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 Infiniti2000
Still here? Wow.
(5/8/03 5:10 am)
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ezSupporter
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Character Background (amnesia)
If you have been reading my log, then you should be somewhat familiar with this. Anyway, I have a player who's character (Sylvan, an elven Wiz6/Fatespinner1, who prefers spells that modify effects and rolls as opposed to actual damaging spells, like slow, haste, fox's cunning, etc.) has amnesia. In fact, he doesn't even know his real name.
So far, I've given him two dream sequences, with Tessimon in both. I've alluded to "you can't run away from me, apprentice" in both, but it doesn't necessarily imply that Sylvan was her apprentice, he could have been someone else's. I'm basically looking for ideas, because as they enter the CRM, some NPC's may or may not recognize him, and vice versa. I need to define his past before they get there. I figure his memory will come flooding back once he confronts his "past" whatever that may.
The player is okay with anything, so let your imagination run free. I was even toying with the idea that he's under some magical effect where once he regains his memory, the alternative path that would have occurred can be chosen instead. In such a case, I would stat out a different character (possibly similar, possibly not) and the player could choose the new one or the current one. If anything, that would definitely fit in with the Fatespinner PrC, even if he didn't choose to stay with Fatespinner. Another idea is that he is a polymorphed creature (possibly a dwarf from the previous fall of the mines, who has been subjugated for 100 years).
Thanks for any help!
Edit: shameless bump 
Edited by: Infiniti2000 at: 5/19/03 10:10:28 am
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Caedrel
A song from the sixties
(5/19/03 6:39 pm)
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Re: Character Background (amnesia)
"The player is okay with anything"... when you're given a blank canvas, where do you start?
(BTW Great log - I generally don't read them, because I usually connect to the 'net from work. I guess also feel guilty that I'm not writing up my own group's logs because (a) I'm not keeping tight enough details to give blow by blow descriptions and (b) I don't have the time. Wish I did, though - I'm quite pleased with how it has come together, some of it quite accidentally. Enough of me, though...)
If you're going to go with the Tessimon / apprentice connection, I think Arlainth represents excellent value. I think he's currently a half elf, but you could easily change him to an elf and give him a close connection to Sylvan - brothers, or twins even. They complement each other wonderfully: Arlainth is the flashy sorceror throwing around the heavy duty attack spells, relying on natural talent - Sylvan is the studious wizard who is building a repertoire of more subtle spells. Maybe they worked together, serving Tessimon and the Fire Temple; or maybe they were bitter rivals, seeking to outshine one another. Maybe they still had a deep familial bond, and would take offence if someone insulted the other...
Maybe Sylvan thought the whole deal was a bad idea, but Arlainth talked him into it, and Sylvan went along to do what he could. Or the other way around. If they're twins, all of the Fire Temple personnel would recognise him but wonder why Arlainth is travelling with this group - great way to drop hints. Maybe Sylvan could get Arlainth to swing over, and leave behind everything that he's tried so hard to accomplish...
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Caedrel
A song from the sixties
(5/19/03 6:46 pm)
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Re: Character Background (amnesia)
Another idea I just had, that could be used with the above or not - maybe Sylvan was the possessor of the demonstone before Firre - or maybe Firre gave it to him after he arrived and corrupted him too. Maybe Sylvan's amnesia has come about as a result of his psyche trying to deal with the horrors he inflicted on others while under its influence - maybe he spent time with Firre in the "playpen", comparing notes and techniques and who screamed most prettily... I have no idea how Sylvan would have broken free - maybe Tessimon accidentally did something that gave him his true memory back, and he fled from it. It would certainly give the discovery of the grisly torture chamber some extra punch!
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Infiniti2000
A guitar
(6/10/03 2:56 pm)
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ezSupporter
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Re: Character Background (amnesia)
Really good ideas, Caedrel. Thanks a lot for responding. I like the relative idea the best and think I will go that route. I think Sylvan will be Arlainth's half-brother. Sylvan's real name TBD. I'll try to work out something for their parents besides the cliche killed by goblins or some such. Maybe it was a family of arcane spell casters who joined the Fire Temple. The parents were already "tried" as champions and failed miserably, paying the ultimate price for their greed and ambition. Unlike Arlainth, Sylvan had to be coerced to join the temple and Tessimon forced him to try the infernal device, at which point he was able to escape only to be caught (secretly) by Firre and tortured. Upon the acquisition of Jurrikath, however, Sylvan was dumped in the Stalagos and amazingly survived, stumbling to Rastor and beyond in a sort of daze, forgetting all about the ToAC and having to recreate his spell books from scratch. Arlainth, of course, has accepted his rather meager role and decided that he is certainly not a candidate for Champion. They bear a striking resemblance, however and may be recognized in the fire temple (DC 10 spot), fire bridge (DC 15 spot) or elsewhere (DC 20 spot). This outta add some spice to the game, particularly if, say, Kelashein recognizes him while they are trying to negotiate an attack on the fire temple!
I still have time to work on this, so any other ideas (by anyone) would still be helpful.
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Cordo Crowfoot
Faen
(6/14/03 12:08 am)
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Re: Character Background (amnesia)
Just to throw something in here... one plausible fantasy "amnesia" idea I've always liked it amnesia resulting from reincarnation.
Being reincarnated as a different race surely could scramble your memories, especially as the spell description mentions that memory is played with a bit... It might also make it more interesting/harder to track down parents... "How are these two humans (substitute any non-PC race) my parents?" if they don't know about the reincarnation itself.
"They were immediately and absolutely recognizable as adventurers. They were hardy and dangerous, lawless, stripped of allegiance or morality, living off their wits, stealing and killing, hiring themselves out to whoever and whatever came... They were scum who died violent deaths, hanging on to a certain cachet among the impressionable through their undeniable bravery and their occasionally impressive exploits" China Mieville, Perdido Street Station |
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