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zhentar reborn
Acolyte
34 Posts |
 Posted - 03 Feb 2004 : 22:33:21
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I have a player that wanted to generate a 1st level aristocrat from Zhentil Keep for our new campaign. I'll be honest, I didn't want to allow it. But being a flexible kinda DM I told him he could as long as he included a detailed (2 pages min.) history of his characters family going back at least 5 generations.
Not only did he produce a very well-rounded character, he also wrote a very interesting history. He did such a good job on it that I've decided to reward him with a family heiroom.
I need advice on what this should be. A weapon? A ring? Something else? It has to be something that the character would want to keep a hold of. But, I don't think it should be a very powerful item. Example: Sturm Brightblade's +4 2-handed sword is a little much.
Any guidance will be greatly appreciated!
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Think what you've always thought, and you'll be what you've always been. |
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Shadowlord
Master of Realmslore
USA
1298 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2004 : 22:39:22
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| Hmm, in essence, it is up to you, the DM, but I would suggest something small, such as a ring, necklace, etc. It is easier to carry, and can provide a quest opportunity if lost...... |
The Chosen of Vhaeraun
"Nature is governed by certain immutable rules. By virtue of claw and fang, the lion will always triumph over the goat.Given time, the pounding of the sea will wear away the stone. And when dark elves mingle with the lighter races, the offspring invariably take after the dark parent. It is all much the same. That which is greater shall prevail. Our numbers increase steadily, both through birth and conquest. The dark elves are the dominant race, so ordained by the gods." Ka'Narlist of the Ilythiiri. |
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Targon Moonrise
Learned Scribe
163 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2004 : 23:50:54
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| I haven't been a DM for very long and have only played FR for about 6 monthes but I agree with Shadowlord. A ring or amulet would be a small item and it could lead to your party having many quests. |
May Melkor smile upon every spell you cast. |
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Edain Shadowstar
Senior Scribe
USA
455 Posts |
Posted - 04 Feb 2004 : 03:30:24
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| Another nice idea for an heirloom is an item that gets more powerful as time goes by and the character levels up. That way the heirloom does not become something useless the character just carrys, unless that is what you are shooting for. I always like the idea of special items that scale witht eh character, but do not over use them. Like anything neat, moderation is key. |
Edain Shadowstar
Archwizard of Rel Astra and Waterdeep
"Mmm…pie…"
- Gaius Solarian, Captain General |
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Arion Elenim
Senior Scribe
933 Posts |
Posted - 04 Feb 2004 : 03:44:10
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Maybe you could give us two or three details about the character's bio that might lead us to suggesting an heirloom?
For instance, if the character is the son of a great ranger, it might be interesting to create an item that allows him to summon a forest spirit whose life the character's father saved....something like that.... |
My latest Realms-based short story, about a bard, a paladin of Lathander and the letter of the law, Debts Repaid. It takes place before the "shattering" and gives the bard Arion a last gasp before he plunges into the present.http://candlekeep.com/campaign/logs/log-debts.htm |
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Lord Nasher Alagondar
Acolyte
USA
27 Posts |
Posted - 04 Feb 2004 : 03:53:46
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| Yes, a biography would be nice, but I'm a little curious as to his alignment. An evil person's heirloom differs immensely from a good person's. |
"Very well, I am admittedly not as traditional in my methodology as you are. So what? The end result is all the same: target ceases to exist. If I happen to use a bit more flair, and a little less stealth to go about it, so be it. If drow were truly meant to skulk within the shadows, we'd not have stark white hair, now would we? Long gone are my days of creeping in the shadows and hiding in wait. Those means are for beings of a cowardly bent. We Bladesingers are risen above such dribble. So saying, it is boldly into the fray I shall go; if I should come to meet my maker, I will at least have done so with a sense of pride and dignity that your ilk will never truly understand. Now go back to hiding in your dark recesses, pathetic mewling...."~Vesz'aun Auvryath |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 04 Feb 2004 : 04:31:15
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| An heirloom screams out for another family member or two who want it and are dedicated to obtaining it one way or the other from the PC. After all, if you're going to give them toys, let the toys have plot hooks. |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 04 Feb 2004 : 05:40:20
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| I think a ring would be the best; that way it can double as a signet ring. However, it would need to be dependant on that detailed character history of his. Who was the first holder in both role- and gameplay? (That is, in his life as well as what class(es) and level (s)he was.) And what is the class of your player's character, his goals and aspirations? |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
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Elrond Half Elven
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
322 Posts |
Posted - 04 Feb 2004 : 10:42:40
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I would agree with what everyone else has said, we will need a copy of the bio to judge this fully. I think that the key thing to remember here is though, that not all Heirlooms require to be magical. Jewellery is often passed down the line. An Expensive ring or broach may be a good choice. In addition to this, the character could get it enchanted later. Other choices for an Aristocrat could be an expensive (Non-magical) masterwork rapier, adorned with many a fair jewel and a matching sheath!
The choice is obviously up to you but remember that an item doesn't have to be magical. You could even have it already enchanted with a minor ability. Protection from detect thoughts would be useful, as such, for an Aristocrat. Preventing his/her schemes from being a victim to espionage.
Hanx
Elrond
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Once upon a midnight dreary, while i pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore-
While i nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
-The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe |
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kahonen
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
358 Posts |
Posted - 04 Feb 2004 : 13:15:06
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I would be tempted to combine what a lot of the other sages have said. I'd go with Bookwyrm's suggestion of a signet ring bearing the family crest. As for magical abilities, would anyone other than the original wearer know of any?
As the player originates from Zhentil Keep and going from my limited knowledge of the Power Politic there, I would imagine that the owner of a magic ring would keep its abilities very secret as to publicise would be to give up the possible advantages to be gained.
Would someone make it known, for example, that they wear a ring of protection if they knew an attempt was likely to be made on their life? I think not since this might influence how the attempt was made and they would lose the advantage.
Given that no-one in the family would necessarily know of the items magical abilities, the player could believe he is simply being given an ornate signet ring bearing his family's crest. The magical abilities would become known to him over time.
You must be careful not to upset either the game balance or your other players with the "reward". I'd suggest a Ring of Protection +1 is a good reward for a starting 1st level player. Perhaps this could increase to +2 (or at most +3) if the player actually becomes "head of the family" - this could be a good way of ensuring he roleplays his background and doesn't simply use it as a way of getting benefits when he starts.
I'd suggest you need to offset the benefits to an extent. Was his father, for example, fanatical about maintaining family ties? If so, perhaps the ring could become cursed (at most -1) if he doesn't maintain contact with his family. This could mean he must return to Zhentil Keep for family gatherings every couple of years. Of course the player may not know this either.
It's all about balance. Learn to maintain balance and you've gone a long way to learning to be a DM.
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Edited by - kahonen on 04 Feb 2004 13:16:08 |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 05 Feb 2004 : 09:33:48
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quote:
Originally posted by zhentar reborn
I have a player that wanted to generate a 1st level aristocrat from Zhentil Keep for our new campaign. I'll be honest, I didn't want to allow it. But being a flexible kinda DM I told him he could as long as he included a detailed (2 pages min.) history of his characters family going back at least 5 generations.
Not only did he produce a very well-rounded character, he also wrote a very interesting history. He did such a good job on it that I've decided to reward him with a family heiroom.
I need advice on what this should be. A weapon? A ring? Something else? It has to be something that the character would want to keep a hold of. But, I don't think it should be a very powerful item. Example: Sturm Brightblade's +4 2-handed sword is a little much.
Any guidance will be greatly appreciated!
Sturm's Brightblade is a very good example, however not really appropriate for what you are talking about here. A number of medieval earth cultures would sometimes utilise family crested flags as 'heirlooms' but this was usually in regard to military or garrison situations where family was involved. I'll email you some details about this that I picked up from my studies on background information for some medieval domains in the Ravenloft setting.
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zhentar reborn
Acolyte
34 Posts |
Posted - 05 Feb 2004 : 23:18:11
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Here's a brief summary of the bio! 
FOUNDING FATHER or "The One who shall not be named" - A moble who was terribly wounded and blinded while adventuring in the Dales by Harpers. Pushed to his death into a deep gully by his power-hungry brother. His mistress, a Chessentan whore, would put her only son on the path to greatness.
FIRST SON or "Biyard the Bastard" - A very shrewd business man and warrior who was one of the first merchants to force a passage on what would become the Black Road. Married his daughters to artisans of skill and incorporated their talents into his growing financial empire, a strategy that would continue until the First Banedeath. Killed by Barbarians from the Ride while scouting places to mine gemstones.
HIGH CAPTAIN or "Zoarth ca Biyard" - A officer within the Zhentilar his entire adult life. Zoarth established the families military reputation (always fight on foot with the common Zhentilar) among the people of Zhentil Keep. Led the right wing of Zhentilar that destroyed the resistence of Teshendale and won great victories during the First Moonsea War. His younger brother Zaranthius ran the financial side of the family to great effect. Ambushed and killed by Daggerdalesmen during a hunting trip.
HERO or "Zuroth ca Biyard" - A skilled warrior and troubled soul that lived in his fathers shadow until his death. The two notable things that happened during his life were the exodus of Zaranthius' sons to Sembia to found a trading company (Dark Star trading co.) and his death. Zuroth died defending the Lords Council from a summoned Pit fiend. Became a great hero to Zhentish folk for his sacrifice.
KNIGHT-ERRANT or "Zarath ca Biyard" - something of an odd-duck within the Keep. Loved jousting with foreign knights for sport, adventuring, and keeping his armor as highly polished as possible. Led the Zhentilar forces sent to Glister in DR1352. During the ensuing battle with the Ride barbarians Zarath rejected the chance to teleport to safety and died on his feet (true to family tradition) with the rest of the Zhentilar force.
THE FUTURE or "Zoarth ca Biyard (II)"
Since DR1352 things have gone against the Biyard clan. Zoarth was a new-born when his father was killed and the family started to fragment soon afterward. This fragmentation was hastened by 4 events.
1) The Time of Troubles - which saw Zarath's brother (oldest male heir) hacked to death by the Shadowdale militia.
2) The First Banedeath - major destruction of family property and lives.
3)Second Banedeath - caused wholesale destruction of all of the families holdings within the city.
4)Foreign Princes - best desribed as the nobility within the Keep who speak Damaran with an accent. Fzoul, the Darkhopes, and other Chondoes who seem to be eliminating the classic Damaran nobility, i.e. Manshoon (the prince of the Damaran nobility), the Chess', the Orgauths, the Golthammers, the Biyards, and others.
There is a lot more detail in his bio. Questions? Thanks for your responses. I was thinking of a r/o mind shielding. To powerful? |
Think what you've always thought, and you'll be what you've always been. |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 06 Feb 2004 : 17:14:08
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| There are only two things that come to mind. A ring that gives the blind-fighting feat (from the blinded founder) or a magic polishing cloth that casts glittering razors on an edged weapon if you spend one minute polishing with it. (The last would be from the knight-errant.) |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
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Aristocrat
