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Aresas Kynelis
Character

Cursed Protector, Consumed by Hunger

Contributed by: Torin Talesmith

Aresas Kynelis, once the guardian of a vibrant coral reef, now walks a tormented path. The glistening scales that once shimmered in the sun now conceal a darkness. A cruel twist of fate, a goblin's curse, has left him teetering on the edge. Can he quell the insatiable hunger that gnaws at his soul, or will the protector succumb to the very monster he seeks to destroy? The salty tang of the sea, a constant reminder of his oath and his failure, fuels his desperate search for redemption. The question lingers – will he find a cure, or will the protector become the predator?

Notes from the Author

I played this character for a three-session small campaign. I was fascinated by combining a two-handed ranged weapon with a character that could Spider Climb, as their hands are free even when upside down on ceilings. Also the opportunity to explore a character that has a number of unique characteristics beyond the usual combining of features, was really intriguing. Thus, this combination gave you a character with a 35ft walk speed, climb speed, swim speed, and didn't need to breathe. That in itself made for a fascinating force of vengeance that would stop at nothing. Of course, the big caveat is ensuring your DM allows you to use firearms in the firstplace. I was fortunate to be allowed to take an additional free feat at level 1, so took both Sharpshooter and Gunner for some serious first-turn damage.

Dhampir Dungeons & Dragons 5e Fighter Ranger Sea Elf Talesmith Tavern
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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
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Meeting this Character

You crest a windswept rise, the salty spray stinging your eyes, and there he stands – a solitary figure silhouetted against the bruised twilight sky. His hair, the colour of kelp woven with strands of moonlight, whips wildly in the gale. He clutches a strange weapon, its hilt carved with an unsettling, yet oddly beautiful, likeness of a squid. As you approach, you can see his obsidian eyes catch you. What was once playful pools reflecting the ocean’s serenity, now hold a haunted depth, a flicker of something monstrous lurking just beneath the surface. Each ragged breath of his seems a struggle, a silent war fought within. He holds himself with a warrior’s posture, yet his movements are tinged with a subtle tremor, a constant battle against a tide threatening to pull him under. This is a man, or something more, teetering on a precipice, a riddle wrapped in a storm.

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!