Well, Cernd is just a weak character. We need to give him something that will add interest - yeah, metaphors are interesting, I suppose, but there is something eating away at Cernd.

AIMS

- To give Cernd something that will make him interesting as a character, make the PC want to actually keep him in the party.
- To give him some interesting, nature related quests and expand upon the Druid Grove


IDEAS

- Expand upon his relationship with his former wife and child. Give him the option of leaving the party to look after his son, or at least stay with him for periods.
- Expand upon NPC reactions to his so-called 'abandonment' of his wife. He really got the blame here, when really it was his wife's fault.

DISCUSSION TOPICS

- What should we do with Cernd's sun? Should we provide other options?
- Was his abandonment of his wife REALLY his fault? Does he deserve to be cut a bit of slack?
- What other options could we give him in relation to his wife/child? 



DISCUSSION THREAD:

Feuille:

I think YES, he should be cut slack. There wasn't an option to be on *his* side, there was against and then neutral, but I wanted to help him! It wasn't his fault - he didn't *know* she was pregnant. They agreed it *together*. Is he prescient? No! Grrrr...



Moongaze:

Galia (his wife) knew, and she didn't tell him. disgusted She didn't even bother going to him, or send a messenger. Aye, Cernd is a druid, but that doesn't mean he should have known. Geez...



Kae:

True. smile

But, I'm really unhappy with the fact that he simply leaves Ahsdale at the grove. I mean, thats just a tad irresponsible, and, more importantly, it causes a very sad end to Cernd's tale.

I'd like to add another option, if possible - Cernd already realises that he was so obsessed with nature he was completely out of balance himself.. IMO, would he then continue to be unbalanced by leaving his only son in the hands of others? Neutral



Tameon:

Ashdale was only an infant when he left him at the grove. At most, a year goes by during the time Cernd travels with CHARNAME. I doubt his Epilogue was influenced by that year. And for the record, I'm completely opposed to altering his current Epilogue; adding a new, possible Epilogue would be fine, though. I just think, honestly, that Cernd's Epilogue was probably the coolest of them all, next to Haer 'Dalis's and Jan's.

But anyway, would you stay at home and take care of your baby (who already had a safe place to go to) or travel with CHARNAME and save the world (or at least, most of it)? I think he made the right choice.



Kae:


I suppose so. smile

And yes, I usually am this pigheaded! XD

I also like his epilogue, but I'd like it to be possible for him to have a similarly good happy one. Not a 'lala they lived happily ever after' but ending on something a bit more positive.

Despite what Undertaker said, IMO more Epilogues is a GOOD thing. It makes me want to play to get them all!



Kae:

Buh, don't mind me, just posting an idea.

Cernd really needs added interest. I was just thinking he needs a crisis of faith, and came up with this tidbit.. what do you think?

Cernd: <CHARNAME>, can I speak with you for a moment?
PC: Uh, sure..
Cernd: Have you ever been assailed with the feeling that what you are doing is wrong? The vague, tantalising feeling an oak feels when it holds on to an acorn, and knows he should not?
PC: Many times, Cernd. Being a child of Bhaal.. it makes me think about my situation a lot. And whether I'm doing the right thing.



Feuille:

That's really cool! Very Happy

But - is he having the crisis of faith about the whole natury thing, or is it just about his son?

If it's about his son ... maybe the metaphor should be sort of the opposite of what it is now. Because the metaphor is saying that the tree is hanging on to the "son"...you could make the metaphor REALLY meaningful!



Kae:

Well, I was thinking there could be a new quest or something which REALLY shakes his faith in the balance, and makes him rethink his views on life, the universe and Ahsdale.

So, the acorn is hanging onto the tree, eh? wink

OR, maybe, the tree drops the acorn prematurely, and it might wither and die...



Feuille:

Quote:
makes him rethink his views on life, the universe and Ahsdale.


Not life, the universe and everything then? Razz

Are there any well-known animals that leave their young to fend for themselves? We could use that. I'm faintly an idiot though so I can't think of anything at the mo!

Hmm...let's see. What kind of quest could it be...it should probably be something where his opinion is asked for and his advice taken by a non-joinable NPC, and then that advice has an adverse affect on people's lives and nature. Not sure how we'd get the PC to have some stuff to do in that, though.



Kae:

Hm. Perhaps the incident with the Grove could have a little more effect on him, too... he seems fairly blase about the whole thing, really XD

Turtles? Muh, I don't know...

The other idea is brill... but, what could he suggest, and what could the problem be?

And well, we wouldn't have to let the PC join in... or perhaps this person is being held captive... or something.