Backstory: Gaelyn Umber answered the call for “adventurers” and “brave souls of the North” when the Roving Regiment of the Lord’s Alliance rolled through his backwater village, seeking new recruits to bolster their dwindling ranks. While others learned how to read and write, Gaelyn learned how to polish armor, sharpen blades, and march in step with the drummer’s beat. The regiment was home for him.
Gaelyn drew the attention of a cantankerous veteran who saw a kindred spirit in the young man. He taught Gaelyn how to carve the old runes, what they represented, and how they could empower any weapon when carved correctly. With this training and the many adventures of youth, the years flew by.
The last few days have seen the company combing through the High Forest, pursuing some dark rumors of necromancy.
Last night, as the regiment slumbered, Gaelyn woke unexpectedly and could not return to sleep. The gathering mists made him uneasy as they seemed to pile up like snow over the sleeping encampment. Gathering his equipment, he resolved to take a quick look around, just to make sure all was well.
Gaelyn found nothing but more mist. And more mist. And MORE mist. Growing more anxious, he turned back, but when he did - to his profound dismay - he could not recognize the way. He stood for a long, heart-racing moment, before pulling out his sword, deciding on a direction, and plunging further into the unknown…
Tullah is exceptionally naive and too trusting. She was taken from her birth family to serve in the family of one of the elites. She resembled their daughter so when the daughter was unwell and needed to make a public appearance Tullah would step in. Sadly the daughter died and it became too painful for Tullah to remain in the family home after her death, however, she was not dismissed unkindly and was given enough money to seek out her birth family.
Sadly due to Tullah's trusting nature the aide who was to accompany her on her journey/quest made off with her money. All she is left with is one earring which belonged to her friend Anya.
To survive she becomes a storyteller, both popular with adults and children. Nobles and poor.
I'll go ahead and roll stats then see if I am struck by inspiration later... I've played in CoS twice but both games died very early, unfortunately.
Ability scores: 121515121515
Name: Veronica Osborne Race: Dhampir Background: Noble Class: Monk (Way of Shadow) Backstory: For as long as they have existed, mortals have feared the darkness. Some consider it irrational, merely a holdover from bygone times. But others know all too well that danger still lurks in the shadows...
On a moonless night in the depth of winter, a most unexpected guest appeared at the local tavern... a woman who no one would have ever expected to appear in such a lowly establishment. Yet, there she was, her face pale, cloths torn, heavily pregnant and bleeding profusely from a gaping wound in her neck. In her delirious state, Lady Osborn told a tale of how her carriage was set upon by a pack of wolves, her coachmen and guards ripped to pieces... and when she thought she had no hope, a pale stranger appeared... with red eyes and fangs like a beast...
Two days later, Lady Osborne gave birth to her daughter, Veronica... and from the moment she was born, the girl shared the cursed of the monster who had so nearly killed her mother.
Born of the shadows as she was, perhaps it was fitting that the shadows should claim her again... for one dark night, Veronica could bear her shame no longer. The peasants who were terrified of her, or her fellow nobles who saw her as little more than an animal. She fled into the woods, deeper and deeper, until she realized that she was lost in an unearthly fog...
Replying to Charwoman_Gene: If you want to start with studded leather, we'll assume Wagner sold their starting equipment at half their listed price to a general store on their home plane and bought the new armor.
Trading in their lute, non-magical rapier, and leather armor will net Wagner 35 gold.
So they'll need to top up another 10 gold to buy studded leather which costs 45 gold, and start the game with 5 instead of 15 gold.
P.S. Will use the quote button next time. Sorry, still new to this forum.
Backstory: Vicky Traakimash is a young, half-orc child, who lives on a small farm in between the mountains outside of Krezk. Her father, an orc with some human blood, her mother, a dwarf who takes care of the farm, and her older brother, a half-orc who helps care for the livestock, all keep her safe. She has taken up cooking as a skill of her's, and enjoys cooking over an open fire in the outdoors.
She often explores the landscapes she lives in, and thanks to the family not being as paranoid as the people of Krezk, she and her dad often venture out as far as the Wizards of Wines Winery. These adventures mostly end with a basket or two of mushrooms and apples and wild berries, most often being safe for consumption. She now explores places by herself, along with her weasel companion.
During her current venture through the mountains, she found herself wandering off her intended path in persuit of her pet weasel, named Gujat Latagu, as she suddenly tripped. Noticing where she now was, she attempted to retrace her steps, but she was feeling turned upside down, and couldn't see clearly. She suddenly sees three figures moving about her, one looking quite elven in the fog, and another with tall horns protruding from their head. She calls a very scared Latagu (short for Gujat Latagu) over, who hops into a mostly empty basket, curling up and quietly whimpering. Vicky calls out to anyone who might be there: "Who's there? What are you people?!"
May I ask wether it is legal to own a pet / companion weasel?
I. NEED. WEASEL
I'll set the price of a weasel at 10gp, you can pay gold from your starting equipment / trade-in other starting equipment at half their listed price to get the weasel.
Just a heads-up, I've got enough NPCs and creatures to track during the campaign, so please expect me to describe player pet actions only very rarely.
Any races prohibited? I ran a "reborn" once. Are the "lineage" races allowed?
Any official race excluding playtest material should be fine. Barovia is its own demiplane that goes around and sucks up adventurers from their home universe.
Garavon of the Silverwood, Wood Elf Fighter - played by Kasian_Armistus Please confirm you want your ranged Dex fighter to start with a +1 Longsword instead of a +1 Longbow.
Wagner, Tiefling/Eladrin Bard - played by Charwoman_Gene Please confirm if you are ok with the compromises needed to start with studded armor.
Vicky Traakimash, Half-Orc Druid - played by colloquium Please fix your character sheet permissions so that I can view it.
Tullah, Aasimar Bard - played by MrsQueed Please link your character sheet, DnDBeyond or Google Docs links are both accepted.
Backstory: Aranea is an Investigator with the Waterdhavian City Guard. Born and raised in Waterdeep, she knows the city like the back of her hand, which comes in handy during her investigations. Unknown to the rest of her colleagues, some of Aranea's talents were bestowed upon by her by an otherworldly being, the same being that saved her life when she was a teenage girl.
Aranea never knew her father, but she loved her mother dearly. That came crashing down one evening when she and her mother were walking home from the markets and were accosted by a group of three men with ill intent in their hearts. The men stole what little they had and left them with even less. Her mother was killed in the struggle. Aranea was left for dead after the men had what they wanted from her as well. As her blood lay draining into the gutter though, she felt a presence in her mind. It spoke to her and promised great power in exchange for what seemed like very little at the time, only her soul. And this would allow Aranea to extract her vengeance.
Which she did, not long after, using her new powers and abilities to track the brutes down. Their end was not quick. After it was done, Aranea felt hollow. She had no idea what to do with her life and so she turned to the Guard. They were able to see her talents and put them where they were most needed, investigating the city's murders and other terrible crimes. Because of what had happened to her, solving these crimes gave Aranea the purpose and justice she didn't realize she had been sorely lacking.
Backstory: Aranea is an Investigator with the Waterdhavian City Guard. Born and raised in Waterdeep, she knows the city like the back of her hand, which comes in handy during her investigations. Unknown to the rest of her colleagues, some of Aranea's talents were bestowed upon by her by an otherworldly being, the same being that saved her life when she was a teenage girl.
Aranea never knew her father, but she loved her mother dearly. That came crashing down one evening when she and her mother were walking home from the markets and were accosted by a group of three men with ill intent in their hearts. The men stole what little they had and left them with even less. Her mother was killed in the struggle. Aranea was left for dead after the men had what they wanted from her as well. As her blood lay draining into the gutter though, she felt a presence in her mind. It spoke to her and promised great power in exchange for what seemed like very little at the time, only her soul. And this would allow Aranea to extract her vengeance.
Which she did, not long after, using her new powers and abilities to track the brutes down. Their end was not quick. After it was done, Aranea felt hollow. She had no idea what to do with her life and so she turned to the Guard. They were able to see her talents and put them where they were most needed, investigating the city's murders and other terrible crimes. Because of what had happened to her, solving these crimes gave Aranea the purpose and justice she didn't realize she had been sorely lacking.
Garavon of the Silverwood, Wood Elf Fighter - played by Kasian_Armistus Please confirm you want your ranged Dex fighter to start with a +1 Longsword instead of a +1 Longbow.
Wagner, Tiefling/Eladrin Bard - played by Charwoman_Gene Please confirm if you are ok with the compromises needed to start with studded armor.
Vicky Traakimash, Half-Orc Druid - played by colloquium Please fix your character sheet permissions so that I can view it.
Tullah, Aasimar Bard - played by MrsQueed Please link your character sheet, DnDBeyond or Google Docs links are both accepted.
Never minds, It appears I missed the cut off. I hope all involved have a great game
Garavon of the Silverwood, Wood Elf Fighter - played by Kasian_Armistus Please confirm you want your ranged Dex fighter to start with a +1 Longsword instead of a +1 Longbow.
Wagner, Tiefling/Eladrin Bard - played by Charwoman_Gene Please confirm if you are ok with the compromises needed to start with studded armor.
Vicky Traakimash, Half-Orc Druid - played by colloquium Please fix your character sheet permissions so that I can view it.
Tullah, Aasimar Bard - played by MrsQueed Please link your character sheet, DnDBeyond or Google Docs links are both accepted.
Never minds, It appears I missed the cut off. I hope all involved have a great game
Apologies for any misunderstanding, I am accepting the first 4 players with viable character sheets and backstories.
You can still submit as there is no guarantee the players would reply.
Garavon was raised in the Silverwood in the Duchy of Ulek in Flanaess (Greyhawk campaign setting), both of his parents and two older sisters having followed the Druidic. While, Garavon has followed a more warlike path, spending time in the forces of the Duke as an archer in the Lortmil mountains before returning home to the Silverwood.
Garavon was responding to a call from the Duke for archers and warriors to gather at the village of Harrington in the foothills of the Lortmil mountains. The Duke and the Count Palatine having agreed to hunt a tribe of Orcs which had moves south, made their new home in the mountains and begun raiding into the valley.
Garavon had passed Tringlee and was making his way up the foothills in the cool autumn. Fog was a common morning sight in these intermediate elevations, but this morning the fog had a strange chill to it, as if malevolent as it rose in the early morning hours. Garavon suspected magic, perhaps, from an Orcish shamen to cover a raiding party’s movements, and he decided to leave the road. He was as at home in the woods and hills as upon the road. Cautiously, he continued, every sense alert for the sounds of movement or a passing shadow in the fog.
I'll go ahead and roll stats then see if I am struck by inspiration later... I've played in CoS twice but both games died very early, unfortunately.
Ability scores: 121515121515
Name: Veronica Osborne Race: Dhampir Background: Noble Class: Monk (Way of Shadow) Backstory: For as long as they have existed, mortals have feared the darkness. Some consider it irrational, merely a holdover from bygone times. But others know all too well that danger still lurks in the shadows...
On a moonless night in the depth of winter, a most unexpected guest appeared at the local tavern... a woman who no one would have ever expected to appear in such a lowly establishment. Yet, there she was, her face pale, cloths torn, heavily pregnant and bleeding profusely from a gaping wound in her neck. In her delirious state, Lady Osborn told a tale of how her carriage was set upon by a pack of wolves, her coachmen and guards ripped to pieces... and when she thought she had no hope, a pale stranger appeared... with red eyes and fangs like a beast...
Two days later, Lady Osborne gave birth to her daughter, Veronica... and from the moment she was born, the girl shared the cursed of the monster who had so nearly killed her mother.
Born of the shadows as she was, perhaps it was fitting that the shadows should claim her again... for one dark night, Veronica could bear her shame no longer. The peasants who were terrified of her, or her fellow nobles who saw her as little more than an animal. She fled into the woods, deeper and deeper, until she realized that she was lost in an unearthly fog...
Appearance:
Accepted.
We are at 4/4 players and recruitment is closed.
I can't figure out how to change the thread's tags on my phone, so that will have to wait until I have access to a PC.
As a note, I’m currently running CoS and have a familiarity with the material. But I’d love to play and I think this skeptic approach would be fun.
Meet Percival "Percy" Lockhart, a Kensei Monk Investigator hailing from Neverwinter. Percy's background as an investigator in the city's bustling streets shaped his no-nonsense approach to solving crimes. Raised in the shadow of Neverwinter's mysticism, Percy developed a core motivation – to unravel the truth behind seemingly supernatural cases, driven by a deep-seated skepticism.
Name: Percival "Percy" Lockhart
Race: human (variant)
Class: monk kensai
Background: Investigator
Backstory: Percival Lockhart was drawn to investigation by a personal tragedy – the unsolved disappearance of his younger sister. Frustrated by the lack of answers, he delved into the world of crime-solving to seek closure and justice for others who suffered similar fates.
While he never found out what happened to his sister, Percy managed to uncover several criminal enterprises that were taking advantage of superstition.
Having witnessed the chaos magic and monsters could bring, Percy is determined to expose the human element behind every mystery. His experiences in Neverwinter's diverse and sometimes dangerous neighborhoods have honed his gun-fu skills and sharpened his investigative prowess, making him a relentless force in solving crimes that others might attribute to the supernatural.
Percy's catchphrase is a gruff "Facts, not fantasy," reflecting his determination to rely on tangible evidence rather than succumbing to supernatural explanations. His overall demeanor is hard-boiled, with a touch of dry humor that surfaces in the face of adversity. Percy navigates the gritty streets of Neverwinter with a stoic resolve, always ready to confront the darkest corners of the city in his pursuit of truth.
Ability scores: I’ll roll these in a bit
Uncommon magic item: tbd
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Writer • Podcaster • Professional Gamemaster
playing Jin Wei, human (Kara-tur) way of the Four Elements Monk in the Princes of the Apocalypse
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Name: Gaelyn Umber
Race: Human (Variant)
Class: Fighter (Rune Knight)
Background: Soldier
Backstory: Gaelyn Umber answered the call for “adventurers” and “brave souls of the North” when the Roving Regiment of the Lord’s Alliance rolled through his backwater village, seeking new recruits to bolster their dwindling ranks. While others learned how to read and write, Gaelyn learned how to polish armor, sharpen blades, and march in step with the drummer’s beat. The regiment was home for him.
Gaelyn drew the attention of a cantankerous veteran who saw a kindred spirit in the young man. He taught Gaelyn how to carve the old runes, what they represented, and how they could empower any weapon when carved correctly. With this training and the many adventures of youth, the years flew by.
The last few days have seen the company combing through the High Forest, pursuing some dark rumors of necromancy.
Last night, as the regiment slumbered, Gaelyn woke unexpectedly and could not return to sleep. The gathering mists made him uneasy as they seemed to pile up like snow over the sleeping encampment. Gathering his equipment, he resolved to take a quick look around, just to make sure all was well.
Gaelyn found nothing but more mist. And more mist. And MORE mist. Growing more anxious, he turned back, but when he did - to his profound dismay - he could not recognize the way. He stood for a long, heart-racing moment, before pulling out his sword, deciding on a direction, and plunging further into the unknown…
Ability scores: 17 17 16 16 12 7 (*see post #19)
Uncommon magic item: +1 Longsword
Link to Character Sheet: https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/116848621/XmBuNW
Name - Tullah (she/her)
Race - Aasimar
Class - Bard
Background - Urchin
Tullah is exceptionally naive and too trusting. She was taken from her birth family to serve in the family of one of the elites. She resembled their daughter so when the daughter was unwell and needed to make a public appearance Tullah would step in. Sadly the daughter died and it became too painful for Tullah to remain in the family home after her death, however, she was not dismissed unkindly and was given enough money to seek out her birth family.
Sadly due to Tullah's trusting nature the aide who was to accompany her on her journey/quest made off with her money. All she is left with is one earring which belonged to her friend Anya.
To survive she becomes a storyteller, both popular with adults and children. Nobles and poor.
Alignment - Neutral Good
I'll go ahead and roll stats then see if I am struck by inspiration later... I've played in CoS twice but both games died very early, unfortunately.
Ability scores: 12 15 15 12 15 15
Name: Veronica Osborne
Race: Dhampir
Background: Noble
Class: Monk (Way of Shadow)
Backstory: For as long as they have existed, mortals have feared the darkness. Some consider it irrational, merely a holdover from bygone times. But others know all too well that danger still lurks in the shadows...
On a moonless night in the depth of winter, a most unexpected guest appeared at the local tavern... a woman who no one would have ever expected to appear in such a lowly establishment. Yet, there she was, her face pale, cloths torn, heavily pregnant and bleeding profusely from a gaping wound in her neck. In her delirious state, Lady Osborn told a tale of how her carriage was set upon by a pack of wolves, her coachmen and guards ripped to pieces... and when she thought she had no hope, a pale stranger appeared... with red eyes and fangs like a beast...
Two days later, Lady Osborne gave birth to her daughter, Veronica... and from the moment she was born, the girl shared the cursed of the monster who had so nearly killed her mother.
Born of the shadows as she was, perhaps it was fitting that the shadows should claim her again... for one dark night, Veronica could bear her shame no longer. The peasants who were terrified of her, or her fellow nobles who saw her as little more than an animal. She fled into the woods, deeper and deeper, until she realized that she was lost in an unearthly fog...
Appearance:
Replying to Charwoman_Gene:
If you want to start with studded leather, we'll assume Wagner sold their starting equipment at half their listed price to a general store on their home plane and bought the new armor.
Trading in their lute, non-magical rapier, and leather armor will net Wagner 35 gold.
So they'll need to top up another 10 gold to buy studded leather which costs 45 gold, and start the game with 5 instead of 15 gold.
P.S. Will use the quote button next time. Sorry, still new to this forum.
I don't seem to have access to your character sheet, could you check the permissions please? :)
I'll set the price of a weasel at 10gp, you can pay gold from your starting equipment / trade-in other starting equipment at half their listed price to get the weasel.
Just a heads-up, I've got enough NPCs and creatures to track during the campaign, so please expect me to describe player pet actions only very rarely.
Any official race excluding playtest material should be fine. Barovia is its own demiplane that goes around and sucks up adventurers from their home universe.
Accepted Characters:
These characters are confirmed.
Skanon, Tiefling Wizard - played by VictorNetherwalker
Gaelyn Umber, Human Figher - played by petessius
Characters awaiting player replies:
Garavon of the Silverwood, Wood Elf Fighter - played by Kasian_Armistus
Please confirm you want your ranged Dex fighter to start with a +1 Longsword instead of a +1 Longbow.
Wagner, Tiefling/Eladrin Bard - played by Charwoman_Gene
Please confirm if you are ok with the compromises needed to start with studded armor.
Vicky Traakimash, Half-Orc Druid - played by colloquium
Please fix your character sheet permissions so that I can view it.
Tullah, Aasimar Bard - played by MrsQueed
Please link your character sheet, DnDBeyond or Google Docs links are both accepted.
Name: Aranea Kendrick
Race: Variant Human
Class: Warlock (Hexblade)
Background: Investigator
Backstory: Aranea is an Investigator with the Waterdhavian City Guard. Born and raised in Waterdeep, she knows the city like the back of her hand, which comes in handy during her investigations. Unknown to the rest of her colleagues, some of Aranea's talents were bestowed upon by her by an otherworldly being, the same being that saved her life when she was a teenage girl.
Aranea never knew her father, but she loved her mother dearly. That came crashing down one evening when she and her mother were walking home from the markets and were accosted by a group of three men with ill intent in their hearts. The men stole what little they had and left them with even less. Her mother was killed in the struggle. Aranea was left for dead after the men had what they wanted from her as well. As her blood lay draining into the gutter though, she felt a presence in her mind. It spoke to her and promised great power in exchange for what seemed like very little at the time, only her soul. And this would allow Aranea to extract her vengeance.
Which she did, not long after, using her new powers and abilities to track the brutes down. Their end was not quick. After it was done, Aranea felt hollow. She had no idea what to do with her life and so she turned to the Guard. They were able to see her talents and put them where they were most needed, investigating the city's murders and other terrible crimes. Because of what had happened to her, solving these crimes gave Aranea the purpose and justice she didn't realize she had been sorely lacking.
Ability scores: See above
Uncommon magic item: Adamantine Half Plate
Link to Character Sheet:
https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/92420355/uXeT64
If selected, I'll be replacing the Poison Spray cantrip with Booming Blade. I don't own it yet, but it's easy enough to buy.
Characters: Bryony Alderleaf - Lvl. 3 Halfling Rogue (Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk) ♦ Evelyn Drake - Lvl. 3 Human Wizard (Rule of Change) ♦ Aranea Kendrick - Lvl. 4 Human Warlock (Where the Cold Winds Blow) ♦ Elsenia Vesper - Lvl. 2 Shadar-kai Druid (Strixhaven)
DMing: Curse of Strahd
Please end your backstory with Aranea travelling through a mist-choked forest to tie-in with the campaign's first scene.
Ability scores: 14 15 15 14 9 10
If your still accepting character nominations, I will be posting mine hopefully shortly
Never minds, It appears I missed the cut off. I hope all involved have a great game
Apologies for any misunderstanding, I am accepting the first 4 players with viable character sheets and backstories.
You can still submit as there is no guarantee the players would reply.
Yep... Longsword, as I am going to guess there will be close quarters combat.
"ALWAYS GIVE A MONSTER AN EVEN BREAK!"
1st Edition DMG
Accepted. Will update when I have access to a PC.
We are at 3/4 Players.
Well, looks like I might be too late, but my character is ready (see post #26)
Accepted.
We are at 4/4 players and recruitment is closed.
I can't figure out how to change the thread's tags on my phone, so that will have to wait until I have access to a PC.
Accepted Characters:
These characters will form our party of 4. The first scene will be posted within 24 hours.
Veronica Osborne, Dhampir Monk - played by Mister_Whisker
Garavon of the Silverwood, Wood Elf Fighter - played by Kasian_Armistus
Skanon, Tiefling Wizard - played by VictorNetherwalker
Gaelyn Umber, Human Fighter - played by petessius
As a note, I’m currently running CoS and have a familiarity with the material. But I’d love to play and I think this skeptic approach would be fun.
Meet Percival "Percy" Lockhart, a Kensei Monk Investigator hailing from Neverwinter. Percy's background as an investigator in the city's bustling streets shaped his no-nonsense approach to solving crimes. Raised in the shadow of Neverwinter's mysticism, Percy developed a core motivation – to unravel the truth behind seemingly supernatural cases, driven by a deep-seated skepticism.
Name: Percival "Percy" Lockhart
Race: human (variant)
Class: monk kensai
Background: Investigator
Backstory: Percival Lockhart was drawn to investigation by a personal tragedy – the unsolved disappearance of his younger sister. Frustrated by the lack of answers, he delved into the world of crime-solving to seek closure and justice for others who suffered similar fates.
While he never found out what happened to his sister, Percy managed to uncover several criminal enterprises that were taking advantage of superstition.
Having witnessed the chaos magic and monsters could bring, Percy is determined to expose the human element behind every mystery. His experiences in Neverwinter's diverse and sometimes dangerous neighborhoods have honed his gun-fu skills and sharpened his investigative prowess, making him a relentless force in solving crimes that others might attribute to the supernatural.
Percy's catchphrase is a gruff "Facts, not fantasy," reflecting his determination to rely on tangible evidence rather than succumbing to supernatural explanations. His overall demeanor is hard-boiled, with a touch of dry humor that surfaces in the face of adversity. Percy navigates the gritty streets of Neverwinter with a stoic resolve, always ready to confront the darkest corners of the city in his pursuit of truth.
Ability scores: I’ll roll these in a bit
Uncommon magic item: tbd
Writer • Podcaster • Professional Gamemaster
playing Jin Wei, human (Kara-tur) way of the Four Elements Monk in the Princes of the Apocalypse