[OOC] Dragon Age: Origins (Remix)

[Pasta Sentient]

Gotta say when I was just a paragraph or so in, my mind went straight to the thought of a Mage Alistair. And lo and behold that was an example. Considering that, might I reserve that character as I work on a sheet for them?

[Zordon]

Blah. Personally, I had hoped no one would alter a Canon character.

:c

[Wired]

I too am nervous about the way(s) they may be altered, Alistair especially is one of, if not my favourite character in the game, so no pressure there mate. :P Still though, the altering of such things is one of this RP's main selling points so I guess we shall have to live with it. We'll probably even end up enjoying it. :D

[Pasta Sentient]

Wired said
I too am nervous about the way(s) they may be altered, Alistair especially is one of, if not my favourite character in the game, so no pressure there mate. :P Still though, the altering of such things is one of this RP's main selling points so I guess we shall have to live with it. We'll probably even end up enjoying it. :D

I intend to keep most of his personality intact. Awkward, Virgin, Cheese-loving, humor; however his world view will be a little less naive and more jaded because of his time in the circle. The biggest difference would be more of a desire to be king. Still loves Duncan though.

[Too Old 4 This]

Pasta Sentient said
I intend to keep most of his personality intact. Awkward, Virgin, Cheese-loving, humor; however his world view will be a little less naive and more jaded because of his time in the circle. The biggest difference would be more of a desire to be king. Still loves Duncan though.

There's a fine line between a remix and a complete scramble. I would recommend keeping as much of his personality intact as possible if you intend to play him as a mage. We still want to recognize him as Alistair, after all. If you want him to desire the crown, for instance that implies a huge change in personality to the point that, combined with being a mage, you might as well just roll a unique character. I don't want to say you can't do it, because I do not want to micromanage character creation like some kind of dick-GM, but just be careful.

Additionally, I am very glad someone's doing this one. The irony in this particular remix is just too delicious to pass up.

[Too Old 4 This]

Zordon said
Blah. Personally, I had hoped no one would alter a Canon character.:c

The remix is not about just trampling all over a cherished character and changing everything. Rather you change one or two important aspects while leaving the character's essential nature unchanged. It's not about destroying Alistair it's about seeing how he would have turned out if he was born with magic and how that would alter the whole story. It's what makes the game exciting and suspenseful and not just a replay.

[Too Old 4 This]

@wired Good job, bro. Your character sheets are so awesome they make people quit the game

[Pasta Sentient]

Too Old 4 This said
There's a fine line between a remix and a complete scramble. I would recommend keeping as much of his personality intact as possible if you intend to play him as a mage. We still want to recognize him as Alistair, after all. If you want him to desire the crown, for instance that implies a huge change in personality to the point that, combined with being a mage, you might as well just roll a unique character. I don't want to say you can't do it, because I do not want to micromanage character creation like some kind of dick-GM, but just be careful. Additionally, I am very glad someone's doing this one. The irony in this particular remix is just too delicious to pass up.

If desiring to be King is too much I understand and will change that, but it works logically to me. I would say that being a Mage necessitates that change. As a mage, Alistair would not have had it drummed into his head that he is not meant to rule. Eamon would have never had that chance to 'brain wash' him. Rather, as a mage Alistair would be educated academically and magically, but also oppressed by the Templars. He would see becoming King as a manner of achieving freedom for Mages in Ferelden.

Edit: Being a mage means that Alistair is somewhat more intelligent because his upbringing has allowed him to be. While the core character and background is there, changing his background from Templar to Mage changes his whole upbringing and education style.

[Too Old 4 This]

@Pasta I'll move this to PM so we don't clog the thread or spoil anything.

[rpg101]

Joras Telrik



Race: Human

Nationality/Birthplace: Ferelden born and bred.

Attributes:
1) Aggression
2) Dexterity
3) Machiavellian

Background: Joras was born on a clear, starry night, to a proud and wealthy arl, whose love of his wife could only be matched by love of his country. The baby Joras was swaddled in soft blankets before being anointed by the mother that was in attendance. The babe gave no cries, and as the precious oils were swabbed on his forehead, the arl knew his boy would grow to become a strong, loyal Ferelden, destined to have a strong voice in the landsmeet, and who would bring honor and glory to their home.

He uh, was pretty far off.

Joras grew to become an intelligent enough child. He could grasp the lessons taught by his tutors after a bit of explanation, but there was no spark of genius. Force him to read a tome and he could repeat back the main idea, make him study a map and he was able to roughly place the cities and landmarks. His father’s ambitions of his son’s future glories were not shaken though, an arl could have advisors to assist him in administration, what a nobleman needed was strength of arms.

And strength of arms Joras had in abundance. Like all good Ferelden noblemen, he started his martial training at a very young age, wielding a lead-weighted sword in one hand and a buckler in the other. He was quick on his feet, even when weighed down with training armor. His father loved to watch his son spar, and envisioned him carrying the family banner into battle, cutting down Orlesian scum left and right.

By the age of thirteen, Joras abandoned the buckler and picked up a second training sword. With two blades in his hands he could strike twice as much, making him a ferocious opponent to face. By fifteen he could match almost anyone his age, and many more that were older. Those with the proper training however, could notice his flaw, he struck quickly and aggressively, and although his form was excellent, it would turn sloppy as . When Joras fought, he went in for the kill.

A strong enough mind, and masterful skill at arms, it would have seemed like Joras would be a fantastic arl to carry on his father’s legacy. Unfortunately, Joras was an aggressive child. At twelve, he broke the boy who filled his cup’s nose for some minor reason. At fourteen, he was found on top of a servant, beating him senseless. The other incidents were kept quiet with the right word and coin from the arl.

It wasn’t that the boy was necessarily an angry person, he simply loved the fight. He loved to hurt, to inflict pain when he could. In a desperate attempt to curb the boy’s appetites, his father brought him on numerous hunting trips and encouraged his martial training. A particularly good hunt would keep Joras still for a while, but he always returned to his violent ways.

The older Joras grew, the more it became apparent that these were more than the makings of merely an aggressive warrior. Many men left battle feeling alive, they enjoyed the blood rush and the adrenaline that pumped through their veins, but Joras was frightening. He fought with a smile on his face, enjoying every blow that glanced off his armor, every moment his blades struck an enemy’s flesh, and even the cuts that would crisscross his skin from a foe’s weapons.

There was no way around it. It wasn’t just combat that Joras craved. It was violence.

Luckily for his father, a second son had been born. Joras’s sibling was everything that he failed to be. Kind where he was cruel. Patient where he was quick. Forgiving where he was aggressive. He was loved by his tutors for his ability to pick up his lessons in no time at all, and although his skill at arms left something to be desired, he could make a fine arl.

With his brother being groomed in order to take control of their father’s lands and estates, Joras was approached by his father and given an ultimatum. He was going to abandon all claims to their family’s land, give up the title of heir, and enlist in the Grey Wardens, where his skill in combat could be of use to their fellow Fereldens. If he did not, then he would find himself on a hunt one day, with a loosened saddle, and he would fall from his horse, and break his neck. His father was a loyal man, a veteran of the war against Orlais, and Joras in command of the house would mean a weaker Ferelden.

The commander of the Grey Wardens accepted the arl’s request to place his son in their ranks. Joras drank deep from the cup that contained the darkspawn blood and lyrium, and survived his Joining. Now, Joras finds himself as Ostagar, knows only one thing.

Darkspawn can feel pain, and he can’t wait to see how much they can take before they scream.

Personality: Sadistic is one word to describe Joras Telrik. The concept of pain holds great appeal to him, particularly if he is the one inflicting it on someone else. To the (further) disgust of many, he maintains a good-natured attitude about everything, often cracking jokes during serious (or life-threatening) situations. Despite enjoying certain people’s company, he rarely tends to call anyone friend, nor is he a very loyal individual, either to Ferelden or the Grey Wardens. One thing that CAN be said about him though is that he’s an honest individual, he won’t lie about his loyalty, and will openly admit that fighting the Darkspawn is an easier way to deal with his temptations than hurting his fellow humans.

As far as morals go, Joras’s could be considered their own shades of blue and orange. He isn’t an ‘evil person’ so to say, he doesn’t exactly spend his time kicking puppies or burning villages, but he is cruel and selfish. The majority of his actions are done because of they serve him in some way, even if only because they give him some form of pleasure.

Skills:
1) Dual Weapons
2) Tracking (Woods)
3) Combat Tactics
4) History
5) Coercion
6) Etiquette

Knack: While he maintains the education of an average nobleman, the one area of academics that Joras excelled at was military matters. Give him a map and the troop markers, and he should be able to find a way to route the enemy…if at the expense of his own men.

Combat style: Joras’s fighting is an elegant mixture of rigorous training and unholy aggression. When combat begins, he falls into a form that was drilled into him by his master-at-arms, and is capable of parrying, disarming, and performing almost every move that’s written in the fencing books. However, he’s fueled by a sort of sick hostility, and stops at nothing to do as much damage to his opponents as possible. Why parry the blade and follow with a lunge when you can sidestep and stab the point of your sword straight through the bastard’s eye?

Equipment:
Steel Armor
Two Veridium Shortswords
2 ‘Health’ Potions
A Dagger, sheathed at the back of his waist.

Advantages: Pain Tolerance. Despite his love of inflicting pain, when his adrenaline starts pumping, Joras doesn’t mind the cuts and bruises coming his way. Every attack that hits his armor or grazes his skin drives him into a deeper fury.

Flaw(s): If you want to be blunt, Joras could be considered a few soldiers short of a full regiment. His fascination with violence, while useful for cutting down Darkspawn, won’t earn him many friends amongst the Grey Wardens. And despite his father’s best attempts, word tends to leak out that the son of a powerful noble is prone to such aggressive actions.

[Zordon]

I've developed my character to have enough background story to be a stand alone character (and I fear my background in going to be immensely long)

D;

Just a forewarning.

[Too Old 4 This]

@rpg101 Normally I would be annoyed by the use of a well known media persona as a pick, but he fits the character and the setting so well I can't object. The only problems I see are just minor shite. The attributes should be adjectives so it should read 'aggressive' and 'noble'? On that point how is this character noble? You mean just his exterior bearing I imagine, like he can play the part of an aristocrat? The only other issue is 'combat training'. I'm removing that skill as it really serves little point in a forum game. The fact that you have combat training is implied by your having weapon training. So in short, you get another skill. Also love the concept. To many heroic Gray Wardens sometimes. People forget that DA is a grim-dark setting and not all Wardens are good.

Zordon said
I've developed my character to have enough background story to be a stand alone character (and I fear my background in going to be immensely long)D;Just a forewarning.

LoL I'm used to it by this point.

[Automaton]

Can I make a Shale like Golem?

[rpg101]

Too Old 4 This said
@rpg101 Normally I would be annoyed by the use of a well known media persona as a pick, but he fits the character and the setting so well I can't object. The only problems I see are just minor shite. The attributes should be adjectives so it should read 'aggressive' and 'noble'? On that point how is this character noble? You mean just his exterior bearing I imagine, like he can play the part of an aristocrat? The only other issue is 'combat training'. I'm removing that skill as it really serves little point in a forum game. The fact that you have combat training is implied by your having weapon training. So in short, you get another skill. Also love the concept. To many heroic Gray Wardens sometimes. People forget that DA is a grim-dark setting and not all Wardens are good.

I understand, I normally attempt to avoid using pictures of popular characters, but as you say, he fits the character and setting so well I couldn't resist.

You're right about the noble attribute, it has more to do with his exterior and his upbringing than with any noble actions he performs (or doesn't perform). If you think that would be more of a skill (or go in line with his 'Educated' Skill), I can cut it and replace it with someone else (perhaps hedonistic).
.
Thanks! Even when I play-through Origins, I adore having a darker character (like my 'duty first' Cousland or my racist City Elf).

[Too Old 4 This]

Automaton said
Can I make a Shale like Golem?

Yes I will allow one and only one Golem. Have fun with it but mind the lore and the time line. The Anvil has not been reactivated so any Golems are probably from before the Deep Roads fell to the darkspawn.

rpg101 said
I understand, I normally attempt to avoid using pictures of popular characters, but as you say, he fits the character and setting so well I couldn't resist. You're right about the noble attribute, it has more to do with his exterior and his upbringing than with any noble actions he performs (or doesn't perform). If you think that would be more of a skill (or go in line with his 'Educated' Skill), I can cut it and replace it with someone else (perhaps hedonistic).. Thanks! Even when I play-through Origins, I adore having a darker character (like my 'duty first' Cousland or my racist City Elf).

@RPG101 Noble would work but I can't help feeling there's a better adjective that has more of a 'lawful evil' flavor... Machiavellian, refined, aristocratic? I'm not sure, if you can't find one, no big deal. I understand what you're going for and that's what matters.

[Too Old 4 This]

@All A reminder, because I'm not sure everyone understood this. Although, I would like most characters to start in Ostagar (and all Warden characters need to), this is not required. I'm willing to accommodate up to two different starting locations because some characters simply don't fit in Ostagar. Just be aware, if you go this route, that you may miss out on some action before your path converges with the maingroup.

[rpg101]

Too Old 4 This said
Noble would work but I can't help feeling there's a better adjective that has more of a 'lawful evil' flavor... Machiavellian, refined, aristocratic? I'm not sure, if you can't find one, no big deal. I understand what you're going for and that's what matters.

I think Machiavellian would be a good adjective for it (it apparently is also one of the dark triad personalities).

For the skill, I put tracking, as Joras was taken on numerous hunts for his father, although I"m sure he'd have preferred to hunt a different prey.

[Too Old 4 This]

rpg101 said
I think Machiavellian would be a good adjective for it (it apparently is also one of the dark triad personalities).For the skill, I put tracking, as Joras was taken on numerous hunts for his father, although I"m sure he'd have preferred to hunt a different prey.

Tracking is covered under survival. It would work as a knack. Also I just noticed you put 'educated' as a skill. That is to broad.

I'm going to add some more skills to the list to help you and future player out a bit with this aspect of character creation.

[Too Old 4 This]

@All I expanded the skills list vastly and gave everyone an extra skill. You now get six to start. Remember that for skills like riding which cover general knowledge, not taking them won't mean you can't ride a horse, only that you are not highly trained in it and might have trouble guiding a mount down a steep embankment, jumping a creek or something like that.

The biggest change I made is that rpg101 made me realize survival is to broad and OP. So you now need to specify an environment such as survival (forests) for woodlore or survival (mountains) for alpine survival. I also tidied up the combat skills a bit and added some I missed like thrown and reach weapons (polearms).

[Automaton]

What skills can I put for a golem?. I was going to use some stuff from shale, magically wise but...I dunno