A comic inspired by a Phandelver campaign I ran last year. When my party’s rogue came to me with his origin story I knew someone was in for a harsh lesson. The real imaginary world isn’t so kind!
I love when my players put a lot of thought and passion into their characters but sometimes level 1 just means level 1! With that said, some of the best legends start with a hero’s fall from grace. A debilitating injury or just plain old age can be the jumping off point for a deep and complex character.
Anyone ever run a great “retired hero” character? How did you explain their suddenly mediocre combat prowess?
My favorite is the guy with the kitchen sink backstory who thinks he should get advantage in all social situations because of something from his past.
In my current campaign I have a player who is a tragic orphan who was adopted by a noble elven family (he's a human). Of course they're not just regular nobles, they're the MOST noble of the noble families. Also, everyone's cool that he's a human and there should be no repercussions or racism because his family is SO influential. Did I mention that he's ALSO a veteran soldier? But not just a soldier, he was an officer because of his adopted nobility. He's an Emerald Enclave faction member as well, because I guess he had lots of time to do that in between leading troops and working for a high noble family. He's also an excellent musician, is 6'4" with the body of a Greek good, and has the looks of a Hollywood actor. He's forsaken his paladin oath and been tainted by the Shadowfell in a recent storyline but insists that he's still "mostly himself." He also recently went through a horrible, dark ritual to become a Yuan-ti (on top of everything else), and gained a permanent madness, but it's only relevant when he thinks it would be beneficial.
If I give any downside to any of these things, then he whines and tries to explain why everyone should still love him, trust him, and do everything he asks for.
![image showing [OC] Level is more than just a number.](84b57ecb-78dc-5a36-97b8-eff214213b03.jpg)
Sleverette on June 26th, 2019 at 13:32 UTC »
“Your backstory is not a shield!” – The BBEG
A comic inspired by a Phandelver campaign I ran last year. When my party’s rogue came to me with his origin story I knew someone was in for a harsh lesson. The real imaginary world isn’t so kind!
I love when my players put a lot of thought and passion into their characters but sometimes level 1 just means level 1! With that said, some of the best legends start with a hero’s fall from grace. A debilitating injury or just plain old age can be the jumping off point for a deep and complex character.
Anyone ever run a great “retired hero” character? How did you explain their suddenly mediocre combat prowess?
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Thank you for all of the support and comments!
AkariSarzul on June 26th, 2019 at 13:38 UTC »
So much this. My players like to make up backstories of them being insane badasses but their characters haven't become badass yet... Ugh
FullTorsoApparition on June 26th, 2019 at 14:26 UTC »
My favorite is the guy with the kitchen sink backstory who thinks he should get advantage in all social situations because of something from his past.
In my current campaign I have a player who is a tragic orphan who was adopted by a noble elven family (he's a human). Of course they're not just regular nobles, they're the MOST noble of the noble families. Also, everyone's cool that he's a human and there should be no repercussions or racism because his family is SO influential. Did I mention that he's ALSO a veteran soldier? But not just a soldier, he was an officer because of his adopted nobility. He's an Emerald Enclave faction member as well, because I guess he had lots of time to do that in between leading troops and working for a high noble family. He's also an excellent musician, is 6'4" with the body of a Greek good, and has the looks of a Hollywood actor. He's forsaken his paladin oath and been tainted by the Shadowfell in a recent storyline but insists that he's still "mostly himself." He also recently went through a horrible, dark ritual to become a Yuan-ti (on top of everything else), and gained a permanent madness, but it's only relevant when he thinks it would be beneficial.
If I give any downside to any of these things, then he whines and tries to explain why everyone should still love him, trust him, and do everything he asks for.