Selerel
Habitué
- Messages
- 254
Hello,
I generally don't stick to a character longer than three or four months at a time, so even though I was in the latter half of TOB, it was time for me to switch from my Berserker and roll a new character.
I know Fighter/Mage combos are a little overdone, but honestly I can't remember the last time I played one personally. There's a whole library of self-casted defense spells that I barely ever touch with my NPC mages, so it will be nice to really get to know all of those protection spells over the course of a playthrough (PFMW? Come on!). I won't get into how I choose a new character, but it was basically between this guy and a Sun Soul Monk, but I went with this guy.
Just as an intro, here are my guidelines when I play:
-PLAYTHROUGH. The entire Baldur's Gate Enhanced Edition saga from BG1 to TotSC to SOD to SOA to TOB. Core rules...unmodded. Official vanilla. Once I can get through the whole thing without a reload, I’ll think about upping the difficulty!
-ROLEPLAY & MINIMAL METAGAMING. I try to flesh out as realistic a character as possible and roleplay that. I try to come up with a unique personality and Candlekeep-based biography to match. I generally think about it for a day or so before I start a new character. I pick their class, possible dual class, weapon specializations, and thief skills if applicable, but beyond that I don't keep any specific plan for the playthrough. Respond naturally, as I think the character would in that moment, and see what happens. In practice, this determines dialogue choices, what companions I keep, and my specific prioritization of quests, battles, and area explorations. I make the most in-character choices, even if I'm aware it may lead to not getting a quest or losing out on a companion or whatever. E.g., I may have had hopes for weeks of getting a certain companion in my party, only to realize when I finally meet them that's there's no realistic way to get them to join with the dialogue options provided. And I have to suck it up and move on...so I really don't have any idea how the playthrough is going to go when I start up. After all this time playing BG I do appreciate random unfortunate events that throw a wrench into my plans.
-MINIMAL RELOAD. I know that has different meanings to different people, but to me it means I reload when charname dies, but I roll with anything else that might happen. This means I may have a catastrophe where my entire party dies, and it would be easier to give up and reload...but as long as PC still stands, I'll fight the temptation to bring up an earlier save (I don't count gameplay bugs or real-world distractions). And as far as charname deaths, well I just believe there are a hundred or so alternate realities, most of which charnames dies and never ascends to Bhaal's throne, but I'm writing about that one universe where he succeeds. The fact is, I very much don’t want my PC to die (that’s just called playing the game)…but moreso, I want to take the character through the entire saga while having as natural and non-metagamed experience as I can. I started logging every time my PC dies, so I’m hoping the subtle shame of having to broadcast my failures will give me extra motivation to stay alive!
Some other minor playing habits:
The new character:
Wybrough
Half-Elf Fighter/Mage
Chaotic Good
Enneagram Personality Type 8w7
STR: 18/93
DEX: 18
CON: 16
INT: 17
WIS: 10
CHA: 9
Weapon specialization priorities: Axe, Flail/Morning Star, Two Weapon Style
Bio:
Being raised by a caring Gorion, you were taught to always do the most good for the most people you could. It was clear you were a powerful, smart, and unique child growing up (with shocking blue skin that has only ever been attributed vaguely to your mysterious heritage), and you repeatedly were taught the lesson that the greater good of the world is the most important thing, regardless of the sacrifices that the good people may have to make to see it happen. You believed very early on what Gorion taught you, and saw it clearly in the example he set. You knew you would be a force for good in the world as soon as you were able. As you grew up, you excelled both in traditional melee combat, but also in the spellcasting world of mages and wizards. Many in Candlekeep could easily see your formidable potential.
Although inside the walls of Candlekeep you’ve barely been tested, you’ve learned to tune out your own pain and suffering during training, by focusing on the underlying reasons you’re doing the things you’re doing: to fight against evil in the world. You truly want to make the world a better place, and see yourself as an advocate for those being wronged by evildoers: a soldier fighting the good fight and protecting the innocent. In fact, you believe it’s your most important role in this world. It’s not something you’re especially prideful or haughty about; more of a solemn responsibility that you felt you had no choice but to accept due to who you are and how you were raised. Your attitude can often be described as grim.
Having control of a situation is very important to you. You don’t trust other authority, and know that sometimes those in power can be the greatest committers of atrocities. You act at the direction of your own conscience and your own priority for what’s best for the world, and trust yourself more than almost everyone else. You’re tough and confrontational, but smart enough to know that there are better ways to get what you want sometimes than fighting a losing battle straight on. That being said, your temper is known to flare up enough that you’ve been called hot-headed.
You’re a big-picture thinker and tend to have your eyes on large-scale goals, always knowing the endgame is the most important thing. You always run though many scenarios in your head, and more often than not you’ve planned out several contingencies. There’s always a plan cooking in the back of your mind. You’re not always beholden to traditional path, and have no qualms dealing with shady or less-than-lawful sources or contacts, as long as you know the greater good is being served. In fact, at times you deal better with those on the outskirts of society than those who fit in perfectly.
You’re perfectly alright to act alone, and sometimes you know this is the best way for speed and efficiency. You may even struggle occassionally with recognizing when you need help, and can be very afraid of showing vulnerability. But in general, you have no problem taking others under your wing to teach the same mentality and responsibility. You can be a great coach, leader, and mentor.
You’re extremely logical, clear-minded, and well-balanced in your life habits, although your manner and disposition can be very blunt and rough at times. You don’t see the point ever in sugar-coating words, and believe it’s best for people to hear the truth as clear as possible. This can lead some to see you as cold and distant and has strained relationships in the past.
Regardless, you’re definitely able to engender the fierce loyalty of your companions, and your friends and companions receive yours as well. An “us vs. them” mentality can take root very easily in your circles, as you may see yourself and your companions as courageous soldiers in an outnumbered war against evil. Even if that descriptions has been mostly hyperbolic while within the Candlekeep walls, that attitude is truly is a fundamental part of your nature.
I generally don't stick to a character longer than three or four months at a time, so even though I was in the latter half of TOB, it was time for me to switch from my Berserker and roll a new character.
I know Fighter/Mage combos are a little overdone, but honestly I can't remember the last time I played one personally. There's a whole library of self-casted defense spells that I barely ever touch with my NPC mages, so it will be nice to really get to know all of those protection spells over the course of a playthrough (PFMW? Come on!). I won't get into how I choose a new character, but it was basically between this guy and a Sun Soul Monk, but I went with this guy.
Just as an intro, here are my guidelines when I play:
-PLAYTHROUGH. The entire Baldur's Gate Enhanced Edition saga from BG1 to TotSC to SOD to SOA to TOB. Core rules...unmodded. Official vanilla. Once I can get through the whole thing without a reload, I’ll think about upping the difficulty!
-ROLEPLAY & MINIMAL METAGAMING. I try to flesh out as realistic a character as possible and roleplay that. I try to come up with a unique personality and Candlekeep-based biography to match. I generally think about it for a day or so before I start a new character. I pick their class, possible dual class, weapon specializations, and thief skills if applicable, but beyond that I don't keep any specific plan for the playthrough. Respond naturally, as I think the character would in that moment, and see what happens. In practice, this determines dialogue choices, what companions I keep, and my specific prioritization of quests, battles, and area explorations. I make the most in-character choices, even if I'm aware it may lead to not getting a quest or losing out on a companion or whatever. E.g., I may have had hopes for weeks of getting a certain companion in my party, only to realize when I finally meet them that's there's no realistic way to get them to join with the dialogue options provided. And I have to suck it up and move on...so I really don't have any idea how the playthrough is going to go when I start up. After all this time playing BG I do appreciate random unfortunate events that throw a wrench into my plans.
-MINIMAL RELOAD. I know that has different meanings to different people, but to me it means I reload when charname dies, but I roll with anything else that might happen. This means I may have a catastrophe where my entire party dies, and it would be easier to give up and reload...but as long as PC still stands, I'll fight the temptation to bring up an earlier save (I don't count gameplay bugs or real-world distractions). And as far as charname deaths, well I just believe there are a hundred or so alternate realities, most of which charnames dies and never ascends to Bhaal's throne, but I'm writing about that one universe where he succeeds. The fact is, I very much don’t want my PC to die (that’s just called playing the game)…but moreso, I want to take the character through the entire saga while having as natural and non-metagamed experience as I can. I started logging every time my PC dies, so I’m hoping the subtle shame of having to broadcast my failures will give me extra motivation to stay alive!
Some other minor playing habits:
- My PC gets the best equipment available to them (for their role in the party). For “secondary” gear that remains, I balance it among companions.
- I generally don’t buy scrolls or equipment for companions either…I use merchants only for the PC’s equipment. The exception is for what I call situational & utility spell scrolls and items–e.g., Remove Fear, PfE, Dispel/Remove Magic, any protection-disablers, any resistance-lowerers, Simulacrum (including Vhailor’s Helm), Haste, Improved Haste, Spell Sequencers, and any others of that nature that I decide fit this bread-and-butter miscellaneous category.
- I WILL forge items for companions if I have all the components.
- I don’t recharge items by selling them to merchants and buying back.
- If I have a specialist mage (PC or companion), all of their spell slots are used for the spells of their school that force a saving throw. The exception are the situational & utility spells as described above, which can take up slots too. That means a Conjurer (who knows Grease) will have all their Level 1 spells be Grease, unless I want to throw in a few PfEs or Protection from Petrifications. A playthrough where Edwin is my only mage? That’s a playthrough without magic missile.
- All characters need to have at least one proficiency point in the weapons they use, unless it’s temporary and there’s no choice.
The new character:
Wybrough
Half-Elf Fighter/Mage
Chaotic Good
Enneagram Personality Type 8w7
STR: 18/93
DEX: 18
CON: 16
INT: 17
WIS: 10
CHA: 9
Weapon specialization priorities: Axe, Flail/Morning Star, Two Weapon Style
Bio:
Being raised by a caring Gorion, you were taught to always do the most good for the most people you could. It was clear you were a powerful, smart, and unique child growing up (with shocking blue skin that has only ever been attributed vaguely to your mysterious heritage), and you repeatedly were taught the lesson that the greater good of the world is the most important thing, regardless of the sacrifices that the good people may have to make to see it happen. You believed very early on what Gorion taught you, and saw it clearly in the example he set. You knew you would be a force for good in the world as soon as you were able. As you grew up, you excelled both in traditional melee combat, but also in the spellcasting world of mages and wizards. Many in Candlekeep could easily see your formidable potential.
Although inside the walls of Candlekeep you’ve barely been tested, you’ve learned to tune out your own pain and suffering during training, by focusing on the underlying reasons you’re doing the things you’re doing: to fight against evil in the world. You truly want to make the world a better place, and see yourself as an advocate for those being wronged by evildoers: a soldier fighting the good fight and protecting the innocent. In fact, you believe it’s your most important role in this world. It’s not something you’re especially prideful or haughty about; more of a solemn responsibility that you felt you had no choice but to accept due to who you are and how you were raised. Your attitude can often be described as grim.
Having control of a situation is very important to you. You don’t trust other authority, and know that sometimes those in power can be the greatest committers of atrocities. You act at the direction of your own conscience and your own priority for what’s best for the world, and trust yourself more than almost everyone else. You’re tough and confrontational, but smart enough to know that there are better ways to get what you want sometimes than fighting a losing battle straight on. That being said, your temper is known to flare up enough that you’ve been called hot-headed.
You’re a big-picture thinker and tend to have your eyes on large-scale goals, always knowing the endgame is the most important thing. You always run though many scenarios in your head, and more often than not you’ve planned out several contingencies. There’s always a plan cooking in the back of your mind. You’re not always beholden to traditional path, and have no qualms dealing with shady or less-than-lawful sources or contacts, as long as you know the greater good is being served. In fact, at times you deal better with those on the outskirts of society than those who fit in perfectly.
You’re perfectly alright to act alone, and sometimes you know this is the best way for speed and efficiency. You may even struggle occassionally with recognizing when you need help, and can be very afraid of showing vulnerability. But in general, you have no problem taking others under your wing to teach the same mentality and responsibility. You can be a great coach, leader, and mentor.
You’re extremely logical, clear-minded, and well-balanced in your life habits, although your manner and disposition can be very blunt and rough at times. You don’t see the point ever in sugar-coating words, and believe it’s best for people to hear the truth as clear as possible. This can lead some to see you as cold and distant and has strained relationships in the past.
Regardless, you’re definitely able to engender the fierce loyalty of your companions, and your friends and companions receive yours as well. An “us vs. them” mentality can take root very easily in your circles, as you may see yourself and your companions as courageous soldiers in an outnumbered war against evil. Even if that descriptions has been mostly hyperbolic while within the Candlekeep walls, that attitude is truly is a fundamental part of your nature.
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), and a change from Chaotic Evil roleplaying should be welcome, too!