[Midnight] Escape from Shadow – OOC

[Ferrix]

Sorry, my time's been shorter than it should be lately (i should be working on a paper right now). So I'll bow out of the runnings sadly, although I've been wanting to play in a Midnight game, I just don't have time.

 

[hbarsquared]

Ferrix - Hey, no problem. Just thought I'd double-check on those that had voiced interest.

If you or Endur find the time later, feel free to jump back in.

 

[hbarsquared]

Zions Ghost - I like your character concept, and in any other campaign I would say, "Go for it!" However, I would prefer to keep this game pure, unadulterated Midnight. You could use a similar character, but there would have to be a few fundamental changes:

- No Caransil blood. In Midnight humans cannot mix blood with the fey.
- No necklace. This is partly becuase of the adventure I have set up, but also partly the setting. If he is a slave, he will not have such personal equipment. And if he did, he would have either been killed for it already, or taken to legates, instead. So, for consistency, no necklace.
- Channeler abilities. Be careful about working it into your background. If he has been a slave, then he should have practiced very little with magic. Any astirax within a mile would be able to sniff him out. So either tone down the number of times he may have used his abilities, or describe a background that places him in an out-of-the-way place, where there would be fewer legates.

A couple of my suggestions, anyway. I do like your character, ZG, just reconstruct him a little bit to fit him in more with the setting.

 

[Rikandur Azebol]

Eonthar, Captain Tagon, Tailspinner, Ferrix, sylantar, Rikandur Azebol - Are you still interested?

I will post character here instantly, but have slight problems with realistic reasons for orc not being slain outright. And one who meet elf.

Torak
Ironborn male orc charismatic channeler 1
Medium humanoid

[sblock]
Hit Die: [1d8+2] (hp 10)
Initiative: +4
Speed: 30 ft.
AC: 10, touch 10, flat-footed 10
Base Attack: +0, grapple +1

Attack: +1 melee (d4+1/x2, fist)
Full Attack: +1 melee (d4+1/x2, fist)

Saving Throws: Fortitude +2, Reflex +0, Will +2
Abilities: Str 12, Dex 10, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 16

Skills: Diplomacy +7, Intimidate +9, Wilderness Lore +6, Heal +4, Sense Motives +4, Spellcraft +5, Knowledge: Military Tactics +5.

Feats: Magecraft, Spellcasting (Universal, Transmutation, Lesser Conjuring), Improved Inititative.

Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
Languages: Orcish, Erenlander.

Heroic Path:
Incredible Resilence

Racial Traits:

Dark Vision 60'
Light sensitivity (-1 attack rating in bright light)
Night fighting (+1 attack rating without light)
Proficiency with vardatch.
Cold Resistance 5
+1 racial bonus to attack when in fight with 10 orcs or more, regardless of enmity.
+2 racial bonus to saves against spells and spellike abilities.
+1 racial bonus to attack against dwarves.
+2 racial bonus on Intimidation and Wilderness Lore checks.
Automatic languages: Black Tongue, Old Dwarven Pidgin, Hig Elven Pigdin, Orcish.
Class skill Knowledge: Northern Marches
Bonus languages: Any, except secret ones and Courtier.
Favored Class Barbarian.

Class Abilities:

Magecraft (Bonus Feat)
Bonus School (Universal, Transformation, Lesser Conjuring)
Bonus Spells
Art of magic
Channeler gift (Force of Personality)

Spells:
Base DC 13 + spell level
0-level spells per day: 6
Spell Energy: 4
Spells Known: 0—Mage Hand, Create Water, Ray of Frost, Cure Minor Wounds, Detect Magic;
1—Mage Armor, Burning Hands, Spider Climb;

Physical Description:
In his 16 year he is standing 6' tall and weighting 260 lbs Torak isn't the biggest orc in the
world but is impressive and hansome in wild, predatory way. Black like charcoal, with gray
lionlike mane and amber eyes of cougar.

Background:
His life was charmed, until now. Being born in family of powerful matron-mother, who wielded
her legate's power like many orc generals were wielding their vardatchs. With unmatched speed and irressitible force. Despite fact that he was born as male, he was raised as commander, his willpower crushing those of lesser spirit even when he was just a small runt. Nobody dared to raise hand against favored offspring of Mathron, even if it was just a boy. Only thing that was nagging him during his childhood was fact that house's women treated him as half witted fool, and visibly were favoring his stupid and ugly twin sister, Ruk'det. And why she had two part name just because she's a girl ? That was unfair, just unfair. His forceful personality barely standed it, and he were expressing his disagreement in small ways. When he saw that women treat slaves badly, he was kind to them. When his sister shouted that she want that ... he gently asked. When legate tutoring children of the rich was speaking that Great God relives them from the taint of forbidden magic ... he devolped secret desire for it. But was aware that such desires were forbidden, and gloated in his free will and cleverness when alone in his small, humble quarter. And was slowly groving to realisation that he differs from his brethen. While bad tempered as all orcs were alvays, Torak discovered fast that following someone's orders isn't satysfing. He was sure that only fools, like his sister, would mindlessly follow orders from more powerful, who were bowing in turn to those stronger than them. Desire to became strong ... was one of first well remebered from early childhood. As well as painful punishments for disobedient children.

When growing of age, Torak was frequently irritiated, especially with himself being treated as
mindless fool while his stupid sister was treated as adult whole year now. And was allowed to punish him regularly for his misbehaviors, opportunity she seized with great delight. And this had taught him patience. He wasn't aware how easy his sheltered life was until he volontuareed to Ruk'det's freshly forming warband. His first suprise was when she agreed. Despite mutual discontent they shared for each other, twins knew each other's strengths. Ruk'det was big and very strong. Torak was alvays capable of besting most foes, even those clearly stronger than him. This mystery surrounding her brother was very infuriating, as well as his ability to avoid conflict at all ... she had alvays to beat her subjects first into obedience, and he ? He just come by, smiled and had a follower ! No matter how often she beaten him, he alvays remided undefeated. With such qualities he should strive to became a warlord, train with vardatch all the time, like her, instead he was wasting time with all this daydreaming. And he was so easygoing !!! Torak was enjoying his newfound freedom, walking the wilderness with his warband. All aware that they were hateful towards him and his sister, filthy black highborns. But their lessers obeyed under mighty fist of Ruk'det and Torak's irressistible voice.

Day that had to be fateful, started like any other. Torak avoke with heavy kick from his sister. One of lazy subordinates was in need of medical treatment ... so Torak burned his wound that it stopped bleeding. And they moved onvard, following route of patrol. It was said that human rebels were hiding somewhere there and many patrols, as their, were sent to investigate. Ruk'det choosed duty over comfort, as alvays.Torak knew that his sister was stubborn as mule, even he wouldn't convice her to change route on this where they would end up in warm tavern, not in wilderness. They weren't some goddamn cave-orcs to live like human-animals. But Torak didn't argued for long for he enjoyed all things that he earlier just read about ... thrill of hunt, when he tracked stag and killed it with well aimed bolt from his beloved crossbow. He gained much respect, even from his sister when he managed to set fire during rain, and knew how to preserve campfire from drowning in it. But the forest clearing they choosed for camp, were also occupied by someone sleeping in ragtag rags worn by humans. Soldiers laughed and shouted loudly, just as they spot easy victim. Stranger avoked, raised hands against onslaught and spoke one word. In place where
was greatest number of orcs, exploded fiery death sending half burned corpses in every direction. Torak stood amazed with such display, oblivious of fact that of all fighters only his sister charged forward striking forcefully at nimble wizard with her vardatch. Other cowardly fools were too busy fleeing in every direction ... wich was probably planned by the stranger all the way. For fev breathtaking moments Ruk'det was exchanging blows with wounded enemy, who was faring quite well for someone wounded and armed with just a staff. Unable to perform another feat of magic without risking fatal blow, magician was loosing. Torak stepped forward, observing his sister's duel with interest and commenting loudly how much worth would be living magician to legates. That disturbed enemy for a moment that his sister used to score decisive blow. She barked at him to tie wounds and arms of the prisoner. While rest of the warband returned quickly ... fools shouting one trough another about on what they will use their share of reward. Ruk'det laughed them off and spoke that if they will be lucky ... they will live the day. And orcs fell on each other, as it was common for greed to overcome fear of the superior. Torak's sister was dealing with them in her usual, brutal and efficient way. Torak kneeled by the wounded one and saw that these wounds were mortal, and without his best hidden secret, without his secret power
this stranger would die by the wayside like thousands of others. He considered for a moment
to let the stranger die ... just to mock his sister. And raised hood of the magician. For the
moment he was staring in amazement on the pale, alien features of an exotic woman with pointy ears and face more softer and delicate than the most prized human maiden he ever saw. Or had. And this spirit ... emanating from every curve, almost as strong as his own. He made his decision and muttered phrases remembered from old musty tomes from wich he learned trading tongue. Power flowed from his black hands into the lithe frameof woman lying on his knees. In meantime, he used strong alcohol to purify the wounds, raising moan of pain from elfless. Her breath stabilised and colours returned to her cheeks under power of Torak's magic. He were tired to no end, but smiled brightly when she opened her eyes. He winked to her and put a finger on his lips, while enjoying sight of her bright big eyes. So different from dull stares of humans, goblinoids and hateful glares of his fellow orcs. He didn't regretted that he put himself at risk by spending his power on healing her. He laid elf gently on the ground and charged on his sister, knowing that she wouldn't let elf to live. Ruk'det almost beheaded him with backswing, but he luckily managed to deflect the blow enough ... that hit didn't cost him life. While falling on the ground, he saw elf racing for the woods and smiled when blackness overcame him.

He avoke stripped of everything, hungry ... cold and in chains ! Several next days of slavery
taught him much more about life than ten years in his house, or several weeks on the patrol.
But why his sister sold him ? Did she hated him so much ? Indeed, his life was charmed ...
Until now.

Personality:
Depending on his shifty mood, Torak could be Your best buddy or bitterest enemy. His curiosity and open mind make him distinct from most other people, not only orcs. Very prideful he never take it lightly when mocked.
[/sblock]

Yes, DM. But my concepts are ... for now rather pathetic.

First: Crazy orc who isn't treated seriously by no one. His mother, a lesser captain, sent him to slave camp out of shame.

Second: Firstborn from orc noble family, read him momma was important priesstess/sister of priesstess, all in the family were regretting greatly that his twin sister wasn't first, mom raised him sheltered from outside world. Later, when twins started growing of age, his sis devolped muscles of a warrior ... and he devolped personality of a leader. Twins hated each other like dog and cat, sis was usually beating him up. Oneday, when they were grown up somewhat they went on patrol with group of other rabble. By wild chance they caught with elf-spy ... who blasted avay half of the warband with magic, before elf fell to Torak's twin sis's vardatch. To play contrary to her wishes, Torak proposed to keep uncousiouness and bleeding to death elf alive. For greater reward from Church. And when his sister "discussed" sharing reward with surviving orcs ... with her vardatch. Torak healed elf's wounds discreetly while applying foul orc medical "treatments". Elfess opened her eyes ... Torak smiled nicely to elf and laid his finger on his lips, before turning towards his sister And attacking her with his own vardatch. She knocked him out easily ... only to discover that elf dissapeared. So ... she slit throats of still living orcs, except her hated bro. Him she sold to slavers, not because of some sort of mercy, but their mother would detect if she would lied to her. And sis mistekenly thinks that Torak is mom's favorite. She reported, bleeding convicingly from numerous wounds, that her worthless brother was slain or kidnapped by elves who ambushed their patrol.

Uch ... You see for Yourself DM, I'm lacking orginal idea ... unfortunately. Is any of above acceptable ? :\

 

[hbarsquared]

Rikandur Azebol - It's an interesting background, having his sister sell him into slavery. I'll consider it.

 

[Rikandur Azebol]

Rikandur Azebol - It's an interesting background, having his sister sell him into slavery. I'll consider it.

Och, thank You DM but this is just a sketch. Classical unexpected hero then ?
Well, so I will take it now to write it nicely. With two, three pages at every swing of the vardatch ? Nooo, I'm just joking here. I will just try to write it up according to the rules.

 

[Zions Ghost]

Soon, very soon...

Thank you for concidering the character, and the changes should be fine. It was a little hard to write a background in a world I've never read about. I'll tweek him to fit the campaign. I wont be posting for a little while however, I'm getting married this Saturday. I'll post as soon as I get the books though.

Again...

Thanx,
ZG

 

[hbarsquared]

Is anyone else still planning on participating? There was a fairly large surge of interest two weeks ago . . . Where did you all go? :\

 

[Rikandur Azebol]

Of course. But writing bqackground of Torak proved bit more difficult that I thought, I beg for forgivness.

 

[hbarsquared]

Don't worry about it, Rikandur Azebol. My comments were not directed at you or Zions Ghost. There had been several other people that wanted to play, that I haven't heard from, and I was just checking to see if those might be interested.