Menu
News
All News
Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
Pathfinder
Starfinder
Warhammer
2d20 System
Year Zero Engine
Industry News
Reviews
Dragon Reflections
Columns
Weekly Digests
Weekly News Digest
Freebies, Sales & Bundles
RPG Print News
RPG Crowdfunding News
Game Content
ENterplanetary DimENsions
Mythological Figures
Opinion
Worlds of Design
Peregrine's Next
RPG Evolution
Other Columns
From the Freelancing Frontline
Monster ENcyclopedia
WotC/TSR Alumni Look Back
4 Hours w/RSD (Ryan Dancey)
The Road to 3E (Jonathan Tweet)
Greenwood's Realms (Ed Greenwood)
Drawmij's TSR (Jim Ward)
Community
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Resources
Wiki
Pages
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Downloads
Latest reviews
Search resources
EN Publishing
Store
EN5ider
Adventures in ZEITGEIST
Awfully Cheerful Engine
What's OLD is NEW
Judge Dredd & The Worlds Of 2000AD
War of the Burning Sky
Level Up: Advanced 5E
Events & Releases
Upcoming Events
Private Events
Featured Events
Socials!
Twitch
YouTube
Facebook (EN Publishing)
Facebook (EN World)
Twitter
Instagram
TikTok
Podcast
Features
Top 5 RPGs Compiled Charts 2004-Present
Adventure Game Industry Market Research Summary (RPGs) V1.0
Ryan Dancey: Acquiring TSR
Q&A With Gary Gygax
D&D Rules FAQs
TSR, WotC, & Paizo: A Comparative History
D&D Pronunciation Guide
Million Dollar TTRPG Kickstarters
Tabletop RPG Podcast Hall of Fame
Eric Noah's Unofficial D&D 3rd Edition News
D&D in the Mainstream
D&D & RPG History
About Morrus
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
The
VOIDRUNNER'S CODEX
is coming! Explore new worlds, fight oppressive empires, fend off fearsome aliens, and wield deadly psionics with this comprehensive boxed set expansion for 5E and A5E!
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
Menexenus's Age of Worms Campaign Journal
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="Menexenus" data-source="post: 3305664" data-attributes="member: 8951"><p><strong>Alexander's backstory</strong></p><p></p><p>There is a memorial obelisk in the Diamond Lake boneyard that is dedicated to all the miners lost in cave-ins over the years. The young wizard Alexander, apprentice to master wizard Allustan, goes to it from time to time out of respect for the father that died in a mining accident when he was still small. One day, while visiting the obelisk, Alexander decides that his mother has paid Allustan enough tuition. It is time for him to strike out on his own, earn his keep, and pay his mother back for all those years of apprenticeship that she paid for with back-breaking labor.</p><p></p><p> After all, Allustan has treated Alexander and the other two apprentices mostly as servants, rather than students. He did teach Alexander a few minor spells, but mostly he also had Alexander cleaning and cooking and doing other menial chores. In addition, he seemed to favor the other two apprentices over Alexander when it came to attention in the classroom. </p><p></p><p>Finally, Alexander gets up the courage to announce that he is leaving Allustan's service. Alexander expects Allustan to be his usual gruff and uncaring self. Instead, Allustan suddenly becomes much more congenial and almost sympathetic. It was as if he had expected that this day must eventually come, but is surprised that it has come so soon. </p><p></p><p>Allustan looks at Alexander and says meaningfully, "Yes, there is only so much we can learn from books and practice, isn't there? At some point, if we truly want to become a master of the mystical arts, we must strike out on our own and face the challenges that can only be found on the fringes of civilization. A nasty business, adventuring, but at the end of the day, it is also a *necessary* business, isn't it?" For a moment, he seems lost in thought. Then he abruptly continues, "Well, best of luck to you, my good lad! If you change your mind, I'll keep your room ready for you for at least a couple weeks. And of course, I'll be sending back your mother's next payment with a note saying that she need not send any more of them. If at any time, you need help deciphering some strange puzzle you encounter along your travels, or you need something translated, or you simply want the advice of a man with more experience and knowledge, I will offer you my services as a sage at half the usual price.</p><p> </p><p>"I've already taught you all the things that a young adventurer needs to know. Just remember that your companions are counting on you to cast spells, not fight hand-to-hand! The goal of an adventuring wizard is to discover new spells and to grow in arcane power. You will achieve neither of these goals if you are dead! Discretion is the better part of valor, my boy! Don't let your conscience - or anyone else - try to tell you differently! I say this because you've always been a very good boy who has tried to do the right things - defending those who are weaker than you, telling the truth, helping those who are suffering. These are wonderful attributes in church, or in the safety of a town, but they will get you killed down in the dungeon. Be careful, my former apprentice, and fortune will smile upon you!"</p><p></p><p>With these surprising words of encouragement, Alexander left Allustan's service and began the journey from boyhood to manhood.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Menexenus, post: 3305664, member: 8951"] [b]Alexander's backstory[/b] There is a memorial obelisk in the Diamond Lake boneyard that is dedicated to all the miners lost in cave-ins over the years. The young wizard Alexander, apprentice to master wizard Allustan, goes to it from time to time out of respect for the father that died in a mining accident when he was still small. One day, while visiting the obelisk, Alexander decides that his mother has paid Allustan enough tuition. It is time for him to strike out on his own, earn his keep, and pay his mother back for all those years of apprenticeship that she paid for with back-breaking labor. After all, Allustan has treated Alexander and the other two apprentices mostly as servants, rather than students. He did teach Alexander a few minor spells, but mostly he also had Alexander cleaning and cooking and doing other menial chores. In addition, he seemed to favor the other two apprentices over Alexander when it came to attention in the classroom. Finally, Alexander gets up the courage to announce that he is leaving Allustan's service. Alexander expects Allustan to be his usual gruff and uncaring self. Instead, Allustan suddenly becomes much more congenial and almost sympathetic. It was as if he had expected that this day must eventually come, but is surprised that it has come so soon. Allustan looks at Alexander and says meaningfully, "Yes, there is only so much we can learn from books and practice, isn't there? At some point, if we truly want to become a master of the mystical arts, we must strike out on our own and face the challenges that can only be found on the fringes of civilization. A nasty business, adventuring, but at the end of the day, it is also a *necessary* business, isn't it?" For a moment, he seems lost in thought. Then he abruptly continues, "Well, best of luck to you, my good lad! If you change your mind, I'll keep your room ready for you for at least a couple weeks. And of course, I'll be sending back your mother's next payment with a note saying that she need not send any more of them. If at any time, you need help deciphering some strange puzzle you encounter along your travels, or you need something translated, or you simply want the advice of a man with more experience and knowledge, I will offer you my services as a sage at half the usual price. "I've already taught you all the things that a young adventurer needs to know. Just remember that your companions are counting on you to cast spells, not fight hand-to-hand! The goal of an adventuring wizard is to discover new spells and to grow in arcane power. You will achieve neither of these goals if you are dead! Discretion is the better part of valor, my boy! Don't let your conscience - or anyone else - try to tell you differently! I say this because you've always been a very good boy who has tried to do the right things - defending those who are weaker than you, telling the truth, helping those who are suffering. These are wonderful attributes in church, or in the safety of a town, but they will get you killed down in the dungeon. Be careful, my former apprentice, and fortune will smile upon you!" With these surprising words of encouragement, Alexander left Allustan's service and began the journey from boyhood to manhood. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
Menexenus's Age of Worms Campaign Journal
Top