Player background Q&A

chris wants us to fill this out.

Part 1: The Basics

What is your full name?
Where and when were you born?
Who are/were your parents? (Know their names, occupations, personalities, etc.)
Do you have any siblings? What are/were they like?
Where do you live now, and with whom? Describe the place and the person/people.
What is your occupation?
Write a full physical description of yourself. You might want to consider factors such as: height, weight, race, hair and eye color, style of dress, and any tattoos, scars, or distinguishing marks.
To which social class do you belong?
Do you have any allergies, diseases, or other physical weaknesses?
Are you right- or left-handed?
What does your voice sound like?
What words and/or phrases do you use very frequently?
What do you have in your pockets?
Do you have any quirks, strange mannerisms, annoying habits, or other defining characteristics?
Part 2: Growing Up

How would you describe your childhood in general?
What is your earliest memory?
How much schooling have you had?
Did you enjoy school?
Where did you learn most of your skills and other abilities?
While growing up, did you have any role models? If so, describe them.
While growing up, how did you get along with the other members of your family?
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
As a child, what were your favorite activities?
As a child, what kinds of personality traits did you display?
As a child, were you popular? Who were your friends, and what were they like?
When and with whom was your first kiss?
Are you a virgin? If not, when and with whom did you lose your virginity?
If you are a supernatural being (i.e. mage, werewolf, vampire), tell the story of how you became what you are or first learned of your own abilities. If you are just a normal human, describe any influences in your past that led you to do the things you do today.
Part 3: Past Influences

What do you consider the most important event of your life so far?
Who has had the most influence on you?
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
What is your greatest regret?
What is the most evil thing you have ever done?
Do you have a criminal record of any kind?
When was the time you were the most frightened?
What is the most embarrassing thing ever to happen to you?
If you could change one thing from your past, what would it be, and why?
What is your best memory?
What is your worst memory?
Part 4: Beliefs And Opinions

Are you basically optimistic or pessimistic?
What is your greatest fear?
What are your religious views?
What are your political views?
What are your views on sex?
Are you able to kill? Under what circumstances do you find killing to be acceptable or unacceptable?
In your opinion, what is the most evil thing any human being could do?
Do you believe in the existence of soul mates and/or true love?
What do you believe makes a successful life?
How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings (i.e. do you hide your true self from others, and in what way)?
Do you have any biases or prejudices?
Is there anything you absolutely refuse to do under any circumstances? Why do you refuse to do it?
Who or what, if anything, would you die for (or otherwise go to extremes for)?
Part 5: Relationships With Others

In general, how do you treat others (politely, rudely, by keeping them at a distance, etc.)? Does your treatment of them change depending on how well you know them, and if so, how?
Who is the most important person in your life, and why?
Who is the person you respect the most, and why?
Who are your friends? Do you have a best friend? Describe these people.
Do you have a spouse or significant other? If so, describe this person.
Have you ever been in love? If so, describe what happened.
What do you look for in a potential lover?
How close are you to your family?
Have you started your own family? If so, describe them. If not, do you want to? Why or why not?
Who would you turn to if you were in desperate need of help?
Do you trust anyone to protect you? Who, and why?
If you died or went missing, who would miss you?
Who is the person you despise the most, and why?
Do you tend to argue with people, or avoid conflict?
Do you tend to take on leadership roles in social situations?
Do you like interacting with large groups of people? Why or why not?
Do you care what others think of you?
Part 6: Likes And Dislikes

What is/are your favorite hobbies and pastimes?
What is your most treasured possession?
What is your favorite color?
What is your favorite food?
What, if anything, do you like to read?
What is your idea of good entertainment (consider music, movies, art, etc.)?
Do you smoke, drink, or use drugs? If so, why? Do you want to quit?
How do you spend a typical Saturday night?
What makes you laugh?
What, if anything, shocks or offends you?
What would you do if you had insomnia and had to find something to do to amuse yourself?
How do you deal with stress?
Are you spontaneous, or do you always need to have a plan?
What are your pet peeves?
Part 7: Self Images And Etc.

Describe the routine of a normal day for you. How do you feel when this routine is disrupted?
What is your greatest strength as a person?
What is your greatest weakness?
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Are you generally introverted or extroverted?
Are you generally organized or messy?
Name three things you consider yourself to be very good at, and three things you consider yourself to be very bad at.
Do you like yourself?
What are your reasons for being an adventurer (or doing the strange and heroic things that RPG characters do)? Are your real reasons for doing this different than the ones you tell people in public? (If so, detail both sets of reasons...)
What goal do you most want to accomplish in your lifetime?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
If you could choose, how would you want to die?
If you knew you were going to die in 24 hours, name three things you would do in the time you had left.
What is the one thing for which you would most like to be remembered after your death?
What three words best describe your personality?
What three words would others probably use to describe you?
If you could, what advice would you, the player, give to your character? (You might even want to speak as if he or she were sitting right here in front of you, and use proper tone so he or she might heed your advice...)

Waited until last minute to do this, so just gonna do the 1st part. I'll do the rest when I'm able.

Part 1: The Basics

What is your full name?

Anton Ilescu. Antonius is the full name of his first name.

Where and when were you born?

30 years ago, in the capital city.

Who are/were your parents? (Know their names, occupations, personalities, etc.)

Nikaren Ilescu. A semi important nobleman and courtier in the capital. He's known for the card games and hunting parties that holds for other noblemen in the capital. He's quite skilled at it and has a reputation for it, and he often acts a sort of broker of deals and negotiations among other noblemen. Like most courtiers he is constantly scheming to gain more status.

He let it be known to the public that Antonius is of his blood, but not as a full son because he also let it be known that it wasn't a son of his wife. The result is my character is kind of known as not quite a noble and not quite a bastard, but something in between. Obviously he is lower in status than his brothers, but he is not quite as low of status as if he was a bastard that his father didn't claim in public.

Mother is Rochalyn an acrobat and sometime seer. She's a gypsy or whatever this world's equivalent is. She met Nikaren when the troupe she was traveling with ran into one of Nikaren's hunting parties. The nobles paid the gypsies for some entertainment. Rochalyn caught the nobleman's eye and one thing led to another. She thought the child would have a better life in the capital, and after birth asked Nikaren to take him in, and he not only agreed, but made it public.

Do you have any siblings? What are/were they like?

Two brothers, Ruthia and Kenneth. Ruthia the elder is training to be a knight, but also often gets caught in the father's schemes. He's likely to inherit, both because he's the elder and because it is likely father's wish. Kenneth is training to be a priest, but clearly has interest in politics and would like to inherit. He's not underhanded, however, about it. He's hoping to use his priest connections to his advantage.

Where do you live now, and with whom? Describe the place and the person/people. In an inn's common room.

There are ten men in a room sleeping on cots. There is tons of fleas and it stinks of smoke and unwashed bodies.

What is your occupation?

Not totally sure yet, but possibly an alchemist and procurer. A wizard. Possibly an enchanter if the mechanics work out. Maybe an illusionist if not.

Write a full physical description of yourself. You might want to consider factors such as: height, weight, race, hair and eye color, style of dress, and any tattoos, scars, or distinguishing marks.

Tall and thin, with a shaved head, and a blonde goatee. A slightly long, patrician nose. Clean and careful about his appearance, even in adverse situations such as this common room. Not bald because he has gone bald, but carefully shaves his head every day. Light green eyes.

To which social class do you belong?

Upper class. Father is a mid level nobleman. However, somewhat lower stature due to being not born of the nobleman's wife.

Do you have any allergies, diseases, or other physical weaknesses?

Somewhat physcially lazy. A hedonist. Not a drug addict, but quite willing to try various intoxicants.

Are you right- or left-handed?

left.

What does your voice sound like?

Polished and careful, sometimes almost slipping into servile-sounding.

What words and/or phrases do you use very frequently?

"With all due respect..." "Surely we're all friends here?"

What do you have in your pockets?

Spell components, alchemy tools, perhaps some sort of intoxicating substance, a razor blade, soap, lotion, perfume, a signet ring that is no longer worn, a pipe and tobacco.

Do you have any quirks, strange mannerisms, annoying habits, or other defining characteristics?

Careful of offending others, a survival trait he picked up in the court. Something he takes it too far, and may offend or seem inauthentic to some. Hedonism and an interest in various intoxicants, including smoking tobacco. Also fond of gambling and card playing, given who his father is. In general, open to trying new things. Curious and interested in the nature of the world.

Also, I want to add that in the last 5 years he joined a pleasure cult that has formed around the drunken King Ward. It's basically a large group in the court made up of hangers on, kiss asses, hedonists, alchemists and procurers. Some of these people are trying to gain even a tiny amount of favor from the King or his family. Others are just there for the parties and orgies. There can be priests of a pleasure god or even an evil god involved with the cult if you want , Chris. That's optional.

Anton is also somewhat chummy with the court's professional spies. Anton was quite interested in them because they likely know things. They found him useful for spying on what the hell the cult is up to at any given time. The spies likely work for one of King Ward's relatives, or perhaps an important official like the Chancellor, etc. because King Ward is a drunk.

Part of the reason Anton left the capital was to get away from the cult. He greatly enjoyed it a long while and also made some good money out of it by being a procurer, but he woke up one day and decided it had become too much. Also it was interfering with advancing his magical skills. In addition, he is trying to gain independence from his father, who would like to involve Anton in his political schemes. So he has just hit the road recently.

Oh and on the subject of his magical skills, likely he inherited that from his mother. He first noticed odd things happening when he was 12 and 13. One of the court wizards, Isaac, noticed it and figured out what was happening. Isaac agreed to train him in wizardry, but at the price of servitude. So most of Anton's teen years he was a servant and student. This went on until his father put a stop to it, deciding it was undignified for one of his station. But it was enough to get him to where he is at level 1.

are there half-orcs, too? didn't see them covered at all.

What is your full name? -[u] Dalynar Darkrose[u]

Where and when were you born? - On the fringes of the Lavender Forest

Who are/were your parents? (Know their names, occupations, personalities, etc.) Taelyn and Nanavia Darkrose. Both where Harvesters and homesteaders. They were vegan and also very caring for the village, always traded never amassed wealth.

Do you have any siblings? What are/were they like? - No, I was an only child

Where do you live now, and with whom? Describe the place and the person/people. - The inbetween lands between the human realms and the elven homeland.

What is your occupation? - I am a wanderer, a trapper on the outskirts of human lands and a forest guide to many.

Write a full physical description of yourself. You might want to consider factors such as: height, weight, race, hair and eye color, style of dress, and any tattoos, scars, or distinguishing marks. - I am fairly average looking for a wood elf, under 6' and lean muscled. shaggy brown hair with light grey eyes. Most would mistake me for a ranger, but I am a fighter at heart.

To which social class do you belong? - pheasant.

Do you have any allergies, diseases, or other physical weaknesses? - Hate the cold.

Are you right- or left-handed? - Right.

What does your voice sound like? - adolescent Male

What words and/or phrases do you use very frequently? - "Well, Obviously...."

What do you have in your pockets? - stuff for fishing and trail mix.

Do you have any quirks, strange mannerisms, annoying habits, or other defining characteristics? - curious, super impatient, nervous about crowds, don't like to be hugged.


Part 2: Growing Up

How would you describe your childhood in general? - Hard working, outside all the time.

What is your earliest memory? - Star Gazing with my Dad.

How much schooling have you had? - Common elven education

Did you enjoy school? - no, hate being inside for long periods of time.

Where did you learn most of your skills and other abilities? - My parents and a retired solider named Teft Oldscar.

While growing up, did you have any role models? If so, describe them. - My Aunt Shallan who was a powerful Druid of the Moon. Very independent woman.

While growing up, how did you get along with the other members of your family? - Yes generally.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? - Free to do what I wanted.

As a child, what were your favorite activities? - Hunting.

As a child, what kinds of personality traits did you display? - Independence and somewhat aggressive.

As a child, were you popular? Who were your friends, and what were they like? - no

When and with whom was your first kiss? - not yet.

Are you a virgin? - yes

Part 3: Past Influences

What do you consider the most important event of your life so far? - Death of my Father.

Who has had the most influence on you? - Teft Oldscar and my Father

What do you consider your greatest achievement? - Leaving home to start my life

What is your greatest regret? - Leaving my Mother behind.

What is the most evil thing you have ever done? - Leaving my mother by herself.

Do you have a criminal record of any kind? - No

When was the time you were the most frightened? - encountering a hurricane.

What is your full name?
Naal Yaeldrin, Loyal Servant of the Copper Tree

Where and when were you born?
Unknown/112 years ago (give or take 2 months).
I was raised in the un-named wood elf village surrounding the grove of the Most Perfect Copper Tree.  The nearly 200 foot tall tree is made entirely of copper.  It doesn’t appear go grow, tarnish, or age at all.  At least visibly.  Rather, the tree just appears to change when it decides to change.  To some the tree appears malevolent, a monolith of nightmares made real, whereas to others it appears as the most heavenly object upon our mortal plane.  Magic and power still emanate from it.  Noone knows how it came to be, but it is still the center of all life, including religion, for the village.

4-5 times per generation, never more, never less, a child appears below the branches of the tree, always discovered during the morning prayers to the Most Perfect Copper Tree.  These children are raised as acolytes and future emissaries for the village, and somewhat as a daughter or son of the current high priest.  They are the only souls allowed to leave the wood under penalty of a cursed painful death.  Those 4-5 children tend to hear the whispers of the tree more strongly than any other in the village besides the Most Venerated Servant of the Most Perfect Copper Tree (the High Priest).

My first name and surname are really aliases.  In the village of the Most Perfect Copper Tree, families are each associated with a branch.  Precise formulas for branch intermixing prevent inbreeding defects and genetic diseases from spiraling out of control.

Who are/were your parents?
Unknown.  I was raised by the village high priest, somewhat as if I was one of his child, but also with more specific training as an acolyte who would be allowed to leave the grove.

Do you have any siblings? What are/were they like?
Unknown.

Where do you live now, and with whom? Describe the place and the person/people.
Unknown.

What is your occupation?
Emissary of the Most Perfect Copper Tree.

Write a full physical description of yourself. You might want to consider factors such as: height, weight, race, hair and eye color, style of dress, and any tattoos, scars, or distinguishing marks.
5’8” 130lb.
Somewhat metallic copper eyes.
Hardly an ounce of fat.  Lithe, but a bit powerful.  Probably would be a bit handsomer if he gained a few pounds.  Wears a leather thong around the neck from which hangs a copper evergreen tree symbol.  At first, it appears to just be a simple wire wound shaping, but looking closer, you can see each of those wires is made from incredibly fine spun copper thread.
Blonde harshly cut hair.  As if sawed off at regular intervals.
Loose fitting traveler’s clothes, including thick-soled brown leather boots, and a broad-hooded sleeved grey traveling cloak.
Studded leather armor with gleaming copper rivets.  The Most Perfect Tree always provides.
Short sword sheath at left hip with a brown leather wrapped pommel.
Completely full quiver with a wide mix of fletching, including several very bright feathers slung across back along with a weathered longbow.
Fair amount of burns, scars, and nicks on my hands, especially the palms, but otherwise unmarked and un-tattooed.  I wear a brass ring on my left ring finger that has never seen, nor will ever see, tarnish.
Large backpack, ruck sack, and bedroll.  Sometimes pulls out a copper stringed Viol(in) to play.

To which social class do you belong?  
Upper middle class in tree village terms.

Do you have any allergies, diseases, or other physical weaknesses?  
Tend to cough a bit in the nastier areas of the inner city.

Are you right- or left-handed?
Right.

What does your voice sound like?
Surprisingly deep.

What words and/or phrases do you use very frequently?
The most perfect copper tree.  The tree provides.

What do you have in your pockets?
Sling bullets and toothpicks.

Do you have any quirks, strange mannerisms, annoying habits, or other defining characteristics?
I tend to scratch or trace the scars on my palms as if looking for a pattern.

Part 2: Growing Up

How would you describe your childhood in general?
Filled with reverence and hard work.

What is your earliest memory?
Shielding my eyes from the reflections of the sun on the copper leaves.

How much schooling have you had?
100 years.

Did you enjoy school?
The purpose of nearly my entire existence up to this point in life with encapsulated in my schooling.  Let’s just say I am a true believer.

Where did you learn most of your skills and other abilities?
In my studies as an acolyte.

While growing up, did you have any role models? If so, describe them.
I was provided nameless men to emulate in my dreams.  During my waking days, I was provided a near perfect model to follow by the Most Venerated Servant of the Most Perfect Copper Tree.

While growing up, how did you get along with the other members of your family?
The Most Venerated Servant’s actual three sons (all older than I) treated me with a mix of fear, respect, and love.  4th golden leaf, Most Venerated Servant’s oldest son, was especially kind to me.  He was the one that told me how things truly were and that others envied that I would someday be allowed to leave, but also feared that I would bring back corruption back to the grove rather than what the tree was sending me out to find.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
An emissary of the most eminent tree.

As a child, what were your favorite activities?
Collecting the fallen leaves.  I would frequently be cut doing this, but the beauty of each leaf was so striking that the red marks could not really mar it.

As a child, what kinds of personality traits did you display?
I was an efficient hunter of both man and beast.  But I was weak when it came to the manipulation of others.  I failed in my training many times in that area.

As a child, were you popular? Who were your friends, and what were they like?
My training group included all three sons of the Most Venerated Servant along with 17 other children, 7 boys & 10 girls.  I was the fastest of all 21, but never the strongest.  This helped me learn humility early on.  My 3-not brothers always watched my back.

When and with whom was your first kiss?
I kissed 8th Mauve Branch under the most holy tree 2 months after my 25th finding day.

Are you a virgin? If not, when and with whom did you lose your virginity?
I have weaknesses.  Unspeakable weaknesses.

If you are a supernatural being (i.e. mage, werewolf, vampire), tell the story of how you became what you are or first learned of your own abilities. If you are just a normal human, describe any influences in your past that led you to do the things you do today.  

I am a wood elf.  Metallic copper eyes are rare, but not impossible for a wood elf to have.  At least that is what I try to believe.  Seems reasonable.