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Post by LabRat on Jul 8, 2012 11:14:44 GMT -6
Rolling HP-
[dice=12][rand=9198332022482453545806116986005132876065063303938668842890021075]
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Post by Rigil Kent on Jul 8, 2012 18:17:33 GMT -6
Am I guessing correctly that STR is going to be your big attribute? And what alignment? (Believe it or not, this does actually matter at the moment. )
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Post by LabRat on Jul 8, 2012 19:57:27 GMT -6
Her big attribute is wisdom and she's true neutral....... Just kidding, its strength and she's chaotic good. Full character with fleshed out story will be up tomorrow but if you have any more questions then let me know.
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Post by Rigil Kent on Jul 9, 2012 10:10:12 GMT -6
To better match the Houses in the city, we should considering tweaking this name to Devreaux. Essentially the same, but slightly different. Work for you?
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Post by LabRat on Jul 9, 2012 22:46:16 GMT -6
His name meant bringer of light. It was a good match, one of those rare occurrences where both sides would benefit substantially. We have a good name, one that has stood out as a bright mark in history. I grew up hearing the golden stories of old. I was proud to be considered a Devreaux. But as fine grains of sand would wear down granite, little by little our name was beginning to fade. Wars, famine, taxes; these were our grains of sand. It is a story that is more common than one would think. Older houses eventually find it more difficult to recover from tragic events than newer ones. And with my mother and father only able to bring me into the world, it was up to me to bring new life into our name. It was a good match, they said. My father made sure of it before he died. New money looking for old ties. Years of education and good breeding bolstered by my own personal sense of duty made me ready. But nothing could prepare me for the greatest gift my father could have given me. My father only wanted to give me a future of which I could be a part. Instead, he gave me Lucian. My Lucian. The first thing I noticed was his eyes. Eyes of warmth and kindness, ones that you could curl up in and feel safe. He always treated me with polite chivalry but his eyes told me more than words could possibly say. Our meetings were always short but oh, how sweet they were! Sweet nothings that nestled into my heart and settled into my bones. He wrote me every day. Telling me of the new lambs that had been born in the meadows near his home, the adventures of his travels and how he now wanted me to be a part of them; his promises of a wonderful new life. Every night I would fall asleep with a new letter clutched to my breast, wondering if our children would have Lucian’s eyes. Sometimes, however, Fate can be so cruel. What you think is a strong, tightly woven tapestry will come unraveled at the slightest tug of a thread. My family was summoned by Korvosan Guard regarding a matter of upmost importance. While milling through the crowd I heard whispers of what a shame it was, and how he didn’t deserve that fate. It wasn’t until I rounded the corner than I realized that fate was murder and the victim was Lucian. I ran to his side and suddenly I heard a scream. Only banshees could scream so terribly. It infiltrated my mind, causing me to fall to my knees. My body felt like it had shattered into a thousand pieces and all I could think of was that everything good and pure in the world had died with that scream. My Lucian wasn’t there anymore. I reached out for his hand, the one with the ring of his family crest, the ring that he promised to give me on our wedding day. The last thing I remember before darkness overcame my senses was noticing that the ring was missing from his finger. I later was told that I had to be subdued by the guards due to my hysterics. And that the scream that I heard was ripped from my very own throat. After Lucian’s death, my mother called me to her bedchamber. She had fallen ill and her fever increased by the day. With labored breath she spoke slowly but deliberately. Please, she said, please keep the integrity of your father’s decision. With Lucian gone, his younger brother Merek is now the heir. The union of our families will still be honored if you marry him. Please, marry him and secure your future. And so I did what anyone in my position would do; I simply did what I was told. To my sorrow, my mother didn’t live to see the wedding. While Lucian’s death was a savage shock, my mother’s death held pain with constant pervasiveness. I had little to do with Merek before our wedding. I was still mourning his brother and my mother, but there was some hope that this union might one day see me happy. How wrong I was. Where Lucian was the embodiment of light, Merek harbored a great darkness. Prone to gambling and drink he was a force of ruin. Cold eyed and vicious, he was quick to strike out with both tongue and hand. What was heralded to be Devreaux’s salvation ended up being my destruction. Without family, my fate was sealed; I belonged to Merek. He borrowed and squandered for one more taste of alcohol or round of cards. Fortunately, Merek was long set in his ways. I found him one morning in his chambers. His pale body stiff and cold with ruminations filling his mouth. I imagined he asphyxiated. I remember standing there over his body and feeling absolutely nothing. No joy or horror or satisfaction: simply nothing. The doctors would later tell me that my miscarriage was due to the shock of my husband’s death. However, I think that once The Creator saw Merek’s soul he decided that Merek’s progeny shouldn’t be able to curse the earth. I fought tooth and nail to keep my father’s lands. The High Court wanted me to remarry in order to keep everything but I couldn’t bring my broken self to do that. In the end Merek’s wealth went back into his family, to some distant third cousin. Most of my father’s land went to the court. I was left with my title, the main house, and what was left of my now meager dowry. It wasn’t much, but I was free. Free and terribly alone. How I wish I could convey what a shock that was to me. Halls that were once bright and filled with boisterous laughter and music now held only silence and the weak glow of a single candle. Someone that was once shackled to her duty and keeping up appearances couldn’t deal with the ability to come and go as she pleased. The concept of freedom was so vast it was smothering. Compiled with the fact that I had to deal with it alone? Well, that weighed on my very soul. So instead of exploring my freedom, I kept to the house. In the dark and the quiet, I kept reliving the fetid shadows that blanketed my mind; Merek’s cruel smile whenever he reached for me, Lucian’s eyes devoid of life, my mother, burning bright with fever, pleading. It was all so much, in so little time. Without plan or purpose, I ate and slept little. In the end, I was becoming Devreaux’s ghost. It was some time later when I met my salvation. I did have one thing that kept me from teetering off the edge and into the abyss; Lucian’s missing ring. I hired runners to gather information for me on the whereabouts of Lucian’s ring. They tracked the ring to a merchant’s shop. In the end I left the shop with the name of the seller, a name that held promise. Now I have a purpose but I was at a loss as to how to obtain a means. On the way home I was so lost in thought that it took me a moment to register the sight before me. It jerked me so violently from my reverie that I felt a physical jolt. Standing before me were warriors, and they were the embodiment of beauty. Consider the typical paragon, in full cumbersome armor, needing help by three squires to get on his bad tempered destrier. He charges heedlessly into battle, swinging and hacking and praying to The Creator that luck is on his side and he can fight another day. Yes, wars are won and lost on the backs of these heroes, but these people before me were unlike anything I have ever seen. They were learning to be skilled Warblades. Warriors who valued the sheer thrill of battle and the skill needed to become one with their weapon. They relied on meditation and the freedom of movement to overcome their foe. They were a part of something bigger than themselves and I very much wanted to join them. And I realized, with an almost hysterical giggle, that I could! Unfortunately, dark thoughts clouded my mind, squelching out my hope. Right now, I couldn’t afford to buy a sword. In fact I sold most of the armory because I didn’t have use for it. All I had left is my father’s favorite weapon; SoulSunder. I soon found that the limitations of the blade pales to the versatility of SoulSunder. And like my father, I could see strength where most people only saw crudity. I have always been strong, which now gives me balance and poise to master an otherwise unruly weapon. I now hone my skills while I wait for answers. For while I cannot promise a future legacy made of flesh and blood, I can promise I will do everything to uphold my family name in the annals of time. And so, I vow to give my house and my name the greatest gift in its hour of need: A Hero. Attachments:
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Post by LabRat on Jul 9, 2012 22:47:27 GMT -6
2nd Level Character Sheet Attachments:
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Post by Rigil Kent on Jul 10, 2012 8:45:37 GMT -6
Very nice! +200 xp for the excellent background story.
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Post by LabRat on Jul 10, 2012 11:23:38 GMT -6
Horray! Taking out recent events would you consider their house to be lesser-noble or noble (meaning would their home be located in Citadel Crest or Cliffside)?
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Post by Rigil Kent on Jul 10, 2012 11:35:13 GMT -6
More likely Cliffside.
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Post by LabRat on Jul 10, 2012 20:39:58 GMT -6
I had some extra time so I made a brief history of House Devreaux complete with a family coat of arms. Please excuse my painfully inadequate photoshop skills. Brief Devreaux History -It has been told that the Devreaux line can be traced to the early days where a civilian farmer Aalok and his brother, Gilad Devereaux, volunteered to fight in a power struggle between field marshal Korvosa and Admiral Mercatio Kiameleu. Though evidence is sketchy at best, their stories have rallied future generations to take up arms against foes of their leaders. Most male Devreauxs will serve in the military during some point in their lives. Many will consider it their career and achieve a respectable rank. It can be confirmed that Devreauxs were present during the three Mainshore Battles against the long rivaled Shoanti and in the Cousins’ War. Due to their hazardous occupation, Devreauxs were encouraged to marry early and produce offspring before starting their military career. Female Devreauxs were taught that it was their duty to the family to produce viable offspring to keep the line going. A single war could create a bottleneck in the Devreaux population. Because of this Devreauxs are often nicknamed the Widower’s Family. A marriage of note would be when Liam Devreaux began courting Isolda Morrell, the daughter of a wealthy fishing merchant in 4535. The Morrell family established key trade routes along the waters of Korvosa soon after it established ties with the mainland in 4445. Over time they expanded the scope of their wares to include the shipping of black marble cargo from Janderhoff in late 4533. By that time they had a large armada suited to capitalize on the black marble market. Both families would consider Liam and Isolda’s wedding a union of two very powerful families. Now with a long established record of honorary service and financial backing the Devreaux’s became recognized and granted nobility by the King. They were given holdings in Cliffside. A Dvereaux has remained in house for well over a century. Unfortunately, due to a series of misfortunes and a dip in birthrate, the last male Devreaux perished when his boat capsized during a storm. Since he was too young to take a wife the High Court granted the title to his older sister’s husband Breos Starkweather. Starkweathers have retained the title Devreaux for the last fifty years and three generations. The last known offspring being Aria Starkweather. Devreaux Crest -When making the house crest Liam Devreaux consulted the Morrell family as a way to honor their joining. The crest colors are azure and biscuit representing the waters and shore of Korvosa. The two bottom symbols represent their respective families. Three fish in the shape of an Ouroboros represents the sustainability of the sea merchant’s craft, while a rampant white unicorn represented the strength, valor, and purity of battle. The two symbols representing their respective families are located at the bottom to symbolize upholding the crown of the King and the glory of Korvosa. Their motto Soleres Pro Vis roughly translates to Skill before Force. Attachments:
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Post by Gigermann on Jul 12, 2012 14:54:00 GMT -6
A spiked chain as an ancestral weapon of a noble-status family feels weird to me.
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Post by Rigil Kent on Jul 12, 2012 15:34:18 GMT -6
Given that the family traces itself to commoners, I wasn't going to make a fuss, but I am curious: why a spiked chain?
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Post by LabRat on Jul 12, 2012 16:18:32 GMT -6
Hrm, lets see.... spend time vacuuming the house or create a legendary item background story.
Out of Character answer is this: I've been interested in playing a crusader for a while but I wanted to use a different weapon. I like the idea of a chain because of its versatility, the fact it has reach, and how I can apply it to tactical combat. Rigil gave me the opportunity with a Warblade noble and so I took it. I knew that it would be a bit of a stretch but I figured that I could make it work (Honestly, I was amazed the time it took for anyone to point it out). I thought that as long as I made this weapon special to the family, have a character that has been basically reduced to nothing, was a lesser noble with commoner ties, and since she was female, she wouldn't have a deep seeded notion that she had to use a blade (i.e. if she were male the proclivity would be much higher since the character would probably be expected to master swordplay starting when they are very young). With this reasoning I figured that my character having a chain wouldn't raise too many eyebrows.
If you want the in character reason the story is below:
I have never been an entirely religious man. I prefer self-reliance than convenient religious salvation. I say convenient only because that is what mere mortals make of it. They are quick to curse or fall on their knees only in their hour of need. That is why holy conviction is so strong on a dying man’s lips. I uttered no such thing; my only thought was the well-being of my wife and daughter. In the final moment I felt a tug and I replied by tugging back harder. To this day I am not entirely sure what I am or where I am. The images before me are always washed out and distorted. In the beginning I thought I was going mad, but after a time I realized I was looking into a mortal plane of which I could never again be a part. There has been a few times in which the film of distortion has all but dissolved. I could see my darling wife for a brief moment. She had been ill for several days and over time she was becoming clearer to me. I remember her hair, golden locks spilling over the pillow, her soft mouth, and eyes that were unnaturally bright. In the end she was so real to me that I could hold her hand, and then in the next instant she was gone. My hand was empty and Aria’s sobs filled my ears.
A short while later I feared for Aria’s well being too. After her marriage to that blackguard Merek, I could start to see her. Day by day her shadow became outlined, and that outline was filling in. To my horror she was becoming real to me; too real. I refused to believe that Aria was following the same path as her mother. My wife was sick, but alas, I presume Aria had an illness that went beyond the flesh and bone. Her heart was broken, and her soul would not mend. I wanted to reach out to her, to give her comfort. Instead I wait for the day that I could hold her for the briefest of moments before she too is gone from me forever. I had all but given up hope until the day she reached for SoulSunder and had that look on her face. Being her father, I am well familiar with that look. It is the same look she had when she refused any more language lessons until she could start fencing lessons, or when she wanted to hear one more Devreax tale of glory before bed, or when she wanted to ride my mount, Wayfarer, instead of her pony. To her mother’s chagrin, Aria received a well-rounded education, clearly outside the realms of being a lady. When she picked up SoulSunder, I knew what she wanted to do, and I couldn’t have been more proud.
SoulSunder is the representation of an enigma turned deadly. It is my reminder that those things which bind can in turn liberate. On the fateful night I was attacked by a band of men. To this day I do not know what they wanted or who they were. I only knew that they beat me and bound me with chains. I could tell they were a bunch of lackeys because they kept saying that their master wanted me alive. Nearly unconscious, I was thrown on a sway-backed nag and taken to a place I know not where. Over time I gained my senses and about mid-way through, when they had to change for fresh horses, I saw my opportunity. In order for me to balance across the back of the horse they bound my hands in front of me, instead of behind; a fatal error. I don’t know if they assumed I would stay unconscious or be little trouble but when helped they helped me slide off the horse, I was able to make my move. My hands now acted like a bludgeoning weapon. I fought for my life, and soon four men were lying on the ground. I stole a horse and thankfully was able to find my way back home. I sent out runners to try to see if there was a specific link between me and these men. They came back with little answers and the abduction was chalked up to thieves holding the wealthy for ransom.
However, I value a good sense of irony, so I took the very chains that bound me and had my blacksmith create SoulSunder. It has served me very well over time and I know it will also serve my daughter, for what is more powerful than a weapon forged with a lesson? I do not know entirely what the future holds, but having SoulSunder is like having me there with her. For now I can only watch and I hope. I hope that Aria will once again fade from my eyes, and return to the land of distortion.
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Post by Gigermann on Jul 12, 2012 17:17:27 GMT -6
If you needed the excuse, I was thinking that if it were "destined" (that is, "you planned to") to become Morphing, you could say it was supposed to be a sword, and you just don't know how to change it back yet—maybe it was dispelled?
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Post by Rigil Kent on Jul 12, 2012 17:21:24 GMT -6
It's a fantasy world. You're playing a half-drow ninja whose shinobi clan is almost entirely drow. I think we can excuse a noblewoman using a spiked chain.
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Post by Gigermann on Jul 12, 2012 17:38:32 GMT -6
Just throwing that out there, in case it didn't occur. Don't really care, either way.
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Post by LabRat on Jul 13, 2012 12:20:02 GMT -6
It's a fantasy world. You're playing a half-drow ninja whose shinobi clan is almost entirely drow. I think we can excuse a noblewoman using a spiked chain. Thank you. I was going to say the same thing but I didn't want to come off as being snarky.
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Post by LabRat on Jul 15, 2012 11:15:19 GMT -6
Starkweather Wish/Shopping List:
So far my needs are few but expensive so I am not expecting them anytime soon
1 Crystal of Lesser Return (MIC 65) 2. Mithral full plate 3. Typical things fighters would have that boost Str and Con 4. A club....for clubbin' things (or anything else that has bludgeoning dmg)
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Post by LabRat on Jul 28, 2012 16:27:41 GMT -6
Yeah rolling for third level character a week early but I have some time today!
[dice=12][rand=91415984590946256643658275763717575269125488717538149294636936]
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Post by LabRat on Jul 28, 2012 16:28:04 GMT -6
BOOM!!
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Post by LabRat on Aug 3, 2012 15:14:58 GMT -6
Since I think I will step on a 221 XP bug on the way home from the Green Dagger's Hideout... I think I'll just post this now... Attachments:
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Post by LabRat on Aug 31, 2012 23:44:37 GMT -6
Level 4 HP
[dice=12][rand=0605053587645832954019168069314865793505632750881725059909286301751]
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Post by Rigil Kent on Sept 1, 2012 9:38:31 GMT -6
Well that was disappointing, eh?
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Post by LabRat on Sept 1, 2012 12:13:04 GMT -6
Yeah, law of averages and all that :/
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Post by LabRat on Sept 4, 2012 19:38:24 GMT -6
New Character sheet! I picked up the Absolute Steel stance (ToB 66) and put the extra attribute point into Str. Would have liked to have seen over 50hp but, oh well, maybe next time. Attachments:
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Post by LabRat on Sept 13, 2012 22:16:21 GMT -6
During down time Aria is buying a halberd, heavy flail, and a belt of healing.
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Post by LabRat on Sept 16, 2012 19:15:15 GMT -6
Just FYI, Aria is taking Ruby Nightmare Blade (ToB 65) due to her EL 5 circlet of awesomeness.
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Post by Rigil Kent on Sept 17, 2012 8:57:59 GMT -6
Oh, man, that is a wicked awesome maneuver...
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Post by LabRat on Sept 17, 2012 9:30:20 GMT -6
Yeah, I like it because it is a high risk, high reward. Not only do you have to essentially 'hit' your opponent twice but if you fail your concentration check you take a penalty to hit. However, if Aria makes it, then she would be doing some serious damage. Some of the other maneuvers seem really overpowered so I like the fact that this one is more 'fair'.
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Post by LabRat on Oct 11, 2012 12:05:21 GMT -6
I am going to work on my character tonight since we are close to leveling. So here is level 5 HP:
[dice=12][rand=016916819137224648692170404099134320681899605049045150413300374614]
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