After reading back through Races of Faerun and reading some Torah I figured I'd have a goof to try and make the most biblically accurate character to play as in my next campaign.
Vayigash Achrie Ha'Kedosh or וַיִּגַּ֨שׁ אַחֲרֵ֣י הַקְדֹשִׁ is a Male Variant Human Barbarian 6 / Fighter 6 / Rogue 8 with the Hermit Background and his special inventory item related to his Discovery is, "A scroll containing an epic retelling of an ancient record of tablets of law which also encompassing the creation of the Universe as well as the purpose of all things along with the customs of his religion.", but as for weapons he doesn't have much just a walking staff and a sling like a typical ancient worlder.
Appearance
Vayigash Achrie Ha'Kedosh is a slightly athletic pale skinned human whose lightly tanned complexion gives him a moderately handsome appearance couple by charming blue eyes as well as predominantly walnut colored hair flecked with a myriad of other shades garbed similar to the Bedine of the Anauroch Desert or the Mulan of eastern shores of the Sea of Fallen Stars but somehow distinctly different as if their attire belongs to some other time or some other world.
Traits
Personality - I have my own ideas about what is and is not food, and I find the eating habits of those around me fascinating, confusing, or revolting and like a nomad, I can’t settle down in one place for very long.
Ideal - Destiny. Nothing and no one can steer me away from my higher calling. (Any)
Bond - The G-D of my people is a comfort to me so far from home.
Flaw - I remember every insult I’ve received and nurse a silent resentment toward anyone who’s ever wronged me. (He is a barbarian and I needed to explain the rage. Oh, will he rage too. Like full Larry Davd. Two words for you BBEG, "Spite Store", yeah that's right.)
Details
Organizations - The Lost Tribe, an extremely small religious tribe of whom most would consider barbarians with strange customs. Opposite of this the Lost Tribe tends to believe that everyone else is worshipping aliens with extreme powers and not the real thing. They retain a selective diet abstaining from certain unclean foods and products along with a habit of keeping a single day holy out of each week to read from an ancient scroll as well as other strange holidays. Although even those of the Tribe will admit they are truly not certain which days these customs initially fell upon was due to the disorientation from being transported far from their home by the Imaskar Empire to a world which exists on a completely different time scale. Nonetheless, those of this almost unknown Tribe make an attempt in their own way to preserve the culture and belief of their home while lost in the strange diaspora.
Allies - The Cult of Ao, a very small religious cult of no more than a few handful who follow the Hidden One as ardent members treated the cult as little more a passing fad. Once thought to be immensely powerful they are now often disregarded by the public due to the indifference of their deity. Their only Temple was once located in the city of Waterdeep along Trader's Way in the Castle Ward but due to neglect from all but a couple it was annexed by the city renamed the Cynosure and converted into a public forum for the masses. They few in number some of those who would claim to be members of the clergy of Ao would cautiously assist a follower of the Eternal but only because Ao once teleported the Mulhorandi pantheon to Toril, formerly Abeir-Toril, from the home and misunderstand the Lost Tribe to presume this was their pantheon while others may confuse them with the followers of Adama. While they are aware for the Lost Tribe they are typically not hostile towards them instead more often than not they are confused by their religious identity as they never say the name of the one the believe in and Ao was more indifferent towards them than any other group of peoples on Troil recognizing the existence of the Lost Tribe but never once mentioning the one they follow in the Tablets of Fate. (I wanted at least one Ally so I figured they are an ally but also not really. Mostly they are just confused.)
Enemies-
The Adama, a mortal believed to be the reincarnated aspect of Satama who the representation of all things is believed by the Durpari in the Shining Lands to not just be a deity but everything and all things including the absolute will of the people. They seek nothing more than to replace the Eternal with the Adama to represent their will largely due to the absence of Eternal. Although by religious doctrine they are opposed to killing directly they instead employ both illusion magic and psychologically manipulating to trick their foes into killing themselves, sacrificing others or worse join them. Their belief system is quite similar to that of the Tribe who follow the Eternal, but their dogma is a system corrupted by selfish vanity and egotistical arrogance.
The Chosen of Auril, an arrogant and vain order of worshippers who revere the Cold Goddess primarily out of fear seeking to place all under her icy embrace. The Forst Maiden out of complete contempt for anything that would bring happiness to someone hates the Eternal, but it is extremely unlikely any are aware of the existence of the Tribe who are devoted to the Eternal.
Bhaal, a nearly dead deity who once was the Lord of Murder located on the Astral Plane devoid of any power left to slowly dwindle from existence. A long brewing hatred from before Ao transported the Mulhorandi pantheon to Abeir-Toril has stained the heart of this ancient deity only remembered by the Tribe who favor the Eternal.
The Church of Bane, a dedicated and stable secretarial group of worshippers who violently seek to put the entirety of existence under their dominion. While the Black Hand which controls the Church may be aware of the Tribe who believe in the Eternal and among his scant few followers it is unlikely any, but the some of esteemed dictators may.
The Temples of Helm, a stout band of protectors who worship the Vigilant One by humbly and independently come together to shield the innocent and safeguard those who have no other defense. Simply due to fear of threat to the realm Helm is vigilant but not openly hostile of those who pledge themselves to the Eternal as they try to keep track of their Tribe.
The Church of Shar, a sublet group of deceitful worshippers of the Mistress of Night who malevolently seek to restore the Lady of Loss to her former power from the Underdark. She merely seeks to trick the followers of the Eternal for sheer delight. There may be a handful of drow somewhere very deep in the Underdark who would be aware of the Eternal but only if Shar were to inform them.
The City of Pyratar, a city in the far southeast of Faerun in the region of the Golden Waters whose citizens blame the Eternal for a massive flood which killed thousands in mere days driving their ruler Supreme Potentate Anwir Dupretiskava, a blue dragon who had previously usurped power disguised as the human, due to a story from the religious scroll of the Eternal. They seek nothing more than the glory of the Adama the One who is a mortal incarnate believed by the Durpari who are the descendants of the Mulan who invaded the Shining Lands to dominate it.
The Clergy of Mask, a seclusive aristocracy of con-artist and thieves devoted to the Lord of Shadows carrying out complex heist to take advantage of the unwary in order to own everything for the simple sake of possessing it. Although not aware of the details Mask and their followers would covet anything beheld by a follower of the Eternal due to the rarity of such an object. Myrkul, a nearly dead deity located on the Astral Plane devoid of any power left to slowly dwindle from existence. The former deity of decay laments the absence of the Eternal from death upon the Astral Sea.
The Chruch of Mystra, an assortment of all manner of spellcasters who worship the Mother of All Magic who methodically keep watch over all magical research regulating the advancement and dissemination of magical knowledge through the realms. She and her followers are well aware of the Eternal in the higher circles of their establishment and although they may not naturally be inclined towards hostilities they would do all the can to prevent the progress of those who dedicate themselves to the Eternal.
Backstory
Vayigash Achrie Ha'Kedosh has only sporadic memories of a past long ago from some other world or plane of existence so distant and far back in history that even he does not know where this place was. In this hazy memory he can remember being devoted to an incorporeal deity whom he believed ruled over all things alongside the memory of the lash of a whip wielded by those now known as Mulan who mocked his monotheistic devotion placing all their belief in the Mulhorandi pantheon. The vague remembrance of the Imaskar whisking the Mulan away in bondage along with him to some new world is also hidden in these fragments of his past. From these earliest memories he can recall almost nothing apart from service to a high ranking official of the Imaskar Empire who promised him freedom for his service but then for his faith in the Eternal left to die in a desert as a cruel twist upon his agreement. However, he did not die or at least he does not have a memory of that. Instead, these early memories are followed by flickers of him falling from atop Mount Celestia intertwined with glimpses of tumbling down through the Nine Hells. The memories seem to be hauntings, something distance and slightly obscured so as to make him anxious when dwelling upon them. It is as if they came from a time so long ago, they would be best left forgotten. There is one memory he does feel compelled to meditate upon; a change in his body as some blessed part of his soul was awakened as if he was tested in a manner in which he was sure to fail so as to know him truly and having wrestled with a power higher than any other during this test he returned to the voice of the Eternal as if from a dream. Were these memories he was so sure of even true? He would not be able to say but he has conviction that they are as real as the only concrete memory he has; waking up from an inebriated stupor feeling weakened from some unknow experience which he has complete faith is linked to an unknown destiny.
Other Details
NAME - וַיִּגַּ֨שׁ אַחֲרֵ֣י הַקְדֹשִׁ Loosely translates to Vayigash Achrie Ha'Kedosh or he who came after the Holy meaning one who follows or believes in the Holy.
DESTINY - Vayigash Achrie Ha'Kedosh was long ago blessed by the Eternal before he was even enslaved by those remembered as the Mulan on Toril who along with their possessions were taken from their home world and enslaved by the Imaskar Empire sometime while the First Temple was established. His father had believed in the word of Amos and never wavered from his faith in giving sacrifice at the Temple, even when forced through the desert in order to bypass the roadblocks created by Jeroboam II. When the Neo-Assyrians invaded his father fought and becoming enslaved by them. Later a wife was forced upon his father who at first believed she was a curse due to the arrangement being forced but after having a son he grew to love her. It was not long after the birth of this son that the Imaskar Empire would invade and take his family along with his captors to Abeir-Toril. Vayigash Achrie Ha'Kedosh was born on Earth but raised on Toril only to be sold to a Genie who was tricked into releasing Vayigash Achrie Ha'Kedosh and in return Vayigash Achrie Ha'Kedosh was tricked by the Genie who did in fact release him into a desert created by the aftermath of magic so strong nothing could survive where its power was exerted due to his faith in the G-D of his father. Something larger than must have approved of his faith because as a blessing and a destiny he somehow managed his way onto the Infinite Staircase for some reason. In this pursuit he has awoken an internal gift allowing him to bridge the gap between the divine and the arcane when casting by progressing through the several challenges faced at each level of Mount Celestia and very recently threw himself from the cliffs of Solania and into the Nine Hells only to return stronger having resisted the temptations of the now deceased deity Bhaal who as a final blessing to atone for his misgiving upon understanding their final fate decided to aide him in his quest towards ascension if only so that Bhaal's own name would be remembered even if he was to be a husk no longer worshiped lost upon the Astral Plane. Chaim is one of the only true worshippers of Eternal although there may be less than a handful of others somewhere out there and although his patron is indifferent, he still serves him devoutly albeit recently tempted, sundered and returned anew. With each challenge he is returned to the Prime Material and left weakened until he can regain his strength, finding new strength where he was previously left wanting only to ultimately find his way back to the Celestial Stairway where he becomes ageless for a time while he tries once again to summit the mountain to escape Toril, formerly Abeir-Troil and claim his birthright on his home planet of the existence of his origin.
ENCHANTED ITEM WISH LIST
Common - Boots of False Tracks, Clothes of Mending, Horn of Silent Alarm, Lock of Trickery, Orb of Direction, Orb of Time, Pipe of Smoke Monsters, Pole of Angling, Pot of Awaking (Ginyak), & Spyglass of Clairvoyance.
Uncommon - Alchemy Jug Ⓚ (Mayonnaise replaced with milk and yes my gear is Kosher Certified I spent an extra gold per ration in character creation to be certain!), Amulet of Proof Against Detection and Location (A), Bag of Bounty, Eversmoking Bottle, Necklace of Adaptation (A), Periapt of Health, Portal Compass, & Rope of Climbing.
Rare - Cloak of Displacement (A), Instant Fortress, Dimensional Shackles, Folding Boat, Portable Hole, Iron Bands of Binding, & Periapt of Proof Against Poison.
Very Rare - Manual of Bodily Health, Manual of Gainful Exercise, Manual of Quickness of Action, Tome of Clear Thought, Tomb of Leadership and Influence, & Tome of Understanding. Legendary - Tablet of Reawakening & Ring of Three Wishes.
Personal Artifact (optional) - Shofar: +10 Horn instrument / Requires Attunement from a Bard / MBP: Once attuned to the Shofar, you can’t be blinded, deafened, petrified, or stunned. This benefit persists even while unattuned to the Shofar for an entire year. / While attuned to the Shofar, you can’t be charmed or frightened. This benefit persists even while unattuned to the Shofar for an entire year. / By performing a specific combination of blast, the Shofar can produce a sound which can be heard up to 1,200 miles away. This affect is not negated by the deafen condition of any structure which might similarly impede sound and anyone that hears the call knows precisely where it came from. The Shofar can only be attuned to once a year and after blowing the Shofar the player is no longer attuned to it.
So, I couldn't actually make a Cleric. Yev-hey-vev-hey doesn't have a portfolio and would be above Ao who couldn't be the same because Alpha Omega is Greek so close but not quite and I like that sort of works for how obscure and out of place. They are a Tribe too so Barbarian as a base fits and also of course there is the Jewish rage. I mean... you get me pissed off and... well.... but of course I couldn't be just like a Barbarian that is Conan and not at all it. And after some recent edits because a friend and I were discussing I had to drop magic all together. The Divine powers from the Zealot Barbarian is okay because it doesn't say what domain or deity it comes from so it can come from anywhere and specifically no divine power explicitly mentioned in game. I liked it! But I do favor multiclassing these days having played a very long time and so I multi-classed into Fighter for Champion so I could say I was the Champion of the Lost Tribe leading them along the Infinite Stairwell trying to find our way home. Then Inquisitive I figured would be super handy because I would need to protect myself against the threats of pagans or other deities who might trick me. Finally I took Chef at level four and linguist level at since I am rolling as a Variant Human. I know it hurt in the low levels but I have to be able to cook my own food. I don't think Faerun has a lot of Kosher restraints. I mean anyone seen a Mendy's Deli on the map in Waterdeep? Also Hebrew isn't an official language so I'll need to be able to know a cypher or essentially my own language that I would have to teach
Shoot, I am glad I wrote this out. It helped me think. I really don't think I can class into magics. So I really and back to the drawing board. By the way I haven't played this character yet. They are still in "gestation" we'll say so the level 20 is just to road map fully then I will down level to one and play.
The Weave is a construct of Mystra which is paganism and all Arcane based casting would be under her influence. That is a sin. Hrm.....
Warlock is out because if I sell my soul to something else I'd be a member of that covenant. Poop.
The Barbarian Zealot I feel could still be okay because I don't receive a Domain ergo I am not a member of any diety within the Forgotten Realms and instead it could be construed that my Divine powers are being influenced from else where. Plus in the class description it reads that my patron is "otherworldly" so I think that is safe.
Maybe I could go into a Fighter Champion too because I like the idea of being a Champion of the people. Plus the extended critical are nice.
Maybe Inquisitive has a place too. Having to sus out clues on the Infinite Staircase to find my way home makes sense.
I think you can build a biblically accurate character (depending on how you define it) that doesn't require you to play a martial character who won't get Extra Attack until 15th level.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
I think you can build a biblically accurate character (depending on how you define it) that doesn't require you to play a martial character who won't get Extra Attack until 15th level.
Actually, I had to rework it again. I pulled in my fellow Jewish friends and asked some questions of a Rabbi. The premise of making a Jewish character in a game itself is questionable but I want to role-play killing the Egyptian, Norse, and Canaanite deities as well as all the other false idols of the pagans. So, we had fun discussing it. Here is what I believe will be the Final Version:
He needed to be tribal as an ancient Israelite so his organization and tribe is:
"The Lost Tribe, an extremely nomadic tribe of religious zealots most consider uncivilized barbarians with strange customs. They believe in G-D whose name they never speak and consider all others to be pagans who worship false idols that have somehow managed to manifests extreme powers. As such they make attempts to resist directly using anything which may receive power from those who they describe as a pagan deity or their divine domain such as arcane magic due to the influence of Mystra, natural magic due to the influence of Silvanus or any divine magic which would require converting to a pagan deity to receive it. They will however use enchanted items which they view as tools or even occasionally befriend as well as employ those who do have such powers. The pragmatism of their religious laws which forbids them from forcing their beliefs on others as sojourners is often confusing to outsiders especially considering how few membersof the Tribe there actually are. They retain a selective diet abstaining from certain unclean foods and products along with a habit of keeping a single day holy out of each week to read from an ancient scroll written in a strange language only they know as well as keep other strange holidays that fall along a calendar only they keep track of. Although even those of the Tribe will admit they are truly not certain which days these customs originally fell upon was due to the initial disorientation from being transported far from their home by the Imaskar Empire to a world which exists on a completely different time scale. Nonetheless, those of this almost unknown Tribe make an attempt in their own way to preserve the culture and belief of their home while lost in the strange diaspora."
The Commandment is there shall be no others (...) you shall not worship false idols:
Given that magic is generally not permitted because it is controlled by a deity. Thus we cannot directly use these powers. Enchanted items would be a different situation as they are tools empowered by someone who called upon a pagan deity to give it power or used some part of their Domain to do it; however, this act of paganism already passed and thus using it isn't necessarily a sin. Potions on the other hand could be because they are ingested and thus only Kosher potions can be quaffed.
As such I switched the Hermit Background for the Far Traveler Background and plan to pick up Alchemist Supplies later on. The initial reason was so that I could make Kosher oil which would be a requirement. Healing potions are nice and all but I have to be able to produce Kosher oil and Soap to burn and Wash - also Kosher candles. Since the character is from the time of the First Temple the holiday of Chanukah isn't a holiday yet but I still need Kosher candles for Shabbat. Ultimately the background trait of standing out and ability to take Alchemist Supplies later on in the build made more sense.
Now as for the class builds and why:
The Path of the Zealot from the Barbarian class never explains where the power for Divine Fury comes from. All we know is that it is divine and so it was determined this is kosher as it could be rationalized that is is our G-D empowering the character and not any in game with a Domain. A Warlock sells themselves, Wizards use the Weave controlled by Mystra, Bards and Sorcerers are egoist which is like the Adama who are essentially Jesus freaks thinking they are living deities. Of course Clerics and Paladins get powers from a deity in game with a Domain and Druids and Rangers practice an method of deriving powers directly called out in the Torah as paganism. The Sorcereress will be a special enemy for me to hate because there are a ton of Commandments about them! So, the Zealot Barbarian was really the only one that was Kosher and gave me some sort of divine aspect to the character.
Battlemaster from the Fighter class I took because Champion really wasn't that great. It made me a better skill money but I am already going to get that from Rogue. Instead I wanted to buff my lacking Charisma skills and be able to better observe the environment. This character has been through Heaven and Hell refusing both as paganism and their deities as false idols only to return to Faerun with vague memories of this past to haunt him, weakened to level one, and on the path to find Ao so that he can demand his people go free. Life on the Wheel requires he knows his environment. Finally it gave me Rally and some nice hit-em-ups plus Student of War gave me Calligraphy meaning he can copy a Torah fulfilling that Commandment.
Oh, I had to take Linguist as my Variant Human Feat so that I would have Hebrew as my Cypher and then my level 4 Feat is Chef for Kosher cooking. Until then I have a lower Wisdom to represent this missing proficiency. Like he knows he needs to keep Kosher but how can he do that in Faerun and then by level 4 he figures it out and starts cooking.
Now the final class is the Inquisitive from Rogue and this is to give him the ability to tell if some Celestial cohort of a pagan deity or their demonspawn is trying to trick him into converting. Also again as a Planar nomad he needs to be able to spot things and find his way around.
Oh, I should mention I made every deity from Faerun and a few dead ones enemies of mine to various degrees. No deity likes me because they are pagans but not all are hostile. To account for this a few organization are loosely my ally. Like maybe they won't go out of their way to assist me but if I am in Neverwinter the Lord's Alliance won't let the Church of Helm murder me in the street sort of thing.
That is the build and I know a mono-class of bi-class is stronger but I think this guy is going to be fun. I want to start with the Storm King module because the Nephilim are pagans and the whole David verses Goliath thing can happen with their pagan idol. From there it would be cool to establish a base on the Radiant Citadel and go looking for my other lost tribesmen while I try to find a way to confront Ao and demand the release of my people.
Unless everyone else in the party is also doing this, I don't see how this character could possibly actually work in a group since they've functionally declared everyone not of their faith to be an enemy. And as a solo character, this build is unlikely to be nearly as much fun as you think it's going to be. But you do you.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
Unless everyone else in the party is also doing this, I don't see how this character could possibly actually work in a group since they've functionally declared everyone not of their faith to be an enemy. And as a solo character, this build is unlikely to be nearly as much fun as you think it's going to be. But you do you.
Nah, his Tribal law is pragmatic. They may be pagans but he is a sojourner among them. Don't start nothing and nothing will get started however he would kill their deity if the opportunity presented itself. Maybe not with them in the party though.
See Ao started something by bringing the Canaanite, Greek, Norse, Celtic and Egyptian deities over to Faerun. Now we got an issue and Vayigash Achrie Ha'Kedosh is going to see to it.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Life is Cast by Random Dice"
Burn my candle twice.
I have done my life justice
Against random dice.
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
After reading back through Races of Faerun and reading some Torah I figured I'd have a goof to try and make the most biblically accurate character to play as in my next campaign.
וַיִּגַּ֨שׁ אַחֲרֵ֣י הַקְדֹשִׁ MAX LEVEL's Character Sheet - D&D Beyond (dndbeyond.com) - Max Level
LEVEL ONE START - וַיִּגַּ֨שׁ אַחֲרֵ֣י הַקְדֹשִׁ's Character Sheet - D&D Beyond (dndbeyond.com) - I had some money from the starting equipment and sold my greataxe because I wanted a quaterstaff and sling so I was able to get some minor items like a block and tackle to help me lift my gear.
Vayigash Achrie Ha'Kedosh or וַיִּגַּ֨שׁ אַחֲרֵ֣י הַקְדֹשִׁ is a Male Variant Human Barbarian 6 / Fighter 6 / Rogue 8 with the Hermit Background and his special inventory item related to his Discovery is, "A scroll containing an epic retelling of an ancient record of tablets of law which also encompassing the creation of the Universe as well as the purpose of all things along with the customs of his religion.", but as for weapons he doesn't have much just a walking staff and a sling like a typical ancient worlder.
Appearance
Vayigash Achrie Ha'Kedosh is a slightly athletic pale skinned human whose lightly tanned complexion gives him a moderately handsome appearance couple by charming blue eyes as well as predominantly walnut colored hair flecked with a myriad of other shades garbed similar to the Bedine of the Anauroch Desert or the Mulan of eastern shores of the Sea of Fallen Stars but somehow distinctly different as if their attire belongs to some other time or some other world.
Traits
Personality - I have my own ideas about what is and is not food, and I find the eating habits of those around me fascinating, confusing, or revolting and like a nomad, I can’t settle down in one place for very long.
Ideal - Destiny. Nothing and no one can steer me away from my higher calling. (Any)
Bond - The G-D of my people is a comfort to me so far from home.
Flaw - I remember every insult I’ve received and nurse a silent resentment toward anyone who’s ever wronged me. (He is a barbarian and I needed to explain the rage. Oh, will he rage too. Like full Larry Davd. Two words for you BBEG, "Spite Store", yeah that's right.)
Details
Organizations - The Lost Tribe, an extremely small religious tribe of whom most would consider barbarians with strange customs. Opposite of this the Lost Tribe tends to believe that everyone else is worshipping aliens with extreme powers and not the real thing. They retain a selective diet abstaining from certain unclean foods and products along with a habit of keeping a single day holy out of each week to read from an ancient scroll as well as other strange holidays. Although even those of the Tribe will admit they are truly not certain which days these customs initially fell upon was due to the disorientation from being transported far from their home by the Imaskar Empire to a world which exists on a completely different time scale. Nonetheless, those of this almost unknown Tribe make an attempt in their own way to preserve the culture and belief of their home while lost in the strange diaspora.
Allies - The Cult of Ao, a very small religious cult of no more than a few handful who follow the Hidden One as ardent members treated the cult as little more a passing fad. Once thought to be immensely powerful they are now often disregarded by the public due to the indifference of their deity. Their only Temple was once located in the city of Waterdeep along Trader's Way in the Castle Ward but due to neglect from all but a couple it was annexed by the city renamed the Cynosure and converted into a public forum for the masses. They few in number some of those who would claim to be members of the clergy of Ao would cautiously assist a follower of the Eternal but only because Ao once teleported the Mulhorandi pantheon to Toril, formerly Abeir-Toril, from the home and misunderstand the Lost Tribe to presume this was their pantheon while others may confuse them with the followers of Adama. While they are aware for the Lost Tribe they are typically not hostile towards them instead more often than not they are confused by their religious identity as they never say the name of the one the believe in and Ao was more indifferent towards them than any other group of peoples on Troil recognizing the existence of the Lost Tribe but never once mentioning the one they follow in the Tablets of Fate. (I wanted at least one Ally so I figured they are an ally but also not really. Mostly they are just confused.)
Enemies -
The Adama, a mortal believed to be the reincarnated aspect of Satama who the representation of all things is believed by the Durpari in the Shining Lands to not just be a deity but everything and all things including the absolute will of the people. They seek nothing more than to replace the Eternal with the Adama to represent their will largely due to the absence of Eternal. Although by religious doctrine they are opposed to killing directly they instead employ both illusion magic and psychologically manipulating to trick their foes into killing themselves, sacrificing others or worse join them. Their belief system is quite similar to that of the Tribe who follow the Eternal, but their dogma is a system corrupted by selfish vanity and egotistical arrogance.
The Chosen of Auril, an arrogant and vain order of worshippers who revere the Cold Goddess primarily out of fear seeking to place all under her icy embrace. The Forst Maiden out of complete contempt for anything that would bring happiness to someone hates the Eternal, but it is extremely unlikely any are aware of the existence of the Tribe who are devoted to the Eternal.
Bhaal, a nearly dead deity who once was the Lord of Murder located on the Astral Plane devoid of any power left to slowly dwindle from existence. A long brewing hatred from before Ao transported the Mulhorandi pantheon to Abeir-Toril has stained the heart of this ancient deity only remembered by the Tribe who favor the Eternal.
The Church of Bane, a dedicated and stable secretarial group of worshippers who violently seek to put the entirety of existence under their dominion. While the Black Hand which controls the Church may be aware of the Tribe who believe in the Eternal and among his scant few followers it is unlikely any, but the some of esteemed dictators may.
The Temples of Helm, a stout band of protectors who worship the Vigilant One by humbly and independently come together to shield the innocent and safeguard those who have no other defense. Simply due to fear of threat to the realm Helm is vigilant but not openly hostile of those who pledge themselves to the Eternal as they try to keep track of their Tribe.
The Church of Shar, a sublet group of deceitful worshippers of the Mistress of Night who malevolently seek to restore the Lady of Loss to her former power from the Underdark. She merely seeks to trick the followers of the Eternal for sheer delight. There may be a handful of drow somewhere very deep in the Underdark who would be aware of the Eternal but only if Shar were to inform them.
The City of Pyratar, a city in the far southeast of Faerun in the region of the Golden Waters whose citizens blame the Eternal for a massive flood which killed thousands in mere days driving their ruler Supreme Potentate Anwir Dupretiskava, a blue dragon who had previously usurped power disguised as the human, due to a story from the religious scroll of the Eternal. They seek nothing more than the glory of the Adama the One who is a mortal incarnate believed by the Durpari who are the descendants of the Mulan who invaded the Shining Lands to dominate it.
The Clergy of Mask, a seclusive aristocracy of con-artist and thieves devoted to the Lord of Shadows carrying out complex heist to take advantage of the unwary in order to own everything for the simple sake of possessing it. Although not aware of the details Mask and their followers would covet anything beheld by a follower of the Eternal due to the rarity of such an object. Myrkul, a nearly dead deity located on the Astral Plane devoid of any power left to slowly dwindle from existence. The former deity of decay laments the absence of the Eternal from death upon the Astral Sea.
The Chruch of Mystra, an assortment of all manner of spellcasters who worship the Mother of All Magic who methodically keep watch over all magical research regulating the advancement and dissemination of magical knowledge through the realms. She and her followers are well aware of the Eternal in the higher circles of their establishment and although they may not naturally be inclined towards hostilities they would do all the can to prevent the progress of those who dedicate themselves to the Eternal.
Backstory
Vayigash Achrie Ha'Kedosh has only sporadic memories of a past long ago from some other world or plane of existence so distant and far back in history that even he does not know where this place was. In this hazy memory he can remember being devoted to an incorporeal deity whom he believed ruled over all things alongside the memory of the lash of a whip wielded by those now known as Mulan who mocked his monotheistic devotion placing all their belief in the Mulhorandi pantheon. The vague remembrance of the Imaskar whisking the Mulan away in bondage along with him to some new world is also hidden in these fragments of his past. From these earliest memories he can recall almost nothing apart from service to a high ranking official of the Imaskar Empire who promised him freedom for his service but then for his faith in the Eternal left to die in a desert as a cruel twist upon his agreement. However, he did not die or at least he does not have a memory of that. Instead, these early memories are followed by flickers of him falling from atop Mount Celestia intertwined with glimpses of tumbling down through the Nine Hells. The memories seem to be hauntings, something distance and slightly obscured so as to make him anxious when dwelling upon them. It is as if they came from a time so long ago, they would be best left forgotten. There is one memory he does feel compelled to meditate upon; a change in his body as some blessed part of his soul was awakened as if he was tested in a manner in which he was sure to fail so as to know him truly and having wrestled with a power higher than any other during this test he returned to the voice of the Eternal as if from a dream. Were these memories he was so sure of even true? He would not be able to say but he has conviction that they are as real as the only concrete memory he has; waking up from an inebriated stupor feeling weakened from some unknow experience which he has complete faith is linked to an unknown destiny.
Other Details
NAME - וַיִּגַּ֨שׁ אַחֲרֵ֣י הַקְדֹשִׁ Loosely translates to Vayigash Achrie Ha'Kedosh or he who came after the Holy meaning one who follows or believes in the Holy.
DESTINY - Vayigash Achrie Ha'Kedosh was long ago blessed by the Eternal before he was even enslaved by those remembered as the Mulan on Toril who along with their possessions were taken from their home world and enslaved by the Imaskar Empire sometime while the First Temple was established. His father had believed in the word of Amos and never wavered from his faith in giving sacrifice at the Temple, even when forced through the desert in order to bypass the roadblocks created by Jeroboam II. When the Neo-Assyrians invaded his father fought and becoming enslaved by them. Later a wife was forced upon his father who at first believed she was a curse due to the arrangement being forced but after having a son he grew to love her. It was not long after the birth of this son that the Imaskar Empire would invade and take his family along with his captors to Abeir-Toril. Vayigash Achrie Ha'Kedosh was born on Earth but raised on Toril only to be sold to a Genie who was tricked into releasing Vayigash Achrie Ha'Kedosh and in return Vayigash Achrie Ha'Kedosh was tricked by the Genie who did in fact release him into a desert created by the aftermath of magic so strong nothing could survive where its power was exerted due to his faith in the G-D of his father. Something larger than must have approved of his faith because as a blessing and a destiny he somehow managed his way onto the Infinite Staircase for some reason. In this pursuit he has awoken an internal gift allowing him to bridge the gap between the divine and the arcane when casting by progressing through the several challenges faced at each level of Mount Celestia and very recently threw himself from the cliffs of Solania and into the Nine Hells only to return stronger having resisted the temptations of the now deceased deity Bhaal who as a final blessing to atone for his misgiving upon understanding their final fate decided to aide him in his quest towards ascension if only so that Bhaal's own name would be remembered even if he was to be a husk no longer worshiped lost upon the Astral Plane. Chaim is one of the only true worshippers of Eternal although there may be less than a handful of others somewhere out there and although his patron is indifferent, he still serves him devoutly albeit recently tempted, sundered and returned anew. With each challenge he is returned to the Prime Material and left weakened until he can regain his strength, finding new strength where he was previously left wanting only to ultimately find his way back to the Celestial Stairway where he becomes ageless for a time while he tries once again to summit the mountain to escape Toril, formerly Abeir-Troil and claim his birthright on his home planet of the existence of his origin.
ENCHANTED ITEM WISH LIST
Common - Boots of False Tracks, Clothes of Mending, Horn of Silent Alarm, Lock of Trickery, Orb of Direction, Orb of Time, Pipe of Smoke Monsters, Pole of Angling, Pot of Awaking (Ginyak), & Spyglass of Clairvoyance.
Uncommon - Alchemy Jug Ⓚ (Mayonnaise replaced with milk and yes my gear is Kosher Certified I spent an extra gold per ration in character creation to be certain!), Amulet of Proof Against Detection and Location (A), Bag of Bounty, Eversmoking Bottle, Necklace of Adaptation (A), Periapt of Health, Portal Compass, & Rope of Climbing.
Rare - Cloak of Displacement (A), Instant Fortress, Dimensional Shackles, Folding Boat, Portable Hole, Iron Bands of Binding, & Periapt of Proof Against Poison.
Very Rare - Manual of Bodily Health, Manual of Gainful Exercise, Manual of Quickness of Action, Tome of Clear Thought, Tomb of Leadership and Influence, & Tome of Understanding. Legendary - Tablet of Reawakening & Ring of Three Wishes.
Personal Artifact (optional) - Shofar: +10 Horn instrument / Requires Attunement from a Bard / MBP: Once attuned to the Shofar, you can’t be blinded, deafened, petrified, or stunned. This benefit persists even while unattuned to the Shofar for an entire year. / While attuned to the Shofar, you can’t be charmed or frightened. This benefit persists even while unattuned to the Shofar for an entire year. / By performing a specific combination of blast, the Shofar can produce a sound which can be heard up to 1,200 miles away. This affect is not negated by the deafen condition of any structure which might similarly impede sound and anyone that hears the call knows precisely where it came from. The Shofar can only be attuned to once a year and after blowing the Shofar the player is no longer attuned to it.
LEVEL GUIDE
1 - Barbarian / Feat: Linguist - Abyssal, Deep Speech, Sylvan
2 - Barbarian
3 - Barbarian / Path: Zealot / Fury: Radiant
4 - Barbarian / Feat: Chef - Constitution / Proficiencies: Athletics & Survival
5 - Fighter
6 - Fighter
7 - Fighter / Archetype: Champion
8 - Fighter / Feat: Skill Expert - Perception, Investigation & Strength
9 - Rogue / Proficiencies: Insight / Expertise: Insight & Perception / Archetype: Inquisitive
10 - Rogue
11 - Rogue
12 - Rogue / Feat: Prodigy - Primordial, Arcana, Religion, Horn
13 - Rogue
14 - Rogue / Expertise: Nature & Survival
15 - Fighter
16 - Fighter / Feat: Mage Slayer
17 - Rogue
18 - Rogue / Feat: Tough
19 - Barbarian
20 - Barbarian
Additional Considerations
So, I couldn't actually make a Cleric. Yev-hey-vev-hey doesn't have a portfolio and would be above Ao who couldn't be the same because Alpha Omega is Greek so close but not quite and I like that sort of works for how obscure and out of place. They are a Tribe too so Barbarian as a base fits and also of course there is the Jewish rage. I mean... you get me pissed off and... well.... but of course I couldn't be just like a Barbarian that is Conan and not at all it. And after some recent edits because a friend and I were discussing I had to drop magic all together. The Divine powers from the Zealot Barbarian is okay because it doesn't say what domain or deity it comes from so it can come from anywhere and specifically no divine power explicitly mentioned in game. I liked it! But I do favor multiclassing these days having played a very long time and so I multi-classed into Fighter for Champion so I could say I was the Champion of the Lost Tribe leading them along the Infinite Stairwell trying to find our way home. Then Inquisitive I figured would be super handy because I would need to protect myself against the threats of pagans or other deities who might trick me. Finally I took Chef at level four and linguist level at since I am rolling as a Variant Human. I know it hurt in the low levels but I have to be able to cook my own food. I don't think Faerun has a lot of Kosher restraints. I mean anyone seen a Mendy's Deli on the map in Waterdeep? Also Hebrew isn't an official language so I'll need to be able to know a cypher or essentially my own language that I would have to teach
"Life is Cast by Random Dice"
Burn my candle twice.
I have done my life justice
Against random dice.
Shoot, I am glad I wrote this out. It helped me think. I really don't think I can class into magics. So I really and back to the drawing board. By the way I haven't played this character yet. They are still in "gestation" we'll say so the level 20 is just to road map fully then I will down level to one and play.
The Weave is a construct of Mystra which is paganism and all Arcane based casting would be under her influence. That is a sin. Hrm.....
Warlock is out because if I sell my soul to something else I'd be a member of that covenant. Poop.
The Barbarian Zealot I feel could still be okay because I don't receive a Domain ergo I am not a member of any diety within the Forgotten Realms and instead it could be construed that my Divine powers are being influenced from else where. Plus in the class description it reads that my patron is "otherworldly" so I think that is safe.
Maybe I could go into a Fighter Champion too because I like the idea of being a Champion of the people. Plus the extended critical are nice.
Maybe Inquisitive has a place too. Having to sus out clues on the Infinite Staircase to find my way home makes sense.
"Life is Cast by Random Dice"
Burn my candle twice.
I have done my life justice
Against random dice.
Updated to weed oy the paganism of the first build, might edit more....
"Life is Cast by Random Dice"
Burn my candle twice.
I have done my life justice
Against random dice.
I think you can build a biblically accurate character (depending on how you define it) that doesn't require you to play a martial character who won't get Extra Attack until 15th level.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
Actually, I had to rework it again. I pulled in my fellow Jewish friends and asked some questions of a Rabbi. The premise of making a Jewish character in a game itself is questionable but I want to role-play killing the Egyptian, Norse, and Canaanite deities as well as all the other false idols of the pagans. So, we had fun discussing it. Here is what I believe will be the Final Version:
https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/115209964
He needed to be tribal as an ancient Israelite so his organization and tribe is:
"The Lost Tribe, an extremely nomadic tribe of religious zealots most consider uncivilized barbarians with strange customs. They believe in G-D whose name they never speak and consider all others to be pagans who worship false idols that have somehow managed to manifests extreme powers. As such they make attempts to resist directly using anything which may receive power from those who they describe as a pagan deity or their divine domain such as arcane magic due to the influence of Mystra, natural magic due to the influence of Silvanus or any divine magic which would require converting to a pagan deity to receive it. They will however use enchanted items which they view as tools or even occasionally befriend as well as employ those who do have such powers. The pragmatism of their religious laws which forbids them from forcing their beliefs on others as sojourners is often confusing to outsiders especially considering how few membersof the Tribe there actually are. They retain a selective diet abstaining from certain unclean foods and products along with a habit of keeping a single day holy out of each week to read from an ancient scroll written in a strange language only they know as well as keep other strange holidays that fall along a calendar only they keep track of. Although even those of the Tribe will admit they are truly not certain which days these customs originally fell upon was due to the initial disorientation from being transported far from their home by the Imaskar Empire to a world which exists on a completely different time scale. Nonetheless, those of this almost unknown Tribe make an attempt in their own way to preserve the culture and belief of their home while lost in the strange diaspora."
The Commandment is there shall be no others (...) you shall not worship false idols:
Given that magic is generally not permitted because it is controlled by a deity. Thus we cannot directly use these powers. Enchanted items would be a different situation as they are tools empowered by someone who called upon a pagan deity to give it power or used some part of their Domain to do it; however, this act of paganism already passed and thus using it isn't necessarily a sin. Potions on the other hand could be because they are ingested and thus only Kosher potions can be quaffed.
As such I switched the Hermit Background for the Far Traveler Background and plan to pick up Alchemist Supplies later on. The initial reason was so that I could make Kosher oil which would be a requirement. Healing potions are nice and all but I have to be able to produce Kosher oil and Soap to burn and Wash - also Kosher candles. Since the character is from the time of the First Temple the holiday of Chanukah isn't a holiday yet but I still need Kosher candles for Shabbat. Ultimately the background trait of standing out and ability to take Alchemist Supplies later on in the build made more sense.
Now as for the class builds and why:
The Path of the Zealot from the Barbarian class never explains where the power for Divine Fury comes from. All we know is that it is divine and so it was determined this is kosher as it could be rationalized that is is our G-D empowering the character and not any in game with a Domain. A Warlock sells themselves, Wizards use the Weave controlled by Mystra, Bards and Sorcerers are egoist which is like the Adama who are essentially Jesus freaks thinking they are living deities. Of course Clerics and Paladins get powers from a deity in game with a Domain and Druids and Rangers practice an method of deriving powers directly called out in the Torah as paganism. The Sorcereress will be a special enemy for me to hate because there are a ton of Commandments about them! So, the Zealot Barbarian was really the only one that was Kosher and gave me some sort of divine aspect to the character.
Battlemaster from the Fighter class I took because Champion really wasn't that great. It made me a better skill money but I am already going to get that from Rogue. Instead I wanted to buff my lacking Charisma skills and be able to better observe the environment. This character has been through Heaven and Hell refusing both as paganism and their deities as false idols only to return to Faerun with vague memories of this past to haunt him, weakened to level one, and on the path to find Ao so that he can demand his people go free. Life on the Wheel requires he knows his environment. Finally it gave me Rally and some nice hit-em-ups plus Student of War gave me Calligraphy meaning he can copy a Torah fulfilling that Commandment.
Oh, I had to take Linguist as my Variant Human Feat so that I would have Hebrew as my Cypher and then my level 4 Feat is Chef for Kosher cooking. Until then I have a lower Wisdom to represent this missing proficiency. Like he knows he needs to keep Kosher but how can he do that in Faerun and then by level 4 he figures it out and starts cooking.
Now the final class is the Inquisitive from Rogue and this is to give him the ability to tell if some Celestial cohort of a pagan deity or their demonspawn is trying to trick him into converting. Also again as a Planar nomad he needs to be able to spot things and find his way around.
Oh, I should mention I made every deity from Faerun and a few dead ones enemies of mine to various degrees. No deity likes me because they are pagans but not all are hostile. To account for this a few organization are loosely my ally. Like maybe they won't go out of their way to assist me but if I am in Neverwinter the Lord's Alliance won't let the Church of Helm murder me in the street sort of thing.
That is the build and I know a mono-class of bi-class is stronger but I think this guy is going to be fun. I want to start with the Storm King module because the Nephilim are pagans and the whole David verses Goliath thing can happen with their pagan idol. From there it would be cool to establish a base on the Radiant Citadel and go looking for my other lost tribesmen while I try to find a way to confront Ao and demand the release of my people.
"Life is Cast by Random Dice"
Burn my candle twice.
I have done my life justice
Against random dice.
Unless everyone else in the party is also doing this, I don't see how this character could possibly actually work in a group since they've functionally declared everyone not of their faith to be an enemy. And as a solo character, this build is unlikely to be nearly as much fun as you think it's going to be. But you do you.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
Nah, his Tribal law is pragmatic. They may be pagans but he is a sojourner among them. Don't start nothing and nothing will get started however he would kill their deity if the opportunity presented itself. Maybe not with them in the party though.
See Ao started something by bringing the Canaanite, Greek, Norse, Celtic and Egyptian deities over to Faerun. Now we got an issue and Vayigash Achrie Ha'Kedosh is going to see to it.
"Life is Cast by Random Dice"
Burn my candle twice.
I have done my life justice
Against random dice.