Backstory: After discovering her talent with handcrafts as a child, Branaris travelled to Clan Brightblade in Anathar's Dell to apprentice at the forge. Although not a dwarf, she was accepted into the clan for apprenticeship. She picked up knowledge of the smithy and other clan crafts, before the clan was attacked by undead, killing many including her teacher. That became a turning point for Branaris, who began searching for meaning in her life after her teacher and friends were taken away. She eventually found a replacement for that meaning as a cleric of Darahl Firecloak, Lord of the Green Flame, and now spends her time between the forge and the duties of orders.
Personality: Branaris prefers to stay quiet and listen.
Ideals: I always want to know how things work and what makes people tick. I believe that anything worth doing is worth doing right. I can’t help it—I’m a perfectionist.
Bonds: People. I’m committed to the people I care about, not to ideals.
Flaws: Once I pick a goal, I become obsessed with it to the detriment of everything else in my life.
Fears: Undead. Sometimes I see movement out of the corner of my eye and I'm sure it's them, come back for me.
Backstory: Grogan always was the quiet kid growing up, the but of many jokes, as he was seen as lazy and carrying a few extra pounds on him. In his 32nd year something snapped in Grogan, though he seemed calm and quiet on the outside, he was bottling all sorts or rage inside.
They said the human that Grogan snapped on would have taken longer to recover the Grogan would be in the guard house but Grogan never heard of the man again. While in holding he made friends with half-elf that was part of the thieves guild. Seeing Grogan as potential apprentice, the half-elf broke the two of them free and Grogan became a contractor of the guild. The guild would give the half-elf a Jin, and he would contract out Grogan to do the job or assist. When Grogan decided he had enough of getting copper on the gold the half-elf was getting from the guild, he rebeled and ultimately got into a brawl, to which he lost. The half-elf left a big 'X' pattern acrossed Grogan's chest and left him for dead.
But Grogan managed to survive, sporting some nasty scaring, and a new outlook on what he's going to do with his life.
Personality: I'm quickly to anger from the slightest insult.
Ideals: Redemption, there's a little good in every one .
Bonds: I'm guilty of a terrible crime that I home i can redeem myself one day.
Flaws: if there is a plan, I will forget it, it o don't forget it, I'll just ignore it
Fears: that he truly is the horrible person he had become/ He is inadequate, especially in a fight.
Name:Grégoire de Fronsac Race: Human (Variant) Class: Hexblade Alignment: Neutral Good Background: Bountyhunter Backstory: Born to a wealthy merchant in Arabel, Grégoire could have chosen a quiet life in the city, but chose a different path. When he came of age he joined his uncle Rudolph in Suzail, assisting him in his investigations, quelling sinister eldritch threats to Cormyr. Recently these investigations lead them to the desolate and ruined city of Tilverton where young Grégoire came upon a sentient jet black blade of netherese origin, shadows flitting about it. An eerie voice spoke out in Grégoires mind luring him into a pact, serving Grégoire in his hunt for evil horror whilst sated with the blood of these creatures. Now his uncle Rudolph has retired but Grégoire still travels Faerûn in search of mysteries to solve and horrors to defeat. Personality:Grégoire is outwardly charming, witty and carefree but hides a darkness brought on him by the blade he carries Ideals: Grégoire views himself as a professional monster hunter rather than a hero, but in the end he will always help those in need. Bonds: The jet black blade he carries is insidious in it's nature, slowly taking hold of his soul and steering him towards a dark destiny. Flaws: The will of the jet black blade will sometimes influence him to do dark deeds that will torment his conscience. Fears: To lose his soul to the jet black blade and to not be able to protect the innocents of the evil horrors hiding in the darkness. Character Sheet Link:Grégoire de Fronsac
Ability Scores: Those rolled above (will decide how to assign them - favoring physical stats)
Race/Subrace: Dusk Elf
Class/Subclass (or planned Subclass): Barbarian (subclass to be decided)
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Background: Haunted One
Backstory: Long long time ago, the dusk elf maiden Eithne refused the offers of love from a powerful magic-user who really had an obsession with her. Her rejected lover took revenge by turning her into a statue: the last words that Eithne had heard were: "Since your heart remains of stone, I will give you an existence that is entirely suitable for you!" Eithne doesn't know why, much much later, the spell breaks. Is it perhaps a whim of the dark forces that dominate Ravenloft? Or... or have been the voices that have finally succeeded in that? Yes, the voices... for Eithne hears voices in her mind. So many voices. Voices of female dusk elves. Her voices tell her that they are the female dusk elves slaughtered by Stradh. Eithne learns that a very long time has passed and that now she is the only female dusk elf left alive! Strahd had all the female dusk elves put to death around four centuries ago as a punishment! Horrified by the Count's cruelty and forced to be wary of members of her own kind (what would they do to her if they discovered her? Would they keep her prisoner as their only hope of not extinguishing the race? Would they hand her over to the Count to please him and allow him to complete what had begun?) Eithne is forced to begin a wandering existence, but she also matures the decision to make the Count pay at all costs for what he has done! And there's not a day that the voices in her mind don't remind her of this.
Personality: Eithne has always believed in the value of freedom and independence of individuals and was very inclined to be curious and seek out new experiences - albeit with the caution that living in Barovia requires. Since she was freed from petrification and hears the Voices of the female dusk elf in her head, however, her main challenge is to maintain her sanity - as well as plotting revenge against the most powerful creature she knows, the Devil Stradh.
Ideals: Nothing is sweeter than peace. Peace of the land. Peace of the soul. And peace of the mind; above all peace of the mind.
Bonds: The Devil Stradh must die. Only then the Voices will have peace. And Eithne too, hoepfully.
Flaws: Sometimes, the Voices cloud her judgment.... she might underestimate the risks involved or the wickedness of the measures she plans to take, if she sees a real possibility of carrying out her revenge.
Fears: Eithne is afraid above all else of losing her mind completely and living a life without peace, with the Voices always in her head.
Character Sheet Link: I will setup the sheet, if chosen.
Class/Subclass (or planned Subclass): Barbarian (Path of the Totem Warrior Planned)
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Background: Outlander
Backstory:
Let me put this straight: You're curious as to know how a Leonin lady and her entire family ended up from the golden plains of Oreskos to this hellish world of Barovia right? I'm not intelligent myself to recall all the details, I'll admit, but I will explain as thoroughly as I can like I'm telling my three children my own stories of valour. Like many of my kind, I myself lived in Oreskos, where members felt more superior than most mortal beings that exist out in the open worlds, including gods themselves. The feline blood that runs in our races has resulted in warriors full of pride including myself who enjoy physical and verbal fights of all kind. Strong-willed and proud till the last breath, is the motto of my people.
I myself, am not the most exceptional lioness that the Leonin has created, but still satisfactory enough to defend from rival societies and opponents. To be honest, well, whilst I enjoy fighting armed and unarmed combat, I have a sharp tongue to pair with my ferocious instincts when a verbal fight breaks out, which is more of my strength when things don't to plan nearly all of the time. During the course of my time serving for my people, I managed to find a lovely, well built husband who is one of the strongest men in the land. Yeah, my burly husband who's better at physical combat than I am and vice-versa, who didn't hesitate to bring me a gift of his own: A shortsword called a 'dadao' he says, from winning a tournament fight barehanded... and as a matter of fact he is actually exceptional at rearing my three precious cubs. Really. You should see how devoted he his to make my fur curl when he happily plays with my babies.
But enough of my past life. Let me explain now the events that changed the way who I am today: I heard rumours one day when I was busy babysitting a friend's litter of cubs with my own: My husband, the champion of the pit they call him, had unknowingly found and entered a mysterious portal outside the sacred land. Such constructs that appear with swirling details that appear to be solid until you pass thorough them like gas diffusing across a membrane, that is considered dangerous to the society. He apparently survived as the courageous husband he was, which was thankful for me and my cubs, but also disturbing to hear that, he kept muttered something about a dark lord named Count von Zarovich in this weird place called Ravenloft. Whatever it was, we all, including myself, thought he was spouting nonsense... until three days later, he was put in a time of distress where he hallucinated about the count not only infecting that unknown land... and he needs a volunteer to take his place and stop him. No one else wanted to step up so I volunteered, knowing that my cubs are capable of taking care of themselves in the long run... then instantly jumped in before the relic's mysterious interface then faded before I could even glance back.
I ended up in a dark gloomy place, with no idea or background information on what I was supposed to face. I was foolish and stupid for tackling this head on. Thankfully, with some intimidation and demanding tactics, I managed to become something they call a bounty hunter, where I incapacitate certain figures and bring them to the person in exchange for meny, all the while remembering that my entire race in Oreskos is in need of my heroism. That's how I became accustomed to this day... at least, until the count that my husband has been calling, showed up and ravaged nearly everyone but myself who went into hiding. I narrowly escaped, but I then realized it would take more than my primal instincts to actually assist the people of Barovia... or was is Ravenloft...? I don't know... but still. I needed to learn to communicate with other strange races that I loath trusting in order to tear down a threat that could end my life as well.
And that's where are right now. Me, in a foreign world with nothing other than my tools and the sword that my lovely husband gave to me, on a quest to shred the supposed dark lord to save Ravenloft... and my own people somehow.
Personality: I face problems head-on. A simple, direct solution is the best path to success.
Ideals: Honour. If I dishonour myself, I dishonour my whole clan. (Lawful)
Bonds: My family, clan, or tribe is the most important thing in my life, even when they are far from me.
Flaws: I am slow to trust members of other races, tribes, and societies.
Fears: My family is the only thing I have that remains within my former homeworld that keeps me alive; The living beings here are already distrustful and dangerous enough. The last thing I need before the chaos ends is to lose the ones I trust the most.
Backstory: Mouse lost her way when following her mother in the people's market. She was found by less savory elements in the community and was forced to use her natural abilities to perform tasks of a criminal nature. During one such job, she was caught by the very man she was supposed to steal from. He took her in, protected her, and showed her that there was a Way to live that did not involve criminal actions. It is unknown to her whether her family still lives. During her tenure, the ring of rogues told him if she did not do as they say, her family will be destroyed. After leaving the ring, she was unable to find them.
Personality: I sleep with my back to a wall or tree, with everything I own wrapped in a bundle in my arms.
Ideals: People. I help the people who help me — that’s what keeps us alive. (Neutral)
Bonds: I owe a debt I can never repay to the person who took pity on me.
Flaws: It’s not stealing if I need it more than someone else.
Fears: Afraid that my family might be dead or suffering because of me.
Character Sheet Link: ddb.ac/characters/17423009/45HJNu
Alignment: Lawful Good/(...maybe technically Evil? Her motives are a bit on the selfish side, but she wants to be a good person. Read on and give me your two copper pieces.)
Background: Lorehold Student (Strixhaven)
Backstory: Ezabella is an unimportant sorceress from a long line of unimportant sorceresses, but she has her eyes set on ascending from obscurity to walk alongside her heroes. To do this, she must attend the best arcane academy and graduate with honors. But arcane academies don't accept just any spellcasters. Ezabella must prove herself by some advanced work of magic, a great discovery, or a noble deed to gain the university's attention. And so she has come to Barovia - that strange land of dark rumors and enchantments - in hopes of finding such a means.
Personality: Outwardly, Ezabella appears to be a friendly, professional, and studious young woman who knows what she wants and has the means to achieve it. Internally, she struggles with reconciling her grandiose ambitions with her desires to be the hero her younger self would have adored. When the mud is squelching in her boots and hunger and fear fill her belly, well… it will prove whether she has the makings of a hero or a villain.
Ideals:
Help the weak, wounded, and lost. ((But do not compromise your dream, right? Don't get stuck always helping the unlucky or you will never be great.))
Good actions may make me a good person on the inside too. I want to be good. I do. Really. ((Who are you trying to convince?))
Questions first, firebolts second. Safety is secondary to being a hero. ((You're a hero; you always survive, right?))
I am destined for great things, but I need to work for them.
Bonds:
My mother is funding my travels. I plan to pay her back… I-... I shouldn't be so judgemental of her…
My druid friend and I plan to go to the academy together. We planned to explore Barovia together, but she hasn't appeared yet. I must keep looking for them, but my destiny cannot wait.
Flaws:
Glory - Ezabella believes that the only version of the future worth living is one of friendship with her heroes. Fame is necessary. Riches would be nice; she could help her family. But a simple work, with a simple love, and a simple death? Sounds like a wasted life. She pretends not to think so in front of "common" folk. She hopes that makes her a good person, but…
Unintentionally Patronizing - Due to Flaw 1, a consequence may be - after a failed Charisma ability check - she comes across as patronizing and insincere.
Reputation over Honesty - She has an image in her head of what a hero should be and will adhere to it even at the cost of her own needs. Unless perhaps no one is watching. Is that wrong?
Fears:
Dying in obscurity, alone, with no one to miss her, and none of her dreams fulfilled.
The Wild Magic Surges hint of great power yet to be mastered. She fears that the surges will get worse and that she will not be able to stop it.
That she is - deep down - a bad person who does not deserve to succeed. Someone who would be better off giving up all ambition and joining her unimportant family in unimportant mediocrity.
Race: Forest Gnome (INT increase swapped for WIS increase, if that's okay)
Class: Druid, Circle of the Moon planned
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Background: Outlander
Backstory: When she was little, Tala was captured by bandits in a surprise raid on her forest community. The bandits let her go upon realizing that she was, in fact, a child, barely old enough to speak full sentences. When she returned to her home she found it abandoned, her people having left her behind in their escape. Or perhaps they were taken as well, or worse, for Tala had no way of knowing what actually happened to them.
Left alone to fend for herself after her community was raided by bandits, Tala scrounged for food in the abandoned homes until she was discovered by a pack of wolves. Despite her initial fear, the wolves took her in and raised her as one of their own. As Tala grew older, her innate connection to nature grew stronger, and she even learned the language of the wood elves and adopted some of their more civilized behaviors.
However, her peaceful life was disrupted when a nobleman deemed the wolf population to be too large and put a bounty on their pelts. When hunters began stalking her pack, Tala fought back in defense of her adopted family, often with deadly force. She quickly gained a reputation as a fierce protector of the wolves and their forest home, earning the title of "Hunter's Bane" among those who dared to challenge her.
Personality: The usual zeal and enthusiasm for life that gnomes are known for is still a characteristic found in Tala. She is somewhat reckless, known for letting her emotions and impulses determine her actions, though she is not foolish or incapable of tact. As displayed in her backstory, she is fiercely protective of her friends and family.
Personality Traits: I was, in fact, raised by wolves. I watch over my friends as if they were a litter of newborn pups.
Ideals: Change. Life is like the seasons, in constant change, and we must change with it. (Chaotic)
Bonds: An injury to the unspoiled wilderness of my home is an injury to me.
Flaws: Violence is my answer to almost any challenge.
Fears: Claustrophobia, as well as a fear of abandonment and of losing her close friends and loved ones.
Class/Subclass (or planned Subclass): Circle of the Moon Druid
Alignment: Neutral Good
Background: Outlander
Backstory: Twigmund Moss, a young eladrin elf and Circle of the Moon Druid, is a childhood friend of Ezabella who grew up in the woods beyond her town. Though Twigmund has agreed to follow Ezabella on her journey to Barovia, some ill fate has seemed to keep him from finding the party until now. Despite this, he is determined to protect and support her final dream in any way he can, drawing strength from his connection to the natural world.
Personality:
Twigmund is a quiet and introspective individual, often lost in thought or contemplation.
He is fiercely loyal to those he cares about.
As a druid, he is deeply connected to nature and values the balance and harmony it represents.
Ideals:
Respect for Nature: As a druid, Twigmund believes in the balance and harmony of nature and strives to protect it from those who seek to harm it.
Loyalty: Twigmund is fiercely loyal to his friends and allies, and will go to great lengths to protect and defend them.
Self-Discovery: Twigmund sees his journey as an opportunity for personal growth and self-discovery, and seeks to learn more about himself and his place in the world.
Bonds:
Twigmund feels a deep bond with his fellow Eladrin elf, Arinthea, whom he met during his travels in the Feywild.
He owes a great debt to an ancient forest spirit, who saved his life when he was young and has called upon him for help from time to time.
Twigmund is bound by his promises to Ezabella, whom he has been friends with since childhood and has agreed to accompany on her journey to Barovia.
Flaws:
Twigmund can be quite indecisive and is often prone to second-guessing himself, especially when under pressure.
He can be quite naïve and trusting, which can make him an easy target for those who would seek to take advantage of his kindness and willingness to help others.
Fears:
Succumbing to the call of nature and becoming just another feral creature in the wild, like his mentor Arinthea did.
With the loss of Ezabella, that he will be forever cut off from others and have only the birds and the beasts for company.
Name: Branaris
Ability scores: 16 16 14 16 10 18
Race/Subrace: Eladrin
Class/Subclass (or planned Subclass): Forge cleric
Alignment: Neutral
Background: Clan Crafter
Backstory: After discovering her talent with handcrafts as a child, Branaris travelled to Clan Brightblade in Anathar's Dell to apprentice at the forge. Although not a dwarf, she was accepted into the clan for apprenticeship. She picked up knowledge of the smithy and other clan crafts, before the clan was attacked by undead, killing many including her teacher. That became a turning point for Branaris, who began searching for meaning in her life after her teacher and friends were taken away. She eventually found a replacement for that meaning as a cleric of Darahl Firecloak, Lord of the Green Flame, and now spends her time between the forge and the duties of orders.
Personality: Branaris prefers to stay quiet and listen.
Ideals: I always want to know how things work and what makes people tick. I believe that anything worth doing is worth doing right. I can’t help it—I’m a perfectionist.
Bonds: People. I’m committed to the people I care about, not to ideals.
Flaws: Once I pick a goal, I become obsessed with it to the detriment of everything else in my life.
Fears: Undead. Sometimes I see movement out of the corner of my eye and I'm sure it's them, come back for me.
Character Sheet Link
Daphyra - Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver
Vanja - Binder's Hold and the Problem with the Mine
Cariadne - Forest of Celador
Daphyra Fuffletail - The City of Cats
DM - Geek Legends - Wild beyond the Witchlight
Leela Steadystone - Adventures in the Sands
Mirri Goldenhorn - Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
Lola Smythe-Whyte - Larkin Expedition
Name: Grogan Crabfoot
Ability Scores: see quote
Race/Subrace: Lightfoot Halfling
Class/Subclass (or planned Subclass): Barbarian/Rogue multiclass
Alignment: Neutral
Background: Criminal / Spy
Backstory: Grogan always was the quiet kid growing up, the but of many jokes, as he was seen as lazy and carrying a few extra pounds on him. In his 32nd year something snapped in Grogan, though he seemed calm and quiet on the outside, he was bottling all sorts or rage inside.
They said the human that Grogan snapped on would have taken longer to recover the Grogan would be in the guard house but Grogan never heard of the man again. While in holding he made friends with half-elf that was part of the thieves guild. Seeing Grogan as potential apprentice, the half-elf broke the two of them free and Grogan became a contractor of the guild. The guild would give the half-elf a Jin, and he would contract out Grogan to do the job or assist. When Grogan decided he had enough of getting copper on the gold the half-elf was getting from the guild, he rebeled and ultimately got into a brawl, to which he lost. The half-elf left a big 'X' pattern acrossed Grogan's chest and left him for dead.
But Grogan managed to survive, sporting some nasty scaring, and a new outlook on what he's going to do with his life.
Personality: I'm quickly to anger from the slightest insult.
Ideals: Redemption, there's a little good in every one .
Bonds: I'm guilty of a terrible crime that I home i can redeem myself one day.
Flaws: if there is a plan, I will forget it, it o don't forget it, I'll just ignore it
Fears: that he truly is the horrible person he had become/ He is inadequate, especially in a fight.
Character Sheet Link: WIP
Ability scores: 11 15 13 14 16 15
Name: Grégoire de Fronsac
Race: Human (Variant)
Class: Hexblade
Alignment: Neutral Good
Background: Bountyhunter
Backstory: Born to a wealthy merchant in Arabel, Grégoire could have chosen a quiet life in the city, but chose a different path. When he came of age he joined his uncle Rudolph in Suzail, assisting him in his investigations, quelling sinister eldritch threats to Cormyr. Recently these investigations lead them to the desolate and ruined city of Tilverton where young Grégoire came upon a sentient jet black blade of netherese origin, shadows flitting about it. An eerie voice spoke out in Grégoires mind luring him into a pact, serving Grégoire in his hunt for evil horror whilst sated with the blood of these creatures. Now his uncle Rudolph has retired but Grégoire still travels Faerûn in search of mysteries to solve and horrors to defeat.
Personality: Grégoire is outwardly charming, witty and carefree but hides a darkness brought on him by the blade he carries
Ideals: Grégoire views himself as a professional monster hunter rather than a hero, but in the end he will always help those in need.
Bonds: The jet black blade he carries is insidious in it's nature, slowly taking hold of his soul and steering him towards a dark destiny.
Flaws: The will of the jet black blade will sometimes influence him to do dark deeds that will torment his conscience.
Fears: To lose his soul to the jet black blade and to not be able to protect the innocents of the evil horrors hiding in the darkness.
Character Sheet Link: Grégoire de Fronsac
Ability scores: 12 10 15 13 13 14
Lol, I have never rolled for ability scores and ended up within two points of standard array.
Backup character scores:
Ability scores: 18 12 15 13 12 8
Name: Eithne Velikovna
Ability Scores: Those rolled above (will decide how to assign them - favoring physical stats)
Race/Subrace: Dusk Elf
Class/Subclass (or planned Subclass): Barbarian (subclass to be decided)
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Background: Haunted One
Backstory: Long long time ago, the dusk elf maiden Eithne refused the offers of love from a powerful magic-user who really had an obsession with her. Her rejected lover took revenge by turning her into a statue: the last words that Eithne had heard were: "Since your heart remains of stone, I will give you an existence that is entirely suitable for you!" Eithne doesn't know why, much much later, the spell breaks. Is it perhaps a whim of the dark forces that dominate Ravenloft? Or... or have been the voices that have finally succeeded in that? Yes, the voices... for Eithne hears voices in her mind. So many voices. Voices of female dusk elves. Her voices tell her that they are the female dusk elves slaughtered by Stradh. Eithne learns that a very long time has passed and that now she is the only female dusk elf left alive! Strahd had all the female dusk elves put to death around four centuries ago as a punishment! Horrified by the Count's cruelty and forced to be wary of members of her own kind (what would they do to her if they discovered her? Would they keep her prisoner as their only hope of not extinguishing the race? Would they hand her over to the Count to please him and allow him to complete what had begun?) Eithne is forced to begin a wandering existence, but she also matures the decision to make the Count pay at all costs for what he has done! And there's not a day that the voices in her mind don't remind her of this.
Personality: Eithne has always believed in the value of freedom and independence of individuals and was very inclined to be curious and seek out new experiences - albeit with the caution that living in Barovia requires. Since she was freed from petrification and hears the Voices of the female dusk elf in her head, however, her main challenge is to maintain her sanity - as well as plotting revenge against the most powerful creature she knows, the Devil Stradh.
Ideals: Nothing is sweeter than peace. Peace of the land. Peace of the soul. And peace of the mind; above all peace of the mind.
Bonds: The Devil Stradh must die. Only then the Voices will have peace. And Eithne too, hoepfully.
Flaws: Sometimes, the Voices cloud her judgment.... she might underestimate the risks involved or the wickedness of the measures she plans to take, if she sees a real possibility of carrying out her revenge.
Fears: Eithne is afraid above all else of losing her mind completely and living a life without peace, with the Voices always in her head.
Character Sheet Link: I will setup the sheet, if chosen.
Ability Scores Ability scores: 10 12 12 12 16 13
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
Name: Sonnia Wildlands
Race/Subrace: Leonin
Class/Subclass (or planned Subclass): Barbarian (Path of the Totem Warrior Planned)
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Background: Outlander
Backstory:
Let me put this straight: You're curious as to know how a Leonin lady and her entire family ended up from the golden plains of Oreskos to this hellish world of Barovia right? I'm not intelligent myself to recall all the details, I'll admit, but I will explain as thoroughly as I can like I'm telling my three children my own stories of valour. Like many of my kind, I myself lived in Oreskos, where members felt more superior than most mortal beings that exist out in the open worlds, including gods themselves. The feline blood that runs in our races has resulted in warriors full of pride including myself who enjoy physical and verbal fights of all kind. Strong-willed and proud till the last breath, is the motto of my people.
I myself, am not the most exceptional lioness that the Leonin has created, but still satisfactory enough to defend from rival societies and opponents. To be honest, well, whilst I enjoy fighting armed and unarmed combat, I have a sharp tongue to pair with my ferocious instincts when a verbal fight breaks out, which is more of my strength when things don't to plan nearly all of the time. During the course of my time serving for my people, I managed to find a lovely, well built husband who is one of the strongest men in the land. Yeah, my burly husband who's better at physical combat than I am and vice-versa, who didn't hesitate to bring me a gift of his own: A shortsword called a 'dadao' he says, from winning a tournament fight barehanded... and as a matter of fact he is actually exceptional at rearing my three precious cubs. Really. You should see how devoted he his to make my fur curl when he happily plays with my babies.
But enough of my past life. Let me explain now the events that changed the way who I am today: I heard rumours one day when I was busy babysitting a friend's litter of cubs with my own: My husband, the champion of the pit they call him, had unknowingly found and entered a mysterious portal outside the sacred land. Such constructs that appear with swirling details that appear to be solid until you pass thorough them like gas diffusing across a membrane, that is considered dangerous to the society. He apparently survived as the courageous husband he was, which was thankful for me and my cubs, but also disturbing to hear that, he kept muttered something about a dark lord named Count von Zarovich in this weird place called Ravenloft. Whatever it was, we all, including myself, thought he was spouting nonsense... until three days later, he was put in a time of distress where he hallucinated about the count not only infecting that unknown land... and he needs a volunteer to take his place and stop him. No one else wanted to step up so I volunteered, knowing that my cubs are capable of taking care of themselves in the long run... then instantly jumped in before the relic's mysterious interface then faded before I could even glance back.
I ended up in a dark gloomy place, with no idea or background information on what I was supposed to face. I was foolish and stupid for tackling this head on. Thankfully, with some intimidation and demanding tactics, I managed to become something they call a bounty hunter, where I incapacitate certain figures and bring them to the person in exchange for meny, all the while remembering that my entire race in Oreskos is in need of my heroism. That's how I became accustomed to this day... at least, until the count that my husband has been calling, showed up and ravaged nearly everyone but myself who went into hiding. I narrowly escaped, but I then realized it would take more than my primal instincts to actually assist the people of Barovia... or was is Ravenloft...? I don't know... but still. I needed to learn to communicate with other strange races that I loath trusting in order to tear down a threat that could end my life as well.
And that's where are right now. Me, in a foreign world with nothing other than my tools and the sword that my lovely husband gave to me, on a quest to shred the supposed dark lord to save Ravenloft... and my own people somehow.
Personality: I face problems head-on. A simple, direct solution is the best path to success.
Ideals: Honour. If I dishonour myself, I dishonour my whole clan. (Lawful)
Bonds: My family, clan, or tribe is the most important thing in my life, even when they are far from me.
Flaws: I am slow to trust members of other races, tribes, and societies.
Fears: My family is the only thing I have that remains within my former homeworld that keeps me alive; The living beings here are already distrustful and dangerous enough. The last thing I need before the chaos ends is to lose the ones I trust the most.
Character Sheet Link: https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/69532518
Seria (Female Dragon-In-Disguise Sorcerer, Draconic Bloodline, Year Without Santa)
Ability scores: 17 15 16 14 14 18
Liarin: Against the Cult of the Reptile God
Adewild: Shadows and Light 2
Brother Thaddeus: Rime of the Frostmaiden.
Name: Mouse
Race/Subrace: Human
Class/Subclass (or planned Subclass): Monk
Alignment: Neutral Good
Background: Urchin
Backstory: Mouse lost her way when following her mother in the people's market. She was found by less savory elements in the community and was forced to use her natural abilities to perform tasks of a criminal nature. During one such job, she was caught by the very man she was supposed to steal from. He took her in, protected her, and showed her that there was a Way to live that did not involve criminal actions. It is unknown to her whether her family still lives. During her tenure, the ring of rogues told him if she did not do as they say, her family will be destroyed. After leaving the ring, she was unable to find them.
Personality: I sleep with my back to a wall or tree, with everything I own wrapped in a bundle in my arms.
Ideals: People. I help the people who help me — that’s what keeps us alive. (Neutral)
Bonds: I owe a debt I can never repay to the person who took pity on me.
Flaws: It’s not stealing if I need it more than someone else.
Fears: Afraid that my family might be dead or suffering because of me.
Character Sheet Link: ddb.ac/characters/17423009/45HJNu
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
Ooh interesting!
Ability scores: 8 15 10 17 15 6
Ability scores: 13, 16, 15, 16, 9, 13
Name: Ezabella Candesti
Sheet: https://ddb.ac/characters/98890787/Pcg7SD
Ability Scores: Rolled (15,14,14,13,12,10)
Race/Subrace: Human (Variant - "Metamagic Adept" feat)
Class/Subclass (or planned Subclass): Wild Magic Sorcerer
Alignment: Lawful Good/(...maybe technically Evil? Her motives are a bit on the selfish side, but she wants to be a good person. Read on and give me your two copper pieces.)
Background: Lorehold Student (Strixhaven)
Backstory: Ezabella is an unimportant sorceress from a long line of unimportant sorceresses, but she has her eyes set on ascending from obscurity to walk alongside her heroes. To do this, she must attend the best arcane academy and graduate with honors. But arcane academies don't accept just any spellcasters. Ezabella must prove herself by some advanced work of magic, a great discovery, or a noble deed to gain the university's attention. And so she has come to Barovia - that strange land of dark rumors and enchantments - in hopes of finding such a means.
Personality: Outwardly, Ezabella appears to be a friendly, professional, and studious young woman who knows what she wants and has the means to achieve it. Internally, she struggles with reconciling her grandiose ambitions with her desires to be the hero her younger self would have adored. When the mud is squelching in her boots and hunger and fear fill her belly, well… it will prove whether she has the makings of a hero or a villain.
Ideals:
Bonds:
Flaws:
Fears:
Name: Tala Bardawulf
Race: Forest Gnome (INT increase swapped for WIS increase, if that's okay)
Class: Druid, Circle of the Moon planned
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Background: Outlander
Backstory: When she was little, Tala was captured by bandits in a surprise raid on her forest community. The bandits let her go upon realizing that she was, in fact, a child, barely old enough to speak full sentences. When she returned to her home she found it abandoned, her people having left her behind in their escape. Or perhaps they were taken as well, or worse, for Tala had no way of knowing what actually happened to them.
Left alone to fend for herself after her community was raided by bandits, Tala scrounged for food in the abandoned homes until she was discovered by a pack of wolves. Despite her initial fear, the wolves took her in and raised her as one of their own. As Tala grew older, her innate connection to nature grew stronger, and she even learned the language of the wood elves and adopted some of their more civilized behaviors.
However, her peaceful life was disrupted when a nobleman deemed the wolf population to be too large and put a bounty on their pelts. When hunters began stalking her pack, Tala fought back in defense of her adopted family, often with deadly force. She quickly gained a reputation as a fierce protector of the wolves and their forest home, earning the title of "Hunter's Bane" among those who dared to challenge her.
Personality: The usual zeal and enthusiasm for life that gnomes are known for is still a characteristic found in Tala. She is somewhat reckless, known for letting her emotions and impulses determine her actions, though she is not foolish or incapable of tact. As displayed in her backstory, she is fiercely protective of her friends and family.
Personality Traits: I was, in fact, raised by wolves. I watch over my friends as if they were a litter of newborn pups.
Ideals: Change. Life is like the seasons, in constant change, and we must change with it. (Chaotic)
Bonds: An injury to the unspoiled wilderness of my home is an injury to me.
Flaws: Violence is my answer to almost any challenge.
Fears: Claustrophobia, as well as a fear of abandonment and of losing her close friends and loved ones.
Character Sheet Link: Tala Bardawulf
Ability scores: 13 7 16 9 13 15
BACK-UP CHARACTER
Name: Twigmund Moss
Sheet: https://ddb.ac/characters/98982470/vhwkVA
Ability Scores: 18,15,13,12,12,8
Race/Subrace: Eladrin Elf
Class/Subclass (or planned Subclass): Circle of the Moon Druid
Alignment: Neutral Good
Background: Outlander
Backstory: Twigmund Moss, a young eladrin elf and Circle of the Moon Druid, is a childhood friend of Ezabella who grew up in the woods beyond her town. Though Twigmund has agreed to follow Ezabella on her journey to Barovia, some ill fate has seemed to keep him from finding the party until now. Despite this, he is determined to protect and support her final dream in any way he can, drawing strength from his connection to the natural world.
Personality:
Ideals:
Bonds:
Flaws:
Fears:
Succumbing to the call of nature and becoming just another feral creature in the wild, like his mentor Arinthea did.
With the loss of Ezabella, that he will be forever cut off from others and have only the birds and the beasts for company.
Ability scores: 15 13 14 14 10 15
rerolling 1's once
to save the rolls cuz forum does some weird things