*** Important setting information *** In this campaign, "The Last War" ended 2-years ago after a century of war, death, and loss. What was 5 strong nations are now 12 with varying degrees of stability, each with their own specializations and each wondering when the next war will break out.
You are a refugee from one of the fallen nations. Whether you are trying to reconnect with what may be left of your old life, just trying to stay alive, trying to help re-establish your nation, or whatever else your goals may be, the situation all around is precarious.
Through whatever means you have found yourself in the Brelands. In the wake of the Last War, Breland is one of the most powerful nations in Khorvaire. Possessing a large population and abundant resources, Breland leads the continent in industry. They have taken on more refugees than other nations and have benefited from the diversity and knowledge gained.
You make your way to Sharn, the largest of the cities here and see at least one of every race you've ever seen or even heard of from the more common to ogres, orcs, goblins, and even sahuagin, harpies, and gargoyles. You have been advised that there is great pay potential and lodging for talented individuals at one of the guild houses, and most recommended of these is the Mystic Helix Guild, which is what you begin searching for...
[We will start at level 6, any race any class/multiclass that the character creator will allow. For stats, we are using a point buy system you will have to select "Manual" on that screen. Base starting stat is 10, you have 27 points to spend, everything above 18 costs 2 points per. If you need help or questions just let me know. For special gear requests just ask me and explain what you're trying to do with the build. I have a number of pre-made characters you are welcome to choose from once you jump into the campaign link where I have content sharing enabled with the legendary bundle. Once everyone is finished with this we will begin and everyone will have ample time to respond to each DM post before the story moves forward.]
**This campaign was started in a facebook group, but we had a few that had scheduling issues so we're moving the campaign here with myself and 2 players, their introduction process has begin and will be posted here, however players have not yet knowingly met, so we will follow the same buildup for your character to get you caught up with no problem whatsoever. I'm looking forward to a wonderful campaign as I have a vast world set in front of you with much to accomplish.
Baylen - Baylen sat alone in a dimly lit corner of the inn. He had long ago grown accustomed to avoiding the light. While he was moderately well received in Breland; his distinctive Drow features bought him no such hospitality throughout most of the world. Fortunately he had a diminutive build that made it easy to go undetected.
“Out of sight, out of mind” he thought to himself.
He had received a message that he was to rendezvous with a contact at the inn. He grew frustrated as he recalled the message, both because he didn’t know who the contact was and because he had no idea what the job was. He had already been waiting for several hours and still no one had reached out to him.
Waiting wasn’t one of Baylen’s strengths, but then neither was following instructions.
DM - [The crowd in the lower inn had been lively as the hours went by but everyone seemed to be drawn towards the center tables where some game was being played and between that crowd and how well you natural blend into the shadow you aren't accosted by anyone including the bar wenches making rounds and ensure everyone was buying drinks. As the night carries into the early morning hours and the crowd thins down until eventually there are only a handful of patrons remaining, you notice as a small figure in a dark cloak enters the inn slowly and stumbles a bit before beginning to scan the room until their hood stops as it comes to face you. They approach you, and as they come closer you can distinguish the features of what you believe are halfling and female]
A small somewhat pained voice comes quietly from the figure, "Baylen?"
[As she stops and speaks, you notice a few dark droplets hit the floor beside her feet]
Baylen - “Pardon me ma’am,” Baylen said, doing his best impression of a warm inviting smile, “but I’m in a bit of a predicament. I was supposed to meet someone here earlier this evening, but they haven’t shown up. I couldn’t help but notice the spark of recognition in your eyes when you spotted me. You wouldn’t happen to be the person I’m looking for, would you?”
DM - "Delays could not be helped, one such as yourself should know fully the perils of acting rashly when dealing with powerful opposition." She says seeming to stiffin with what you perceive to be annoyance, or perhaps just stress.
"Take this and be wary of your surroundings, as some already planned for you not to see this... the fools who intercepted me are of course dead, however there will be more" She says with certainty in her voice.
[She extends an arm out of her cloak holding a bloody rolled parchment with a seal you recognize instantly. As she does so you see the bracer on that arm that looks as though a jagged heavy blade has torn through the material and into the muscle where blood oozes from the wound. As you take the document her arm disappears back into the cloak and you heal her begin a low chant that you recognize as spellwork, but before you can react she's gone.]
[You feel the eyes of the few patrons left fall upon you and a commotion picking up outside]
Baylen - While trying to move into a better position to determine the cause of commotion from outside I pocket the parchment and address the few patrons left.
“That’s the last time I let my cousin set me up on a blind date. I mean.. seriously, four hours late and then she just disappears on me...”
“Hey, does anyone happen to know what’s going on out there?” I say, gesturing towards the door.
DM - [They look at you speculatively, but are clearly curious about what's going on outside and a few make their way to the door to see]
[The first to the door peaks outside a few moments before jerking back inside and yelling] "There are three dead hobgoblins out here!"
[The rest of the bar rush over to the door to inspect the scene as well]
Baylen - While the patrons are distracted with the grizzly scene outside, I retreat back to the solitude of my table in the dimly lit corner of the room, pull out the parchment, breaking the seal, and begin to read...
DM - [Sent in PM]
Baylen - After he’d finished reading the message, Baylen sat, contemplating for several moments before deciding on a course of action. His initial impulse was to run away and attempt to live free on his own terms somewhere far from the reach of his debtors. Of course he had already tried that, and it seemed their reach was indeed too far to outrun. With a sigh he resigned himself to doing as he was told... for now. With his resolve set, he casually strolled over to the hearth and tossed the parchment into the fire. Satisfied that there would be no lingering evidence of the orders he had received, he approached the inn keeper.
“Well met, friend.. I was hoping you could assist me. I’m in need of employment, and I’m looking to do a bit of guild work for the Mystic Helix. Could you direct me to their guild house?”
DM - [The man looks up from his paper and acknowledges you with a nod]
"Well seeing as how we're not exactly busy at the moment, sure!" [He pulls out a city map. It's covered with written in names, scratched out and written under in many places presumably where quite a few businesses have changed hands, in some cases multiple times. It's well worn and even torn in places. But with a few moments time he shows you the best paths to take to get there which is a good hike on foot from where you are now, around 40 of their city blocks. But he does inform you that even at this hour there is someone there to greet you.]
"Anything else I can do for you?" He asked tiredly.
Baylen - “I do believe that will do it, thanks.” Baylen said as he began to leave the inn. He had decided, of the options the innkeeper had shown him, he would take the most direct route to the guild. He didn’t want to waste time dawdling and he had no intention of skulking all the way there. He didn’t want to look suspicious after all, but he would try to passively avoid others along the path when possible. The Halfling’s warning about others replayed in his head.
“I’ll just have to keep an eye out” he thought to himself.
With that thought he began his trek across the city to the Mystic Helix Guild.
DM - [As you leave the inn you are forced to shuffle around a large crowd that has formed encircling the hobgoblin corpses. Breland officers are on the scene but mostly to keep anyone from disturbing the scene and there's only 2 which seem over their heads with the number of onlookers. There is a path through the crowd that could probably get you close enough to take a look yourself, as well as an opening to your left between the last few citizens and the inn wall in which you could move towards your goal.]
Baylen - I will try to take a quick peek to assess the kind of trouble I have trailing me.
DM - [As you move in closer you see the three hob goblins splayed out in a mess of gore and entrails. They were wearing fairly nice armor and were using the rough somewhat jagged steel blades most have seen their kin wielding. Roll for investigation.]
Baylen - 1
DM -
[With a quick glance you don't see any wounds a normal weapon would have caused, but without a better opportunity to examine further you can only assume the means were magical or by some sort of massive claw or beak perhaps. Do you risk taking a closer look?]
Baylen -
Baylen cursed himself under his breath for having prioritized the letters over inspecting the bodies. He needed more information about the Hobgoblins, likely hired thugs, but more importantly he needed more information about the Halfling contact’s methods. Against his better judgement, he attempted to blend into the crowd and inch closer for a better look.
DM -
[Roll a stealth check & an investigation check]
Baylen -
Stealth - 14 Investigation - 1 - DOH!
DM -
[You blend fairly decently into the crowd and move closer to the scene at hand, however when you lean out from the crowd for a better look you realize the path you had taken as you were sneaking through the crowd left you at a worse viewing angle where you are basically staring at the stomach of a guard keeping back the crowd]
Baylen -
Deciding he had wasted more time than he could afford and risked drawing more attention than he cared to, Baylen started edging his way away from the crowd and headed towards the Mystic Helix Guildhouse.
DM -
[You begin traveling in the direction indicated by the man inside. I need 4 rolls of a d20 during the trip]
Baylen -
12, 10, 1, and 17
DM -
[The streets are dark and wet from a recent rain and oddly quiet for a city this size as you distance yourself from the gathering outside the inn. The direct path for your journey isn't the cleanest or the safest, but as the blocks go by you manage to avoid the interest of the nightlife and the watching eyes of the things in the dark, being accustomed to the dark yourself it feels almost normal. As you make it through about 3/4 of your trip, the comfort you've begun feeling serves as a distraction as while admiring the architecture of a building across the road from you dimly lit by one of the few street lights in this area, you fail to notice a water filled pothole and trip as you step into it completely caught by surprise and end up face down on the gravel. The commotion draws the attention of a couple thugs in the alley to your left.]
"Looks like someone's got em'self lost and is too tired to go on, think we should lighten 'is load a bit?" The first thug, a large human man says.
[How do you handle the situation?]
Baylen -
I’d like to size them up,. How many can I see, how tough do they look?
DM -
[You see 2 of them, roll perception check]
Baylen -
15
DM -
[The closest is a very tall man, about 6'5", early 40's at a rough guess, overweight but not clumsy, and unarmed. The second man is shorter at about 5'8", mid 20's, scrawny but wielding a club]
Baylen -
As I’m getting up slowly I attempt to persuade them not to do anything rash. “Gentlemen, while I do appreciate the offer, it’s not necessary. I am not overburdened, and I do believe I’m on the correct path to the Mystic Helix Guild.. but if you know of a more direct route, I would be much obliged for the assistance.”
DM -
[Roll a persuasion check]
Baylen -
13
DM -
[At the mention of the guild they lose all cockiness in their stance and expressions, becoming much more guarded] "You dunno your route to the guild means you prolly ain't in the guild, so maybe they don't take any notice to you not showing up?" The big one says.
Baylen -
“Oh, I am working for the guild” I lie “I’ve just never been down this particular route to get there.” (Deception: 14)
DM -
[The men seem to halt themselves, considering] "We dont wants no troubles with the guild... seen what happens to those that mess with them" [They begin backing away from you and retreat back into the alley they emerged from]
Baylen -
After waiting and double checking that the alley thugs had indeed taken off and ensuring he had collected himself and taken stock of his belongings, Baylen continued on his path to the guild.
“I don’t know anything about this guild, but they seem to have a reputation. I will need to tread carefully in my dealings with them” he thought as he sloshed through the alley, his boot still full of water from the pothole he had stumbled in just moments before.
DM -
[The remainder of your journey goes smoothly and gradually the gravel transitions to solid brick road, the street lamps become more frequent and brighter, and the buildings are clearly in better shape and cleaner. You begin seeing more shop signs as well as more pedestrians even at the early hour. Their dress is also notably cleaner and better kept. Eventually you find a very large sign of solid wood with glowing... no... burning aqua letters that read "Mystic Helix" above a very ornate arched doorway holding 2 very large and sturdy looking wooden doors.]
Baylen -
I knock on the heavy wooden doors and look around for any potential guards or other service people that may be stationed outside the front of the building.
DM -
[Upon knocking on the door, it opens immediately and without assistance. As it does, a light washes over you and causes some disorientation and blurs your vision for just the briefest of moments before you feel normal again {Roll an arcana check}. Once your vision comes back into focus you have to track many things going on at once. The room beyond the door is massive with many tables off to the right and a large bar beyond that, all filled with an assortment of different races with seeming to be enjoying downtime together, laughing, arm wrestling, and conversing as though it wasn't about to be dawn. To your left is a large desk with 4 people behind it assisting a line of people. Behind the desk is a wide set of stairs leading to a large balcony that curves entirely around the circumference of the room. Straight ahead of you and to the back of the room is a very large board with many individual papers pinned to it. There is no visible fireplace but the room feels very warm and inviting. At this point you've been standing in the doorway for a few moments taking everything in.]
Baylen -
(Arcana 12)
I casually move over to the tables to the left of the entrance and get in line. I ask the person in front of me “Excuse me, what is this line for?”
DM -
[You are able to tell that the magic wave had a cleansing effect, but beyond that you aren't sure if that was all] [As you reach the back of the quickly moving line and ask your question, a tan half-elf woman turns to you in response] "New I see, well welcome, and this is normally the bounty turn in line, but also serves as an information center and where you need to be if you're looking to join. Good luck to you"
Baylen -
“Thank you” I reply, then I wait for my turn in line. Once I’m at the front of the line I address the person seated behind the desk in front of me, “Hello, I am interested in working for the guild, but I’m short on information about what that entails or how to go about it. Is there any information you can provide on how I should go about getting started?”
DM -
[A young human girl with long and wavey ashen hair is the nearest of the people behind the desk and as she finishes filing the paperwork she had been working on previously, she turns her full attention to you as you finish your question.] "Welcome! We're always looking for new blood! There are never enough souls to take on all the bounties. So here's the deal, we don't really care about who you are, where you come from, or what your resume is. It's not that we are a heartless guild, just that everyone enters those doors for the first time as equals no matter what. You are assessed by the guild master at the next meeting, generally given the recruit rank and sent on your first recruit mission. If you finish it, you get another, then another, then another... The recruit missions don't pay much but they aren't difficult either, and depending on how you do it may take 1 or it may take 100 before you are considered for full membership. Honestly no one knows how exactly the master judges each member and when he believes they're ready. If you become a full member the guild becomes another home for you, always with a bed to sleep in, food to eat, mead & wine to drink, and you will then be family. Also the bounty board is fully open to you as you will receive the guild seal. Does this answer your question fully?"
Baylen -
“Almost, when is the next meeting?”
DM -
"Today actually, at 10 this morning. If you like, you can wait at the bar or one of the tables. There are a few others expected to be attending as well"
Baylen -
I pick my way across to the bar and have a seat. I observe the others in the room while I wait.
DM -
[As you peer around the room, you see 4 men (2 human, 1 elf, 1 lizardkin) playing a card game and betting gold. At the bar nearest you there is a male dragonborn apparently in a drinking contest with a very large barbarian woman. A man and woman pair of dwarves are at a table creating a rather large and impressive house of cards. There's plenty of laughing and flirting going around which may have something to do with the human bard roaming around playing his lute and singing of grand adventures. There's quite a bit more going on but nothing out of the usual for a tavern that doesn't water down their drink. You do spot a drow female sitting at a table in the far corner where it's a bit darker, so the guild apparently sticks to it's word on everyone being equals.]
Baylen -
I approach the Drow female, introducing myself once I reach her table. “I am Baylen. I’m surprised to see another Drow, but I guess this is a large city and this guild seems to have a reputation. Have you been working for them long? Or are you new like me?”
He cursed himself under his breath for seeking out distraction.. then again, he was where he was supposed to be and had nothing to do now but wait for the meeting to begin. Of course he couldn’t help his curiosity. He had known that Drow were rare even this far south in Khorvaire, and he had spent his life trying to learn as much as he could about his ancestors from Xen’drik with little success.
Jinn hated being bored. The trek to Sharn had been boring. Well, aside from the little halfling merchant who could not resist his gnomish elegance when their parties met on the road. Alas, such things only cure boredom for a short time. "Maybe I should visit a brothel instead of this rundown tavern?" No, that gets too costly. The only thing Jinn hated more than being bored was losing money. Like this curious one losing her money at cards over there. Fuzzling insanity wasting money like that! "Not this gnome!" he mumbled under his breath.
The bar wench came by for the 5th time with an annoyed look. "Listen fella, If you ain't gonna buy nothin then you need to find somewhere else to be. I don't mind having you thrown out for a paying customer!"
"Fine, fine, fine." He be grudgingly dropped the exact change on the table for a night in the inn without breakfast, then gathered up his things to head upstairs for some rest.
DM -
[As you finish gathering your belongings before heading upstairs you can't help overhearing a Breland royal's accent attempting a whisper and failing horribly at the table next to you and between yourself and the main gambling table. As you catch a glance from the corner of your eye you can tell his attire matches the accent. You manage to just barely make out a little from where you are]
"Well if it's real money you're interested in..."
[They don't seem to notice you and have clearly been drinking]
Jinn -
Jinn will slow his packing speed to a snail's pace and perk an intrigued ear to hear the conversation.
DM -
[When you focus on hearing the conversation and zone everything else out, you are able to pick up on more of the conversation]
"What do ya mean 'real money'? I do just fine already, why would I give that up?" Says the other man there who is a white male human with a bald head and clean shaven younger face who is also fairly well dressed,
"What you make compared to this is copper vs gold, and don't interrupt me as I'm trying to do you a favor" replies the royal.
[The bald man huffs a bit and is clearly annoyed at being talked down to, but he remains silent]
"Now that I have your attention, the real money I'm talking about is at the guilds, which is the only way someone like yourself can find his way into hundreds of gold quickly. There are better than 10 guilds, but really only 2 where the moneys at currently since they've earned more respect from the government as they get the jobs done, so they are offered more. If you don't mind a lot of blood on your hands and aren't squeamish about who you may have to kill, then Crimson Edge is your go-to. If you don't mind spending a little more time on the missions and doing a lot of different things, then Mystic Helix is your bet. But honestly you may not be up to snuff for that level of job..." The royal finishes with a grin.
Jinn -
Jinn gingerly opens the left flap of his coat where his notepad and writing stick are always readily available, tears the first piece of paper off and glances at it, scoffing again at spending money for a room at the inn. "Might as well rob me, humph!" He then carefully folds the paper and tucks it into a pocket with numerous others before scribbling down the names of the guilds and a note beside each one on the fresh sheet of parchment. Then, as always, he counts the fresh sheets left. "Thirty three, good number. Might need another one soon though." He then folds the fresh note, tucks it into a different pocket, and scribbles a new note that says, "Get extra notepad, only 32 pages left.' He then finishes packing his things and heading to his room..
DM -
[You have to carefully make your way through the crown to get to the stairs leading up to the rooms as most here are quite a bit larger than you and drinking] [[Give me a Dex roll to see how well that goes]]
Jinn -
9
DM -
[As you begin making your way through the crowd you have to quickly leap out of the way of a chair being shoved back and over as a goliath leaps up in the midst of a loud and boisterous shout. You barely manage to get out of the way as you feel the air just off the tip of your nose as the edge of the chair misses it. Your leap however sends you smashing into the leg of a very overweight human man which you bounce off of careening like a pinball until you land face first into the breasts of what you can only assume is a dwarven woman that just happened to be walking by]
Jinn -
Quelling the split second urge to motorboat, Jinn snaps away from the woman and immediately looks behind him loudly saying, "Quit all the pushing you oafs!" desperately trying to ignore the woman and toss her attention more on the commotion than the placement of his nose.
DM -
[Roll a deception]
Jinn -
11
DM -
[She looks up at the commotion and back down to you with an angry glance, then slaps you across the cheek, which coming from a dwarf sends you spinning to the ground. Then in a 'scottish' accent you hear her say]
"If yer gonna make a grab at em the leas you can do is buy a lady a drink first, not that one o' yer lot could handle dwarvin debauchery!"
[she begins to turn away from you]
Jinn -
Jinn rubs his cheek as he scrambles up from the ground. "Too hairy for me anyway!" he mumbles under his breath as he tries again to make it to his room for some rest.
DM -
[The patrons around you take some notice and a few chuckle and one old drunk human male actually gets tickled enough to fall out of his chair] "Hahahaaa... can't handle her... hahahhaa... her hairy debauchery!" He manages to say through the laugh.
[At this point most of the focus is on him how and your path has cleared giving you much easier access to the stairway]
Jinn -
Jinn glances to make sure he didn't drop anything during the fall. A pointless act, knowing how secure he keeps every article in every pocket/pouch of his being. Nonetheless, a quick glance, then off to try and rest in this overpriced room they gouged him on.
DM -
[You see nothing with your glance and with that move along to your room unbothered and for the most part unnoticed. The room is very unremarkable. a bed and a night stand is all that fills it and there's one window looking down from the second story onto an dank dark alley.]
Jinn -
Jinn takes 2 of his jars and balances them on 2 of the small rods he keeps tucked away in his things, one against the window and one against the door. "That should do it. No unwanted guests without my knowledge." He turns in the bed to retire for the night.
DM -
[The night goes by without interruption, and you awaken the following morning with the sun after a restful sleep, even if the bed isn't exactly what you're used to]
Jinn -
Jinn yawns and glances around the room, carefully taking a mental inventory. "All seems well enough, let's go check out this guild I heard of last night." He packs his things, scoffing again at the price of a room, and heads downstairs to find someone who could point him toward the guild house.
DM -
[As you make it downstairs the scene is a vast contrast to what you experienced the night before. The room is almost entirely empty with the exception of someone working a grill behind the bar, a half-orc bar wench walking away from a table where the goliath from the night before sits with a rather large plate of various foods, and at another table closer to the front door sits a muscular white human male who is well armored, has a very large warhammer strapped to his back, and appears to have a metal right arm. The aroma of cooking meat fills the air.]
Jinn -
Jinn scans the scene and makes his way to the bar wench with a purpose. "Ahem! Could you tell me the quickest route to the Mystic Helix guild I have heard about?"
DM -
[She turns around and seems confused for a moment before looking down]
"Oh! I didn't see you there!... I'm afraid I'm a tad new to the area and haven't quite learned my way around besides the basics, plus is seems that businesses change location or shut down so quickly how can anyone keep up!" She says jokingly, then adds... "But I can help you with breakfast if you'd like?"
[You hear a deep and rich voice from the table nearest the door]
"And why might you be looking for a guildhall? Have a job you're looking to hire them for?"
Jinn -
Jinn quickly turns in the direction of the voice. "Oh no, just the opposite! I happen to be very much in search of making a few coins. Times are hard and I am very short. These prices for rooms and food nowadays are outrageous!" He takes a sidelong glance at the bar wench, instinctively rubbing his hands like they were aching from giving the money away the night before. "how much for some water and biscuits for a poor gnome?"
DM -
"Well since ya had a room last night the grub is included in the price, for those who ask at least" the wench grins and heads back to the bar.
DM -
"Looking for guild work, hmm... Well I can personally speak for the skill of your race from working alongside a few in the war... perhaps I can speak for you at Helix at least to that degree if you are finding a lack of respect for your talents, though the guildmaster has never been known to care about race... equal opportunity for equal work." [The man near the door says]
Jinn -
Jinn studies the man with his very practiced kind and innocent look while trying to figure out this fellow's motive/character. (insight) "Oh, are you a member then?" he says rather cheerily
DM -
[He grins slightly] "Indeed I am, since the beginning you could say. What is your specialty if I might ask? I may as well save you time and a trip by doing a little light evaluation now." [He nods to your left as the wench brings your plate over and sets it in front of you] "Anything to drink with that?" She asks
[Your insight of the man shows him to seem very genuine and by all accounts so far comes off as kind and honest without a hidden agenda]
Jinn -
Jinn waves off the bar wench and looks back to the man. "I dabble as an artificer and magical tinkerer, among a few other things!"
DM -
[He smiles at that, and the smile lights up his face] "I know of the art well!" [He turns his head slightly and whistles] "Aegis, here girl!" [A large mechanical mastiff pushes open the inn door and happily trots up to the man] "This is Aegis, and you can call me Sig"
Jinn -
"WOW, what a specimen! You made her yourself?" Jinn starts to slap himself in the cheek but thinks better of it and just shakes his head a bit, hoping to remove the embarrassing childish grin and act more mature.
DM -
"Indeed I did, years ago. I owe her my life many times over in fact" [He pats her head lovingly before turning back to you] "So is this the sort of tinkering you do or are you more on the other side of things?"
Jinn -
Jinn ponders the animatron longingly for a moment. "I can't say I have ever created anything like THAT. I can imbue magiks into items to some extent though." Jinn glances to make sure the spot is empty, then activates his boots and transports 15 feet to an empty space in the inn.
DM -
"Ah, very impressive!" [He claps briefly] "Well there are many types of jobs coming into the guild all the time so there's usually something for just about everyone. But you better have a chat with the master, whenever you're ready to head that way of course"
Jinn -
"Thank you! I still need some directions though my friend, your name was?" Jinn extends his arm for a handshake.
DM -
[He grasps your forearm behind the wrist in a hearty shake] "Sig Curtis,an honor to meet you Jinn, and I can take you to the guild upon our finishing of breakfast. We want to get our moneys worth right?" He smiles as he released his grip to return to his plate.
Jinn -
Jinn glances at his fingers and wrist to make sure all of his jewelry is in place as it should be, then sits down to slowly work on his breakfast. A big appetite was never a thing he had to worry about, which was one of the many reasons he hated buying meals from inns. Any of them would portion smaller if he asked, but they didn't portion the bill any less.
Jinn looks at aegis and makes a mental note to figure out the specifics behind making one of those for himself, then shifts his attention to Sig. "Does she have any magical abilities to utilize, cast any spells or such herself? or just the magic that she is imbued with?"
DM -
[While continuing to eat, between bites he answers] "She has a few tricks under her collar, but a conversation for another time perhaps. Also from what I can gather, it appears you are an alchemist, correct? I took a different road early on, I'm a battle smith, so our specialties lie in different areas"
Jinn -
"Artificer and alchemist, yes sir. What is it like working for the guild? Are there any sorts of initiations or death pacts to ensure secrecy?
DM -
"When you're new, you pick whatever you want from the recruit jobs. You show you can handle them efficiently and the guild master takes notice and opens up the job board to you, and at that point you can take any job you want as long as you meet the requirements, like some jobs require 2 or more members or certain skill sets, but inevitably pay better. It's honest work, good pay, and once you're in... you're family."
Jinn -
Jinn ponders over this for a few moments. "Sounds great to me, especially the good pay part," he says as he finishes nibbling on the breakfast he was served and pushes the rest away.
DM -
"There's no death pacts or crazy initiations, but there is a seal everyone must agree to have placed on your body in a location of your choosing. It isn't painful and won't do anything to harm you, in fact it's very recognizable and may in some cases save your life. If you ever decided to leave the guild it would be taken off, simple as that. It has some magical properties of course, but it's just to ensure you stick to the code. If you were to break the code, it disappears along with any contract you have at the time. Also the seal allows you to read our contracts, which otherwise can cause insanity if a non-member attempts to decipher them... pretty basic stuff really."
Jinn -
"Doesn't sound do bad. I mean, you have to have some precautions these days, eh?" Jinn trails off as he ponders a location for such a seal, then chuckles to himself thinking of that one barmaid who wanted him to get her name tattooed on his penis. "Not my fault she got my name tattooed on her breast without asking me first!" He mumbles to himself.
DM -
"Nothing a wizard can't fix" He says catching the comment
Jinn -
"Well, whenever you are finished with your breakfast I am ready to go." Jinn taps his foot while he watches Aegis intently.
Great! I'm in EST as well, and basically this will be just a check in at least once daily monday-friday, and the weekends if you get the chance. Very laid back pace, low pressure. Character looks good.
I'm not sure if this is mentioned anywhere in your original post, unless I read it incorrectly, but would I be able to use the new wizard UA subclass? Order of Scribes seems like a good fit for a mark of scribing gnome. Unless there's a wizard in the party already
Also... I think i'm being stupid but i'm having a hard time trying to figure out your point buy rules. Would you be able to talk me through them in a pm?
Jhazaal has wandered to the city of Sharn, as many refugees have. He is planning on seeking information on how to move forward, and is simply trying to survive in this new world.
https://ddb.ac/characters/30330009/Rp3H3n I have not fully fleshed out this character. I imagine him as a former guard of an Elvish noble house that has fallen on hard times. And as he needs to earn a living he decides to do what he does best.
Morgurn is descended from a long line of sorceror knights, sworn to service of a good dragon. Their powers, and influence have been something to marvel at for generations. The blood breeds true, and often. When it got mixed with that of a celestial, it added a whole other facet that was... unpredictable to say the least. Morgurn has power in spades, but so many influences in his head often leaves him railing against them, struggling for control over his own fate, and a willfulness that pushes him to the edge of his mortality. In the war, Morgurn was an artillerist on the front lines. After... he was just one more warrior in a time of peace. He’s not looking to go back to his roots. He wants that camaraderie that he remembers from the war. Mortal friendship. Simple, and true.
Hi! I would like to join your campaign if there are spots left.
This is my character concept ( I will submit the character sheet once I am accepted.): Valzes, Hexblade Warlock, Archeologist (if allowed), Tiefling
Valzes was an archeologist who traveled the continent before the war. During one of her expedition, Valzes came across a ruin and met a creature who promised her power to help her future expedition in exchange for an untold future favor, which she later regrets of the decision. However, she is bind to the pact now. She feels like the creature follows her all the time. Even though, the war and the roaming patron, Valzes always keep her positive energy with her all the time for she believes that negativity only leads to misery.
Her hometown was destroyed by the war, and now she has no place to call home. Therefore, she follows her patron advice and comes to Sharn. Then her patron left her to figure her way out by herself. Later, she learns that the Mystic Helix Guild provides a place to stay if she got enlisted; therefore, she starts to search for the guild.
Heya. I'm invested in the story you have going here! Also, I can post flexibly throughout the day. So no worries on that front:)
Here's the idea I have going:
Name: Colt Blackwater
Race, Class: Half Elf Renegade (fighter)
Background: Charlatan
Appearance:
Colt is fair skinned, with a mess of lilac hair domesticated into a flaring ponytail. His eyes could be seen as beautiful, or disturbing: the borderlines of iris and pupil married into one inky-black pool, constantly reflecting the stars of the astral plain. Most likely, you’ll catch this Half Elf sporting a long, tan-leather trenchcoat overtop a loose cotton tunic. Across his chest hangs a bandoleer of beautiful vials, containing various oddities (in some, clots of coloured magical smoke, while in others....pulsating organs of small, extraordinary creatures). The first thing one notices about Colt, though, is the air of confidence he carries with him. In fact, you can almost hear the silver tongue that flits behind his contagious smile.
Background:
Colt Blackwater....he’s lead a tough life. His Elven father disappeared without trace during the Last War, leaving his working mother Elsí to raise the young boy alone. With not a penny to his name, Colt survived in the slums of Lower Dura through his wit and confidence solely. His mother urged him to labour hard, so that one day he may find a better life in Sharn’s Upper City. Soon enough, Colt had earned sufficient money as a tower mechanic and item-collector to fund his aspirations.
But, alas, it was not to be...
It wasn’t Colt’s fault he fell in with the wrong crowd, just an unfortunate happening. The Daask gang had been watching him for a while; watching him as he matured, as his charm and confidence became more contagious, as he developed into a resourceful and capable adult. They came to him at the age of 17 and then of 19, hoping to coerce him into joining them with the promise of power and wealth in Sharn. The second time, he didn’t resist their offer. Since then, he has learned to fight hard, and has even crafted his own weapon.....an arcane firearm. Colt is very popular within the citywide gang, and has quickly risen through their ranks. But he knows he has made a mistake... one day, he tells himself, he’ll take his money. He’ll break away from the dominance of the Daask, the festering rivalry of the streets, and fulfil his secret ambition: to join the Clifftop Adventurer’s Guild, and find out what happened to his father.
Name: Qinsalor Race: High Elf Class: Fighter (Arcane Archer) Background: Criminal/Spy Backstory: Qinsalor was a spy for his elvish elders for a century. The recent war has driven everyone he loves out of their homes and separated him from his fellow elves. He has stayed alive, keeping in the shadows and any hostile creatures at the other end of his arrows. Character Sheet: https://ddb.ac/characters/30724772/f1ECIj
Also PM'd you asking about a grung - so I've added it below as well just in case.
Name: Belch Race: Grung Class: Monk (Way of Shadow) Background: Folk Hero Backstory: Belch was in the higher castes of his village towards the war. As war raged towards its end and his swamp home destroyed, he was instrumental in protecting the lower castes and helping them escape. Though, he was a protector, he was lost in the wilderness from his village and family, eventually found by a fellow refugee whom took him on his a companion. Character Sheet: https://ddb.ac/characters/30731114/kBitv4
Backstory: Dusty doesn’t remember much about waking up in fog. There was something about dying and a deal. If only her damn shoulder would stop burning so she could think straight. The voices led her out. So many voices. They led her out of the fog though. They fell silent once she was out but still whispered in her dreams. At least she thinks they were dreams. Those days are a bit of a blur. But she made his way to Sharn taking odd jobs along the way. Found she was fairly good at hunting down bounties. The voices helped. So did the weapon at her hip. Where did she get that anyways? Was it with her in the fog? Doesn’t matter she has it now. One of the voices came to Dusty and stayed one night. The little dragon has proven very useful.
Dusty is a concept I’ve been fiddling with. Where his wand is flavored as a gun. All it’s shots are just spells, mainly Eldritch Blast. He was caught in Mourning and developed the AberrantDragonmark as part of his deal to survive and get out though doesn’t have solid memories of that. https://ddb.ac/characters/30726346/PcuToF
I failed to mention this previously, but this will primarily be a Monday - Friday game as for plot advancement (Usually have pretty busy weekends), of course that does not keep you from posting character replies or leaving my questions in PM if you need to, just know that it will most likely be monday mornings that I get to anything from the weekend.
6/22/20 - We are almost ready to begin, just putting finishing touches on character generation.
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*** Important setting information ***
In this campaign, "The Last War" ended 2-years ago after a century of war, death, and loss. What was 5 strong nations are now 12 with varying degrees of stability, each with their own specializations and each wondering when the next war will break out.
You are a refugee from one of the fallen nations. Whether you are trying to reconnect with what may be left of your old life, just trying to stay alive, trying to help re-establish your nation, or whatever else your goals may be, the situation all around is precarious.
Through whatever means you have found yourself in the Brelands. In the wake of the Last War, Breland is one of the most powerful nations in Khorvaire. Possessing a large population and abundant resources, Breland leads the continent in industry. They have taken on more refugees than other nations and have benefited from the diversity and knowledge gained.
You make your way to Sharn, the largest of the cities here and see at least one of every race you've ever seen or even heard of from the more common to ogres, orcs, goblins, and even sahuagin, harpies, and gargoyles. You have been advised that there is great pay potential and lodging for talented individuals at one of the guild houses, and most recommended of these is the Mystic Helix Guild, which is what you begin searching for...
[We will start at level 6, any race any class/multiclass that the character creator will allow. For stats, we are using a point buy system you will have to select "Manual" on that screen. Base starting stat is 10, you have 27 points to spend, everything above 18 costs 2 points per. If you need help or questions just let me know. For special gear requests just ask me and explain what you're trying to do with the build. I have a number of pre-made characters you are welcome to choose from once you jump into the campaign link where I have content sharing enabled with the legendary bundle. Once everyone is finished with this we will begin and everyone will have ample time to respond to each DM post before the story moves forward.]
**This campaign was started in a facebook group, but we had a few that had scheduling issues so we're moving the campaign here with myself and 2 players, their introduction process has begin and will be posted here, however players have not yet knowingly met, so we will follow the same buildup for your character to get you caught up with no problem whatsoever. I'm looking forward to a wonderful campaign as I have a vast world set in front of you with much to accomplish.
really interested. this is a placeholder I will edit it when I have a character.
“I will take responsibility for what I have done. [...] If must fall, I will rise each time a better man.” ― Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer.
Jumping over from FB
*** Character progress transfer ***
He had received a message that he was to rendezvous with a contact at the inn. He grew frustrated as he recalled the message, both because he didn’t know who the contact was and because he had no idea what the job was. He had already been waiting for several hours and still no one had reached out to him.
how does he point buy work?
“I will take responsibility for what I have done. [...] If must fall, I will rise each time a better man.” ― Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer.
*** Character progress transfer ***
The bar wench came by for the 5th time with an annoyed look. "Listen fella, If you ain't gonna buy nothin then you need to find somewhere else to be. I don't mind having you thrown out for a paying customer!"
"Fine, fine, fine." He be grudgingly dropped the exact change on the table for a night in the inn without breakfast, then gathered up his things to head upstairs for some rest.
Jinn -
Jinn ponders over this for a few moments. "Sounds great to me, especially the good pay part," he says as he finishes nibbling on the breakfast he was served and pushes the rest away.
I am interested in playing. My time zone est, I am available throughout the day and evening everyday.
Character:
Name: nebulas
https://www.dndbeyond.com/profile/Nhamms/characters/30645973
Great! I'm in EST as well, and basically this will be just a check in at least once daily monday-friday, and the weekends if you get the chance. Very laid back pace, low pressure. Character looks good.
I'm not sure if this is mentioned anywhere in your original post, unless I read it incorrectly, but would I be able to use the new wizard UA subclass? Order of Scribes seems like a good fit for a mark of scribing gnome. Unless there's a wizard in the party already
Elra Skylash - Human Cleric | Vanzaren Tanidoni - Half Elf Wizard
Mindartis Liadon - Eladrin Barbarian | Naivara Siannodel - Half Elf Ranger
Arrila Evenwood - Half Elf Paladin | Callaphe of Setessa - Human Rogue
Katernin Nemetsk - Aasimar Cleric | Melody - Tiefling Bard
Also... I think i'm being stupid but i'm having a hard time trying to figure out your point buy rules. Would you be able to talk me through them in a pm?
Elra Skylash - Human Cleric | Vanzaren Tanidoni - Half Elf Wizard
Mindartis Liadon - Eladrin Barbarian | Naivara Siannodel - Half Elf Ranger
Arrila Evenwood - Half Elf Paladin | Callaphe of Setessa - Human Rogue
Katernin Nemetsk - Aasimar Cleric | Melody - Tiefling Bard
Thank you I look forward to beginning.
Name: Jhazaal
Race: Goblin
Class: Druid (shepherd)
Background: Outlander.
Backstory:
Jhazaal has wandered to the city of Sharn, as many refugees have. He is planning on seeking information on how to move forward, and is simply trying to survive in this new world.
link:
https://ddb.ac/characters/30667190/VG1BIp
https://ddb.ac/characters/30330009/Rp3H3n I have not fully fleshed out this character. I imagine him as a former guard of an Elvish noble house that has fallen on hard times. And as he needs to earn a living he decides to do what he does best.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/profile/nschrock/characters/30682032
Morgurn - Draconic Sorceror - Protector Aasimar - Noble
Morgurn is descended from a long line of sorceror knights, sworn to service of a good dragon. Their powers, and influence have been something to marvel at for generations. The blood breeds true, and often. When it got mixed with that of a celestial, it added a whole other facet that was... unpredictable to say the least. Morgurn has power in spades, but so many influences in his head often leaves him railing against them, struggling for control over his own fate, and a willfulness that pushes him to the edge of his mortality.
In the war, Morgurn was an artillerist on the front lines. After... he was just one more warrior in a time of peace. He’s not looking to go back to his roots. He wants that camaraderie that he remembers from the war. Mortal friendship. Simple, and true.
Paladin - warforged - orange
Hi! I would like to join your campaign if there are spots left.
This is my character concept ( I will submit the character sheet once I am accepted.): Valzes, Hexblade Warlock, Archeologist (if allowed), Tiefling
Valzes was an archeologist who traveled the continent before the war. During one of her expedition, Valzes came across a ruin and met a creature who promised her power to help her future expedition in exchange for an untold future favor, which she later regrets of the decision. However, she is bind to the pact now. She feels like the creature follows her all the time. Even though, the war and the roaming patron, Valzes always keep her positive energy with her all the time for she believes that negativity only leads to misery.
Her hometown was destroyed by the war, and now she has no place to call home. Therefore, she follows her patron advice and comes to Sharn. Then her patron left her to figure her way out by herself. Later, she learns that the Mystic Helix Guild provides a place to stay if she got enlisted; therefore, she starts to search for the guild.
Valzes: Hexblade Warlock Tiefling
Heya. I'm invested in the story you have going here! Also, I can post flexibly throughout the day. So no worries on that front:)
Here's the idea I have going:
Name: Colt Blackwater
Race, Class: Half Elf Renegade (fighter)
Background: Charlatan
Appearance:
Colt is fair skinned, with a mess of lilac hair domesticated into a flaring ponytail. His eyes could be seen as beautiful, or disturbing: the borderlines of iris and pupil married into one inky-black pool, constantly reflecting the stars of the astral plain. Most likely, you’ll catch this Half Elf sporting a long, tan-leather trenchcoat overtop a loose cotton tunic. Across his chest hangs a bandoleer of beautiful vials, containing various oddities (in some, clots of coloured magical smoke, while in others....pulsating organs of small, extraordinary creatures). The first thing one notices about Colt, though, is the air of confidence he carries with him. In fact, you can almost hear the silver tongue that flits behind his contagious smile.
Background:
Colt Blackwater....he’s lead a tough life. His Elven father disappeared without trace during the Last War, leaving his working mother Elsí to raise the young boy alone. With not a penny to his name, Colt survived in the slums of Lower Dura through his wit and confidence solely. His mother urged him to labour hard, so that one day he may find a better life in Sharn’s Upper City. Soon enough, Colt had earned sufficient money as a tower mechanic and item-collector to fund his aspirations.
But, alas, it was not to be...
It wasn’t Colt’s fault he fell in with the wrong crowd, just an unfortunate happening. The Daask gang had been watching him for a while; watching him as he matured, as his charm and confidence became more contagious, as he developed into a resourceful and capable adult. They came to him at the age of 17 and then of 19, hoping to coerce him into joining them with the promise of power and wealth in Sharn. The second time, he didn’t resist their offer. Since then, he has learned to fight hard, and has even crafted his own weapon.....an arcane firearm. Colt is very popular within the citywide gang, and has quickly risen through their ranks. But he knows he has made a mistake... one day, he tells himself, he’ll take his money. He’ll break away from the dominance of the Daask, the festering rivalry of the streets, and fulfil his secret ambition: to join the Clifftop Adventurer’s Guild, and find out what happened to his father.
Name: Sharaun Maear
Race, Class: Half Elf Drow/ Artificer
Background: Urban Bounty Hunter
Appearance: Dark skin purple eyes, Black Hair in dreadnoughts silver highlights
Sharaun was a curious man so he learnt his skills while working for the houses gaining extra coin
There always seemed to be contracts to kill or apprehend so his per-suite of magical tinkering reflected his profession
His mother went home to the under-dark while his father raised him the best he could
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reminder for myself. Work together or fail apart. Talk with each other when necessary. Describe how, where, if, your character moved.
The sign on the trail ahead reads "DONT FEED THE DRAGON!" "Working Together" Follow this link please
Name: Qinsalor
Race: High Elf
Class: Fighter (Arcane Archer)
Background: Criminal/Spy
Backstory: Qinsalor was a spy for his elvish elders for a century. The recent war has driven everyone he loves out of their homes and separated him from his fellow elves. He has stayed alive, keeping in the shadows and any hostile creatures at the other end of his arrows.
Character Sheet: https://ddb.ac/characters/30724772/f1ECIj
Also PM'd you asking about a grung - so I've added it below as well just in case.
Name: Belch
Race: Grung
Class: Monk (Way of Shadow)
Background: Folk Hero
Backstory: Belch was in the higher castes of his village towards the war. As war raged towards its end and his swamp home destroyed, he was instrumental in protecting the lower castes and helping them escape. Though, he was a protector, he was lost in the wilderness from his village and family, eventually found by a fellow refugee whom took him on his a companion.
Character Sheet: https://ddb.ac/characters/30731114/kBitv4
Name: Dusty
Race: Variant Human (Aberrant Dragonmark)
Class: Warlock Great Old One (Pact of the Chain)
Background: Urban Bounty Hunter
Backstory: Dusty doesn’t remember much about waking up in fog. There was something about dying and a deal. If only her damn shoulder would stop burning so she could think straight. The voices led her out. So many voices. They led her out of the fog though. They fell silent once she was out but still whispered in her dreams. At least she thinks they were dreams. Those days are a bit of a blur. But she made his way to Sharn taking odd jobs along the way. Found she was fairly good at hunting down bounties. The voices helped. So did the weapon at her hip. Where did she get that anyways? Was it with her in the fog? Doesn’t matter she has it now. One of the voices came to Dusty and stayed one night. The little dragon has proven very useful.
Dusty is a concept I’ve been fiddling with. Where his wand is flavored as a gun. All it’s shots are just spells, mainly Eldritch Blast. He was caught in Mourning and developed the AberrantDragonmark as part of his deal to survive and get out though doesn’t have solid memories of that.
https://ddb.ac/characters/30726346/PcuToF
I failed to mention this previously, but this will primarily be a Monday - Friday game as for plot advancement (Usually have pretty busy weekends), of course that does not keep you from posting character replies or leaving my questions in PM if you need to, just know that it will most likely be monday mornings that I get to anything from the weekend.
6/22/20 - We are almost ready to begin, just putting finishing touches on character generation.