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Fotiadis110
03-21-09, 07:32 PM
I've been having some trouble getting Silas into his threads, his persona is so well developed he's very restrictive in his applications.

This hardly bodes well for a first character, but fortunately i've had an idea for a second character who I plan on putting up when I am satisfied with his existence.

What I'd like from you, the reader is thoughtful input/advice regarding what I am missing, what I should tone down in order to be accepted at level 0, and what have I appear to have totally neglected.

All feedback is desired, and criticism would be preferred to include suggestions to improve. Idea's on how to make a 'wow' factor are also appreciated.

I'm going for a character who would make sense to appear in various villages worldwide, for whom death is an inconvenience, not an end. One who could both participate in any quest I desired, and actually contribute some interest in conflict to various parties depending on their choices.

I dubbed this character Seamus.
It's a working name, Suggested new names (preferably Celtic, Gaelic or Germanic) with their translations would be kindly received.

Now for the character as created so far:
(2 notes: first descriptive design has not started, I haven't chosen an appearance thus far, I need to get his personality in order first, so I can make the 2 contrast somewhat, second, I haven't spell checked thus far (prefer to work in Wordpad), Apologies)

_____________

Seamus

5'11
17


Personality:
Having no ability to die has definitely left a mark on Seamus, his tendency to run forward while others move to hide or take cover astonishes many opponents, and this is something he capitalises on.
This said, lacking the fear of death doesn't mean Seamus is fearless, instead he has a far greater emphasis on pain as something to avoid if possible, but given in fighting pain is something to be expected, Seamus tends to try to end the fight as quickly as possible.
Generally however Seamus seems a well balanced boy, speaks a variety of tongues and is both intelligent and inexperienced, his undeath is something he tends to hide, keeping those he tells quiet about the matter, for already 2 groups of religious zealots are making his lifestyle more difficult, fortunately Seamus is keeping several steps ahead of these individuals.
Seamus tries to enjoy life as it comes and rarely seems down, ultimately he is a young man


Skills:
Lich Runes:
MIN requirements: Pen, Paper, Small animal (live), 6 stones with 'natural' (drilling doesn't make them magic) holes in them or other RAW magic source; these are placed inside small pots for protection, and placed in various locations, each life given in sacrifice creates a 'connection' to other pots, the 'larger' the life the stronger and therefore easier to relocate the 'connecting path' when isolated from the pathways created by his closest pot. The 'connecting paths' are thin threads of life in the 'death domain' and are walked by the spirits of those sacrificed to create that link, some (such as cats) can connect 2 pots several times for a far more locatable path, or can connect several pots together at once, allowing for improved 'linkage'

Lich:
Seamus cannot be killed by conventional means, instead he rebirths near nearest Lich runes of his choice when death occurs his body turning to dust where it falls (which then scatters into the air/wind), this process can be disrupted by destruction of his 'current' (meaning latest rebirth pot) lich rune pot prior to his death, which forces a delay (2 hours to 7 days) before his return)

Youthful practice:
Seamus has moderate skill in fighting in armed and unarmed combat, a variety of one handed weaponry up to short swords (long swords he is clumsy with) and is able to use a shield, Seamus is also trained enough at bow use to be able to hunt rabbits and the like granting him the ability to hit a man at ranges up to 50 meters. Seamus can parry but is inexperienced in doing so. Seamus is also somewhat skilled in pole type weaponry, in particular has played with spears, axes and quarterstaff. However Seamus carries no 'high level' skill in any one weapon. Seamus was trained in combat with his sister, and their lich natures allowed them to practice with REAL weaponry, and their father encouraged the pair to explore and practice various options, giving the pair a wide experience in a variety of weapons. Seamus lacks any formal training, and having trained with only another inexperienced sibling, is not exaustively trained in use of weapons. this places him at a disadvantage to any properly trained combatant, or experienced fighter, but at an advantage against any novice fighter.
Seamus knows to weave when charging a ranged opponent, his sister preferred bows, while he prefered the 'personality' of a well crafted blade.

Magic Knowledge:
Can read many magical runes of varying types of relatively recent development, although some are beyond his experience (quest leaders please specify if Seamus can't, otherwise he will try to interpret them).

Clothing Runes:
Can create clothing for his ‘reincarnations’ by attaching small papers to his Lich Rune Pots allowing him to change his appearance on ‘rebirth’ however learning the correct runes to create either takes significant trial and error, or actually wearing the clothes while meditating to gain 'insight' in how to create them by runes (sometimes for up to 48 hours)
So far has been unable to create ‘unliving’ materials (although it is rumoured to be possible), so Iron, bronze and similar amours are non-existent in his collection of options.
This ability allows him to 'return' to a village in local garb, rather than having to purchase new clothing to blend in every time he returns.

First Aid:
Seamus doesn't normally carry bandages and the like, but he has experience and some degree of skill at bandaging, splints, stopping bleeding and treating other injuries on himself and others, although his skill doesn't extend to knowing correct antidotes for poisions or stings in differing areas. His ability to staunch life threatening wounds seems surprising considering his ability to die and return, but sometimes lasting a few more hours before death is whats needed to allow his latest lich pot to 'activate' and prevent a wasteful time consuming search to 'rejoin' his network of Lich pots from his present location.

Amature Fieldwork:
Seamus can follow obvious tracks, and find some common healing agents that are well known and seemingly obvious. He can't follow obscured tracks and will avoid those curatives that look similar to other dangerous plants lacking experience in these matters.
He does have a degree of practice and noticing skills that have proven crutial to avoiding ambushes in the past however, although he tends in these situations (assuming he is prepared) to run headlong into these dodging and weaving to avoid arrows, in the attempt to spoil the ambush and save the lives of others, sometimes this charge has driven ambushers into flight for fear they are being ambushed themselves their cover blown, but more often than not Seamus takes down 2 or 3 raiders before falling himself and his later appearance before merchants at the end of their convoy journey causes no small degree of astonishment.


Equipment:
Sapient Pearwood Pen
Literally follows him on death. (Re: Terry Pratchet, renaming possible but this currently makes 'sence') Contains: Small dose of a potent sleeping poison, kills within 2 minutes, can be inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through the lining of the mouth (this takes double time), found under cap and is a white powder with no scent.

Fathers Gifts:
Acquired on gaining a level (inc level 1) grants him a magical gift from his fathers collection. Known examples are: Phenoix feathers with stained runes, Gems containing magic, a Sap' Pear staff exists, other magical scrolls and other rare items.
90% of these are gifts for one reason: to grant Seamus a 'gift' that will never part his side. Given the inconvenience of continually having to aquire new weapons whenever he is killed has posed a problem in the past, turning his once respectable allowance into a pittance, his Father has taken it upon himself to grant Seamus a few items to help him satisfy his urge to explore the world.

Infinite Gold bag:
Seamus' Money bag is a gift from one of his fathers contempoarys, following him where-ever he goes (or returns). It contains Seamus' coinage and has no limit to how many it can hold. Robber beware however for when a foul intended individual attempts to open the bag and slip his fingers in to remove the gold, the bag will 'steal' their fingers instead. So far Seamus hasn't been able to determine where the robbers fingers go, but he isn't sure he wants to find out.
The gold bag contains only as much gold as was put in by an individual, rather than being an unlimited gold supply.
The magic of the bag is unknown of origin, and even sensitive magic seers haven't noticed any particular power from it.

Backpack:
Seamus' has managed to use his clothing runes to create a backpack for him to use, but so far has been unable to manage to replicate the essential contents for it, when equipped it normally contains:
Water Bladder
Bandages
Sticks (splints)
Iron rods for cooking on
a collection of small pots (1 cup)
Large pot
Food (dependant on local goods)
Herbs for flavour (again locally aquired)
Herbs for 'reputed' healing


Water Bladder:
Seamus loves his magical items, so not surprisingly his water bladder is one too. Created by his father, it emulates his money bag, having a finite weight but possibly infinite contents. Seamus used to leave the bladder in streams when he slept back when he first aquired the bladder, it's filling (and draining) being limited by the neck of the bottle (as any conventional bottle would be) the streams didn't run dry, today Seamus rarely if ever fills it when he isn't at home, in an attempt to improve the flavour of the contents.
The bladder has a few Gems sewn into it's lining, these grant it's containment abilities and it's 'following' of Seamus, but aren't obvious from the outside but their magical fields might be noticed by magically sensitive individuals




His father is a powerful sorcerer who’s magic is well known to go wrong at bad times.
His teleportation spell he created transports himself just fine however the last 2 people who tried the same spell found their body mass smeared over a wide area.
At least the second person got there in once piece, before his body exploded painting the room with his body matter.

Most of his other spells seem to be of a similar nature and after his third child was killed by one of his errant spells the Sorcerer took it upon himself to prevent it happening again.

Seamus was the wizards 12th child and the most successful attempt to create a lich from his children was conducted upon him, his 10th sibling, his brother has retained his body at the expense of his mind, and his sister (the 11th) retained her mind and is almost normal, except how various body parts start to rot and fall off from time to time, before later healing again.
Losing your face before the prom is frowned upon, and she did, unfortunately missing out on a great social occasion, which has driven her to study with her father to find a spell of sorts to correct the errors, and is the most magical among her siblings.
Seamus however is not so adept with magic, although making his own lich notes and runes is a talent that he has taken use of, unfortunately the Lich 'rebirth' spells need to be stationary for 24 hours before they can be used properly.
Seamus can and has used this for rapid transportation, simply by killing himself in the least painful way available (his personal favourite is sleeping poisons) so that he can get to a destination in the time it takes him to die.
So far he has survived 6 attempts to destroy him through the sheer number of Lich pots of his creation, because some religious orders see his continued existance as a insult to their gods, he has become adept at returning to his pots, however if the nearby pot is destroyed and he is killed before he can touch another of his pots, it will take him an extended time to return




Manifesto:
1: Invent timetravel
2: Go back in time
3: Win lotto
4: Include Glossary:

'death domain': quite literally a domain separate from this world, notable for flashes of light caused by the loss of a life in the real world domain. This domain is of undefined size and state, sometimes it seems you can walk all the way 'around the world' in a few hours, other times it appears to be limitless. The notable features include: Black on Black vision with hints of colour and a smell of dust similar to an unopened attic, 'dark creatures' which can't be seen, but the presence of which can be felt (hard frost on bare skin sensation when nearby, a kind of burning cold), and sometimes heard by what should be the most terrifying houl/scream you could experience. What exactly the creatures are, Seamus's family has no idea, but they hope never to find out (except their father, who is curious beyond belief and encourages his children to get closer and investigate... the children notably avoid it)

'Family'
History contains more accurate record, but current known family are:
Father (powerful sorcerer of 'unusual' talent, made his children liches to prevent 'accidents' unfortunately he started with 12 kids, and only 3 survived the process)
Sister (skilled in magic, has problem of body parts going blue and trying to rot, while her bones continue to move similar to skeleton)
older brother (body live, mind 'undead', cannot speak, but is showing increasingly that he is capable of independent thought, but is lacking expression of those, previously followed instructions to the letter as a zombie)
Seamus (successful lich, body and mind true fusion of undeath and life.)

'Lich'
A creature that cannot 'die' simply returning to life time and again for some reason or another: Seamus and his surviving siblings are liches because of the magic of runes often frequented inside various jars hence 'lich pots'

'Lich Pots'
Seamus keeps his Lich Runes within small jars for safekeeping away from rodents, water, fire, and prying fingers. Normally kept in low profile locations to make his return to life easier, Seamus has been known to send 'unpretty' pots to certain far flung leaders which of course get stored in unromantic locations such as storehouses, from which he appears and establishes a network of pots in those kingdoms.
Seamus is well travelled for this reason.

'Lich Links'
The link of Seamus to his pots is like a thread, and it extends from only one pot at a time, on his death he is 'rewound' to the current pot in the death domain, where he can either choose to rebirth there, or else he can follow one of the links to the other pots subsequently joined, the stronger the spiritual link and closer geographically the shorter the path between the pots

Lady Lulu
03-22-09, 01:20 AM
okay, that was uber long @_@ well, since I've seen this thread about a thousand times and no one has replied yet, I shall pop its cherry!!!

First of all, I am probably the worst possible person you could have chosen to reply here. Well, You didn't choose me. I forced this upon you. But regardless. I say this because I am not at all picky with who I RP with, so if anybody has an offer, I accept it ^^ (Actually I'm in an RP with you now on one of my other accounts).

But this aside, you seem to be a great writer, and the only reason that comes to mind as of why you wouldn't be getting many RP's with your Kiwi is for that exact reason - He is a Kiwi. I'd say, oh, 98% of the Althanas population is a humanoid is some way or other. But Silas is just a bird, unable to transform into a human, and unable to speak to humans (I think, correct me if I'm wrong).

Another reason I've considered is that maybe you aren't trying hard enough? I can't say for sure, but I'm assuming. Whenever I am without an active thread, I make a post begging for an RP. Sure I hardly ever get more than two offers... with any of my characters..... but I simply tell myself that most Althanians (I'm assuming that's what we are called) are very finicky about their roleplay buddies, and I just assume that they don't ignore me because I am a terrible writer..... T_T I'm getting off subject here. What I'm trying to say is that every character is special in one way or another, and sometimes that quality is better suited to some than others.

Wow. That was intensive and pretty deep. And I know I didn't answer all of the questions you asked, and I doubt I was much help, but.... There you go heh. To sum up my rant, I'm assuming that as long as your character is a humanoid being and he has a flexible nature that will allow you to fit into any type of RP, you will more than likely get your fill of roleplay's.

I hope that you find a fellow Althanian who loves your Kiwi for what it is, and that the next poster here will offer you more useful advice =D

Peace out ^~^

Fotiadis110
03-22-09, 01:37 AM
managed to dodge the bullet there you did Lulu, unfortunately, i'm asking for advice about the Lich, not the kiwi :p

The Kiwi has a Character hole Flaw, he's isolationist and that is the problem, he just isn't the sort to run and jump into a chasing a dragon thread...
To do so would spoil the entire POINT of having him, thread by thread his character will change, and change in a way I have plotted out, it will take time though, and I want to mess around NOW :p

Hence the design of Seamus.
Now can I have some feedback on Seamus the Lich?

Lady Lulu
03-22-09, 02:07 AM
T_T so then... sorry for that meaningless rant *sigh* I knew I was doing something wrong, I just didn't know what..... Welp, I'm gonna go sulk in a corner now heheh

Fotiadis110
03-22-09, 02:12 AM
*gets the towel and a cookie to make her feel better*
Thats alright, you tried, thats more than most of the people who peered in this thread :p
read through seamus's stuff and lemme know if you spot any inconsistancies or massive lapses... Silas's one was his lack of Bio recognition :(

Alydia Ettermire
03-22-09, 02:14 AM
A) What you're describing as "runes" are really wards, sigils, and enchantments, not runes. It bothers me to see runes misused. The "lich runes" you're describing look like spell components, as well.

B) You have 6 abilities listed, not counting his lich modifier, and you're saying he can essentially pick up any weapon and be an okay fighter with it, as well as some pretty powerful magic. I'd cut it down to a couple of types of weapons with below average skill, and one or two magical abilities.

C) The poison in the pearwood pen is WAY too powerful for level 0 unless you stipulate that it can only be used for suicide. At the level he'll start out, I'd suggest that it makes other characters drowsy and/or slows them down a bit (incrementally, depending on level). A deadly poison is too much to start out with.

sweet_oblivion
03-22-09, 02:17 AM
Not that i know anything, but just from putting my feet in the shoes of someone who had to approve the character, i guess one would ask how many of these pots and possibly where they are located?

Seamus does seem sort of calm about everything though. Not to say that his is a bad or good thing, just noting that one might be a bit agitated at their father who has pretty much killed all their siblings and mutilated (physically on going, and mentally) the other two, while the 'normal' one is actively followed by religious fanatics in the worst possible way) and 'kills' himself to save time.

Seamus just seems pretty stable, though as I said before this is only a note and is not frowned upon as he could either be more positive and possibly a bit of a passifict or pretty morbid and some what skittish or even uncaring and detached. Personally though, i'd keep him in the neutral as it seems to me he already is if your wanting a character that is pretty open to rp with.

And other than if his father wants to give Dino a few lessons into how to further manipulate the human body via magical means, I don't think i have anything else to add.

Fotiadis110
03-22-09, 02:53 AM
*dances for the helpful posts*

ok in order some explanations:

1) I'll look into renaming, i used runes because they where what sprung to mind when i thought him up! (review: Sigil matches properly in meaning!)(second note, Rune means what i wanted anyway, but if it is conjuring up the wrong images, Sigil it is.)


2)
Lich - makes him him, comes with BIG limitations that can be abused by those who want to have real fun, but it is the crucial bit!

Youthful - makes him fight with whatever i get (he is unarmed as you might notice, his 1st, maybe second thread will be the investment of his 200 in SOMETHING)

magic knowledge - Can read stuff, so he won't walk through the doorway with a death spell written on it. he can't USE magic at this stage (his sister on the other hand...) but it's a relic of his upbringing. (no combat use)

Clothing runes - mind not sticking out? yeah I would too... He can't exactly spam this though, it takes time. Gives him more than the one wardrobe (hence can dress in whatever commoners clothes takes my fancy, without buying a dozen outfits for each nation, he currently has no armour, nor can he (presently) make any maybe later.) (combat? bah. Hiding? yep, see his being hunted!)

First Aid - invaluable in fact his only practical secondary skill that i didn't include for completeness. (youthful is a descriptor more or less) (my shiny)

Amateur - helpful but disposable, it's just to give him a small edge (a bunch of amateur robbers for example, he will be able to spot their tracks into the nearby bushes and prepare.) (weak now, useful later levels)

3)
Pots: many, about 30 scattered between the kingdoms in various locations (5 in his home town), his father wanted his son to see the world, so he mailed the pots around.
Why you ask? Simple #1 Redundancy, as you note he has enemies who think him evil, so he is prepared. #2 It allows me to explain his arrival in ANY province at ANY time to join whatever quest I take fancy too (not that we can't anyway but this is kinda cool!) #3 The whole point is he's nigh on impossible to actually KILL, although, an organised effort by informed people could and WOULD have a high chance of success... He'd have to find an isolated pot WITHOUT his connective 'web' in the other realm.
Not an easy task, possible, but not easy. meanwhile with a little thought effort, they can find it and destroy it, perhaps trapping him in the other realm for eternity, perhaps sending him to a plane of death beyond... Who knows? I don't!


4)
If the experiments occurred within the first year of your life, perhaps you wouldn't notice so much... perhaps normality is a COVER for his real mentality, maybe he's more mentally disrupted than his father, maybe not, we'll see how I choose to evolve him as he grows.
Or maybe the 'stableness' is a product of his fathers extreme methods itself, and might be destabilised in a time of high stress revealing something NO ONE expects. We will see :)



Not sure what I can do about his skills, I know 6 is allot, but 2 are pretty much needed (so he can produce the weapon he needs, and be reborn...) 2 more I wouldn't go without (first aid and clothing), and the final 2 are particularly nice to hang on to :/ (ability to read but not cast, and being able to follow the unwary) I consider amateur tracking to be on par with a 18 year old who goes hunting, able to pick up on enough without being able to identify things like one who has been doing it for a living.

Alydia Ettermire
03-22-09, 02:58 PM
30 pots is a bit much...by like, a lot. He shouldn't be able to maintain that many at his level. For now, I'd choose five locations for him to be able to teleport to upon death, and expand where he can go as he advances (have him travel to a place, set up a pot, and THEN request it as a spoil at the end of a thread).

Youthful is still too much. Give him an average level of skill with one type of weapon and below average with a second, or you will definitely be asked to change it by the RoG mod that handles your thread.

Magic knowledge can (and for the interest of story, I'll say SHOULD) be pretty basic at the moment. Level 0 isn't the time to start trying to be powerful, it's the time to recognize your constraints so that you can have the character grow and be stronger.

I'd also have you choose, for now, between First Aid and tracking, then add the other one later.

Fotiadis110
03-22-09, 03:33 PM
his magic knowledge confers NO capacity to actually cast <_<
It's another language (to be read) proficiency.

how do i reword it accordingly :/

Youthful training I put at a level of kids having played with swords... not incapable, not crap, but the level of skill is very low.

The whole point of youthful skill is he'll walk into a weapons shop and go looking for the best weapon that man can craft for a set budget (some 150 GP) then make it magical with his fathers gift so he doesn't have to replace it every few threads -_-
Following acquiring of a weapon he will develop the skill with that weapon, and later weapons he will acquire as he levels.
Making him more specialised, more proficient in fighting but still to a lesser level as someone who specialised from the start.

and 30 pots?
Thats 30 towns he can show up in, rather than have to walk out the world.
Most were sent by ship by his father to distant corners of the planet so he can get around alot.

basically 5 in his home town, and 15 in different parts of the world (various major cities) the other 5 being in area's around his home town where he has been exploring, the last 5 are in other towns in each of those various nations he's visited, like an inn in the dwarven area of Corone and so forth. (when I look at the map of the globe, most pots are more than 6 weeks travel apart, so they really aren't all that close or numerous, he'd take almost 2 months to walk from one to another.) Also his pots don't give him the ability to travel totally globally, there are large parts no where near where he ought to be.

It's an establishment in his abilities to travel globally to participate anywhere, any time. rather than your character already 'being there' used by some people.

how many would YOU have if you thought you we being hunted?


So he can't have gone out hunting as a kid?
at 15 I could do first aid and follow obvious tracks, shoot a gun and read chemical formulas, mathematical formula, also had animal health detection capabilites and the like :p
what level was I?

I was hardly PRACTICED at any of the skills really, but i could.

The problem is, ignoring the ability NOW means i am not permitted to use it at ALL till my next level... Same with Silas, he's supposedly the most proficient bio recipe mage in many MANY miles, but having no mention of the skill i am not permitted to use it at all <_<

That said, his first aid is more important... he can help others alot further, so if one went or suddenly found it's bowels chopped out, it would be the lesser tracking.


[edit]
In an effort to get more feedback, here's the changes made so far...
Thoughts?



Personality:
Having no ability to die has definitely left a mark on Seamus, his tendency to run forward while others move to hide or take cover astonishes many opponents, and this is something he capitalises on.
This said, lacking the fear of death doesn't mean Seamus is fearless, instead he has a far greater emphasis on pain as something to avoid if possible, but given in fighting pain is something to be expected, Seamus tends to try to end the fight as quickly as possible.
Generally however Seamus appears an oddly balanced individual, speaks a variety of tongues and is both intelligent and inexperienced, his undeath is something he has to hide, keeping those he tells quiet about the matter, the reason behind this revolving around religious zealots attempting to destroy what they see as an 'evil monstrosity'
Seamus tries to enjoy life as it comes and rarely seems down, ultimately he is a young man looking for fun in a world of hard work and sacrifice.


Skills:
Lich Sigils:
MIN requirements: Pen, Paper, Small animal (live), 6 stones with 'natural' (drilling doesn't make them magic) holes in them or other RAW magic source; these are often placed inside small pots for protection, and placed in various locations, each life given in sacrifice creates a 'connection' to other pots, the 'larger' the life the stronger and therefore easier to relocate the 'connecting path' when isolated from the pathways created by his closest pot. The 'connecting paths' are thin threads of life in the 'death domain' and are walked by the spirits of those sacrificed to create that link, some (such as cats) can connect 2 pots several times for a far more locatable path, or can connect several pots together at once, allowing for improved 'linkage'
Additionally simply MOVING the pot somewhat deactivates it's rebirth characteristics, requiring 24 hours to 'stabilise' to allow Seamus to re-appear at that location. This does NOT break connections, so death can allow rebirth elsewhere, but causes problems in providing rapid at location support.
All Sigils require the 'stabilisation' stage, and present the same difficulty.

Lich:
Seamus cannot be killed by conventional means, instead he rebirths near nearest Lich runes of his choice when death occurs his body turning to dust where it falls (which then scatters into the air/wind), this process can be disrupted by destruction of his 'current' (meaning latest rebirth pot) lich sigil pot prior to his death, which forces a delay (2 hours to 7 days have been experienced, worse might be possible) before his return).

Youthful practice:
(grants a degree of combat ability to Seamus, equal to 1.1x modifier compared to a man who knows how to but has no practice in using a weapon)
Seamus has a better than common skill in fighting in armed and unarmed combat, a variety of one handed weaponry up to short swords (long swords he is clumsy with) and is able to use a shield, Seamus is also trained enough at bow use to be able to hunt rabbits and the like granting him the ability to hit a man at ranges up to 50 meters. Seamus can parry but is inexperienced in doing so often leaving himself open. Seamus is also somewhat skilled in pole type weaponry, in particular has played with spears, axes and quarterstaffs. However Seamus carries no 'high level' skill in any one weapon.
Seamus was trained in combat with his sister, and their lich natures allowed them to practice with REAL weaponry, and their father encouraged the pair to explore and practice various options, giving the pair a limited experience with a variety of weapons. Seamus lacks any formal training, and having trained with only another inexperienced sibling, is not exhaustively trained in use of weapons. this places him at a disadvantage to any properly trained combatant, or experienced fighter, but at an advantage against any novice fighter.
Seamus knows to weave when charging a ranged opponent, his sister preferred bows, while he preferred the 'personality' of a well crafted blade.


Magic Knowledge:
Can read many magical runes of varying types of relatively recent development, although some are beyond his experience (quest leaders please specify if Seamus can't, otherwise he will try to interpret them).
Cannot cast, as does he know the correct pronunciations leaving him incapable to even counter the spells of magi, although physical symbols appearing may make it obvious what is being cast.

Clothing Runes:
Can create clothing for his ‘reincarnations’ by attaching small papers to his Lich Sigil Pots allowing him to change his appearance on ‘rebirth’ however learning the correct sigil to create either takes significant trial and error, or actually wearing the clothes while meditating to gain 'insight' in how to create them by runes (sometimes for up to 48 hours)
So far has been unable to create ‘non-living’ materials (although it is rumoured to be possible), so Iron, bronze and similar amours are non-existent in his collection of options.
This ability allows him to 'return' to a village in local garb, rather than having to purchase new clothing to blend in every time he returns.
Silas hasn't tried to 'obtain' Leather armours thus far, and has no such armour available to him at this time. This may change if he considers it and meditates to allow him to learn the sigil required.

First Aid:
Seamus doesn't normally carry bandages and the like, but he has experience and some degree of skill at bandaging, splints, stopping bleeding and treating other injuries on himself and others, although his skill doesn't extend to knowing correct antidotes for poisons or stings in differing areas. His ability to staunch life threatening wounds seems surprising considering his ability to die and return, but sometimes lasting a few more hours before death is what is needed to allow his latest lich pot to 'activate' and prevent a wasteful time consuming search to 'rejoin' his network of Lich pots from his present location.

Amateur Fieldwork:
Seamus can follow obvious tracks (such as footprints in mud, and flattened areas of long grass, and find some common healing agents that are well known and seemingly obvious. He can't follow obscured tracks and will avoid those curatives that look similar to other dangerous plants lacking experience in these matters.


Equipment:
Sapient Pearwood Pen:
Literally follows him on death. (Re: Terry Pratchet, renaming possible but this currently makes 'sense') Contains: Small dose of a potent sleeping poison, kills within 2 minutes, can be inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through the lining of the mouth (this takes double time), found under cap and is a white powder with no scent. WEAKNESS: cannot be added to other food or drink otherwise it will break down somewhat causing it to revert to a sleeping powder form (originally important to prevent siblings playing jokes on each other)
Originally developed to slay himself in a situation of extreme duress, Seamus has found it so efficient he now uses it for long distance travel via his Lich Sigils, fast, painless, efficient, the powder has the only downfall that the full dose must be taken otherwise it will simply be slept off.
Seamus has been raised as an honourable individual and has no inclination to use it on others






Manifesto:
1: Invent timetravel
2: go back in time
3: win lotto
4: include glossary:

'death domain':
Quite literally a domain separate from this world, notable for flashes of light (like a camp-fire for a moment being revealed) caused by the loss of a life in the real world domain. This domain is of undefined size and state, sometimes it seems you can walk all the way 'around the world' in a few hours, other times it appears to be limitless. The notable features include: Black on Black vision with hints of colour and a smell of dust similar to an unopened attic, 'dark creatures' which can't be seen, but the presence of which can be felt (hard frost on bare skin sensation when nearby, a kind of burning cold), and sometimes heard by what should be the most terrifying howl/scream you could experience. What exactly the creatures are, Seamus's family has no idea, but they hope never to find out (except their father, who is curious beyond belief and encourages his children to get closer and investigate... the children notably ignore this advice)

'Family'
Histroy contains more accurate record, but current known family are:
Father (powerful sorcerer of 'unusual' talent, made his children liches to prevent 'accidents' unfortunately he started with 12 kids, and only 3 survived both the experiments from then, and then the process that was eventually developed)
Sister (skilled in magic, has problem of body parts going blue and trying to rot, while her bones continue to move similar to skeleton)
Older brother (body live, mind 'undead', cannot speak, but is showing increasingly that he is capable of independent thought, but is lacking expression of those, previously followed instructions to the letter as a zombie)
Seamus (successful lich, body and mind true fusion of undeath and life.)

'Lich'
A creature that cannot 'die' simply returning to life time and again for some reason or another: Seamus and his surviving siblings are liches because of the magic of Sigils often frequented inside various pottery jars hence the 'lich pots' which are referred to.

'Lich Pots'
Seamus keeps his Lich Sigils within small jars for safekeeping away from rodents, water, fire, and prying fingers. Normally kept in low profile locations to make his return to life easier, Seamus has been known to send 'unpretty' pots to certain far flung leaders which of course get stored in unromantic locations such as storehouses, from which he appears and establishes a network of pots in those kingdoms.
Seamus is well travelled for this reason.

'Lich Links'
The link of Seamus to his pots is like a thread, and it extends from only one pot at a time, on his death he is 'rewound' to the current pot in the death domain, where he can either choose to rebirth there, or else he can follow one of the links to the other pots subsequently joined, the stronger the spiritual link and closer geographically the shorter the path between the pots.
Links appear to be gold threads in the plane of death, the more links the wider the threads seem to be, and the 'greater' the soul the larger that thread appears.
Humans Appear to give the greatest (the particular example case being a criminal convicted of stealing from Seamus's father, the punishment was considered the ultimate punishment available, criminals now beg not to be punished by the man), but sacrifices of other sentient races have not been experimented with.

'Lich Sigils'
Binding Seamus to the plane of the living through unknown means, the Sigils are the way Seamus survives all forms of death known.
Destroying Sigils do not destroy Seamus, instead it simply breaks down one of the links in the pathway back to life.
As long as one of Seamus's Sigils exist, he will continue to exist his undead life.
When the last Sigil is destroyed, Seamus's connection to rebirth will be broken, and his remaining life will become restricted unless he creates new ones, or is killed.
What occurs at the death without a pot is unknown, but speculated to be little different to normal death.
Sigils can only be resurrected at if they have been stationary for 24 hours, meaning Seamus cannot resurrect on boats (rocking motion) nor in an area just hit by an earthquake or similar. Planetary motion is excluded, and no discussion will be entered regarding continental drift, such arguments simply ruin the idea.

sweet_oblivion
03-26-09, 05:35 PM
I can somewhat agree with the restriction on first aid.

I understand why you would want it but, come one when would the guy who cheats death with the corpse bride as a sister and a zombie for a brother?

I do believe that a limit to the pots should be made though. To small is some what dangerous for the kind of character your playing (someone who is not to fear death) but to much and it becomes unfair (respawning just outside of the city were you failed your assassination) not saying you would do this but its Mod job to take everything into account, no?

I'm thinking 1 or 2 permanent pots (at your home and some where else) that dont adhere to the rules of the others so fear of that is never a problem and you always have points to return to no matter what. Another 9 normal pots would be what I would aim for simply because of the Youthful Practice and how he can pick up almost any weapon and have some form of skill with it. This is althanas and its not to hard to come by something that causes another person to bleed.

Fotiadis110
03-26-09, 05:56 PM
True...

Perhaps each time he levels we discover his father has managed to mail (by ship to various high ranking mages) additional pots, opening up more and more of the world.

But 30 worldwide still actually gives him a VERY limited area he can get to, imagine the world and it's airports.

Pick 15 airports WORLDWIDE (given 5 are in towns near his own, 5 are his core protection, and the other 5 are nearby one of the other 15)
Now tell me how you want to go to Hawaii for a weekend vacation?
You chose it? Easy, but what of Boston?
The principle behind the 'high yet low' number is actually based on the magic I imagine in principle works around, and it gives me the excuse to be anywhere at a given time, in a large city? I am likely to appear.
In a town I've been hanging out for 2 weeks in? Yes, and in local garb.
In a town I've never visited before? do not pass go, do not collect 200 dollars, go back to the nearest city, probably over a weeks travel away (unless he hires a horse, but that would be expensive until a certain gift from Papa at level 5 or above, Lich girdle ;))

Seamus can rebirth quickly, but the point is NOT that he runs around attracting attention to himself where he locates his pots, if he keeps coming back to kill the same guy, the guy'll start wanting to find out what's going on. And that will remove the pot (or node is better way to describe them) from the available loop, and THAT is bad.


And to think I was worrying that the biggest problem people would perceive in his character as the 'fathers gift' that is probably worth some 10,000 gold for certain items <_<

sweet_oblivion
03-26-09, 06:10 PM
Yea, but thats 15 airports for 1 person.

I don't think even Diddy as that many private jets.....

That being said, if you continously fail at assassinating someone and do so so often that they figure your respawning through a pot then you should have probably given up long ago.

Level shouldn't be needed for additional pots though, adding 1 or 2 in the general area per quest as a spoil should be easy enough as long as you rp the creation of it. Thinking of a level 0 character starting with 30. Besides, if all you have to worry about is a weeks travel from the heart of one country to another thats not too bad.

Fotiadis110
03-26-09, 06:20 PM
depends on your judgement of scale.
Sometimes a week, sometimes a month, and historically you find that travel from one nation to another takes a VERY long time by traders cart (protecting these is one of Seamus's habits, unmentioned because it isn't always his method).
That said i might see why so many is bad.
*thinks about it*
need a blown up Athenas map, to pick locations Seamus 'ought' to have on his list, pick a home country (which will never be published initially) and determine the locations of other such pots.
I could quite possibly shed up to 10 pots from his 'collection' but 30 was simply a demonstration of how widespread his 'collection' goes.
Finding magical sources would be the hardest part for him to achieve during quests, although in some places finding (or catching) a living animal suitable might be hard.

at 1.3 per quest, it won't take long to make the initial 30 seem a pittance :p

sweet_oblivion
03-26-09, 06:27 PM
That and its always possible stronger magics will make for different possibilities.

Who knows, maybe Seamus creates a pot that can be moved, one that can be created with out the necessary items for an hour or so, maybe one that fits on a bracelet that friends of his can wear and request his aid through upon death.

The potential is pretty wide for him because death is not a problem and he has two people who are constantly researching to back him up. I wish Dino had that kind of support.

As for this fathers items, the mods will allow them as they come just try not to make them too amazing but they will correct you as you request them, so no reason for us to worry about it too much as right now they are up in the air.

Fotiadis110
03-26-09, 06:37 PM
His father considers Seamus to be complete. Seamus sees it as perfectly functional
His sister might come up with something sooner or later, but right now? He has to wait.

If I come up with bracelet type ideas, then the rules will change a bit, or even a luggage that follows him everywhere, allowing instant resupply for companions (or if I throw them inside, free transit)
Ultimately though, those are high level concepts which would effectively 'break' the limitations that I thought made it fair :p.
I mean to kill Seamus coming from a bracelet, his opponent would have to first disable Seamus, then kill the friend, then break the bracelet.
Compared to the whole 'has to stay still, preferably in a quiet dark room' It suddenly makes him VERY unfair. Even level 9 characters have exhaustion to contend with, one thing about Seamus is while he 'feels' some of the pain of his death, he has no tiredness, slowness or injuries to fault him.
To take OUT Seamus (working alone) is to wait till he goes elsewhere and destroy the Sigil that brings him to this place.
Otherwise it's all about keeping him elsewhere.
It's possible to even blackmail Seamus by holding his recent pot hostage. Threatening to destroy it.
A mobile version would break the principles that make it interesting :p

Additionally, starting with not that many if the growth rate is high, means at high levels he's insane... of course high levels are supposed to be, but it remains...

Starting with allot and only getting a couple here and there, less than 1 per quest, he is somewhat reserved, and it isn't the pots that make him powerful at later levels, it's his undeath still.

Anyway the scary quest I have planned involves Seamus and a few friends fighting a large group of other questers setting out to destroy Seamus completely, offered money by the 'unknown fanatics' If I start with quite a few, I can bring out this quest idea relatively early if I don't I have to wait till I am happy I have enough to make a few losses.

Personally I don't like shooting down my ideas in advance.

sweet_oblivion
03-26-09, 07:22 PM
Well, its not like you couldn't add more pots per level. His dad is still able to send them so, if you make 1.3 per quest, at lets say 5 quests till your next level that is 6 pots from rping, and another say 10 daddy dearest decided to mail out. That is an additional 16 to his already 15 (36) at level 1 which is not too bad seeing as leveling up will take longer meaning more quests and pots.

You can always put limitations on other forms though, like a bracelet only works once and breaks after that use and possibly requires more powerful magic or rare material to create. Seamus is a lich, no one is going to really be surprised if you need to use the blood of a virgin once or twice in his long unlife-span.

Fotiadis110
03-26-09, 07:43 PM
i suppose the latter is true, and such high rates of 'replication' could make possible combat on the 4 locations at once losing say 6 pots (2 having been unprotected) 6 from 30 is ALOT.
Anyway, I thank you for your feedback anyway, it's nice to discuss these things.

anyway the theory of '2 perminant pots' is a bit flawed, but i have similar ideas already.
Seamus only has one MAJOR actual pot, the other 4 his existence relies upon (which incidentally, the lesser pots i'm considering channel their power (connection unneeded, pots can become unbound from the network), rather than being strong themselves) I have considered to be more stealthy, such as one being located in a hollow brick in a wall in his home city, the others being very secretive, but for the moment I need to work out where I would be best to have the inital pottery.
His first thread would refer to the destruction of a pot somewhere (it's a good intro i've got written up somewhere), without destroying these important sites i'd need to have at least 1 surplus somewhere.

Anyway the soul of a creature is what's needed, although i'm curious what sacrificing a dragon within a runic circle to bind it to a pot might do to the 'death domain' pathway... (imagines a binding string 6 feet wide)
Or rather how much it would try to kill Seamus <_<.

Anyway. Take a look at the map:
http://althanas.com/world/faq.php?faq=althanasalmanac
I'll be doing more work on this later today (got some stuff to do right now) you look at that and work out how many important cities I might seek.

To be honest I wasn't concerned about how MANY pots I had, I was going to work on the theory there are quite a few, but their exact number never heard, nor would I seek the pots as spoils. That way their usefulness would be perfectly as I chose. No more and no fewer than I needed.
Please note, even a days trip away from a town could put Seamus out of the thread for good for the remainder of the quest.
His ability isn't godlike, it's just 'wait didn't I kill you yesterday?' 'apparently not'

[edit]
Regarding youthful skill. It is my intent that early on prior to visiting the market to acquire a weapon regarding his 'fathers gift' he will be involved in several battles, showing the importance of actually possessing real weapons.
The skill exists to ensure that whenever he grabs the nearest thing to a weapon, he can actually make a point of fighting with it, rather than being forced to swing it clumsily in an attempt to defend himself. To do this without specifying SOME kind of description to make it known, would according to the rules (which i'm being careful around) be power playing, demonstrating a skill you don't profess to have!
The skill equivilates to a person who knows how to fight (say a thug) but lacks actual skill (say a guard) that others would possess, restricting weaponry choices is NORMAL but also actually instantly destroys the plans I have for his first gift being 'random'.
As for the bow skill, it exists to allow him to live on the land (hunting rabbits and the like) but will not have a place in actual combat scenes with such a weapon in my foreseeable future, why? Simply because he has no need!

Thats why I insist I keep this, and want to avoid losing it at all costs, even if it requires significant re-definition to explain how I intend to use it. Any assistance to remove arguments and improve the definition would be gladly accepted.
I'm only human, I only see things from the one angle.
Please share your direction!

Lathienas Miraq
03-28-09, 07:21 PM
Ok, sorry for waiting ages.

I agree about the number of pots coming down. If nothing else, the mods won't allow it. You can always buy/win more pots later on.

The 'Youthful Skill' needs to be rewritten. In it's current state it appears to mean he can use any weapon competently which is not allowed. I suggest that he be given a very particular style of fighting that is weak against another style so that he is not always at an advantage.

Also taking either first aid or tracking rather than both might be a good idea. It's just that the jack-of-all-trades doesn't seem to fit him, so having one skill that is slightly better would work better.

That should be ok tbh. Try submitting it and see what Taskmeinster has to say...