Telemachus, Gettin' the Band Together
atcDave
Member Posts: 2,385
This Icewind Dale run will start with a pair of eccentric characters from my deep PnP character folder. The two main characters here, are Telemachus and Alcina. They started as husband and wife paladins. Those who’ve played much 2E PnP may recall the extensive non-weapon proficiencies list (NWPs). These were everything from languages you knew, to reading/writing, swimming, camp-fire building… quite a long list, most of which had little or no meaningful impact and were truly role playing aids. Well, these two were deeply grounded in music skills; several musical instruments, singing, poetry, entertaining. They were virtual bard-paladins without actually having the bard class. I had the idea they would often travel the land; to bring courage, hope and a message of joy to all who would listen. And they could earn their keep while they traveled. The DM loved this, and several of the other players took relevant NWPs for their own characters so they could join the “band”. Yeah, we were an odd group.
Sadly, all these years later, I don’t really remember most of my friend’s characters from that game. But I still have Telemachus and Alcina’s character sheets! So we’ll start with what I’ve got, and build a band from there (that will just happen to make a balanced party!).
Before we get to the actual characters I want to say a little about how I see dual classing, and how it effects my IE game builds. The big thing is, every DM I ever played with (including myself!), required a character to sit aside for a period to train for a new class. It might be from a few months to a few years depending on the classes involved. That didn’t always equate to real time, if a whole party wanted time off for training, building castles, designing new spells or magic items; you might even end up with an agreed upon jump of months or years in the game. But often, a character would miss a session or two (or ten) if they were working on something.
This impacts my character design in CRPGs in one of two ways. Either I give the character levels in an “old” class and have them just finishing training in their “new” class as the adventure begins; Or I state from the beginning that the character is planning on adding a new class at a certain point. To my mind, this just means the character has done some training for their “pending” class. They presumably are doing self study or something as the game goes. So when the time comes, they make a sudden switch. It makes most sense to me for a low level switch; normally 3rd, no higher than 7th.
Readers who’ve looked at my previous team write-ups will notice these assumptions at play in all my characters. But you all may be thinking “gee Dave, you can’t be talking about those two paladins!” Well, many games I played in allowed dual or multi class paladins. Indeed, Alcina had an 18 Wisdom. So she dualled to cleric. I can’t replicate that in an IE game. So I will build her as a fighter dualling to cleric.
*****
Telemachus and Alcina have known each other for most of their lives. Even as pre-teens they “adventured” together around their home town, exploring the woods, creating a business, a band, a ministry, and making up new sports and teams. They were quite persuasive about getting other kids to join in and they seemed to enjoy playing together and against each other equally. No one was surprised when they became an actual couple, even to say everyone considered them a couple even before they considered themselves one. But couple they did, they were the only husband and wife training together as warriors when they were 18. Telemachus knew he would be a Paladin of Lathander all along and so he was. Alcina took a slightly different path in the church of Lathander. She trained as a fighter at first, and adventured with her husband for a few years. During this time they traveled, and entertained to pay for their travels all through the Forgotten Realms. They helped people out with their adventuring/combat skills too. This often meant putting down troublesome undead; but there was tribe of orcs one time, a pack of wolves that had lost their fear of people another time. All told it wasn’t the life of “high adventure”, but they were helping people and refining their skills too.
About a year ago, Alcina decided it was time to become a proper priestess, a Dawnbringer of Lathander. So they moved into Waterdeep to get her training. The couple’s finances were not quite robust, so they paid by taking jobs with the temple’s music ministry. They were actually quite accomplished as musicians at this point (in their late 20s) and quickly became leaders of the troop. Both are quite sure they’ll always remember this period as special. They hadn’t expected their music skills to be considered so advanced, and they made many new friendships through this.
When Alcina finished her training recently, she had a vision in a dream. It was clear they should resume their travels, but in the dream they had their whole band with them! Well, that’s an idea. So they presented the idea to their friends, being clear this wasn’t just a musical tour. They would go looking for trouble. The dream indicated the far northern Realm of Icewind Dale. So they would only travel with those who were trained for adventure and combat. The response surprised them! Four would come along.
Telemachus lead vocal
LG Human Paladin – Undead Hunter 3 18/84 – 9 – 15 – 10 – 15 – 18
Telemachus is just over 6’ tall and muscular with brown hair, beard and mustache. He has an appealing smile and is comfortable in his own skin. He is plainly the leader of the group, really any group he’s involved with.
Alcina strings, vocals
LG Human Fighter 3/Cleric 1 12 – 16 – 15 – 15 – 18 – 17 [note her strength is too low for a legal dual. So I will bump it up to 15 at first, then lower it after I make the switch]
Alcina is 5’8”. She looks fit but not particularly strong. She has vibrant red hair and is beautiful in a mature and confident sort of way.
Ulysses drums
LG Human Fighter 1 18/00 – 15 – 18 – 9 – 8 – 11
Ulysses lives life full of beat and rhythm. He actually became a warrior who pounds out a beat with a Quarter Staff with a rhythm that reminds him of drumming. His battle cry is an extension of his life of rhythm, chanting things like “bum…ditty…BOP” as he swings, thrusts and parries with his staff.
He has always wanted to do right and good in his life too, he even wanted to be a Paladin. But he seems to rub so many people wrong, and many claim he carries a fearsome countenance. And his uncle called him a fool, Ulysses fears that may be too true (He has just enough wisdom to know, when someone calls him a fool they’re speaking the truth!). So he settled for becoming a fighter. He can still do what matters most to him and fight to make the world a safer and better place. Over the last few months he’s become good friends with Telemachus and Alcina, and really the whole worship band at the temple! And Telemachus is a real paladin! You think he likes you just fine. So of course, when they talked about taking the band on the road you jumped at the chance. Let’s go already! One of the girls said it gets cold where you’re going. Whatever. You’re going on an adventure with your friends!
Ulysses is big. 6’8” and a wall of muscle, with dark hair and full beard and mustache. He always seems to be scowling or angry, but then lets out a loud laugh that can be shockingly incongruous. Those who get to know him, find Ulysses to be pleasant and good-natured, but that is plainly not the first impression he makes.
Calliope strings, vocals
NG Human Ranger - Archer 1 15 – 18 – 16 – 12 – 14 – 15
Calliope has lived in two worlds as long as she can remember. She was raised away from town in the woods. Her parents were both protecters of sorts. They guarded and watched over the human towns nearby, but were wholly self reliant and would have rarely entered town, except they were actively involved in the Temple of Lathander. And worship at the temple was always regarded as special and festive. Calliope hadn’t thought about it much, but she’s always been careful with that duality. Living a life of quiet solitude, watching, protecting. But then celebrating once a week or so with friends and loved ones. Calliope’s music was the great constant between those two worlds. Playing and singing quietly as she went through private life, but then joyous celebration when among friends. Having finished her training as a Ranger and Archer recently, Telemachus’ and Alcina’s announcement of their musical missionary journey was a sort of answer to prayer. Time for great things!
Calliope is tall, 5’9” and slim in a wiry/muscular sort of way. She is blonde, and presents as confident and unadorned.
Sybil dance
CG Human Mage 1 13 – 18 – 16 – 18 – 12 – 16
Sybil knows she doesn’t quite fit in anywhere. Even at the temple, she wholly embraces the personal liberty Lathander represents. While it seems this local group is more about community and commonality. Strange. She has found a place with the worship band, but even there she’s a little bit of the odd one. Even expressing through dance seems a little out of place while others make the music. Its maybe led to Sybil being more quiet amongst them all socially too. When Telemachus and Alcina were announcing their big trip she could see their surprise, and discomfort maybe when Sybil declared her desire to come. Alcina was explaining what “training for adventure and combat” meant, when Sybil said she’d just finished training as a mage and was ready to put it to good use. Jaws dropped! No one had any idea! To their credit, Telemachus and Alcina immediately welcomed her aboard. They even made extra sure she felt welcomed, which was refreshing. Maybe that’s why she’s always felt more belonging with the band? But she’s still the odd one.
Sybil is small, not much over 5’ but sturdy and well shaped. She wears her brown hair short. She likes to play the flirt, and is amused by Alcina constantly rolling her eyes and encouraging her to cover up.
Eurydice pipes
NG Half-Elven Fighter/Mage/Thief 1 12 – 18 – 15 – 16 – 14 – 15
Eurydice was abandoned by her human mother at a fairly young age. The only sense of peace she found as a child was from the temple of Lathander. Even that was sometimes awkward; they didn’t quite give her a home, but made sure she was clothed and fed and had a place to stay when it got cold. She most often lived on the street. Eurydice developed exactly the skills one would expect from that circumstance; sleight of hand, lock picking, and music to entertain a crowd! Fortunately she got just enough care and compassion to not become embittered. In her late-teens (as a half-elf that would read as younger) she discovered another place of belonging, the Waterdeep City Guard would pay their scouts and offered some training to supplement what she already knew. This is where specialization in crossbow and short sword entered her skill set. Later she made the acquaintance of a gentle, retired mage who taught her the basics of spell casting. With such a flexible skill set Eurydice knew she could do any number of things. But music always brought her the most joy. And Telemachus and Alcina always made her feel welcome and wanted with their band. When they announced their musical tour, Eurydice knew this was a calling, a miracle and an answer to prayer. She could help and entertain the world all at the same time!
Eurydice is very short, not 5’ tall. This is maybe the only clue to her elven heritage, her eyes, skin and ears all read as human. She wears her dark hair long, often in elaborate fashions. She charges through life at full blast, joking, laughing making silly songs and ditties of everything.
*****
I don’t have a lot of additional notes or thoughts for this run. I’d make the broad observation that I love working up backstories for my characters and parties, I have done this for quite some time before I started sharing them here. Somehow, when I actually play the party it brings it all to life for me. There seems to be a lot of synergy in the whole process.
This is the same modded install I’ve used for my two previous IWD run-throughs that I’ve written up at this site (So Tweaks Mod, Kuldahar Rediscovered, Below and Below Inn).
I did assign Plate Mail Armor to Telemachus and Alcina, they have adventured enough to afford such a thing. But no magical gear of any sort. We’ll say so far, they are working class heroes. That may be about to change…
Sadly, all these years later, I don’t really remember most of my friend’s characters from that game. But I still have Telemachus and Alcina’s character sheets! So we’ll start with what I’ve got, and build a band from there (that will just happen to make a balanced party!).
Before we get to the actual characters I want to say a little about how I see dual classing, and how it effects my IE game builds. The big thing is, every DM I ever played with (including myself!), required a character to sit aside for a period to train for a new class. It might be from a few months to a few years depending on the classes involved. That didn’t always equate to real time, if a whole party wanted time off for training, building castles, designing new spells or magic items; you might even end up with an agreed upon jump of months or years in the game. But often, a character would miss a session or two (or ten) if they were working on something.
This impacts my character design in CRPGs in one of two ways. Either I give the character levels in an “old” class and have them just finishing training in their “new” class as the adventure begins; Or I state from the beginning that the character is planning on adding a new class at a certain point. To my mind, this just means the character has done some training for their “pending” class. They presumably are doing self study or something as the game goes. So when the time comes, they make a sudden switch. It makes most sense to me for a low level switch; normally 3rd, no higher than 7th.
Readers who’ve looked at my previous team write-ups will notice these assumptions at play in all my characters. But you all may be thinking “gee Dave, you can’t be talking about those two paladins!” Well, many games I played in allowed dual or multi class paladins. Indeed, Alcina had an 18 Wisdom. So she dualled to cleric. I can’t replicate that in an IE game. So I will build her as a fighter dualling to cleric.
*****
Telemachus and Alcina have known each other for most of their lives. Even as pre-teens they “adventured” together around their home town, exploring the woods, creating a business, a band, a ministry, and making up new sports and teams. They were quite persuasive about getting other kids to join in and they seemed to enjoy playing together and against each other equally. No one was surprised when they became an actual couple, even to say everyone considered them a couple even before they considered themselves one. But couple they did, they were the only husband and wife training together as warriors when they were 18. Telemachus knew he would be a Paladin of Lathander all along and so he was. Alcina took a slightly different path in the church of Lathander. She trained as a fighter at first, and adventured with her husband for a few years. During this time they traveled, and entertained to pay for their travels all through the Forgotten Realms. They helped people out with their adventuring/combat skills too. This often meant putting down troublesome undead; but there was tribe of orcs one time, a pack of wolves that had lost their fear of people another time. All told it wasn’t the life of “high adventure”, but they were helping people and refining their skills too.
About a year ago, Alcina decided it was time to become a proper priestess, a Dawnbringer of Lathander. So they moved into Waterdeep to get her training. The couple’s finances were not quite robust, so they paid by taking jobs with the temple’s music ministry. They were actually quite accomplished as musicians at this point (in their late 20s) and quickly became leaders of the troop. Both are quite sure they’ll always remember this period as special. They hadn’t expected their music skills to be considered so advanced, and they made many new friendships through this.
When Alcina finished her training recently, she had a vision in a dream. It was clear they should resume their travels, but in the dream they had their whole band with them! Well, that’s an idea. So they presented the idea to their friends, being clear this wasn’t just a musical tour. They would go looking for trouble. The dream indicated the far northern Realm of Icewind Dale. So they would only travel with those who were trained for adventure and combat. The response surprised them! Four would come along.
Telemachus lead vocal
LG Human Paladin – Undead Hunter 3 18/84 – 9 – 15 – 10 – 15 – 18
Telemachus is just over 6’ tall and muscular with brown hair, beard and mustache. He has an appealing smile and is comfortable in his own skin. He is plainly the leader of the group, really any group he’s involved with.
Alcina strings, vocals
LG Human Fighter 3/Cleric 1 12 – 16 – 15 – 15 – 18 – 17 [note her strength is too low for a legal dual. So I will bump it up to 15 at first, then lower it after I make the switch]
Alcina is 5’8”. She looks fit but not particularly strong. She has vibrant red hair and is beautiful in a mature and confident sort of way.
Ulysses drums
LG Human Fighter 1 18/00 – 15 – 18 – 9 – 8 – 11
Ulysses lives life full of beat and rhythm. He actually became a warrior who pounds out a beat with a Quarter Staff with a rhythm that reminds him of drumming. His battle cry is an extension of his life of rhythm, chanting things like “bum…ditty…BOP” as he swings, thrusts and parries with his staff.
He has always wanted to do right and good in his life too, he even wanted to be a Paladin. But he seems to rub so many people wrong, and many claim he carries a fearsome countenance. And his uncle called him a fool, Ulysses fears that may be too true (He has just enough wisdom to know, when someone calls him a fool they’re speaking the truth!). So he settled for becoming a fighter. He can still do what matters most to him and fight to make the world a safer and better place. Over the last few months he’s become good friends with Telemachus and Alcina, and really the whole worship band at the temple! And Telemachus is a real paladin! You think he likes you just fine. So of course, when they talked about taking the band on the road you jumped at the chance. Let’s go already! One of the girls said it gets cold where you’re going. Whatever. You’re going on an adventure with your friends!
Ulysses is big. 6’8” and a wall of muscle, with dark hair and full beard and mustache. He always seems to be scowling or angry, but then lets out a loud laugh that can be shockingly incongruous. Those who get to know him, find Ulysses to be pleasant and good-natured, but that is plainly not the first impression he makes.
Calliope strings, vocals
NG Human Ranger - Archer 1 15 – 18 – 16 – 12 – 14 – 15
Calliope has lived in two worlds as long as she can remember. She was raised away from town in the woods. Her parents were both protecters of sorts. They guarded and watched over the human towns nearby, but were wholly self reliant and would have rarely entered town, except they were actively involved in the Temple of Lathander. And worship at the temple was always regarded as special and festive. Calliope hadn’t thought about it much, but she’s always been careful with that duality. Living a life of quiet solitude, watching, protecting. But then celebrating once a week or so with friends and loved ones. Calliope’s music was the great constant between those two worlds. Playing and singing quietly as she went through private life, but then joyous celebration when among friends. Having finished her training as a Ranger and Archer recently, Telemachus’ and Alcina’s announcement of their musical missionary journey was a sort of answer to prayer. Time for great things!
Calliope is tall, 5’9” and slim in a wiry/muscular sort of way. She is blonde, and presents as confident and unadorned.
Sybil dance
CG Human Mage 1 13 – 18 – 16 – 18 – 12 – 16
Sybil knows she doesn’t quite fit in anywhere. Even at the temple, she wholly embraces the personal liberty Lathander represents. While it seems this local group is more about community and commonality. Strange. She has found a place with the worship band, but even there she’s a little bit of the odd one. Even expressing through dance seems a little out of place while others make the music. Its maybe led to Sybil being more quiet amongst them all socially too. When Telemachus and Alcina were announcing their big trip she could see their surprise, and discomfort maybe when Sybil declared her desire to come. Alcina was explaining what “training for adventure and combat” meant, when Sybil said she’d just finished training as a mage and was ready to put it to good use. Jaws dropped! No one had any idea! To their credit, Telemachus and Alcina immediately welcomed her aboard. They even made extra sure she felt welcomed, which was refreshing. Maybe that’s why she’s always felt more belonging with the band? But she’s still the odd one.
Sybil is small, not much over 5’ but sturdy and well shaped. She wears her brown hair short. She likes to play the flirt, and is amused by Alcina constantly rolling her eyes and encouraging her to cover up.
Eurydice pipes
NG Half-Elven Fighter/Mage/Thief 1 12 – 18 – 15 – 16 – 14 – 15
Eurydice was abandoned by her human mother at a fairly young age. The only sense of peace she found as a child was from the temple of Lathander. Even that was sometimes awkward; they didn’t quite give her a home, but made sure she was clothed and fed and had a place to stay when it got cold. She most often lived on the street. Eurydice developed exactly the skills one would expect from that circumstance; sleight of hand, lock picking, and music to entertain a crowd! Fortunately she got just enough care and compassion to not become embittered. In her late-teens (as a half-elf that would read as younger) she discovered another place of belonging, the Waterdeep City Guard would pay their scouts and offered some training to supplement what she already knew. This is where specialization in crossbow and short sword entered her skill set. Later she made the acquaintance of a gentle, retired mage who taught her the basics of spell casting. With such a flexible skill set Eurydice knew she could do any number of things. But music always brought her the most joy. And Telemachus and Alcina always made her feel welcome and wanted with their band. When they announced their musical tour, Eurydice knew this was a calling, a miracle and an answer to prayer. She could help and entertain the world all at the same time!
Eurydice is very short, not 5’ tall. This is maybe the only clue to her elven heritage, her eyes, skin and ears all read as human. She wears her dark hair long, often in elaborate fashions. She charges through life at full blast, joking, laughing making silly songs and ditties of everything.
*****
I don’t have a lot of additional notes or thoughts for this run. I’d make the broad observation that I love working up backstories for my characters and parties, I have done this for quite some time before I started sharing them here. Somehow, when I actually play the party it brings it all to life for me. There seems to be a lot of synergy in the whole process.
This is the same modded install I’ve used for my two previous IWD run-throughs that I’ve written up at this site (So Tweaks Mod, Kuldahar Rediscovered, Below and Below Inn).
I did assign Plate Mail Armor to Telemachus and Alcina, they have adventured enough to afford such a thing. But no magical gear of any sort. We’ll say so far, they are working class heroes. That may be about to change…
Post edited by atcDave on
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Comments
Ulysses is the best warrior in theory, but he still doesn't have a magic weapon! Pretty sure we'll find a quarter staff on level 4 of Dragon Eye? He's used a couple of weapons he's not proficient in when magic is needed, that holds him back a little.
Alcina does far better than I expected. As the only melee character without a strength bonus I give her all of the strength potions. Then of course she can cast Draw Upon Holy Might. She went into the pyramid fight showing a 25 strength. She really keeps pace with the boys nicely.
As an archer, Calliope never hits so hard, but she hits fast and often. So she trails the other three by only a small margin.
Sybil and Eurydice are clearly more support characters and don't rack up kills like the others. I treat Sybil as the combat caster and Eurydice as pure support, so Sybil is more likely to make a battle changing contribution.
Overall a good party that I'm having a lot of fun with.
A couple little things of note; with a single cleric it is noticeable how often “rest until healed” takes 16 hours instead of 8. Not a big deal, but it does add time to the clock!
It’s amusing to me how hard it can be to get mage spells in IWD compared to BG. Especially with two mages in the party, you often end up with fairly important spells only a single caster can throw. So I guess, give some thought to which caster is getting certain spells. In most PnP games I’ve played, players will generously share what’s in their spell books with party members. There’s no mechanism for this in the game.
RP wise I think the band is all pretty tight. Even Sybil works well with everyone and I see this as a pretty unified crew. They came into the adventure with a common sense of mission and the challenges have only strengthened that.
Looking at the party stats, it is remarkable to me how close the four main damage dealers have stayed to each other. I had expected Ulysses to be clearly on top. He is, but only with 23% of total party kills. Alcina has stayed in second place with 21%, she's had Gauntlets of Ogre Power for a while now and of course uses Draw Upon Holy Might for big battles. Telemachus and Calliope are both at 19%. As I said, they're all very effective.
And don't let Sybil and Eurydice lagging behind fool you, both are mages and can do massive damage in a hurry.
Fun crew.
But unlike some other parties I’ve run, I don’t see them sticking around. They are a group of friends on a mission. So off they went, to bring joy and righteousness wherever they wound up next. A pretty powerful crew of do-gooders.
I also just posted this run through, with the character portraits I’ve been using, at my new website “DavesGaming.blog”
And when you're ready for your own adventure, don't forget to check out Pikashow APK for unlimited entertainment on the go
Sadly, all these years later, I don’t really remember most of my friend’s characters from that game. But I still have Telemachus and Alcina’s character sheets! So we’ll start with what I’ve got, and build a band from there (that will just happen to make a balanced party!).
And when you're ready for your own adventure, don't forget to check out Pikashow APK for unlimited entertainment on the go
Before we get to the actual characters I want to say a little about how I see dual classing, and how it effects my IE game builds. The big thing is, every DM I ever played with (including myself!), required a character to sit aside for a period to train for a new class. It might be from a few months to a few years depending on the classes involved. That didn’t always equate to real time, if a whole party wanted time off for training, building castles, designing new spells or magic items; you might even end up with an agreed upon jump of months or years in the game. But often, a character would miss a session or two (or ten) if they were working on something.
This impacts my character design in CRPGs in one of two ways. Either I give the character levels in an “old” class and have them just finishing training in their “new” class as the adventure begins; Or I state from the beginning that the character is planning on adding a new class at a certain point. To my mind, this just means the character has done some training for their “pending” class. They presumably are doing self study or something as the game goes. So when the time comes, they make a sudden switch. It makes most sense to me for a low level switch; normally 3rd, no higher than 7th.
Readers who’ve looked at my previous team write-ups will notice these assumptions at play in all my characters. But you all may be thinking “gee Dave, you can’t be talking about those two paladins!” Well, many games I played in allowed dual or multi class paladins. Indeed, Alcina had an 18 Wisdom. So she dualled to cleric. I can’t replicate that in an IE game. So I will build her as a fighter dualling to cleric.
*****
Telemachus and Alcina have known each other for most of their lives. Even as pre-teens they “adventured” together around their home town, exploring the woods, creating a business, a band, a ministry, and making up new sports and teams. They were quite persuasive about getting other kids to join in and they seemed to enjoy playing together and against each other equally. No one was surprised when they became an actual couple, even to say everyone considered them a couple even before they considered themselves one. But couple they did, they were the only husband and wife training together as warriors when they were 18. Telemachus knew he would be a Paladin of Lathander all along and so he was. Alcina took a slightly different path in the church of Lathander. She trained as a fighter at first, and adventured with her husband for a few years. During this time they traveled, and entertained to pay for their travels all through the Forgotten Realms. They helped people out with their adventuring/combat skills too. This often meant putting down troublesome undead; but there was tribe of orcs one time, a pack of wolves that had lost their fear of people another time. All told it wasn’t the life of “high adventure”, but they were helping people and refining their skills too.
About a year ago, Alcina decided it was time to become a proper priestess, a Dawnbringer of Lathander. So they moved into Waterdeep to get her training. The couple’s finances were not quite robust, so they paid by taking jobs with the temple’s music ministry. They were actually quite accomplished as musicians at this point (in their late 20s) and quickly became leaders of the troop. Both are quite sure they’ll always remember this period as special. They hadn’t expected their music skills to be considered so advanced, and they made many new friendships through this.
When Alcina finished her training recently, she had a vision in a dream. It was clear they should resume their travels, but in the dream they had their whole band with them! Well, that’s an idea. So they presented the idea to their friends, being clear this wasn’t just a musical tour. They would go looking for trouble. The dream indicated the far northern Realm of Icewind Dale. So they would only travel with those who were trained for adventure and combat. The response surprised them! Four would come along.
Telemachus lead vocal
LG Human Paladin – Undead Hunter 3 18/84 – 9 – 15 – 10 – 15 – 18
Telemachus is just over 6’ tall and muscular with brown hair, beard and mustache. He has an appealing smile and is comfortable in his own skin. He is plainly the leader of the group, really any group he’s involved with.
Alcina strings, vocals
LG Human Fighter 3/Cleric 1 12 – 16 – 15 – 15 – 18 – 17 [note her strength is too low for a legal dual. So I will bump it up to 15 at first, then lower it after I make the switch]
Alcina is 5’8”. She looks fit but not particularly strong. She has vibrant red hair and is beautiful in a mature and confident sort of way.
Ulysses drums
LG Human Fighter 1 18/00 – 15 – 18 – 9 – 8 – 11
Ulysses lives life full of beat and rhythm. He actually became a warrior who pounds out a beat with a Quarter Staff with a rhythm that reminds him of drumming. His battle cry is an extension of his life of rhythm, chanting things like “bum…ditty…BOP” as he swings, thrusts and parries with his staff.
He has always wanted to do right and good in his life too, he even wanted to be a Paladin. But he seems to rub so many people wrong, and many claim he carries a fearsome countenance. And his uncle called him a fool, Ulysses fears that may be too true (He has just enough wisdom to know, when someone calls him a fool they’re speaking the truth!). So he settled for becoming a fighter. He can still do what matters most to him and fight to make the world a safer and better place. Over the last few months he’s become good friends with Telemachus and Alcina, and really the whole worship band at the temple! And Telemachus is a real paladin! You think he likes you just fine. So of course, when they talked about taking the band on the road you jumped at the chance. Let’s go already! One of the girls said it gets cold where you’re going. Whatever. You’re going on an adventure with your friends!
Ulysses is big. 6’8” and a wall of muscle, with dark hair and full beard and mustache. He always seems to be scowling or angry, but then lets out a loud laugh that can be shockingly incongruous. Those who get to know him, find Ulysses to be pleasant and good-natured, but that is plainly not the first impression he makes.
Calliope strings, vocals
NG Human Ranger - Archer 1 15 – 18 – 16 – 12 – 14 – 15
Calliope has lived in two worlds as long as she can remember. She was raised away from town in the woods. Her parents were both protecters of sorts. They guarded and watched over the human towns nearby, but were wholly self reliant and would have rarely entered town, except they were actively involved in the Temple of Lathander. And worship at the temple was always regarded as special and festive. Calliope hadn’t thought about it much, but she’s always been careful with that duality. Living a life of quiet solitude, watching, protecting. But then celebrating once a week or so with friends and loved ones. Calliope’s music was the great constant between those two worlds. Playing and singing quietly as she went through private life, but then joyous celebration when among friends. Having finished her training as a Ranger and Archer recently, Telemachus’ and Alcina’s announcement of their musical missionary journey was a sort of answer to prayer. Time for great things!
Calliope is tall, 5’9” and slim in a wiry/muscular sort of way. She is blonde, and presents as confident and unadorned.
Sybil dance
CG Human Mage 1 13 – 18 – 16 – 18 – 12 – 16
Sybil knows she doesn’t quite fit in anywhere. Even at the temple, she wholly embraces the personal liberty Lathander represents. While it seems this local group is more about community and commonality. Strange. She has found a place with the worship band, but even there she’s a little bit of the odd one. Even expressing through dance seems a little out of place while others make the music. Its maybe led to Sybil being more quiet amongst them all socially too. When Telemachus and Alcina were announcing their big trip she could see their surprise, and discomfort maybe when Sybil declared her desire to come. Alcina was explaining what “training for adventure and combat” meant, when Sybil said she’d just finished training as a mage and was ready to put it to good use. Jaws dropped! No one had any idea! To their credit, Telemachus and Alcina immediately welcomed her aboard. They even made extra sure she felt welcomed, which was refreshing. Maybe that’s why she’s always felt more belonging with the band? But she’s still the odd one.
Sybil is small, not much over 5’ but sturdy and well shaped. She wears her brown hair short. She likes to play the flirt, and is amused by Alcina constantly rolling her eyes and encouraging her to cover up.
Eurydice pipes
NG Half-Elven Fighter/Mage/Thief 1 12 – 18 – 15 – 16 – 14 – 15
Eurydice was abandoned by her human mother at a fairly young age. The only sense of peace she found as a child was from the temple of Lathander. Even that was sometimes awkward; they didn’t quite give her a home, but made sure she was clothed and fed and had a place to stay when it got cold. She most often lived on the street. Eurydice developed exactly the skills one would expect from that circumstance; sleight of hand, lock picking, and music to entertain a crowd! Fortunately she got just enough care and compassion to not become embittered. In her late-teens (as a half-elf that would read as younger) she discovered another place of belonging, the Waterdeep City Guard would pay their scouts and offered some training to supplement what she already knew. This is where specialization in crossbow and short sword entered her skill set. Later she made the acquaintance of a gentle, retired mage who taught her the basics of spell casting. With such a flexible skill set Eurydice knew she could do any number of things. But music always brought her the most joy. And Telemachus and Alcina always made her feel welcome and wanted with their band. When they announced their musical tour, Eurydice knew this was a calling, a miracle and an answer to prayer. She could help and entertain the world all at the same time!
Eurydice is very short, not 5’ tall. This is maybe the only clue to her elven heritage, her eyes, skin and ears all read as human. She wears her dark hair long, often in elaborate fashions. She charges through life at full blast, joking, laughing making silly songs and ditties of everything.
*****
I don’t have a lot of additional notes or thoughts for this run. I’d make the broad observation that I love working up backstories for my characters and parties, I have done this for quite some time before I started sharing them here. Somehow, when I actually play the party it brings it all to life for me. There seems to be a lot of synergy in the whole process.
This is the same modded install I’ve used for my two previous IWD run-throughs that I’ve written up at this site (So Tweaks Mod, Kuldahar Rediscovered, Below and Below Inn).
I did assign Plate Mail Armor to Telemachus and Alcina, they have adventured enough to afford such a thing. But no magical gear of any sort. We’ll say so far, they are working class heroes. That may be about to change adjust an anchor text pikashow
It's great to hear that the adventure is progressing smoothly for your band of heroes in the desert!
The dynamic of having a single cleric can definitely affect the party's resting schedule, but it sounds like your group is adapting well.
Regarding mage spells, it's true that managing spell selections can be trickier in IWD compared to BG, especially with multiple mages in the party. Sharing spells between party members would be a great role-playing touch, but alas, the game mechanics don't allow for it.
It's wonderful to hear that the band is tight-knit and unified in their mission. The challenges they face will only strengthen their bond as they continue their adventure together. Keep up the great work, and may their journey through the desert be filled with success and camaraderie!
If you ever need a break from the desert heat, don't forget to relax and unwind with some entertainment on Pikashow APK!