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So I want to try and get into character so I'm trying to bring myself to the game. I tried playing races other than human but it just feels wierd to me and I just can't get into it. I want to try and port myself over to the game so when I role-play I only have to think about what I would do rather than my character. I did something like this in other games with some success so I thought I'd try it here.
I have a Scandinavian/Germanic heritage
I am of average height. Slightly overwieght
I'm slightly disabled making me physically weaker and slower than others
I am however more intelligent than the average person
I'm currently in school for business. I plan to run a printshop out of school
I play chess and read books from my collections in my spare time
Based on this I usually play a dwarf because of Norse mythology and they usually have a penalty to agility like I do. That is not the case here and some races I've never seen in another game. Are there any race experts that can lend a hand. Elotheans seem like a choice but I don't know.
I can't wait till I try to place myself in a guild. I was thinking Moon Mage or Trader.
>Based on this I usually play a dwarf because of Norse mythology and they usually have a penalty to agility like I do. That is not the case here...
I'm not sure what you mean here, but Elanthian Dwarves do have an agility (and Reflex) penalty. Plus signs are bad, minus signs are good. They aren't very Norse, if that's what you meant.
Kaldar, perhaps? They're definitely not average height (and even share the Giantmen race portraits from Gemstone) and vaguely Scandinavian. But they're also rather physically awesome.
"...I am inclined to think the focus of the [Warmage's] spellbook should be ways to make things explode, to help you make things explode, or to assist your victim in exploding." -Armifer
I'm not sure what you mean here, but Elanthian Dwarves do have an agility (and Reflex) penalty. Plus signs are bad, minus signs are good. They aren't very Norse, if that's what you meant.
Kaldar, perhaps? They're definitely not average height (and even share the Giantmen race portraits from Gemstone) and vaguely Scandinavian. But they're also rather physically awesome.
"...I am inclined to think the focus of the [Warmage's] spellbook should be ways to make things explode, to help you make things explode, or to assist your victim in exploding." -Armifer
Kaldar are basically nords in my mind.
I'd also like to point out that projecting yourself into a character excessively will only lead to tears if and when someone does something negative to that character.
Rev. Reene
"...[gods] are symbols in a way that no human being, however 'archetypal', can ever be. They are actors playing parts that are real only for us; they are the masks behind which we see our own faces."
I'd also like to point out that projecting yourself into a character excessively will only lead to tears if and when someone does something negative to that character.
Rev. Reene
"...[gods] are symbols in a way that no human being, however 'archetypal', can ever be. They are actors playing parts that are real only for us; they are the masks behind which we see our own faces."
A few recommendations.
Firstly there's books with backstory for most of the races - you can find them on Elanthipedia.com
Even the DR races that aren't unique to the setting vary from the stereotype in interesting ways.
Second - Basing your character isn't a bad idea to start off with if you just want to get the hang of it, but don't worry about doing it too exactly. Just use it as a starting point and let it grow from there.
For example when I started Mozzik about a decade ago he was really something of a caricature of my own interests, my interest in space/stars, probability, somewhat sarcastic and logical nature. While he's retained those characteristics, his character has evolved and as circumstances have dictated (actually to such a degree I can barely remember some of the stuff he's done, ten years is a long time. I recommend a character journal - something I've never done but really should - for just that reason). Of course this mostly just means that he ends up sharing another characteristic I have - a really poor memory for names and faces, but a good memory for facts and trivia.
Anyhow - use yourself as a starting point and just look for growth opportunies form there, and don't feel like you need to take everything from yourself as a whole. Just pick a few characteristics, and let it evolve from there. Maybe you'll end up having your first death experience hunting goblins and develop a paranoia of them. Or an everlasting hatred. Maybe you'll suffer a near death experience hunting rats and your character decides combat really isn't for him and turns into a coward. Maybe you'll meet someone who RPs a really persuasive cleric of a God who converts you to a God you never would have considered for your character.
Basically just tuck a few starting ideas away and let your character grow from there. Occasionally check in and evaluate where your character growth has taken you. Is it consistent? It is what you want to play? How can you enhance the parts that work? Should you discard some parts that aren't working? Can you find an IC way to do it (this isn't needed, but is nice when you can).
As an example I've started a few new characters lately. I don't have them fully fleshed out, I haven't played them enough yet, but this is the sort of stuff I think of.
Cleric - S'kra worshiper of Ushnish (A dark aspect). Wears plate and fights with a pike (Actually a halberd, since pikes are kinda lame right now - but a pike was the first idea). That was about it to start with.
I had trouble pinning down the race too. I started with trying to find a rarer cleric race, I considered a Kaldar or Rakash for their unique god structure, and knew I wanted a physically tougher character - but decided against Rakash since I'd just made a Rakash empath, and couldn't quite get into the Kaldar gods (I was turned off by the lack of their mechanical support). S'kra was a less popular cleric race, I hadn't played one in awhile and Ushnish seemed like a rarely worshiped God, and I was somewhat inspired by the recent spell Fire of Ushnish.
Since then I got a bunch of shifts done and decided he was very large and brawy, mostly a battle cleric, and have picked up some more strength based weapons as that's his current emphasis. He's not terribly subtle and of averageish intelligence. I still need to refine his personality, but it's a starting place. Notably I haven't decided why he worships Ushnish yet - he's not an evil character.
Dartenian says, "The thing that makes Dragon Dance king is that it pretty much bonuses every single that can possibly be buffed for combat. Including at least two things that don't even exist."
Firstly there's books with backstory for most of the races - you can find them on Elanthipedia.com
Even the DR races that aren't unique to the setting vary from the stereotype in interesting ways.
Second - Basing your character isn't a bad idea to start off with if you just want to get the hang of it, but don't worry about doing it too exactly. Just use it as a starting point and let it grow from there.
For example when I started Mozzik about a decade ago he was really something of a caricature of my own interests, my interest in space/stars, probability, somewhat sarcastic and logical nature. While he's retained those characteristics, his character has evolved and as circumstances have dictated (actually to such a degree I can barely remember some of the stuff he's done, ten years is a long time. I recommend a character journal - something I've never done but really should - for just that reason). Of course this mostly just means that he ends up sharing another characteristic I have - a really poor memory for names and faces, but a good memory for facts and trivia.
Anyhow - use yourself as a starting point and just look for growth opportunies form there, and don't feel like you need to take everything from yourself as a whole. Just pick a few characteristics, and let it evolve from there. Maybe you'll end up having your first death experience hunting goblins and develop a paranoia of them. Or an everlasting hatred. Maybe you'll suffer a near death experience hunting rats and your character decides combat really isn't for him and turns into a coward. Maybe you'll meet someone who RPs a really persuasive cleric of a God who converts you to a God you never would have considered for your character.
Basically just tuck a few starting ideas away and let your character grow from there. Occasionally check in and evaluate where your character growth has taken you. Is it consistent? It is what you want to play? How can you enhance the parts that work? Should you discard some parts that aren't working? Can you find an IC way to do it (this isn't needed, but is nice when you can).
As an example I've started a few new characters lately. I don't have them fully fleshed out, I haven't played them enough yet, but this is the sort of stuff I think of.
Cleric - S'kra worshiper of Ushnish (A dark aspect). Wears plate and fights with a pike (Actually a halberd, since pikes are kinda lame right now - but a pike was the first idea). That was about it to start with.
I had trouble pinning down the race too. I started with trying to find a rarer cleric race, I considered a Kaldar or Rakash for their unique god structure, and knew I wanted a physically tougher character - but decided against Rakash since I'd just made a Rakash empath, and couldn't quite get into the Kaldar gods (I was turned off by the lack of their mechanical support). S'kra was a less popular cleric race, I hadn't played one in awhile and Ushnish seemed like a rarely worshiped God, and I was somewhat inspired by the recent spell Fire of Ushnish.
Since then I got a bunch of shifts done and decided he was very large and brawy, mostly a battle cleric, and have picked up some more strength based weapons as that's his current emphasis. He's not terribly subtle and of averageish intelligence. I still need to refine his personality, but it's a starting place. Notably I haven't decided why he worships Ushnish yet - he's not an evil character.
Dartenian says, "The thing that makes Dragon Dance king is that it pretty much bonuses every single that can possibly be buffed for combat. Including at least two things that don't even exist."
>> Notably I haven't decided why he worships Ushnish yet - he's not an evil character.
I've said this before, but it bears repeating: Normal/most people in Elanthia appease dark gods, they don't attempt to emulate or invoke them.
So if you want a neutral-to-good character, be one that worships Ushnish to appease him.
My lawful-good-esque S'Kra does the same thing, since she worships the whole S'Kra god triad.
Rev. Reene
"...[gods] are symbols in a way that no human being, however 'archetypal', can ever be. They are actors playing parts that are real only for us; they are the masks behind which we see our own faces."
I've said this before, but it bears repeating: Normal/most people in Elanthia appease dark gods, they don't attempt to emulate or invoke them.
So if you want a neutral-to-good character, be one that worships Ushnish to appease him.
My lawful-good-esque S'Kra does the same thing, since she worships the whole S'Kra god triad.
Rev. Reene
"...[gods] are symbols in a way that no human being, however 'archetypal', can ever be. They are actors playing parts that are real only for us; they are the masks behind which we see our own faces."
Ayup.
You can see that from the default pray to Ushnish (for example). Not logged in atm but the gist is "please, please, don't smash us with volcanos and earthquakes and whatnot. Please?"
Dartenian says, "The thing that makes Dragon Dance king is that it pretty much bonuses every single that can possibly be buffed for combat. Including at least two things that don't even exist."
You can see that from the default pray to Ushnish (for example). Not logged in atm but the gist is "please, please, don't smash us with volcanos and earthquakes and whatnot. Please?"
Dartenian says, "The thing that makes Dragon Dance king is that it pretty much bonuses every single that can possibly be buffed for combat. Including at least two things that don't even exist."
keep in mind that you're role-playing somewhat like an actor plays a role. Although in RL actors are limited in certain respects that they're not going to get some huge guy to play a tiny person, and vice-versa -- here you can play anything. And even having them be the opposite of yourself personality-wise can be fun as well. And you don't have to be confined by gender, physical size, health or longetivity.
As an example, in RL I'm fairly much a goody-two-shoes law-abiding citizen. Whereas my main character in prime is a rather notorious thief that will steal anything that isn't nailed down, and if it is nailed down she'll steal a crowbar. So whatever you decide to do, have fun with it.
The undead hordes would like to take this moment to remind you that they are quite happy to eat your brains so that you may test new depart.Please consider it.Hugs and kisses, Team Necro.
As an example, in RL I'm fairly much a goody-two-shoes law-abiding citizen. Whereas my main character in prime is a rather notorious thief that will steal anything that isn't nailed down, and if it is nailed down she'll steal a crowbar. So whatever you decide to do, have fun with it.
The undead hordes would like to take this moment to remind you that they are quite happy to eat your brains so that you may test new depart.Please consider it.Hugs and kisses, Team Necro.
Some good advice here!
Try not to take things here too seriously: Just because a Character is a total jerk doesn't necessarily mean the player is.
If you want a character with characteristics you are already familiar with, you could try Kaldar (The Germanic-Nordic part), Gnome (nimble minds, but physically not strong as a rule), or Dwarf (Physically strong, but not really agile). Or if you want to go outside the box so to speak, try any of the other races. And keep in mind that Adventurers (The characters you see and interact with) are by their nature extraordinary people- so you don't have to be confined by perceived norms. For instance, in Prime my top character is an elf- one that is actually fairly strong for her race at that. I play that out because during her early development she was close friends with a number of Togs (Physically quite powerful), and for a while after that she kept company with several barbarians- who have to be strong to do what they do.
Or you could just stick with middle-of-the-road human and experiment to see what really appeals to you.
Good luck!
Sometimes the key to happiness is not assuming it is locked in the first place- Ziggy
A journey of a thousand SMILES begins with a single step- Ziggy
Try not to take things here too seriously: Just because a Character is a total jerk doesn't necessarily mean the player is.
If you want a character with characteristics you are already familiar with, you could try Kaldar (The Germanic-Nordic part), Gnome (nimble minds, but physically not strong as a rule), or Dwarf (Physically strong, but not really agile). Or if you want to go outside the box so to speak, try any of the other races. And keep in mind that Adventurers (The characters you see and interact with) are by their nature extraordinary people- so you don't have to be confined by perceived norms. For instance, in Prime my top character is an elf- one that is actually fairly strong for her race at that. I play that out because during her early development she was close friends with a number of Togs (Physically quite powerful), and for a while after that she kept company with several barbarians- who have to be strong to do what they do.
Or you could just stick with middle-of-the-road human and experiment to see what really appeals to you.
Good luck!
Sometimes the key to happiness is not assuming it is locked in the first place- Ziggy
A journey of a thousand SMILES begins with a single step- Ziggy
>>Try not to take things here too seriously: Just because a Character is a total jerk doesn't necessarily mean the player is.
What? Everyone who plays a horribly bad mean character in DR has to be the biggest jerk IRL. Look at me.
- Korsik Rippentropp, Most Noble Paladine
Crusader against the Innocent
Defender of All That is Wrong in Elanthia
What? Everyone who plays a horribly bad mean character in DR has to be the biggest jerk IRL. Look at me.
- Korsik Rippentropp, Most Noble Paladine
Crusader against the Innocent
Defender of All That is Wrong in Elanthia
Thanks for all the advice. I don't take things seriously at all. It's just a game. It's just kinda wierd trying something like roleplaying. I see my character as me so naturally he is never going to be a criminal and such. I try to make my characters reflect me because it helps keep the wierdness factor down in my mind. I guess it all comes down with me getting into character and playing another mind. Never could do that. I could try playing my exact opposite and see if that helps. I don't know. Thanks for all the advice. I guess this is still up in the air. I wonder if taking a class in acting would help.:)
>>Thanks for all the advice. I don't take things seriously at all. It's just a game. It's just kinda wierd trying something like roleplaying. I see my character as me so naturally he is never going to be a criminal and such. I try to make my characters reflect me because it helps keep the wierdness factor down in my mind. I guess it all comes down with me getting into character and playing another mind. Never could do that. I could try playing my exact opposite and see if that helps. I don't know. Thanks for all the advice. I guess this is still up in the air. I wonder if taking a class in acting would help.:)
I find thinking too hard about it makes it well...hard. Just relax try to enjoy yourself and ease into the character. Even if your character is or isn't you if you make it a character you would enjoy playing and pretending to be it becomes natural.
My character has gone through a lot of character development and looking back at all the changes he's made, I realize I barely thought about it at all.
Then again the hardest part is creating the foundations for your character to build on, and I think you're off to a good start.
I find thinking too hard about it makes it well...hard. Just relax try to enjoy yourself and ease into the character. Even if your character is or isn't you if you make it a character you would enjoy playing and pretending to be it becomes natural.
My character has gone through a lot of character development and looking back at all the changes he's made, I realize I barely thought about it at all.
Then again the hardest part is creating the foundations for your character to build on, and I think you're off to a good start.
Thanks, and it look like I've got a long road ahead of me. I'm trying to get something on paper, but it's tougher than I thought. The hardest part is consistency. I seem to go off on tangents and it doesn't make sense all the time. Then again this is the first time I've ever done something like this.
Don't overthink it, especially if it's giving you problems.
Come up with a vague, general idea of what kind of experience you want to have. Don't cling to it, but have something in mind. Then just go play with it. Roll with whatever happens. Roleplaying is meant to be a cooperative storytelling experience; all you can really do is figure out how your character might react to things, then go tell your part of the story.
Rev. Reene
"...[gods] are symbols in a way that no human being, however 'archetypal', can ever be. They are actors playing parts that are real only for us; they are the masks behind which we see our own faces."
Come up with a vague, general idea of what kind of experience you want to have. Don't cling to it, but have something in mind. Then just go play with it. Roll with whatever happens. Roleplaying is meant to be a cooperative storytelling experience; all you can really do is figure out how your character might react to things, then go tell your part of the story.
Rev. Reene
"...[gods] are symbols in a way that no human being, however 'archetypal', can ever be. They are actors playing parts that are real only for us; they are the masks behind which we see our own faces."
>>Come up with a vague, general idea of what kind of experience you want to have. Don't cling to it, but have something in mind. Then just go play with it. Roll with whatever happens. Roleplaying is meant to be a cooperative storytelling experience; all you can really do is figure out how your character might react to things, then go tell your part of the story.
^^ This. Characters and creatures change as they adapt to circumstances, so don't bother with overthinking: A vague idea is enough.
Sometimes the key to happiness is not assuming it is locked in the first place- Ziggy
A journey of a thousand SMILES begins with a single step- Ziggy
^^ This. Characters and creatures change as they adapt to circumstances, so don't bother with overthinking: A vague idea is enough.
Sometimes the key to happiness is not assuming it is locked in the first place- Ziggy
A journey of a thousand SMILES begins with a single step- Ziggy
My advice is this: Pick a human, and figure out the game first.
This is assuming you're new to DR.
Trying to figure out a character backstory/personality at the same time as you try to master the large learning curve of the game is often a recipe for disaster.
Go to events, watch others. If you see someone doing something that makes you go "hey that's what I want to do!" make note of their race, and perhaps approach them OOC to find out the whys of their behavior.
I'm not saying don't roleplay starting out, but don't freak out about it. Everything takes time.
Magic's Death Caraamon Makdasi,
Gor'Tog Barbarian
Hunta Talna Kortok, built by Gor'Togs, for Gor'Togs
http://www.angelfire.com/rpg2/caraamon/home.html
Weapon Combo Balance List
http://www.angelfire.com/rpg2/caraamon/balance.xls
This is assuming you're new to DR.
Trying to figure out a character backstory/personality at the same time as you try to master the large learning curve of the game is often a recipe for disaster.
Go to events, watch others. If you see someone doing something that makes you go "hey that's what I want to do!" make note of their race, and perhaps approach them OOC to find out the whys of their behavior.
I'm not saying don't roleplay starting out, but don't freak out about it. Everything takes time.
Magic's Death Caraamon Makdasi,
Gor'Tog Barbarian
Hunta Talna Kortok, built by Gor'Togs, for Gor'Togs
http://www.angelfire.com/rpg2/caraamon/home.html
Weapon Combo Balance List
http://www.angelfire.com/rpg2/caraamon/balance.xls
>Thanks, and it look like I've got a long road ahead of me. I'm trying to get something on paper, but it's tougher than I thought. The hardest part is consistency. I seem to go off on tangents and it doesn't make sense all the time. Then again this is the first time I've ever done something like this.
Don't get bogged down in the details. Just go basic background and let the character's experiences in game build the character.
By basic, I mean just figure out where you are from. Who are your parents? Do you have siblings, cousins, uncles? Come up with one scary and one happy event from your childhood or youth that makes you who you are. Do you have a childhood friend? Come up with a weakness. Come up with your attitude or how your character would react to basic things.
You don't need your entire history to start. Sometimes just going with whatever comes into your head at the time is just as much fun.
~Faih
Don't get bogged down in the details. Just go basic background and let the character's experiences in game build the character.
By basic, I mean just figure out where you are from. Who are your parents? Do you have siblings, cousins, uncles? Come up with one scary and one happy event from your childhood or youth that makes you who you are. Do you have a childhood friend? Come up with a weakness. Come up with your attitude or how your character would react to basic things.
You don't need your entire history to start. Sometimes just going with whatever comes into your head at the time is just as much fun.
~Faih
My advice for new characters is to think about a single personality trait or piece of a biographical sketch you want to run with ("Smiles at inappropriate times." "Mother was a practicing Warrior Mage." "Mortally afraid of causing offense.") and build from there. You do not need to know where he was born or what he was doing for some-odd decades before he enters the game, because there is no functional difference between an answer you don't have and minutae nobody else will ask about.
Honestly, the first impulse of a new roleplayer is often the exact opposite danger: loading up the character with so much history and oddities that the character ends up reading like a soap opera.
-Armifer
<Kvlt> Step 1: Want stuff! Step 2: Be ambitious! Step 3: Believe in the ability of your fellow man to carry you to heights you are too incompetent to reach alone.
Honestly, the first impulse of a new roleplayer is often the exact opposite danger: loading up the character with so much history and oddities that the character ends up reading like a soap opera.
-Armifer
<Kvlt> Step 1: Want stuff! Step 2: Be ambitious! Step 3: Believe in the ability of your fellow man to carry you to heights you are too incompetent to reach alone.
>> Honestly, the first impulse of a new roleplayer is often the exact opposite danger: loading up the character with so much history and oddities that the character ends up reading like a soap opera.
This is true.
It's more fun to go in with a general idea of your character, then fill in the history as you go. You can still have a framework if that framework will be important to your character but it's by no means necessary.
Cael has an extremely fleshed out backstory, but it's something that I spent the last seven years writing. When I started the character all I really had in mind was "gypsy, raised by mother, worships Kerenhappuch." Oh how times change...
Rev. Reene
"...[gods] are symbols in a way that no human being, however 'archetypal', can ever be. They are actors playing parts that are real only for us; they are the masks behind which we see our own faces."
This is true.
It's more fun to go in with a general idea of your character, then fill in the history as you go. You can still have a framework if that framework will be important to your character but it's by no means necessary.
Cael has an extremely fleshed out backstory, but it's something that I spent the last seven years writing. When I started the character all I really had in mind was "gypsy, raised by mother, worships Kerenhappuch." Oh how times change...
Rev. Reene
"...[gods] are symbols in a way that no human being, however 'archetypal', can ever be. They are actors playing parts that are real only for us; they are the masks behind which we see our own faces."
>>It's more fun to go in with a general idea of your character, then fill in the history as you go. You can still have a framework if that framework will be important to your character but it's by no means necessary.
Exactly.
Point being, you don't need an extroadinary background coming out of the character generator, just need one personality trait. That's it. A personality. When people approach you, react how a person of that personality would react. The interactions you have with people in the game will shape your character from there on. [And don't think so hard about it, it'll come naturally, really.]
Exactly.
Point being, you don't need an extroadinary background coming out of the character generator, just need one personality trait. That's it. A personality. When people approach you, react how a person of that personality would react. The interactions you have with people in the game will shape your character from there on. [And don't think so hard about it, it'll come naturally, really.]
Korsik has a very simple backstory. He has about 4,732 different personalities. That's about as far as I've taken his backstory, because I don't really need to go any further than that. That's a line I don't feel is necessary to cross.
I mean technically, I do have a bit more to it, a rather funny story, I think. But most of what we know of Korsik began the day he stumbled confusedly into River Crossing.
My point is, just figure out something amusing to you, and don't bother people with it, because if someone really cares about your backstory, they'll ask. If they don't ask, it means they don't care, and they really really really don't want to hear it. That's my advice. If you want to write a 900-page literary masterpiece on your character's backstory, by all means. Just don't tell me about it, because I'll probably thump you before you finish the first sentence.
- Sir Korsik Rippentropp, Most Noble Paladine
Crusader against the Innocent
Defender of All That is Wrong
I mean technically, I do have a bit more to it, a rather funny story, I think. But most of what we know of Korsik began the day he stumbled confusedly into River Crossing.
My point is, just figure out something amusing to you, and don't bother people with it, because if someone really cares about your backstory, they'll ask. If they don't ask, it means they don't care, and they really really really don't want to hear it. That's my advice. If you want to write a 900-page literary masterpiece on your character's backstory, by all means. Just don't tell me about it, because I'll probably thump you before you finish the first sentence.
- Sir Korsik Rippentropp, Most Noble Paladine
Crusader against the Innocent
Defender of All That is Wrong
Well, since you asked:
it all started about 300 years after the victory if Lanival. I was living in the Haven working as a cobbler of shoes. I Mend men's soles better than any Cleric can....
Just kidding
Well, I guess I have been over thinking it a bit. I could probably just go with a few things. A major event in my life, a quirk or weakness (the most fun thing to figure out in my mind), and a vague idea of who my parents were. This should be fun. I've always been attracted to the strange and unordinary. I'm tempted to try a Gor'tog Moon Mage. I've been reading up on the Gorbesh and if I didn't know any better, I'd say they ARE Vikings. They have peaked my interest, as well as Gnomes. Gnomes are so strange it just sounds like fun to play one, a warrior mage would be hilarious. You are approached by an underwhelming Gnome in leather armor wielding a short sword... Than BAM! you're on fire. Just one question: Are the Kaldar related to Gnomes in amy way, or are the Gorbesh and Gnomish people separate?
it all started about 300 years after the victory if Lanival. I was living in the Haven working as a cobbler of shoes. I Mend men's soles better than any Cleric can....
Just kidding
Well, I guess I have been over thinking it a bit. I could probably just go with a few things. A major event in my life, a quirk or weakness (the most fun thing to figure out in my mind), and a vague idea of who my parents were. This should be fun. I've always been attracted to the strange and unordinary. I'm tempted to try a Gor'tog Moon Mage. I've been reading up on the Gorbesh and if I didn't know any better, I'd say they ARE Vikings. They have peaked my interest, as well as Gnomes. Gnomes are so strange it just sounds like fun to play one, a warrior mage would be hilarious. You are approached by an underwhelming Gnome in leather armor wielding a short sword... Than BAM! you're on fire. Just one question: Are the Kaldar related to Gnomes in amy way, or are the Gorbesh and Gnomish people separate?
They are unrelated but tied to one another by history. The Gorbesh are racially the same as the Kaldar, the Kaldar are basicly an outcast tribe of them. The Kaldar left Gorbesh society and lived with the Gnomes and served as their protectors, so this is why both Gnomes and Kaldar speak the Gorbesh language.
Okay, politically, not physically, got it, thanks. Still cracking on that concept. never been that creative, hopefully I'll have something down soon, I want to get playing another character soon I have a bunch already, but never really thought one through before creating. It states that the Kaldar shun magic. How would one go about being a Kaldar Warrior Mage or Paladin. I was going to try Barbarian, but they seem hard to train.
You can think up any possible reason not to shun magic yourself. I play a barbarian(a gor'tog) and while barbs are generally considered to shun magic, I don't really see my character as shunning it or hating it personally. I just see it IC as a weakness to have to rely on something so variable. From a game mechanics standpoint I don't think it's hard to be a barbarian at all(people say we are a hard guild because we need more overall ranks then most guilds per circle, but most of that comes from reasonable amounts of many skills that are not that hard to train). You basicly just pick a few weapons you like and walk into combat. Magic was harder for me to get the hang of as a player since you have to keep up with the mana flow in different rooms and how much you direct into a spell and all of that, plus you have to work so many skills just to make each spell effective.
In terms of playing Kaldar, my second character is a Kaldaran Cleric(I see him as a warrior priest really, or a reformed Barbarian who found himself in touch with Everild and took up priesthood). I really like this race, they aren't too hard to RP since they are basicly for all intents and purposes bigger/stronger humans with a slight penalty to mentals. So RPing one you don't have to 'feel' much different about yourself then how a human would most likely feel. Also like you, I am scandinavian and germanic in descent so I too really jibe with the whole Viking thing. As a default you can't really tell how big or small someone is unless they get some physical shifts done, so if you want to be less then large you could just have someone shift you into being short or tiny for a Kaldar.
In terms of playing Kaldar, my second character is a Kaldaran Cleric(I see him as a warrior priest really, or a reformed Barbarian who found himself in touch with Everild and took up priesthood). I really like this race, they aren't too hard to RP since they are basicly for all intents and purposes bigger/stronger humans with a slight penalty to mentals. So RPing one you don't have to 'feel' much different about yourself then how a human would most likely feel. Also like you, I am scandinavian and germanic in descent so I too really jibe with the whole Viking thing. As a default you can't really tell how big or small someone is unless they get some physical shifts done, so if you want to be less then large you could just have someone shift you into being short or tiny for a Kaldar.
I think it's safe to say that the way things have played out in the game since Kaldar were introduced... they aren't so down on the whole magic thing.
Call it cultural contamination if you will, or consider that many Kaldar still look down on it, but a small but not insignificant portion are fine with it.
They suffer no penalties with it (Outside of lower mentals) and we've seen plenty of GMNPCs as well as PCs who were Kaldar magic users. They just don't have a long standing history of using it.
(That said during the Gorbesh wars there was some nasty magic thrown around on their side, though I believe we were suppose to blame the gnomes for those...)
Dartenian says, "The thing that makes Dragon Dance king is that it pretty much bonuses every single that can possibly be buffed for combat. Including at least two things that don't even exist."
Call it cultural contamination if you will, or consider that many Kaldar still look down on it, but a small but not insignificant portion are fine with it.
They suffer no penalties with it (Outside of lower mentals) and we've seen plenty of GMNPCs as well as PCs who were Kaldar magic users. They just don't have a long standing history of using it.
(That said during the Gorbesh wars there was some nasty magic thrown around on their side, though I believe we were suppose to blame the gnomes for those...)
Dartenian says, "The thing that makes Dragon Dance king is that it pretty much bonuses every single that can possibly be buffed for combat. Including at least two things that don't even exist."
Also thought I should add, that while Kaldar and Gor'Togs suffer a training penalty to mentals it's up to you as to whether this should impact your characters personality. I play my Gor'Tog as having been raised and educated in the Crossings and even as having attended the academy at youth. So I speak common as fluently as my player would. There are many many togs who do the cave man talk to great effect, some with exceptionally high mentals who simply do it because they were 'raised in the wilds' or the like so that works for them.
I consider the characters of DR as essentially all being 'heroes' to some extent, in that even a first circle character is exceptional compared to the common 'peasant' of the realms hence the reason why we recognize each and every character we see walking down the street from what would be throngs of people who live in the cities(I've played a game where this wasn't so before and it's also annoying from mechanics having to introduce yourself to every person you meet so you don't just see 'a male human is standing here' etc.). So from the standpoint of stats I think more or less any stat over 10 is exceptional to the population of the world and that even a player with relatively low stats doesn't have to consider their stats realisticly as being a hinderence at almost any level(ie. basicly if you are roleplaying yourself with a weakness you can just RP it, you don't heve to punish yourself with bad stats to get the point accross).
I consider the characters of DR as essentially all being 'heroes' to some extent, in that even a first circle character is exceptional compared to the common 'peasant' of the realms hence the reason why we recognize each and every character we see walking down the street from what would be throngs of people who live in the cities(I've played a game where this wasn't so before and it's also annoying from mechanics having to introduce yourself to every person you meet so you don't just see 'a male human is standing here' etc.). So from the standpoint of stats I think more or less any stat over 10 is exceptional to the population of the world and that even a player with relatively low stats doesn't have to consider their stats realisticly as being a hinderence at almost any level(ie. basicly if you are roleplaying yourself with a weakness you can just RP it, you don't heve to punish yourself with bad stats to get the point accross).
I'd suggest avoiding an accent until you are comfortable enough with the game that you can use one that both makes sense and will not irritate everyone around you.
Rev. Reene
"...[gods] are symbols in a way that no human being, however 'archetypal', can ever be. They are actors playing parts that are real only for us; they are the masks behind which we see our own faces."
Rev. Reene
"...[gods] are symbols in a way that no human being, however 'archetypal', can ever be. They are actors playing parts that are real only for us; they are the masks behind which we see our own faces."
>>I'd suggest avoiding an accent until you are comfortable enough with the game that you can use one that both makes sense
With time this is possible...
>>and will not irritate everyone around you.
That however...
Dartenian says, "The thing that makes Dragon Dance king is that it pretty much bonuses every single that can possibly be buffed for combat. Including at least two things that don't even exist."
With time this is possible...
>>and will not irritate everyone around you.
That however...
Dartenian says, "The thing that makes Dragon Dance king is that it pretty much bonuses every single that can possibly be buffed for combat. Including at least two things that don't even exist."
My Empath has an accent.
In seven some years not a single person has ever commented on it.
Some people just go way, way overboard in an attempt to overcompensate for the medium we're using, and in the process make whatever they are aiming for come out completely nonsensical (see the people who amend every word with -ist or -ae). As with many things, though, less is more.
Rev. Reene
"...[gods] are symbols in a way that no human being, however 'archetypal', can ever be. They are actors playing parts that are real only for us; they are the masks behind which we see our own faces."
In seven some years not a single person has ever commented on it.
Some people just go way, way overboard in an attempt to overcompensate for the medium we're using, and in the process make whatever they are aiming for come out completely nonsensical (see the people who amend every word with -ist or -ae). As with many things, though, less is more.
Rev. Reene
"...[gods] are symbols in a way that no human being, however 'archetypal', can ever be. They are actors playing parts that are real only for us; they are the masks behind which we see our own faces."
>Some people just go way, way overboard in an attempt to overcompensate for the medium we're using, and in the process make whatever they are aiming for come out completely nonsensical (see the people who amend every word with -ist or -ae). As with many things, though, less is more.
That would make a pretty amusing genie plugin.
That would make a pretty amusing genie plugin.
Hmm. Well, first thought that came to mind was gnome because of the penalty you get in moving due to encumbrance issues they face. You see that penalty totalling 5 points between strength and stamina? the bonus totalling 3 points to reflex and agility do not totally counter it. So, I have a few gnome characters but I've found magic and ranged and surprise attacks seem to work better than going toe to toe with things for them. Others might have had different experiences though. A print shop sort of would translate into mech lore, which would point towards a lore prime guild. I'm guessing you are right about guild.
The thing is though that there is a risk in porting yourself too much into your character. It's good to find a character that fits you and your personality and how you like to play, but never forget that the character is not you. It's a fictional character in a fictional game.
--There are nights when the wolves are silent and only the moon howls.--George Carlin
--'Must you fall asleep when I am talking?'..'No, its purely voluntary'..Churchill
The thing is though that there is a risk in porting yourself too much into your character. It's good to find a character that fits you and your personality and how you like to play, but never forget that the character is not you. It's a fictional character in a fictional game.
--There are nights when the wolves are silent and only the moon howls.--George Carlin
--'Must you fall asleep when I am talking?'..'No, its purely voluntary'..Churchill
Heh, I love accents and speaking quirks.
I was constantly using a SAY modifier before it was cool (d00d I rok!)
Just make sure you know WHY you have such a different accent, whether because of education, upbringing or birth defect (like being born Elothean, terrible defect).
Magic's Death Caraamon Makdasi,
Gor'Tog Barbarian
Hunta Talna Kortok, built by Gor'Togs, for Gor'Togs
http://www.angelfire.com/rpg2/caraamon/home.html
Weapon Combo Balance List
http://www.angelfire.com/rpg2/caraamon/balance.xls
I was constantly using a SAY modifier before it was cool (d00d I rok!)
Just make sure you know WHY you have such a different accent, whether because of education, upbringing or birth defect (like being born Elothean, terrible defect).
Magic's Death Caraamon Makdasi,
Gor'Tog Barbarian
Hunta Talna Kortok, built by Gor'Togs, for Gor'Togs
http://www.angelfire.com/rpg2/caraamon/home.html
Weapon Combo Balance List
http://www.angelfire.com/rpg2/caraamon/balance.xls
>>Heh, I love accents and speaking quirks.
And everybody absolutely detests yours.
Listen to us, not him.
1) Try not to have an accent, it makes communicating with other players difficult and obnoxious.
2) If you must have an accent, make sure its enjoyable to those around you. I.e. Rmel
3) If you must use speaking emotes, by god, use them SPARINGLY. Do not speak "loudly" every single time you speak. They are a fun interesting addition to communication, but like anything, if you overuse it, everybody wants to slap you. And will.
- Sir Korsik Rippentropp, Most Noble Paladine
Crusader against the Innocent
Defender of All That is Wrong
And everybody absolutely detests yours.
Listen to us, not him.
1) Try not to have an accent, it makes communicating with other players difficult and obnoxious.
2) If you must have an accent, make sure its enjoyable to those around you. I.e. Rmel
3) If you must use speaking emotes, by god, use them SPARINGLY. Do not speak "loudly" every single time you speak. They are a fun interesting addition to communication, but like anything, if you overuse it, everybody wants to slap you. And will.
- Sir Korsik Rippentropp, Most Noble Paladine
Crusader against the Innocent
Defender of All That is Wrong
Just a nudge guys, please make sure everything remains on topic and doesn't turn into a conflict.
Thank you so much.
Svafa
___
Any questions or comments, please contact me at Mod-Svafa@play.net, Senior Board Monitor Annwyl at DR-Annwyl@play.net or Message Board Supervisor Cecco at DR-Cecco@play.net.
Thank you so much.
Svafa
___
Any questions or comments, please contact me at Mod-Svafa@play.net, Senior Board Monitor Annwyl at DR-Annwyl@play.net or Message Board Supervisor Cecco at DR-Cecco@play.net.
Accents have always been a little jarring for me. After all, if you're going to have an accent it ought to be a Haakish, Elven, Gor'Tog, etc. accent, not a Scots accent. And then it's not easy figuring out how that would sound and how you can convey it in text without being annoying.
I remember running into someone once who use a French accent and vocabulary. Epic fail.
-Golgol
I rememb
I remember running into someone once who use a French accent and vocabulary. Epic fail.
-Golgol
I rememb
