I wonder if people can help me with some character background for my new campaign (the last one ended in a near TPK in the sewers beneath Crockport).
For a change I am gonna move away from Furyondy/Vesve/Iuz scenarios and move to Keoland, and the small fishing village of Saltmarsh.
So I have a new location and my players eargerly rolled up there characters the other night. The help I am looking for is giving these characters a Keolandish feel and background, and if possible a reason to be in, or preferably live in, Saltmarsh. I thought that before the players get any uppity ideas of their own, I would offer the community here a chance to input some suggestions .
Anyway onto the party, please remember these are the bare bones of the PC, and I am still open to suggestions that I could pass onto the player as background ideas;
Oh BTW I am playing 2nd edition, if that makes any difference? And probably set 3-10 years after the Greyhawk Wars.
PC 1. Half-orc Male Barbarian
Players hasn't decided on much yet apart from he is pretty smart (14 Int), strong (17 Str), and it gonna go with a bastard sword swung with both hands. So looking for barbarian kits that might fit. I believe the PC is going to be more human than orc as well, where would a barbarian come from in these parts?
PC 2. Human Male Bard
This one really is a blank canvas, but I was thinking of a Flan background (a tradition of story telling in their culture). I also know bards are highly regarded in Keoland.
PC 3. Half-elf Male Thief
Lawful Neutral, a real rogue, probably background lies in the Dreadwood. Again pretty much a blank canvas on this one too.
PC 4. Human Male Mage
This guy was unlucky with is dice, ending up with a 7 Str and Con but 16 Int. So pretty much your standard mage then. I was thinking of a Suel background, possibly of minor nobility.
PC 5. Halfling Male Fighter
An unusual choice given the racial limit on strength, but it was his choice. I was thinking of the Homesteader kit, having him come down from the Good Hills and settle near Saltmarsh.
PC 6. Half-elf Male Cleric of Pholtus
This guy was abandoned by his elven mother on the steps of the church, and was raised by clerics of Pholtus. As a result he has a xenophobic attitude to elves and harbours a deep resentment towards them, and he also a firebrand preacher of Pholtus to boot . My problem here is getting him into Saltmarsh and Keoland. Are there any Pholtus churches in Keoland????
PC 7. Probably Human Male Cleric of Pholtus
Not related to PC 6, but of the same faith. The player hasnt rolled up anything yet and I have no idea of background he wants, so another blank canvas for you.
So there you go, what I am looking for help on are;
1. Reasons to be/live in Saltmarsh
2. Suggested backgrounds to offer the players
3. Human racial types where applicable and religions too.
4. Reasons for Pholtus to be present in the region.
and all with a Keolandish spin. Any help would be appreciated.
[/b] _________________ The only Good hobbit is a well-done hobbit.
If you haven't already - the PDF of Gary Holian (of this parish)'s Living Greyhawk Journal article on Keoland is invalauble. you can find it and what looks like a lot of other good stuff at the LG Keoland site:
Thanks Woesinger, I have plundered that resource and any other I could find on Keoland, I was asking if ppl had any suggestions based on campaigns they had run, or adventures in Keoland. _________________ The only Good hobbit is a well-done hobbit.
I think #1 being from the Drachensgrab Mts in the Pomarj would be Ok. Should be able to work that in rather easily..
I was thinking of something similiar, maybe the Ulek States, coz ultimately the campign will be off to the Pomarj chasing yellow sailed ships! The only prob with Ulek is the lack of barbarians , do any of the mountains surrounding the Sheldomar Valley have hill folk or barbarians? _________________ The only Good hobbit is a well-done hobbit.
Looks very promising, and the Yeomanry is close to Saltmarsh (well sort of). So #1 I think is sorted, any suggestions for the others? _________________ The only Good hobbit is a well-done hobbit.
Last edited by Yabusama on Wed Jul 28, 2004 12:08 pm; edited 1 time in total
I have to take a stab at this. At least I'll try a background. Surprise, surprise We usually handle this by an old Task Force Games publication called Central Casting: Heroes of Legend and twist the results to fit Greyhawk. Fun stuff usually evolves from that.
For some reason, the human mage caught my attention. Sueloise heratige. Perhaps noblility. Could go a couple of ways for the background. I would say recently fallen nobility. You could always make things interesting by having his mother (or father) connected to the Brotherhood. Oooo wait. You could have him nobility all right, but have his father some noble in the Scarlet Brotherhood. His mother was a slave his father kept in secret as some..well...ya know, plaything. Have her of an ironic human stock such as some Baklunish mix. When he discovered she was with child he ordered her killed. You know how freaky the Brotherhood is with racial purity. Only, of course *cue dramatic music* she escaped/was helped to escape/left for dead. Possibly helped to escape by a rival of the father who would love to see the events of a bastard, mixed-race child come back to haunt dear old dad.
The young, unsuspecting mage could be in Saltmarsh for the simple fact that Keoland is where the mother origionally hailed from. Before she began her own adventuring career, of course. Have her a low level thief and while she was out trying to make her fortune, she was captured by slavers when she was a young woman. That was how she ended up in the Brotherhood's hands, origionally meant for some weird breeding progam but caught the eye of Pops.
She tried unsucessfully to teach the PC the art of lightfingeredness when he was a child but he just couldn't catch on. Instead, thank's to dad, he showed an aptitude for learning and magic. It could go two ways though. She could have been a very good, protective mother who apprenticed him to the local wizard when he/she noticed his intelligence and booksense. She probably shared this story with him to make him aware for his own protection. OR, because of the circumstances of his conception and the striking resemblance to his father, she remorsefully hated him and abandoned him with said wizard knowing that because of his heratige he would excel at magic. Leave him with a basic history that his mother and father were a simple fishing family in Saltmarsh. His father drowned in a fishing accident and his mother grieved to death leaving him orphaned. Some lie his mage guardian made up to answer the curious questions of his charge.
Then of course, you always have the opportunity for dad to discover by way of said rival that his half-breed son is not dead but lurking about somewhere. That could cause lots of trouble for him and his friends when daddy starts sending things/people/whatevers after him to kill him or bring him home for a visit and a murdering by his pops own hand.
Have an idea for #6. Since he was abandoned and raised by the church, his devotion would probably be a result of having nothing else to attach himself to except the church. As for the xenophobic attitude toward elves. It could also be festered by the church of Pholtus itself. Where they have praised the character for his fierce sermons, but adding comments about his heratige. Such as, if he had been fully human, just imagine the sermons he would be capable of. That the elven part of him was probably holding him back from his true potential. And what a potential it could be.
Thus, giving him the ever present need to prove himself. He could be in Keoland as having heard much talk of the heathens to the West, and their questionable religious practices. He could have requested to go out into these heathenistic lands to prove to himself and to his church that he could indeed overcome this elven half of his blood and gather a following to Pholtus.
It probably would be an interesting idea to tie #6 with #7 in some way. Such as the two of them, with the same ideas in mind, have crossed paths and have been traveling for a time together.
Just a thought, since I'm not sure if Pholtus is a commonly practiced religion in Keoland.
All right, so I couldn't stand it, and thought of another one. I must do this quickly since I had to physically push Tedra's chair with her in it away from the computer to get here. The thief #3. A LN thief made me think of the Troubleshooter kit from the thieves handbook.
Say this PC was raised by his human thief father. He was taught and trained by his father in the ways of thievery. The half-elf loved the life of a thief, he loved his training, couldn't wait to be a thief, was holding his breath until he joined the guild, proud to be under his father's tutilage.
But, just before he was to become a guildmember, the guild has his father killed. The backstory could be something like, years ago there was a certain messiness in the guild that the PC's father had somehow gotten smeared in, but was innocent. But it had come time for someone, anyone, to pay and the PC's father had to be the one. Through his years of training and learning the ways of a thief the PC knew his father was perfectly innocent of this.
At that point the PC turns his skills into one of a troubleshooter. He strives to sabatoge anything that could remotely be connected to any thieves guild, anywhere. He eagerly sells out his services to those trying to gain information on how to thwart burgularies, or any type of organized theiving operation. Possibly any thieving or burglary he does engage in could only be done if he thinks it will point to a theives guild, such as a place that is actually paying the guild for protection from such occurances.
Of course that could also lead to a lot of problems for him. But interesting problems none the less.
Thanks for all the replies guys oops and gals. As far as the bard goes I was looking for kits, so yes any from the Complete Guide are good too. _________________ The only Good hobbit is a well-done hobbit.
Well, you can't really do better than that character background at the LG Keoland website. I hear the guy who wrote it really knows his Keoland stuff.
More specifically, I would suggest:
1. An adult half-orc barbarian 3-10 years after the wars would have an extremely difficult time in Saltmarsh. The Scarlet Brotherhood has only recently been expelled, and they likely employed such during that occupation. Normally I would suggest he be from the Pomarj, but again the time frame makes surviving the trek from there to Saltmarsh highly unlikely. That leaves someone from a tribe eking out a marginal existence in the Hool Marsh or the fringes of the Dreadwood, though an escaped SB slave is possible.
If an escaped slave, he is most likely of mixed Olman-Oeridian human blood, possibly of pure Olman blood. If a local, he is most likely of mixed Flan-Oeridian-Suel human blood.
Either way, he is likely in Saltmarsh looking for work on a brute squad, the typical Conan intro.
2. Bards are often used as Heralds by the noble houses of Keoland. If the character wishes such a connection, with the political baggage it carries, that would not be unusual. Otherwise he is likely to be regarded with extreme suspicion for being an arcane caster without a noble patron.
He would most likely be of mixed Suel-Oeridian blood. If he were representing a Suel house he might have a slightly purer Suel bloodline. If he were a member of the Rhola or Neheli he might have a nearly pure Suel bloodline.
He would likely be in the area to either escort the wizard, or, if you are really mean, to oppose him.
3. A real rogue would be dead in the Dreadwood in very short order. There is little to steal, and what can be stolen has a strong tendency to be worse than lethal to whoever steals it. More likely would be a scout from the Dreadwood, though being human is a minor point against that. Even more likely would be being a privateer from a very legitimate ship working the Azure Sea fighting the SB.
Either way he is likely of mixed Suel-Oeridian blood, with some minor Flan blood, particularly if he is from the Dreadwood.
He would be in Saltmarsh as his home and base of operations for whatever missions he normally undertakes.
4. Most wizards tend to be connected to the nobles in Keoland. A connection to the bard would be quite reasonable because of this.
Depending on what family he was from he would be racially similar to the Bard.
He would most likely be in the area on a political mission of some relevance for his family or patron. He might even be a full fledged political representative. Otherwise he is most likely in the area investigating something of magical relevance. Note that this is very likely to attract unwanted attention from the guardians of the Dreadwood, unless he is working with them in some manner. This is possible if he is connected to the Rhola or the Lizhal (the King's family), though in that case he is likely to be of very mixed blood, as would the bard.
5. Halfling would probably want to avoid a place like Saltmarsh as much as possible, particularly with the opportunities in the Good Hills. More likely would be a connection to the guardians of the Dreadwood, as a few halflings live near the portion of the Good Hills that are in that forest.
He would be a standard halfling, and would probably be in the area on a mission of some sort.
6. Having a xenophobic attitude towards elves is pretty much suicidal in the Dreadwood. The guardians are primarily elves, and have no compunctions about exterminating some fool who gives them lip, particularly if said fool also has polluted blood. Further, a firebrand preacher is likely to find himself ostracized by everyone he meets in Keoland. Even worse is being a cleric of a deity that has no natural relevance to the inhabitants of a place like Saltmarsh. Rant about Procan or Xerbo and they could let it pass. Rant about Pholtus and he'll get swimming lessons 10 miles out in the Azure Sea before dawn. Unless your campaign moves elsewhere quickly, either his character background or the nature of Keoland will have to change if he is to survive past the first few sessions.
7. There is no specific reason a cleric of Pholtus could not be in the region. Indeed, all things considered, Pholtus is much more likely than Cuthbert in the Sheldomar. As for why he would be so far south, that is a bit more difficult, but provided he accepted his status, most likely that of a hireling than a missionary or inquisitor, it wouldn't be that unusual.
He would most likely be of mixed Suel-Oeridian blood, as are most commoners in Keoland.
Overall, except for the half-elf, the most likely possibilities overall would be:
1. The group is sponsored by the guardians of the Dreadwood, either because of direct or indirect connections.
2. The group is sponsored by a noble house, minor or major.
They are either there to:
1. Investigate bits and pieces of arcane peculiarity. (Works with either one.)
2. Establish a political presence. (More likely with the second.)
3. Take to the high seas for some piracy. (Almost only with the second.)
The individual members are either:
1. Leaders (the wizard or the fighter, possibly the thief)
2. Supporters (the bard and whichever of the above is not the leader)
3. Hirelings (the clerics and the half-orc)
It is also possible to combine one or more of these if you can manage characters with differing goals, but that could get messy very quickly.
Wow what an indepth answer, I can see the area is close to your heart. Mmmm well I have a lot to think upon, I will post something when my mind clears and my research is complete. _________________ The only Good hobbit is a well-done hobbit.
For a change I am gonna move away from Furyondy/Vesve/Iuz scenarios and move to Keoland, and the small fishing village of Saltmarsh.
1. Reasons to be/live in Saltmarsh
2. Suggested backgrounds to offer the players
3. Human racial types where applicable and religions too.
4. Reasons for Pholtus to be present in the region.
I am operating a long running campaign in the Gran March region, with forays into Keoland. One angle to consider for why they are in Saltmarsh is the massive refugee issues affecting Keoland. The only reason one needs to be in Salt Marsh is that it is not the Sea Princes/Geoff/Ulek, or any other region of great strife.
Remember, refugees start running and keep on running. They are not going somewhere, they are running from something. So, any one of these characters could well be from Ket, the Shield Lands, or even Rauxes. Once their home was destroyed they (or their parents) just ran until the trail stopped... in Saltmarsh. After all, Saltmash is considered the end of Oerth by many.
This gives the players a great deal of flexiblity and personality. They can bring with them all the quirks and backgrounds (and regional feats if you use them) of their home region.
For the barbarian, the Rushmoors make a good option, as do any of the mountain areas, due to giant activity.
Contrary to many, I do not suggest kits to players at first level, and actually discourage such thinking. After playing for many years, I like to see what evolves in a character. I cringe when Player A states at 1st level.."My thief will also take one level of ranger at 5th level, so he can use two weapons, then he will become the best thief in Niole Dra by becoming a Shadow Dancer..." For me, this is less interesting as a DM, even for hack and slash play. I prefer that they find an interesting artifact at 3rd or 5th or 10th, and develop the character around that.
Our thief did take ranger, but only because she was tired of being incompetent in the Dim Forest. Then, she did take Shadow Dancer, but only because she met a troupe of them, and really liked their shadow friends. In the process she became a devout follower of Oldimarra, and would become a priest if she had any class slots left.
Regardlessof how you do it, good luck and have fun.
Wow what an indepth answer, I can see the area is close to your heart. Mmmm well I have a lot to think upon, I will post something when my mind clears and my research is complete.
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. My problem here is getting him into Saltmarsh and Keoland. Are there any Pholtus churches in Keoland????
that resource and any other I could find on Keoland, I was asking if ppl had any suggestions based on campaigns they had run, or adventures in Keoland.
, do any of the mountains surrounding the Sheldomar Valley have hill folk or barbarians?
We usually handle this by an old Task Force Games publication called Central Casting: Heroes of Legend and twist the results to fit Greyhawk. Fun stuff usually evolves from that.
what an indepth answer, I can see the area is close to your heart. Mmmm well I have a lot to think upon, I will post something when my mind clears and my research is complete.