Heroic origins (was Well-traveled heortlings)

From: hairyorlanthi <mdawson_at_...>
Date: Tue, 19 Feb 2002 18:30:31 -0000

> > The example character in HW:RiG has been to Kralorela.
> > And you're worrying about TARSH?!?
>
> I'm in full agreement here. Sure, "most" Heortlings never leave
> tribal lands, but I'm sure that is an Orlanthi most. I suspect a lot > of Orlanth Adventurous initiates are apt to head off on wanderings
> for a while when young--after all, so did Orlanth. Banishments are
> not so uncommon, probably even more so with the Lunar invasion (hot
> heads may commonly be banished for the clan's sake). Some Ernalda
> the Healer initiates may well be just about as footloose as their
> brothers. And there are always exceptions in any cult--after all,
> Odysius (spelling?) didn't plan to spend ten years coming home from
> Troy.....

And this all begs the issue that these characters are supposed to be HEROES, and heroes have weird and unique aspects to their background.

When my players come up with a "normal" character for their culture, I ask them to think about what makes the character different, unique, and, well, heroic. The answers I've gotten back have been varied and added great depth and color to the game, for example:

cursed with a seer's eye
cousin to Harvar Ironfist and convert to Elmal contacts among all the Big Rubble power groups learned forbidden knowledge in the reserve section of the Boldhome knowledge temple born in Sartar's temple the night Boldhome fell discovered his Internal Immutability (that's a dwarf)

Who wouldn't let someone take "born of a virgin" in his 100 words? Why not?

Mike
http://herowars.onestop.net