Character Backgrounds

[zedturtle]

Maybe the descriptions of how the heroes know each other should be a separate thing, outside of any backstory.

What would be the advantage that way?

My envisioned process (for a con game) is that I hand out the character sheets and let the table pick from the pregens. They then can spend a minute figuring out who knows who as I'm finishing my setup and then we can get going without being having to do a big backstory summary.

Oh, well in that case I would still pull it out of the main background and make it a separate paragraph, and presented as possibility not fact. I.e., "If Egil is in the company he may have traveled with Norin from Erebor, and Sigdan of Dale may have been their guide."

That sounds even better. I will try to do that for everyone. Thanks!

[Majestic]

You're much too hard on yourself, zed. I think you've done an excellent job on these so far!

I think going the route of leaving the possible connections to others somewhat vague is a good one, but you'll probably have to insist that people pick at least somebody else's character at the table (as their connection, and likely Fellowship Focus) at the beginning (as I could see new players prefer not to make such a choice, especially if it's a con where people don't know each other).

One thing that could really help with fleshing out backgrounds is to start from the seeds that the background packages have already, then just add (or change) them a bit. For instance, if making a Dwarf with 'Lesson in Revenge' as the background, you could make it a favorite uncle that lost his wife, and the character has been mentored by that uncle as he hunts Orcs for vengeance. Just a thought...

So, due to about of productivity that came out of nowhere, I'm almost done with Theft of the Moon, the Extended Edition.

Personally, I can't wait until the Extended Edition, Director's Cut (with two alternate endings!)

[Glorelendil]

He could split it into 3 parts and add barrel surfing.

[CorTOR]

For Sigdan, to also explain she's got some knowlegde of smith-craft, you could make her the daughter of a worker in Orin's forge or shop. That would make her familiar with Egil and provide some link to Norin through Orin's workplace. You might also make her interested in stories; that would make her a would-be travelling storyteller and would give her another link to Norin as both someone who knows lore and a participant in the Battle of the Five Armies, however much he might downplay his role there.

[zedturtle]

For Sigdan, to also explain she's got some knowlegde of smith-craft, you could make her the daughter of a worker in Orin's forge or shop. That would make her familiar with Egil and provide some link to Norin through Orin's workplace. You might also make her interested in stories; that would make her a would-be travelling storyteller and would give her another link to Norin as both someone who knows lore and a participant in the Battle of the Five Armies, however much he might downplay his role there.

Great stuff, thanks!

I wonder if Orin/Norin needs to be reworked...

[Rue]

Zed, you are *definitely* too hard on yourself! I think you do an amazing job.

I can totally see Dhuoda as a Beorning, which could make for a very fun dynamic at the competitions at the festival (all these guys from other cultures show up, trying to win competitions, and the local lass is ready to take them all on, having grown up competing with her 4 brothers).

As for your elf maiden, you'd be welcome to the background I have for the elf I play in Glorelendil's PBP game--I'll PM it to you so you can see if it's of interest.

[Glorelendil]

My latest revision. I hint at "Broken Spells" but leave it vague.

Nórin marched with Dain to the Battle of Five Armies, but will freely admit that his contributions came afterward when the Dwarves explored and expanded Erebor's long-dark halls. For Nórin takes delight in delving for lost secrets, and protects knowledge more jealously than he does gold. To his ire, however, he was tasked with traveling to the Blue Mountains to persuade a certain cousin of his, Munin by name, and also wise in lore, to join King Dain. By uncommon coincidence, at the Easterly Inn Nórin encountered this very same cousin, already on his way to Erebor. Relieved of his duties, Nórin is eager to return home. But he has learned of the festival, and rumors of the legendary Beorn, as well as of this ancient and possibly magical Sickle, prove irresistible to the ever-curious Dwarf.

[zedturtle]

Zed, you are *definitely* too hard on yourself! I think you do an amazing job.

I can totally see Dhuoda as a Beorning, which could make for a very fun dynamic at the competitions at the festival (all these guys from other cultures show up, trying to win competitions, and the local lass is ready to take them all on, having grown up competing with her 4 brothers).

As for your elf maiden, you'd be welcome to the background I have for the elf I play in Glorelendil's PBP game--I'll PM it to you so you can see if it's of interest.

Yes, please.

- - - - - - - -

Here's Dhuoda, redone.

Name: Dhuoda of Stonyford

Culture: Beorning Standard of Living: Martial
Cultural blessing: Furious
Calling: Wanderer Shadow weakness: Wandering-madness
Specialties: Anduin-lore, Beast-lore, Folk-lore
Distinctive features: Curious, Swift
Body: 5 Heart: 5 Wits: 4
Body (favoured): 6 Heart (favoured): 7 Wits (favoured): 7

-Common Skills-

• Awe: 3 Inspire: 1 Persuade: 0
• Athletics: 2 Travel: 2 Stealth: 2
• Awareness: 2 Insight: 3 Search: 1
• Explore: 0 Healing: 2 Hunting: 3
• Song: 0 Courtesy: 1 Riddle: 1
• Craft: 1 Battle: 0 Lore: 1

-Weapon Skills-

• (Axes): 2
• Dagger: 1
• Spear: 1

-Rewards-: Splitting Axe
-Virtues-:
-Gear-

• Spear damage: 5 edge: 9 injury: 14 enc: 2 (not carried)
• Dagger damage: 3 edge: G injury: 12 enc: 0
• Great axe damage: 9 edge: G injury: 20 enc: 4
• Leather corslet enc: 8

Endurance: 29 Starting Endurance: 29 Fatigue from Encumbrance: 12 Fatigue from Travel: 0 Total Fatigue: 12
Hope: 13 Starting Hope: 13 Temporary Shadow: 0 Permanent Shadow: 0 Total Shadow: 0
Armour: 2 Headgear: 0
Parry: 4 Shield: 0
Damage: 0 Ranged: 0
Wisdom: 1 Valour: 2
Experience: 0 Total Experience: 0
Fellowship: 0 Advancement: 0 Treasure: 0 Standing: 0

Obviously, her next step is to get Great Strength.

[zedturtle]

With Dhuoda as a Beorning, I'm reconsidering Roderic... I liked the idea of a woodman from Rhosgobel as a Treasure-Hunter (just for the oddness) but I don't have any hobbits.

Should I have a hobbit pregen? Again, my primary use case is for demoing the game at conventions (planning on GenCon 2015 and DragonCon 2015 right now).

[Glorelendil]

For a first-time exposure to the game I would include at least one Hobbit. I suspect some folks would be disappointed if the option were not there.

Edit: in fact, given your desire to have 10 characters I would do one of each, excluding Lakemen, then double up on Hobbits, Beornings, and two more.