Creating a Planescape char - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Creating a Planescape char

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
prophet_of_chaos
Oct 09, 2004 9:40:32 Lady's grace, cutters. It's me again, the ever-lurking Prophet of Chaos.
Here's the deal...

I want to join an online PS game, but I'm not really sure what kind of character would "fit into" a PS game. I have a few ideas, but they all seem so mundane. I've noticed that PS characters and even PS gamers here on the boards possess a certain undefinable "Planescapiness" about them. If anyone could help me with this I'd greatly appreciate it.
#2
zombiegleemax
Oct 09, 2004 13:20:13 Hmm, might help if you told us what your character ideas were.

I'm lousy at coming up with something that's just "planar" by itself.

On the other hand, taking an already existing character concept and modifying it is a touch easier.

What type of character do you want to play? Personality, goals, etc, etc, etc?

Help us help you.
#3
zombiegleemax
Oct 09, 2004 14:42:20 Mmhh, I am by no means an expert, but one of the first questions, you should ask yourself, is, what faction he belongs (or would belong) to. Philosophy is a tangible force, that is important to just about everyone that isn't a Clueless. I also noticed that 'appearances deceive' is a theme common to many planar characters. Good people of 'evil' races, gentle beings of brute strength and beautiful scions of evil all apply. Finally, people from Sigil are often jaded beyond what one would deem possible - maybe they haven't seen all there is, but there's such an incredible multitude of strange beings passing through Sigil, that seeing just another illithid (or whatever) isn't going to freak them out.
#4
ripvanwormer
Oct 09, 2004 15:01:11 Page through books of planar factions and races. Don't shy away from monstrous races. Choose something you like, then try to think of a "twist" that makes that character surprising compared to average characters of that type, or makes use of his or her talents in an unexpected way. Look for unusual combinations of race, class, and philosophy.

Planescape can support an infinite variety of characters, but most tend to end up more cosmopolitan and cynical when they adventure in Sigil and the planes for a while. A savage orc barbarian on the planes no longer instinctually attacks every orc or elf she meets, and no longer cowers at the sight of a fiend. A gray elven wizard lets her hair down, gets a few tattoos, and goes to some parties thrown by illithids and drow.

In the presence of so many extremes, gray areas grow larger. The great polarities tend to mix and blend. There is still great virtue and great wickedness, but those who want to survive for long learn to broaden their world views. The fanatic who can think of nothing but killing her racial enemies won't live long, unless of course she's a githzerai or githyanki. Or an asura. Or a tanar'ri or baatezu fighting the Blood War, but that's a different story. In the Planescape part of the planes - in Sigil and the gate towns - cutters need to adjust and realize that enemies may sometimes be allies, and vice versa.

When all else fails - AMNESIA!
#5
prophet_of_chaos
Oct 10, 2004 1:58:17 Aramad, The Sorcerer

Age: 19
Gender: M
Race: (unique?) Human
Height: 6' 0
Weight:165
Build: Muscular
Eyes/hair/skin:Black
Clothing: Orange turban, woodland green cloak w/elven writing on it, cloth belt, puffy MC hammer stlye pants, and sturdy leather boots.
Possesions: Bag of Holding, flying bathtub

Aramad was born in a little known prime similar in many respects to the Oerth. On this prime Aramad is known as The Sorcerer. As far as anyone knows he is the first sorcerer to have existed there. He was exiled from his homeland (the nation of Terra) for spellcasting.

Since then he has been despised as a demon, praised as the saviour of magic, degrated as an over rated hack, and dismissed as an urban legend. His familiar Khaos (a black cat) is no less of a mystery. He was never summoned, but merely appeared one day sitting on a bag of gold. Unlike most familiars Khaos is capable of speech and displays numerous magical abilities. But perhaps it all just a complicated prank the two are playing on the world.

Aramad believes himself to be the living incarnation of the randomness of magic itself. He is known to passionately pursue a certain subject for months, even years, and then drop it for no apparent reason. His answer to most questions regarding his sporatic behaviour are variations on the theme "Because its cool!"

Aramad despises those wrapped up in tradition and arrogance and constantly strives to "let them in on the joke of existence".

Khaos considers himself the "ultimate expression of catness" . In other words, he sleeps 20 hours a day, constantly demands attention, and pounces on anything he considers a threat.

The only constant in the lives of these roaming pranksters is magic. In the words of Aramad himself "Magic is in my soul. It is my soul. It is me. The more I know about magic, the more I know about myself." As such all of Aramad's spells are connected to events in his life.
#6
GothicDan
Oct 10, 2004 13:46:13 Mmm. You could twist this into a lot of different Faction possibilities. Xaositects, obviously. Sign of One. Transcendent Order... Maybe the Incanterium... Sensates, even..
#7
enoch_van_garret
Oct 11, 2004 14:58:14
As such all of Aramad's spells are connected to events in his life.

Genius. Pure genius.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 prophet_of_chaos Oct 09, 2004 9:40:32	Lady's grace, cutters. It's me again, the ever-lurking Prophet of Chaos. Here's the deal... I want to join an online PS game, but I'm not really sure what kind of character would "fit into" a PS game. I have a few ideas, but they all seem so mundane. I've noticed that PS characters and even PS gamers here on the boards possess a certain undefinable "Planescapiness" about them. If anyone could help me with this I'd greatly appreciate it.
#2 zombiegleemax Oct 09, 2004 13:20:13	Hmm, might help if you told us what your character ideas were. I'm lousy at coming up with something that's just "planar" by itself. On the other hand, taking an already existing character concept and modifying it is a touch easier. What type of character do you want to play? Personality, goals, etc, etc, etc? Help us help you.
#3 zombiegleemax Oct 09, 2004 14:42:20	Mmhh, I am by no means an expert, but one of the first questions, you should ask yourself, is, what faction he belongs (or would belong) to. Philosophy is a tangible force, that is important to just about everyone that isn't a Clueless. I also noticed that 'appearances deceive' is a theme common to many planar characters. Good people of 'evil' races, gentle beings of brute strength and beautiful scions of evil all apply. Finally, people from Sigil are often jaded beyond what one would deem possible - maybe they haven't seen all there is, but there's such an incredible multitude of strange beings passing through Sigil, that seeing just another illithid (or whatever) isn't going to freak them out.
#4 ripvanwormer Oct 09, 2004 15:01:11	Page through books of planar factions and races. Don't shy away from monstrous races. Choose something you like, then try to think of a "twist" that makes that character surprising compared to average characters of that type, or makes use of his or her talents in an unexpected way. Look for unusual combinations of race, class, and philosophy. Planescape can support an infinite variety of characters, but most tend to end up more cosmopolitan and cynical when they adventure in Sigil and the planes for a while. A savage orc barbarian on the planes no longer instinctually attacks every orc or elf she meets, and no longer cowers at the sight of a fiend. A gray elven wizard lets her hair down, gets a few tattoos, and goes to some parties thrown by illithids and drow. In the presence of so many extremes, gray areas grow larger. The great polarities tend to mix and blend. There is still great virtue and great wickedness, but those who want to survive for long learn to broaden their world views. The fanatic who can think of nothing but killing her racial enemies won't live long, unless of course she's a githzerai or githyanki. Or an asura. Or a tanar'ri or baatezu fighting the Blood War, but that's a different story. In the Planescape part of the planes - in Sigil and the gate towns - cutters need to adjust and realize that enemies may sometimes be allies, and vice versa. When all else fails - AMNESIA!
#5 prophet_of_chaos Oct 10, 2004 1:58:17	Aramad, The Sorcerer Age: 19 Gender: M Race: (unique?) Human Height: 6' 0 Weight:165 Build: Muscular Eyes/hair/skin:Black Clothing: Orange turban, woodland green cloak w/elven writing on it, cloth belt, puffy MC hammer stlye pants, and sturdy leather boots. Possesions: Bag of Holding, flying bathtub Aramad was born in a little known prime similar in many respects to the Oerth. On this prime Aramad is known as The Sorcerer. As far as anyone knows he is the first sorcerer to have existed there. He was exiled from his homeland (the nation of Terra) for spellcasting. Since then he has been despised as a demon, praised as the saviour of magic, degrated as an over rated hack, and dismissed as an urban legend. His familiar Khaos (a black cat) is no less of a mystery. He was never summoned, but merely appeared one day sitting on a bag of gold. Unlike most familiars Khaos is capable of speech and displays numerous magical abilities. But perhaps it all just a complicated prank the two are playing on the world. Aramad believes himself to be the living incarnation of the randomness of magic itself. He is known to passionately pursue a certain subject for months, even years, and then drop it for no apparent reason. His answer to most questions regarding his sporatic behaviour are variations on the theme "Because its cool!" Aramad despises those wrapped up in tradition and arrogance and constantly strives to "let them in on the joke of existence". Khaos considers himself the "ultimate expression of catness" . In other words, he sleeps 20 hours a day, constantly demands attention, and pounces on anything he considers a threat. The only constant in the lives of these roaming pranksters is magic. In the words of Aramad himself "Magic is in my soul. It is my soul. It is me. The more I know about magic, the more I know about myself." As such all of Aramad's spells are connected to events in his life.
#6 GothicDan Oct 10, 2004 13:46:13	Mmm. You could twist this into a lot of different Faction possibilities. Xaositects, obviously. Sign of One. Transcendent Order... Maybe the Incanterium... Sensates, even..
#7 enoch_van_garret Oct 11, 2004 14:58:14	As such all of Aramad's spells are connected to events in his life. Genius. Pure genius.