My play-by-post is just getting up to the sword-feast of 487, and what with Excalibur kickstarting the magical forces that later manifest into the enchantment of Britain, I figure it's time to start getting some of the players involved with magic on a more personal level, to whit, I figure now is as good a time as any to throw a faerie child into the mix. One of the player knights is a female pagan, noteworthy for a facial disfigurement, well known for ferocity and bloodlust, and discreetly in a romance with another female knight. She is the last of her dynasty, and getting up in years, so she seems the perfect candidate to foist the little gumdrop on. I talked it over with the player and they're on board, but seemed more enthusiastic about the prospect of a half demon than a half faerie. I didn't see a problem with that, after all, according to Geoffrey of Monmouth, Merlin himself was a cambion or a fiend, the son of a mortal woman by an incubus. So it was with Merlin's mother, so it was with the player knight.

So right now, I'm trying to figure out how best to handle the little hellion from a mechanics standpoint, I'm tempted to treat Drusus/Drusila (the planned names) exactly the same as a faerie child, only with a different array of attributes. I'm aware that the Fiend Knight is already a statted monster in the GPC and is unequivocably evil, but barring that, I'm looking for ways to make the child an interesting roleplay challenge while still playable as a character. Any thoughts?

Well, based on the material if you baptize the little hellion immediately that ought to keep him from being irredeemably evil. We can assume the Fiend Knight did not benefit from this treatment, of course. There's an opportunity for the pregnancy to demonstrate a "clear" connection (to the local people, clergy and/or bishop) with not only pagan but infernal influences, which might call for an... intervention... during birth.

If the PK doesn't have a Hate(Church) passion yet, she might well get one.

The wee bairn, however, would grow up under her shadow but chart the course for his own soul.

Stat-wise, just juggle the attributes in a fashion to reflect his heritage and call it a day. Merlin, for example, is fiendishly strong! (This could also be magic.) The Fiend Knight probably has stats that point toward bonuses, as well.

Excellent plot, by the way. Do let us know how it works out!

--Khanwulf

The attributes I'm thinking of are a reversal of the faerie child stats, which are –4 to SIZ, -4 to STR, +4 DEX, +4 CON and +6 to APP. Faerie children are supposed to be small and slim, but graceful, robust and beautiful. A fiend on the other hand is supposed to be large and strong, but clumsy and hideous. So something like +3 SIZ, +6 STR, -3 DEX, +3 CON, -3 APP. That all works out to the same net stat bonus of +6 that the faerie child gets. Normal distribution of stat points would look like:

15 SIZ
18 STR
9 DEX
15 CON
9 APP

Only slightly min-maxed for 7d6 damage:

21 SIZ
18 STR
8 DEX
11 CON
8 APP

And one would only be 6 winter trainings and or glory bonuses away from 24 STR, which would bump you up to 8d6 damage.

Of course it's possible that these attribute modifiers are overpowered since they play into the min-maxed combat ideal, on the other hand my players (with the exception of Scarik) haven't worked out that SIZ rules all yet, so I'm not overly bothered.

Perhaps a good counterbalance would be to take the difference out in traits, being a half demon, a good roleplay challenge would be to overcome their darker nature.

5 Chaste / Lustful, 15
13 Energetic / Lazy, 7
5 Forgiving / Vengeful, 15
5 Generous / Selfish, 15
5 Honest / Deceitful, 15
5 Just / Arbitrary, 15
5 Merciful / Cruel, 15
7 Modest / Proud, 13
10 Pious / Worldly, 10
10 Prudent / Reckless, 10
10 Temperate / Indulgent, 10
10 Trusting / Suspicious,
15 Valorous / Cowardly. 5

Whatever you do, resist the urge to make this character superior to humans in every way. That would be contrary to legend, where humans live in the human world are are best suited for it, whereas beings from other realms have serious weaknesses here. Make it so the weakness is interesting for play, despite the flaws of being semihuman. The risk to not do this is that that the game can otherwise too easily become entirely centered around such a character.

Whatever you do, resist the urge to make this character superior to humans in every way. That would be contrary to legend, where humans live in the human world are are best suited for it, whereas beings from other realms have serious weaknesses here. Make it so the weakness is interesting for play, despite the flaws of being semihuman. The risk to not do this is that that the game can otherwise too easily become entirely centered around such a character.

Do you think what I've currently written is too powerful? If so, how would you personally balance it?

Your stat spread is +3 total. Are you using houserules mentioned on these forums that award glory for courtly activities based on APP and not on flat amounts? If so, then -6 APP is appropriate. If not, then +0 CON perhaps? Starting the child with that spread of traits as well would be appropriate, modified slightly by starting character adjustments to some degree so the player has some input.

The point being that this child, as he or she grows up, will do so hampered by at least an aura of ugliness in behavior if not appearance--one which he can either embrace or fight against. While physically formidable, the world naturally rejects him and that must be overcome. This contrasts with the Fae, who are beautiful and graceful in every courtly and natural way, but fragile and as unsuited to the world of Britain as a rapier is to a heavy horse charge.

--Khanwulf

Or worse yet, everyone wants to play one.