Hey guys! I'm looking at running another adventure in my homebrew world. Unlike my last adventure, this adventure will not lock you into playing a wizard. You can play any class you'd like. This world is a 4 year project of mine, on top of almost everything 5e official: expect your character to have access to 20 Weskeilian deities, homebrew magic items, spells, and feats.*
Please open and read each spoiler. They all contain important information.
Some world lore(more to be shared with the chosen players)
The realm itself is young, just over 7,000 years. Currently 1,400 years into its 4th era: Weskeilia is blooming again after the devastating ice age that was the 3rd era. The Whiteridge Kingdom is a magnificent place. It's the most populated kingdom on the continent of Aelira, and Whiteridge, the capital city, is home to the Council of Aelira, which is the governing body of Aelira. The Rivenis Kingdom is also a wonder. Dominated by lakes and forests, Rivenis is the farthest west kingdom of Aelira. For all of its glory, it's best known for Ashgate Prison. A Prison that houses some of the most dangerous people on Weskeilia. The prison itself sits on an island, surrounded by lava within the caldera of The Dark Slope, an ancient volcano. There is a place known as The Veiled Forest. It stretches from beyond the borders of the Whiteridge Kingdom to beyond the borders of the Rivenis Kingdom. The forest is shrouded in a strange, mystical darkness. Weird noises can be heard from deep within. Unfortunately for you, Ozemon has sent you into The Veiled Forest, in search of a crypt he believes may or may not actually be there.
Table expectations
I'm extremely beginner friendly. I started DMing 4 years ago with a group of brand new players. 4 years later, we're still playing together, and since then two of them have learned to DM. I will always help you figure something out, just ask. There are no stupid questions. I expect my players to show respect to each other, be LGBTQ+ friendly, and just generally a good person. These are my main rules, and failure to respect your other table members, including me, will get you removed very quickly. Your D&D experience doesn't matter, you can have 30 years under your belt or 30 seconds, I welcome everyone to my table. I am however looking for people who are going to be able to get into character and roleplay. Being a PbP, there isn't any improv, you have time to think about each of your posts. I'm looking for people who are willing to post more than one sentence at a time. I'm also looking for at least one post a day, but preferably more. I will post as much as needed to keep things going.
Game expectations
The majority of this planned adventure will take place in rural and even non-inhabited areas of Weskeilia, though you will occasionally visit a town, or maybe even a city. Be prepared for that. Don't create a character that refuses to leave the city.
Because this is a PbP and combat can be an infamous time killer, I run fewer combat encounters than I do in a normal live game. I replace the combat encounters with puzzles, roleplay, and other dangers. We will have some combat encounters, unless you are the smoothest players ever and avoid all of them. (The same XP is rewarded for avoiding an encounter as is for fighting and winning one. Perhaps even more.)
I tend to run a lighthearted adventure, because we're all here to have fun. That doesn't mean there won't be serious aspects. I plan on attempting to add some horror to this adventure, so if you're uncomfortable with the ideas of something or someone stalking you in the night/forest, or things going bump in the night, this might not be the game for you. I however, don't go into details on most things. There will be no detailed explanations on how you find a body, bloodshed, or things of that nature. Too much detail can make anyone uncomfortable, and we're here to have a good, enjoyable time.
There will be as much roleplay opportunity as you give yourselves and each other, there will be story, adventuring, forests, dungeons??, probably not dragons!, magic, monsters, and combat! Oh, don't forget camping. Enjoy sleeping in those scaring forests!
Players and Characters
I'm looking for 5 players to join on this adventure. Characters will be starting at 3rd level. Variant races are banned. The Tasha's create-your-own-race is banned as well. If you don't own the subclass or race you wish to play, pick it anyway. If you get picked, you will have access to it. No homebrew races, subclasses, or backgrounds will be allowed in this adventure. If your application includes banned material, I will not consider you, as you didn't take the time to read what I took the time to write. It's only fair.
I do not own Strixhaven, so the Owlin race is, unfortunately, unavailable unless you own it. The Owlin race is not banned. I just don't own Strixhaven.
I'm a little chaotic when it comes to picking my players. I'm not going to pick you based on the class you choose. I will just as easily pick 5 paladins as I will 5 different classes. Among other things, I will pick my players based on how much I think I will enjoy your character, and how much I think you will enjoy your character.
Your backstory does not need to be massive. A single paragraph or two is plenty fine enough! Of course, I will never stop someone from writing as much as they want.
Plot hooks
As you will be starting at 3rd level, and you will already be in a group with your fellow adventurers, please include one of these plot hooks with your character.
You arrived at the gates of Whiteridge. While being asked by the guards your business in the city, you were approached by well dressed tiefling man, by the name of Ozemon. He offered you unrestricted access to the city under his name, should you do something in return for him. You accepted.
On a local job board, you found a post calling for adventurers. You took a slip. You met with Ozemon, your benefactor for this job and accepted his proposal.
You or someone you know is a historian, and have studied personally under Ozemon, the magnificent historian. He has asked you to delve into a dungeon and retrieve something of significant importance.
You're a local thief looking to make a name for yourself, whether as a thief or a hero. What could do a better job at that than stealing or retrieving the thing Ozemon has sent so many adventurers out to retrieve.
Alternatively, please share a plot hook of your own, for why you might have gone out on Ozemon's behalf on this adventure and we can workshop it.
Rolling stats
Everyone loves rolling for stats, because it means there's a chance at an 18, but it always sucks when you get those real low rolls. I have implemented a rolling system in previous games, that my players really enjoy so we'll be doing that here as well.
I will go over how my system works with my chosen players. When you make your application roll your ability scores. I allow 1s to be re-rolled once, so be sure to toggle that when rolling your ability scores.
Manipulated rolls and rolls with more than 1 re-roll will be ignored. To circumvent that dreaded manipulated rolls tag, roll your ability scores at the top of the post, push enter and paste the application below. After that, when you edit your post, do not touch the ability scores line. You can then freely edit your application without worry of the manipulated rolls tag. Alternatively roll your ability scores in a post and make your application in a separate post.
If I pick you and your rolls end up getting voided, for any reason whatsoever, I will have you roll brand new stats once we move to a private chat.
Please, do not let the ability scores you roll talk you out of posting a full application. Know that if you roll poor scores, more than likely, you will not be using those scores.
Application Please put your backstory and any images in a spoiler to create clean posts, and save screen space.
Name: Race: Class (Subclass): Background: Backstory
Put your backstory here.
Close Date I plan on closing recruitment on the 13th of May at the latest, though if my last recruitment was any indication, I don't expect it to stay open that long.
Before applying & other information The game will take place here on the D&D Beyond forums, so I can better bounce between this and my current PbP. Please take a moment to check out The Loreweaver's Sanctuary. This is my current PbP. It will give you an idea of my post and play style, as well as what I'm hoping to get from you as a player. If you're a current player in The Loreweaver's Sanctuary, you are free to post an application. You are however less likely to get picked over someone else. I would like to allow more people to join in the fun, instead of selecting a special few over and over again. Feel free to post more than one application. Only roll one set of ability scores. Those scores will be used on any character you create. I ask if you post more than one application, add them all in a single post. Don't create multiple posts if you can help it. You can edit your post to add another application. Post #14 contains some potentially helpful information pertaining to backstory. Post #28 contains some more character rule updates.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Hi. Applied to the previous one, but didn't get picked. I'll try a different character now :)
Seeing if I'm reading this right - so the world is Weskelia, the continent is Aelira, the country is Whiteridge Kingdom and the city is Whiteridge? And we're being sent into the forest, which spans both the Whiteridge Kingdom and the neighboring Rivenis Kingdom to some extent?
Zane is ambitious. As a third son he has nothing to look forward to inheritance-wise and has to make his own fortune. He spent a year with a local adventuring group, which gave him some experience, but they definitely took only the very safe jobs. After hitting his ceiling he tried freelancing as an adventurer (being a bouncer in a dive bar), but after a close call with just four drunk guys he decided that a group setting would suit him better.
(plot hook) The local job board had sucked for a long time. "Find my lost cat" (how ironic) followed by "trail my cheating husband" followed by "protect a caravan" on repeat got really old really fast. He also sorely lacked the experience to apply for the Guard of the Council jobs - the prettiest poster on the job board by far. But this Ozemon fellow assembling a group to go into a forest to find something is definitely looking like an exciting opportunity.
Name: Bertolt Silentlash Race: Human Class (Subclass): Bard (Lore) Background: Cloisted Scholar Backstory
Bertolt was born as the third son of a minor noble family, therefore not in line to inherit anything. Still wanting to be of use to his family, the young noble left his home and took up residence in a prominent school where he excelled. It was not long before Bertolt fell in love with the history of the kingdom and the surrounding world, becoming engrossed in studies for several years.
Before he knew it Bertolt found that his life of study had flew by and other then a few sparce visits with his family he had not done much outside of his studies. With a new goal in mind, Bertolt decided to travel in order to teach and learn first hand. One of the first places he decided to visit was the home of Ozemon the well known historian. They had correspondence in the past and the tiefling was renowned for his collection and knowledge.
(I see Bertolt as being in his late thirties to at most early forties. He is a bookworm that has decided he wants to see the things he read about first hand and is getting to the point where he knows he will be to old to do so soon.)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Rekuberk Onc Level 8 | Half Orc | Barbarian (The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks)
I actually have to character's I'd be interested in playing if that's okay?
Ability scores: 13911131515
Name: Mistral Race: Air Genasi Class (Subclass): Barbarian 1/Monk 2 (Open hand) Background: Urchin Backstory
Mistral grew up scavenging the streets with his father. There’s always a diamond in the rough ready to be found or stolen is what he was taught as some don’t appreciate the value of what they have right under their noses. His father used his sleight frame to suit his own needs and ambitions eventually leaving him for an “opportunity”, alone. Joining a youth gang as a teenager he learned the basics of fighting and the importance of having allies for protection while he waited for his fathers return, a wait that proved fruitless and left him filled with resentment. A few years of turf wars and disorganized petty crime eventually led him to pick a fight with a traveling monk who looked to have some interesting goods for the taking. The monk beat him brutally but saw potential in his resolve and persistence and offered him a chance to refine his skills and leave his life of on the streets. Though reluctant his fellow hooligans pushed him into this opportunity as chances like this were rare for folks like them. So he went with his new mentor: traveling, training, learning and refining not only his physical skills but also his mind. It’s been a decade with his master, he’s since completed most of his training, going through the world scavenging and finding diamonds in the rough, giving things, people etc new homes where they can be appreciated as he himself found.
Avys spent his formative years on a trade caravan, going from city to city, seeing the world and learning the ways of business from a young age. He enjoyed his travels and was fascinated by the various craftsmen that he was able to meet. In spite of this, he's always been reserved and at times cold, in truth he never really got a full grasp of the personal side of business leading to intelligent and savy mind to stall in his progress. Eventually, he found himself in a jewelers shop, a dwarven run, well oiled machine of a business, and that's where he found his home. He trained for several decades under his mentor's clan, becoming, by extension, one of them picking up on some of their habits including a short temper and penchant for violent solutions, juxtaposing his calm, polite and calculated demeanor with explosiveness. Soon enough, he was able to imbue his work with the arcane and uses his jewelry, not just as a source of income, but also power and protection.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Hello ! I'm still a newbie when it comes to DnD Beyond forums, so hopefully I don't mess this up :)
Ability scores : Ability scores: 151810141515
Name: Cougher Race: Kenku Class (Subclass): Wizard (School of Conjuration) Background: Outlander Backstory :
The early life of Cougher was pretty rough, to say the least. She was raised at by her parents, two destitute artisans, who lived of their products in the outskirts of Whiteridge. At the age of 6, a fire in the slums caused the death of her parents, while Cougher miraculously survived. She was then put into an orphanage, where the other children started to call her "Cougher" due to the coughing fits that impaired her ability to mimicry sounds. However, her life quickly turned around only a year after the fire, when a wizard called Reynard visited the orphanage in search of a young magically gifted assistant. Against all odds, Reynard picked her, declaring kenkus have the potential to be extremely talented wizards because of their ability to mimic sounds and tools.
Indeed, Cougher proved herself to be a very dedicated student to arcane, even if she only started to cast cantrips and simple spells in her late teenage years. At first, she mostly ran errands for Reynard in Whiteridge, despite her being uncomfortable and socially awkward most of the time due to the lack of words she knew at first. Over time, she started mimicking Reynard's hoarse voice to cast spells and interact with people in her day-to-day life, even if she lived as a recluse with her master. However, the wizard grew older and sickly, so she became her caretaker and representative for important matters. The latest task given by Reynard was to find an old coworker of his, an historian called Ozemon, and to delve into the Veiled Forest to find a mysterious crypt.
(in case it is not clear, I included the third plot hook in my backstory. I see Cougher being around 18 years old, and Reynard in his late sixties, if that helps)
Seeing if I'm reading this right - so the world is Weskelia, the continent is Aelira, the country is Whiteridge Kingdom and the city is Whiteridge? And we're being sent into the forest, which spans both the Whiteridge Kingdom and the neighboring Rivenis Kingdom to some extent?
That is correct!
The country will technically be both, the Whiteridge and Rivenis territories, solely because the forest sits in both.
Erubus was a foundling and was raised by a Dwarven smith in Whiteridge. Over the years Brathir taught him how to properly shape metal and hone his skills. Brathir was proud of his adopted son and would proclaim as much to any visitors to his smithy. He had a habit of always humming while he worked and even though he enjoying blacksmithing, something was lacking. He became melancholic and he did not understand until he heard the enthralling music of a visiting bard in the tavern. It took him days to muster up the courage to explain to his father that blacksmithing was not enough and that he wanted to be bard. An argument ensued and harsh words were said. Erubus left home soon after, taking his tools with him.
Erubus traveled far to look for a Bardic master but was rebuffed on several occasions and was unceremoniously thrown out onto the streets when he ran out of coins. There on the streets he met Thib the enchanting storyteller. She felt pity and mentored him in the ways of songs and storytelling. He left after learning all he could. For some time he was a wandering Bard sharing his music to earn coin. He thought his days as a black smith was over, but something stirred in his heart whenever he heard the hammer blows on heated metal. Erubus wandered aimlessly for sometime and did not even realized that his heart had led him back home. There he shared an awkward silence as he stared at his father. Tears started falling down Erubus's face and he gave his father a fierce hug. Brathir sighed and let go of his anger and hugged his son back. His heart was finally whole and he discovered a way to marry song and blacksmithing. Now he can create objects with the power of s
One day Clarissa a local historian came to visit the smithy and asked for Erubus's helps. As he knew Erubus has experience traveling. he was excited, but then reluctant to leave. His father gave him a shove and readied his pack. With that he agreed and made his way to Ozeman.
Name: Kaine Scene Race: Human (Variant) Class (Subclass): Wizard (School of Necromancy) Background: Outlander Backstory
Survival at any cost was the creed of his nomadic tribe. It was what he was taught as he grew up, nothing was taboo if it helps insurance one's survival. So when his talents for less savory art of raising the dead was discovered, it was embraced. What books they had on arcane was given and through experiment, he became skilled in the art.
While he was raising the dead, the more able of the clan took occasion jobs, generally raising havoc. Sooner or later, havoc becomes trouble and trouble bring the strongers. The very able of the clan were killed. Only report of their deaths made it back, not who or why. A decision could be made on how to proceed so the survivors scattered to the four winds.
Kaine himself unable to decide how to proceed, either to try to avenge them or forget them. Kaine journeyed to Whiteridge where he meet the Tiefling at the gates.
Kirin - Level 15 High Elf Wizard (Evocation) - Zorg's Lost Souls - Overchannel Steel Wind Strike for the Win against Demogorgon Silas - Level 11 Human Cleric (War Domain) - Tomb of Annihilation Done
As you will be starting at 3rd level, and you will already be in a group with your fellow adventurers, please include one of these plot hooks with your character.
You arrived at the gates of Whiteridge. While being asked by the guards your business in the city, you were approached by well dressed tiefling man, by the name of Ozemon. He offered you unrestricted access to the city under his name, should you do something in return for him. You accepted.
Stat Roll: Ability scores: 101314171511
Application
Name: Batair Stonehewer Race: Hill Dwarf Class (Subclass): Paladin (Oath of Devotion) - Protection Style (Tank/Support/Healer Focus) Background: Soldier Backstory: Batair grew up a mason's son of a devout family and community who follow Torm. When an unnatural war came upon the country, Batair's family, community,
and he himself felt duty bound to serve. Joining as a fledgling Paladin under the Order of the Golden Lion, Batair proved his fortitude and loyalty in battle.
He received his white right gauntlet and lion-crested shield as symbols of his recruitment into the order after the war was won.
Taking the oath of devotion to Torm and the Golden Lions, Batair now works to fulfill his vow of a life of righteousness, honesty, loyalty, and truth.
His focus is to serve brightly, and give hope, courage, and protection to others wherever and whenever the opportunity arises. His travels are unusual for a
member of the Tormtar, but Batair feels he can fulfill his Penance of Duty by aiding temples and the faithful of good gods across the lands while he sojourns.
Name: Tristan Seidth Race: Half Elf Class (Subclass): Bloodhunter (Profane soul) (If bloodhunters are counted as homebrew please let me know and I will change the class :) Background: Soldier Backstory:
Tristan was born in the First Age in the city of *Insert ancient elven city name here* which lay in what is now the Veiled Forest. His mother was a guard of the Elven Queen, his father was the (oddly human) architect who designed the royal palace. As his mother worked much of the day, he was primarily raised by his father, who taught Tristan in the more scholarly arts. When Tristan turned ten, there was an attempt on the Queen's life. The attempt did not get far, however Tristan's mother was injured in the chaos, struck in the leg with a cudgel that shattered her bones into hundreds of pieces. As she was no longer able to serve in the guard, Tristan's mother took a position in the academy where the guards were trained. Once Tristan came of age, he enrolled into the academy. He was put in his mother's class, and it was quickly apparent that he was a great student. His fighting skills were pretty average, however he was a brilliant tactician. He progressed much faster than the other students and graduated far earlier. However, on the day that he was to take his first position, he fell ill. During his graduation ceremony, he collapsed, falling into a coma. He was quickly stabilized, but his condition was slowly getting worse. None of the physicians in the city nor the neighboring towns could cure his ailment. Not thirty days later he was pronounced dead, and laid to rest inside of a hollow tree. Hundreds of years passed, and the once great Elven city fell to its enemies. Its magnificent buildings turned to ruins, the ruins in turn to rubble, and the rubble to dust.
Four months from the present day, Tristan woke up. He felt like he had been sleeping hours, but the cobwebs and dust that had settled over him indicated otherwise. He was lying at the foot of a tree deep in the Veiled Forest. In somewhat of a daze, he wandered around until he came to a pond. Looking down at his reflection, he noticed that his body was changed. His hair, once a dark brown was now silver that faded into purple at the tip. He had been laid to rest in his military garments which were in good shape, and he still had the sword at his side. His skin had become paler and markings marred his forearms in the same purple as his hair, spiraling lines written in runes of a forgotten tongue. Startled, he ran from the forest, however as soon as he stepped outside he collapsed. His chest burned like someone had shoved a hot iron down his throat. He coughed, and felt wet blood splatter onto his palm. After a while the pain lessened, and he could walk again. He traveled for a long time until he reached civilization. Every so often, his lungs would seize up and he would enter a coughing fit like the first outside the forest, however they were gradually getting worse. It was clear that he needed to find a cure before it was too late...
After four months, Tristan had finally started to piece together the language that was most commonly spoken in this area. He had managed to sell some of the items left in his tomb to stay afloat, but his time was running out. Luckily, he met a scholar through his research who was intrigued by Tristan's story. He promised to research his malediction as long as Tristan joined a group of adventurers looking to uncover an ancient tomb...
Edit: Found a good image :)
If I am chosen, we can either discuss Tristan's backstory more, or you can decide what gave him the runes/malady/evil arcane powers, I am happy with both :) Good luck to all who apply!
Excuse me Jusblazm, just a few questions about a backstory.
Premise: I'm thinking about applying with a character who, in her backstory, had her village razed by drow elves and her family enslaved by them and brought in the Underdark.
Questions: Would this work in Weskelia? (Guess there are drow, since you did not ban them, but no idea if they behave like in Forgotten Realms or if Weskelia has an Underdark and the drow come from there). And would this also work near Whiteridge? Or such an incursion would be unlikely there (so the village should be far from there, for the backstory to be believable)?
Just wish to understand if I'd have simply to include the Ozemon hook in her usual backstory, or if I'd need to think a whole different one.
Excuse me Jusblazm, just a few questions about a backstory.
Premise: I'm thinking about applying with a character who, in her backstory, had her village razed by drow elves and her family enslaved by them and brought in the Underdark.
Questions: Would this work in Weskelia? (Guess there are drow, since you did not ban them, but no idea if they behave like in Forgotten Realms or if Weskelia has an Underdark and the drow come from there). And would this also work near Whiteridge? Or such an incursion would be unlikely there (so the village should be far from there, for the backstory to be believable)?
Just wish to understand if I'd have simply to include the Ozemon hook in her usual backstory, or if I'd need to think a whole different one.
Hey excellent question! There is absolutely an underdark, and there are definitely some evil drow down there. There are also some not-so-evil drow as well. It's unlikely it happened near the capital city of Whiteridge, but there is no reason we can't create a village specifically to be ransacked by drow just for your story.
This goes for everyone reading, should you get picked for the adventure, we can go over your backstory in private and better form it to the world, if you would like. My world is far from complete. Towns can be created, personal stories can be created, etc.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
About Me:
Horror author and RPG enthusiast, I actively combine my experience in growing up playing RPG's with the tales that I am able to weave to create an enjoyable experience for those around me. While I focus on horror, I write in genres of mystery, science fiction, and dark fantasy, and have finished 100+ short stories.
I am brand new to tabletop RPG style games and looking to gain experience in DND 5E!
Ability scores: 141316141214
Name: Yanthus Rein Race: High Elf Class (Subclass): Wizard (School of Illusion) Background: Sage Backstory:
My selfish nature was my downfall. Encumbered, burdened by study, I focused solely on myself to the detriment of those around me. Even those I thought I cared for. It's as much my fault they were killed as the baron's, and one day I will punish him.
It was just a typical day of study, with my mid-afternoon break sneaking up fast as the hunger in my stomach reared its head—time to visit my favorite tea shop. The family there was always friendly, and even though we were all poor, we managed to find a way to support one another. I didn't pay much attention outside of glancing from the corner of my eye as I nibbled on some plain pastry, but the laughter of their children seemed to be the only thing that could cause some stir in my chest. I knew the baron was brutal on us all, taxes were heavy, and many were failing to pay. He shut down Market-side businesses left and right, and I feared soon the town would be useless, save for the school I was studying with.
That day changed everything, though. When I saw the notice on the door that they had failed to pay their taxes. The hunger in my stomach twisted into a painful lump as I wondered what they would do. I had to check on them. The rot invaded my nose as I rounded the alleyway to the back, and I feared what was coming. My stomach turned at the sight inside the home. Not even the children were spared from the baron's cruelty. I vowed then and there that I would no longer be selfish, no longer be self-serving. The baron, and any person abusing their power, would not survive to continue to hurt those they should protect.
Name: Assar Jottunson Race: Goliath (flavor wise he'd be from a frost giant) Class (Subclass): Fighter (rune knight) Background: Pirate Backstory:
Assar ran away from home as a child. Being a goliath he was quickly outgrowing what his mother was able to support and felt it was easier for her for him to not be around anymore. After struggling for a while he eventually found work on what he thought was a trading vessel. He quickly became a valued member due to his size and strength on the crew. It wasn't until his first summer that he realized he had joined a Viking crew when he partook in their summer raids where he primarily guarded the ships against any resistance. As he grew older he became one of the most trusted members of the crew and was tasked with tracking down a deserter who was responsible for stealing vast wealth from the captain and crew.
His trail of the fugitive crewman lead him to the gates of Whiteridge. While being asked by the guards what his business in the city was, he was approached by well dressed tiefling man, by the name of Ozemon. The tiefling offered him unrestricted access to the city under his name, should he do something in return for him. Assar accepted the offer hoping it would lead to information to help his own goal.
Name: Hadi Benotto Race: High Elf Class (Subclass): Wizard (blade song) Background: Noble Backstory:
Hadi's family could trace their lineage back almost to for thousands of years since, for a family of High Elves, tracking their history over a few millennia is a interesting pursuit. Hadi had been pushed to study hard as a child in the arcane sciences, as all first born males in the Family were, though found himself bored of it, often asking himself what the point of it all was. After making little headway at getting Hadi to study, on his 150th year, his parents decided to send him away to a 'cabin' that the family had secluded in the mountains. It was rarely used, though they had servants go up once a year to keep things tidy of course. At first Hadi was not enjoying his seclusion at all. There were none of his friends, or any of the entertainments of the city life to which he'd grown accustomed. Until one day, bored out of his mind, he decided to actually go into the library and see what there was to read. If he was stuck here to 'study', perhaps he could finally start, he thought to himself. A book with a silver, almost iridescent binding, attracted his attention, and sitting down to read it, didn't get up again until the sun rose the next morning. He'd found it! an arcane science related to sword play! Something kept from his family for generations! And what's more... the book itself was old. Old beyond reasoning. Though magically still in pristine condition. There more he read, the more he realized what he had found! Stories the last bladesinger. His great great... grandfather. Struck down in his prime! However, there were parts of the story missing, and parts of the magic as well. His family had a connection in Whiteridge though. A historian who goes by Ozemon. Hadi hoped to meet up with him to see if he might be able to provide assistance.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Ability scores: 151516151112
Name: Joy Maliki Race: Dragonborn ( Green) Class (Subclass): Ranger ( Hunter ) Background: Acolyte Backstory:
Found in the Veiled Forest as a hatchling and raised by a reclusive druid she had little talent for what he tried to teach her but something in her blood and in her spirit made her love the forest despite its many dangers and terrors. She spent most of her youth doing as she was bid and defending her home against the people who entered it with axe and fire....and she was encouraged in this by her "father". When he died she found herself somewhat bereft and lonely and when she brought herself to meet with outsiders she discovered they were not the horrid despoilers she had been raised to destroy......well, not all of them anyway.
She is now out in the world, still easily angered when people take more than they should from the world but no longer so quick to end them.
Finding need for coin in this new existence, on a local job board, she found a post calling for adventurers. And took a slip. Meeting with Ozemon, her benefactor for this job and accepted his proposal. He seemed to favour her selection once he learned of her first-hand knowledge of the forest.
Name: Vesta. Race: Half-Elf. Class (Subclass): Ranger / Fey Walker. (Question: Can we use Tasha's optional class features? I'll keep this choice either way, but would like to know because you only mentioned Tasha's race changes, and nothing about optional class features.) Background: Far Traveller. Backstory:
Somewhere distant - in another plane of existence perhaps - there was an elven village. In this village, there lived a happy family of no particular status. The mother was an Elf, while the father was a Human who stumbled into this village/plane many years ago. Two daughters they brought into this world - twins, identical twins, in fact. One was named Vesta, the other named Diana.
Although the two Half-Elven daughters looked almost completely identical, their interests varied greatly. Diana had a strong connection with the wild, and almost always wanted to stay out late. Vesta, although she liked the outside as well, was more interested in activities that took place inside the house, with the rest of the family. The two almost always spent their time together, but because each of them preferred to do different things, each would try to convince the other to follow them. Diana, however, was more persistent, and in most cases, Vesta would end up following her. Thus, together, they learnt how to survive in the wild, how to hunt, how to shoot an arrow from a bow and much more. Diana always learned faster and ended up being better than Vesta, but the latter wasn't too bad at it either. Just not as much as her sister. And so, the two grew up together.
One day, Vesta wakes up in a strange place. A forest, but not the one she grew up in. This one was far darker, and strange noises could be heard from all over. No one was around. In fact, she could see no living animals, and even the trees seemed... different, though she wasn't really sure how. A quick check revealed her belongings, some of them, at least, are still on her, or lying on the ground next to her. Most concerning, however, was that she could not remember how she arrived in this place. Trying to think about it, Vesta felt as if there is something she had forgotten, something important. Later, she would find out that the calendar doesn't match her memory. It seems she has a hole, a gap, several months wide, between her last memory and waking up in the strange, Veiled forest.
More than anything, Vesta wishes to return home and reunite with her family. At the moment, though, she has no leads. Wandering the forest for a bit, then finding the way out using the survival skills she learned with her sister, Vesta finds herself in a strange world. A place where cities are walled and strangers aren't welcomed inside. A place where Humans - who look like her father but behave nothing like him - cruelly guard the entrance and allow no passage. A place where strange creatures, half Human half... something else... offer you entrance to the city only under the condition you'll do something for them first. It seems not much choice is left but to accept, but will entering the city, once she comes back from this mission, even help her in finding her way back home? Only time will tell.
Kalla grew up with a gift for getting into places she shouldn’t be. As a teen, a captain of the guard took Kalla under his wing and trained Kalla. Kalla quickly rose in the ranks and was considered an expert on assessing and testing security measures. However, a rival member of the guard became jealous and framed Kalla for a number of thefts. Kalla was unable to prove his innocence, but was shown leniency due to her years of service. Kalla was then exiled from her home and set out to use her skills to help those in need.
Name: Jari
Race: Reborn Earth Genasi
Class/Subclass: Genie Warlock
Background: Charlatan
Backstory:
Jari was raised in a small and secluded cult. His rebellious nature caused him to continually cause trouble and be punished by the leaders of the cult. As he grew older, both his indiscretions and his punishments became more severe. One night, the leader of the cult decided to make an example of Jari. Jari called out with his final breath to his Dao ancestors and asked them to save him. Jari later wakes up where the cult discards their dead, with a stone bottle on his belt and new powers.
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Hey guys! I'm looking at running another adventure in my homebrew world. Unlike my last adventure, this adventure will not lock you into playing a wizard. You can play any class you'd like. This world is a 4 year project of mine, on top of almost everything 5e official: expect your character to have access to 20 Weskeilian deities, homebrew magic items, spells, and feats.*
Please open and read each spoiler. They all contain important information.
Some world lore (more to be shared with the chosen players)
The realm itself is young, just over 7,000 years. Currently 1,400 years into its 4th era: Weskeilia is blooming again after the devastating ice age that was the 3rd era. The Whiteridge Kingdom is a magnificent place. It's the most populated kingdom on the continent of Aelira, and Whiteridge, the capital city, is home to the Council of Aelira, which is the governing body of Aelira. The Rivenis Kingdom is also a wonder. Dominated by lakes and forests, Rivenis is the farthest west kingdom of Aelira. For all of its glory, it's best known for Ashgate Prison. A Prison that houses some of the most dangerous people on Weskeilia. The prison itself sits on an island, surrounded by lava within the caldera of The Dark Slope, an ancient volcano. There is a place known as The Veiled Forest. It stretches from beyond the borders of the Whiteridge Kingdom to beyond the borders of the Rivenis Kingdom. The forest is shrouded in a strange, mystical darkness. Weird noises can be heard from deep within. Unfortunately for you, Ozemon has sent you into The Veiled Forest, in search of a crypt he believes may or may not actually be there.
Table expectations
I'm extremely beginner friendly. I started DMing 4 years ago with a group of brand new players. 4 years later, we're still playing together, and since then two of them have learned to DM. I will always help you figure something out, just ask. There are no stupid questions. I expect my players to show respect to each other, be LGBTQ+ friendly, and just generally a good person. These are my main rules, and failure to respect your other table members, including me, will get you removed very quickly. Your D&D experience doesn't matter, you can have 30 years under your belt or 30 seconds, I welcome everyone to my table. I am however looking for people who are going to be able to get into character and roleplay. Being a PbP, there isn't any improv, you have time to think about each of your posts. I'm looking for people who are willing to post more than one sentence at a time. I'm also looking for at least one post a day, but preferably more. I will post as much as needed to keep things going.
Game expectations
The majority of this planned adventure will take place in rural and even non-inhabited areas of Weskeilia, though you will occasionally visit a town, or maybe even a city. Be prepared for that. Don't create a character that refuses to leave the city.
Because this is a PbP and combat can be an infamous time killer, I run fewer combat encounters than I do in a normal live game. I replace the combat encounters with puzzles, roleplay, and other dangers. We will have some combat encounters, unless you are the smoothest players ever and avoid all of them. (The same XP is rewarded for avoiding an encounter as is for fighting and winning one. Perhaps even more.)
I tend to run a lighthearted adventure, because we're all here to have fun. That doesn't mean there won't be serious aspects. I plan on attempting to add some horror to this adventure, so if you're uncomfortable with the ideas of something or someone stalking you in the night/forest, or things going bump in the night, this might not be the game for you. I however, don't go into details on most things. There will be no detailed explanations on how you find a body, bloodshed, or things of that nature. Too much detail can make anyone uncomfortable, and we're here to have a good, enjoyable time.
There will be as much roleplay opportunity as you give yourselves and each other, there will be story, adventuring, forests, dungeons??, probably not dragons!, magic, monsters, and combat! Oh, don't forget camping. Enjoy sleeping in those scaring forests!
Players and Characters
I'm looking for 5 players to join on this adventure. Characters will be starting at 3rd level. Variant races are banned. The Tasha's create-your-own-race is banned as well. If you don't own the subclass or race you wish to play, pick it anyway. If you get picked, you will have access to it. No homebrew races, subclasses, or backgrounds will be allowed in this adventure. If your application includes banned material, I will not consider you, as you didn't take the time to read what I took the time to write. It's only fair.
I do not own Strixhaven, so the Owlin race is, unfortunately, unavailable unless you own it. The Owlin race is not banned. I just don't own Strixhaven.
I'm a little chaotic when it comes to picking my players. I'm not going to pick you based on the class you choose. I will just as easily pick 5 paladins as I will 5 different classes. Among other things, I will pick my players based on how much I think I will enjoy your character, and how much I think you will enjoy your character.
Your backstory does not need to be massive. A single paragraph or two is plenty fine enough! Of course, I will never stop someone from writing as much as they want.
Plot hooks
As you will be starting at 3rd level, and you will already be in a group with your fellow adventurers, please include one of these plot hooks with your character.
Alternatively, please share a plot hook of your own, for why you might have gone out on Ozemon's behalf on this adventure and we can workshop it.
Rolling stats
Everyone loves rolling for stats, because it means there's a chance at an 18, but it always sucks when you get those real low rolls. I have implemented a rolling system in previous games, that my players really enjoy so we'll be doing that here as well.
I will go over how my system works with my chosen players. When you make your application roll your ability scores. I allow 1s to be re-rolled once, so be sure to toggle that when rolling your ability scores.
Manipulated rolls and rolls with more than 1 re-roll will be ignored. To circumvent that dreaded manipulated rolls tag, roll your ability scores at the top of the post, push enter and paste the application below. After that, when you edit your post, do not touch the ability scores line. You can then freely edit your application without worry of the manipulated rolls tag. Alternatively roll your ability scores in a post and make your application in a separate post.
If I pick you and your rolls end up getting voided, for any reason whatsoever, I will have you roll brand new stats once we move to a private chat.
Please, do not let the ability scores you roll talk you out of posting a full application. Know that if you roll poor scores, more than likely, you will not be using those scores.
Application
Please put your backstory and any images in a spoiler to create clean posts, and save screen space.
Name:
Race:
Class (Subclass):
Background:
Backstory
Put your backstory here.
Close Date
I plan on closing recruitment on the 13th of May at the latest, though if my last recruitment was any indication, I don't expect it to stay open that long.
Before applying & other information
The game will take place here on the D&D Beyond forums, so I can better bounce between this and my current PbP.
Please take a moment to check out The Loreweaver's Sanctuary. This is my current PbP. It will give you an idea of my post and play style, as well as what I'm hoping to get from you as a player.
If you're a current player in The Loreweaver's Sanctuary, you are free to post an application. You are however less likely to get picked over someone else. I would like to allow more people to join in the fun, instead of selecting a special few over and over again.
Feel free to post more than one application. Only roll one set of ability scores. Those scores will be used on any character you create. I ask if you post more than one application, add them all in a single post. Don't create multiple posts if you can help it. You can edit your post to add another application.
Post #14 contains some potentially helpful information pertaining to backstory.
Post #28 contains some more character rule updates.
* refers to homebrew of my creation
A Graduation to be Remembered | A Village Bathed in Crimson
Hi. Applied to the previous one, but didn't get picked. I'll try a different character now :)
Seeing if I'm reading this right - so the world is Weskelia, the continent is Aelira, the country is Whiteridge Kingdom and the city is Whiteridge? And we're being sent into the forest, which spans both the Whiteridge Kingdom and the neighboring Rivenis Kingdom to some extent?
Stats: Ability scores: 15 15 9 14 11 15
Name: Zane
Race: tabaxi
Class (Subclass): ranger (gloom stalker)
Background: outlander
Backstory
Zane is ambitious. As a third son he has nothing to look forward to inheritance-wise and has to make his own fortune. He spent a year with a local adventuring group, which gave him some experience, but they definitely took only the very safe jobs. After hitting his ceiling he tried freelancing as an adventurer (being a bouncer in a dive bar), but after a close call with just four drunk guys he decided that a group setting would suit him better.
(plot hook) The local job board had sucked for a long time. "Find my lost cat" (how ironic) followed by "trail my cheating husband" followed by "protect a caravan" on repeat got really old really fast. He also sorely lacked the experience to apply for the Guard of the Council jobs - the prettiest poster on the job board by far. But this Ozemon fellow assembling a group to go into a forest to find something is definitely looking like an exciting opportunity.
Ability scores: 11 16 9 13 13 8
Name: Bertolt Silentlash
Race: Human
Class (Subclass): Bard (Lore)
Background: Cloisted Scholar
Backstory
Bertolt was born as the third son of a minor noble family, therefore not in line to inherit anything. Still wanting to be of use to his family, the young noble left his home and took up residence in a prominent school where he excelled. It was not long before Bertolt fell in love with the history of the kingdom and the surrounding world, becoming engrossed in studies for several years.
Before he knew it Bertolt found that his life of study had flew by and other then a few sparce visits with his family he had not done much outside of his studies. With a new goal in mind, Bertolt decided to travel in order to teach and learn first hand. One of the first places he decided to visit was the home of Ozemon the well known historian. They had correspondence in the past and the tiefling was renowned for his collection and knowledge.
(I see Bertolt as being in his late thirties to at most early forties. He is a bookworm that has decided he wants to see the things he read about first hand and is getting to the point where he knows he will be to old to do so soon.)
Rekuberk Onc Level 8 | Half Orc | Barbarian (The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks)
Kayassa Level 3 | Satyr | Warlock (Cleath13's LMoP)
Bertolt Silentlash Level 3 | Variant Human | Bard (Our Little Lives Kept in Equipoise: Death House)
Daerthe Narcion Level 4 | Drow | Rogue (Karmoli's Great Upheaval)
I actually have to character's I'd be interested in playing if that's okay?
Ability scores: 13 9 11 13 15 15
Name: Mistral
Race: Air Genasi
Class (Subclass): Barbarian 1/Monk 2 (Open hand)
Background: Urchin
Backstory
Mistral grew up scavenging the streets with his father. There’s always a diamond in the rough ready to be found or stolen is what he was taught as some don’t appreciate the value of what they have right under their noses. His father used his sleight frame to suit his own needs and ambitions eventually leaving him for an “opportunity”, alone. Joining a youth gang as a teenager he learned the basics of fighting and the importance of having allies for protection while he waited for his fathers return, a wait that proved fruitless and left him filled with resentment. A few years of turf wars and disorganized petty crime eventually led him to pick a fight with a traveling monk who looked to have some interesting goods for the taking. The monk beat him brutally but saw potential in his resolve and persistence and offered him a chance to refine his skills and leave his life of on the streets. Though reluctant his fellow hooligans pushed him into this opportunity as chances like this were rare for folks like them. So he went with his new mentor: traveling, training, learning and refining not only his physical skills but also his mind. It’s been a decade with his master, he’s since completed most of his training, going through the world scavenging and finding diamonds in the rough, giving things, people etc new homes where they can be appreciated as he himself found.
Ability scores: 10 13 12 15 11 14
Name: Avys
Race: Vedalken
Class (Subclass): Artificer (Artillerist)
Background: Clan Crafter
Backstory
Avys spent his formative years on a trade caravan, going from city to city, seeing the world and learning the ways of business from a young age. He enjoyed his travels and was fascinated by the various craftsmen that he was able to meet. In spite of this, he's always been reserved and at times cold, in truth he never really got a full grasp of the personal side of business leading to intelligent and savy mind to stall in his progress. Eventually, he found himself in a jewelers shop, a dwarven run, well oiled machine of a business, and that's where he found his home. He trained for several decades under his mentor's clan, becoming, by extension, one of them picking up on some of their habits including a short temper and penchant for violent solutions, juxtaposing his calm, polite and calculated demeanor with explosiveness. Soon enough, he was able to imbue his work with the arcane and uses his jewelry, not just as a source of income, but also power and protection.
Hello ! I'm still a newbie when it comes to DnD Beyond forums, so hopefully I don't mess this up :)
Ability scores : Ability scores: 15 18 10 14 15 15
Name: Cougher
Race: Kenku
Class (Subclass): Wizard (School of Conjuration)
Background: Outlander
Backstory :
The early life of Cougher was pretty rough, to say the least. She was raised at by her parents, two destitute artisans, who lived of their products in the outskirts of Whiteridge. At the age of 6, a fire in the slums caused the death of her parents, while Cougher miraculously survived. She was then put into an orphanage, where the other children started to call her "Cougher" due to the coughing fits that impaired her ability to mimicry sounds. However, her life quickly turned around only a year after the fire, when a wizard called Reynard visited the orphanage in search of a young magically gifted assistant. Against all odds, Reynard picked her, declaring kenkus have the potential to be extremely talented wizards because of their ability to mimic sounds and tools.
Indeed, Cougher proved herself to be a very dedicated student to arcane, even if she only started to cast cantrips and simple spells in her late teenage years. At first, she mostly ran errands for Reynard in Whiteridge, despite her being uncomfortable and socially awkward most of the time due to the lack of words she knew at first. Over time, she started mimicking Reynard's hoarse voice to cast spells and interact with people in her day-to-day life, even if she lived as a recluse with her master. However, the wizard grew older and sickly, so she became her caretaker and representative for important matters. The latest task given by Reynard was to find an old coworker of his, an historian called Ozemon, and to delve into the Veiled Forest to find a mysterious crypt.
(in case it is not clear, I included the third plot hook in my backstory. I see Cougher being around 18 years old, and Reynard in his late sixties, if that helps)
That is correct!
The country will technically be both, the Whiteridge and Rivenis territories, solely because the forest sits in both.
I don't see a manipulated rolls tag, so I'd say you did A-OK!
A Graduation to be Remembered | A Village Bathed in Crimson
Ability scores: 10 11 11 11 15 13
Name: Erubus
Race: Tiefling
Class (Subclass): Bard (College of Creation)
Background: Guild Artisan
Backstory:
Erubus was a foundling and was raised by a Dwarven smith in Whiteridge. Over the years Brathir taught him how to properly shape metal and hone his skills. Brathir was proud of his adopted son and would proclaim as much to any visitors to his smithy. He had a habit of always humming while he worked and even though he enjoying blacksmithing, something was lacking. He became melancholic and he did not understand until he heard the enthralling music of a visiting bard in the tavern. It took him days to muster up the courage to explain to his father that blacksmithing was not enough and that he wanted to be bard. An argument ensued and harsh words were said. Erubus left home soon after, taking his tools with him.
Erubus traveled far to look for a Bardic master but was rebuffed on several occasions and was unceremoniously thrown out onto the streets when he ran out of coins. There on the streets he met Thib the enchanting storyteller. She felt pity and mentored him in the ways of songs and storytelling. He left after learning all he could. For some time he was a wandering Bard sharing his music to earn coin. He thought his days as a black smith was over, but something stirred in his heart whenever he heard the hammer blows on heated metal. Erubus wandered aimlessly for sometime and did not even realized that his heart had led him back home. There he shared an awkward silence as he stared at his father. Tears started falling down Erubus's face and he gave his father a fierce hug. Brathir sighed and let go of his anger and hugged his son back. His heart was finally whole and he discovered a way to marry song and blacksmithing. Now he can create objects with the power of s
One day Clarissa a local historian came to visit the smithy and asked for Erubus's helps. As he knew Erubus has experience traveling. he was excited, but then reluctant to leave. His father gave him a shove and readied his pack. With that he agreed and made his way to Ozeman.
Character sheet: https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/73399725
We go again 😂
Submission soon, rolls now.
Ability scores: 14 17 16 9 16 15
“I will take responsibility for what I have done. [...] If must fall, I will rise each time a better man.” ― Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer.
Ability scores: 8 10 11 17 15 12
Name: Kaine Scene
Race: Human (Variant)
Class (Subclass): Wizard (School of Necromancy)
Background: Outlander
Backstory
Survival at any cost was the creed of his nomadic tribe. It was what he was taught as he grew up, nothing was taboo if it helps insurance one's survival. So when his talents for less savory art of raising the dead was discovered, it was embraced. What books they had on arcane was given and through experiment, he became skilled in the art.
While he was raising the dead, the more able of the clan took occasion jobs, generally raising havoc. Sooner or later, havoc becomes trouble and trouble bring the strongers. The very able of the clan were killed. Only report of their deaths made it back, not who or why. A decision could be made on how to proceed so the survivors scattered to the four winds.
Kaine himself unable to decide how to proceed, either to try to avenge them or forget them. Kaine journeyed to Whiteridge where he meet the Tiefling at the gates.
Kirin - Level 15 High Elf Wizard (Evocation) - Zorg's Lost Souls- Overchannel Steel Wind Strike for the Win against DemogorgonSilas - Level 11 Human Cleric (War Domain) - Tomb of AnnihilationDoneStat Roll: Ability scores: 10 13 14 17 15 11
Application
Name: Batair Stonehewer
Race: Hill Dwarf
Class (Subclass): Paladin (Oath of Devotion) - Protection Style (Tank/Support/Healer Focus)
Background: Soldier
Backstory: Batair grew up a mason's son of a devout family and community who follow Torm. When an unnatural war came upon the country, Batair's family, community,
and he himself felt duty bound to serve. Joining as a fledgling Paladin under the Order of the Golden Lion, Batair proved his fortitude and loyalty in battle.
He received his white right gauntlet and lion-crested shield as symbols of his recruitment into the order after the war was won.
Taking the oath of devotion to Torm and the Golden Lions, Batair now works to fulfill his vow of a life of righteousness, honesty, loyalty, and truth.
His focus is to serve brightly, and give hope, courage, and protection to others wherever and whenever the opportunity arises. His travels are unusual for a
member of the Tormtar, but Batair feels he can fulfill his Penance of Duty by aiding temples and the faithful of good gods across the lands while he sojourns.
https://ddb.ac/characters/72918439/8LxICu
Name: Tristan Seidth
Race: Half Elf
Class (Subclass): Bloodhunter (Profane soul) (If bloodhunters are counted as homebrew please let me know and I will change the class :)
Background: Soldier
Backstory:
Tristan was born in the First Age in the city of *Insert ancient elven city name here* which lay in what is now the Veiled Forest. His mother was a guard of the Elven Queen, his father was the (oddly human) architect who designed the royal palace. As his mother worked much of the day, he was primarily raised by his father, who taught Tristan in the more scholarly arts. When Tristan turned ten, there was an attempt on the Queen's life. The attempt did not get far, however Tristan's mother was injured in the chaos, struck in the leg with a cudgel that shattered her bones into hundreds of pieces. As she was no longer able to serve in the guard, Tristan's mother took a position in the academy where the guards were trained. Once Tristan came of age, he enrolled into the academy. He was put in his mother's class, and it was quickly apparent that he was a great student. His fighting skills were pretty average, however he was a brilliant tactician. He progressed much faster than the other students and graduated far earlier. However, on the day that he was to take his first position, he fell ill. During his graduation ceremony, he collapsed, falling into a coma. He was quickly stabilized, but his condition was slowly getting worse. None of the physicians in the city nor the neighboring towns could cure his ailment. Not thirty days later he was pronounced dead, and laid to rest inside of a hollow tree. Hundreds of years passed, and the once great Elven city fell to its enemies. Its magnificent buildings turned to ruins, the ruins in turn to rubble, and the rubble to dust.
Four months from the present day, Tristan woke up. He felt like he had been sleeping hours, but the cobwebs and dust that had settled over him indicated otherwise. He was lying at the foot of a tree deep in the Veiled Forest. In somewhat of a daze, he wandered around until he came to a pond. Looking down at his reflection, he noticed that his body was changed. His hair, once a dark brown was now silver that faded into purple at the tip. He had been laid to rest in his military garments which were in good shape, and he still had the sword at his side. His skin had become paler and markings marred his forearms in the same purple as his hair, spiraling lines written in runes of a forgotten tongue. Startled, he ran from the forest, however as soon as he stepped outside he collapsed. His chest burned like someone had shoved a hot iron down his throat. He coughed, and felt wet blood splatter onto his palm. After a while the pain lessened, and he could walk again. He traveled for a long time until he reached civilization. Every so often, his lungs would seize up and he would enter a coughing fit like the first outside the forest, however they were gradually getting worse. It was clear that he needed to find a cure before it was too late...
After four months, Tristan had finally started to piece together the language that was most commonly spoken in this area. He had managed to sell some of the items left in his tomb to stay afloat, but his time was running out. Luckily, he met a scholar through his research who was intrigued by Tristan's story. He promised to research his malediction as long as Tristan joined a group of adventurers looking to uncover an ancient tomb...
Edit: Found a good image :)
If I am chosen, we can either discuss Tristan's backstory more, or you can decide what gave him the runes/malady/evil arcane powers, I am happy with both :)
Good luck to all who apply!
“I will take responsibility for what I have done. [...] If must fall, I will rise each time a better man.” ― Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer.
Ability scores: 14 13 17 15 12 13
Name:
Race:
Class (Subclass):
Background:
Backstory
Excuse me Jusblazm, just a few questions about a backstory.
Premise:
I'm thinking about applying with a character who, in her backstory, had her village razed by drow elves and her family enslaved by them and brought in the Underdark.
Questions:
Would this work in Weskelia? (Guess there are drow, since you did not ban them, but no idea if they behave like in Forgotten Realms or if Weskelia has an Underdark and the drow come from there).
And would this also work near Whiteridge? Or such an incursion would be unlikely there (so the village should be far from there, for the backstory to be believable)?
Just wish to understand if I'd have simply to include the Ozemon hook in her usual backstory, or if I'd need to think a whole different one.
Hey excellent question! There is absolutely an underdark, and there are definitely some evil drow down there. There are also some not-so-evil drow as well. It's unlikely it happened near the capital city of Whiteridge, but there is no reason we can't create a village specifically to be ransacked by drow just for your story.
This goes for everyone reading, should you get picked for the adventure, we can go over your backstory in private and better form it to the world, if you would like. My world is far from complete. Towns can be created, personal stories can be created, etc.
A Graduation to be Remembered | A Village Bathed in Crimson
About Me:
Horror author and RPG enthusiast, I actively combine my experience in growing up playing RPG's with the tales that I am able to weave to create an enjoyable experience for those around me. While I focus on horror, I write in genres of mystery, science fiction, and dark fantasy, and have finished 100+ short stories.
I am brand new to tabletop RPG style games and looking to gain experience in DND 5E!
Ability scores: 14 13 16 14 12 14
Name: Yanthus Rein
Race: High Elf
Class (Subclass): Wizard (School of Illusion)
Background: Sage
Backstory:
My selfish nature was my downfall. Encumbered, burdened by study, I focused solely on myself to the detriment of those around me. Even those I thought I cared for. It's as much my fault they were killed as the baron's, and one day I will punish him.
It was just a typical day of study, with my mid-afternoon break sneaking up fast as the hunger in my stomach reared its head—time to visit my favorite tea shop. The family there was always friendly, and even though we were all poor, we managed to find a way to support one another. I didn't pay much attention outside of glancing from the corner of my eye as I nibbled on some plain pastry, but the laughter of their children seemed to be the only thing that could cause some stir in my chest. I knew the baron was brutal on us all, taxes were heavy, and many were failing to pay. He shut down Market-side businesses left and right, and I feared soon the town would be useless, save for the school I was studying with.
That day changed everything, though. When I saw the notice on the door that they had failed to pay their taxes. The hunger in my stomach twisted into a painful lump as I wondered what they would do. I had to check on them. The rot invaded my nose as I rounded the alleyway to the back, and I feared what was coming. My stomach turned at the sight inside the home. Not even the children were spared from the baron's cruelty. I vowed then and there that I would no longer be selfish, no longer be self-serving. The baron, and any person abusing their power, would not survive to continue to hurt those they should protect.
I may be early in my journey, but I will end him.
Ability scores: 17 14 15 17 13 16
Name: Assar Jottunson
Race: Goliath (flavor wise he'd be from a frost giant)
Class (Subclass): Fighter (rune knight)
Background: Pirate
Backstory:
Assar ran away from home as a child. Being a goliath he was quickly outgrowing what his mother was able to support and felt it was easier for her for him to not be around anymore. After struggling for a while he eventually found work on what he thought was a trading vessel. He quickly became a valued member due to his size and strength on the crew. It wasn't until his first summer that he realized he had joined a Viking crew when he partook in their summer raids where he primarily guarded the ships against any resistance. As he grew older he became one of the most trusted members of the crew and was tasked with tracking down a deserter who was responsible for stealing vast wealth from the captain and crew.
His trail of the fugitive crewman lead him to the gates of Whiteridge. While being asked by the guards what his business in the city was, he was approached by well dressed tiefling man, by the name of Ozemon. The tiefling offered him unrestricted access to the city under his name, should he do something in return for him. Assar accepted the offer hoping it would lead to information to help his own goal.
Ability scores: 9 15 13 16 18 15
Name: Hadi Benotto
Race: High Elf
Class (Subclass): Wizard (blade song)
Background: Noble
Backstory:
Hadi's family could trace their lineage back almost to for thousands of years since, for a family of High Elves, tracking their history over a few millennia is a interesting pursuit. Hadi had been pushed to study hard as a child in the arcane sciences, as all first born males in the Family were, though found himself bored of it, often asking himself what the point of it all was. After making little headway at getting Hadi to study, on his 150th year, his parents decided to send him away to a 'cabin' that the family had secluded in the mountains. It was rarely used, though they had servants go up once a year to keep things tidy of course.
At first Hadi was not enjoying his seclusion at all. There were none of his friends, or any of the entertainments of the city life to which he'd grown accustomed. Until one day, bored out of his mind, he decided to actually go into the library and see what there was to read. If he was stuck here to 'study', perhaps he could finally start, he thought to himself. A book with a silver, almost iridescent binding, attracted his attention, and sitting down to read it, didn't get up again until the sun rose the next morning. He'd found it! an arcane science related to sword play! Something kept from his family for generations! And what's more... the book itself was old. Old beyond reasoning. Though magically still in pristine condition. There more he read, the more he realized what he had found! Stories the last bladesinger. His great great... grandfather. Struck down in his prime!
However, there were parts of the story missing, and parts of the magic as well. His family had a connection in Whiteridge though. A historian who goes by Ozemon. Hadi hoped to meet up with him to see if he might be able to provide assistance.
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
Ability scores: 15 15 16 15 11 12
Name: Joy Maliki
Race: Dragonborn ( Green)
Class (Subclass): Ranger ( Hunter )
Background: Acolyte
Backstory:
Found in the Veiled Forest as a hatchling and raised by a reclusive druid she had little talent for what he tried to teach her but something in her blood and in her spirit made her love the forest despite its many dangers and terrors. She spent most of her youth doing as she was bid and defending her home against the people who entered it with axe and fire....and she was encouraged in this by her "father". When he died she found herself somewhat bereft and lonely and when she brought herself to meet with outsiders she discovered they were not the horrid despoilers she had been raised to destroy......well, not all of them anyway.
She is now out in the world, still easily angered when people take more than they should from the world but no longer so quick to end them.
Finding need for coin in this new existence, on a local job board, she found a post calling for adventurers. And took a slip. Meeting with Ozemon, her benefactor for this job and accepted his proposal. He seemed to favour her selection once he learned of her first-hand knowledge of the forest.
Ability scores: 16 13 15 10 12 15
Name: Vesta.
Race: Half-Elf.
Class (Subclass): Ranger / Fey Walker. (Question: Can we use Tasha's optional class features? I'll keep this choice either way, but would like to know because you only mentioned Tasha's race changes, and nothing about optional class features.)
Background: Far Traveller.
Backstory:
Somewhere distant - in another plane of existence perhaps - there was an elven village. In this village, there lived a happy family of no particular status. The mother was an Elf, while the father was a Human who stumbled into this village/plane many years ago. Two daughters they brought into this world - twins, identical twins, in fact. One was named Vesta, the other named Diana.
Although the two Half-Elven daughters looked almost completely identical, their interests varied greatly. Diana had a strong connection with the wild, and almost always wanted to stay out late. Vesta, although she liked the outside as well, was more interested in activities that took place inside the house, with the rest of the family. The two almost always spent their time together, but because each of them preferred to do different things, each would try to convince the other to follow them. Diana, however, was more persistent, and in most cases, Vesta would end up following her. Thus, together, they learnt how to survive in the wild, how to hunt, how to shoot an arrow from a bow and much more. Diana always learned faster and ended up being better than Vesta, but the latter wasn't too bad at it either. Just not as much as her sister. And so, the two grew up together.
One day, Vesta wakes up in a strange place. A forest, but not the one she grew up in. This one was far darker, and strange noises could be heard from all over. No one was around. In fact, she could see no living animals, and even the trees seemed... different, though she wasn't really sure how. A quick check revealed her belongings, some of them, at least, are still on her, or lying on the ground next to her. Most concerning, however, was that she could not remember how she arrived in this place. Trying to think about it, Vesta felt as if there is something she had forgotten, something important. Later, she would find out that the calendar doesn't match her memory. It seems she has a hole, a gap, several months wide, between her last memory and waking up in the strange, Veiled forest.
More than anything, Vesta wishes to return home and reunite with her family. At the moment, though, she has no leads. Wandering the forest for a bit, then finding the way out using the survival skills she learned with her sister, Vesta finds herself in a strange world. A place where cities are walled and strangers aren't welcomed inside. A place where Humans - who look like her father but behave nothing like him - cruelly guard the entrance and allow no passage. A place where strange creatures, half Human half... something else... offer you entrance to the city only under the condition you'll do something for them first. It seems not much choice is left but to accept, but will entering the city, once she comes back from this mission, even help her in finding her way back home? Only time will tell.
Varielky | Emma
Ability scores: 16 16 11 16 16 12
Name: Kalla
Race: Tabaxi
Class/Subclass: Swashbuckler Rogue
Background: Investigator
Backstory:
Kalla grew up with a gift for getting into places she shouldn’t be. As a teen, a captain of the guard took Kalla under his wing and trained Kalla. Kalla quickly rose in the ranks and was considered an expert on assessing and testing security measures. However, a rival member of the guard became jealous and framed Kalla for a number of thefts. Kalla was unable to prove his innocence, but was shown leniency due to her years of service. Kalla was then exiled from her home and set out to use her skills to help those in need.
Name: Jari
Race: Reborn Earth Genasi
Class/Subclass: Genie Warlock
Background: Charlatan
Backstory:
Jari was raised in a small and secluded cult. His rebellious nature caused him to continually cause trouble and be punished by the leaders of the cult. As he grew older, both his indiscretions and his punishments became more severe. One night, the leader of the cult decided to make an example of Jari. Jari called out with his final breath to his Dao ancestors and asked them to save him. Jari later wakes up where the cult discards their dead, with a stone bottle on his belt and new powers.