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Post by earthwizard on Nov 19, 2007 22:48:28 GMT -8
To the players in the world of Geb,
Here I invite you to post your character's backstory. I know you don't know too much about the world of Geb at the moment, so if you have any world specific questions like town names or noble families or religion related questions, then send me a message and I'll answer them.
I like to write backstories for my characters when I play, so I encourage you guys to do the same. You might pick a particular mannerism or vocal accent for your character, something that makes him/her unique. Most of all, have fun!
DM Devon
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Post by vinnytheelf on Dec 15, 2007 8:36:53 GMT -8
Zedifex Tynegirim is a middle of aged Elven Druid who hails from the woodland realms known in Common as The Unicorn Forest. In his native Wood Elf, it is known as 'Taure Rasselosse-Olompo', a bit of a tongue twister for sure.
He and his daughter, Dina Tynegirim, a Ranger, have been tasked by their Elders to go and help the locals outside their homeland to tend to nature and offer advice and any help they can, for news had reached their groves and sanctuaries that the wilds and commonlands were looking a bit shabby and being left untended, with wild beasts ravaging here, overpopulating rabbits there and just the general inattentiveness to the needs of the natural order and balance outside the great woods. They have also been tasked to gain knowledge and information on the goings on throughout the local peoples, who is ruling what land, who is making trouble for this and that folk here and there.
Zedifex is a fairly meek and calm spirited fellow, he has a gentle voice and seems almost at times shy and reserved, however he is merely used to the company of quiet and respectfully silent forest folk. He is more concerned with helping those in need and offering his healing and medicinal skills where he can. He will see his task set him by his Elders and be steadfast in this, reporting as and when he can and as and when he is able.
Finding mercenaries and wandering sell-swords roaming the lands, Zedifex is wondering what exactly is going on outside his woods to cause people to be so aimless and disorderly...
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Post by earthwizard on Dec 15, 2007 9:48:04 GMT -8
Zedifex. Rise and be attentive.Zedifex awakes in the middle of the night. His traveling companions appear asleep, and a strange woman dressed in green and brown robes, with vines woven in her hair, stands over Zedifex. She has an otherworldly glow about her. Zedifex attempts to wake the others in case of danger, but she gazes into his eyes with her own vibrant green orbs, and he is held powerless. Do not be afraid, for I will not harm thee nor thine companions. I know of thee and thy thoughts, Zedifex. You do all elves honor by preserving the balance in these lands, and by teaching thine offspring to do so as well. Come let us walk. Zedifex and the strange woman came to lift off the ground, floating in the air, and Geb began to turn beneath them. The sleeping companions slipped silently away as the two glided and traveled through the Ceryn Wald. Everywhere he looked, Zedifex saw nature with a new eye. He saw the animals feed on plants, and animals feed on animals, and he saw dead creatures, whose bodies were being devoured by the insects and fungi. He saw the Sun rise and set so many times he lost count. He saw flesh return to earth and from it a plant sprout to claim the energy of the Sun. He saw balance in the world. Everything has a place Zedifex, and thou art wise to tune yourself to me. I will guide thee, when thoust need it. For now return to your companions, your work in this realm is just beginning.Zedifex wakes with a jolt in the middle of night. Sweat drips from his brow. As he sits up, he finds a bed of ivy has grown beneath and around him in the night, softening the earth and keeping him warm. DM: Zedifex receives 400 bonus xp for reflecting on his past.
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Post by prandur on Dec 17, 2007 22:50:39 GMT -8
Backstory: Rurik Taishan
The clan of Taishan has existed for 6 glorious dwarven generations, and in its time has risen to both power and glory. However, it is the current generation of the Taishan clan that is the most interest to this story….
Rurik Taishan is a young dwarf, of a mere age of 70 years, whom has followed in the illustrious footsteps of his father, Krom Taishan. Krom is a great dwarven samurai who helped defend the city of Hode against orcish marauders for several decades. Upon learning of his son’s decision to become a samurai, Krom immediately began teaching Rurik in the ways of the samurai and more importantly what it means to be samurai. After several decades of training with his father, Rurik decided to learn more about the ways of war from the humans and joined the local Hode Academy. It was during this experience that Rurik made several non-dwarven friends including the famous instructor Orlen, and two future guardsmen Alice and Michael. Being torn between serving alongside his new friends or serving his family, Rurik fell back to his samurai upbringing and immediately returned home. Traveling to his family’s enclave nearby Hode, Rurik intended to serve his father and Clan Taishan only. However, Krom had grown rather fond of Hode throughout the years and decided to give Rurik two-fold duties. “First my son,” said Krom, “you will serve the needs of our clan. However, our clan cannot stand alone, and thus your second duty will be to defend Hode against orcish encroachment. Is your duty clear?” Surprised but elated by his father’s choice of duty for him, Rurik promptly bowed and swore his life to upholding his new duties. “Good,” replied Krom, “because your first task is to travel back to Hode and determine the nature of it’s new crisis…”
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Post by earthwizard on Dec 18, 2007 19:19:28 GMT -8
Night at the Sleeping Dragon Pain shoots through Rurik's side as he wakens. It is dark in the room and just as he reaches for his ribs another blow catches him, sending him sprawling from his bed to the hard cold floor. Get up you pathetic worm. A low raspy voice echoes through the darkness. Another blow from his unseen assailant strikes him across the face, and Rurik spits blood on the floor. Who taught you to fight? You're no better than a goblin whelp! As Rurik tries to stand he is pummeled back to the ground. Confusion and anger reign in his mind. Who is attacking him? Where is Drago and his other companions? Is he still at The Sleeping Dragon? The room brightens and Rurik finds himself in a plain chamber. Rice paper walls and a hard wood floor . . . a bamboo mat is spread over it. Then he sees him . An enormous dwarf dressed in black robes and wielding a single edged sword, a katana.
Father, what have I done?
It is what you have FAILED to do! The dwarf known as Krom sends another kick to his son lying on the floor. But I have done as you asked! I am defending Hode against the orcish enemies!From the corner of his eye Rurik catches a glimpse of another figure. Again, his father Krom, but dressed in white robes and his sword sheathed. But as Rurik turns to examine him, the black-robed Krom slashes across Rurik's arm. Blood flows profusely from the wound. ARGH! Devas what is going on?
The Devas will not save you. You must learn to stand up and fight for yourself!Krom presses the attack, but this time Rurik is able to dodge, stand and raise his hands in defense. The battle has begun. It takes Rurik some time to gain his footing, but he soon falls back on the training he received from his father, his real father. He sidesteps most of the attacks, and is able to land a blow on Krom's side with his bare fist. But Krom counters by attacking the dwarf's knee and Rurik looses balance once again. And Krom, dressed in black, begins to circle the wounded dwarf. I have taught you well, but your training did not finish when you left the Taishan house. You must learn to improve on your own. You must learn to attack your enemies without mercy, for they will give you none! The white-robed Krom then appears before Rurik, lifting his head. You must also learn compassion, my son. Friends and enemies may be found in surprising places. He hands Rurik a blade. Rurik recognizes it as his own, but it has a strange edge about it, reflecting almost too much light. Yama will not wait for you to be ready! The shout is heard from behind. Rurik tumbles to the left, dodging the strike of his black-robed father. He stands and shifts into his battle ready stance. Krom attacks again, and this time Rurik defends with renewed energy. The battle rages for what seems an eternity, and it takes all of Rurik's strength to merely defend. He takes blow after blow. His lip is split and blood flows down his massive beard. One eye is blackened. Various wounds drain his life force from over his entire body. But then it happens. Krom overbalanced, and Rurik found his opportunity. He sends his sword to strike the neck of his own father, beheading him. The head and body fall to the floor and disappear in a cloud of smoke that fills the room. As the smoke clears, Rurik's father Krom once again approaches him, now dressed in the formal robes of house Taishan. He embraces Rurik in a hug that threatens to squeeze the last amount of life from him. You have done well, my son. You are beginning to learn for yourself. Know that you cannot grow without sacrifice. Pain sears through Rurik. He looks down and discovers the dagger buried deep within his gut. And somehow, despite all the previous wounds and the multitude of blood stains on the bamboo mat, more of Rurik's life force gushes forth from the fresh wound. Cold grips him as he falls to his knees, alone in the dojo. . . . Back in at The Sleeping Dragon, Drago awakens early. He gets ready for his morning drills, and looks over at Rurik's bed. Seeing the dwarf in beaten condition, Drago rushes over to the dwarf. Wounds abound over his flesh and the sheets are soaked with dwarven blood . . . DM: Rurik, your katana has been blessed with a +1 magical bonus, but Cariocecus's blessing does not come without cost. You have been reduced to zero hit points over night and must either recover on your own through a valiant effort (fortitude check) or be renewed through a blessing of Sulis. A reminder of your sacrifice will remain with you in the form of a pain that strikes your gut, rendering you unconscious for the day (from which you naturally recover) once each year. PS thanks for writing a character bio. Good job!
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Post by earthwizard on Dec 18, 2007 19:22:00 GMT -8
Goodness that was a bit long huh? I hope it was entertaining.
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Post by Joseph Barros on Dec 18, 2007 21:42:56 GMT -8
(And speaking of writing something long...)
Drago Ny Ked Of the Ny Ked monks
Drago is big. And not just "eh that guy's a bigun' over dere" but rather "Great holy behemoth mother of jeebus that's one big sumbitch!"
6'2", 22 inch pythons growing from 57 inches of solid iron: Yeah! The guy is hardcore and has the attitude to match! As a youngster raised in a small hamlet in the cold north he spent much of his free time picking on the other kids insulting them and goading them into fights. He tried to leave the real little guys alone but when you're 5'5" tall at age 10 they are all little guys so he basically kicked everybody's ass at some point.
Drago grew up beating the snot out of anybody who was dumb enough to stand up against this OX of a kid and then laughing at their misfortune. This continued for many years until the age of 18 when he picked on the wrong guy on the wrong day!
Drago came out of a saloon one fateful evening to see a lightly robed man standing out in the middle of the road. This man was the biggest d**n bruiser Drago had ever laid eyes on. Dark curly hair in a white boy afro, huge muscles easily equal to Drago's and an arrogant glare that made Drago wonder if for the first time he had met his match!
The man stared hard at Drago and then pointed at him, "Drago! Your test begins now! You are a girly man son of a whorebag that shaves his balls and sits down to pee!" Drago was not about to stand for that nonsense so he rushed the curly haired man, but his charge was easily sidestepped and the finishing touch was a foot to his ass knocking him down into a pile of mud. Furious, Drago picked himself up and attempted, with more caution this time, to grab hold of his un-named provacateur. Again the man embarrassed Drago using Drago's strength against him, reversing the grab, and flipping him onto his backside.
This carried on for a good two hours before Drago was on his knees, panting and wheezing like never before, still having not laid a hand on the stranger. The stranger, still standing and apparently unphased by two hours of kicking Drago's ass, kneeled down and said "you are strong Drago. Stronger than any man I've ever met. But you are slow. I will show you how to fight and not only will you be strong, but you will learn how to be precise! This way you will never ever be embarrassed again like the little girl you are!" Intrigued by his offer Drago shrugged off the insult and agreed to come, the former action being the first test of many he would pass.
The stranger was a monk of the Ny Ked. A reclusive but semi-well known order of monks in the south devoted to physical perfection, cool heads, and the desire to show off their abilities in combat. Drago learned more and more about how to channel his arrogance and crude behavior into a focused style of martial ass whooping. He was taught that while fighting is a particularly great way of ending conflict, it is never good or right to start a fight without good cause. Law and Order above all must be preserved.
Furthermore, in their never ending desire to achieve perfection the Ny Ked monks maintain a strict tradition of only entering combat or other displays of physical competition with other living beings fully disrobed. No exceptions. To enter combat with another being is an honor for that being and they can only bask in the full glory of a Ny Ked monk if said monk is without clothing. Clothing only slows their precise movments down and hinders the punishment being offered.
At the age of 22 finally his masters revealed to Drago it was time he set forth upon the earth to bless civilization with the awesomeness that is the Ny Ked way. He was given a robe and told to keep clothed when possible in civilizations: you can't have others bask in your superiority while in jail! Finally he was told "your other mission is to complete the last and ultimate stage of your training! Study and train hard the arts of the Ny Ked tattoo! It is time you ascended to the elite ranks, but it is a path one must take on their own! In time you will be blessed with the revelation of a tattoo, the first of many which you will imbue upon yourself and gain great power and strength from! Go now my son! And show the world that all men are girly men in the presence of the Ny Ked!"
And with that Drago set his sights on the nearest civilization; The city of Hode...
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Post by earthwizard on Jan 1, 2008 19:51:47 GMT -8
Drago found himself standing alone in a barren desert. The ground was caked and cracked. Looking up, he saw the sky light up with electricity. Blinding flashes contrasted against a dim red sky. Though there was nothing for as far as he could see, Drago began to walk.
Eventually he saw a mountain rise from the broken ground. It stood tall and free, beckoning him. Drago began to climb. The rock was hard, and cold. It tested Drago, but he overcame.
Reaching the summit Drago found a large flat plateau. Standing atop it was a man, though unlike any Drago had seen before. He seemed to be made of the earth one moment, then the rock of his body shifted, melted into water and bursting into flame he turned to vapor, only to be blown by the wind a short distance, where he reformed into the mountain rock. Though he took humanoid shape, the man had no face.
As the strange elemental approached, Drago took up a fighting stance. But if the creature wanted to fight it was not evident. He simply walked up to Drago with a quick determined pace. Closer he came and he did not slow. Drago threw a quick punch to stave off the creature. But the elemental snatched Drago's fist from the air with strength Drago could not believe. He felt the bones in his hand crack and he gritted his teeth in pain, but did not cry out.
With his other hand, the creature lit Drago's robe on fire, burning it away in flame. And when Drago was naked the creature embraced him and squeezed so tightly Drago though his spine would snap.
But it did not. Instead the creature melded into Drago's body and disappeared. Drago felt it inside. He felt the fury of the flame, the strength of the earth, the swiftness of the air and the agile water.
And as the lightning cracked overhead and released a flood of water to pour over him, Drago looked out over the barren landscape and saw it for what it truly was, the elements of creation.
Then he woke.
DM: Drago receives 400xp for meditating on his past.
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Post by earthwizard on Feb 5, 2008 10:27:02 GMT -8
Here I invite Gerbo to place his back story, as he has not yet done so. Furthermore we will welcome Brotur, the dwarven priest to the game. I encourage you, Alan, to place Brotur's back story here as well. By the way, I've got something cooking . . .
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Post by agroson1 on Mar 10, 2008 11:50:51 GMT -8
Bendehr Dundat....
Bendehr lost both his parents during a raiding of his hometown of Compass. The boy was aged a mere 9 years at the time, and so, he had to learn to fend for himself and grow up quickly. He decided not to seek out relatives to raise him, instead he opted to stay in his parents modest home and remain in Compass.
An outgoing and friendly lad, he became a ward of the township and had many surrogate fathers and mothers. He earned his keep by helping local shippers load and unload the trading boats that frequent the small trading community.
Growing like a weed in his teen years, and developing a strong body from hard work, he earned respect and was treated as an equal among adults at a relatively early age. Local neighbors would trust him to look after their property when off travelling. Friends would stop by to drink ale, wrestle in the yard, or stay on his couch if they were fighting with their spouse. He especially enjoyed the wrestling...he found that his size and strength allowed him to compete with grown men, and that he could beat most of them. A true gift. All in all, a good and fun existence.
Two weeks after his 15th birthday, his closest neighbor asked him to watch his farm while the family went to see a new child in their extended family. Bendehr accepted, as he always had. It was normal. His neighbor had been a friend of his family since before his birth and had helped him adjust after the death of his parents.
Four days later, as the sun was setting, he could hear the animals on his neighbors farm crying out in a panic. Quickly, he grabbed a knife and a club, and ran to see what was wrong. Dashing headlong among his neighbors' cornfield, he could hear whooping and shouting ahead. As he emerged onto the clearing and could see the pens of livestock, he spotted 4 kobolds slaughtering a calf. There had been a number of reports, at the time, of Kobolds poaching the local farms.
Bendehr ran steady, never slowing. The protests of the animals covered the sounds of his approach. Without pause, he leapt into the pen and charged into their midst .. bashing one of the Kobolds over the head with his club...splitting his skull and killing him. Next he slashed with the knife at another of the poachers. This blow was also fatal...the Kobold hissed a gurgled curse as the blood shot out of his newly opened throat. Two left......
The other Kobolds reacted quickly. They both swung shortswords and Bendehr...and both found their mark on his unarmored form. His left thigh burned with pain as it was pierced, and his lower right abdomen felt as though it was literally on fire. He spun with both weapons, and both struck as intended. His club struck the jaw of one Kobold and he fell. Next he had plunged his knife into the top of the other ones' head, killing him.
The last living Kobold rose from the ground with his broken jaw, and slashed at Bendehr...opening a fresh gash along his left side. He responded with his club, hitting the Kobold so hard that his eyeball was dislodged from his head. They were all down...and conciousness slipped away from him and he surrendered to the darkness.......
He came back to awareness laying on a soft bed. His neighbor, Nay-bor, had returned that same evening and found Bendehr laying among the bodies of the would-be poachers. Bendehr was rewarded with a fine shortsword and a great meal.
Word spread quickly about how this young man had managed to slay 4 Kobolds single-handedly. And thus, Bendehr found himslef on the path of becoming a reknowned hero among the people of Compass.....
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Post by earthwizard on Mar 15, 2008 12:22:32 GMT -8
The last living Kobold rose from the ground with his broken jaw, and slashed at Bendehr...opening a fresh gash along his left side. He responded with his club, hitting the Kobold so hard that his eyeball was dislodged from his head. They were all down...and conciousness slipped away from him and he surrendered to the darkness....... Bendehr finds himself standing in a cloud of hot steam. The hot water vapor makes it difficult to breathe. Searching for its source, he finds an old man at the edge of a bonfire. The old man throws a bucket of water over the flames, but it has no effect. He sets the bucket down for a moment, only to pick it up again. He throws the water from the bucket onto the flames a second time, and again it has no effect. He sets the bucket down . . . Bendehr approaches the elder, but he gives no reaction. "They never go out, why won't the flames go out?" He whispers and picks up the bucket again to throw more water on the flames. Steam fills the air. As Bendehr raises his eyes he now sees in the flames two figures tied to a post . . . his parents. He finds a bucket of his own in his hands, filled with water and he quickly throws it onto the flames. It has no effect. They are burning alive, and Bendehr is helpless. "No!" he screams, leaping onto the pile of flaming wood himself. The flames catch and burn at his flesh as he attempts to untie his parents. But the knots don't budge and he is already too late. His mother raises her face, somehow still unburnt, just as he remembered her. "You are alive, and your people will need you. You have a gift, Bendehr, use it well." The flames consume them all but Bendehr. He is left standing on a pile of coals. He looks up and sees the old man, who approaches. "The flames now burn within you, Bendehr. You are alive. Be alive, and know that someday soon, you will be called upon by your people." He came back to awareness laying on a soft bed. His neighbor, Nay-bor, had returned that same evening and found Bendehr laying among the bodies of the would-be poachers. Bendehr was rewarded with a fine shortsword and a great meal. Word spread quickly about how this young man had managed to slay 4 Kobolds single-handedly. And thus, Bendehr found himslef on the path of becoming a reknowned hero among the people of Compass..... Inside Bendehr there grew a desire, not one to save his parents, for they were already gone. Rather, it was a desire to be as great as possible in every endeavor he took on. Perhaps it was to make his parents proud, for he knew they were watching him from beyond the Veil. Or maybe it was just to honor their memory. Regardless, it was a desire to eat, to drink, to love, to live, and it filled his every muscle and bone. Bendehr Dondat receives 400 xp.
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Post by vinnytheelf on Apr 10, 2008 7:37:00 GMT -8
The Hag had been defeated, the Book had been 'neutralized' and the last of the taint had been removed. Zedifex bid his companions farewell for a while, having little need or interest to celebrate or partake in any of the festivities they had been invited to.
Muttering something about Druid business he bade Rurik and Drago farewell til the morrow and took off intot he wilderness.
Drauga, his faithful Wolf companion had been stricken with the affliction and Zedifex knew she would need time to recover from the ordeal, so he headed off to the nearest Druid grove he knew of, or had knowledge of, so that she could rest there in safety and the care of the woodland priest.
He reported to his brethren and superiors of the Tainted Book and its destruction, of all that had happened leading up to and after its demise. After much talk and recounting of the tale, he awaited the decisions of his Elders and mulled over whether to leave Drauga here in the safety and care fo his brothers and sisters or to bring her along with him again, for a little bird told him that his friends were heading into danger and he should perhaps go find and help them...
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Post by prandur on May 11, 2008 13:00:21 GMT -8
Fueled by his curiosity of the conflict between the Doragon and the Tuathden'nanon, Rurik decided to stay behind while the party continued onward. During this time he asked Shamus many questions and tried to garner as much as he could from it all. Though there was much to learn, he felt that he had to absorb it all...for soon the consequences of his decisions would begin to manifest throughout the world of Geb.
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