narlsewoman. Few looking at her could ever doubt that. Her fair skin, piercing blue eyes and blond hair told her heritage better than she could. She was the daughter of Wurkun, Skald to the Great King Ynim, while he lived at least. Wurkun had fought beside Ynim as he battled Tralg armies, and Niblean raiders. He told the great epics of those battles and of the past.
Else was born to his second wife, Siln, youngest and most beautiful daughter of the great warrior Gorj, to cement the alliance between the houses. Actually Gorj just wanted more of his own exploits told in the long houses. Still by all accounts Else was a beautiful child and Wurkun did not beat her very often, so that she would herself serve to ally his house with another.
Else was a very bright young child, and what’s more she had a lovely singing voice that kept her in the good graces of her father. Sitting behind his chair, she heard all the stories and all the songs of the battles and remembered them. She came to know the power of the songs and practiced them in secret, for a woman could never be a skald. But she practiced in secret. Her father encouraged her singing in the hall as it would boost her value for marriage later. But in her room at night she practiced the songs of power that she heard her father use. She trained her clear voice to work many wonders, all in secret. Songs of power and bravery, songs of grace and beauty, songs of healing and life. She listened well and practiced subtlely on her sisters. They never quite realized why they sewed better with Else humming in the room with them.
As Else grew to womanhood, her beauty was renowned through the land as the most beautiful Narlsewoman in many winters. She was a statuesque beauty, the essence of the Narlse desire. Tall, fair, slim and yet very busty. She was the product of the selection of the most beautiful daughters for many generations. Many suitors inquired of Wurkun for Else as a wife. But canny Wurkun knew the value of his daughter and was holding out an alliance with one of the up and coming young kings.
One of the suitors came to talk to Wurkun. They had gone out hunting, leaving the stead. It was an ill time to be out as a band of Niblean raiders had chosen that time to attack. The rumors of old Wurkun’s wealth was well known among the Nibleans, not to mention hatred for him for his role standing beside Ynim against them. The raiders slew the door guards and made it inside. Wurkun’s two sons (Sigdun from his first wife Helgurd, and Magnin, Else’s brother through Siln) came to the front of the battle, driving off most of the raiders. But two had slipped past the fighting, looking for loot.
One found Sifi (daughter of Hegurd) and bound her to steal her away. Else found the raider tying up her sister and pawing at her. The blood of her Grandfather, Gorj, flowed strongly through her veins, and with a mad blood rage she had never felt before, Else grabbed a spear and stabbed the raider. They fought briefly and though he wounded her once, she did kill him, spitting him like the Niblean pig that he was. But the Norns were cruel to her that day as the second raider showed up just as she shoved the fatal spear blow into the Niblean.
Whether it was the sight of a Narlsewoman killing a Niblean, or whether it was Else legendary beauty, something caused the Niblean to decide that he had to have Else right then. Risking the prize, he grabbed the spear from her hands, caught and threw down Else and raped her right there rather than carry her off. Else still fought with wild frenzy, but she was exhausted from the previous fight, she was not a warrior. She managed to claw out one eye as she was being attacked. It was then that her brother Sigdun entered. The raiders had been defeated and he had come to check on his sisters. He found one bound and one being ravaged by a Niblean. In a blind fury he slew the Niblean even as he lay on top of Else.
Sigdun cut Sifi’s bonds and lead her out of the room, not looking or speaking to Else. Not even acknowledging the other dead raider. Sifi pleaded with Sigdun as they were leaving saying that Else had saved her. Had Else not come along, the raiders would have already have taken her away. Else was her salvation. Sigdun made no move to go back or acknowledge he had another sister. He only had one now, as Wurkun only had one daughter now.
Else knew as Sigdun walked away that she was worth nothing now. She was spoiled property. Defiled by a Niblean, no Narlseman would take her now, especially not the suitors that were seeking Wurkun out. Here dim hopes of leading a somewhat comfortable life as a favored wife were dashed to bits in a few brutal minutes. Else sat and sobbed for hours. She beat at the dead corpses in anger, rage, frustration, and fear. In her heart though she knew what was destined for her, slavery, thralldom. Perhaps she would be given to a pig farmer, or worse yet given as a bribe or sold to the Nibleans themselves. But in any case she would no longer be a Narlsewoman worthy of respect, hailed for her beauty, bringing honor and alliances to her father’s house.
Else fled to her room and cried more. Her father would be returning soon and she could not face his disappointment. Not over her personally, but the loss of Else as a bargaining chip for more wealth and power. Else was beside herself, she went from the most envied woman to nothing. Despondent, fearful, alone, the dagger was in her hand, poised at her breast when she suddenly she remembered a song. One her father sang to her specifically long, long ago, yet it has resonated with her even then. Else hadn’t heard it sung in well over 15 years, not to anyone else. The Saga of Kalija told the tale of an ice maiden, who fell in love with a Narlseman who was slain by Tralgs. Kalija sought vengeance on the Tralgs and slew many by appearing as ice and then slaying them as they came nearer. It was a very old tale, and few Skalds even remembered or told it anymore. But to Else, it has been her favorite. She often pretended to be Kalija as she played as a young girl, slaying Tralgs with her stick spear. Kalija was strong, beautiful and cunning. Else had found strength in her as a child and now Kalija gave her strength again.
Else put the dagger aside and paced for a bit. Then it was decided. The Gods had had a use for Kalija even though she was a woman. The Gods had a plan for Else as well. She would be strong like Kalija. As it was she took after her grandfather and was a strong as most stripling Narlsemen with wispy beards. But strong inside as well. Else dried her tears and changed out of her torn and bloody rags. She tossed them into the fireplace and stood there naked in front of the fire watching them burn. Burning away the memories, but also burning them into her memory. She would not forget them, but she would not let them hurt her either. As the fire died she dressed in traveling clothes, tucked the dagger back into her belt. She grabbed a small bag of coins and some small token jewelry given to her by her mother. She was about to leave when she spied the ever present spears upon the wall. She stared at it. The Spear had doomed her to this. No! The Spear had freed her. Saved her, saved Sifi. Else grabbed the spear and left.
A group of guards tried to stop her from leaving. Her father had been found and was hastening back to the long house and ordered all to stay within its walls. Knowing what waited for her, Else refused to stay, she made as if to leave and they again refused to leave. Else sang a small verse to calm herself and focus on what to do, a habit she often had. But, Else had practiced in seclusion so long she did not realize her songs affected others. Four of the guards had fallen asleep from her short song. The one remaining though, looked at her wide-eyed “Witch! Sorceress!” he shouted. Else was appalled here this man guarded one of the most renowned Skalds of Scandaj and he didn’t recognize the music of a skald? Else became incensed, Groj flowed through and a veil of blood cover her eyes again. As it passed the guard lay dead, and her spear bloody. Else groaned. All she needed was a wereguild on her now. She had wanted to run away to some other stead, out-run the rumors, out-run the shame. Now she knew, with a were-guild on top of the dishonor, there was no where for her to hide on Scandaj.
Else had a sudden though, and started running for the stables, grabbing a horse she took off like a shot. She made for the stead of King Lagdur. There she had heard was a marvelous ship. One that came very seldom to visit and trade, but her father’s tales marked every time they came. A long ship that traveled not on the seas, but in the air. That came and went to different lands. That ship could save her she knew.
She managed to talk her way onto the ship, paying her way with the jewelry and the money from the horse. She rode the ship off planet and away from her past. She kept to herself the early part of the trip of the trip, barely coming out to even eat. View off deck scared her terribly and she wondered if she hadn’t made a mistake. But towards the end of the journey, she was very comfortable on deck and had begun to chat up the crew, her passion for learning not suppressed here and the crew jst happy to have her out where they could see her. In this way she learned a bit of Eldish and a smattering, mostly curses, in other tongues. She also learned a bit about spelljamming. Enough to not be afraid at least. She hadn’t cared where they were going when they left and of course, the Norns were cruel to her still, as though her beauty had to be countered by hardship, they landed in Jhaar. Jhaar was a big shock to the young Narlsewoman.
Fortunately a Sidhe Votress on some secret mission for Amaranthia saw her before too many others did. Amelia ushered her away from the unseen lurkers waiting for Else in various dark corners. Amelia took her back to her room, trying to figure out how such an innocent soul could land here. Else had never seen so beautiful a woman and Amelia’s calm steady voice reassured Else and she found her whole story flooding out before she knew it, ending up crying in Amelia’s arms. Amelia didn’t have the heart to turn Else back out onto the street at that point. Instead Else stayed there a while. Another taller, woman, came occasionally to look after Else. Together they taught Else some basic survival skills for Jhaar. Amelia taught her to control her rages a bit better and Vivika the Amazon helped her learn the spear better. But soon their mission ended and they had to leave. Else was apprehensive, but the Amaranthians assured her that she had a strong soul and would be fine.
Else walked out into the streets of Jhaar, no longer afraid, but also not longer unaware. She learned to cover herself more when on the streets as the Amarathians did. And eventually she found a ship to convince her to take her on board as a crewmember. She had enough of the lingo down to toss out a few terms and bat her eyes. And so Else learned a bit of spelljamming here and there. She didn’t get many trips. Generally she wasn’t invited back once her deception was revealed. But she learned more each time. Especially about other places. She desperately wanted to visit Amaranthia, but never found a ship going there.
Mostly she hung out in a tavern in Jhaar with other prospective crewpeople, waiting for another chance. She occasionally found work as a body guard having become a passable warrior. The wealthy especially liked her, since not only could she do her job, she looked so good doing it.
So Else sits, she often tells people her name is Kalija now. But she waits. Her past is buried. She cannot return home, almost certain death awaits her if not worse. And her future is very uncertain. She is waiting for something, but she knows not what yet.
___________________________________________________________________________
The waitress brings out another drink to Else. The bartender learned long ago not to send out a male server after one of Else’s outbursts. The waitress found her alone on the patio staring up at the sky, singing a song in some language unknown to the girl. Though she didn’t know the language she understood the song; sadness, loneliness, pain. A tear sprang to the girl’s eye for a reason she didn’t really know. Else turned and saw the tear. “I am sorry, do not cry my tears for me though” she said and sang a little refrain in that same language, that dispelled the despair of the girl and made her feel warm and happy as she turned to leave Else alone on the patio again, staring at the sky wondering what the Gods had next for her.
[/sblock]
Nibelan
An Amaranthian Votress in Jhaar? That would be pretty odd on its own, especially considering their oaths, but a Votress and an Amazon who are friends is equally strange. They seem like they could be replacable at the end, or it could even just be the Amazon (who might be a good match for Else's misandry and is a bit more explainable).
Rystil Arden
First Post
On a random tangent sort of for everyone on that last note, I'd say that you guys are in general coming up with awesome character concepts for one of my usual game recruitments that starts in Eldiz. Any time I give you a hard time about a concept or bit of background being kind of a stretch for Jhaar, it's because this recruiting drive is unusual for happening at a specific port with a very specific culture.
That said, anyone who's finding that they want to make something that doesn't fit in Jhaar at all might be better served in Destiny's Tears, for which I may be re-recruiting replacements soon (Destiny's Tears starts in Eldiz with a Convocation of people interested in adventuring throughout the Spheres that went out of its way to have emissaries from every Known Sphere, so any unusual background character would make sense there). That also means that those of you who are not chosen, with minor backstory massaging, can probably manage to get a second chance soon after
By and large I'm seeing excellent quality submissions, don't get me wrong, and because of the quality of submissions, I expect I'll probably even accept maybe one or a few that are a bit weird for Jhaar, but in order to keep verisimilitude, I'd like to also accept a goodly number that aren't
(For instance if the final group wound up being a Nymph Votress, a Rowaini Knight, a Sacra Champion, and a Mojiin Preserver, it would be very very weird. Less weird would be a Dolathi Bounty Hunter, a Rowaini Swashbuckler, a Narlse Alley Stalker, and then maybe a Pleb Liberator or Vildri Heretic as the token weird-but-easily-explainable character.)
That said, anyone who's finding that they want to make something that doesn't fit in Jhaar at all might be better served in Destiny's Tears, for which I may be re-recruiting replacements soon (Destiny's Tears starts in Eldiz with a Convocation of people interested in adventuring throughout the Spheres that went out of its way to have emissaries from every Known Sphere, so any unusual background character would make sense there). That also means that those of you who are not chosen, with minor backstory massaging, can probably manage to get a second chance soon after
By and large I'm seeing excellent quality submissions, don't get me wrong, and because of the quality of submissions, I expect I'll probably even accept maybe one or a few that are a bit weird for Jhaar, but in order to keep verisimilitude, I'd like to also accept a goodly number that aren't
(For instance if the final group wound up being a Nymph Votress, a Rowaini Knight, a Sacra Champion, and a Mojiin Preserver, it would be very very weird. Less weird would be a Dolathi Bounty Hunter, a Rowaini Swashbuckler, a Narlse Alley Stalker, and then maybe a Pleb Liberator or Vildri Heretic as the token weird-but-easily-explainable character.)
pallandrome
First Post
Quick question, how would knowledge (geography) translate into Spelljammer, if it even does?
Similar Threads
