Backstory (and reason for being involved with the circus):
A vicious disease decimated most of my childhood village, including my parents. Like all the other orphans, my fate was determined by the village elders. "This one shall be instructed by the Singing Wind," remarked the highly-respected matriarch of the group. And so it was, that I was delivered to a tiny monastery in the nearby mountains--a monastery that became not only my home but my life.
The monastery of the Singing Wind was my life until one terrible, fateful day a few years ago. Seeking to do good and defend my master's honor, I accidentally killed a man, a man whose father is both powerful and merciless, a man who uses his wealth and influence to hunt me relentlessly wherever I go. On a day that seemed normal and peaceful in every respect, Master Po and I walked together to the crowded open-air market where we would purchase a few simple items for the monastery. A proud and rude nobleman suddenly turned and confronted my master.
"You buffoon! You've soiled my cloak!" He then struck Master Zo across the face and said, "I shall take that as payment for your clumsiness."
My master bowed slightly and responded, "Good sir, I've done no such thing, but I can see to it that your cloak is laundered, and.."
"Do not contradict me!" was the rich man's response. "I shall strike you a second time for lying."
As the nobleman raised his hand once again, I could endure no more of his arrogance and false accusations against the man I considered the kindest and wisest of all. With one quick blow of my quarterstaff, I swept the proud man's legs from under him. My intent was to humble him; but his head struck the ground violently and, within an hour, he was dead. In my anger, I had slain the son of Lord Faiwan.
With tears, heartache, and a sickening remorse, I fled the Singing Wind monastery that night. Lord Faiwan and his men continue to hunt me to this day, and I move from town to town and job to job in an effort to remain hidden. A few months ago, I found that being a circus worker serves me very well in keeping my identity hidden. Having no desire to be the center of anyone's attention, I fulfill whatever tasks are necessary to the putting on of the circus show--setting up, tearing down, tending to the animals, mending things, and running errands.
Your reason for being at the circus: I'm the animal trainer act. Stick my heads in lions mouths, make the elephants do tricks etc.
Backstory (an actual backstory, as in, more than just "Folk Hero"):
I was born to two proud dwarfs. Their names were Thorin Ironfist and Vistra Fireforge. I gained my adventurous spirit from me mother, Gods bless her soul. My father says she was the bravest dwarf he ever knew, always the first to lead the charge for others, and always the last to retreat in the face of evil. Alas, t'was her courage that would lead to her downfall. She died as she lived, on her feet, A weapon in her hand, and a gleam in her eye. She went down to goblins, but not without first taking scores of them down with her. My father tells me that she had a friend, an elf, who was supposed to be watching her back. He went to her body after the battle. Not a single goblin body had an arrow in it. The elf was no where to be found. My father and I blamed him for years. My younger brother, thank the god's handled it better than I. Last I heard of him, he was travelling, trying to get away from what happened. He wanders from place to place doing the best he can to help others according to their needs. Although we were wealthy, we never let it get to us. My father worked hard for what we had, never letting us think ourselves better than others, and teaching us to recognize right from wrong, and to base our decision on what we saw, not what we were told was right.. I remembered his lesson years later, when I failed to do what I deemed right right. I had finally found the elf who had left my mother to die. When he answered his door, the coward had the nerve to invite me in and talk about my mother, as if he had not forfeited his right to do so along with his honor when he abandoned her like so much slag at the bottom of a mineshaft. I permitted him to write a note explaining who should get his belongings, and make peace with his gods before I chopped his head off. The bastard laughed, then knocked me out from behind with magic. I came to, tied up on the floor of his carriage, all of my belongings gone. "Ah!" he said, leaning over me. "Good, your awake. That means this will hurt." He then kicked my bound body out of the carriage, in front of a prison. "I am recognizing my friendship with your mother." He said coldly, as his carriage drove away. "That is the only reason you are still alive." He faded from view as I screamed obscenities after him, even as the guards dragged into the depths of the prison. After 10 years in prison, I was dead. Not my Body, no, but my Soul and my honor were all but lost. I was a shell, simply going through the motions. I had no purpose, and no name, as I had cast mine off in shame. But then he came. A druid, another dwarf had taken pity on me, and helped me escape while destroying the prison that had been my cage. I never learned why, nor did I ever learn the name of my savior, but I took him as a sign from the God's, a sign of redemption. My soul reignited, I pledged my honor to him and begged him to teach me the ways of the druid. He taught me everything I know. After 3 years of training, he gave me the equipment I would need, and gave me my new name. I decided from then on, I knew I had a greater purpose. Now I go from place to place, adventure to adventure, always looking for my captor, as to finally avenge my mother. I joined the circus because it allowed me to travel without suspicion.
Other
Very distrustful of elves My experience with the elf gave me a distaste for wealth, so half of what I get from any adventure I give to the poor. (1/2 gold earned+ 1/2 gold earned from selling items) willing to give second chances (except to elves and goblins, they should count themselves luckey if I give them a first chance)
Recruitment for this campaign is now closed. I will be sending out invites within the next 30 minutes or so. Thank you everyone for applying. It is going to be a very difficult choice!
The choices came down to trying to make an eclectic mix of races and classes. When stuck with a choice, I relied on the story, reasons for being with the circus, and even looked at posting history for people. Y'all didn't make it easy.
If anyone still gets an alert from this recruitment thread, we've lost one party member due to RL constraints and another has been absent long enough that I will be writing him out of the story. Those characters might come back, but in the meantime, I'm accepting new applications for a fifth party member. Your character will start at level 2. Some possible suggestions:
A member of the circus catches up to the group.
A monk, cleric, or paladin who encounters the party at the ruins of an old monastery.
A wandering rogue, bard, or ranger that encounters the party randomly
Something clever of your own inspiration
In the party are:
FeyTok, Fire Genasi Barbarian
Keyrie, Firbolg druid
Tock, Kenku Rogue
Doggear Brakespine, Goliath Fighter
We are going for a "misfit commoners stumbling into the role of hero" vibe. I will invite someone within 48 hours, so get your application in quick. If you want to reuse an application you posted earlier in this thread. Copy and paste it or link to it in a new post. Thanks!
I’m totally down, I didn’t see my first app on a quick scan. Will have full character later tonight.
Character Name: Anders Showman
Race: Half Elf
Alignment: Neutral Good
Class: Bard
Your reason for being at the circus: Circus performer
Backstory (an actual backstory, as in, more than just "Folk Hero"): Me parents were in the Circus, my father’s parent were in the Circus. It’s the only life I know. Growing up I learned all the trick of the trades; tumbling, sleight of hand, singing, trapeze, dancing, music, you name it and I have done it; but me bread and butter has always been doing the magic show. You want a crowd gathered around and completely enthralled by the wonders of your show? I’m your man. Tisn’t a crowd that can’t can withstand the charm of this Showman.
Link to DnD Beyond Character Sheet: ddb.ac/characters/10690653/XuHFLv
Reason for being at the circus: Nornan maintained equipment and would also make devices to add flair to the performances. He also owes the his life due to them saving him after he was attacked by bandits.
Backstory: Nornan wasbuilt by a famous dwarven Craftsman who was well known for both their skills in smithing and in various magical works. Due to not finding any worthy apprentices among the younger members of his guild he decided that he would make several of his own. Along with Nornan he made two others, Wander and Darxi. Making each of them was a long and deeply secretive process but each was a success.
Over the course of several years, the three Warforged were trained and in turn became members of the guild, working alongside their creator who they thought of more as a father. Nornan seemed to be a jack of all trades when it came to the various tooks he could learn, slowly over time took to study the tools of a thief and built them into himself so that he could make sure the various chest that held the guild funds were safe. As time passes his already elderly creator stepped back from the guild and had Nornan and the others travel with him to his homeland so he could settle affairs with his clan.
While the four made it to the clan stronghold the elderly dwarf did not live more then another few years. With the death of his creator, Nornan left the stronghold to begin traveling the world to continue developing his skills. At first he spent most of his time hopping between towns where he would use his skills to provide help in exchange for coin or a place to stay.
During his jounrey to a town that was several days travel be was attacked and overwhelmed by a group of bandits. While he managed to survive all of his tools and other supplies were stolen, leaving him with nothing as he tried to limp back the way he had come. Along the way be was helped by a traveling circus, slowly returning to full health. To repay their kindness he agreed to travel with them, using his skills to help maintain things.
I'd still love to do it! I'll update my character to level 2 and can tweak her story to get her to everyone else.
Character Name: Raven
Race: high elf
Alignment: chaotic good
Class: wizard, going for bladesinger at level 2
Your reason for being at the circus: I was taken as a child and forced to work for a dark elf who calls himself my "patron." He appreciated my dexterity and skill with a blade and spells and has me and others earn money for him in various ways.
Backstory (an actual backstory, as in, more than just "Folk Hero"): I will flesh it out more if chosen, but here's what I have so far: I want to try to get away when I can, but he seems powerful and I am afraid he would hunt me down and hurt me even more if I were to try to escape. He is volatile and abusive, and hurt me anytime I didn't do a good enough job for him or bring him enough coin. He isn't around all the time, but expects to receive good earnings from my work whenever he drops in. The circus has become my family, though I can't confide in most of them out of fear and shame. I have had a close friend here and there over time. I awe the crowds with my skill with blades, dancing as I weave them through the air, doing flips and acrobatics and landing with my feather falling spell. The stress and abuse has taken a toll on me mentally, and it is difficult some days just to make it through my performances.
Backstory (an actual backstory, as in, more than just "Folk Hero"):
You were abandoned by your human parents to die in the dangerous forests surrounding your home. They saw you as a devil/fiend/evil being and didn't wish to bring the wrath of the other villagers on themselves, nor be corrupted by this obviously evil creature. Although Teiflings are known, seeing a blue, winged devil born from 2 very human parents can be quite shocking. Although you don't remember your parents, you remember that they left you for dead as a baby. Unusually for Fiend, an archdevil, by the name of Azazel, took pity on your circumstance, seeing you as kin given your appearance. He granted you the gift of magic (even as a newborn baby) and thus giving you the tools to survive on your own in this harsh world. Although it was not without its reasons and plans. You grew up alone, fighting for survival in the harsh wilderness. Occasionally you'd hear a strange voice whispering to you inside you head, trying to make you do strange things or go to strange places. But your feral mind ignored such temptations/coercion's. You had no contact with anything other than animals until your mid-late teens. At which point a group of mercenaries came across you. Among their number was another Tiefling, the only thing that stopped you attacking them. They clothed you, fed you, and even managed to convince you to follow them to their camp. This last part was difficult as the only language you knew was Infernal, and only a few words of that. The group that found you consisted of: -An older female Tiefling Bard (Note) with a flute [reddish-brown/rust coloured skin, small horns that curve backwards into her long black hair, below average height and slight, black eyes] -A young(-ish) male Elf Fighter (Aramil) with dual swords [bluish-white skin, blue skin, gold eyes, tall and slight] -A middle-aged female Earth Genasi Paladin (Sapphire) with a maul [gem-encrusted skin (sapphires), you were given one of these gems as a gift which you now use as a focus, tall and burly] -A young male Lizardfolk Ranger (Sauriv) with a longbow [Looks like the picture on DNDBeyond] -A young female Tabaxi Rogue (Jade) with shortswords [Panther-like appearnce, black fur, average height, average build] On arrival at their camp you found it to include a very diverse range of races and ages. Note took care of you at the camp, providing food and water, clothes, and shelter. There you met Hope, Note's daughter. She taught you to speak, read, and write common, as well as teaching you the rest of infernal. You picked up the speaking side fairly well, taking about a year and half to be fully fluent in both, but you struggled with reading/writing a lot. Even to this day you can only read simple things, deferring to others for the more complex things. -Hope - Vibrant red hue to skin, slightly darker red hair, horns like her mother, black eyes Hope helped temper your feral side, striving to find the kind heart she knew was there. You grew close, becoming fond of each other over the years. Occasionally one or both of you would join the group on their missions and adventures. On one of these adventures the archdevil Azazel managed to steer you towards a cursed item which Hope then put on. A powerful magical necklace that saps years of her life away and providing a form of truesight to her. You silently harbour this horrible secret. Shortly thereafter your Azazel visits you in a dream and offers to break and undo the effects of the curse in exchange for finding a magical item on this mortal realm for him. You reluctantly leave Hope and the group in search of this item. You tell them you are in search of an item to cure her of this curse, a half-lie to protect your secret. Additional: Although you have no vision or real presence on the ethereal plane, those can see in both the material plane and the ethereal see your figure wreathed in blue flame, your eyes burn with a purple hue, and bone spines jut out of your arms, back, and wings. Even after seeing this, Hope still loves you and basically ignores it.
After doing some simple enough mercenary jobs in a nearby village, a group of travelling demon hunters (with true sight so they see the alternate form) begins to chase and hunt you down. You run/fly away, but they're keeping pace and you're getting tired. Suddenly you break into a clearing, stumbling and landing in front a group of strangers. Calls and shouts can be heard not far behind...
(Apologies about the formatting, but had to write this on a tablet)
Backstory (an actual backstory, as in, more than just "Folk Hero"): found a wizards spell book (a children’s guide to cool conjuring)and spent their younger years studying it and is just now finally able to use and cast the spells. They thought of knowledge as a way out of the goblin community they belonged to. When the circus came along they saw an opportunity. It was a strange thing to see a goblin of his stature weird any kind of magic. So he began preforming tricks for the people as a means to run away from his past life.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Would still love to join! Will edit my original post to match the change in story.
Gold Roll: 14
Character Name: Lucien
Race: Glasya Tiefling
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
Class: Trickery Cleric
Reason For Being at the Circus: Heals the wounded or sick
Backstory (an actual backstory, as in, more than just "Folk Hero"): In Lucien's homeland Tieflings are rare and often shunned and feared. Constantly feeling out of place he left home with nothing but the clothes on his back in search of a better life. On the road he often had to resort to theft or cons in order to find food or lodging, playing pranks on those that were rude to him for amusement. One day he met a traveler that claimed to be a god and taught Lucien a few tricks. Using his tricks to heal wounds and mend broken bones, Lucien traveled from town to town until one day he hears about a traveling circus. His homeland has no such thing as a circus, curious Lucien decides to pay it a visit. The Traveler still visits from time to time, teaching Lucien new tricks and asking to hear about his latest prank.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Character Name: Harmony Gladewalker Race: Tiefling Alignment: Neutral Good Class: Druid Your reason for being at the circus: (Reason for meeting the group) A wandering druid looking for her lost mentor stumbles upon the group whilst investigating a ruined monastery that her mentor was last seen at. Backstory (an actual backstory, as in, more than just "Folk Hero"): Harmony is from a small village called Silgrove, located in a swamp. Ever since she was younger, she had also been one with nature and eventually discovered her natural affinity with nature magic. Being one of only two in the village with the ability to use magic, Harmony became quite well known, using her magic to protect the village from the dangers of the swamp as well as healing the sick. The other magic user in the village was her mentor, Viri Palus, a water genasi druid. He was the one who taught her how to control and use her magic. However, one night, Harmony suddenly sees a vision in her dreams. A vision which foretold the horrific death of her mentor and the destruction of her home. As she awakened, shocked and terrified, she went to seek out her mentor, only to find that he had disappeared. Though she hesitated to leave the village unprotected, especially after the dream, the villagers' encouragement persuaded her to leave and seek out her mentor. She visits the nearest place of civilisation, asking around if anyone had seen her mentor, and discovers he had actually been in town, looking for the ruins of an old monastery that was dedicated to a old forgotten god. Hearing this, she left the town and went to the old monastery in hopes of finding her mentor.
Gold Roll: 3
Link to DnD Beyond Character Sheet: ddb.ac/characters/10698990/hkmREo
(Question: Do we still need to start with gold instead of equipment?)
I didn't see it until the next day because I never got a notification for it, but it said in the thread you left the conversation. Since you never responded, I just wanted to be sure not to be waiting still.
Q'wai Zan (Shou human | Monk | Lawful good)
Backstory (and reason for being involved with the circus):
A vicious disease decimated most of my childhood village, including my parents. Like all the other orphans, my fate was determined by the village elders. "This one shall be instructed by the Singing Wind," remarked the highly-respected matriarch of the group. And so it was, that I was delivered to a tiny monastery in the nearby mountains--a monastery that became not only my home but my life.
The monastery of the Singing Wind was my life until one terrible, fateful day a few years ago. Seeking to do good and defend my master's honor, I accidentally killed a man, a man whose father is both powerful and merciless, a man who uses his wealth and influence to hunt me relentlessly wherever I go. On a day that seemed normal and peaceful in every respect, Master Po and I walked together to the crowded open-air market where we would purchase a few simple items for the monastery. A proud and rude nobleman suddenly turned and confronted my master.
"You buffoon! You've soiled my cloak!" He then struck Master Zo across the face and said, "I shall take that as payment for your clumsiness."
My master bowed slightly and responded, "Good sir, I've done no such thing, but I can see to it that your cloak is laundered, and.."
"Do not contradict me!" was the rich man's response. "I shall strike you a second time for lying."
As the nobleman raised his hand once again, I could endure no more of his arrogance and false accusations against the man I considered the kindest and wisest of all. With one quick blow of my quarterstaff, I swept the proud man's legs from under him. My intent was to humble him; but his head struck the ground violently and, within an hour, he was dead. In my anger, I had slain the son of Lord Faiwan.
With tears, heartache, and a sickening remorse, I fled the Singing Wind monastery that night. Lord Faiwan and his men continue to hunt me to this day, and I move from town to town and job to job in an effort to remain hidden. A few months ago, I found that being a circus worker serves me very well in keeping my identity hidden. Having no desire to be the center of anyone's attention, I fulfill whatever tasks are necessary to the putting on of the circus show--setting up, tearing down, tending to the animals, mending things, and running errands.
Recruitment for this campaign is now closed. I will be sending out invites within the next 30 minutes or so. Thank you everyone for applying. It is going to be a very difficult choice!
Could you post your choices inthe thread?
I'm the idiot that decides to make Phil Swift in DnD.
I can once I get home. I am considering opening a second campaign since I had so many awesome applications. (Am I nuts? Maybe...)
Alright, the final party was composed of:
The choices came down to trying to make an eclectic mix of races and classes. When stuck with a choice, I relied on the story, reasons for being with the circus, and even looked at posting history for people. Y'all didn't make it easy.
If anyone still gets an alert from this recruitment thread, we've lost one party member due to RL constraints and another has been absent long enough that I will be writing him out of the story. Those characters might come back, but in the meantime, I'm accepting new applications for a fifth party member. Your character will start at level 2. Some possible suggestions:
In the party are:
We are going for a "misfit commoners stumbling into the role of hero" vibe. I will invite someone within 48 hours, so get your application in quick. If you want to reuse an application you posted earlier in this thread. Copy and paste it or link to it in a new post.
Thanks!
I’m totally down, I didn’t see my first app on a quick scan. Will have full character later tonight.
Name: Nornan
Race: Warforged (Envoy)
Alignment: Neutral Good
Class: Artificer
Reason for being at the circus: Nornan maintained equipment and would also make devices to add flair to the performances. He also owes the his life due to them saving him after he was attacked by bandits.
Backstory: Nornan wasbuilt by a famous dwarven Craftsman who was well known for both their skills in smithing and in various magical works. Due to not finding any worthy apprentices among the younger members of his guild he decided that he would make several of his own. Along with Nornan he made two others, Wander and Darxi. Making each of them was a long and deeply secretive process but each was a success.
Over the course of several years, the three Warforged were trained and in turn became members of the guild, working alongside their creator who they thought of more as a father. Nornan seemed to be a jack of all trades when it came to the various tooks he could learn, slowly over time took to study the tools of a thief and built them into himself so that he could make sure the various chest that held the guild funds were safe. As time passes his already elderly creator stepped back from the guild and had Nornan and the others travel with him to his homeland so he could settle affairs with his clan.
While the four made it to the clan stronghold the elderly dwarf did not live more then another few years. With the death of his creator, Nornan left the stronghold to begin traveling the world to continue developing his skills. At first he spent most of his time hopping between towns where he would use his skills to provide help in exchange for coin or a place to stay.
During his jounrey to a town that was several days travel be was attacked and overwhelmed by a group of bandits. While he managed to survive all of his tools and other supplies were stolen, leaving him with nothing as he tried to limp back the way he had come. Along the way be was helped by a traveling circus, slowly returning to full health. To repay their kindness he agreed to travel with them, using his skills to help maintain things.
https://ddb.ac/characters/10690434/DPSeUl
Rekuberk Onc Level 8 | Half Orc | Barbarian (The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks)
Kayassa Level 3 | Satyr | Warlock (Cleath13's LMoP)
Bertolt Silentlash Level 3 | Variant Human | Bard (Our Little Lives Kept in Equipoise: Death House)
Daerthe Narcion Level 4 | Drow | Rogue (Karmoli's Great Upheaval)
I'd still love to do it! I'll update my character to level 2 and can tweak her story to get her to everyone else.
KestrelEliot on Twitter
How they meet the party:
After doing some simple enough mercenary jobs in a nearby village, a group of travelling demon hunters (with true sight so they see the alternate form) begins to chase and hunt you down. You run/fly away, but they're keeping pace and you're getting tired. Suddenly you break into a clearing, stumbling and landing in front a group of strangers. Calls and shouts can be heard not far behind...
(Apologies about the formatting, but had to write this on a tablet)
https://www.dndbeyond.com/profile/YoFizz/characters/10691605
Gash - Lvl14 Goblin Wizard - The High Court of the Aasimar Queen
Would still love to join! Will edit my original post to match the change in story.
Character Name: Harmony Gladewalker
Race: Tiefling
Alignment: Neutral Good
Class: Druid
Your reason for being at the circus: (Reason for meeting the group) A wandering druid looking for her lost mentor stumbles upon the group whilst investigating a ruined monastery that her mentor was last seen at.
Backstory (an actual backstory, as in, more than just "Folk Hero"): Harmony is from a small village called Silgrove, located in a swamp. Ever since she was younger, she had also been one with nature and eventually discovered her natural affinity with nature magic. Being one of only two in the village with the ability to use magic, Harmony became quite well known, using her magic to protect the village from the dangers of the swamp as well as healing the sick. The other magic user in the village was her mentor, Viri Palus, a water genasi druid. He was the one who taught her how to control and use her magic. However, one night, Harmony suddenly sees a vision in her dreams. A vision which foretold the horrific death of her mentor and the destruction of her home. As she awakened, shocked and terrified, she went to seek out her mentor, only to find that he had disappeared. Though she hesitated to leave the village unprotected, especially after the dream, the villagers' encouragement persuaded her to leave and seek out her mentor. She visits the nearest place of civilisation, asking around if anyone had seen her mentor, and discovers he had actually been in town, looking for the ruins of an old monastery that was dedicated to a old forgotten god. Hearing this, she left the town and went to the old monastery in hopes of finding her mentor.
Gold Roll: 3
Link to DnD Beyond Character Sheet: ddb.ac/characters/10698990/hkmREo
(Question: Do we still need to start with gold instead of equipment?)
Actually, equipment is okay now, yeah.
Did you end up deciding on someone?
KestrelEliot on Twitter
I did. I tried contacting you directly as I was deciding but you didn't respond.
I didn't see it until the next day because I never got a notification for it, but it said in the thread you left the conversation. Since you never responded, I just wanted to be sure not to be waiting still.
KestrelEliot on Twitter
Yeah, sorry, I had to make my decision.