So is anyone planning to participate in National Novel Writing Month? While I've been aware of it for several years, this will be my first time doing it.
For those unaware, National Novel Writing Month (or Nanowrimo) is a challenge throughout the month of November to start a novel and write at least 50,000 words.
I've rough plotted out my novel and am really excited for it. It's in three days and I'm hyped. Is anyone else going to have a go at it this year?
Like most Gnomes, Jorlton is quite short. Standing at 3’8’’, Jorlton is usually far below other people in height. While this does allow him to blend in easier in a crowd, conversely it makes it easier to find him if you are looking for him due to his height. Jorlton has pale skin as he comes from a village in the deep woods where light barely reaches. Jorlton has shoulder length blond hair, which parts over his long pointed ears. He also has bright hazel eyes.
Jorlton’s wardrobe is very eclectic as he comes in and out of money very fast. As such he is currently wearing a set of leather armour, custom made for either a Halfling or Gnome, underneath his regular outfit. His current outfit includes black boots, blue pants, and a green travelling cloak. On his back is a brown bag full of travelling gear. Weapon wise, he keeps a rapier on the left side of his belt, and a shortsword on the right. Also attached to each leg is a dagger.
Jorlton is a bundle of energy. Quite often he is literally pacing about, full of tension. He has a constant need to be doing something. That creates the paradox of Jorlton always feeling the need to focus on something, but also his inability to remain on a task too long. In a more advanced world, this would be known as ADHD. This flippancy with focusing quite often affects Jorlton’s relationships as he rarely pays anyone attention and quite often will only think about himself. The random bursts of energy are also off putting to a lot of people.
Jorlton also has a wicked sense of humour, and can be quite cruel to others as such. This usually involves mean spirited pranks. Jorlton also is a kleptomaniac and has been since he was a child. As such he will pocket random items or go after anything shiny or interesting. This often gets him into trouble, especially since thievery was his main method of income.
Jorlton has a grandiose sense about himself. He always believes that he is at the top of what he does, whether this be a student, mage, or thief. Because of this he will quite often sneer at people doing the same thing as him. This sense has led him to believe that he is a master mage, one of the greatest in the land.
For many generations, the Gnomes of the Laiku Woods lived away from the rest of the world. Much like Wood Elves, these Gnomes remained in the deep wood, their culture staying the same, and outsiders being unheard of. Life was fairly simple for Jorlton’s father, save the fact that he was raised to be the village Shaman, a kind of druid and adviser. It was during this training that he met his future wife.
Jorlton’s mother came from the big city, where she lived a privileged life, coming from a family of prominent Gnome tinkerers. She had decided that rather than being a tinkerer, she wanted to pursue the magical arts. So she enrolled in Vessalin’s School of Magick, a well respected institution across the land. She would ultimately graduate and become a magical researcher.
That is how Jorlton’s parents met. His mother and a fellow Human researcher discovered the village in Laiku Woods, and wanted to document their magical practises. Both of Jorlton’s parents would fall in love fast, beginning a secret relationship. Less than a month into the research, Jorlton’s mother realized she was pregnant. It was also around this time that the Human researcher attempted to steal some magical artifacts from the village. In the ensuing argument, Jorlton’s mother lost control of her magic and killed her fellow researcher.
Feeling ashamed by this, she decided to remain in the village indefinitely. She would soon give birth to Jorlton, the son of a Shaman and an outsider. From a young age, Jorlton was a trouble maker. Not only did he have a bad habit of taking things, he would also like messing with others through various pranks. He would also dislike life in the village, wishing to leave and see the world. This was not helped by his mother’s tales of the big city and life outside the woods.
When Jorlton became a teenager, he made up his mind that he would leave the village. Sneaking away in the middle of the night, Jorlton made his way to the nearest city. When he first got there he would live as a beggar, that was until he reached Vessalin’s. Based on who is mother was, Jorlton was admitted into the magical studies program. It was here that Jorlton was first exposed to other kinds of magic. This included combat magic as he learnt to shoot fireballs.
Jorlton would also find a knack for language, learning the basic Elvish easily, and learning the more obscure Infernal. However, while Jorlton was doing fine academically, his behaviour would become an issue. Jorlton never really grew out of his prankster ways, and his actions would irk many fellow students and staff. Eventually after being caught stealing a grimoire, Jorlton was kicked out of Vessalin’s.
Back on the street again, Jorlton would once again become a beggar. However he would soon find a use for his magic. Using spells like mage hand, Jorlton would become a thief. To ease his conscience he would only steal from the rich, figuring that they didn’t need it. This would become Jorlton’s source of income for quite awhile.
Eventually he decided not to remain in the city as he had made quite a few enemies. Buying some travelling gear, Jorlton would hit the road, wanted to see what else these lands had to offer. He would travel to many villages and towns, just staying long enough to make a few coins. He would also try and continue practising his magic, working on the few spells he learnt at the school. Eventually he found a niche for his magic with illusion magic.
Jorlton would also pursue the odd job that required magic. It turned out that a magical thief and illusionist was quite in demand. Jorlton has begun to favour these jobs as he always felt thievery was low class. But when the coins run out, he will always fall back to stealing.
While Jorlton does not actively travel with any animals, he does have the ability to speak with smaller ones. He also knows a spell that can call forth many different kinds of familiars to serve him.
Likes:
Shiny Things
Winning Contests
Mead
Telling Stories
Plays
Dislikes:
Being Defeated
The Quiet Life
Getting Reprimanded
Poetry
How expensive paper and ink is
Hobbies:
Stealing Things
Practising Magic
Singing Drinking Songs
Writing about his adventures
Quotes: “Of course I can do that. What do you think I am, a freshman acolyte?” “Five gold pieces eh? Well, he won’t miss it.”
Fun Fact: Jorlton learnt how to sword fight, not from training under a warrior, but by watching many plays. With some of them he saw it enough to memorize the sword fighting choreography.
Jorlton is designed for sneaking around and noticing things. With a high investigation skill, he can figure things out easily. He also has illusion magic that could get the party out of a tense situation.
Yeah it's good to know my math was correct, that was really bugging me. I'm going to be busy for the rest of the day, so first post should come tomorrow.
@Sigil So I thought I had the math right. Below in the hider is my attempt at explaining my stats.
1) All stats start at 13 STR 13 DEX 13 CON 13 INT 13 WIS 13 CHA 13
2) Raise DEX four points to 17, at a 1:1, dropping STR by four 9 STR 9 DEX 17 CON 13 INT 13 WIS 13 CHA 13
3) Raise INT by two to 15, at a 1:1, dropping CHA by two to 11 STR 9 DEX 17 CON 13 INT 15 WIS 13 CHA 11
4) Raise INT by one to 16, at a 2:1, dropping CHA by two to 9 STR 9 DEX 17 CON 13 INT 16 WIS 13 CHA 9
5) Raise CON by one to 14, at a 1:1, dropping STR by one to 8 STR 8 DEX 17 CON 14 INT 16 WIS 13 CHA 9
6) Raise WIS by one to 14, at a 1:1, dropping CHA by one to 8 STR 8 DEX 17 CON 14 INT 16 WIS 14 CHA 8
7) Apply Racial Bonuses, +2 to INT for being a Gnome, +1 to DEX for being a Forest Gnome STR 8 DEX 18 CON 14 INT 18 WIS 14 CHA 8
So if my math is off let me know. I think the issue was you didn’t note that Gnomes get a bonus to INT.
As for the weapons, I don’t know. I’ve never played a small character before. I just assumed that like his armour, it was appropriately sized for a Gnome. I am not sure if that would affect its stats, I think that would be something you as the Dungeon Master would have to make a ruling on.
Hopefully that sorts out my character. Please let me know if anything else needs editing/explaining.
Like most Gnomes, Jorlton is quite short. Standing at 3’8’’, Jorlton is usually far below other people in height. While this does allow him to blend in easier in a crowd, conversely it makes it easier to find him if you are looking for him due to his height. Jorlton has pale skin as he comes from a village in the deep woods where light barely reaches. Jorlton has shoulder length blond hair, which parts over his long pointed ears. He also has bright hazel eyes.
Jorlton’s wardrobe is very eclectic as he comes in and out of money very fast. As such he is currently wearing a set of leather armour, custom made for either a Halfling or Gnome, underneath his regular outfit. His current outfit includes black boots, blue pants, and a green travelling cloak. On his back is a brown bag full of travelling gear. Weapon wise, he keeps a rapier on the left side of his belt, and a shortsword on the right. Also attached to each leg is a dagger.
Jorlton is a bundle of energy. Quite often he is literally pacing about, full of tension. He has a constant need to be doing something. That creates the paradox of Jorlton always feeling the need to focus on something, but also his inability to remain on a task too long. In a more advanced world, this would be known as ADHD. This flippancy with focusing quite often affects Jorlton’s relationships as he rarely pays anyone attention and quite often will only think about himself. The random bursts of energy are also off putting to a lot of people.
Jorlton also has a wicked sense of humour, and can be quite cruel to others as such. This usually involves mean spirited pranks. Jorlton also is a kleptomaniac and has been since he was a child. As such he will pocket random items or go after anything shiny or interesting. This often gets him into trouble, especially since thievery was his main method of income.
Jorlton has a grandiose sense about himself. He always believes that he is at the top of what he does, whether this be a student, mage, or thief. Because of this he will quite often sneer at people doing the same thing as him. This sense has led him to believe that he is a master mage, one of the greatest in the land.
For many generations, the Gnomes of the Laiku Woods lived away from the rest of the world. Much like Wood Elves, these Gnomes remained in the deep wood, their culture staying the same, and outsiders being unheard of. Life was fairly simple for Jorlton’s father, save the fact that he was raised to be the village Shaman, a kind of druid and adviser. It was during this training that he met his future wife.
Jorlton’s mother came from the big city, where she lived a privileged life, coming from a family of prominent Gnome tinkerers. She had decided that rather than being a tinkerer, she wanted to pursue the magical arts. So she enrolled in Vessalin’s School of Magick, a well respected institution across the land. She would ultimately graduate and become a magical researcher.
That is how Jorlton’s parents met. His mother and a fellow Human researcher discovered the village in Laiku Woods, and wanted to document their magical practises. Both of Jorlton’s parents would fall in love fast, beginning a secret relationship. Less than a month into the research, Jorlton’s mother realized she was pregnant. It was also around this time that the Human researcher attempted to steal some magical artifacts from the village. In the ensuing argument, Jorlton’s mother lost control of her magic and killed her fellow researcher.
Feeling ashamed by this, she decided to remain in the village indefinitely. She would soon give birth to Jorlton, the son of a Shaman and an outsider. From a young age, Jorlton was a trouble maker. Not only did he have a bad habit of taking things, he would also like messing with others through various pranks. He would also dislike life in the village, wishing to leave and see the world. This was not helped by his mother’s tales of the big city and life outside the woods.
When Jorlton became a teenager, he made up his mind that he would leave the village. Sneaking away in the middle of the night, Jorlton made his way to the nearest city. When he first got there he would live as a beggar, that was until he reached Vessalin’s. Based on who is mother was, Jorlton was admitted into the magical studies program. It was here that Jorlton was first exposed to other kinds of magic. This included combat magic as he learnt to shoot fireballs.
Jorlton would also find a knack for language, learning the basic Elvish easily, and learning the more obscure Infernal. However, while Jorlton was doing fine academically, his behaviour would become an issue. Jorlton never really grew out of his prankster ways, and his actions would irk many fellow students and staff. Eventually after being caught stealing a grimoire, Jorlton was kicked out of Vessalin’s.
Back on the street again, Jorlton would once again become a beggar. However he would soon find a use for his magic. Using spells like mage hand, Jorlton would become a thief. To ease his conscience he would only steal from the rich, figuring that they didn’t need it. This would become Jorlton’s source of income for quite awhile.
Eventually he decided not to remain in the city as he had made quite a few enemies. Buying some travelling gear, Jorlton would hit the road, wanted to see what else these lands had to offer. He would travel to many villages and towns, just staying long enough to make a few coins. He would also try and continue practising his magic, working on the few spells he learnt at the school. Eventually he found a niche for his magic with illusion magic.
Jorlton would also pursue the odd job that required magic. It turned out that a magical thief and illusionist was quite in demand. Jorlton has begun to favour these jobs as he always felt thievery was low class. But when the coins run out, he will always fall back to stealing.
While Jorlton does not actively travel with any animals, he does have the ability to speak with smaller ones. He also knows a spell that can call forth many different kinds of familiars to serve him.
Likes:
Shiny Things
Winning Contests
Mead
Telling Stories
Plays
Dislikes:
Being Defeated
The Quiet Life
Getting Reprimanded
Poetry
How expensive paper and ink is
Hobbies:
Stealing Things
Practising Magic
Singing Drinking Songs
Writing about his adventures
Quotes: “Of course I can do that. What do you think I am, a freshman acolyte?” “Five gold pieces eh? Well, he won’t miss it.”
Fun Fact: Jorlton learnt how to sword fight, not from training under a warrior, but by watching many plays. With some of them he saw it enough to memorize the sword fighting choreography.
Jorlton is designed for sneaking around and noticing things. With a high investigation skill, he can figure things out easily. He also has illusion magic that could get the party out of a tense situation.
@Sigil So I've decided to go with a Gnome Rogue (Arcane Trickster). I'm well into the character sheet, mostly needing to pick spells. It should be up around tomorrow morning.
The Arkanian sighed softly as he put down his drink. While he usually had higher standards than the alcohol he had just downed, the substance that tasted slightly like engine fuel was the best he could find on board the Ostro. As Arec glared at his empty cup, he debated ordering another. His pockets were mostly full of the local currency, having just come back from a bounty job. The Rodian bartender now knew Arec pretty well, as whenever he came aboard the Ostro with money, he would quickly find his way to this bar. But the Rodian kept the drinks coming as he knew Arec always paid his tab.
Arec motioned for a refill, deciding to have one more drink. While Arec did like to indulge, he also knew that too much alcohol would dull his connection to the Force. And the Force was one of his greatest tools for staying alive. The Rodian placed another glass in front of Arec, the murky green liquid bubbling a little bit. Arec decided to down it in one gulp as he didn’t want to have to deal with its taste. Placing the now empty glass on the bar, Arec fished out a few credits, placing them next to the drink.
As Arec stood up, he felt a slight spinning. He chided himself mentally for drinking enough to throw his balance off. Pausing for a few seconds, Arec did his best to reestablish his balance. The inner power of the Force helped him with this. Once it was good enough, Arec pushed the sheet that served as the bar door out of the way, entering back into the ramshackle market of the Ostro.
Around the entrance were gathered a group of child beggars. While that was nothing new, what was new was the individual stooped in front of one. He was of a species that Arec didn’t recognize, and was holding some strange fruit that emitted smoke. Arec was surprised at this as he knew how hard it was to find actual fruit unless you plucked it from the tree yourself. While the beggar was initially unsure of this offer of food, he quickly decided to consume the fruit.
Arec was surprised by this act of charity, but decided to continue on his way. However, he barely made it a few steps before a screen in a stall suddenly switched to footage of men in armour. The apparent leader then entered frame, wielding a blaster with a lightsaber bayonet. He announced that he was Gorun the Great and that he was taking over the Ostro. He then executed a crew member before telling everyone aboard to work with him.
Arec sighed once again. While he had never seen this happen aboard the Ostro, Arec was well aware of wannabe warlords popping up all over the place. Hell, Arec had even worked for a few. But this Gorun guy would be lucky to last a week. Sure he overtook the bridge, but how big was his forces even? Arec had never come across this Crimson Fleet that he claimed to control. Surely the inhabitants of the Ostro wouldn’t put up with this nonsense.
And in less than a minute, someone did have enough. The generous stranger from earlier fired several shots from an outdated slug thrower into the air. The stranger would then give a rousing speech about throwing off these outside invaders. Apparently it was good enough to make several others raise their blasters into the air.
The still tipsy Arec sighed once more, this time even louder. While he had expected to just relax today, the energy in the market was infectious. The shouts and hollers of the populace were heating up the Arkanian’s blood. In his mind he made the snap decision to go with this growing mob and kill this Gorun the Great. If nothing else it would make things stable on the Ostro and it could up Arec’s notoriety.
Arec grabbed his lightsaber from his side, preparing to ignite it in excitement, when he was suddenly distracted. A figure in a large robe moved past Arec, clearly trying to get out of here before the battle started. The reason Arec even noticed him was the fact that the Force gathered around him. Arec watched the man strong in the Force make his way through the crowd. While it seemed that he wouldn’t be sticking around, Arec made a mental note to watch out for him. It was getting rarer and rarer to find one strong in the Force.
Sep
rush99999
Forsythe
