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Alkyra
Character

Whispers of a shadowed past hummed in a mother's tune

Contributed by: Torin Talesmith

Whispers followed Alkyra like the echo of a haunting melody. Some spoke of a ghost, a fleeting shadow that danced at the edge of perception. Others murmured of a warrior, her skills honed in a darkness most dared not speak of. Yet, a flicker of something more flickered in her silver eyes - a yearning, a search for a truth lost in the mists of time. Her very presence was a riddle, a symphony of shadows and forgotten light. Those who dared to seek her aid might find a reluctant ally, a warrior haunted by her past but driven by a newfound purpose. But to trust her completely? That was a gamble some weren't willing to take.

Notes from the Author

This character is very special to me, as thus far she's been the one I have played the longest as. For our Out of the Abyss campaign that lasted around 18 months, each week I would embrace the unknown as Alkyra. For the fracturing she experienced from her reality, I used the faezress of the Underdark as a catalyst, but she will work regardless of that as her attachment to the Raven Queen wains. In any case, it was quite an experience playing a character dealing with so many troubling elements, from the unknowns of her past to the attempts to solidify her identity, all the while she's fracturing both inside and out. I envisioned that one day she may simply cease to return after blinking away, lost to the ether. Never dead, but also not really alive. I thought it would be cool to use her as the patron for an Undead Warlock, dedicated to learning from her experiences while ending up with her granting some power from beyond, from wherever she now resides in space and time.

Artificer Dungeons & Dragons 5e Fighter Shadar-Kai Wizard
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A specific trait unique to this character's story arc and personality.

Traits

An ideal that just cannot be ignored or swayed from as this character journeys through life.

Ideal

A deep connection perhaps with something from their past, or their present, or into the beyond.

Bond

A flaw that pressures and places constraints on a character's choices, due to a past event.

Flaw

Meeting this Character

You wrestle with the rusted lock, the night air heavy with the scent of damp earth and something faintly metallic. A voice, a mere whisper that seems to brush against the edge of your hearing, sends a jolt through you. “Lost, are we?” You spin around, heart hammering a frantic tattoo against your ribs. There stands a slender figure, a woman cloaked in shadow, the moonlight catching the glint of silver in her eyes. Though cloaked in shadow, a glint of polished steel betrayed the shortsword strapped to her back. The cloak itself, impeccably tailored but worn with a soldier’s practicality, with one side boasted a vibrant tapestry, a jarring splash of blue and green against the dark fabric. An unnatural stillness clings to her, broken only by the soft glow emanating from her shoulder where a spectral owl perches with an air of unwavering focus. You stammer an explanation, feeling foolish under her cold, curious gaze. Her lips move soundlessly, a silent message directed at the bird. The owl blinks once, its large, luminous eyes glowing an unsettling aqua before dissolving entirely in a shimmer of aquamarine sparks that dance in the air for a fleeting moment before vanishing without a trace. Her expression remains unreadable, but a hint of amusement flickers in those silver eyes, leaving you unsure if you’d just witnessed a powerful magic trick or something far more unsettling.

Character Arc

As you slip through the shadows of the moonlit alley, you catch sight of the Tavern's imposing facade. Your heart races with excitement as you contemplate the treasures that lie within. With a smirk, you decide to forgo the entry fee and rely on your stealthy skills to gain access. You approach the tavern's back entrance, confident in your ability to evade detection.

With nimble fingers, you pick the lock and slip inside, the darkness enveloping you like a cloak. But as you make your way deeper into the tavern, you realize your mistake. The air is thick with tension, and every step feels like a step into the unknown. Suddenly, a pressure plate beneath your feet triggers a hidden mechanism, and a flurry of arrows rains down from above. You curse under your breath as you narrowly dodge the deadly barrage.

Undeterred, you press on, determined to reach your goal. But the tavern's defenses seem endless, each room presenting a new challenge to overcome. From tripwires to poison dart traps, every corner holds a new threat. Yet with each narrow escape, you grow more determined, driven by the promise of riches that await. As you finally reach the inner sanctum, you realize that your journey has only just begun.

Building this Character

Ah, the bumbling rogue – a master of missteps and a connoisseur of calamities! Building a character destined for failure requires a delicate balance of incompetence and ineptitude. Here's some tongue-in-cheek advice to get you started:

Choose the "Right" Abilities
Opt for abilities that are guaranteed to lead to hilariously disastrous outcomes. Invest heavily in skills like Sleight of Hand, but forget to put points into Dexterity – after all, who needs nimble fingers when you've got butterfingers?

Embrace the Accidental Expertise
Focus on skills that your character excels at unintentionally. Sure, they may be terrible at picking locks, but they're surprisingly adept at tripping over tripwires and stumbling into secret passages.

Equip for "Success"
Arm your rogue with the most impractical and absurd gear you can find. Forget about stealthy leather armor – go for clunky, noisy plate armor that announces your presence to every enemy within a mile radius.

Choose the "Right" Background
Select a background that perfectly encapsulates your character's penchant for failure. Whether they're a former circus clown turned rogue or a failed magician with a penchant for disappearing acts, make sure their backstory is as entertaining as their ineptitude.

Embrace the Chaos
Embrace the chaos of failure and turn every misstep into an opportunity for hilarity. Emphasize the absurdity of your character's failures and revel in the laughter and camaraderie they inspire among your fellow adventurers.

Remember, the key to playing a doomed-to-fail rogue is to lean into the absurdity and embrace the inevitable hilarity of their misadventures. So go forth, brave adventurer, and may your failures be as legendary as they are entertaining!

Personality

Undeterred by the trials that have tested your resolve, you press forward with unwavering determination. Finally, you stumble upon a grand chamber bathed in soft candlelight, shelves upon shelves of ancient tomes stretching as far as the eye can see. You breathe a sigh of relief, convinced that you have found the legendary library of Talesmith Tavern. With eager hands, you reach for the nearest volume, eager to uncover its secrets.

But as you open the book, you are greeted not with tales of adventure, but with blank pages staring back at you. Confusion turns to frustration as you realize the truth: you've fallen for yet another clever ruse. The supposed library is not here, instead it is hidden away. What you have found is nothing more than an elaborate illusion, designed to ensnare and distract those who dare to challenge the Tavern's authority. Anger burns within you as you realize the futility of your efforts, but you can't help but admire the ingenuity of the traps that guard the tavern's secrets.

Tips on Role Playing

Illusions of Grandeur:
Embrace the allure of the rogue lifestyle, but beware of its fleeting promises. While the thrill of deception may seem enticing, remember that the path of the rogue is fraught with peril and uncertainty.

Shadows of Deception:
Delve into the art of stealth and subterfuge, but be mindful of the darkness that lurks within. As you navigate the shadows, tread carefully, for every step brings you closer to the inevitable consequences of your actions.

Mirage of Wealth
Pursue the elusive treasures that lie beyond the tavern's gates, but heed the warning of false promises. While the allure of riches may tempt you, remember that true wealth cannot be gained through deceit and trickery.

Chameleon of Deceit
Embrace your ability to blend in with any crowd, but beware of the mask you wear. As you don different personas, remember that true identity is lost amidst the web of lies you weave.

Shadows of Regret
Embrace the rogue's lifestyle, but be prepared to face the consequences of your actions. While the thrill of deception may offer temporary satisfaction, it ultimately leads to a hollow existence filled with regret and disillusionment.

Advice to DMs

Dealing with a rogue player who's determined to cheat their way through the game can be as tricky as disarming a trap with your eyes closed. Here are some tongue-in-cheek tips for handling this slippery situation:

"Trap" Their Cheating Ways
Turn the tables on your sneaky player by introducing traps and obstacles specifically designed to catch them in the act. From cursed items to cleverly disguised illusions, give them a taste of their own medicine.

Roll with the "Crits"
When your rogue player inevitably rolls a natural 20 on their attempt to cheat, roll with it - literally. Introduce comically exaggerated consequences for their actions, such as summoning a horde of angry chickens or causing their pants to spontaneously catch fire.

Embrace the Chaos
Embrace the chaos of their rule-skirting antics and incorporate them into the narrative. Turn their failed attempts at cheating into memorable moments of hilarity and absurdity that add to the overall enjoyment of the game.

"Lock" Down the Rules
Reinforce the importance of fair play by enforcing strict penalties for cheating. Make it abundantly clear that attempting to skirt around the rules will only result in more trouble for their character, whether it's getting caught by the local authorities or falling victim to a particularly nasty curse.

"Level Up" Their Integrity
Encourage your rogue player to level up their integrity by embracing the spirit of fair play. Remind them that true mastery lies in playing by the rules and outsmarting their opponents through cunning and strategy, rather than relying on underhanded tactics.

With a bit of humor and a touch of creativity, you can turn the rogue player's cheating antics into a memorable and entertaining aspect of your game. Just remember to keep the tone light-hearted and the focus on having fun!