Astolpho and the Replacements
atcDave
Member Posts: 2,453
Another new run and team for Icewind Dale. I have a twist I want to try out that will come with the first update, but not here at the start.
This is another PnP based team, all from the same character folder. Readers may recall my previous “Psyche and Diomedes” run in Baldur’s Gate. Astolpho and his crew are from the same DM’s setting. When Psyche and Diomedes got to be higher level, the DM would sometimes require me to play a different character. Astolpho was the first of those characters. In time, he and his wife became powerful and higher level in their own right. They built a fortified manor house (they weren’t *castle* rich!), a chapel, and wound up with a bunch of followers.
Unlike the Diomedes’ team, Astolpho’s followers, and later kids, never adventured much on their own, and never made it to higher levels. Astolpho is locked at 11th level now for all time. It was later established Astolpho was a cousin of Diomedes, which had no particular game play impact. But the character folder remains a snapshot of a successful but not hugely powerful character.
And now a few of them are coming to Faerun….
*****
Astolpho is the son of a knight, and not first born. So he always knew he’d have very little inheritance. No title, little money. But his father was a good man, who ensured his son would have the best sort of education. This meant travel to the Temple of Lathander in Waterdeep, where he would train for several years as a Paladin. That temple is partner with a martial academy, to train not just clerics, but Paladins, Rangers, and even Fighters who wish a mixed curriculum of both spiritual and warrior types of courses.
Astolpho was a good student, with good aptitude as expected from the son of a knight. Hunting undead seemed a particularly useful skill set to him, so that was the specialty he chose.
The couple of years this all took proved to be a turning point for his whole life. First he made several good friends; his best bros, Orestes, Dubin and Marcus. Even in training they all came to be known as willing to help not only around their school(s), but in the greater community. And they did it with an enthusiastic and hearty sort of spirit that was alternately endearing and annoying. Certainly they all became well known. And Astolpho was always the ring leader.
A late joiner of this fellowship, was just known as Bob. Actually called JustBob by everyone. A little more on him below.
But the most important person to Astopho was Anastasia. They met and dated almost from Astolpho’s arrival at the school, and they married six months before graduation. As a couple they intended to do good and right in Faerun, to make a difference. And they eagerly sought a mission. Anastasia was fully accepted, loved by the Bros. Astolpho and Anastasia’s wedding was an epic party at the Temple of Lathander, with the whole crew involved and the surrounding community all invited.
Astolpho. LG Human male. Undead Hunter
18/01 – 9 – 17 – 13 – 15 – 17
Anastasia’s background was a little different from most, and only Astolpho actually knows all the details. If Astolpho came from rank and prestige, Anastasia was important. Her father is a Count, wealthy and powerful. Anastasia is not the Heir, being the 7th of 7. But she is a loved daughter of nobility. And Anastasia was a serious and gifted student, eager to do her best and be worthy of her privilege. Studying for the clergy of Lathander was a natural path for her and she took to it with enthusiasm. She does have one other small secret, she is naturally blind. As a girl, her father had made the silver circlet she wears on her head. It gives her perfect, 360 degree vision out to 120 feet. Which gives her an unusual view of the world, perfect in close but nothing at much distance. And maybe ironically, immune to any sort of magical blindness, illusion or darkness.
Anastasia is a driving force behind her and Astolpho’s plan to adventure, and be a source of light in Faerun. In fact, it was Anastasia’s own dream, literally a dream, that would see them all travel north to Icewind Dale after graduation. She was called to meet a man named Hrothgar in the town of Easthaven. She’s always known the Bros would join, as long as she and Astolpho make some sort of alone time together, she will enjoy this sort of big family lifestyle. And being everyone’s little sister. Being the 7th of 7, this is how its always been.
Anastasia. LG Human Female. Cleric of Lathander
8 – 18 – 16 – 17 – 18 – 17
Orestes is maybe the most like Astolpho. At least, similar goals and objectives. From how they see the world, to how they want to help. Both are Holy sorts of warriors. Orestes maybe has more a love of the outdoors mixed in. Although he’s a city boy by background, his parents ran a successful business. As a younger son, Orestes always knew the business would not by “his” from a young age, which led to him finding other ways to make a difference. Which in turn, led to the Ranger program at the Temple of Lathander in Waterdeep. Specifically, Orestes is an archer.
The friends he made has led to him thinking always of the “team”, a little different from many Rangers who become lone wolves. But Orestes likes this team, and trusts Astolpho’s drive and courage for getting things done and Anastasia’s wisdom and compassion. He is ready to do great things!
Orestes. LG Human Male. Ranger-Archer
13 – 16 – 15 – 15 – 14 – 16
Dubin also is an enthusiastic helper and do gooder. He loves his friends and is eager to follow wherever Astolpho leads them. But Dubin is a little different. He doesn’t quite grasp the more devout parts of his friend’s motivations. No doubt, doing good matters a lot to him, he did choose a program at the Temple of Lathander after all. But his father was a military man. And Dubin approaches life with the same sort of practicality, and “bottom line” view of things. He’s built the most like a warrior; big and mighty, if force won’t solve a problem, you’re obviously not using enough.
Dubin. LG Human Male. Fighter
18/60 – 14 – 17 – 12 – 13 – 11
Marcus is the last of the original Bros. He sometimes looks like the odd man out, he isn’t a warrior at all. Although he is big and hearty as Half-Elves go. He has a ready laugh, and is the sort who seems to fit in wherever he finds himself. He particularly bonded with this crew of “good guys”… and their little sister.
Marcus’ own field of study was a little uncommon, and he’d already been at it for several years when the others arrived at the Temple. He’s both a cleric of Lathander, and a mage. His studies are more bookish than the others, even Anastasia spent more time learning the ways of arms and armor than he did.
But his more outgoing nature led directly to many of the good chores and tasks in the local community that the whole crew set themselves to. Marcus is also a bit of flirt, a ladies man among the clergy. No serious relationships yet for young Marcus, but no doubt he hopes to settle down. Which leads to some mixed feelings as the team prepares to head off on a great journey. He reminds himself he’s young, and this might lead great things.
Marcus. LG Half-elven Male. Mage/Cleric of Lathander
17 – 12 – 12 – 15 – 17 – 17
Marcus’ more varied training has also involved study with a local group of mages. And an unusual friendship with another young apprentice. Bob is awkward. Which Marcus took as a challenge, and a requirement to befriend the young man. Bob is a hard worker, and thus in demand, “popular” among the other mages for his intelligence and aptitude. And he has the good grace to laugh at being “JustBob” to pretty much everyone. When Marcus befriended him, and introduced Bob to his Bros, Bob was awkward there too. What a shock.
But they accepted him. Really, with better grace than the mages ever did. And JustBob became a sixth member of Astolpho’s team as they set off for the frozen North.
JustBob. NG Human Male. Mage
9 – 15 – 14 – 18 – 11 – 8
*****
A few comments on this team. For starters, they were all 1E. Never “officially” updated in the game they ran in, although I see at some point I worked up 2E sheets for all of them. Most differences between those editions were small (maybe more like going from 3E to 3.5E ?). The most obvious thing would have been no kits, Astolpho and Orestes are redesigned in this dimension for IWD.
I’d also add, Anastasia was a psionic, so that 17 Intelligence you see was not really wasted (although in PnP, the 17 Intelligence is of more help than in IWD). And she’d specialized entirely in healing related things. So she was a super-healer. Even from low level Astolpho and Anastasia function as a team with him fighting, and her right behind, keeping him on his feet. She was a force multiplier of sorts, and Astolpho was a *whole lot* more powerful with her there. Mostly, apart from buffing, that won’t translate to anything here.
I also could not figure out how to do all of Anastasia’s immunities with EEKeeper, so I gave her “True Seeing” once per day. That seems close enough.
None of these other characters ever adventured much, or even at all. They were just sheets in a folder, Staff for the nice home. So this is their big debut!
The build this time is the same as just used in “Aias and the Aliens“. I like this build, so I expect I’ll wait one more run before I maybe look at a few more mods.
I’ll be back soon with the 1st Update.
This is another PnP based team, all from the same character folder. Readers may recall my previous “Psyche and Diomedes” run in Baldur’s Gate. Astolpho and his crew are from the same DM’s setting. When Psyche and Diomedes got to be higher level, the DM would sometimes require me to play a different character. Astolpho was the first of those characters. In time, he and his wife became powerful and higher level in their own right. They built a fortified manor house (they weren’t *castle* rich!), a chapel, and wound up with a bunch of followers.
Unlike the Diomedes’ team, Astolpho’s followers, and later kids, never adventured much on their own, and never made it to higher levels. Astolpho is locked at 11th level now for all time. It was later established Astolpho was a cousin of Diomedes, which had no particular game play impact. But the character folder remains a snapshot of a successful but not hugely powerful character.
And now a few of them are coming to Faerun….
*****
Astolpho is the son of a knight, and not first born. So he always knew he’d have very little inheritance. No title, little money. But his father was a good man, who ensured his son would have the best sort of education. This meant travel to the Temple of Lathander in Waterdeep, where he would train for several years as a Paladin. That temple is partner with a martial academy, to train not just clerics, but Paladins, Rangers, and even Fighters who wish a mixed curriculum of both spiritual and warrior types of courses.
Astolpho was a good student, with good aptitude as expected from the son of a knight. Hunting undead seemed a particularly useful skill set to him, so that was the specialty he chose.
The couple of years this all took proved to be a turning point for his whole life. First he made several good friends; his best bros, Orestes, Dubin and Marcus. Even in training they all came to be known as willing to help not only around their school(s), but in the greater community. And they did it with an enthusiastic and hearty sort of spirit that was alternately endearing and annoying. Certainly they all became well known. And Astolpho was always the ring leader.
A late joiner of this fellowship, was just known as Bob. Actually called JustBob by everyone. A little more on him below.
But the most important person to Astopho was Anastasia. They met and dated almost from Astolpho’s arrival at the school, and they married six months before graduation. As a couple they intended to do good and right in Faerun, to make a difference. And they eagerly sought a mission. Anastasia was fully accepted, loved by the Bros. Astolpho and Anastasia’s wedding was an epic party at the Temple of Lathander, with the whole crew involved and the surrounding community all invited.
Astolpho. LG Human male. Undead Hunter
18/01 – 9 – 17 – 13 – 15 – 17
Anastasia’s background was a little different from most, and only Astolpho actually knows all the details. If Astolpho came from rank and prestige, Anastasia was important. Her father is a Count, wealthy and powerful. Anastasia is not the Heir, being the 7th of 7. But she is a loved daughter of nobility. And Anastasia was a serious and gifted student, eager to do her best and be worthy of her privilege. Studying for the clergy of Lathander was a natural path for her and she took to it with enthusiasm. She does have one other small secret, she is naturally blind. As a girl, her father had made the silver circlet she wears on her head. It gives her perfect, 360 degree vision out to 120 feet. Which gives her an unusual view of the world, perfect in close but nothing at much distance. And maybe ironically, immune to any sort of magical blindness, illusion or darkness.
Anastasia is a driving force behind her and Astolpho’s plan to adventure, and be a source of light in Faerun. In fact, it was Anastasia’s own dream, literally a dream, that would see them all travel north to Icewind Dale after graduation. She was called to meet a man named Hrothgar in the town of Easthaven. She’s always known the Bros would join, as long as she and Astolpho make some sort of alone time together, she will enjoy this sort of big family lifestyle. And being everyone’s little sister. Being the 7th of 7, this is how its always been.
Anastasia. LG Human Female. Cleric of Lathander
8 – 18 – 16 – 17 – 18 – 17
Orestes is maybe the most like Astolpho. At least, similar goals and objectives. From how they see the world, to how they want to help. Both are Holy sorts of warriors. Orestes maybe has more a love of the outdoors mixed in. Although he’s a city boy by background, his parents ran a successful business. As a younger son, Orestes always knew the business would not by “his” from a young age, which led to him finding other ways to make a difference. Which in turn, led to the Ranger program at the Temple of Lathander in Waterdeep. Specifically, Orestes is an archer.
The friends he made has led to him thinking always of the “team”, a little different from many Rangers who become lone wolves. But Orestes likes this team, and trusts Astolpho’s drive and courage for getting things done and Anastasia’s wisdom and compassion. He is ready to do great things!
Orestes. LG Human Male. Ranger-Archer
13 – 16 – 15 – 15 – 14 – 16
Dubin also is an enthusiastic helper and do gooder. He loves his friends and is eager to follow wherever Astolpho leads them. But Dubin is a little different. He doesn’t quite grasp the more devout parts of his friend’s motivations. No doubt, doing good matters a lot to him, he did choose a program at the Temple of Lathander after all. But his father was a military man. And Dubin approaches life with the same sort of practicality, and “bottom line” view of things. He’s built the most like a warrior; big and mighty, if force won’t solve a problem, you’re obviously not using enough.
Dubin. LG Human Male. Fighter
18/60 – 14 – 17 – 12 – 13 – 11
Marcus is the last of the original Bros. He sometimes looks like the odd man out, he isn’t a warrior at all. Although he is big and hearty as Half-Elves go. He has a ready laugh, and is the sort who seems to fit in wherever he finds himself. He particularly bonded with this crew of “good guys”… and their little sister.
Marcus’ own field of study was a little uncommon, and he’d already been at it for several years when the others arrived at the Temple. He’s both a cleric of Lathander, and a mage. His studies are more bookish than the others, even Anastasia spent more time learning the ways of arms and armor than he did.
But his more outgoing nature led directly to many of the good chores and tasks in the local community that the whole crew set themselves to. Marcus is also a bit of flirt, a ladies man among the clergy. No serious relationships yet for young Marcus, but no doubt he hopes to settle down. Which leads to some mixed feelings as the team prepares to head off on a great journey. He reminds himself he’s young, and this might lead great things.
Marcus. LG Half-elven Male. Mage/Cleric of Lathander
17 – 12 – 12 – 15 – 17 – 17
Marcus’ more varied training has also involved study with a local group of mages. And an unusual friendship with another young apprentice. Bob is awkward. Which Marcus took as a challenge, and a requirement to befriend the young man. Bob is a hard worker, and thus in demand, “popular” among the other mages for his intelligence and aptitude. And he has the good grace to laugh at being “JustBob” to pretty much everyone. When Marcus befriended him, and introduced Bob to his Bros, Bob was awkward there too. What a shock.
But they accepted him. Really, with better grace than the mages ever did. And JustBob became a sixth member of Astolpho’s team as they set off for the frozen North.
JustBob. NG Human Male. Mage
9 – 15 – 14 – 18 – 11 – 8
*****
A few comments on this team. For starters, they were all 1E. Never “officially” updated in the game they ran in, although I see at some point I worked up 2E sheets for all of them. Most differences between those editions were small (maybe more like going from 3E to 3.5E ?). The most obvious thing would have been no kits, Astolpho and Orestes are redesigned in this dimension for IWD.
I’d also add, Anastasia was a psionic, so that 17 Intelligence you see was not really wasted (although in PnP, the 17 Intelligence is of more help than in IWD). And she’d specialized entirely in healing related things. So she was a super-healer. Even from low level Astolpho and Anastasia function as a team with him fighting, and her right behind, keeping him on his feet. She was a force multiplier of sorts, and Astolpho was a *whole lot* more powerful with her there. Mostly, apart from buffing, that won’t translate to anything here.
I also could not figure out how to do all of Anastasia’s immunities with EEKeeper, so I gave her “True Seeing” once per day. That seems close enough.
None of these other characters ever adventured much, or even at all. They were just sheets in a folder, Staff for the nice home. So this is their big debut!
The build this time is the same as just used in “Aias and the Aliens“. I like this build, so I expect I’ll wait one more run before I maybe look at a few more mods.
I’ll be back soon with the 1st Update.
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