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A Roleplayer's Copybook: The Lazy Bard Challenge

Tags: #RP  #Story  #Challenge  #Writing 
  • December 26, 2018

    I never choose skills for a character from the technical point of view, always story-wise or lore-wise. So if I play a native Skyrim fellow (which I don't normally play) he wouldn't use magic because there's nowhere he could have learned it. On the other hand, an Imperial from Cyrodiil or an Altmer would most likely know alchemy or some magic.

  • December 26, 2018

    Eliras (formerly Ennis Corvus)

     

    The Basics:

    Race: Imperial (Male)

    Born: Imperial City, Nibenay Basin, Cyrodiil

    Lived: Woodhearth, Valenwood

    Alignment: Lawful Neutral

    Profession:  Bard

     

    Background:

    Ennis was born into a minor noble house—the Corvus family.  His father was a capable, respected man who was assigned as a liaison to several Imperial diplomats.  The Corvus house was very small, with Ennis being the sole remaining heir of the family name.  While Ennis was still a child, his family was posted to Valenwood, where his father was attached to a diplomat in Woodhearth, a city in Valenwood’s Greenshade region.  The diplomatic outpost in Woodhearth was tiny, and Ennis was the only Imperial child in the area.  Thus, he was raised by his mother with the help of various Bosmer tutors.

    After spending only a few years at this post, an “accident” occurred that took the life of Ennis’ parents, along with the other diplomatic families.  Ennis was spared, as he was at home during the incident.  Immediately following the incident, a kind-hearted tutor named Lienil took the child home to care for and raise him.  Lienil had been Ennis’ history tutor, and she continued to teach him about Tamriel and the Bosmer people.

    With the members of the Imperial delegation killed, no one from the Empire remained who knew the whereabouts of Ennis.  And, as is often the case, paperwork was improperly handled and the investigation of the incident was incompetent at best; never discovering that Ennis was alive.  Over the years, Ennis grew to love Lienil and the Bosmer people.  She changed his name was changed to Eliras to better integrate him to his new home.

    Eliras grew up learning the basics of “natural” magic and hunting.  He showed great proficiency with magic, though his combat skills were lacking.  He could use a hunting knife fairly well, but his archery skills were “childlike” compared to his Bosmer peers.  Eliras, out of both frustration and wisdom, focused his attention on his magical abilities.  He learned how to influence his surroundings through words from the local Spinners who saw Eliras’ gifts and helped him develop them.

    One night, Eliras was granted a vision from Y’ffre—a vision of great darkness descending upon the world.  The darkness appeared in the very northern part of Tamriel, Skyrim, and began to engulf all of Tamriel and then the world.  Waking up in a cold sweat, Eliras spent the next day recounting his dream to the local Spinners.  After a few days of pondering and seeking wisdom from the songs, they told Eliras that he must head north to Skyrim to find what Y’ffre was showing him.

     

    Personality:

    Eliras spent many years under the teaching and influence of Green Pact Bosmeri, hearing the great tales of Y’ffre from the Spinners.  That has made him learn to appreciate nature and all its beauty, to be hospitable to strangers, to be honorable, and to live in the “Aurbic Now.”  He respects and follows the Green Pact; never harming vegetation and always consuming meat.  He is a jovial person, loving song and dance, and willing to help those in need unless it conflicts with the path he is currently walking.  He dislikes the Thalmor (see Political Views) and those who abuse nature (like poachers).

     

    Religion:

    Eliras, like many Bosmeri, is a polytheist.  He follows the teachings of Y’ffre but shows respect to Auri-El, Arkay, Xarxes, Mara, Stendarr, and Z’en, among others.

     

    Political Views:

    Eliras is not political, though he will certainly condone or condemn those who either support or oppose the Bosmeri ways and people, respectively.  Since growing up in Valenwood, he is most comfortable around Bosmer, though he has a favorable view of the other races.  He knows about the Thalmor purges in Valenwood. Thus he greatly dislikes that political group.  However, such dislike is not shown to Altmer in general.

     

    Why Skyrim?

    Eliras had a vision of great darkness descending upon Skyrim.  After consulting with local Spinners, who believe his vision was from Y’ffre, he was sent off to Skyrim to follow his vision.  He has slowly made his way to Skyrim, passing through Cyrodiil and singing at various inns along the way to earn a bed for the night.

     

    Skills:

    Major: Illusion (starting spell: Fury), Restoration (starting spell: Healing), Alteration (starting spell: Candlelight), Alchemy

    Minor: Pickpocket (see below), Lockpick (see below), Speech, 1-H (dagger/hunting knife)

     

    Other Items:

    Eliras can live off the land, as the Bosmer taught him to hunt, forage, and survive.

    Eliras will always help a “fellow” Bosmer in need.  While he knows that he is different (an Imperial), he still sees the Bosmer people as his people.

    Eliras’ gift of magic comes from his words.  Thus, he can never “quiet cast” spells.  Also, he can only affect the area around him.  He can’t conjure creatures from Oblivion (no conjuration) or create elemental magic (no destruction).  However, once he learns shouts that can mimic these effects, he is free to use them.

    Eliras will avoid hurting vegetation (no harvesting plants, but he can use already harvested materials) and will never consume plant life.  He will not drink potions that he has not created (since he doesn’t know what is in them), nor will Eliras use any plant material in the potions he drinks [using Hunterborn and Scrimshaw mods here].  He will use firewood (already cut trees) and deadwood for fire, but he won’t gather branches.

    Eliras’ minor skills of Pickpocket and Lockpick come from his youth, where the Right of Theft was customary.  While he isn’t proficient in either, Eliras has the capability of performing these actions.  However, he also realizes that non-Bosmer will likely neither appreciate nor respect the Right of Theft.

  • December 26, 2018

    Cool fellow. Only it's hard to believe that there were Imperial diplomats in Valenwood under the Third Aldmeri Dominion. There have been too many dissenters in that region for the Thalmor to risk allowing any possible Imperial influences there. Also, while I can totally see an Imperial raised by Bosmer follow the Green Pact, it is known to be only for Bosmer and applies only to Valenwood. Even the most devoted of its followers won't see any problem with harvesting plants in Skyrim.

  • December 26, 2018

    Justiciar Thorien said:

    Cool fellow. Only it's hard to believe that there were Imperial diplomats in Valenwood under the Third Aldmeri Dominion. There have been too many dissenters in that region for the Thalmor to risk allowing any possible Imperial influences there. Also, while I can totally see an Imperial raised by Bosmer follow the Green Pact, it is known to be only for Bosmer and applies only to Valenwood. Even the most devoted of its followers won't see any problem with harvesting plants in Skyrim.

    Thanks!  The diplomatic outpost was very small, almost like an embassy in an "unfriendly" country.  And the "accident" was likely used to remove their presence from the region permanently.  And regarding the Green Pact, Eliras will follow it outside of Valenwood to ensure that he doesn't form any habits that would become violations of the Pact while inside Valenwood.  While they can ignore it ouside of Valenwood, he feels it is better to hold to it.  (That was originally in the background info, but I removed it before posting...sorry!)

  • December 26, 2018

    What I mean is that if there was an embassy (and there was, according to the lore), if would be in Alinor, not in Valenwood. They wouldn't need to arrange an accident, they wouldn't let them go to Valenwood in the first place.

  • December 26, 2018

    Justiciar Thorien said:

    What I mean is that if there was an embassy (and there was, according to the lore), if would be in Alinor, not in Valenwood. They wouldn't need to arrange an accident, they wouldn't let them go to Valenwood in the first place.

    Ok, that makes sense.  I will rework the background to fit.  I think that involves making him a Bosmer vice an Imperial.  Thanks!

  • December 26, 2018

    Have you thought that being an Imperial doesn't automatically mean being a citizen of the Empire? He can be an Imperial and live in Valenwood from the start. Without his parents being diplomats. They can be anything, except some persons of influence I guess.

  • December 26, 2018

    Justiciar Thorien said:

    Have you thought that being an Imperial doesn't automatically mean being a citizen of the Empire? He can be an Imperial and live in Valenwood from the start. Without his parents being diplomats. They can be anything, except some persons of influence I guess.

    I will ponder that approach as well, thanks!

  • December 26, 2018

    There are lots of possibilities actually. From a kid who lived on the streets of some Bosmeri city to a son of some artisans or shopkeepers. Or maybe his parents were some Daedric cultists and were killed by the Thalmor? Or maybe they supported some dissenter faction? Lived in a village and were killed by some crazy Bosmer who went Wild Hunt? By vampires or lycanthropes?

    Valenwood is a very interesting land, you know))

  • December 26, 2018

    Justiciar Thorien said:

    There are lots of possibilities actually. From a kid who lived on the streets of some Bosmeri city to a son of some artisans or shopkeepers. Or maybe his parents were some Daedric cultists and were killed by the Thalmor? Or maybe they supported some dissenter faction? Lived in a village and were killed by some crazy Bosmer who went Wild Hunt? By vampires or lycanthropes?

    Valenwood is a very interesting land, you know))

    REVISED Information

    Eliras (formerly Beran Tardif)

     

    The Basics:

    Race: Breton (Male)

    Born: Daggerfall in Glenumbra, High Rock

    Lived: Woodhearth, Valenwood

    Alignment: Lawful Neutral

    Profession: Bard

     

    Background:

    Beran was born into an insignificant Breton house—the Tardif family. Though relatively poor, his father was a capable alchemist and researcher. While Beran was still an infant, his family moved to Valenwood after his father accepted employment by a Bosmer merchant in Woodhearth, a city in Valenwood’s Greenshade region. Beran was one of the few the non-Bosmer children in the local area. Thus, he was raised by his mother with the help of various Bosmer tutors.

    After living in Woodhearth for a few years, an “accident” occurred that took the life of Beran's parents. Beran was home at the time, thus sparing his life. Immediately following the incident, a kind-hearted tutor named Lienil took the child home to care for and raise him. Lienil had been Beran's history tutor, and she continued to teach him about Tamriel and the Bosmer people. With his immediate family deceased, no one remained who knew the whereabouts of Beran. Over the years, Beran grew to love Lienil and the Bosmer people. She changed his name was changed to Eliras to help integrate him into his new home.

    Eliras grew up learning the basics of “natural” magic and hunting. He showed great proficiency with magic, though his combat skills were lacking. He could use a hunting knife fairly well, but his archery skills were “childlike” compared to his Bosmer peers. Eliras, out of both frustration and wisdom, focused his attention on his magical abilities. He learned how to influence his surroundings through words from the local Spinners who saw Eliras’ gifts and helped him develop them.

    One night, Eliras was granted a vision from Y’ffre—a vision of great darkness descending upon the world. The darkness appeared in the very northern part of Tamriel, Skyrim, and began to engulf all of Tamriel and then the world. Waking up in a cold sweat, Eliras spent the next day recounting his dream to the local Spinners. After a few days of pondering and seeking wisdom from the songs, they told Eliras that he must head north to Skyrim to find what Y’ffre was showing him.

     

    I intentionally left a lot of his past unknown, as I think I can weave it into his story in Skyrim.  I also like the Breton approach, as they are the only race of men that are tied somewhat to the worship of Y'ffre.