Thinking about this a bit more, and clarifying my Quest:

Ollie has determined the Perpetual Eating Machine of Ever-Hungry Sizzerack can only be defeated by a breed of ants or termites that lives far underground. The demon, or whatsit, possessing the relentlessly (but slow) forest-mowing contraption has protected itself against anything other than these supposedly humble insects. He suspects that pouring part of a colony down its magical-mechanical gullet might let them chew up the insides enough to break it. Unfortunately, any overland critter - including ants and termites - have been warded against.

This is why he needs to go into the dungeon worlds.

So… as far as motif, and the fact that we've established that he speaks Insect, maybe the Cosmogonies and Social Philosophies that interest him (as a motif) are related to colonies, types of non-verbal communication, contrasts with the kinds of communiques of other types of creatures. This can get into metaphysics, too, I suppose.

Something along those lines.

I do like him being into ointments and tinctures and incenses and chiropracty and massage in a gnome-New Agey way, though.

HMtW pg 24:

"You should never feel locked into the choices you make about your adventurer. You may change a motif during the City Phase if you and the GM feel it’s appropriate."

Weird Druid is working great, but Roots-and-Vine Mancer seems to do the same thing. And Bird's Nest Surgeon sorta just describes how Ollie treats wounds (shambolic and dusty jury-rigs).

I'm okay if Roots-and-Vines is sort of more environmental ecology, maybe used to suss out water flows or exposure to moisture, how fungus or algae is growing in piles and ponds, while Weird Druid is more about the creatures themselves, maybe like a flora/fauna thing.

But could I swap out Bird's Nest Surgeon to be a bit different? Two ideas:

1. New Agey reiki massage, chiropracty, inner chakras, advice on tinctures and holistic medicines, but in a gnomic way? So instead of being Surgery related (as per the skill) it's more about lore oriented around compounds or substances and their uses as well as weirdo muscle massages or advice on sleeping posture.

2. Or, cosmogonies and zen like meditation and philosophies of nature vs. civilization and such, but in a weirdo gnomic way.

Something along those lines, one or the other?

Just want to check in on the specifics of Ollie's quest. A personal quest isn't something you have in the background while you go dungeoneering for cash and glory. It has to be something that can only be accomplished by going into the Underworld, which is a sucky place that no one enters voluntarily. Is the intent that these "humble" ants/termites only exist in the Underworld? Is there some other element of the plan that absolutely needs something from the Underworld to execute? Etc.

(Ollie and Jack can expect to find some common ground over their personal quests, even if the details differ.)

Gnome, Path of Cups
Swords 2, Pentacles 3, Cups 4, Wands 1
Trained Talents: Weird, Wise, Ancient; Beast Master

Motif 1: Weird Druid
As a bright-eyed yet wizened youth, Ollie was intended to join as an apprentice wizard to the Grand Local Blert, magistrates who oversee the mystic flows and happenings in the Caerbannog region of the vast elfin territories beyond the Holderlin Mountains. Not only did he have no aptitude for magic, it kind of made him nauseous, and he decamped deep in the forests in shame.

Motif 2: Bird's-Nest Surgeon
To make a living, Ollie worked with traveling merchant groups as a go-between, runner and courier, and scout against bandits, but only had a passable business sense and disliked what he considered the manipulatons of jacking prices up for profit. Instead he discovered a budding ability to deliver order from mess in terms of repairing, treating, curing, healing.

Quest: Destroy the Perpetual Eating Machine of Ever-Hungry Sizzerack
The vast forest lands of Ollie's voluntary charge have been plagued by an ancient and supposedly possessed threshing machine crunching through the dense growth on its green-juiced tracks, blades and pistons flying, leaving empty swaths in long, senseless patterns. Studying its path, Ollie has determined it will reach the nearest elfin village in 333 years — or 333 days, it's unclear — and the only way to destroy it is to reach for the supposedly humble. This would be a hive of Burgundy-Sheen Bounding Inferno Ants — or they're actually termites, also not actually clear. These would be poured into the infernal steam machinery and ostensibly chew them to bits.

Motif 3: Root and Vine Mancer
In his wild and wooly ways, Ollie is an expert at reading, understanding, and interpreting the pulses of organic life in an almost psychometric way. While he doesn't understand magic, he understands the real, which includes the minds and patterns of animals, insects, the thirst of tubers for rain.

Pimento
Ollie's familiar is a red-crested woodpecker named Pimento, who follows commands and is helping Ollie learn various aspects of surgery (stitching wounds with his beak, for example), and hopefully things like picking locks on wooden doors (or just removing them).

Ollie's Appearance
An unattractive heap of flesh and mushy nose, redcap crushed over his eyes, Ollie wears what seems to be a heap of cloaks with twigs sticking out and dried leaves tumbling out with every move. In these depths Pimento emerges alongside other surprises, much like a Robe of Useful Items.

Ollie's Goals
In addition to solving the whole Perpetual Machine problem, Ollie wants to learn Alchemy and Chirugery better. Also has a interest in fine furniture, although their state isn't quite important. (He likes to feed Pimento rare and unusual types of food, and the grubs that might be in them.)

Agree this can still work in the "Rival" paradigm as you suggest, just leaning in more on the cultural rivalry between the two adventurers.

Love a good character page! Gonna make one for my boy Dardalion.

Also, Eric - I think I'd like to change one of my motifs in town. I'm 'Sardonic Poet', but Dardalion is also a "poet" motif, and I don't think I'm going to be able to keep up with Pete in that regard, and the duplication seems unnecessary. Now, 'Innovative Cook'! That's a new motif to be proud of! I don't think this would change the Bonds between the orc and the elf, since we seem to have enough racial/cultural rivalry to satisfy the bond. Maybe we charge the bond every time Dardalion loves orcish food, or the orc appreciates elven poetry?

EDIT: Guy created on the Adventurer page. New name? þórgrim Kilmeister

https://perchance.org/htmw-quickchar

I think I understand you on the quest. Maybe we can finish sorting that out tonight?

Yes, if you start with Aegis then you can take shields as impoverished items, and if you take Heavy Metal Machine you can take iron/steel armor as impoverished items. However, you can only start with one of them; your two starting talents are a path talent (Aegis or Heavy Metal Machine) and your kin talent (which, as a troll, is Giant Strength).

So here's my new idea for a quest: Defeat the golem that's been plaguing the town.

I would also then change my talent mastery from Reaver to Monster Hunter. I would choose Witch Hunter with a specialization in golems.

How does that all sound?

Also, one other question. In the rulebook it says that any equipment that's required for any of your talents counts as impoverished equipment at the beginning of the game. So, since I have Aegis and Heavy Metal Machine, do I understand that correctly to mean that any shield or iron/steel armor count as impoverished items right now?

Also, it's okay if fulfilling your quest doesn't necessarily fulfill your character's goals. You can just say, "Jack's personal quest is to do [specific thing in the Underworld], and he really really hopes that all of the humans will welcome him as a result." And because fulfilling your quest means your character retires unless he finds a new quest, this gives you an easy option to pick up a new quest and keep playing him because not all of the humans welcomed him. surprisedpikachu.gif

Jack Blacksmith

Troll, Path of Swords
Swords 4, Pentacles 1, Cups 2, Wands 3
Trained Talents: Giant's Strength, Reaver

Jack is an accomplished blacksmith. He is often composed and quiet, but he is given to outbursts of passion and rage under the right circumstances.

Thoughtful Butcher - As all new trolls do, he started off with nothing. His underfolk kin thought it best that he learn a trade, and helped him on his way to becoming a butcher. This challenged young Jack, but slowly he eventually learned through patience and hard work how to carve, slice, and butcher.

Fanatical Blacksmith - His kin thought it best that he try another trade, that of the blacksmith. He got very good at it. So good, that he wouldn't stop talking about it. He eventually alienated everyone with his incessant chatting and boasting.

Boisterous Berserker - Having nowhere else to turn to, he thought he would try his hand at adventuring in the Underworld. His adventuring party was beset by what seemed to be an overwhelming number of foes. He realized the only way to win was to scare them off. He took full advantage of his size and burst into a rage slaying several foes with such zeal that he scared the rest of them off.

Quest - Do one unbelievably good deed to prove himself so he will be welcomed by human society.

I do have a few quibbles — frex, "Vagrant" doesn't really match the description of Filbert's library time, "bookworm" or "bibliophile" might be better? But we can resolve such details along the way.

Y'all probably want to get a head start on choosing your starting items. You can adjust your selection before entering the dungeon, but picking out gear is typically the most time-consuming part of character creation, so it might help to get a rough list together before the first session.

Filbert Dogrope

Halfling, Path of Cups
Swords 1, Pentacles 3, Cups 4, Wands 2
Trained Talents: Hale & Hearty, Alchemy

Filbert serves as the grumbling but loyal butler to an ancient but critically diminished halfling house.

Motif 1: Curious Explorer
Born into the Dogropes, a penniless branch family to the proud Bearbelt halfling house, Filbert's childhood was one of being sent alone into the nearby forest to forage for roots and berries. He thinks back fondly on those carefree days of wandering into caves and sleeping in tree-branches.

Motif 2: Silent Vagrant
Once his parents were brought into the employ of the Bearbelt, Filbert found his presence distasteful to members of the main house. He spent many long days hidden away in corners of the manor's unused and ancient library.

Motif 3: Stoic Butler
Once he became old enough to be used, Filbert quickly proved himself reliable. He works now as the Bearbelt's most loyal (and only) houseman, unquestioningly working to fulfil their erratic whims.

Quest: Procure a live [insert appropriate bear monster here], the family symbol of the Bearbelt house.

Dardalion Dawnlight

High Elf, Path of Pentacles
Swords 3, Pentacles 4, Cups 2, Wands 1
Trained Talents: Read the Past, Fight Dirty

Dardalion blazes brightly through life, shining sword in hand and open heart on his sleeve; swinging from chandeliers, sliding down rooftops, and crooning up to moonlit balconies. Like the golden dawn of his namesake, it can be painful when you stare right at it.

**Motif 1: Travelling Troubadour **
When Dardallion first took on his earthly form, his heart was captured by the music and grace of the mortal world. Inspired by the dancing grass and songs of the wind he took up the lute and began writing songs to woo the heart and sway the soul. While his hands were deft and true, something in his delivery was lost on the audience, and he found his trade was rarely welcomed in any one place for long.

Motif 2: Courtly Cavalier
In his youth, Dardalion showed valor for his liege, leading a company of liveried ostrich riders in (largely ceremonial) clashes against rival houses, cheered by crowds of the Seelie court. It is whispered that an affair gone wrong involving the Duchess Snowblossom (and her spinster sisters) led to the discharge of his commission.

Quest: Retrieve the lost jewels of his lady love’s house
During a dueling competition in the Barrows of the Dark Elves, Dardalion had the good fortune of finding love… from afar. A fellow duelist and his new best friend Salvarion Snakemouth showed him a portrait of the one who would capture his heart. His correspondence with the princess Marshrram Most Beautiful has reached a fevered cadence, but she is stranded across the sea. Tragically, her father's extraordinary debts have precluded the damsel from mounting a return voyage to seal their hearts together. If only Dandelion could recover the lost treasure of her house, their debts could be cleared and their hearts brought together.

Motif 3: Dandy Delver
Thanks to some handy pointers from his dear friend Salvarion Snakemouth (who made the introduction and handles all correspondence with Marsharram!), Dardalion was introduced to the nuanced and lucrative field of dungeoneering. This rare trade called to Dardalion’s noble nature and love for risk-taking. Snakemouth instructed Dardalion on some of the nuances need to bypass the traps and tricks of the Deep Dark, and in addition to passing correspondence to Marsharram, has provided Dardalion with tips, maps and insights to help procure the treasure required to maintain his lady’s many expenses.

Equipment:
Belt: Lamellar Armor + Helm, Buckler, Saber
Pack: Correspondence Kit (L), Elvish Lute, 5 Torches, 10 Rations, Mirror, Cologne, Grooming Kit, Wineskin, Breath Mints, 2 Candles, Flint & Steel

(maybe too much stuff, not sure what stacks)

Vil Indigo

Gnome, Path of Wands

Swords 3, Pentacles 2, Cups 1, Wands 4
Trained Talents: Weird, Wise, Ancient; Dwimmercraft

Vil insists that he is not a gnome. Not one of those those decrepit, old-looking things, no. Instead, he is a Changeling. Taken from his human parents at birth, he was raised by a Dark Elf mortician mother (his Wood Elf father took one look at him and noped out) who did not understand him and kept trying to make him a proper elf (First Motif: Liminal Bastard). At the age of fifteen he ran away from home and tried to make a living as a stage magician, performing simple illusions for gawking human and dwarf audiences (Second Motif: Dishonest Illusionist). He tried living in denial, that seemed like a good plan, but when he noticed his voice changing and hair growing in places it shouldn't, he panicked. He headed to the underworld to find some way of staving off the aging process; magical cosmetics, a fountain of rejuvenation, anything. (Quest: Find a way to preserve his Elfin looks). His first adventure did not go well. He explored a few empty rooms and dusty corridors, and would have just left in disgust, when an obnoxious giant beetle blocked his path. It even had the gall to try to eat him! He fought back by creating an illusion of some rotting meat and the beetle went for it, giving Vil time to escape, though his dignity was badly battered (Final Motif: Feckless Trickster). He has grudgingly accepted that he won't be able to fulfill his quest on his own, and needs to join a guild. They'll be lucky to have him, honestly—just look at him. From a distance, Vil is the most beautiful elf you've ever seen. He's very, very good with blush and eyeliner. Yet close up, the wrinkles have started to show. Whatever you do, never, ever point this out.

As y'all have started discussing character concepts by email (exciting!), I've started a thread here to chat about character ideas. Easy to access! All in one place!

Best,
Eric