Kharask stuff

(More character related stuff)

So, going off of some of the feedback i've recieved i've made some decisions! First, i am taking that paragon path. Actually i made that decision a while ago, but i'm trying to make other parts of the character more obvious. The paragon path goes on the fact that the dragon born is in a direct line to great heroes of the Arkhosian age. This works in a number of ways, first, Kharask's story line portrays him as being a chosen, or important member of his tribe. I think my D.M. is drawing on that, which works with the paragon path. Regardless, the Dragonborns blood comes out and physically transforms him, making him more of what the first dragon born or the original members of Arkhosia were like. That fits with my character idea and the background i fleshed out, so theres no reason to turn away from it. I dont agree with some of the controller aspects of the class, but i have some ideas to have it mesh with the combat tactics i currently employ. Since its mostly blasts and flight, i can use it to get to strategic areas of the battlefield, soften large groups of fresh enemies, or critically weaken wounded groups of enemies. The action point ability creates a burst that does pretty good fire damage around him too, so i can use that when i'm surrounded, another reason to be up front, where i want to put him. I would still love some ideas on how to create oppurtunities to make him more proficient against the followers of tiamat. Thats the only thing that bothers me, but i know theres something that can do, i just need to think it over. A daily maybe, a series of feats, i'm not exactly sure yet. But i'll figure it out, some help would be appreciated. I love the imagery of the paragon path too. Kharask towering over his enemies with enormous wings and spouting blasts of fire is freaking awesome. I'll eventually need the rules on flight, there not explained in the players book, but i wont need that for quite some time. Oh, D.M. i think i'm going to pull on some of the dragonborn feats to kind of go along with the paragon path. Like taking the dragonborn fury one, and maybe one out of the forgotten realms. theres one in there i think. I think it gives a damage bonus to dragons. i'm not sure. anyways, thats it on my ideas for now. Feedback if you can!

Character Ideas

Well, another character related post.

First off, the barbarian thing is a bust. I understand my D.M.s stance on it. I also dont want anyone to get the impression that i'm becoming bored, discouraged or tired of Kharask. Not at all. These posts are proof that I devote far too much time into my hobby. heh. I love the character and what i've put into him. I really just want some help getting the mechanics behind how i'm playing him.

Personality - is fine. Love it. He's stoic and direct. He's honest. He's likeable, and he makes a great leader so far. Its easy to get into his skin playing him and i think i've done a pretty good part getting across his personality across to the other players. The other characters are starting to respond as if they know what Kharask's reactions will be, that always makes me happy, cause i know i'm getting him across.

Story - Very detailed and we flesh it out day by day. Its also becoming complex and multi dimensional. This is due in great part to our D.M. of course, and no doubt many things he has created for us thus far will be used against us down the road, dirty sneaky bastard that he is. Also, i get to make extra story points as we go, lamidons daughter, the dwarven elders, Vadrier's apprentice, and other elements we add by r.p. and chance.

Mechanics - a bit off. His leadership comes into play during r.p and during combat, and thats good. thats the most important part and i full realize this. The good part is, the inspiring leader cant really go bad. All there abilities, utilities (2 healing surges plus double my cha as an encounter. hah), and even daily's and combat encounter powers focus on healing. So no matter what other direction i throw in there i'll still maintain a great leader with the ability to keep my comrades in the fight. The thing i'm having trouble with his his inability to confront his chosen enemy, tiamat. Characters have secondary roles, and Kharask's is striker, more or less, though he has some controlling elements too, but i think that has some to do with my playing style, since i used to be a wizard only player. Now, I eventually will go more of a controlling route, the paragon path i will be taking will focus on multi enemies, it will also allow flight which i think can be categorized as a controlling element. The thing is, i still want something to do against my chosen enemies, an ace in the hole ability, or a series of feats or something that i can utilize when faced with them. Thats what the barbarian idea was, utilizing the rage as a secret weapon so i can break bad ass on a toe to toe fight when faced with blue scales, the exarch, etc. Again, this is a generalization. I'm just looking for a way to make him seem more competent when fighting his chosen enemies, something he'll use when he's faced with them. So what i'm thinking is that eventually he'll be a leader first and foremost, i think secondary he'll probably be controller. Flying and two encounter blast attacks will allow him to help the wizard out when controlling foes, his daily is a blast too. I just want an angle to use when faced with my chosen enemy. So if anyone reading this has some ideas to throw my way, send them over. Feats, Multiclassing, or ideas on dropping certain aspects of him. I'm open for ideas. again, not going to drop the big guy, not disapointed with anything about him, just trying to make him better. =)

thanks in advance!

Dragon Born Ideas

Ok, this is a character related post.

Well, i've decided on taking the paragon path Scion of Arkhosia. It is a path dedicated to the dragon borns breath weapon, as well as giving the dragon born the ability to fly. The elements of the path arent exactly leader or striker based, but at this point i agree with my D.M. that it would be more enjoyable to simply create a character that made sense. The paragon path fits my designs for him, and will allow my D.M. to create more storylines around his past and his fate.

His concept is basically a self exiled Dragon born seeking retribution for those enemies that wronged him and his people, and to attone for a great sin that he committed. The deeper part of this concept is that he had a destiny he wasnt entirely sure of, that a great leader would be chosen from between him and one other. He believes that his sin was that he killed the one that should have been that leader.

I have a couple of ideas that i was thinking about doing, a few directions to make his transition into the paragon path more enjoyable, and a few ideas to make the way i play him more tangible.

Feats - One thing for sure, i'm eventually going to give up heavy shield. My D.M. has informed me i will be delving back into the heavy weapons department which is fine, i liked heavy weapons with Kharask. Not just for damage, but also the imagery it creates. So, feats. I can take dragonborn feats, I was thinking about the hurl dragon breath, but the paragon path basically gives that to the Scion anyways. Theres the Dragonborns rage feat that gives them a +2 bonus to there damage rolls when bloodied. I like this one alot. I like the fact that dragon borns just go berserk when they start getting hurt. I like putting damage out there, but i dont want to just pile on weapon focus and what not to crunch numbers till i get a billion points. My D.M. is right, our group has gotten into meta gaming a bunch. Dont get me wrong, i like the numbers, but i want them to make sense too. So, the dragonborn rage feat makes sense, he's finding that inner dragon which is what his whole paragon path is about anyways. I was also thinking of Multi Classing feats. Two of them anyways. At first i was going to go with fighter. I liked the idea of off tanking, but with a change in paragon paths it might not be the way to go. Also by dropping a shield it makes it less likely. Lately i've been thinking multi classing barbarian. Theres reasons i'd go this route. One, its directed rage. That really strikes me as Kharask. When first fighting the blue scales in one of our earlier adventures i could see him just giving it his all, throwing his rage behind his attacks and destroy the target of his hatred. Thats his oath after all. I wasnt thinking Baerd rage, but more like a directed rage, something he throws at those he made his oath against. I would have loved to have some kind of ability to do that when faced with that situation, when tiamat sends devils after him, when he's fighting a powerful blue scale or other twisted dragon born, and especially when faced with the exarch. My idea was to take the initial feat, and the one that gave him the daily. That way he would have a rage he could use on a daily basis. Anyways, thats an idea. My big thing is in keeping with his story. I want feats that color in the gray areas, since i'm getting a good grasp of him. Instead of taking power attack, weapon focus and heavy charger to get those points up, i'd like to take things like the barbarian multi class, the dragon born feats to get those points in there. I dont want to get away from being a leader of course, since thats his core point not just as a character on paper, but also as his point in the campaign world.

Anyways, drop me some ideas for feats if you have any, or if you see him using a different direction with his feats. this was a feedback post, so i'd love to hear some!

Adventures Update

(Character related post. my puter is dead i think, so these wont be fast coming.)

Well, the two scars made it too the tower and made it within. More undead and other foul guardians were there protecting the tower, but the two scars destroyed everything that they met. The tower was small, and was obviously the wizards home. During the course of searching the tower the troupe came across evidence that the necromancer had once had an apprentice that he attempted to seduce and fail. Aside from the strange romance between the necromancer and his apprentice, the troupe also came across a book, possibly the information that the wizard had told them about. the book was ancient and was obviously written long before the great collapse. The contents of the book detailed several rings dedicated to dragons. Kharask recognized the rings from the tales of his past, the rings having a near holy meaning to the dragonborn. It was becoming evident how the blue scales had become so organized and dedicated. If they had found out about such artifacts, they would surely do anything to obtain them. What they would do once they were attained, Kharask had no answer for that. After searching the tower and looking over the books the troupe spent the night in the tower. Kharask wanted to destroy the tower, still believing there to be more to the necromancers motivations. They had found a portal not mentioned by the necromancer, and the information they found, though important, did not lead them in any direction, it simply created more questions. The others in the company convinced kharask to leave the tower in one piece, and to leave the portal untouched until it could be researched further. After leaving the tower the next morning, the two scars made there way towards Karan-Has. (I'll leave out some of the town information since it is not all complete.)

After returning to the port town, Kharask had some time to reflect on the two scars. The information below is some of his thoughts about the performance of his comrades.

Erantaelik - The drow disapointed Kharask during the adventure. In a moment of selfishness the drow chose himself over that of the party. Refusing to do his duties was an unforgiving move on the sword mages part, and it is a slight that the dragonborn will not soon forget. The drow later spoke with kharask about the matter and the two resolved it, but for kharask it was too late. Putting ones own personal views over that of ones comrades is reckless and it shows Kharask that the drow still has much maturing to do. He needs the drow to be dependable, and hopes that in the future he can become someone the dragonborn can rely upon. Ironically it seems that the drow felt that kharask did not fully trust him, and because of that refused to do what was required of him, and because of that, made Kharask's faith in him waver. The drow is becoming stronger, faster, and more capable when he puts his will into it, however, if he refuses to put forth his will when his ego becomes bruised he will quickly become a liability. Kharask will be a forgiving leader at this point, though if it were a tribesmate, things would have turned out much differently.

Merric - A powerful and unpredictable ally. Kharask worries for his small friend, knowing that soon they will start finding clues as to the whereabouts and fate of the halflings family. The dragonborn does not have the heart to tell him that if the blue scales have had them prisoner, they are more than likely dead. Merric carries the will of vengeance, and he hopes that the halfling will maintain a steady hold on his dedication to killing the followers of tiamat. Kharask needs dependable and crafty companions. The blue scales know exactly how kharask is going to come for them, they know how he thinks, how he will react, and how to make him react. Merric is an upredictable and energetic ally. He cannot be predicted, remains underestimated by the blue scales, and the followers of tiamat know almost nothing about him. To Kharask, merric is a secret weapon he wishes to hold onto for as long as possible.

Dalanor - Becoming wiser and more competent day by day. At first nearly mad with power, the wizard seems to be coming down, relying on his allies, and finding a niche within the Two Scars. Kharask considers Dalanor to be enlightened, but hasty. The mage's actions can seem rushed and anxious, which is worriesome. As the mage finds out more about his past he becomes consumed with it. The time will come when the silver elf has all revealed to him, but he must be patient. Kharask can only help guide the mage in personal matters, while Dalanor guides Kharask in matters beyond the dragonborn. He worries about the contact with the necromancers tower, knowing that wizards, seers and the like can be come obsessed with power simply by being in places touched by it. He is allowing the wizard to do more research on the sight, and hopes that doing so wont be a mistake.

Azriel - Was a usefull guide and combatant. He continues to be predictable and reliable. Still keeping to himself, the elf does not reveal much about his past. He has proven to be a decent follower, and can usually follow kharask's tactical mind. Kharask wonders at the depth of the elf sometimes, wondering if azriel has a thin skin, or if underneath he hides more of his personality. Still, to kharask it is refreshing. He does not need to second guess the elfs decisions, and can usually guess at the elfs actions.

Baerd - A powerful ally and asset to the Two Scars. He may be a bit unpredictable, but he is quickly becoming a powerful threat to the followers of tiamat. Kharask needs strength like baerds if he plans on taking on the hellish followers that will be throwing themselves at the company, he also needs fearless rage when facing down foes much powerful than the company, and the ability to ignore the possibility of loss when faced with impossible odds. Baerd is a strength that Kharask does not want to lose, unfortunately, it is the strong and powerful warriors that fade away into time and legend far before they should. He hopes baerd does not face such a fate, and can remain with the two scars to face down there most powerful foes.

(ok, thats all on this post.)

Bandits of Barrow Hill -Complete-

(Session post)

After moving through the ancient tomb and clearing out the last of the unholy creatures therein, the troupe finally made it to the last door, a sealed door. After some trial and error Merric managed to rig the lock so the company could go in. Inside was an ancient stone coffin, and after some debate the company decided it needed to be opened to see if whatever was causing the undead to rise was due to the contents in the coffin. Before that happened, the ghost of the necromancer showed up to tell the troupe of his plans for vengeance against the cult of tiamat who apparently betrayed him. he confessed on having some important information regarding the cults movements in the area, and some locations that would be important to us. Kharask decided to go ahead with raiding the necromancers tower, but with some anxiety about it. Was the necromancer really trying to help them just for revenge against the cult. It seemed he would be less likely to be suprised at being betrayed by evil allies, and that coming back from the dead with the sole purpose of thwarting them seemed a bit off. Perhaps not unbelievable, but to kharask, it would seem the necromancer would be more angry at the troupe who thwarted his plans for reincarnation. Betrayal must have been apart of the wizards life, but thwarting the mind of someone so enlightened, even if his mind was bent on evil, must have been hard to swallow. Regardless, if the information was truelly there, or there was even a small chance it was there, it was something the company had to do. All members had taken a stance against the cult and its members, at least to some degree, and obtaining possible information to hinder them was simply too tempting to pass up. Something else that bothered Kharask. after hearing the necromancers words, the spectre vanished. The company finished the search of the coffin and found the remains of an ancient, holy knight. Beside the knight was his sword, Dalanor stating that it was a sword of great power against the undead. Some members of the troupe talked about its value on the open market, Tovik have mercy on them, but kharask made the decision to let the sword lie with its master, until a truelly worthy individual was drawn to it. Sealing the sword once again, and having merric reset the trap, the troupe exited the ancient tomb. During the night Kharask went back inside and removed the remains of the eladrin they had found. He buried two of them, Dalanor seemed shaken by the remains of one, and he buried that one himself. After sending blessings to Tovik to tell the elven gods of the lost silver elves, the dragonborn went back to his watch. The next morning, the troupe made there way towards the wizards tower. Azriel used the sigil they had found to lead the way, and they made good time. The travel took two days, and there encounter was handled swiftly and without much difficulty. Eventually the troupe made it to the ancient tower, a large stone spire jutting out of the dark woods nearby. Readying themselves, the troupe made there way to the main doors.

And thats where we left off. i'll have more soon!

Rite of Passage

(Another character related post about Kharask's past)

Kharask was taken into the wastes. It was night, and the surrounding lands were barren and vacant, a sharp coolness in the air gave any lurking vegetation a crispness as the three dragonborn closed on there destination. Kharask was 15 years old. He had done most of his warrior training, and had seen a fair share of combat in recent years. He was still in training as a warlord, but a week ago his training was halted. He was forced to undergo ritual fasting, and had to remain away from his people during that time. Kharask knew of this ritual, it was an older version of the dragonborn rite of passage. In the days of old, a century or two after the fall of Arkhosia, the dragonborn began a grueling rite to test there young. This rite was created to show the elders if there kind was destined to survive, or to fade into oblivion. It was harsh, and after many decades of this, the original rite was abandoned. If a dragonborn was hatched that seemed to have a great destiny, or an incredibly poor destiny, this rite was sometimes used, either to weed out the week, or to decorate the strong. The rite had the dragonborn fast and forego any physical excersise. This left the dragonborn weak. At the end of the seven days, the dragonborn was taken into the wastes and placed within the center of a circle of stones. A ritual was placed on the stones taht would tell the seers if the dragonborn wandered or if the dragonborn was killed. The dragonborn was to be placed within the stones, and then must stay there for three days. The morning of the fourth day two elders would retrieve the dragonborn, or his body if he had been killed. What made this rite dangerous was the fact that the dragonborn must be placed a full days travel outside of the tribes territory. Many dragonborn did not survive this version of the rite of passage.
Kharask was led by his two elders to the circle of stones. One of them directed him into the center of the stones, and Kharask entered and took a seat. The elders spoke a word as he entered, and the stones seemed to glow a bit, the elders then left him to his fate, never speaking a word to him. It had just grown dark, and Kharask focused his mind. He regarded this challenge as an almost religious experience. Surely Bahamut had sent word of praise to his elders to have them perform such a dangerous rite upon him. Live or die, Kharask would have the honors of going through such a rite, and it was a rare privelage. His mind faded into and out of consciousness on that first evening, and before long it had grown pitch black. No moon was there to comfort the dragonborn, though secrets be told, his sight was never very good to begin with. Several times during the evening he had heard rustling, and he thought he had heard some kind of screaming. He understood this was probably animal noises, but he was also in unknown territory, so remained tense regardless. When it became the deepest part of the night, when the world seemed at its most hidden from him, when the very night became silent and the wind refused to blow, it was at this time that he heard a voice in the darknes.
"Who are you young one, and why are you here" The voice came out of nowhere, and it was powerful and close, but there was nothing to be seen, darkness covered everything. Kharask only hesitated a moment in his response. "I am Kharask Torn-Flames. I am dragonborn. I am here for my rite of passage. To prove it worthwhile for me to live" There was a moment of silence that seemed to go on forever. The powerful voice answered. "Rest easy Kharask Torn-Flames, this is my domain. I will allow you this time to complete your rite. No creature will harm or disturb you." the voice ended, and there was silence. Kharask expected more conversation, but none came that evening. The darkness faded into daylight, and kharask centered his mind, time slipped by slowly, but nothing disturbed him. He saw no animals, birds and he saw no signs of enemies. The daylight eventually faded again, and it was in the deepest part of the night that Kharask heard that heavy voice. "Has your stay been pleasant in my domain?" The heavy voice seemed interested in the response, and Kharask responded quickly. "This journey was not to be pleasant. But i am not dead yet, and have but one more night before my rite is completed. As you have said, i have not been disturbed." Kharask thought he heard something shifting, but that was the only other sound he heard that evening. As the night faded away in the presence of daylight, Kharask began to succumb to his extending fasting. He could not see clearly, and would pass out from time to time for an unknown duration. He awoke with a start on the third night. It was pitch black, but he had a sense of vertigo, no doubt the lack of food and water. A voice erupted from the night. "I asked if you were dead young dragonborn?" it was the voice, and Kharask answered, though his voice was weak now. "I am not dead yet." The voice responded a moment later. "Your time is now up Kharask Torn-Flames. In the morning you will leave, or you will die in the night time." Kharask nodded, although he doubted any creature could see in such a lightless place. "I will begone from your domain in the morning, and will bother you no more. My thanks for your passage." The voice spoke a few moments later. "Tell your elders that Ginteth the blue, Great Sky-Reaver of the east, has spared you." Kharask had heard that name before. He played the name back in his mind. It hit him. Tuk'vuneth, the great seer that had passed away five years ago had supposedly slain a dragon named Ginteth the Blue. He spoke out to the voice, but Kharasks words were silent, his mind faded from consciousness, and he floated into oblivion once more. When kharask awoke, he was back within his tribe. Young dragonborn were tending him, although kharask already felt some of the strength back in his body. Within the hour he went before his elders, he was decorated for his passing of the trial and a feast was prepared for him. After he was congratulated by his elders, he spoke the words that the strange voice had told him to repeat. The elders looked at one another, and then looked at Kharask. "Ginteth the blue is dead. The great seer Tuk'vuneth along with several of the most powerful dragonborn warriors ever assembled set war upon him. Only the great seer returned. Do not speak these words to others, for the memory of Tuk'vuneth is a sacred one, and should not be sullied. Sometimes the night winds play tricks upon you young one. I am sure that is the case." Kharask nodded and made his way towards his feast. Soft words, feather light reached his ears as he made his way from the elders. ".. and sometimes dragonborn, the trick is closer to home.." Kharask turned back, but disregarded the strange words. His mind was full of thought, and he needed his strength back.


ok, thats my character post. I'll have more soon i bet.