Recruiting/Contest for NPCs in (Over)Zealous Paladins

I had some time on my hands as all of my games have come to a standstill. So I thought that I would give this a go. These are some (very) rough thoughts. I thought that I would get some input before pushing on. Some of the characters are not level 1, but I have tried to balance that with fault lines within the Hand that the PC's may be able to exploit.

The descriptors in brackets come from the diplomacy table, and relate to the characters relationship with G.

Not sure if I have really got what I was trying for here. So feel free to rip into it.

doghead
aka thotd

Alexi - paladin 2 (unfriendly) Sponsored by Olostivik, placed with G.'s hand in order to keep an eye on the young captain. A. has no authority over G., but his presence in the hand is a constant reminder to G. that Olostivik does. G. is aware of this and there is no love lost between the two men. Alexi does not believe all lycanthropes are evil, but does tend to feel that the onus is on them to prove that they are not a danger to the community.

Bannor - aristocrat 1 / paladin 1 (indifferent). B. is arrogant and cruel. Like G. he believes all lycanthropes should be killed (its simpler that way). B. dislikes G. but it is more a clash of personalities. B. is from an old aristocratic family, he is smooth and urban. G.'s crude and rude manner irritates B. ((use aristocrat for skills like perform (music and poetry), speak languages, perhaps knowledge history/geo. B. regularly like to show off his 'superior breeding".))

Cory - expert (miner) 2 / paladin 1 (friendly). Big and tough. Once a miner, Cory vowed to dedicate himself to Argyria after surviving a raid on the mine he was working in. Cory has little to say on the matter of lychanthropes, he chose the Silver Flame because it was Argyria's Order. But generally, he is a decent sort of person. Personally he doesn't care much for G., but believes his personal feelings come second to his duty to the Order. Cory is older than the others, and more mature. He has little interest in the politics of the order, he just wants to serve. ((perhaps should tie Cory's background to some form of attack by a lycanthrope - one goes postal in the mine?))

David - cleric 1. (helpful) D. was sponsored by Gerrington, and as such owes everything to his captain. D. followed his friend into the Order, and is fiercely loyal to G. He has no personal opinion about lycanthropes (or rather, his opinion is G.'s opinion), he follows his Captain's lead.

Eh'hdari - gnoll (no class levels)(indifferent?). OK. I just like gnolls. Plus they have white hair. That's got to count for something. Would need to think of a suitable 'in' for the character, assuming it isn't scratched. And flesh out relationship to G.. ((naming conventions for gnolls?))

Ferris - wizard 1 (friendly). F. is the son of a wealthy silversmith. Realising that his talents lay outside smithing, the family found a position for Ferris in the Order of the Silver Blade. A sizeable donation came with the young man. Ferris hasn't any experience of lycanthropes, he is just enamoured with the idea of hunting down and killing them with an glittering arsenal of silver weapons. If pushed, he would say that as silver is the metal of purity, then lycanthropes must be 'impure'. Favourite weapon is a crossbow with silver tipped bolts. F. is somewhat in awe of G., and his tales of daring do (mostly exaggerated)
 

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Gnolls in Keldon are granted citizenship at birth and aren't your typical run of the mill human haters/hunters. Same statistics, just different attitude. So including one isn't a difficulty. As for the level thing, it would have to stay at 1. The PC's are only lv 3 each and there's only two of them. Of course they won't be fighting all the NPC's at the same time (or maybe not at all) but I have to keep that in mind.
 
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My mind kind of got stuck on the idea of lycanthropes in the setting. So I thought I would share, and you can do with it as you please. Of course, if you choose to use any of it I would be most chuffed. Ironically, my first (and only) LEW character was a paladin of the Greenman.

As before, it still pretty rough.

Eve Undra

Eve is an underground organisation dedicated to helping and protecting lychanthropes. The organisation also offers those afflicted with the disease help in removing it if the person so desires. Ironically, the organisation also plays a significant role in fighting lycanthropes that are unable to live peacefully within their community.

The organisation is small and broken up into largely autonomous cells. Many, but not all members of the organisation are lycanthropes. While the organisation is independent, it has unofficial ties with both the Greenman and Rivka churches. Small sects within the two churches assist the organisation helping those with lycanthropy - either by providing healing in the case of the church of Rivka, or assistance in assimilation or destruction in the case of the Church of the Greenman.

Where the organisation runs across a lycanthrope bent on destruction, it is known to send it its own people to eliminate the individual to prevent it from further damaging the reputation of lycanthropes, resulting in a 'witchhunt'. In the name of protecting those seeking to live peacefully in the community.

* The Green Man God of Nature
Alignment: Neutral Good Domains: Animals, Strength, Nature
Favored Weapon: Scimitar Symbol: A green face surrounded by leaves
Domains: Beasts, Natural animals, rangers, scouts
Designation: Major

The Greenman's dominion over Beasts tends to make it sympathetic to the plight of lycanthropes. An unofficial set within the church does what it can to help those seeking to manage the condition, and to control those who se actions threaten to bring trouble to others.

A thought: Were-paladins of the Greenman perhaps have greater ability to control shape. i.e. replace immune to fear with auto-success for control shape, with +4 moral bonus to other lycanthropes within 10 feet attempting to do so. Also applies to saves made in attempting to cure lycanthropes?

* Rivka Goddess of Healing
Alignment: Neutral Good Domains: Healing, Magic, Good
Favored Weapon: None Symbol: A white circle with a red moon inside
Domains: Healing, Health, Apothecaries, magical healing
Designation: Major

Elements of the church sympathetic to the organisation provide healing for those wanting to rid themselves of the disease.

***

* Eskuun Goddess of the Moon
Alignment: Neutral Evil Domains: Evil, Travel, Air
Favored Weapon: Longbow Symbol: A crescent moon clenched in claw-like fist
Domains: Moon, Night, Darkness,
Designation: Major.

Within the church, lycanthropes are seen as children of the moon, and hence deserving of the churches protection. Eskuun is popular among lycanthropes angry at the world for they way they have been treated, and keen to use their power for their own benefit.
 

Jack of Tales said:
Gnolls in Keldon are granted citizenship at birth and aren't your typical run of the mill human haters/hunters. Same statistics, just different attitude. So including one isn't a difficulty. As for the level thing, it would have to stay at 1. The PC's are only lv 3 each and there's only two of them. Of course they won't be fighting all the NPC's at the same time (or maybe not at all) but I have to keep that in mind.

I was thinking straight out of the MM, with no class levels.

doghead
aka thotd
 

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