Rhaethor the Unclean
My first ‘proper’ foray into Dungeons and Dragons began nearly a year ago, thanks to the first Lockdown imposed by the British government to deal with the Coronavirus pandemic, but since then I haven’t looked back.
HONK, is my University’s Gaming Society-based group, where I began playing Rhaethor The Unclean, a red Dragonborn Fighter, Dragon Knight. I can’t 100% remember whether it was Level 3 or 4, because my note-taking when I started was sporadic, but the records I’ve pieced together after the fact suggest I started him at Level 3.
I chose to play a character who could act as the group’s tank (if you’re unfamiliar, this is an expression of a combat-oriented character who soaks damage and deals it out on the frontline of the attack). Balancing the sweet with the spice I selected the Acolyte background meaning he’d spent a lot of time in temples, acting as a Guardian / muscle, and had a reason for why he was a little good in combat but wasn’t fully exposed to the adventuring life.
One of the main reasons I wanted to play a tank was also to give me the time and space to learn from the rest of the party, who’d been playing the game for longer, and not come straight in and gravitate to a position of leadership. Rhaethor is totally unsuited, at the moment, to be the group’s leader and is much more comfortable following (even begrudgingly) another adventurer as his leader. I don’t know whether this will change but I’d like to doubt it. It’s very empowering not having that kind of responsibility. I like just having myself to myself until someone in the party says “Hulk … smash!” or something similar.
https://giphy.com/gifs/marvel-avengers-captain-america-Ma0a16sQSXlvy
He is inspired by Drax The Destroyer from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. So my approach to Rhaethor has always been as someone who is neurodiverse, a follower of the King of Good Dragons, but who takes everything literally. He means well even if he doesn’t always understand what’s being said.
He is the group’s tank and is currently undertaking a spiritual path which has begun a path where he will explore the responsibilities and expectations of a Paladin. There will be definitely more to come on this in a future post.
I hope this gives an introduction into my first D&D character.
