So, in this article I spout on about using the characterization of protagonist player characters to help create a good role-playing game story. In this more recent post, I created the persona of ghoul thief Venarvus Praeta, ever hungry horror. Last Friday, Steve’s Undead 3.5 camapaign began granting Praeta the stage and allowing me a chance to use my own advice. Here’s how it’s panning out.

For a first time DM, Steve did well in establishing his conservative premise. The party are a bunch of newly created Vampire spawns in the service of a master vamp – in our case some kind of dark pixie. Basically the master sends us on missions and we CAN’T say no. Plot rails, yes I hate them – they aren’t Dominion endorsed, however as training wheels for a new DM they are forgiveable. Better to endure them than squash the efforts of a novice and have them never try to run again. Improvization must be practiced.

So, the first encounter is us breaking out of our coffins and heading through the city following the gutteral call of the master. This was actually a race we were to find out, with the first to him gaining the benefits of being his Chosen – +6 to Strength and Dexterity! Despite hunting for food first, killed a fat commoner that couldnt out run me and took one his thighs for later (”fat man ham“), I had an early lead and was first to the house.

Portraying the ghoul’s suspiciousness – he didnt even know what he’d become – I circled the estate looking for a stealthy way in. The fallen cleric with knowledge of undead knew the deal and waltzed in first to become the chosen – though his true master is Orcus. NOE +6, OH NOES! As the vampiric cleric and gnome ranger (I SHIT you NOT) are kissing the ring, I come in back intent to gut the master for this curse I’m forced to be now. He smacks me down and stops my attack – to be expected but I established that I’m the black sheep. Fitting, since I’m the only ghoul and resemble a zombie in my immature state of decay. 

We had some new players to the group, and I believe my charaterization encouraged them to feel relaxed. When you act openly silly, shy newcomers are freed to have fun with it. Getting settled into our new home, the monk was making blood chowder with my ham as a stock – comic relief and a nice illustration of trying to bring some of his old life into this new one.

Our first task was to kill a rich plantation owner whom was the father of our Duskblade. Three single classed guards and daddy 5th level sorceror was no match for a party of undead gestalt classes. Steve overlooked our potentness but fights should be easy at the start. The cleric did a torture and sacrifice ceremony on the father, a mechanic from the Book of Vile Darkness that grants bonuses that last a day, and got us to participate. Even before this, players were getting their evil on that is typical in these types of campaigns. We’re all adults and it’s a way to steam vent.

The cleric does a lot of prostelatizing on Orcus, but my character doesn’t really vibe with it. I didnt have a patron diety as a mortal, definately dont care for one now. Our bonus from the ceremony was mostly wasted on day-sleepy time and getting back to town. Out of game I’m sure he’s building to some prestige class badassery and this creates a nice plot potential to exploit in suggestion to the master his chosen seeks to supplant him. The priest thinks a ghoul is an inferior creature – we’ll see.  

Praeta is forming up to be a snide character, once he’s fed – before which he’s a ravenously bestial killer. I portrayed a bit on weariness in his character to show adjusting to this radically new state of damnation, but reined it in some to not discourage Steve. He was noticing the frustration but I made it into a short incharacter rant to ensure him it wasn’t the player’s problem.

Venarvus has lived a solitary life – not used to the party dynamic, though I am – and I’ll look forward to chances at showcasing that introspective depth whenever we can venture free of the rails in downtime. Hopefully, our DM can think of interesting scenes to set up for him but that’ll take time until his confidence is built up.

All this can wait though as we let him get the hang of things running a game. In the meantime guilty fun is to be had by all.

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