Chapter 2: Character Background

Every Demigod has a rich and unique history that shapes their motivations, beliefs, and abilities. Your character's backstory is the foundation upon which their adventures in Demayth will unfold. It is the story of their past, the events that have molded them, the relationships that define them, and the driving force that compels them to embark on a path of adventure.

Before you delve into the details of your character's past, consider these fundamental aspects of their identity:

  • Alignment: Choose an alignment that reflects your Demigod's moral and ethical compass. Your alignment will guide your character's actions and decisions throughout their journey.
  • Deity: While not all Demigods actively worship a deity, many feel a connection to one of the Elder Divine, or to a specific Exalted One. Does your character follow a particular deity? If not, what are their beliefs about the Divine?

Exploring Your History

Consider these questions thoughtfully ā€“ the answers will bring your character to life!

Divine Lineage

Your connection to the Divine is paramount.

  • Which Elder Divine and Exalted One(s) does your character trace their lineage back to? Does this connection come through your mother, your father, or both?
  • Which Demigod Race does this make you (e.g., Slagpin, Okand, KeyKoryan, Elf)?
  • How does this lineage manifest in your character? Does it grant specific abilities (Bloodline Magic)?
  • How does your character feel about their heritage? Is it a source of pride, shame, or responsibility?

Character Age

Demigods experience time differently than mortals.

  • External Age: How old do they appear? At what point did their aging cease?
  • Actual Age: How many decades or centuries have they truly lived?
  • Historical Context: What major historical events (like the Great War) have they lived through?

Birthplace and Homeland

  • Describe their birthplace. Was it a bustling city on True Gaia, a hidden forest on Tovak, or a nomadic camp on Kordan?
  • What was the environment like? How did it shape their survival skills?
  • What was the dominant culture? Was it human-dominated, Demigod-dominated, or mixed?

Family or Clan

  • Describe their relationship with their parents (mortal, Demigod, or Exalted?).
  • If part of a Demigod clan, what is the clan's name, reputation, and traditions?
  • Did they inherit any significant heirlooms or burdens from their family?

Enemies and Allies

  • Allies: Childhood friends, mentors, or members of an organization. Why are they allies?
  • Enemies: Past betrayals, rivals, or groups like the Mal Kye who seek your downfall.
  • Are these enemies actively hunting them?

Teachers and Mentors

  • Identify the key individuals who taught your character (parent, guild master, wandering sage).
  • What specific skills did they impart? (Combat, magical arts, survival, etc.)

The Call to Adventure

  • Was it a single, dramatic event (a village destroyed, a prophecy revealed)?
  • Was it a gradual realization (a yearning for purpose, a desire to see the world)?
  • What was the immediate goal they set out to achieve?

The Nine Alignments

Alignment serves as a compass, reflecting your character's core values and their approach to morality. It is a spectrum, capable of evolving as your character grows.

| Alignment | Description | | :--- | :--- | | Lawful Good | Honorable and just; unwavering in adherence to order and the principles of Light. | | Neutral Good | Kind and compassionate; driven to do good without being bound by strict codes. | | Chaotic Good | Independent and rebellious; following their own moral compass for a good cause. | | Lawful Neutral | Disciplined and methodical; valuing tradition and law above all else. | | Neutral | Pragmatic and adaptable; prioritizing personal survival or balance. | | Chaotic Neutral | Unpredictable and independent; valuing personal freedom above all else. | | Lawful Evil | Tyrannical and controlling; seeking power through ruthless, orderly means. | | Neutral Evil | Selfish and opportunistic; driven by personal gain with no regard for others. | | Chaotic Evil | Destructive and impulsive; reveling in mayhem and base impulses. |

Example Backstory: Elara Dawnwhisper

Caelic Pathfinder

Character Name: Elara Dawnwhisper
Race: Caelic
Actual Age: 68 (Appears 25)
Alignment: Neutral Good

Divine Lineage

  • Elder Divine: Lyate (Goddess of Love)
  • Exalted Mother: Seraphina, a Heartmender Exalted One.
  • Celestial Father: Lumiel, a Golden Warrior of Tor Ray Say.

The Story of Elara

"My name is Elara Dawnwhisper. I'm a Caelic. My mother is an Exalted One of Lyate, and my father was a Celestial, a Golden Warrior serving Tor Ray Say. I never knew him; he was gone before I was born, back to the Divine Realm.

Growing up in Aerie's Rest was peaceful, mostly. But there were my wings. Hawk wings, they are. They made me different, even among the Demigods who passed through. Mother taught me about compassion and healingā€”the way of Lyate. But there's a restlessness in me. Old Borin Stonehand, a grizzled mountaineer, taught me how to survive and track. 'You have the heart of a warrior, Ellie,' he'd say.

The dreams started a few years ago. A shadowy figure defiling a place connected to my father. Then the smugglers got bolder, eventually raiding Aerie's Rest. When I saw them threatening my home, something snapped. My hands glowed with a light that wasn't gentle like Mother's magic. It burned like the sun.

I'm leaving the only home I've ever known, searching for answers and a way to stop whatever darkness is coming. I'm Elara Dawnwhisper, and this is just the beginning."

Document your journey in your "Book of Wisdom".