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 where you like, everything above 18 costs 2 points per tick, and no stat above 20. 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(unless otherwise specified), 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.
*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.
* How do the tooltips/links to spells etc work?
D&D Beyond offers the ability to link certain aspects on the forum in mouse-over triggered tooltips, such as magic items, monsters or combat actions - examples being Adult Black Dragon and dash. To create tooltips in this way as these, use the appropriate [tag][/tag] around the desired subject.
Example: [ magicitem]sunblade[/ magicitem] (Without spaces within the [ ] brackets.)
***This is the actual campaign thread, so please keep everything posted here as "in character comments"/character actions/roll results/character thoughts or developments. This is the keep things cleaned up and easy to follow, so please direct any questions or out of character comments to PM.
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.
Nebulas walks in to the inn. He looks around for a seat to rest after a long journey he notices open seats at the bar. Walking over and grabbing a seat, as he sits he can't help but think this place seems pretty empty. Just them the bar tender comes over and says "what can a get ya?" "I will take a room for the night and a pint" nebulas says as he throws a gold coin on the bar.
(ayoral is a medium height elf. he is still gangly, and looks barely out of his teens- a baby to any other elf, but he looks like he carries a great burden. he carries a rapier at his side, and wears black garb. over top he wears leathers that look like they are made for climbing. on his shoulder is perched a raven)
Ayoral is sitting in the corner, looking like he just fell from the tallest tower in Sharn. his clothes are ripped, and he has a massive bruise on one of his arms- a mark of healing can only do so much. he is nursing a glass of what looks like watered down wine. looking at the newcomers with a weary interest. he calls the barmaid over and orders a meal. the raven pecks him, and he orders some bread crusts as well. this seems to pacify it.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“I will take responsibility for what I have done. [...] If must fall, I will rise each time a better man.” ― Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer.
The short and stocky grey haired old human bar tender nods and slowly picks up the coin from the well worn wood of the counter without expression, clearly having been through this routine countless times. He reaches under the bar and picks up a mug as he begins wiping it with a cloth and turns towards the very full counter of various colorful glass bottles behind him and asks, "You want the good stuff, the cheap stuff, or something special?"
You take in your surroundings, which appears to be a pretty standard tavern inn for Sharn, one never looking too different from the next with windows allowing all the light they can around all other buildings in the afternoon hour. Roughly finished round wooden tables surrounded by chairs are fairly evenly spread out throughout the moderate size room, only a few occupied here and there. There's also a bar seating area with counters behind showing off many different colorful bottles of alcohol with the old stocky human bar keep between serving an Aasimar you haven't quite made out. To the right of the bar is the stairwell presumably leading to the inn's private rooms.
The rather young and scrawny half-elf barmaid takes your order while looking you over, and continuing the questioning which she had presented you upon entering and ordering your cheap wine as though the conversation had never been interrupted when she left to get it, clearly a bit bored from the lack of business between lunch and dinner. "Ya sure yer alright? I means ya ain't bleedin' out er nuffin' but pardon me fer sayin' sir yer a dire sight and look ta be needin' a healer" she exclaims.
Barely letting her finish her statement, the old barkeep yells over at her, "Isabelle! get the man his order and be leavin' em alone! If he wanted your sympathy he'da' ordered it already!"
Nissa walks in, looking around with interest, a mark underneath her right eye indicating she was with House Sivis in some way. She's cluching quite a bit of parchment, quills, and ink in her hands as she goes to an unoccupied table and sets them down. She get the attention of the barmaid to order her own meal before sitting down and unrolling on of the scrolls and picks up a quill, making notes in it all the while.
"Comin' right up" He reaches up and pulls down a clear glass bottle from the top shelf that has a shimmery gold appearance that seems to swirl within and pours you a shot worth. After replacing the bottle he comes back and places the mug carefully in front of you. "Can't afford to slide this stuff and spill it"
As he leaves you to your drink and walks down the bar to check on one of the few other patrons, he turns and yells at his bar maid "Isabelle! get the man his order and be leavin' em alone! If he wanted your sympathy he'da' ordered it already!"
He then continues on towards a weary looking Leonin propped against the bar.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Ayo looks sympathetically at the barmaid and says " no I am fine. thank you for your concern though" he hands over a gold piece, for the meal and a room, and he slips a silver coin into the barmaids pocket.
Sleight of hand 28
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“I will take responsibility for what I have done. [...] If must fall, I will rise each time a better man.” ― Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer.
Belch, a small Grung, walks into the bar, sopping wet from having just spent some time sitting in a water trough he'd found in the streets for the last hour. His simple wet clothes cling to his froggy body as he makes his way to the bar and orders two glasses of water. He has very little else on him, no discernible weapons, just a small backpack. He is surprisingly good at speaking common, unusual for his kind, but learnt from a fellow traveller and refugee as he made his way to this point. Once he has his water, Belch takes a moment to look around, and seeing Nissa at her table, makes his way over. "Mmmmay I?" He asks the gnome, still standing there dripping wet.
The tavern you enter is on the northern side of town, where the buildings are a good bit cleaner and better lit both externally and internally, which is all the better for working as would have entered into you choice of this retreat. As you enter, you see magical lanterns affixed in even distancing all around the walls of the somewhat small but impressive room, as well as more on every column within covering all surfaces with bright white light just below the threshold of painful to the eyes. There's no dust or dirt anywhere to be seen, and as though appearing from thin air, a finely dressed, tall and slider, long golden haired male elf appears to take your order. After you've given your meal request, he says "That is a marvelous choice and I will return with it shortly" as he then promptly leaves you in peace so that you may begin your work.
She blushes, and between the bar keeps words and your own to her, you're not sure which of you it was in response to. She gingerly accepts the gold piece and turns to go about her duties, not noticing your tip in the slightest.
A few moments later she returns with a steaming bowl of stew containing potatoes, carrots, and some kind of meat within a dark broth. The aroma is quite good and smells very fresh as though this was served off the top of a large pot just made in prep for the dinner crowd. She unfolds a cloth next to the bowl containing the bread crust you ordered.
As you enter the very elegant and bright establishment dripping wet, a tall and lean male elf appears in front of you seemingly from nowhere. Though you may expect rudeness, he is very kind in greeting you. "Fine Sir, if I might delay you but a moment, for the safety of our guests a wet floor can be a dangerous floor for those unaccustomed to it, so allow me to dry your clothes so that all can be served without undo potential slips" With this, and a subtle wave of his hand, your clothes become completely dry and unwrinkled, though your skin still feels the slightest bit moist and comfortable for your race. Once finished he takes your order and returns with your water. Leaving you free to approach Nissa with your inquiry.
The raven (who's name is from here on Salem) tries to pick up the bread, but it gets speared on his beak. I gingerly take it off and tear it into smaller pieces for him. as he sips the broth, he snearly groan as the warm liquid runs down his throat and fills his belly. he immediately relaxes and starts to eat ravenously. the healing process took a lot of energy, and he had not had a decent meal in weeks.
Nissa doesn't seem to acknowledge the grung's question, she does pull all of her parchments inks and quills closer to her to make room for Belch. She continues looking back and forth between one parchment and the parchment she's writing on.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*** Important campaign 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...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*** Character Details ***
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 where you like, everything above 18 costs 2 points per tick, and no stat above 20. 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(unless otherwise specified), 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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*** Other Important Notes ***
*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.
* How do the tooltips/links to spells etc work?
D&D Beyond offers the ability to link certain aspects on the forum in mouse-over triggered tooltips, such as magic items, monsters or combat actions - examples being Adult Black Dragon and dash. To create tooltips in this way as these, use the appropriate [tag][/tag] around the desired subject.
Example: [ magicitem]sunblade[/ magicitem] (Without spaces within the [ ] brackets.)
Use the following within the [ ][/ ] bracket system:
action - an action taken in combat - e.g. dodge, search and ready
condition - a condition afflicted upon a creature - e.g. restrained, poisoned and prone
item - a mundane item - e.g. torch, trident and backpack
magicItem - a magical item - e.g. Bag of Holding, Dust of Disappearance and Demon Armor
monster - a creature you can encounter - e.g. Banshee, Bandit and Unicorn
sense - a type of extra sense, whether magical or natural - e.g. darkvision, tremorsense and truesight
skill - this is used for professions - e.g. Persuasion, Stealth
spell - a magical spell - e.g. Mage Hand, Magic Missile and Abi-Dalzim’s Horrid Wilting
wprop - a property of a weapon - e.g. finesse, versatile and heavy
***This is the actual campaign thread, so please keep everything posted here as "in character comments"/character actions/roll results/character thoughts or developments. This is the keep things cleaned up and easy to follow, so please direct any questions or out of character comments to PM.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*** Roster *** (Will update details as needed)
- Jschweik - Jinn - Gnome Artificer - https://www.dndbeyond.com/profile/Jschweik/characters/19969315
- b3dd - Baylen - Drow Half-Elf Sorcerer/Warlock - https://www.dndbeyond.com/profile/b3dd/characters/20273189
- Nhamms - Nebulas Rite - Aasimar Blood Hunter/Warlock - https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/30645973
- Amgonnayeet - Ayoral - Elf Rogue - https://www.dndbeyond.com/profile/amgonnayeet/characters/30644347
- BaconExpert982 - Nissa d'Sivis - Gnome Wizard (Order of Scribes) - https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/30795792/gUrlI3
- SpieltJoos - Belch - Grung Monk (Way of Shadows) - https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/30731114/kBitv4
- Kimvilla - Valzes - Tiefling Hexblade Warlock/Archeologist -
- Badbovine - Colt - Half-Elf Fighter -
*** Character progress transfer ***
Character: Baylen Player: b3dd
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.
*** Character progress transfer ***
Character: Jinn Player: Jschweik
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.
Nebulas walks in to the inn. He looks around for a seat to rest after a long journey he notices open seats at the bar. Walking over and grabbing a seat, as he sits he can't help but think this place seems pretty empty. Just them the bar tender comes over and says "what can a get ya?" "I will take a room for the night and a pint" nebulas says as he throws a gold coin on the bar.
(ayoral is a medium height elf. he is still gangly, and looks barely out of his teens- a baby to any other elf, but he looks like he carries a great burden. he carries a rapier at his side, and wears black garb. over top he wears leathers that look like they are made for climbing. on his shoulder is perched a raven)
Ayoral is sitting in the corner, looking like he just fell from the tallest tower in Sharn. his clothes are ripped, and he has a massive bruise on one of his arms- a mark of healing can only do so much. he is nursing a glass of what looks like watered down wine. looking at the newcomers with a weary interest. he calls the barmaid over and orders a meal. the raven pecks him, and he orders some bread crusts as well. this seems to pacify it.
“I will take responsibility for what I have done. [...] If must fall, I will rise each time a better man.” ― Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer.
In reply to Nebulas:
The short and stocky grey haired old human bar tender nods and slowly picks up the coin from the well worn wood of the counter without expression, clearly having been through this routine countless times. He reaches under the bar and picks up a mug as he begins wiping it with a cloth and turns towards the very full counter of various colorful glass bottles behind him and asks, "You want the good stuff, the cheap stuff, or something special?"
"Give me the strongest you have, it has been a long day."
In reply to Ayoral:
You take in your surroundings, which appears to be a pretty standard tavern inn for Sharn, one never looking too different from the next with windows allowing all the light they can around all other buildings in the afternoon hour. Roughly finished round wooden tables surrounded by chairs are fairly evenly spread out throughout the moderate size room, only a few occupied here and there. There's also a bar seating area with counters behind showing off many different colorful bottles of alcohol with the old stocky human bar keep between serving an Aasimar you haven't quite made out. To the right of the bar is the stairwell presumably leading to the inn's private rooms.
The rather young and scrawny half-elf barmaid takes your order while looking you over, and continuing the questioning which she had presented you upon entering and ordering your cheap wine as though the conversation had never been interrupted when she left to get it, clearly a bit bored from the lack of business between lunch and dinner. "Ya sure yer alright? I means ya ain't bleedin' out er nuffin' but pardon me fer sayin' sir yer a dire sight and look ta be needin' a healer" she exclaims.
Barely letting her finish her statement, the old barkeep yells over at her, "Isabelle! get the man his order and be leavin' em alone! If he wanted your sympathy he'da' ordered it already!"
Nissa walks in, looking around with interest, a mark underneath her right eye indicating she was with House Sivis in some way. She's cluching quite a bit of parchment, quills, and ink in her hands as she goes to an unoccupied table and sets them down. She get the attention of the barmaid to order her own meal before sitting down and unrolling on of the scrolls and picks up a quill, making notes in it all the while.
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
In Reply to Nebulas:
"Comin' right up" He reaches up and pulls down a clear glass bottle from the top shelf that has a shimmery gold appearance that seems to swirl within and pours you a shot worth. After replacing the bottle he comes back and places the mug carefully in front of you. "Can't afford to slide this stuff and spill it"
As he leaves you to your drink and walks down the bar to check on one of the few other patrons, he turns and yells at his bar maid "Isabelle! get the man his order and be leavin' em alone! If he wanted your sympathy he'da' ordered it already!"
He then continues on towards a weary looking Leonin propped against the bar.
Ayo looks sympathetically at the barmaid and says " no I am fine. thank you for your concern though" he hands over a gold piece, for the meal and a room, and he slips a silver coin into the barmaids pocket.
Sleight of hand 28
“I will take responsibility for what I have done. [...] If must fall, I will rise each time a better man.” ― Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer.
Belch, a small Grung, walks into the bar, sopping wet from having just spent some time sitting in a water trough he'd found in the streets for the last hour. His simple wet clothes cling to his froggy body as he makes his way to the bar and orders two glasses of water. He has very little else on him, no discernible weapons, just a small backpack. He is surprisingly good at speaking common, unusual for his kind, but learnt from a fellow traveller and refugee as he made his way to this point. Once he has his water, Belch takes a moment to look around, and seeing Nissa at her table, makes his way over. "Mmmmay I?" He asks the gnome, still standing there dripping wet.
In reply to Nissa:
The tavern you enter is on the northern side of town, where the buildings are a good bit cleaner and better lit both externally and internally, which is all the better for working as would have entered into you choice of this retreat. As you enter, you see magical lanterns affixed in even distancing all around the walls of the somewhat small but impressive room, as well as more on every column within covering all surfaces with bright white light just below the threshold of painful to the eyes. There's no dust or dirt anywhere to be seen, and as though appearing from thin air, a finely dressed, tall and slider, long golden haired male elf appears to take your order. After you've given your meal request, he says "That is a marvelous choice and I will return with it shortly" as he then promptly leaves you in peace so that you may begin your work.
In reply to Ayo:
She blushes, and between the bar keeps words and your own to her, you're not sure which of you it was in response to. She gingerly accepts the gold piece and turns to go about her duties, not noticing your tip in the slightest.
A few moments later she returns with a steaming bowl of stew containing potatoes, carrots, and some kind of meat within a dark broth. The aroma is quite good and smells very fresh as though this was served off the top of a large pot just made in prep for the dinner crowd. She unfolds a cloth next to the bowl containing the bread crust you ordered.
In reply to Belch:
As you enter the very elegant and bright establishment dripping wet, a tall and lean male elf appears in front of you seemingly from nowhere. Though you may expect rudeness, he is very kind in greeting you. "Fine Sir, if I might delay you but a moment, for the safety of our guests a wet floor can be a dangerous floor for those unaccustomed to it, so allow me to dry your clothes so that all can be served without undo potential slips" With this, and a subtle wave of his hand, your clothes become completely dry and unwrinkled, though your skin still feels the slightest bit moist and comfortable for your race. Once finished he takes your order and returns with your water. Leaving you free to approach Nissa with your inquiry.
The raven (who's name is from here on Salem) tries to pick up the bread, but it gets speared on his beak. I gingerly take it off and tear it into smaller pieces for him. as he sips the broth, he snearly groan as the warm liquid runs down his throat and fills his belly. he immediately relaxes and starts to eat ravenously. the healing process took a lot of energy, and he had not had a decent meal in weeks.
“I will take responsibility for what I have done. [...] If must fall, I will rise each time a better man.” ― Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer.
Slamming the drink and then the glass back on the bar. "Can I get another and a room if possible for the night, also maybe a meal?"
Nissa doesn't seem to acknowledge the grung's question, she does pull all of her parchments inks and quills closer to her to make room for Belch. She continues looking back and forth between one parchment and the parchment she's writing on.
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
In reply to Nebulas:
"Well o' course, the room ya already paid fer, was just waitin' til ya finished up and was ready fer ya key"
He pours another shot of the good stuff in your mug "That'll just be 5 silver"
"of course"grabing 5 silver from the pouch on his belt and sliding it across the bar "thanks."