37 replies to this topic

[Shinook]

Hello ! I present you now a project I already started, in my french community. To me, Jaheira and Cernd are annoying and I decided to create a new NPC, Flora, who is a druidess ( with no special kit ). The mod will have at least two new maps : "Bois-Vert" ( a big forest with a village, dolmens and a Druid's tree house ), and a Donjon for a personnal quest of Flora ( using a donated map ). There will be a romance and several banters with all the other NPCs.
Flora was found near the village of Bois-Vert and educated by her adoptive mother. Everybody knew that she was the daughter of a Dryade and a Human, so she was rejected by all the villagers. Her mother died when she was confined and she doesn't know her father. But she met, one day, a Druid who was very kind with her, and he started to teach her the art of listening talking to Nature. This is how she could be a druidess.

When the PCs arrive to the village, Flora doesn't want to join them by now. It needs to wait the night, during which the village will be attacked by wyverns. The villagers show her who is bannished of the village, and the Druid, who can just run away not to be killed. To take again her place, she decides to inquire by herself and find the one who sent the wyverns, because she was sure it was not her master. At this moment, the PCs can ask to accompany her in her quest. If they succeed, Flora will have again her place in the village, and excuses, but will prefer to stay with you. In reward, her equipement ( not magic ) will be enchanted.

Name : Flora
Race : Female Human
Class : Druidess
Alignment : Neutral
Level : 11 ( but it depends on the PC's level )
Age : 19



STR 8
DEX 14
CON 13
INT 14
WIS 17
CHA 16

Equipment ( which is not magic at the beginning ) : Magic gauntlets ( AC 4 and +1 to all the saving throws), Magic staff ( +1, Free action, +1 Priest slot to the levels 5 and 6 ), magic amulet ( +4 to the saving throws against polymorphism ).

Saving throws against paralysis... : 6
Saving throws against wands : 10
Saving throws against petrification... : 9
Saving throws against breath : 12
Saving throws against spells : 11

Edited by Shinook, 30 June 2005 - 05:32 AM.

[Pex657]

You said you already started, have any screenshots? I like the idea, hope to see it out soon.

[Shinook]

Nope, sorry... I started the project only 3 weeks ago. Or the moment, I'm writting the scenario and all I need. But when I'll have some, I'll post them here.
But I can say that she will have the appearance of a female mage elf for the animation and the inventory screen, with brown in main color and green ( forest ) for the minor color. The hair will be like the portrait.

Oh, another thing, I'm not sure, but I think she will not be able to wear armors, because it's not very beautiful , or jut a leather armor.

[Pex657]

Oh, another thing, I'm not sure, but I think she will not be able to wear armors, because it's not very beautiful mellow.gif , or jut a leather armor.

Hm.. She might be a bit week when it comes to the AC. You might instead of making the item AC4, make it something like it drops the AC down 4 and then maybe give her a little highter of dex. Sounds really kool so far, especially the new areas B)

[Shinook]

Yes, her gauntlets, when enchanted, will give her a 4 AC ^^. Moreover, she will have a lot of spells, especially to heal and protect, so I don't know if it's necessary to increase her dex. But I can give her a 2 AC by changing the gauntlets, for example.

Edited by Shinook, 29 June 2005 - 11:09 PM.

[Pex657]

I guess you are right. Also.. STR 8 is a little low??? Really couldn't hold much. But I guess she makes up for it other ways. Are you creating te new map yourself? Or is it borrowed from another map(or game)?

[Shinook]

For the forest map, I'm creating it by myself, with tiles I've picked up from the original maps. So it's a big and hard work for me, but I think I'll succeed.

[T.G.Maestro]

Sorry, but that superhuman 19 WIS is out fo question for a 19 years old girl, no matter her profession.
I'd heavily suggest toning that down to 17 or 18 (whic still isn't very reasonable).

[Kaeloree]

Oh, darn, I was going to use that portrait for Illyria.. Oh well, back to the drawing board I suppose

Sounds like a wonderful idea, Shinook. The only problem I have with it is that she is an orphan.. it seems to me an idea that is overused a bit.

Anyway, I'll definately watch the progress of this!

[TruePurple]

Confined? Care to elaborate?

Perhaps you could tune down the tragedy? Maybe some of the villagers reject her but others are fine with it, some uncomfortable with it but try not to show it.

Maybe she could live with a parent instead of being adopted, the other parent stuck in unknown circumstances that she doesn't know of because few like to speak of it (but she can find out latter on and maybe even assist)

Perhaps she stays with the party as a favor for you helping with the wvyrm plus a little hunger for adventure, verses a needy... noone wants me thing. She could be preciouses and somewhat of a trouble maker, even though she often doesn't mean to. Alot of energy, curiousity, and zest for life drive her. One day in the forest that she knows and loves, she comes across the druid/ess that many in the town shun from his/her quite strange solitary ways but she gets to know and grows a attachment to and gets taught the craft.

Well just some ideas that I'd thought I'd throw out. I like your stuff too, except for a little excess of melodrama. Speaking of, that image looks nice but that character is wearing way too much make up(especially for a nature loving druid) and a giant tear in the main portrait really gives the feeling of melodrama, as though crying was what she spends most of her time doing.

Edited by TruePurple, 30 June 2005 - 02:08 AM.

[Shinook]

Sorry, but that superhuman 19 WIS is out fo question for a 19 years old girl, no matter her profession.
I'd heavily suggest toning that down to 17 or 18 (whic still isn't very reasonable).

Hum, indeed, you're right, it's impossible for a human first, and for a young woman too. And if I give her a 17 or 18 in wisdom, I will be able to increase the constitution or the dexterity. It's a good suggestion T.G.Maestro .

@K'aeloree : arf , sorry if I stole your portrait... I saw it and immediately I found it beautiful and I thought it would be the best portrait for Flora.
Then, I know the orphan story is overused ^^, but she doesn't insist on this aspect of her life. She nearly forgot this part. She prefers talking about Nature...
An idea for her father I had a few days ago :

Keldorn

But this aspect won't take all the place of the banters of Flora, it's just an event for her background, to make her more tenderizing .

@TruePurple : Your ideas are very interesting, I think about it and we'll see.
Yes, the problem with the portrait is the big tear, and she looks a bit sad, but I like this portrait ^^. She wants to be loved, integrated into a group, discover the world, nature. So she can have a melodrama side, but also a happy side.

Edited by Shinook, 30 June 2005 - 02:19 AM.

[TruePurple]

Well like I edited in earlier, Allot of energy, curiosity, and zest for life could drive her. If she has ties to the community, this could be a point of interaction and quests latter on. Instead of being a living bleeding heart. The quintessential helpless/needy emotional sexy women. (eyck )

Are you against male dryad? If so she could live with her father, (unless your really keen on that character you mentioned) her mother having been taken away by some villains for some terrible use or reason. (I could think up something but if you were to ever use it I'd have posted a spoiler and right now I don't feel like using allot of white ) Her father tried to find out best he could what happened, trying to rescue his wife but tied down with taking care of her eventually gave up.

Clues from him and other locations could allow you to eventually help her mother. Finishing this quest could give her a boost of wisdom, gained from her mother, she would temporarily leave your party at this point, to be available to rejoin latter with the improved wisdom. Otherwise if you don't mind a male dryad, it could be the other way around. *shrugs*

Edited by TruePurple, 30 June 2005 - 02:53 AM.

[Shinook]

It was just an idea jestey, but I don't know this character very well, so you're maybe right.
I think it's more natural, usual she has a Dryad mother, TruePurple. But she could have been taken away nevertheless ^^. By finding her father, Flora could have clues, but when she would find her mother, she would be dead, unfortunately, or failing. Then, why not, her wisdom could be improved, but I don't know how and why ? Can you develop ?
Argh.... Another big quest. No more quests please, I want to finish this mod one day !

For the tear in the portrait, I could delete it with Paint Shop Pro. I think it's possible.

Edited by Shinook, 30 June 2005 - 03:00 AM.

[TruePurple]

Then, why not, her wisdom could be improved, but I don't know how and why ? Can you develop ?

I take it, like jastey, english is not your native tongue. You might need to rephrase your questions because I do not quit understand. If I understand what your asking, then see below in orange.

  By finding her father, Flora could have clues, but when she would find her mother, she would be dead, unfortunately, or failing.

Well I'd personally prefer that she lived with her father. I'd like it if she had two lovingly devoted parents. If her father is alive, that father should be taking care of her. That kind of love would make for a richer character and background, instead of tedious continual pain.

Likewise her mother should be in reasonable health, or reasonably brought back to health. Not dead or failing. She would leave the party to go live with her mother for a bit, to nurse her back to health and enjoy the company of the mother she barely knew. This is where the bonus wisdom would come from, her mother. When spending time with her mother, mom would pass down wisdom, plus the general relief and joy would be a source of wisdom. (if that was what you were asking earlier)

Edited by TruePurple, 30 June 2005 - 03:24 AM.

[Shinook]

I take it, like jastey, english is not your native tongue. You might need to rephrase your questions because I do not quit understand. If I understand what your asking, then see below in orange.

Lol, I'm sorry. I have to improve my English ^^, I am only 18, and French ( I should travel to england or USA... :closedeyes: ).

Well I'd personally prefer that she lived with her father. I'd like it if she had two lovingly devoted parents. If her father is alive, that father should be taking care of her. That kind of love would make for a richer character and background, instead of tedious continual pain.

Ok, it could be better for the NPC. In that case, I could create a little map in forest with only the house of Flora's parents ?

Likewise her mother should be in reasonable health, or reasonably brought back to health. Not dead or failing. She would leave the party to go live with her mother for a bit, to nurse her back to health and enjoy the company of the mother she barely knew. This is where the bonus wisdom would come from, her mother. When spending time with her mother, mom would pass down wisdom, plus the general relief and joy would be a source of wisdom. (if that was what you were asking earlier)

That's it ^^. Thank you for your suggestions.


Edit : I edited the portrait, Wisdom and Dexterity. Look at the first post.

Edited by Shinook, 30 June 2005 - 03:36 AM.

[T.G.Maestro]

Hum, indeed, you're right, it's impossible for a human first, and for a young woman too. And if I give her a 17 or 18 in wisdom, I will be able to increase the constitution or the dexterity. It's a good suggestion T.G.Maestro

I'm glad I could help.
Just a minor suggestion though: because of the same reason (she is young and all), I wouldn't recommend increasing her CON that much, 13 would be an acceptable maximum. Her Dex is very high as well, increasing that would need some explanation too. So as a summary, my vote goes for 17 WIS and 13 CON to compensate - and to keep her STR/DEX unchanged.

[Shinook]

It's another possibility. She has enough points in dexterity.

For the father, he could be a Paladin, who had to inquire for his temple, so he couldn't stay with the Dryad and didn't see his daughter. He's inquiring on the region, and learn there is the daughter of a Dryad and a Human in this village, so he understands immediately, and send a message to Flora for a date in Athkatla. There, he tells her that some Dryads are imprisoned in the donjon of a sorcerer ( the same who attacked the village with the wyverns ) and his compagny and him have to kill him and release the Dryads. Flora understands that her mother could be there, and is volunteer to go there. The PCs can go with her.
So finally, she is no more rejected by the villagers, and thanked by the Paladins ( and by another personn, but this is spoiler ). The dad and mum are alive and live now in a little house, in the forest.

What do you think about the edited portrait ?

Edited by Shinook, 30 June 2005 - 05:42 AM.

[T.G.Maestro]

What do you think about the edited portrait ?

Better.

[Shinook]

( Last post edited )

I've read the part in the Manual of the Forgotten Realms ( D&D3.5 ) concerning Mailikki, and Flora could really be one of her follower. I think she will have her own kit , finally. It would be better for her personnality and her interaction with NPCs. Is it a good idea ?