Adventure! Romance! High Fantasy! [UN]

[Insanitosis]

I will likely go with my sorcerer/fighter. He would work better for this situation. But I am still fairly undecided.
He is a more outgoing and friendly character, chaotic good in alignment, and quite a bit of a flirt.

[Ixy]

Yes, for all of my characters actually, I am still deciding who to use.

Vincent, the warlock I mentioned, Her grandparents could have taken care of him after his death and resurrection. Perhaps he got to know of her then?

Talan, a swordsman

And my sorcerer character, like vincent, but no struggle for control over his good and evil sides, or sudden demonic outbursts.

Hm... the first one would be a bit weird, but might work quite well.  She'd probably be simultaneously disturbed by the profundity of his 'unnatural' aspects, but would probably be riveted to his side based on the memory of his vulnerability at that time.  As for the swordsmen and sorcerer?  I guess more information would help me get a grasp of how they could connect... she'd probably make a good damper for a character prone to outbursts of evil behavior, because she'd be fixated on trying to 'fix' him (yeah, doesn't that sound like people we've known all our lives?  *laugh*).  Of course, that kind of personal quest almost always ends in disaster.  Problematically (or maybe rather plot-generatingly...) a character struggling to retain a conscience, partnered up with someone who flies into indignant rages-- leading to barfights, ludicrous tasks, much apologizing and amend-making (all from a pixie-like blond who looks like a wispy girl in her late teens).

So, we could have prior background and might actually start our 'branch' of this adventuring party with the hope of locating Aravol-->

Well, seems our group just keeps growing @_@
@Ixy; In the case of such a character, it's likely Aravol would know about her parents, perhaps having read about them or maybe even having seen their journals personally. Looking up to such adventurers, it's likely he not only knows more about them, he'll be more than willing to help gather information on them, eventually reconstructing the final quest on which they vanished. Add in the possibility that these parents aren't dead...

Indeed, having grown up in the equivalent of a rural medieval or renaissance town, my character would have HEARD of vast libraries, but her only experience with them is probably constituted of the four-tiered bookshelf at the closest town's "upscale" inn or her uncle's collection of tawdry penny-perkers that she found in the attic.  While I'm sure it doesn't have to be the sole focus of this small-town crew's mission, it would make sense that, if they set out for a quest of some kind that neared your character's home, she'd follow the tales to try to find him.  AND, as you said, that might be a good place to start-- reconstructing a quest that ended in the mysterious disappearance of the party 15 years ago.  Maybe some scrap of her parents' belongings proves to be the key to unlocking the starting point of their quest that other adventurers have speculated about existing..?  A code or cypher-device, perhaps?  GOD this is sounding cliched, but it's also sounding REALLY damn fun *GRIN*

OK, anybody else that might link up?  Maybe a guide-for-hire or wandering adventurer in Aravol's home town, or someone else from the rural village where my character makes a start?

PS: I plan to start this character with very, very little romantic history, but would like to see that unfold as the plot develops... be it mingled interests, a love triangle, harmless flirting or a brazen sexual discovery or seven, I'm looking forward to imagining this character's development of an intimate identity... up to this point in the plot, she's been very quiet about such things, but curious, and for characters with background links that we decide to work out, I can give you a couple examples of back-story that might add a little flavor to the inter-character relationship(s).

[Lunaris]

Hmmm...so after a quick head count I see six certain players already (including myself) up to a possible eight from the other posts I've seen. Frankly, I'm a lil' scared. :p

I never imagined we'd have so big of a cast in so short a time, and I worry about just how well I might be able to handle running this one. What we also need is a purpose to link the bunch...some quest a bunch of newbies would be hired to complete. Some characters knowing each other prior to the start is fine... But we still need a reason for the others to be traveling together. I'll try to think of one while I'm at work but I'm also open to ideas.

Whatever it turns out to be, this is a band of new adventures so whatever the task is, it won't be epic at all. Probably caravan guardwork from point A to point B. Simple enough, right? Of course, the stretch of land between will have some dangers of sorts...and that's sort of the point.

It was certainly interesting to read the connection ideas you all have between each other, but the only one I can offer is the involvement (or sightings) of my character's silver dragon mentor.

[Insanitosis]

Hm... the first one would be a bit weird, but might work quite well.  She'd probably be simultaneously disturbed by the profundity of his 'unnatural' aspects, but would probably be riveted to his side based on the memory of his vulnerability at that time.  As for the swordsmen and sorcerer?  I guess more information would help me get a grasp of how they could connect... she'd probably make a good damper for a character prone to outbursts of evil behavior, because she'd be fixated on trying to 'fix' him (yeah, doesn't that sound like people we've known all our lives?  *laugh*).  Of course, that kind of personal quest almost always ends in disaster.  Problematically (or maybe rather plot-generatingly...) a character struggling to retain a conscience, partnered up with someone who flies into indignant rages-- leading to barfights, ludicrous tasks, much apologizing and amend-making (all from a pixie-like blond who looks like a wispy girl in her late teens).

That might work!
Vincent for the most par has no clue about the demon lurking in his soul, having someone to hold him, maybe even physically restrain him when he experiences an outburst of evil. He really lacks the control to maintain himself, so having a few characters in the back to help him when he does such. The outbursts can be relatively simple, from bouts of aggressive behavior to total slaughter.

And if/when he reaches the level of stress that would allow the fiend to slip put, it might be handy having someone nearby that could bring him back out. If he reaches that Demoniac state, bad things can happen. Perhaps he is seeking out Avarol for a cure to his situation? The demon can't simply be exorcised, that would kill Vincent too since it would rip his own soul out with it.  Likewise killing him would kill the demon, so there is a slight symbiotic relationship.

I have kind of ruled Talan out since we decided to make his a newbie adventure.

My sorcerer.
Well, I can imagine him also being born to adventurers, wanderers, or even a noble family. He would be fairly niave to the ways fo the world, but is the kind of person with an insatiable wanderlust, adventuring just for the sake of adventuring. he is kind of a jack of all trades in a way. I havn't really thought of a bio, but so far I have the concept, a spoiled noble child who got sick of the high life and left home. He could even be a prince or other higborn type who hides his identity.


@Lunaris
If I go with the highborn/sorcerer thingy it could be an escort.

[Aravol]

Hmmm...so after a quick head count I see six certain players already (including myself) up to a possible eight from the other posts I've seen. Frankly, I'm a lil' scared. :p

Have to agree on that one. One too many oversized groups have taught me to be afraid of this getting much bigger... Unless we split into two threads?

Whatever it turns out to be, this is a band of new adventures so whatever the task is, it won't be epic at all. Probably caravan guardwork from point A to point B. Simple enough, right? Of course, the stretch of land between will have some dangers of sorts...and that's sort of the point.

That sounds like a good start point, but it would only work particularly well if our hometowns are close together, or members of the caravan are in need of 'replacement,' either by quitting or, well, dying, as the caravan passes by each said hometown.

It was certainly interesting to read the connection ideas you all have between each other, but the only one I can offer is the involvement (or sightings) of my character's silver dragon mentor.

Involvement of a mentor is quite possible... Aravol, for one, would probably be seeking him out to get training of his own. If he's been sighted, it would be right where Aravol's headed, and if there are any characters who wouldn't logically seek out such a mentor, maybe they just happen to be in the area where he's been sighted and get caught up in the action. Honestly, that does seem like a nice idea...

I never imagined we'd have so big of a cast in so short a time, and I worry about just how well I might be able to handle running this one. What we also need is a purpose to link the bunch...some quest a bunch of newbies would be hired to complete. Some characters knowing each other prior to the start is fine... But we still need a reason for the others to be traveling together. I'll try to think of one while I'm at work but I'm also open to ideas.

This becomes more problematic as the group gets bigger, but I do have to say that while it's not going to be terribly epic, our characters could get caught up in something they can't possibly solve for some time, or without gathering some serious help, or escaping.

my ideas;
-If anyone else would join up with an Adventurer's Guild of some kind, what about that?
-Everyone ends up at the same tavern for various reasons. To kill the old stereotypical, and probably illogical, at this point, meeting where everyone decides to work together, what if the tavern gets stormed by militant goblins or the like, and everyone ends up in the same cage, prison, or the like, the only hope of escape being each other. Quick way to start off the bonding, along with some action.

[Insanitosis]

I do like the escape from a bigger threat idea, perhaps escaping the burning/sacking of a city? Vincent doesn't take well to captivity >.>. Kain would probably be fine.

Of course we could also have them being hired by some mysterious client to go and get an object of worth from somewhere dangerous, or at least from another city fairly far away, but get sucked further down through a chain of events.

[Aravol]

I do like the escape from a bigger threat idea, perhaps escaping the burning/sacking of a city? Vincent doesn't take well to captivity >.>. Kain would probably be fine.

Not being well with captivity is fine - my whole idea was that everyone gets kidnapped, perhaps clubbed, and then breakout as soon as everyone's, well, conscious.

Of course we could also have them being hired by some mysterious client to go and get an object of worth from somewhere dangerous, or at least from another city fairly far away, but get sucked further down through a chain of events.

The question being why would our characters get hired?

[Insanitosis]

Claustrophobia... ^.^ And last thing anybody needs is someone like vincent having a panic attack...

And...

Uh...

Expert adventurers are too expensive?


I am still having trouble deciding between the two characters, I might play both.

And as for avarol knowing either of them? Any ideas? I should probably explain both characters clearly

[Aravol]

Divination solves a whole bunch problems... Assuming we're hired by someone who has been using divination to see the future big heroes our characters are to be, there's the perfect reason to hire us, despite the fact that we're inexperienced at the moment. Tie this in with, say, said Silver Dragon mentor being said diviner and employer, and we've just tied several lines together. Now, if he's hired us, maybe our first job goes south, and we're captured. To fix claustrophobia, maybe we're caught by ogres, or some other large race, since they'll logically have prison cages the size of a human-sized being's cottage.

Anyone like the sound of that?

[Insanitosis]

Well, the claustrophobia can also be exploited... You just have to figure how to keep him from killing everybody in a demonic outburst that is... It would make a nice plot object, and is one of the few things that could make vincent go into a said outburst. But there is also the fact that he is under the guise of a healer, so he might be treated a bit better, which gives the opportunity for him to pull something on his captors. 

As said, I don't even know if I am going to use that character. He would be fun to play as where he is just learning to control his evil nature, but I also have the other character to think about.

[Ixy]

OK... once we've got our scenario straightened out, there will be a point when players are supposed to respond, but don't.  So I think we should set a couple groundrules.  These are just suggestions-- by no means am I trying to take control here, but if people agree I think we'll have a much better chance of getting this story rolling.
1) Your character should be special in some way, but not MORE special than everyone else. 
2) When you post, you should describe what YOUR character is doing, and perhaps what's happening around the group, but NOT what effect that will have on the other characters.  Exception: "NPCs" where we've agreed that a certain outcome is expected.
3) Don't try to "WIN".  Sometimes, the most fun comes out of stories where your own character makes mistakes, gets knocked around, gets rescued, etc.
4) If you can't post, use your A&A thread.  If someone gets hung up for more than 3 days between posts, the other players should 'keep them moving'... not write something major, just drop in a line or two to indicate that the absent player's character is still active.  That way, we don't have 1-2 week holdups while waiting for someone to respond.

I think we have a couple good suggestions... the capture/captivity bit is probably a feasible starting point, and if that's what you guys want to do, I'm game.  I'm still interested in writing up some backstory, but that can be done via PM.  I'm probably ready to start with THAT aspect for those two who've already indicated they want to link character histories (once they're sure about characters), and am still open to other connections. 

[Lyrus]

Sorry about butting in with my Introductions still going on, but I definitely want a spot on this, personally have been a sucker for fantasy, and this looks like something great is going on. ;x

Okay, now I'm going to run out and come back if I'm ever approved.

[Lunaris]

Actually. I'm going to toss my vote in for an Adventurer's Guild. Screw taverns. They are so utterly overused. Perhaps this guild (or local branch of it) is led by the aforementioned silver dragon (in disguise, of course).

I will also vote against the captivity thing or any larger plots. I've found it's best to start simple, let people get into things and see how they fare. And if the RP looks like it might last long, the bigger plot can be slipped in. So... we could start with a prologue of sorts, and if that goes well, we can get into the chapters.

And I say chapters because breakpoints allow the opportunity for character swapping, new additions, drops, and such without throwing things out of order.

Ixy's points are my views as well. I am pro-balance, anti-Sue/Stu, anti-godmodding, and for keeping fellow players informed. A balanced group is more likely to rely on and trust each other because each person is good at something that others aren't...at least, that would be the ideal.

The growing size of this has taken me completely off-guard. I hope that amongst you all there's someone willing to help me with this one because...it's HYOOGE now.

What ideas do you have, Lyrus?

[Insanitosis]

I like the idea of chapters...

Well, if we go about and make an adventurer's guild thing I will have to reconsider my characters and their relationships, which is fine.

And well, I am not sure it is that huge, some members have just dropped by and voiced their interest, few have actually gotten into discussing it.

[Nirinian]

My character would not be joining in the fighting and all. He's only hanging around the guild to travel and see things, not kill them. Also, he's too weak, and doesn't know how to defend himself. If that's alright, that is.

[Lyrus]

Interesting ... If I entered this, I'd use either a Drow Ranger, or a typical human sword-and-shielder.

By the way, if we go by chapters, that means we need a main plot, no? Neverwinter Nights style?

[Sabel]

I really like this idea. I'm new and haven't started a game yet. Actually, that's why I'm searching. I love fantasy and wilderness, so this is perfect, however, in every great story (or game) there is a conflict. That's the only key factor this game idea seems to be missing. Perhaps if something was cooked up, whether it's people who don't want the group to find the lost civilization or whatever it may be, or just the woes of wilderness in general, it does need something of the sort.

I'd be interested in learning more, and perhaps joining, either way though.

[Lunaris]

@Sabel: So you're into the lost discovery idea? It seems like everyone else is up for the 'new adventurers' one. Well...of course, *I* like the lost discovery idea most of all I posted in this thread but...

@Lyrus/All: There are so many interested in the concepts offered that I'm starting to feel like this should be split into two groups. What if they were on a sort of gold rush or scavenger hunt? Rival newbie adventuring parties trying to sabotage each other on the way to a shared destination? Until they eventually encounter something that endangers them all and find they'll need to work together to succeed?

It could be done in three topics maybe. One for each group and one for when both groups encounter each other!

[Sabel]

To be honest, I hadn't read through very many of the replies. I only skimmed. However, I like all of the ideas presented, I was just adding the fact that conflict of some sort adds spice to a story. I'm still very interested though. Have you come up with a solid concept yet, or is it still in ideas form?

[Lunaris]

Sort of still in the ideas stage as I want to get a feel for what everyone would like to see in this.

[Sabel]

That's perfect. I'm willing to play an adventurer, or anything really. I'll keep this thread tagged, so I can keep up, but I'm definitely interested.

[Lunaris]

Glad to hear it!  ;D

[Insanitosis]

I dun know who I am going to play now, I do have a leader type character though.

[Lunaris]

Well...before you decide on a character, perhaps it would be better to get a pool of which ideas and themes we want to pursue as a whole.

So far, the majority seems settled on newbie adventurers and an adventuring guild.

Is anyone up for 2 competitive parties idea? Perhaps the inclusion of a rival adventuring guild and a race towards a shared goal?

[Nirinian]

I don't mind two rivalling parties.