Explore never-before-seen locales of the Underdark...
Acquaint yourself with bizarre subterranean wildlife...
Face perils beholden to none...
And uncover a mystery for the ages...
What lies at the bottom of the world?
To learn the answer, one can only continue...
Onward Down
Introduction
For many adventurers, it may seem as though there is nothing left to explore.
Every accursed crypt, every overrun stronghold, every monstrous lair cleaned out by heroes long past. Every last decrepit ruin has a place on the map, its history readily available in some public library or other. Every arcane relic and eldritch artifact has been found, carefully cataloged, its properties recorded with perfect accuracy, now either on display in some gallery or in the private possession of another adventurer.
All of the experienced adventurers have long been aware of this, and have since taken to planar travel in their pursuit of the opportunity to see something new. However, even the farthest corners of the cosmos will eventually be mapped out. From the City of Brass to the Domains of Dread, most of the known planes of existence have been thoroughly explored.
It seems there is nothing left for your generation of adventurers, perpetually living in the shadows of your predecessors. Everything has already been done. The so-called “adventurers” of today are little more than mercenaries, taking jobs as armed escorts, messengers, representatives, exterminators, and so on.
Even if a worthy threat were to appear, the competition has rendered the act of rising to the occasion meaningless. Older, more powerful, more experienced adventurers will effortlessly bring down the menace before the news even reaches you.
It has truly been a disheartening time to be an adventurer… until now.
One month ago, word spread of an anomaly hidden in a remote region on the borders of Anauroch: a several-mile-long gash in the earth. A canyon that, if the tales were to be believed, reached so far deep into the ground that one could reach the Underdark simply by scaling its walls.
This canyon had, according to maps and recorded accounts from adventurers past, never been seen before. This fact has caused hundreds, if not thousands, of adventurers to flock to the canyon, eager to explore this never-before-seen region of the Underdark. Finally, an opportunity to make a name for oneself. New creatures, new treasures, new dangers, all waiting to be discovered…
Plot Hook
Soon after the chasm's existence was made known, word spread that a veteran adventurer by the name of Eduan Klage was organizing an expedition of adventurers to explore the uttermost depths of this "new frontier". Many adventurers have applied, but few will be chosen. Will you be one of them?
What Kind of Game I'm Looking For
Post Frequency. I would like for participants to check the campaign thread at least once a day, however, I will not be strict about this (we all have lives, I assume). As long as you’re not inactive for 2 or more days without notifying me ahead of time, you’ll be fine. I would prefer that people check more frequently during combat, as PbP combat is extremely slow.
Characters who interact with each other and NPCs believably. Be willing to roleplay believable interactions with each other. Don’t hesitate to let your character’s personality clash with others. If you disagree with another character or NPC, don’t keep silent for fear of “disrupting the game”. Make friends and enemies in the way that best suits their character. HOWEVER, this must be done within reason. Generally, you should act in a way that serves the party’s common interest. If you want to make a major decision without consulting your party members in-game, please do it in the out-of-game chat. (TLDR: roleplay, for goodness’ sake)
Some capacity to think outside the box. Interact with the environment. This is an Underdark survival campaign. There’s weird stuff everywhere. Use it to your advantage. Come up with plans that go beyond “charge head-on towards the monster and hit it with our highest-damage attacks until it dies” (this might get you killed). I don’t expect everyone to be master tacticians, of course, but for both your sake and mine, I’d like to see variety in player tactics.
Character Creation
Ability Scores: Please use either Standard Array or Point Buy
Races: Anything that exists in the Forgotten Realms. Even then, I won’t be strict as long as you have a backstory to justify a non-Realms race.
Classes: No class restrictions whatsoever. As long as it appears in an official sourcebook (I will also allow the Blood Hunter class).
Level: Start at level 1 (XP based progression)
Backgrounds: You can create a custom background if you like, though if you do so, please share what starting equipment is included with your background. I may request adjustments.
Equipment: Use starting equipment granted by your class and background. When choosing equipment, I will implement one house rule concerning weapons: you may swap out any melee weapon for any other melee weapon that uses the same type and amount of damage dice. For example, if playing a cleric, you may swap a warhammer for a battleaxe.
Your Submission
Character Portrait (for combat minis)
Name
Race (subrace as well)
Class (if you are a cleric, sorcerer, or warlock, include your subclass as well)
Background (if custom, please include the starting equipment this includes)
Personality (summarize in a paragraph)
Backstory (should end with an explanation of why you wanted to join the expedition)
How I Do Combat
In combat, I will roll initiative on behalf of everybody to make things a little faster. I will then continue to post the initiative order on each of my turns so you don't have to scroll back up every time to remind yourself the order of turns.
In addition, I will post a map of the scenario. For an example, see below:
The sides of the map are both numbered and lettered. When you move during combat, simply state the coordinates of where you want to move. For example, if Elaine (the blue eladrin) wants to move towards the nearest Yuan-Ti broodguard, she would say "I move 15 feet to D5". I will update the map on each of my turns.
You can send your character submission either on this thread or via PM. I will make my decisions and send invitations on August 18th. The campaign itself will be posted shortly after.
Backstory: (as told by the merchant who sees him come and go) Sam was born and raised in a small town north of Waterdeep. He hasn't mentioned its name, but I hear, a few years back, there was a terrible fire that took most if not all the of the town. Only a few souls made it out, Sam being one of them. If asked he won't say nothin about it or his time there. But, ask him about his adventures or the Monks that took him in and he'll spin you a long tale. He's a good kid but you can see this hunted look in his eyes, one that burrows on down into the soul. Lately he's been pickup odd jobs here and there to have some scraps to eat. Amazing thing is, every week he'll put a coin in at the church and one he mails off to the monastery that done raised him and taught him to fight. So, Yea, I'd recommend him for your little expedition. What he did mention about his town ties in with this canyon somehow and he's bound to investigate it to figure out what happened.
Name: Geraine Lucineous Race: Variant Human Class: Cleric (Life Domain)
Abilities: Standard Array Background (if custom, please include the starting equipment this includes)
Acolyte
Feature: Shelter of the Faithful
As an acolyte, you command the respect of those who share your faith, and you can perform the religious ceremonies of your deity. You and your adventuring companions can expect to receive free healing and care at a temple, shrine, or other established presence of your faith, though you must provide any material components needed for spells. Those who share your religion will support you (but only you) at a modest lifestyle.
You might also have ties to a specific temple dedicated to your chosen deity or pantheon, and you have a residence there. This could be the temple where you used to serve, if you remain on good terms with it, or a temple where you have found a new home. While near your temple, you can call upon the priests for assistance, provided the assistance you ask for is not hazardous and you remain in good standing with your temple.
Cleric Starting Equipment:
Mace
Chain Mail
Club (any simple weapon)
Priest's pack
Shield
Acolyte Starting Equipment:
Holy symbol
5 sticks of incense
Vestments
Set of common clothes
Pouch containing 15gp
Backstory (should end with an explanation of why you wanted to join the expedition)
I do not recall the world before I was nine, only dreams and images of a beautiful woman in a flowing opalescent dress with a set of golden scales embroidered upon it. My earliest recollections of my childhood drift back to the kind and beautiful of a half-elf I had come to know as Lathandre. She taught me much of the beauty and chaos of nature before the darkness of Hellgate Keep poured over us. Being only 9, I sought refuge with those who were able to escape, later meeting with a group of clerics and priests of The Brotherhood of the Sun heading to Icewind Dale on pilgrimage.
The Brotherhood of the Sun took me in and have treated me well these last 8 years. They taught me the lessons of justice and light - as well as combat and the blessings of Amaunator. Through these teachings I have come to realize it was Amaunator who visited those earliest dreams, but what message he has for me I cannot be certain. I choose to believe the path I have now follow as one of his followers is by his design, and feel my connection to Amanautor's light ever so strongly.
As rumors of a "cavern to the darkest depths" has surfaced, I know by Amaunator's wisdom that the delicate balance needs to be restored here. With the blessing of the Righteous Potentate I now travel South over the Spine of the World in search of an adventurer named Eduan Klage, rumored to be starting an expedition into this anomaly, and to bring law into this new frontier.
Before she was born, Bernadette's mother, Anneliese, was rescued from a group of bandits by her father, Eledan, a wandering adventurer. They had a short, passionate relationship which resulted in Bernadette's mother becoming pregnant with her. Not wanting to expose Bernadette to the life of an adventurer, she broke off their relationship, never telling Eledan of her pregnancy.
Bernadette's mother soon married a childhood friend from her village named Bernard Jopfry. Bernard was a kind man who had always been in love with Anneliese, but who she never considered in a romantic context. Anneliese died during the delivery of Bernadette. Bernadette was raised by Bernard from birth to adolescence, never knowing of her biological father. From the time she was 10, she apprenticed underneath her stepfather, an apothecary. Tragically, Bernard was killed by wild beasts while collecting ingredients when Bernadette was just 13. Some incomplete information on her biological father was revealed while sorting through her stepfather's personal effects, which caused her great distress.
Still too young to make it on her own, Bernadette was taken in by her uncle, Belden Jopfrey, a wealthy, underworld, artificer, living in Waterdeep. Bernadette apprenticed underneath him for 5 years, growing to be a skilled, sought-after artillerist artificer for some of the most disreputable thieves & assasins guilds in Waterdeep. On her 18th birthday, after much pleading from Bernadette, her uncle revealed more of the story of her true father. Belden kept loose tabs on Eledan due to the indirect relationship and the fact that they were based out of the same quadrant of Waterdeep. Eledan's adventuring band's last mission involved an expedition into the Underdark. That was 1 year ago and they had yet to return. Upon hearing this, Bernadette packed up the tools and equipment she could carry and left to find her father, thanking her Uncle and vowing that she would be back with her father in tow.
Xil was witness to an unspeakable tragedy that befell her family at an early age, leaving her with almost nothing save for a couple of family heirlooms. Why or how she survived the unholy assault remains a mystery to her still. In the wake of the tragedy though a mysterious otherworldly being (the Fiend) called to her with promises of answers and the power to stop such atrocities from ever happening again. Upon entering the pact though the spirits of her family lost in the destruction sought her out and have beguiled her since. Now she travels the land searching for clues about the tragedy in her family, secrets of power, but also a way to someday deal with her fiendish patron. Upon hearing about the new expedition into this "new frontier" as it was mentioned to her, she has found her way to the base camp, putting her name forward, despite dark aura that seems to surround her.
NOTE: This character is designed to be Lawful/Neutral Evil, meaning she seeks things for her own benefit, regardless of cost or circumstance to others. This does not mean she is a murder hobo by any stretch, she simply does not do things because they are "good" things to do, but because they suit her needs at the time. However, if this bothers everyone too much she can be Chaotic Neutral in alignment. If you want to know more just ask!
Backstory: Has a love for history and old ruins. Always on the lookout for new ruins to explore in the hopes of finding long lost treasure and artifacts. Upon hearing the rumours of this canyon that might lead to the underdark, he travelled to the region in hopes of joining an expedition to explore the anomaly, with the hopes of finding long lost ruins.
Abilities: Standard Array Background (if custom, please include the starting equipment this includes)
Anthropologist
Feature: Adept Linguist
You can communicate with humanoids who don’t speak any language you know. You must observe the humanoids interacting with one another for at least 1 day, after which you learn a handful of important words, expressions, and gestures—enough to communicate on a rudimentary level.
Backstory (should end with an explanation of why you wanted to join the expedition)
Although Aslaug has been raised as a warrior from a young age, her true fascination is the people around her. When others were fascinated by the tales of battle and glory, Aslaug was drawn to the artifacts that were brought back as spoils of war. She would study them, trying to understand the people who had used them. Aslaug's fascination did not go unnoticed and she was taken under the wing of Birger, the keeper of knowledge. She studied with him as best she could, though her skills lay in languages, not the multitude of books he forced upon her. In her studies, she came across an image of a disc that appeared to have a map on it. Half of this disc was amongst the treasures recovered in one of the tribe's raids. Aslaug has claimed it fascinated by it and now searches relentlessly for the other half, certain that this will unlock the secrets of a long-lost civilisation. On hearing the discovery of a new section of the Underdark, Aslaug left immediately, without seeking permission from the tribal leaders. She was not going to miss out on the opportunity of new discoveries.
Personality: Very good happy and very chipper halfling, as long as you don't ask about where he came from, then he gets a little moody.
Backstory: A ranger of a long destroyed kingdom, he was the advance scout, who was sent first to investigate dangers and trouble that could pose a threat to the kingdom. After hearing about the chasm, he took the initiative to explore this new frontier to evaluate the opportunity and profits for his home kingdom, that "you probably never heard of it"
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
Background: Herbalist (From homebrew list - highly ranked)
Skill Proficiencies: Medicine, Nature Tool Proficiencies: Choose two from Herbalism Kit, Brewer's Supplies, and Cook's Utensils Equipment: A herbalism kit, field apron (equivalent of traveller's clothes), a journal containing notes on curative salves and medicinal potions, a pouch containing 10 gold pieces.
Personality (summarize in a paragraph): Glyn is a very friendly and trustful character. He likes to talk with people and learn about their life - speaking regularly to houseplants improves their health and growth, so maybe the same works with people? He never lies and always find the beauty in the Nature. As most of the member of his large family, he worships the Nature and the Balance in the World. But Glyn always tries to help people and, for this reason, he found himself attracted to clergy of Mielikki - The Lady of the Forest - rather than Sylvannus
Backstory: The BlackRoot’s family runs a well known herbalist shop in town. As most of all Firbolg, Glyn is interested by plants but he was particularly intrigued by mushrooms. He always found these living entities mindblowing, all connected by their mycelium and in balance between life and death - the perfect cycle of live. He never told anybody, but Glyn finds beauty in decay, as it allows the creation of new life. Glyn have now reached the age of adulthood and his family allowed him to go on his walkabout, in search for his place in the large scheme of Mother Nature. Words of a new access to the Underdark has reached his town, this new world is sure full of unknown species of fungus that he could bring back to the shop. That is where he is will go.
Posting for interest and to put this thread in my notifications. I'll need to check how my schedule looks, but here are the ideas running through my head.
1: High Elf Wizard School of Evocation named Tempus Retrovios. Basic idea of the background? Spent most of his life alone studying and not doing much else. Had a magical accident, was returned to a youth physicality, and decided he'd make the most of his chance to redo his life. So in the spirit of going out and answering the call of adventure, he heard about the underdark chasm and set on a course to explore it.
2: Life Domain Aarakocra Cleric named Screechirk Hireek. Basic idea for a backstory? A priest of Ilmater, god of endurance, he never thought he'd be called so far from his home in the air. But when he was given a task from his god to go into the chasm, he had to answer the call. Though he fears the confines of the underdark and is not happy about this new task that has been laid before him, he is determined to follow through on his god's will and to give his best to whatever party he joins up with.
(Question: If I went with Screechrik Hireek, would you allow me to trade the Chain Mail a Life Domain cleric can start with for Studded Leather armor? An Aarakocra can't fly with medium/heavy armor, hence I'd prefer taking light armor. And the Studded Leather costs less than the Chain Mail that's a default gear option.)
Personality - I’m driven by a wanderlust that led me away from home. I watch over my friends as if they were a litter of newborn pups. Its all about the adventure with good friends
Backstory - Rasner is a young halfling that has set off to explore the world, it has been two years since he left his small village. In those two years he has seen so many things that he never thought were possible, living off the land and exploring far and wide without a care in the world. On his travels he has made a few friends and traveling companions to share the road with but they tend to come and go. During his travels he has heard about this great canyon that has opened up a new unexplored world and must take a look for himself.
Jeff, 46, Male, East coast US, have never played PBP before but really want to try. I have played 5e about a year and a half and previously in the late 80s/early 90. Please let me know if you have any questions for me.
Background: Custom/Foringer includes 2 skill, 2 tools
Personality: Cereki is a hard working fellow never letting a task undone, he is always ready to help whom ever that needs and wouldn't past an opportunity to make it big.
Backstory (should end with an explanation of why you wanted to join the expedition)
Deep in the scorching desert rested a Large oasis home to a Kruaka village where lived little Cereki. Every evening little Cereki would sit by the fire listening to the stories told by the elders, tales of great battles, epic adventures and glorious achievements. Tales that fascinated little Cereki greatly, in his free time after chores he would train with the other younglings to become a great adventurer! but the life of an adventurer dwindled into a shadow of itself before little Cereki was of age to leave the village. Crushed all he could do was wait until something happened, and wait he did for 18 years he waited his dreams of adventuring a fleeting memory. Until the world split in two! Talk of an expedition into new depth of the Underdark rekindled Cereki's dream of adventure he would not let this opportunity slip by, grabbing his belongings he set out to Anauroch in all haste in hopes of being one of the first to make the journey into the depths below...
Backstory - Rosie was born and raised in Elturel to a simple halfling family with little ambition beyond being happy and healthy. She loved to read and eventually became the town librarian. She met a cute halfling boy, fell in love, got married and had two children. By all accounts, her life was perfect. Being a librarian was not very exciting and her children always seemed embarassed to invite her to career day at their school. Not when their classmates had parents in the Elturel Hellriders. Her husband Benny felt the pull of adventure also, and when dragon cultists threatened the land he took a job to escort a caravan to Baldur's Gate. He never came home, having died to an attack by cultists on the road. Left to raise her children alone, any thought of being anything other than a librarian left her mind. But when they grew up and left home and sought their own places in the world, she decided to also venture out, eager to prove herself to her kids and to show everyone that she was more than a widow librarian. Exploring this new chasm seems a perfect opportunity to test her skills, and gather stories to tell her grandkids some day.
Thank you for the opportunity. I'm excited to explore the Underdark, really roleplay out a character, and able to commit to the posting rate specified.
Personality: Zeek is determined and driven by his instincts. His early years on the street have thought him to be careful about who to give his full trust to. However, once you’ve gained it, he’s friendly and caring.
Backstory: Ezekiel and his big brother Rostam grew up on the streets, their parents having died from an illness when they were young. Being the older sibling, Rostam took care of Ezekiel for many years, stealing food and coin so that they’d get by. Zeek looked up to his big brother. He was brave, kind and always made sure Zeek had what he need before his own needs. As the years went on, Rostam started hanging with less reputable people. They offered him to do some jobs. They were dangerous, but they paid well. Eventually, Rostam decided to leave his little brother at a monastery, so that he wouldn’t have to care for him as much and could focus on the jobs he was given. He swore that he would come to visit, but he never did. At first, Zeek felt abandoned, but soon, he started training under his master, a dwarven monk named Duncan. This training helped him forget about his troubles and about his brother that had left him there. He grew up to become a great fighter under Duncan’s tutelage. Years later, he started hearing rumors about the great canyon that lead to the Underdark. That’s when he received a visit from one of Rostam’s old associate. He told Zeek that his brother and a group of looters went on an expedition in Anauroch to try and score a big haul of treasure. It’s been weeks and they haven’t received any updates. Zeek felt worried about his brother’s well-being, even if it was mixed with a bit of resentment for having been abandoned. He decided to join the expedition in the chasm to try and find clues that could lead him to his brother, and hopefully, rescue him.
I’m open to workshop any elements of this character and possibly scrap him entirely for another. Would really be glad to join this game.
(Question: If I went with Screechrik Hireek, would you allow me to trade the Chain Mail a Life Domain cleric can start with for Studded Leather armor? An Aarakocra can't fly with medium/heavy armor, hence I'd prefer taking light armor. And the Studded Leather costs less than the Chain Mail that's a default gear option.)
Please feel free to do so.
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"Remind yourself that overconfidence is a slow and insidious killer."
Personality: Timid and scared, Torwin has a bit of a stutter as they lack confidence in themselves. Easily swayed and bullied into what others want they often default to just agreeing with others. They like to bury themselves in books and learning as they love learning and will often take risks to find new knowledge. This drive to learn despite being so timid is a drive that keeps them pursuing what they love. Torwin is an enigmatic being that will take risks to learn new things or acquire new books that has a small voice and large hidden talent for magical study.
Backstory: Torwin was a weak and small born lizardfolk that never really got a chance to build their strength. As such they took to learning and building their mind. A definitely outcast with his peers Torwin was ostracized and bullied often for their lack of strength. The lizardfolk never even earned a second name due to their own weakness. This led to Torwin having a very poor attitude of themselves and often being easily pushed around. This sadly continued right into when they found work with a prominent adventuring guild as a cataloger and researcher. They spent their time in the basement studying and learning as many of the adventurers there would tease him. Torwin's work became invaluable to the upper management of the guild though so he took pride in his work. Torwin never believed that they would ever go on an adventure themselves. Preferring to study and learn it was a bit of a surprise that everyone (including himself) had to apply to Eduan Klage's expedition. Like everything in life, Torwin did as good a job as he could with the application. He wouldn't cut corners even on something he has no interest in. Let alone it was preposterous to them that Eduan would chose a bookworm like himself. Fate has odd ways of pushing people though and out of everyone in the adventuring guild, Torwin was chosen! Of course torwin tried to give off the responsibility to others in the guild but instead Torwin found himself in a situation where he had to go on an adventure or be fired! Torwin loves his job, so with supplies in hand and no experience with exploring or adventuring they did their best to prepare for the canyon on the edge of Anauroch. Torwin is scared and feels alone but maybe they can find some new species of creature, or magical artifact, or better yet... BOOKS!
Backstory: Tempus Retrovios spent most of his 876 years of life in quiet study. He sought out ways of magic and delved into the various history books he could get his hands on. Though it wasn't the most exciting of lives, he thought himself happy for many years. That his pursuit of knowledge could sustain his desires in life. But as he continued to grow older and older he started to think back on his life and wonder if he'd truly made the right decisions. But, feeling his life was nearing its end, he figured that what was best was to make use of his final days to see if he could finally make something of himself. And so it was with that in mind that he tried out a new spell that ended up failing quite spectacularly.
At first he wasn't sure what had happened. Certainly nothing he'd ever be able to replicate. But through some random twist of fate the backfiring of his spell had de-aged him back into an almost teen. At first, in panic, he tried to see if he could reverse it. But then he thought about it and realized that what he had before him was an opportunity to remake his life. An opportunity to be more than an old elf sitting in dusty rooms and reading through the same texts again and again. An opportunity to grab life by the horns and make an adventure out of it.
So imagine his luck when he heard about an expedition to a new chasm in the underdark. The Underdark! Of all the places he'd read about it, was the Underdark that had always enthralled him the most. A whole world so alien to that of the surface. So wondrous in the unknown. And with that he headed with eyes wide in awe for the adventure of a lifetime.
Personality: Tempus is still full of excitement from his return to youth. He's wide-eyed and eager to see the world. He's eager to meet new people, even if he's not the most charismatic of people. But with his years of experience, he's also willing to act as a guide. To give advice to those that want it. Yet at the same time he's looking to the examples of others to learn how to make the most of life. During free time, he's enjoying running around or climbing up a tree/rock-face. And while he's in no rush to go on a life of studying again, he still has a fondness for curling up with a good book.
Screechirk Hireek, Aarakocra Life Domain Cleric
Character pic for minis
Character description
Name: Screechirk Hireek Race: Aarokocra (Elemental Evil version) Class: Cleric, Life Domain Background: Acolyte Alignment: Lawful Good Character Sheet: https://ddb.ac/characters/69171516/9GZwO4
Backstory: Screechirk Hireek was drawn to the priesthood of Ilmater. Their endurance through suffering appealed him through the hardships of his early life. Food had been scarce. Disease took a brother of his much too soon. But through it all, his faith in Ilmater carried him through. Perhaps the proudest day of his life was when he was made a cleric. A chance to help those in need and serve that which was right. It gives him great satisfaction to fly amongst the skies spreading his priesthood's charity and words of encouragement.
But recently he came to the hardest task in his priesthood. In his prayers he realized he was being given a task by his god. A task to go into the new frontiers of the Underdark. A task that filled him with dread. To leave the sky? Not even for the ground. But for the Underdark. The Underdark! What business did any self-respecting Aarakocra have going to the underdark? And why him? Was this because he studied Undercommon on a whim during his priestly training? All his good works and he had to go to the underdark? But if it was to be his task, then it was his duty to perform it. And to perform it to the best of his capabilities.
And so following his holy command he set off to the chasm to find a party to join with. A party to share in the adventure. A party to give his service to. And hopefully, when all this was done, a party he could tell fond stories of when he returned to the sky.
Personality: Scree is still uncomfortable with the whole idea of leaving the skies. Going down to the ground is bad enough and confined spaces give the heebie-jeebies. He's also unaccustomed to the ways of the ground. How tightly people cling to a material mindset. Just the other day he gave a starving orphan girl a loaf of bread. And just after he did so this dwarven baker comes out of nowhere yelling that he was a thief that hadn't paid for that loaf of bread. It was as if the dwarf hadn't even heard of the universal destination of goods. Like charity was some foreign concept to the dwarf. Perhaps he'd figure out these weird social norms after some time. He's quick to aid those in need and doesn't like lavish living, preferring a simpler life. Amongst friends he is quick to a joke, through land-folk don't always understand his sense of humor. Amongst enemies he is quick to take decisive action. But if they show a willing to amend their life, he is willing to help them to that journey.
Equipment notes: Swapped out Chain Mail for Studded Leather as discussed. Used house rule to swap 1d6 bludgeoning mace for 1d6 slashing scimitar.
Personality Daerthe is young and naive, having been raised in a very close knit and secluded community. She has a curious nature and wants to see the world in all of its aspects, having a desire to learn and study from both people and experience. She is very socially awkward around strangers due to having been taught that drow are hated by many so she tends to be a bit wary but still optimistic that people will see her good intentions. She has a strange habit of talking to her familiar as if it were someone to bounce ideas off of.
Backstory: Daerthe is a surface born drow, her mother a cleric of the goddess Elistraee and her father an exiled noble from one of the noble houses of a city ruled by the clergy of Lloth. Due to being a community of drow, she was raised in almost complete isolation from the outside world, only traveling when it was nesscary or for her mother to perform religious duties. While devout to the goddess Daerthe never took well to the path of a cleric, taking more after her father who practiced the arcane arts. From a young age she studied under him and learned both the strange magic of her dark kin and that of the surface, each potent in their own ways.
While not considered an adult by the standards of elves, around the time she became one by human standards Daerthe felt that her time being secluded was over so she took her few belongings and enough provisions for a few weeks. With a note she bid her parents farewell and set out into the wider world. Sadly with the little knowledge she had the young drow got lost several times and ended up in very strange places for her at least. Eventually in a tavern in a small town she heard talk of some famous adventurer calling for those brave enough to join him in the Underdark. With the thought of learning more about where her parents and kin had originally come from she set off to find the man and offer her services as someone whose people had been able to thrive in the Underdark for centuries.
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Rekuberk Onc Level 8 | Half Orc | Barbarian (The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks)
Personality: It's rare that you'll see Asteria without a self-satisfied smile on her face. Someone who's always managed to use her wits to keep her safe, her confidence in her skills often overwhelms her learned caution. She has a crow's eye for valuable things, and won't hesitate to take a few risks if it meant adding to her stash. She always has a friendly word or two for others, and advice if they need it, but she's always careful to take care of her own interests first and foremost.
Backstory: "Thief" is such a strong, loaded word. Antigone much prefers the term "opportunistic antiquarian". The third or fourth child of a very large family, there was never much attention to spare for dear Terry, which suited her just fine. She roamed the streets with the other children, finding their own fun among the street seller's stores and admiring the houses of richer districts before being shooed away for being a nuisance. She has always loved the rich and beautiful things of the world, even if there was no chance her family could ever afford the nice things she desired so much. As she grew older, however, she stopped letting such concerns hinder her dreams. Ownership sounded like someone else's headache. She learned from the older kids, working as gangs of thieves roaming the streets. She begged for stories from hardened criminals in taverns, appealing to their pride to convince them to reveal their trade secrets. She filched wallets, forged letters of credit - mere gold had never been her objective, but she had to make a living while she set her eyes on something higher, or so she told herself.
In the end, however, it was not her plans, but mere chance, that saw her in possession of the personal research notes of a too-drunk mage. Her initial impulse was to sell it to someone else before it could be traced back to her, but curiosity caused her to flip through a few pages, and that was enough to light a fire in her mind. Rather than selling the notebook, she bought more manuscripts, attempting to decipher the meaning of the text. Most of it was far beyond her understanding - she'd never had the sort of education necessary - but her careless scholarship was enough so summon the attention of the Djinni studied in the texts. Not knowing the consequences, and too ambitious to turn down such an offer, she entered into a pact with the entity - they will provide her with information to conduct more daring burgularies, tiny scraps of lore to expand her understanding of the hidden arts, if she agreed to look after their interests on this world. The deal had... both ups and downs. She's never been entirely comfortable asking her patron the purpose of the "little tasks" she completes for them, and these days her goal of collecting artifacts and valuables seem to be leading her on more and more perilous escapades - not that she minded the extra excitement.
Thus, it was with a little bit of trepidation and no small amount of avarice that Asteria applied to the expedition, advice - and task - from her patron firmly in the back of her head. Their goals don't align so perfectly this often, after all, and she's quite sure her growing unease was entirely basless.
Name: Dr. Agathys Knackery, Archaeomancer Race: Half-Elf Class: Wizard (Order of the Scribes, if allowed, otherwise Divination) Background: Lorehold Student Personality: Agathys is outgoing and educated, without the characteristic snobbishness of some academics. Discovery and relic preservation is her deepest passion. She may be long-winded, may be too confident in her ability to talk her way out of danger, but she is well-meaning and eager to explore the unknown with interesting strangers. Backstory: Dr. Agathys Knackery is an Archaeomancer, Researcher, and Substitute Lecturer at the Lorehold College in Strixhaven. She was invited to work alongside Professor Osgir and spent several blissful years exploring ancient ruins and dig-sites. Recently, a heated argument about the Underdark and its origins led the two deans of the college to "suggest" she take her sabbatical and discover the truth for herself before returning to less argumentative subjects. She has heard that the famous adventurer Eduan Klage is putting an expedition together to explore the mysterious new fissure near the borders of Anauroch and has emphatically put her name (and credentials) forward.
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Introduction
For many adventurers, it may seem as though there is nothing left to explore.
Every accursed crypt, every overrun stronghold, every monstrous lair cleaned out by heroes long past. Every last decrepit ruin has a place on the map, its history readily available in some public library or other. Every arcane relic and eldritch artifact has been found, carefully cataloged, its properties recorded with perfect accuracy, now either on display in some gallery or in the private possession of another adventurer.
All of the experienced adventurers have long been aware of this, and have since taken to planar travel in their pursuit of the opportunity to see something new. However, even the farthest corners of the cosmos will eventually be mapped out. From the City of Brass to the Domains of Dread, most of the known planes of existence have been thoroughly explored.
It seems there is nothing left for your generation of adventurers, perpetually living in the shadows of your predecessors. Everything has already been done. The so-called “adventurers” of today are little more than mercenaries, taking jobs as armed escorts, messengers, representatives, exterminators, and so on.
Even if a worthy threat were to appear, the competition has rendered the act of rising to the occasion meaningless. Older, more powerful, more experienced adventurers will effortlessly bring down the menace before the news even reaches you.
It has truly been a disheartening time to be an adventurer… until now.
One month ago, word spread of an anomaly hidden in a remote region on the borders of Anauroch: a several-mile-long gash in the earth. A canyon that, if the tales were to be believed, reached so far deep into the ground that one could reach the Underdark simply by scaling its walls.
This canyon had, according to maps and recorded accounts from adventurers past, never been seen before. This fact has caused hundreds, if not thousands, of adventurers to flock to the canyon, eager to explore this never-before-seen region of the Underdark. Finally, an opportunity to make a name for oneself. New creatures, new treasures, new dangers, all waiting to be discovered…
What Kind of Game I'm Looking For
Post Frequency. I would like for participants to check the campaign thread at least once a day, however, I will not be strict about this (we all have lives, I assume). As long as you’re not inactive for 2 or more days without notifying me ahead of time, you’ll be fine. I would prefer that people check more frequently during combat, as PbP combat is extremely slow.
Characters who interact with each other and NPCs believably. Be willing to roleplay believable interactions with each other. Don’t hesitate to let your character’s personality clash with others. If you disagree with another character or NPC, don’t keep silent for fear of “disrupting the game”. Make friends and enemies in the way that best suits their character. HOWEVER, this must be done within reason. Generally, you should act in a way that serves the party’s common interest. If you want to make a major decision without consulting your party members in-game, please do it in the out-of-game chat. (TLDR: roleplay, for goodness’ sake)
Some capacity to think outside the box. Interact with the environment. This is an Underdark survival campaign. There’s weird stuff everywhere. Use it to your advantage. Come up with plans that go beyond “charge head-on towards the monster and hit it with our highest-damage attacks until it dies” (this might get you killed). I don’t expect everyone to be master tacticians, of course, but for both your sake and mine, I’d like to see variety in player tactics.
Character Creation
Your Submission
How I Do Combat
In combat, I will roll initiative on behalf of everybody to make things a little faster. I will then continue to post the initiative order on each of my turns so you don't have to scroll back up every time to remind yourself the order of turns.
In addition, I will post a map of the scenario. For an example, see below:
The sides of the map are both numbered and lettered. When you move during combat, simply state the coordinates of where you want to move. For example, if Elaine (the blue eladrin) wants to move towards the nearest Yuan-Ti broodguard, she would say "I move 15 feet to D5". I will update the map on each of my turns.
You can send your character submission either on this thread or via PM. I will make my decisions and send invitations on August 18th. The campaign itself will be posted shortly after.
"Remind yourself that overconfidence is a slow and insidious killer."
D&D since 1984
https://ddb.ac/characters/80776519/Ljmxzg
Character Portrait (for combat minis)
Name: Geraine Lucineous
Race: Variant Human
Class: Cleric (Life Domain)
Abilities: Standard Array
Background (if custom, please include the starting equipment this includes)
As an acolyte, you command the respect of those who share your faith, and you can perform the religious ceremonies of your deity. You and your adventuring companions can expect to receive free healing and care at a temple, shrine, or other established presence of your faith, though you must provide any material components needed for spells. Those who share your religion will support you (but only you) at a modest lifestyle.
You might also have ties to a specific temple dedicated to your chosen deity or pantheon, and you have a residence there. This could be the temple where you used to serve, if you remain on good terms with it, or a temple where you have found a new home. While near your temple, you can call upon the priests for assistance, provided the assistance you ask for is not hazardous and you remain in good standing with your temple.
Cleric Starting Equipment:
Acolyte Starting Equipment:
Backstory (should end with an explanation of why you wanted to join the expedition)
I do not recall the world before I was nine, only dreams and images of a beautiful woman in a flowing opalescent dress with a set of golden scales embroidered upon it. My earliest recollections of my childhood drift back to the kind and beautiful of a half-elf I had come to know as Lathandre. She taught me much of the beauty and chaos of nature before the darkness of Hellgate Keep poured over us. Being only 9, I sought refuge with those who were able to escape, later meeting with a group of clerics and priests of The Brotherhood of the Sun heading to Icewind Dale on pilgrimage.
The Brotherhood of the Sun took me in and have treated me well these last 8 years. They taught me the lessons of justice and light - as well as combat and the blessings of Amaunator. Through these teachings I have come to realize it was Amaunator who visited those earliest dreams, but what message he has for me I cannot be certain. I choose to believe the path I have now follow as one of his followers is by his design, and feel my connection to Amanautor's light ever so strongly.
As rumors of a "cavern to the darkest depths" has surfaced, I know by Amaunator's wisdom that the delicate balance needs to be restored here. With the blessing of the Righteous Potentate I now travel South over the Spine of the World in search of an adventurer named Eduan Klage, rumored to be starting an expedition into this anomaly, and to bring law into this new frontier.
Horkur Beren in Tending the Garden
Geraine Lucineous in Onward Down
Before she was born, Bernadette's mother, Anneliese, was rescued from a group of bandits by her father, Eledan, a wandering adventurer. They had a short, passionate relationship which resulted in Bernadette's mother becoming pregnant with her. Not wanting to expose Bernadette to the life of an adventurer, she broke off their relationship, never telling Eledan of her pregnancy.
Bernadette's mother soon married a childhood friend from her village named Bernard Jopfry. Bernard was a kind man who had always been in love with Anneliese, but who she never considered in a romantic context. Anneliese died during the delivery of Bernadette. Bernadette was raised by Bernard from birth to adolescence, never knowing of her biological father. From the time she was 10, she apprenticed underneath her stepfather, an apothecary. Tragically, Bernard was killed by wild beasts while collecting ingredients when Bernadette was just 13. Some incomplete information on her biological father was revealed while sorting through her stepfather's personal effects, which caused her great distress.
Still too young to make it on her own, Bernadette was taken in by her uncle, Belden Jopfrey, a wealthy, underworld, artificer, living in Waterdeep. Bernadette apprenticed underneath him for 5 years, growing to be a skilled, sought-after artillerist artificer for some of the most disreputable thieves & assasins guilds in Waterdeep. On her 18th birthday, after much pleading from Bernadette, her uncle revealed more of the story of her true father. Belden kept loose tabs on Eledan due to the indirect relationship and the fact that they were based out of the same quadrant of Waterdeep. Eledan's adventuring band's last mission involved an expedition into the Underdark. That was 1 year ago and they had yet to return. Upon hearing this, Bernadette packed up the tools and equipment she could carry and left to find her father, thanking her Uncle and vowing that she would be back with her father in tow.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/80085808
Name: Aslaug Hagensdotter
Race: Variant Human
Class: Barbarian
Abilities: Standard Array
Background (if custom, please include the starting equipment this includes)
You can communicate with humanoids who don’t speak any language you know. You must observe the humanoids interacting with one another for at least 1 day, after which you learn a handful of important words, expressions, and gestures—enough to communicate on a rudimentary level.
Backstory (should end with an explanation of why you wanted to join the expedition)
Although Aslaug has been raised as a warrior from a young age, her true fascination is the people around her. When others were fascinated by the tales of battle and glory, Aslaug was drawn to the artifacts that were brought back as spoils of war. She would study them, trying to understand the people who had used them. Aslaug's fascination did not go unnoticed and she was taken under the wing of Birger, the keeper of knowledge. She studied with him as best she could, though her skills lay in languages, not the multitude of books he forced upon her. In her studies, she came across an image of a disc that appeared to have a map on it. Half of this disc was amongst the treasures recovered in one of the tribe's raids. Aslaug has claimed it fascinated by it and now searches relentlessly for the other half, certain that this will unlock the secrets of a long-lost civilisation. On hearing the discovery of a new section of the Underdark, Aslaug left immediately, without seeking permission from the tribal leaders. She was not going to miss out on the opportunity of new discoveries.
https://ddb.ac/characters/80795359/yoxukk
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 AnnihilationDone.
Personality (summarize in a paragraph): Glyn is a very friendly and trustful character. He likes to talk with people and learn about their life - speaking regularly to houseplants improves their health and growth, so maybe the same works with people? He never lies and always find the beauty in the Nature. As most of the member of his large family, he worships the Nature and the Balance in the World. But Glyn always tries to help people and, for this reason, he found himself attracted to clergy of Mielikki - The Lady of the Forest - rather than Sylvannus
Backstory: The BlackRoot’s family runs a well known herbalist shop in town. As most of all Firbolg, Glyn is interested by plants but he was particularly intrigued by mushrooms. He always found these living entities mindblowing, all connected by their mycelium and in balance between life and death - the perfect cycle of live. He never told anybody, but Glyn finds beauty in decay, as it allows the creation of new life. Glyn have now reached the age of adulthood and his family allowed him to go on his walkabout, in search for his place in the large scheme of Mother Nature. Words of a new access to the Underdark has reached his town, this new world is sure full of unknown species of fungus that he could bring back to the shop. That is where he is will go.
Currently Playing: Regdus Ironfist (Greyhawk) Lvl 1 Storm Sorcerer ; Goraseth Drerjoxian (Icespeak) Lvl 3 Paladin Oath of Glory; Lerak (The Wild Beyond the Witchlight) Lvl 3 Barbarian Wild Magic
In Pause: Grimnir " Shadow-Feet", Lv 11 Owner of "The Basilisk & the Monk" (OotA) - Kurma Kappa, Lv 8 Priest of Oghma (ToA)
Currently DM'ing: Princes of Apocalypse >> Tomb of Annihilation
Posting for interest and to put this thread in my notifications. I'll need to check how my schedule looks, but here are the ideas running through my head.
1: High Elf Wizard School of Evocation named Tempus Retrovios. Basic idea of the background? Spent most of his life alone studying and not doing much else. Had a magical accident, was returned to a youth physicality, and decided he'd make the most of his chance to redo his life. So in the spirit of going out and answering the call of adventure, he heard about the underdark chasm and set on a course to explore it.
2: Life Domain Aarakocra Cleric named Screechirk Hireek. Basic idea for a backstory? A priest of Ilmater, god of endurance, he never thought he'd be called so far from his home in the air. But when he was given a task from his god to go into the chasm, he had to answer the call. Though he fears the confines of the underdark and is not happy about this new task that has been laid before him, he is determined to follow through on his god's will and to give his best to whatever party he joins up with.
(Question: If I went with Screechrik Hireek, would you allow me to trade the Chain Mail a Life Domain cleric can start with for Studded Leather armor? An Aarakocra can't fly with medium/heavy armor, hence I'd prefer taking light armor. And the Studded Leather costs less than the Chain Mail that's a default gear option.)
This is a signature. It was a simple signature. But it has been upgraded.
Bel, Aarakocra Hunter Ranger, Friend Campaign
Screechirk, Aarakocra Light Cleric, Wages of Vice
Darath, Goliath Battlemaster, Into the Overlap
Draíocht, Wood Elf Moon Druid, Kholias
Eggo Lass, Drow GOOlock, 100 Dungeons
Drako, Dragonborn Tempest Cleric, Dragon of Icespire Peak
Phait, Mountain Dwarf Wild Magic Sorcerer, Shadowglass
Get rickrolled here. Listen to awesome music here. (selection 27, 4/23/24, One Voice)
Jeff, 46, Male, East coast US, have never played PBP before but really want to try. I have played 5e about a year and a half and previously in the late 80s/early 90. Please let me know if you have any questions for me.
Deep in the scorching desert rested a Large oasis home to a Kruaka village where lived little Cereki. Every evening little Cereki would sit by the fire listening to the stories told by the elders, tales of great battles, epic adventures and glorious achievements. Tales that fascinated little Cereki greatly, in his free time after chores he would train with the other younglings to become a great adventurer! but the life of an adventurer dwindled into a shadow of itself before little Cereki was of age to leave the village. Crushed all he could do was wait until something happened, and wait he did for 18 years he waited his dreams of adventuring a fleeting memory. Until the world split in two! Talk of an expedition into new depth of the Underdark rekindled Cereki's dream of adventure he would not let this opportunity slip by, grabbing his belongings he set out to Anauroch in all haste in hopes of being one of the first to make the journey into the depths below...
Thank you for the opportunity. I'm excited to explore the Underdark, really roleplay out a character, and able to commit to the posting rate specified.
I’m open to workshop any elements of this character and possibly scrap him entirely for another. Would really be glad to join this game.
Please feel free to do so.
"Remind yourself that overconfidence is a slow and insidious killer."
Got two different characters ideas I'll put up. Equally open to either them, whichever is better for party balance.
Tempus Retrovios, High Elf Wizard (School of Evocation later on)
Character pic for minis
Character info
Name: Tempus Retrovios
Race: Elf, High Elf
Class: Wizard
Background: Sage
Alignment: Neutral Good
Character Sheet: https://ddb.ac/characters/69063806/Usekt8
Backstory: Tempus Retrovios spent most of his 876 years of life in quiet study. He sought out ways of magic and delved into the various history books he could get his hands on. Though it wasn't the most exciting of lives, he thought himself happy for many years. That his pursuit of knowledge could sustain his desires in life. But as he continued to grow older and older he started to think back on his life and wonder if he'd truly made the right decisions. But, feeling his life was nearing its end, he figured that what was best was to make use of his final days to see if he could finally make something of himself. And so it was with that in mind that he tried out a new spell that ended up failing quite spectacularly.
At first he wasn't sure what had happened. Certainly nothing he'd ever be able to replicate. But through some random twist of fate the backfiring of his spell had de-aged him back into an almost teen. At first, in panic, he tried to see if he could reverse it. But then he thought about it and realized that what he had before him was an opportunity to remake his life. An opportunity to be more than an old elf sitting in dusty rooms and reading through the same texts again and again. An opportunity to grab life by the horns and make an adventure out of it.
So imagine his luck when he heard about an expedition to a new chasm in the underdark. The Underdark! Of all the places he'd read about it, was the Underdark that had always enthralled him the most. A whole world so alien to that of the surface. So wondrous in the unknown. And with that he headed with eyes wide in awe for the adventure of a lifetime.
Personality: Tempus is still full of excitement from his return to youth. He's wide-eyed and eager to see the world. He's eager to meet new people, even if he's not the most charismatic of people. But with his years of experience, he's also willing to act as a guide. To give advice to those that want it. Yet at the same time he's looking to the examples of others to learn how to make the most of life. During free time, he's enjoying running around or climbing up a tree/rock-face. And while he's in no rush to go on a life of studying again, he still has a fondness for curling up with a good book.
Screechirk Hireek, Aarakocra Life Domain Cleric
Character pic for minis
Character description
Name: Screechirk Hireek
Race: Aarokocra (Elemental Evil version)
Class: Cleric, Life Domain
Background: Acolyte
Alignment: Lawful Good
Character Sheet: https://ddb.ac/characters/69171516/9GZwO4
Backstory: Screechirk Hireek was drawn to the priesthood of Ilmater. Their endurance through suffering appealed him through the hardships of his early life. Food had been scarce. Disease took a brother of his much too soon. But through it all, his faith in Ilmater carried him through. Perhaps the proudest day of his life was when he was made a cleric. A chance to help those in need and serve that which was right. It gives him great satisfaction to fly amongst the skies spreading his priesthood's charity and words of encouragement.
Personality: Scree is still uncomfortable with the whole idea of leaving the skies. Going down to the ground is bad enough and confined spaces give the heebie-jeebies. He's also unaccustomed to the ways of the ground. How tightly people cling to a material mindset. Just the other day he gave a starving orphan girl a loaf of bread. And just after he did so this dwarven baker comes out of nowhere yelling that he was a thief that hadn't paid for that loaf of bread. It was as if the dwarf hadn't even heard of the universal destination of goods. Like charity was some foreign concept to the dwarf. Perhaps he'd figure out these weird social norms after some time. He's quick to aid those in need and doesn't like lavish living, preferring a simpler life. Amongst friends he is quick to a joke, through land-folk don't always understand his sense of humor. Amongst enemies he is quick to take decisive action. But if they show a willing to amend their life, he is willing to help them to that journey.
Equipment notes: Swapped out Chain Mail for Studded Leather as discussed. Used house rule to swap 1d6 bludgeoning mace for 1d6 slashing scimitar.
This is a signature. It was a simple signature. But it has been upgraded.
Bel, Aarakocra Hunter Ranger, Friend Campaign
Screechirk, Aarakocra Light Cleric, Wages of Vice
Darath, Goliath Battlemaster, Into the Overlap
Draíocht, Wood Elf Moon Druid, Kholias
Eggo Lass, Drow GOOlock, 100 Dungeons
Drako, Dragonborn Tempest Cleric, Dragon of Icespire Peak
Phait, Mountain Dwarf Wild Magic Sorcerer, Shadowglass
Get rickrolled here. Listen to awesome music here. (selection 27, 4/23/24, One Voice)
Character Portrait:
Name: Daerthe Narcion
Race: Elf (Drow)
Class: Wizard (Bladesinger at Level 2)
Background: Acolyte
Personality Daerthe is young and naive, having been raised in a very close knit and secluded community. She has a curious nature and wants to see the world in all of its aspects, having a desire to learn and study from both people and experience. She is very socially awkward around strangers due to having been taught that drow are hated by many so she tends to be a bit wary but still optimistic that people will see her good intentions. She has a strange habit of talking to her familiar as if it were someone to bounce ideas off of.
Backstory: Daerthe is a surface born drow, her mother a cleric of the goddess Elistraee and her father an exiled noble from one of the noble houses of a city ruled by the clergy of Lloth. Due to being a community of drow, she was raised in almost complete isolation from the outside world, only traveling when it was nesscary or for her mother to perform religious duties. While devout to the goddess Daerthe never took well to the path of a cleric, taking more after her father who practiced the arcane arts. From a young age she studied under him and learned both the strange magic of her dark kin and that of the surface, each potent in their own ways.
While not considered an adult by the standards of elves, around the time she became one by human standards Daerthe felt that her time being secluded was over so she took her few belongings and enough provisions for a few weeks. With a note she bid her parents farewell and set out into the wider world. Sadly with the little knowledge she had the young drow got lost several times and ended up in very strange places for her at least. Eventually in a tavern in a small town she heard talk of some famous adventurer calling for those brave enough to join him in the Underdark. With the thought of learning more about where her parents and kin had originally come from she set off to find the man and offer her services as someone whose people had been able to thrive in the Underdark for centuries.
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)
Name: Asteria
Race: Half-elf
Class: Warlock (genie)
Background: Criminal/Spy
Personality: It's rare that you'll see Asteria without a self-satisfied smile on her face. Someone who's always managed to use her wits to keep her safe, her confidence in her skills often overwhelms her learned caution. She has a crow's eye for valuable things, and won't hesitate to take a few risks if it meant adding to her stash. She always has a friendly word or two for others, and advice if they need it, but she's always careful to take care of her own interests first and foremost.
Backstory: "Thief" is such a strong, loaded word. Antigone much prefers the term "opportunistic antiquarian". The third or fourth child of a very large family, there was never much attention to spare for dear Terry, which suited her just fine. She roamed the streets with the other children, finding their own fun among the street seller's stores and admiring the houses of richer districts before being shooed away for being a nuisance. She has always loved the rich and beautiful things of the world, even if there was no chance her family could ever afford the nice things she desired so much. As she grew older, however, she stopped letting such concerns hinder her dreams. Ownership sounded like someone else's headache. She learned from the older kids, working as gangs of thieves roaming the streets. She begged for stories from hardened criminals in taverns, appealing to their pride to convince them to reveal their trade secrets. She filched wallets, forged letters of credit - mere gold had never been her objective, but she had to make a living while she set her eyes on something higher, or so she told herself.
In the end, however, it was not her plans, but mere chance, that saw her in possession of the personal research notes of a too-drunk mage. Her initial impulse was to sell it to someone else before it could be traced back to her, but curiosity caused her to flip through a few pages, and that was enough to light a fire in her mind. Rather than selling the notebook, she bought more manuscripts, attempting to decipher the meaning of the text. Most of it was far beyond her understanding - she'd never had the sort of education necessary - but her careless scholarship was enough so summon the attention of the Djinni studied in the texts. Not knowing the consequences, and too ambitious to turn down such an offer, she entered into a pact with the entity - they will provide her with information to conduct more daring burgularies, tiny scraps of lore to expand her understanding of the hidden arts, if she agreed to look after their interests on this world. The deal had... both ups and downs. She's never been entirely comfortable asking her patron the purpose of the "little tasks" she completes for them, and these days her goal of collecting artifacts and valuables seem to be leading her on more and more perilous escapades - not that she minded the extra excitement.
Thus, it was with a little bit of trepidation and no small amount of avarice that Asteria applied to the expedition, advice - and task - from her patron firmly in the back of her head. Their goals don't align so perfectly this often, after all, and she's quite sure her growing unease was entirely basless.
Character Sheet: https://ddb.ac/characters/80906939/hscW2y
Name: Dr. Agathys Knackery, Archaeomancer
Race: Half-Elf
Class: Wizard (Order of the Scribes, if allowed, otherwise Divination)
Background: Lorehold Student
Personality:
Agathys is outgoing and educated, without the characteristic snobbishness of some academics. Discovery and relic preservation is her deepest passion. She may be long-winded, may be too confident in her ability to talk her way out of danger, but she is well-meaning and eager to explore the unknown with interesting strangers.
Backstory:
Dr. Agathys Knackery is an Archaeomancer, Researcher, and Substitute Lecturer at the Lorehold College in Strixhaven. She was invited to work alongside Professor Osgir and spent several blissful years exploring ancient ruins and dig-sites. Recently, a heated argument about the Underdark and its origins led the two deans of the college to "suggest" she take her sabbatical and discover the truth for herself before returning to less argumentative subjects. She has heard that the famous adventurer Eduan Klage is putting an expedition together to explore the mysterious new fissure near the borders of Anauroch and has emphatically put her name (and credentials) forward.