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Character Creation
Posted: 04 Jun 2006 06:48 AM |
So you're ready to create a character, are you? Well, let's step through the process and make sure that the concept is valid and appropriate for the Vives setting...
Before you Begin...
It's the responsibility of all players to read the Essential Guidelines, so if nothing else, ensure that you have read that!
Gender
Some gender-specific options do exist in Vives, both in the form of static quests and character restrictions.
The godesses Naruth and Helkris, for instance, will only permit females to become priests, and have a low opinion of males.
Or if you intend to create a character from the Lands of the Kobai, you should be aware that gender roles are clearly defined in the Kobai tribes. Men are the hunters and protectors and the only ones allowed to perform religious duties, while the women are the farmers and gatherers.
Race
Gods and nationalities play a huge part in defining the role of each race within the world, so it's a good idea to read up on them to flesh out your background.
Some recommended reading for specific races follows:
Dwarf
* The Cuneal Sermons
Elf
* Common knowledge from Ferein
Gnome
* None at this time
Half-Elf
* See Elves and Humans
Half-Orc
* See the PHB regarding M'Gok Tukar
Halfling
* None at this time
Human
* None at this time
Race: Sub Race
There are NO sub races in Vives!
Vives is a unique setting with its own lore. If you bring in a Drow or Tiefling, you can expect to be jumped upon by the first DM that sees you.
NO sub races. Full stop.
Race: Nationalities
Midor
Any and all new characters with a Midoran background require DM permission, due to the complexity of recent happenings in Midor.
Portrait
A custom portrait compilation thread exists with custom portraits used by Vives players. It is an optional download.
Class
An overview of each class follows. More detailed information does exist and can be found either on the forums or by PMing all DMs.
The difficulty of coming up with and playing a character concept is indicated next to each class.
Barbarian [Easy]
Barbarians are fairly straightforward. There are barbarian tribes that exist IG which you may wish to use to flesh out your background. As with anything, check with the DMs first whether there is any pre-existing lore behind these tribes.
Bard [Easy]
Bards are fairly common in Vives and we've had many Player-run events in the past where they have held concerts.
Cleric [Intermediate]
It is absolutely necessary to have a full understanding of the religion you follow before creating a Cleric. It will affect how your prayers work... or don't work.
Note that there will be NO more new Midoran Clerics, as this is now reserved for NPCs only. Existing clerics should PM Fictrix to see what their options are.
Druid [Easy]
Druids in Vives are a sort of priest, usually (but not exclusively) following Elbereth. As such, they have some additional spells at their disposal.
Note that Mirghul only ever has one Druid who rules supreme over the vast forest, so PC Druids cannot originate from here.
Fighter [Easy]
Fighters are a fairly versatile lot, and though they have the advantage at lower levels, they are often outstripped at higher levels by strong spellcasters. Vives is a dangerous world, after all, and the more dangerous areas require appropriate magical protection... and teamwork.
Monk [Intermediate]
All monks in Vives are trained in Asashi.
Paladin [Advanced | Requires Prior DM Permission]
See OOC Lore: Paladins/Divine Champions.
It is not recommended that new players begin with a Paladin as a primary character, as they are a very advanced class in Vives and require a lot of reading up.
Paladins, by default, are Novus Aristi Heralds.
Note that there will be NO more new Midoran Paladins, and all Paladins are considered to be proscribed Enemies of Midor now. Existing paladins should PM Fictrix to see what their options are.
Ranger [Easy]
Some ranger organisations do exist IG, so if you run into one that you happen to like, PM All DMs for further information. The main organisation is Latonei in west Vives.
Rogue [Easy]
Some rogue organisations to exist IG. You'll have to earn your way into these and dig up information IG yourself.
Sorcerer [Easy]
Sorcerers are fairly straightforward. The proliferation of dragons in Vives is the most common explanation for their innate powers.
Wizard [Easy]
There are four main mage towers in Vives, Ka'azim being the one where most wizards begin their studies.
Ladriel is another, led by the kind and enigmatic Lady Alianda. Little else is known about this tower.
Tel'Elena in Ferein is exclusively for Elven wizards, and woe betide the unauthorised intruder who dares to set foot within its closed-off halls.
Naillamne is a dark and mysterious place, spoken of only in hushed whispers of dread.
Class: Prestige Classes
Shadowdancer [Easy]
Shadowdancers abound in Vives, each with their own unique story of how they came by their mysterious abilities.
Harper Scout [Easy]
There is actually no hidden Harper Scout society in Vives. They are simply assumed to be a sort of scout.
Arcane Archer [Intermediate]
The elite and loyal defenders of Ferein, those who choose to become Arcane Archers ought to know their Ferein lore and Elven gods thoroughly before choosing this prestige class.
Assassin [Easy]
The motivations of these trained killers are their own.
Blackguard [Easy]
Those who think of blackguards as villains of the wickedest sort would be disappointed. Evil is a subtle and devious thing in Vives, and blackguards are often so wily as to be indistinguishable from goodly clerics or paladins.
Champion of Torm [Advanced | Requires Prior DM Permission]
See OOC Lore: Paladins/Divine Champions.
The erroneously named Champion of Torm is, in Vives, a Divine Champion - a warrior dedicated to their goodly god or religion.
Note that there will be NO more new Midoran Divine Champions. Existing Divine Champions should PM Fictrix to see what their options are.
Weapon Master [Easy]
Vives has quite a collection of custom weapons for the discerning weapon master.
Pale Master [Intermediate]
Often followers of Gukathul, and less frequently Syn, Pale Masters are experts in the study of necromancy.
Shifter [Easy]
Shifters are often, but not exclusively, followers of Elbereth with an extremely close tie to nature. Wilder and more savage shifters tend to be followers of Gruin.
Dwarven Defender [Intermediate]
Defenders of Bregodim, much in the same way that Ferein has its Arcane Archers, those who intend to take this prestige class should make themselves thoroughly familiar with the lore of Bregodim.
Red Dragon Disciple [Advanced | Requires Prior DM Permission]
All Red Dragon Disciples in Vives originate from a single common ancestor, though it must be emphasised that this is not common knowledge. All Red Dragon Disciples are Evil, and almost all follow Naruth. PM the DMs for more information.
Alignment
It should be noted that Vives has little tolerance for "Stupid Evil". Devious, subtle evil that remains unknown and undiscovered is encouraged and rewarded. Obvious evil can expect to get smacked down pretty quickly and harshly. By all means, flaunt your evilness to the world if you want, but expect there to be consequences.
Abilities
See our rules on RPing your stats.
Do give some thought to what your abilities actually mean. If you're going to make a character with a CHA of 6, then obviously you're not going to be the most debonair and diplomatic person in the world. If you have an INT of 8, clearly you're not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Play to your weaknesses as well as your strengths.
Skills
Although very few NPCs actually call on you to do skill checks (such as Persuade or Bluff), this is a multiplayer game, and you may find DMs or other PCs asking for skill checks.
Pick your skills according to who your character is. You never know when you may be called upon to use them.
Feats
As per skills and abilities, tailor your feats to how you will RP your character. DMs do look and we do play to your strengths and weaknesses wherever possible. You might find that Silver Palm or Skill Focus: Persuade or Favoured Enemy: Fey becoming an unexpected plot device in your character's development.
Customise
In general, be careful how you choose to look or sound, because you absolutely cannot change your appearance, bio or voiceset once you've picked it.
Customise: Appearance
Not much to say here. Don't do anything silly, like make yourself look like a Drow or Tiefling. You can expect the first DM to spot you to jump on you fairly quickly.
If you download the Vives Overrides you will have additional heads available to you.
Customise: Name
See our rules on names.
It's fairly common sense. Be original. It truly breaks immersion and credibility if you're running around with a character named "Frodo Baggins" or "Dude". This is an RP server. We reward creativity and originality, not cheap rip-offs.
Customise: Age
See PC Roleplay of Age and Pregnancy.
Basically, NO child PCs. Full stop.
Customise: Bio
Be careful what you write here, because you won't be able to change it.
Customise: Deity
Gods play an important and active role in Vives. Choose your allegiance carefully.
Note that Midoran is no longer a valid option for PCs unless you have a very good reason and prior DM permission.
Customise: Voice Set
If you download the Vives Overrides you will have additional voice sets available to you.
Play
You should be ready to play now! Off you go. |
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