I grew up a large village called Klavdiya under some mountains. My father was a dwarf who ran a tavern in called the Stumbling Monk. He was a lifelong bachelor entering into late middle-age when my mother came to town. She was a young adventurer, far from home for the first time. They immediately hit it off. They married quickly and I came soon afterwards. After raising me for a few years, the desire to continue adventuring took hold of my mother and she started going on short quests outside of our village. My father loved her and wanted her to stay home, but he knew her nature and never tried to stop her from going on these journeys. One of these journeys ended badly and my mother ended up dying from a dose of poison.
My father was heartbroken by my mother’s death. He could see in me the same wanderlust and swore that I would not meet the same fate. As a child I did not know exactly what he meant by that, but I did notice that after my mother’s demise the things I ate had a certain twang to them. Sometimes the stews I ate for dinner had strange purple mushrooms in them. Or my morning gruel contained tiny red flecks that burned my throat as I swallowed. I later came to realize that he was feeding me low levels of poison to build my resistance to it.
So I grew up in the Stumbling Monk. When I was old enough I started serving drinks. I learned many things in that tavern. I learned good balance from carrying many pints of ale through crowds of drunken dwarves, how to start a good old fashioned barfight, drinking songs from across the continent, and jokes so bawdy they make even the most seasoned of barflies blush.
My father eventually passed away. I tried to take over the bar on my own, but it was not the same without him. I sold the Stumbling Monk and used the profits to fund a trip touring the taverns and inns of the countryside. I spent many months on this trip and saw the bottom of many glasses. As a side benefit, I also had many barroom brawls and some more serious scuffles in the alleys outside of these bars.
I ended up in Cauldron while trying to visit all the taverns in the well-known “Monkey Chain”. I had already been to the “Tippling Monkey”, the “Monkey See, Monkey Drink”, and the “Brass Monkey”. The last two on the list were the “Lucky Monkey” and the “Happy Monkey” outside of Cauldron.
Showing posts with label character backstory. Show all posts
Showing posts with label character backstory. Show all posts
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Roland's backstory
From the journals of Loremaster Roland Brighteye, Archmage of Cauldron...
Today's attack during the council meeting has me disturbed. We thought we had rooted out most of the Chainwright's lackeys, and were down to dealing directly with them. Where these Derro came from, I haven't a clue. And that is what has me so upset. It reminds me why I am so obsessed with knowledge, and why I'm in Cauldron to begin with...
Lack of knowledge is what started my journey. Not my lack of knowledge, but my father's. Being a bookbinder and scribe in one of the largest cities in the kingdom, you would think he knew just about anything worth knowing. He copied and bound tomes for nobles, merchants, the city government, even the Church of Boccob and several semi-famous wizards. He taught me to read and write, and books quickly became my closest friends. My father began teaching me how to bind books when everything changed.
My father's major competitor was a politician and a follower of the Church of Boccob. He had been researching ancient laws for the Church and the city when he found some obscure law and had my mother arrested. Over the next six months, he went on a campaign to harass my family and ended up having my mother executed for violating a law that no one had observed in almost 300 years. After that, he used his knowledge of magic to drive my father insane and had him thrown in an asylum.
By this time I was old enough to be on my own, so I took what little of my family's fortune was left and enrolled in the Academy. I worked my way through the Academy doing minor "magic" tricks (really just mundane slight of hand tricks) for entertainment. I managed to learn the rudiments of magic at the academy before my father's nemesis turned his attention on me. Within the month, I had to leave town and began my search for knowledge in earnest. I had heard of another Academy in Cauldron and began my journey there.
So after all this, I despise those who use knowledge to destroy others, or for evil ends. Knowledge, and through that magic, is the most powerful force I know of. I refuse to rest while there is knowledge left to absorb. And now, my lack of knowledge may be endangering not only myself and my friends, but Cauldron in general. So now, it's time to see what we can learn from our Derro friend so we can face this new challenge with some knowledge of what we're facing....
Today's attack during the council meeting has me disturbed. We thought we had rooted out most of the Chainwright's lackeys, and were down to dealing directly with them. Where these Derro came from, I haven't a clue. And that is what has me so upset. It reminds me why I am so obsessed with knowledge, and why I'm in Cauldron to begin with...
Lack of knowledge is what started my journey. Not my lack of knowledge, but my father's. Being a bookbinder and scribe in one of the largest cities in the kingdom, you would think he knew just about anything worth knowing. He copied and bound tomes for nobles, merchants, the city government, even the Church of Boccob and several semi-famous wizards. He taught me to read and write, and books quickly became my closest friends. My father began teaching me how to bind books when everything changed.
My father's major competitor was a politician and a follower of the Church of Boccob. He had been researching ancient laws for the Church and the city when he found some obscure law and had my mother arrested. Over the next six months, he went on a campaign to harass my family and ended up having my mother executed for violating a law that no one had observed in almost 300 years. After that, he used his knowledge of magic to drive my father insane and had him thrown in an asylum.
By this time I was old enough to be on my own, so I took what little of my family's fortune was left and enrolled in the Academy. I worked my way through the Academy doing minor "magic" tricks (really just mundane slight of hand tricks) for entertainment. I managed to learn the rudiments of magic at the academy before my father's nemesis turned his attention on me. Within the month, I had to leave town and began my search for knowledge in earnest. I had heard of another Academy in Cauldron and began my journey there.
So after all this, I despise those who use knowledge to destroy others, or for evil ends. Knowledge, and through that magic, is the most powerful force I know of. I refuse to rest while there is knowledge left to absorb. And now, my lack of knowledge may be endangering not only myself and my friends, but Cauldron in general. So now, it's time to see what we can learn from our Derro friend so we can face this new challenge with some knowledge of what we're facing....
Amber's backstory
Q1) Where did I grow up?
I grew up on the move. My ma, and my pa, and my three brothers and a sister and our beloved wagon and, well, my whole clan, were always wandering to where the woods were greenest and the soil softest underfoot. I'd been from Farbottle to Isorah and seen all the country in between, before I'd even fully learned to ride.
Q2) What was my family like?
Well, I had a ma and a pa and and four older brothers and sisters, and four aunts and uncles and seventeen cousins, and two great aunts, and thirty-seven sec'nmore cousins, and if you really me to go into detail, the rest were related somehow. Clans are like that.
We were a merry bunch. Just about once a week it was someone's birthday, and even apart from that, there was always a pretty grove or a nice fishing spot or some reason for a party.
Q3) What did I do as a child, and how was I trained/educated?
As a child, I played with the other girls, of course. When I was a teener, Ellie and Greta and I would ride out into the woods and camp there for days.
I began following the holy path very young. It started as an accident. When the clan is moving from place to place, anyone can ride with anyone--I could be in my grandparent's wagon or on my aunt's pony or even with Mr. Blinley in his floating, shining carriage. Everyone liked having company, after all.
Well, the morning of the move, I had been out collecting pretty rocks from the streambed, and lost track of time. By midday, I had seventeen 'specially shiny pink and yellow stones and no clan. They went on a full day, too, and only missed me at bedtime.
I got on the road and ambled along--distracted often enough by pretty flowers, mind you, and at one point I found a pretty pool and stopped to swim.
As twilight fell, the world transformed. I was unprepared for the change darkness brought. I heard otherworldy shrieks and growls. Yellow eyes that had always twinkled from a distance in the firelight now looked on me green and close and hungry. I heard the click and rattle of dead bones on the prowl, and felt malice from every quarter. It was my first meeting with the menacing darkness, and I was justly terrified. I shrank into the roadside grass and sneakywalked quieter than when I was spying on my brother Nell.
Ahead, I saw light on the side of the road--a floating symbol of sun above a glowing grove. I was filled with hope, and sneaked faster. I saw a small clearing lit as with daylight. There were stone arches and a figure of a dancing unicorn, a pretty pool, and the grass was soft. I curled up and watched the world. Eyes in the darkness turned to me, and the light revealed a maliciously distorted wolven face, but it turned away from the light. A cloud of tattered rags and darkness blew overhead, but barely paused. I felt safe in my little globe of light, and slept like a little kitten.
At dawn, I was awoken by a gentle nuzzling, and looked up to see a unicorn and his pretty elven maiden! "Little girl," she said, "where is your family?" "Um . . . that way!" I answered, pointing up the road.
"I judge her a member of the Brickless clan, by her face and dress. They moved yestermorn and are twenty miles uproad by now."
"A long way for such a little one."
"And this is a dangerous stretch in the evening. By Ehlonna's grace alone has she lasted the night."
"Indeed."
I listened with rapt attention and memorized every word. These two were so beautiful, and a real live unicorn! Boy, I was safe now! And if I thought that was a treat, I wasn't prepared for what happened next. With a reverent bow, the lady summoned the best breakfast I'd ever had (and my grandma could charm dragons with her scrambled eggs), and then swept me up in front of her, on the back of the unicorn!
In a blink, the shrine was gone, and we were miles uproad in the woods. And then we began to ride! The wind made my eyes water, and the flying mane tickled my nose, but not a twig snapped underfoot.
They met my clan coming the other way, calling my name. And then with a stern warning to be more careful, they vanished into the trees. They left me only with the memory of the evil night, and the glory of the morning's ride. When I grew up, I was going to be just like them.
As it happened, I had a great aunt who served Ehlonna. She was our little clan's fix-n'-bless-it lady. I wasn't old enough to apprentice to her yet, but I followed her around anyway. Before too long, I was grinding silver and organizing baskets of potions and fetching herbs and repeating reverent phrases.
Training was natural and easy. Karen was merry and loved her work. She had a thousand and one pets, and could set a panicked pony at ease with barely a whisper. But the best part was the healing. The Haymores brought their babbling and sick son to us in the middle of the night, and she was swift and alert to bring peace and ease. One time my own brother was trampled by a panicked pony, and I was able to keep him alive until Karen could come and set everything
right. And when Jen fell in the river and drowned, and there was nothing we could do, we healed the clan as best we could: buried her with honor and blessed her grave. I fell in love with doing good; the gratitude, the relief on everyone's faces, just easing the pain of life. Training was never hard for me. When Karen asked for ground silver, I made it extra fine. When she needed something from her chest, I ran to get it.
Q4) What do I consider important or motivational?
I live to displace evil by doing good, to drive back darkness by shining light. Darkness lurks in many places - wherever there is deception, malice, or selfishness, there is darkness.
I believe all things are good, and left to themselves, they'll unbend and untwist. The best way to change anyone is to show them what's right and then let them make their own choices. At least, I believed that when I left home. I think I've seen some things since then that . . . that would never mend.
I believe goodness is creative, not destructive--the way to defeat evil is to do good, not to smite evil. Smiting just leaves a void.
I live in light, and that means I keep by eyes open and my senses sharp. The Brickless clan taught me to embrace the merriness of life, but I abhor debauchery. A few kisses and a little wine slow the eyes and heart; dancing on the lawn with noble friends is my kind of party, and a solitary dawn with honeysuckle nectar is my kind of treat.
Q5) What do I look like, dress like, and act like?
Well, I'm small, even for one my my race. Lastborn little runt. I don't mind; I make up for it by a show of spirit.
My dress is simple enough, utilitary leather and cotton. I guess these days you'll see me in armor more often than not--that's just the nature of my work. When I go to cities, I like to be in a long, elegant gown--but I'm happier in my tunic in the woods.
I act, well, pretty quiet and shy. Unless someone needs defending. Then I'll speak up. Usually. But there's a lot of good I could have done if I'd been a little louder, and I have a hard time talking to people even though I really do care about them.
Q6) How'd I get to Cauldron?
Wandering. When I completed my apprenticeship, I decided to leave my clan and my home, and wander the land, doing whatever good was at hand. I picked a road and rode along it, going south many miles.
Maybe I'll return home some day--but those are peaceful lands. Like a moth to flame, I'm drawn to wherever darkness and evil are worst, and they've seemed plentiful in Cauldron.
------------
[Metagame: Amber is about naive goodness. She's got a good heart
and high wisdom, but perpetually sheltered, she's inexperienced.
She tries hard, but doesn't always know what's best. Trying to
become wisely good without becoming annoying or evil has been a
bit of a bumpy road so far . . .]
I grew up on the move. My ma, and my pa, and my three brothers and a sister and our beloved wagon and, well, my whole clan, were always wandering to where the woods were greenest and the soil softest underfoot. I'd been from Farbottle to Isorah and seen all the country in between, before I'd even fully learned to ride.
Q2) What was my family like?
Well, I had a ma and a pa and and four older brothers and sisters, and four aunts and uncles and seventeen cousins, and two great aunts, and thirty-seven sec'nmore cousins, and if you really me to go into detail, the rest were related somehow. Clans are like that.
We were a merry bunch. Just about once a week it was someone's birthday, and even apart from that, there was always a pretty grove or a nice fishing spot or some reason for a party.
Q3) What did I do as a child, and how was I trained/educated?
As a child, I played with the other girls, of course. When I was a teener, Ellie and Greta and I would ride out into the woods and camp there for days.
I began following the holy path very young. It started as an accident. When the clan is moving from place to place, anyone can ride with anyone--I could be in my grandparent's wagon or on my aunt's pony or even with Mr. Blinley in his floating, shining carriage. Everyone liked having company, after all.
Well, the morning of the move, I had been out collecting pretty rocks from the streambed, and lost track of time. By midday, I had seventeen 'specially shiny pink and yellow stones and no clan. They went on a full day, too, and only missed me at bedtime.
I got on the road and ambled along--distracted often enough by pretty flowers, mind you, and at one point I found a pretty pool and stopped to swim.
As twilight fell, the world transformed. I was unprepared for the change darkness brought. I heard otherworldy shrieks and growls. Yellow eyes that had always twinkled from a distance in the firelight now looked on me green and close and hungry. I heard the click and rattle of dead bones on the prowl, and felt malice from every quarter. It was my first meeting with the menacing darkness, and I was justly terrified. I shrank into the roadside grass and sneakywalked quieter than when I was spying on my brother Nell.
Ahead, I saw light on the side of the road--a floating symbol of sun above a glowing grove. I was filled with hope, and sneaked faster. I saw a small clearing lit as with daylight. There were stone arches and a figure of a dancing unicorn, a pretty pool, and the grass was soft. I curled up and watched the world. Eyes in the darkness turned to me, and the light revealed a maliciously distorted wolven face, but it turned away from the light. A cloud of tattered rags and darkness blew overhead, but barely paused. I felt safe in my little globe of light, and slept like a little kitten.
At dawn, I was awoken by a gentle nuzzling, and looked up to see a unicorn and his pretty elven maiden! "Little girl," she said, "where is your family?" "Um . . . that way!" I answered, pointing up the road.
"I judge her a member of the Brickless clan, by her face and dress. They moved yestermorn and are twenty miles uproad by now."
"A long way for such a little one."
"And this is a dangerous stretch in the evening. By Ehlonna's grace alone has she lasted the night."
"Indeed."
I listened with rapt attention and memorized every word. These two were so beautiful, and a real live unicorn! Boy, I was safe now! And if I thought that was a treat, I wasn't prepared for what happened next. With a reverent bow, the lady summoned the best breakfast I'd ever had (and my grandma could charm dragons with her scrambled eggs), and then swept me up in front of her, on the back of the unicorn!
In a blink, the shrine was gone, and we were miles uproad in the woods. And then we began to ride! The wind made my eyes water, and the flying mane tickled my nose, but not a twig snapped underfoot.
They met my clan coming the other way, calling my name. And then with a stern warning to be more careful, they vanished into the trees. They left me only with the memory of the evil night, and the glory of the morning's ride. When I grew up, I was going to be just like them.
As it happened, I had a great aunt who served Ehlonna. She was our little clan's fix-n'-bless-it lady. I wasn't old enough to apprentice to her yet, but I followed her around anyway. Before too long, I was grinding silver and organizing baskets of potions and fetching herbs and repeating reverent phrases.
Training was natural and easy. Karen was merry and loved her work. She had a thousand and one pets, and could set a panicked pony at ease with barely a whisper. But the best part was the healing. The Haymores brought their babbling and sick son to us in the middle of the night, and she was swift and alert to bring peace and ease. One time my own brother was trampled by a panicked pony, and I was able to keep him alive until Karen could come and set everything
right. And when Jen fell in the river and drowned, and there was nothing we could do, we healed the clan as best we could: buried her with honor and blessed her grave. I fell in love with doing good; the gratitude, the relief on everyone's faces, just easing the pain of life. Training was never hard for me. When Karen asked for ground silver, I made it extra fine. When she needed something from her chest, I ran to get it.
Q4) What do I consider important or motivational?
I live to displace evil by doing good, to drive back darkness by shining light. Darkness lurks in many places - wherever there is deception, malice, or selfishness, there is darkness.
I believe all things are good, and left to themselves, they'll unbend and untwist. The best way to change anyone is to show them what's right and then let them make their own choices. At least, I believed that when I left home. I think I've seen some things since then that . . . that would never mend.
I believe goodness is creative, not destructive--the way to defeat evil is to do good, not to smite evil. Smiting just leaves a void.
I live in light, and that means I keep by eyes open and my senses sharp. The Brickless clan taught me to embrace the merriness of life, but I abhor debauchery. A few kisses and a little wine slow the eyes and heart; dancing on the lawn with noble friends is my kind of party, and a solitary dawn with honeysuckle nectar is my kind of treat.
Q5) What do I look like, dress like, and act like?
Well, I'm small, even for one my my race. Lastborn little runt. I don't mind; I make up for it by a show of spirit.
My dress is simple enough, utilitary leather and cotton. I guess these days you'll see me in armor more often than not--that's just the nature of my work. When I go to cities, I like to be in a long, elegant gown--but I'm happier in my tunic in the woods.
I act, well, pretty quiet and shy. Unless someone needs defending. Then I'll speak up. Usually. But there's a lot of good I could have done if I'd been a little louder, and I have a hard time talking to people even though I really do care about them.
Q6) How'd I get to Cauldron?
Wandering. When I completed my apprenticeship, I decided to leave my clan and my home, and wander the land, doing whatever good was at hand. I picked a road and rode along it, going south many miles.
Maybe I'll return home some day--but those are peaceful lands. Like a moth to flame, I'm drawn to wherever darkness and evil are worst, and they've seemed plentiful in Cauldron.
------------
[Metagame: Amber is about naive goodness. She's got a good heart
and high wisdom, but perpetually sheltered, she's inexperienced.
She tries hard, but doesn't always know what's best. Trying to
become wisely good without becoming annoying or evil has been a
bit of a bumpy road so far . . .]
Garlen's backstory
Q1) Where did I grow up?
A1) In the forest outside the village of Hesith. We were part of a small
druidic tribe.
Q2) What was my family like?
A2) Grela, my mom, was an accomplished Druid who focused on healing. Bekal,
my dad, hunted game and tended the groves. My big sister Niki got all the
attention because she was a talented spellcaster, and my baby sister Joslan
sucked up the remaining attention because she was just so darn cute. There
were assorted relatives in the area. Most everyone was nice. I was quiet
and mostly stayed out of the way.
Q3) What did I do as a child, and how was I trained/educated?
A3) I spent most of my time exploring and avoiding people. I sometimes came
along with dad and the other guys when the goblins and orcs and especially
the smelly ugly goblins in the area started making trouble. My twitchy
fingers made it hard for me to shoot cleanly with a bow, so I decided to
just rush into battle with a sword and hit them before they hit me. I also
learned a lot about plants and animals, and a little bit about other stuff,
in school.
Q4) What do I consider important or motivational?
A4) I revere the woodlands (and the goddess Ehlonna, who protects them) and
I hate those who threaten them. I'm really loyal, and I'll never turn my
back on my friends even if it means putting myself in danger.
Q5) What do I look like, dress like, and act like?
A5) I have deep green eyes and curly brown hair. For a halfling, I'm tall
and skinny. I like green and gray clothes, and I replaced my green cloak
with a magical black cloak we found in the kopru ruins. I'm jumpy and I
fidget a lot, and I tend to get real quiet sometimes, but when I get mad (at
goblins or people who were mean to my friends) I can be pretty loud.
Q6) How'd I get to Cauldron?
A6) Before my grandpa died, he wanted to see his homeland, so I came with
him to the area. After he died, I wandered a bit, until I ran into Rain and
Amber. They helped me fight some goblins.
A1) In the forest outside the village of Hesith. We were part of a small
druidic tribe.
Q2) What was my family like?
A2) Grela, my mom, was an accomplished Druid who focused on healing. Bekal,
my dad, hunted game and tended the groves. My big sister Niki got all the
attention because she was a talented spellcaster, and my baby sister Joslan
sucked up the remaining attention because she was just so darn cute. There
were assorted relatives in the area. Most everyone was nice. I was quiet
and mostly stayed out of the way.
Q3) What did I do as a child, and how was I trained/educated?
A3) I spent most of my time exploring and avoiding people. I sometimes came
along with dad and the other guys when the goblins and orcs and especially
the smelly ugly goblins in the area started making trouble. My twitchy
fingers made it hard for me to shoot cleanly with a bow, so I decided to
just rush into battle with a sword and hit them before they hit me. I also
learned a lot about plants and animals, and a little bit about other stuff,
in school.
Q4) What do I consider important or motivational?
A4) I revere the woodlands (and the goddess Ehlonna, who protects them) and
I hate those who threaten them. I'm really loyal, and I'll never turn my
back on my friends even if it means putting myself in danger.
Q5) What do I look like, dress like, and act like?
A5) I have deep green eyes and curly brown hair. For a halfling, I'm tall
and skinny. I like green and gray clothes, and I replaced my green cloak
with a magical black cloak we found in the kopru ruins. I'm jumpy and I
fidget a lot, and I tend to get real quiet sometimes, but when I get mad (at
goblins or people who were mean to my friends) I can be pretty loud.
Q6) How'd I get to Cauldron?
A6) Before my grandpa died, he wanted to see his homeland, so I came with
him to the area. After he died, I wandered a bit, until I ran into Rain and
Amber. They helped me fight some goblins.
Grokk's backstory
Q1) Where did I grow up? Grokk born on steppe, live with nomad family.
Family outcast from tribe.
Q2) What was my family like? Grokk mother Orc, father human. Grokk only
child that live.
A2) Grema, Grokk mother, fierce warrior and hunter. Grokk father, Prandar,
craftsman and tracker.
Q3) What did I do as a child, and how was I trained/educated?
A3) When child, Grokk help with yurt and herd of goats. After Grokk reach puberty,
he must learn to be warrior. Learn fighting from Grema, tracking from
Prandar. Grokk never good at crafting with wood or bone, Prandar sad.
Q4) What do I consider important or motivational? (Goals in life,
principles you're unwilling to break, etc.)
A4) Grokk on walkabout as part of founding own household. With family
cast out of tribe because father marry Orc, Grokk must set out on own.
Q5) What do I look like, dress like, and act like?
A5) Grokk tall and plain, scarred from warrior training. Grokk quiet and
ready to fight.
Q6) How'd I get to Cauldron?
A6) Grokk wander many moons, have vision after eat purple mushroom. In vision,
Grokk see Rubble Rousers in battle, need Grokks' help. They fight earth creature,
nearly kill group. Grokk set out to find Rubble Rousers, join party. Grokk
think this the way he restore honor, become welcome with tribe.
Family outcast from tribe.
Q2) What was my family like? Grokk mother Orc, father human. Grokk only
child that live.
A2) Grema, Grokk mother, fierce warrior and hunter. Grokk father, Prandar,
craftsman and tracker.
Q3) What did I do as a child, and how was I trained/educated?
A3) When child, Grokk help with yurt and herd of goats. After Grokk reach puberty,
he must learn to be warrior. Learn fighting from Grema, tracking from
Prandar. Grokk never good at crafting with wood or bone, Prandar sad.
Q4) What do I consider important or motivational? (Goals in life,
principles you're unwilling to break, etc.)
A4) Grokk on walkabout as part of founding own household. With family
cast out of tribe because father marry Orc, Grokk must set out on own.
Q5) What do I look like, dress like, and act like?
A5) Grokk tall and plain, scarred from warrior training. Grokk quiet and
ready to fight.
Q6) How'd I get to Cauldron?
A6) Grokk wander many moons, have vision after eat purple mushroom. In vision,
Grokk see Rubble Rousers in battle, need Grokks' help. They fight earth creature,
nearly kill group. Grokk set out to find Rubble Rousers, join party. Grokk
think this the way he restore honor, become welcome with tribe.
Rain's Backstory
Editor’s note: the following unedited transcript takes place just after Chapter six ends of Shackled City and is being submitted for publication. The only editing done was to insert text to indicate physical actions taken and will be noted in italics.
Interviewer - Ray Falhn, reporter for the Cauldron Examiner (hereto referred to as RF)
Interviewing – Rain of the infamous Rubblerousers.
RF: Hi Rain, Thanks for coming and answering some questions for your fans.
Rain: Yeah whatever.
RF: Well then, let’s get right to it shall we? The first thing your public would like to know is where did you grow up?
Rain: Where did I grow up? Heh, anywhere but home. Home sucked.
RF: I’m so sorr-
Rain: Yeah whatever. (waves hand)
RF: Ok. (Silence while RF rearranges notecards) Let me ask you then, what was your family like?
Rain: Family? Heh, guess where my name comes from? The month before I was born it rained 24/7. For a whole stinking month. Like it’s my fault or something. Sheesh. This is my family. Named me after some lousy growing season. (shakes head)
RF: Alright than, let’s talk about your rogue abilities, how did you learn your craft?
Rain: Heh, same lousy parents. Just because I picked on my kid sister they tended to lock me up in my room. “Said it was for my own good (said in a falsetto sneering voice)” they said. Well after getting locked up too many times, I started messing around with the lock. First it was the prongs – you know, those little things on those hard plastic combs? Yea, I’d break ‘em off and jam in in the lock. Eventually I stole the bobbypins in my sis’ hair and found those worked pretty good.
RF: What about a Rogue trainer or apprenticeship?
Rain: Bah, once I got the hang of picking locks, I would break into the wizard’s library at night and read about all I’d need to know. You wouldn’t believe the amount of material you can find if you are persistent. Those wizards are packrats when it comes to books. I bet they never get around to reading a quarter of what they hoard.
RF: You would break into the wizard’s library? Weren’t you afraid of being caught?
Rain: Those wizzies are pretty smart, I bet they knew I was sneaking in and reading their stuff. Besides, I never took anything that I wasn’t gonna bring back anyway.
RF: Let’s talk now about your motivation. What makes Rain tick?
Rain: (leans forward) Now we’re getting to it. I found a book one night that read of an ancient sword that would lop the heads off of enemies if you swung it in just the right way. There was a passage that I can remember to this day. “…Treasure abounds to those that fought. Dangers and pitfalls to those that naught. Locked in stone dark and grey, await’s the light of beholder’s may”. (Pauses)
RF: Um…
Rain: Yea I thought the same thing when I first read it, because it’s obvious to me that whomever wrote it was a lousy poet. About all I could get out of it was that there was a sword and it’s locked up somewhere, but anyway, the whole point was (in an excited voice) What a cool sword! I mean it’s not likely that I’d try and lop somebody’s head off with it, but wouldn’t it be a cool thing to have? Imagine the pickup opportunities at the bar? (in a mock voice) Hey baby, wanna go back to my place and check out my cool sword? Heh.
RF: Um…
Rain: Really Ray, imagine it. Sitting up on my mantle all shiny and stuff. Wouldn’t that just rock?
RF: Well, no not really.
Rain: Yeah, well sorry you don’t see it, but for me? That’s my motivation. (Points for emphasis) Yeah.
RF: For those that have never met you, please describe yourself.
Rain: What? You can’t sit here and see that I’m an elf? Need to borrow my Goggles of minute seeing? (gets up and starts to hand them to RF)
RF: No no, what I meant was for those that read this article to know what you look like.
Rain: Oh so now you want to pick on my unibrow now? I know I have a lousy charisma score, but that doesn’t mean you need to point it out to everyone else (crosses arms). Oh and you better not be putting this part into you article.
RF: Well-
Rain: I mean really. Pick on the ugly little elf. Not like I had any choice in the matter, it was the ol’ roll of the dice if you know what I mean.
RF: Actually I do (Turns to the DM and smiles)
Rain: Alright then, is there anything else?
RF: A few more questions.
Rain: Ask away.
RF: Right. So what brings you to Cauldron then?
Rain: Rumors that I might find the sword I’m looking for is here. Or around here. Or buried here. Who knows? After all it’s only rumors, but I (jabs finger in air for emphasis) will find that sword if it’s the last thing I do. Then I’m gonna get drunk.
RF: Ah, so you like to drink?
Rain: You betchyer ass I do! Plus I heard that Cauldron had this water festival every year and the whole town parties for like a week or two straight! Can you believe how unbelievably awesome that is!
RF: And how did you like it?
Rain: Oh boy, you should have seen it! I got this buddy Grokk that drank the table under everybody in the friggin town! It was a sweet sight! Except for that last dude though. I swear he was cheating or something but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.
RF: I wouldn’t worry about it. The point was, that you had fun and-
Rain: Look, whatever, but this is getting pretty tedious. You have any more questions?
RF: Just one. The Rubblerousers?
Rain: What? You have something against rubble? Hell I just came from a whole frigging PLANE of rubble. (gets up off seat) Do you have any ale around here? I’m thirsty, and besides I gotta get over to Skie’s to upgrade my stuff. See you around Ray (walks off).
Interviewer - Ray Falhn, reporter for the Cauldron Examiner (hereto referred to as RF)
Interviewing – Rain of the infamous Rubblerousers.
RF: Hi Rain, Thanks for coming and answering some questions for your fans.
Rain: Yeah whatever.
RF: Well then, let’s get right to it shall we? The first thing your public would like to know is where did you grow up?
Rain: Where did I grow up? Heh, anywhere but home. Home sucked.
RF: I’m so sorr-
Rain: Yeah whatever. (waves hand)
RF: Ok. (Silence while RF rearranges notecards) Let me ask you then, what was your family like?
Rain: Family? Heh, guess where my name comes from? The month before I was born it rained 24/7. For a whole stinking month. Like it’s my fault or something. Sheesh. This is my family. Named me after some lousy growing season. (shakes head)
RF: Alright than, let’s talk about your rogue abilities, how did you learn your craft?
Rain: Heh, same lousy parents. Just because I picked on my kid sister they tended to lock me up in my room. “Said it was for my own good (said in a falsetto sneering voice)” they said. Well after getting locked up too many times, I started messing around with the lock. First it was the prongs – you know, those little things on those hard plastic combs? Yea, I’d break ‘em off and jam in in the lock. Eventually I stole the bobbypins in my sis’ hair and found those worked pretty good.
RF: What about a Rogue trainer or apprenticeship?
Rain: Bah, once I got the hang of picking locks, I would break into the wizard’s library at night and read about all I’d need to know. You wouldn’t believe the amount of material you can find if you are persistent. Those wizards are packrats when it comes to books. I bet they never get around to reading a quarter of what they hoard.
RF: You would break into the wizard’s library? Weren’t you afraid of being caught?
Rain: Those wizzies are pretty smart, I bet they knew I was sneaking in and reading their stuff. Besides, I never took anything that I wasn’t gonna bring back anyway.
RF: Let’s talk now about your motivation. What makes Rain tick?
Rain: (leans forward) Now we’re getting to it. I found a book one night that read of an ancient sword that would lop the heads off of enemies if you swung it in just the right way. There was a passage that I can remember to this day. “…Treasure abounds to those that fought. Dangers and pitfalls to those that naught. Locked in stone dark and grey, await’s the light of beholder’s may”. (Pauses)
RF: Um…
Rain: Yea I thought the same thing when I first read it, because it’s obvious to me that whomever wrote it was a lousy poet. About all I could get out of it was that there was a sword and it’s locked up somewhere, but anyway, the whole point was (in an excited voice) What a cool sword! I mean it’s not likely that I’d try and lop somebody’s head off with it, but wouldn’t it be a cool thing to have? Imagine the pickup opportunities at the bar? (in a mock voice) Hey baby, wanna go back to my place and check out my cool sword? Heh.
RF: Um…
Rain: Really Ray, imagine it. Sitting up on my mantle all shiny and stuff. Wouldn’t that just rock?
RF: Well, no not really.
Rain: Yeah, well sorry you don’t see it, but for me? That’s my motivation. (Points for emphasis) Yeah.
RF: For those that have never met you, please describe yourself.
Rain: What? You can’t sit here and see that I’m an elf? Need to borrow my Goggles of minute seeing? (gets up and starts to hand them to RF)
RF: No no, what I meant was for those that read this article to know what you look like.
Rain: Oh so now you want to pick on my unibrow now? I know I have a lousy charisma score, but that doesn’t mean you need to point it out to everyone else (crosses arms). Oh and you better not be putting this part into you article.
RF: Well-
Rain: I mean really. Pick on the ugly little elf. Not like I had any choice in the matter, it was the ol’ roll of the dice if you know what I mean.
RF: Actually I do (Turns to the DM and smiles)
Rain: Alright then, is there anything else?
RF: A few more questions.
Rain: Ask away.
RF: Right. So what brings you to Cauldron then?
Rain: Rumors that I might find the sword I’m looking for is here. Or around here. Or buried here. Who knows? After all it’s only rumors, but I (jabs finger in air for emphasis) will find that sword if it’s the last thing I do. Then I’m gonna get drunk.
RF: Ah, so you like to drink?
Rain: You betchyer ass I do! Plus I heard that Cauldron had this water festival every year and the whole town parties for like a week or two straight! Can you believe how unbelievably awesome that is!
RF: And how did you like it?
Rain: Oh boy, you should have seen it! I got this buddy Grokk that drank the table under everybody in the friggin town! It was a sweet sight! Except for that last dude though. I swear he was cheating or something but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.
RF: I wouldn’t worry about it. The point was, that you had fun and-
Rain: Look, whatever, but this is getting pretty tedious. You have any more questions?
RF: Just one. The Rubblerousers?
Rain: What? You have something against rubble? Hell I just came from a whole frigging PLANE of rubble. (gets up off seat) Do you have any ale around here? I’m thirsty, and besides I gotta get over to Skie’s to upgrade my stuff. See you around Ray (walks off).
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