Re: Character Creation Workshop

by **Theomore Tullison** Sat May 02, 2015 5:00 pm

Then Barthelds would be the ones needing another player the most. But it also depends on what sort of character you want. Dedicated fighter? Dedicated Schemer? Hybrid? Expert?

by **Kevan Lyras** Sat May 02, 2015 5:04 pm

I think there is even another player in the process of joining the Marsten, so we are almost at 5.
Should you want to play a suitor of Corrine, it would probably make sense to be from another house.

by **Lady Corrine Marsten** Sat May 02, 2015 5:26 pm

I'd suggest a Bartheld, as they are under-represented. And there's a lot of fighters already, so perhaps someone more courtly?

by Ser Fendrel Bartheld Sat May 02, 2015 9:04 pm

Kevan Lyras wrote:I think there is even another player in the process of joining the Marsten, so we are almost at 5.
Should you want to play a suitor of Corrine, it would probably make sense to be from another house.

Wow, I didn't realise there were so many people in House Marsten already. Yes, it does seem like a different House - probably Bartheld - would be a better one to boost.

Theomore Tullison wrote:Blackwood may be a bad fit for marsten since I believe the marstens fought with Blackwoods.

I didn't realise that. It does make it all akward, although not entirely impossible.

Theomore Tullison wrote:Then Barthelds would be the ones needing another player the most. But it also depends on what sort of character you want. Dedicated fighter? Dedicated Schemer? Hybrid? Expert?

A hybrid of a fighter and schemer... although more leaning on the side of intrigues than combat. So mostly a schemer would be my preference.

Jon Cobb wrote:House Bartheld appears to have only two active players - myself and Nathan. Tristain is AWOL and Ysme turned into Corinne Marsten.

Talking about House Bartheld... if I understand it, both Davain (although he's not scheming enough for my tastes) and Fendrel are available to players (and some 'tweaking' as well?)?

by **Ser Jorah Holt** Sat May 02, 2015 9:08 pm

aye, though Davain has stats posted on the forum, Fendrel hasn't, so Reader might have them already

by Sat May 02, 2015 9:10 pm

Still working behind the scenes with Kevan and Reader to get some connections sorted, but this is the basic sketch I've got going.

House Marsten, but one of the seven children of the Marsten's bannerman, Lord Lyras (a third or fourth son perhaps). He has a doting mother, but his father doesn't have much time for him, largely due to his place in the birth order. He would be a childhood friend of Gwyn and Corrine, maybe serving as a page when they were all children (say ages 7-14). I was thinking that after that, maybe he set out as part of a group across the narrow sea to look for Mikael Marsten, Lord Corben's younger brother, believed dead after failing to return to an expedition to Essos.

He's restless, impulsive and a bit of a scoundrel. He can play the games of politics, but due to his position in the family, feels like he's little more than window dressing in court. He seeks adventure and the opportunity to travel (after his various encounters with other travelers and their stories), and frequently likes to drag companions along with him.

I think the template would be a rogue with a bit of sneaking, intrigue and fighting. I want to stick with the water dancing (because, it's just awesome), have him use dual parrying daggers, maybe a stilletto for tight spots.... but he isn't primarily a fighter at this point.

Thanks again for all the suggestions and help given in this PC creation. Sorry it's been so slow, it was a heck of a week last.

by **Theomore Tullison** Sat May 02, 2015 9:18 pm

You`d have to consider the dynamics if Fendrel is made PC though. Battle for supremacy and all. Espescially considering that his opponent is not a strong politician.

Barthelds PC`s are already rather good at intrigue to begin with as well, but hybrids are my favorites. Intrigue specialists are more fun going after each other or the big shot NPC`s, and currently I think only Nathan and maybe Corrie qualifies as intrigue specialists.

Barthelds does have Ser Corbin, who`s womanizing abilities should suggest a hybrid;
with the addition of lusting for Ayleth which could stir up the Bartheld pot even further.

Kevan, why is the waterdancing important to you? Because if you want a scoundrel, then Theo is the perfect teacher to have squired for.....you would use lance and sword from horseback in that case though.

by Sat May 02, 2015 9:23 pm

Because waterdancing and fencing are awesome?

by Ser Fendrel Bartheld Sat May 02, 2015 9:41 pm

Theomore Tullison wrote:You`d have to consider the dynamics if Fendrel is made PC though. Battle for supremacy and all. Espescially considering that his opponent is not a strong politician.

Yes, that is what has stopped me and made me think. In a sense it does make the struggle even more interesting. Although it would be much worse/more awkward if the opponent was another PC.

Theomore Tullison wrote:Barthelds PC`s are already rather good at intrigue to begin with as well, but hybrids are my favorites. Intrigue specialists are more fun going after each other or the big shot NPC`s, and currently I think only Nathan and maybe Corrie qualifies as intrigue specialists.

Mine as well. There's nothing as satisfying as being able to do both intrigue and combat (even if it's just to a certain degree).

Theomore Tullison wrote:Barthelds does have Ser Corbin, who`s womanizing abilities should suggest a hybrid;
with the addition of lusting for Ayleth which could stir up the Bartheld pot even further.

True, but I'd prefer to play someone closer to the political battle over power in the House than Ser Corbin.

by **Theomore Tullison** Sat May 02, 2015 9:48 pm

My position is that waterdancing and fencing is no more awesome than the character doing it is awesome.

Syrio Forel is not awesome because he`s a waterdancer, he`s awesome because he`s Syrio Forel, and would remain awesome if he was a knight in full plate wielding a longsword and riding with a lance in a tourney. Simple truth is that waterdancing is only awesome if you manage to act with the gusto of a Bravo, else it`s just some boring numbers and letters on your character sheet.

And you can act with the gusto of a Bravo and still be a knight, fighting like a knight. So, no, waterdancing is not awesome, in the same way that riding at each other with lances is not awesome. The waterdancers can be, but it is not the waterdancing that makes them so, just like knights can be awesome, but it is not the lances that makes them so.

Davain has a brother? Fendrel has a son? Fendrel has a brother (which would make him Davain`s uncle)? Plenty options. Might be you lust for Ayleth still Razz

by Jon Cobb Sat May 02, 2015 9:55 pm

eryrwyn wrote:Talking about House Bartheld... if I understand it, both Davain (although he's not scheming enough for my tastes) and Fendrel are available to players (and some 'tweaking' as well?)?

Since Dunstan Tullison is a PC, I imagine both rivals for Bartheld house leadership are up for grabs as well. However, I'm a bit torn on bringing in Fendrel as a PC. On the one hand, it would be nice to have him take an active role in promoting his candidacy (ATM, Jon is doing all the work, even when that makes things a bit weird), on the other hand, Jon has been busy building up an image of Fendrel across multiple threads that I would prefer remain intact. If Fendrel becomes a PC, that image may crumble very quickly if it doesn't jibe with how you want to play him, which would leave me in a weird spot.

Nathan is in a similar position with Davain, though I have no idea whether he sees the same potential problems I do.

All in all, you might want to consider some other Bartheld NC. As Theo said - Corbin Celtigar is a good fighter and has some intrigue potential, but as written he's not a very subtle type and is wont to stir up trouble. There's also Rowan Clay, the military commander of the house. As written, he's a competent warrior who's alot more clever than he lets on. He's also married to Rose, mistress of the cleaning staff, who runs an informal internal intelligence network at Hart House. If you take one as a cohort of the other, you could build yourself a decent intrigue/combat power couple.

by **Theomore Tullison** Sat May 02, 2015 9:57 pm

Someone wont to stir up trouble would be an excellent addition to the game IMO.

by Jon Cobb Sat May 02, 2015 9:58 pm

Theomore Tullison wrote:Someone wont to stir up trouble would be an excellent addition to the game IMO.

Thanks, but House Bartheld has all the trouble it needs already... :;
):

by Sat May 02, 2015 10:13 pm

Theomore Tullison wrote:My position is that waterdancing and fencing is no more awesome than the character doing it is awesome.

Syrio Forel is not awesome because he`s a waterdancer, he`s awesome because he`s Syrio Forel, and would remain awesome if he was a knight in full plate wielding a longsword and riding with a lance in a tourney. Simple truth is that waterdancing is only awesome if you manage to act with the gusto of a Bravo, else it`s just some boring numbers and letters on your character sheet.

And you can act with the gusto of a Bravo and still be a knight, fighting like a knight. So, no, waterdancing is not awesome, in the same way that riding at each other with lances is not awesome. The waterdancers can be, but it is not the waterdancing that makes them so, just like knights can be awesome, but it is not the lances that makes them so.

Davain has a brother? Fendrel has a son? Fendrel has a brother (which would make him Davain`s uncle)? Plenty options. Might be you lust for Ayleth still

TBH, you're kind of being aggressively presumptuous about my understanding of what makes a good character. It's coming off as a bit obnoxious. I've GM'd in this setting before and have played before, and have actually read a book or two with characters in them.

by **Theomore Tullison** Sat May 02, 2015 10:29 pm

It's based on the experience that everyone before you that I have known that has offered the justification that fencing and waterdancing is awesome has seemingly believed that this is more than enough to make their character interesting on it's own accord, and subsequently made a character that was one dimensional and a waste of everyone's time to play with. You got that response from me because you answered precisely the way such a person would, so consider it (an apparently not too well written) challenge for you to demonstrate that you are not that type of player.

But let me try again:

Is your character's fighting style important at all? And if so, why?

by **Lady Corrine Marsten** Sat May 02, 2015 10:37 pm

Chill guys. We're all here to have fun, right? I see what you're saying, Theo, and I largely agree, but if it's justified in the character background and it's been approved, surely it's no harm for him to pick a combat style he likes? I don't think he meant to imply waterdancing is better than other styles, just that it's one he likes and wants to use.

by Sat May 02, 2015 10:37 pm

Let's go ahead and keep assumptions about character development to ourselves until we've actually seen an actual IC post. That way new players won't feel like they're being condescended to before they've had a chance to do some of writing.

I know I certainly wouldn't make snap judgements about another player being a 'waste of time' until I could see what they can do.Otherwise I might come off the wrong way.

To make all of this easier, I'll try to keep future character creation ideas restricted to private PMs between myself, Reader, and potential House members.

***edit - consider me chilled

by **Theomore Tullison** Sat May 02, 2015 11:18 pm

Eh, you'll find me to judge you on exactly two things: your IC writing and your willingness to engage other PC's (and NPC's, but PC's are worth ten times as much in this case) to create story.

As of yet, the only thing I have from you is that you want to do waterdancing, which gives way to a concern of mine that I find quite reasonable based on prior experience, and I am voicing that concern, part of what triggered a response more negative than it probably should have been is that you resplied with "
waterdancing is awesome"
to the question of "
is waterdancing so important to you that you won't consider a link to a PC that might help create the basis for good story?"
had you replied with that you like the backstory of having been around the free cities and yadda yadda yadda, addressing the question of potential squirehood to Theo, rather than offering "
No, I want to be a waterdancer"
as you did, then I would be much more at ease. In my mind, the story you create is what appeals to everyone else, and when you add something that appeals to everyone else, then they'll create more story that appeals to you (and everyone else).

I would love nothing more than to learn that there is nothing to fear.

by **Reader** Sun May 03, 2015 12:11 am

Everybody be cool! Smile

Standards are high so far, and the best way to elevate them is to roleplay well and set a good example. I find it tends to raise others up.

We've got a great mix of old and new players so far.

by **Dyana Marsten** Tue May 05, 2015 9:41 pm

Hello everyone! I've been scouring the internet for quite a while in search of some place to PbP SIFRP in. A wonder I missed this site for the entire last month!

Anyway, I know what sort of character I have in mind, but I don't know where to begin. I didn't find an introduction or a catch-all OOC thread, so I figured I'd post here first. Now that I have a concept in mind and have my approved account, what do I do next?

by **Gwyneth Drakeson** Tue May 05, 2015 9:41 pm

Tell us about yourself!

Welcome to House Marsten!

ONE OF US

ONE OF US

by Ser Fendrel Bartheld Tue May 05, 2015 9:43 pm

Wow, in the span of... less than 2 weeks? house Marsten went from having 2 members to having 5? 6? :mrgreen:

THEY'RE BREEDING SO FAST

by Athelstan Tue May 05, 2015 9:44 pm

Another MARSTEN COOL!!

Marsten girls is now a trio, unless you are some auntie.

by **Theomore Tullison** Tue May 05, 2015 9:46 pm

Well, you create the character and pm it to reader.

by **Reader** Tue May 05, 2015 9:46 pm

Dyana Marsten wrote:Hello everyone! I've been scouring the internet for quite a while in search of some place to PbP SIFRP in. A wonder I missed this site for the entire last month!

Anyway, I know what sort of character I have in mind, but I don't know where to begin. I didn't find an introduction or a catch-all OOC thread, so I figured I'd post here first. Now that I have a concept in mind and have my approved account, what do I do next?

PM me with details. A small warning - Marsten is quite full, so we may need to see if your concept fits Tullison or Bartheld. If it doesn't, very happy to have our 6th Marsten and close that house. Marsten VP for goals may need tweaked for population.

We had another player register today, who can be directed to one of the less full houses.

Edit: yeah, what Theo said! But feel free to bounce ideas around here.

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