"Designed for an adventuring party of four to six 1st-level characters, Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus is a Dungeons & Dragons adventure that begins in the city of Baldur’s Gate and ends in Avernus, the first layer of the Nine Hells."
I will be running a Descent into Avernus campaign entirely through play-by-post text chat. Looking for dedicated roleplayers who have excellent grammar/writing ability, and will post regularly. I want this to feel like an exciting story, as if all of us are creating a fantasy novel together.
I am in the PST time zone, and work from 6am - 2:30pm, Monday - Friday, so I will be unable to post during those hours (please be patient). However I will be posting as often as is possible.
Adult language/mature themes are allowed (Avernus is a very horrifying/gruesome story, after all), but don't overdo it.
I am currently looking for 4 Players to join this campaign.
Your character may be from basically any race (I will allow pretty much any homebrew race as long as their features seem fairly balanced). However, your character may only select its class from any of the official content available here in the D&D Beyond Character Creator (most homebrew classes are extremely untested/unbalanced, so I do not allow any of them).
The party will all begin at 1st-level, and we will be using the Milestone Experience system (I will tell you when the party has gained a new level).
You may use either the Point-Buy system or the Standard Array when determining the Ability Score values for your character, choose whichever you prefer.
I do not care about inventory management, so you do not need to keep track of encumbrance. I also do not require any sort of food or water consumption. Nor do I care about most material components for spell casting (the one exception to this is when the spell explicitly states that it requires a gem [usually diamond] with a specific monetary cost [e.g.: the Raise Dead spell explicitly states that it requires "a diamond worth at least 500 gp, which the spell consumes." You must always have the required gem(s)/gem dust in your inventory to cast such a spell.)
Below, please post a publicly viewable link to the D&D Beyond character that you wish to enroll in the campaign (the link should look something like this: https://ddb.ac/characters/44308216/JsJxg2), along with details about them.
Physical Description: A woman of average height with long black hair and crystal blue eyes. She dresses in the fine clothing of an aristocrat, and a small ornate ruby necklace will always be seen wrapped around her throat.
Background: Haunted One
Backstory: Elise is a member of the noble Blackstone family, which hails from the holy city of Elturel. As a hexblood, she is the spawn of her father, a human man named Duke Vincent Blackstone, and of a monstrous hag, named Nyaletha the Wicked. The duke came across the hag's domain while hunting in the dark forest near his holiday estate, and she disguised herself as a beautiful woman, seducing him into her abode and then placing a curse upon him with foul blood magic. Horrified and dismayed, the duke fled back to his estate, only to discover a wicker basket had been left at his doorstep, and inside it slept a newborn baby girl along with an attached note. The note explained that this newborn girl was his daughter, birthed the night before, and that he now had the duty of raising her as his own kin, else his entire family be cursed for all time henceforth. The bottom of the note was signed in neat handwriting: Nyaletha the Wicked.
And so Elise grew up with the pampered life of a duke's daughter, granted all the luxuries and amenities of a wealthy aristocrat, oblivious to her true origin. Until one night, as she slept, her pleasant dreams were transformed into a terrible nightmare in which she was greeted by a disgusting hag of a woman who claimed to be her real mother. The woman demanded that Elise meet her in the city of Baldur's Gate. Upon awakening, Elise felt compelled--through dark magic or through the threads of fate, she could not tell--to accept this strange woman's demand. She packed her travel bags and wished her family farewell, heading for Baldur's Gate and whatever twisted destiny awaited her there.
Once accepted into the campaign, please use the following guidelines for the narrative:
Rules for Text Posts:
Always write in the 3rd-person perspective of your character
Always write in the present tense
Follow traditional rules for dialogue | example: "Get down!" the paladin shouts, raising his shield to block the incoming attack. "Hide behind me!"
Always italicize your character's thoughts | example: Elise frowns at the bard's tasteless joke. What a fool, she thinks. I hope you choke on your own fiddle tonight.
Always include Dice Rolls within square brackets, using a comma to separate the type of roll, and entirely highlighted Blue | example 1: [Athletics, 17] | example 2: [Dexterity Saving Throw, 4]
For Attack rolls, you must also include the "to hit" value, followed by the potential Damage Dealt (highlighted Red) | example: [Light Crossbow, 19 to hit, 5 Piercing Damage]
If your Attack roll is a Critical strike, use this format | example: [Shortsword, Critical 23 to hit, 12 Slashing Damage]
If the Damage from your Attack has multiple Damage Types, use this format | example: [Cursed Blade, 19 to hit, 18 Slashing Damage, 9 Poison Damage, 4 Lightning Damage]
When casting a Spell that requires an enemy to perform a Saving Throw, use this format | example: [Fireball, DC 17 Dexterity Saving Throw, 38 Fire Damage]
When casting a spell at a higher Spell level, use this format | example: [Fireball 5th level, DC 17 Dexterity Saving Throw, 40 Fire Damage]
When describing an attack or a spell cast, make it flashy! | example: Elise thrusts her open palms toward the helpless vermin, a crooked smile stretching across her face. Now you DIE! she shouts in her mind, elated. A torrent of orange flames erupts from her palms. [Burning Hands, DC 15 Dexterity Saving Throw, 12 Fire Damage]
Important note: If you wish to target a specific body part on an enemy, please include that in the prose of your Attack (the creature's AC might need to be increased depending on which body part you target) | example: Elise pulls back the bowstring, taking aim. The tip of her arrow is fixated directly at the wolf's front left forelimb, so that its movement might be hobbled and escape will become difficult. She releases the string, and the arrow flies through the air. [Shortbow, 14 to hit, 6 Piercing Damage]
Always include Out-of-Character text in parenthesis, using a comma to separate the desired recipient and the content of the message, and entirely highlighted Orange |example: (@DM, Would it be possible for my Mage Hand cantrip to lift that keg of ale, or is it too heavy?)
Always use an @ followed by a player character's name (the recipient) when directing a message or question to either myself or another player during an Out-of-Character segment of a post | example 1: (@DM, How high is the ceiling in this room?) | example 2:(@Elise Blackstone, How many spell slots do you have left? This combat is starting to look rough for us.)
When you wish to send a message to everyone in the party, use this format | example: (@Everyone, Maybe we should run away.)
Try to be very descriptive/creative with your prose. Remember, we want this to almost read like a fantasy novel!
During combat scenarios, I will always include the Combat Tracker at the bottom of my posts until the combat is finished (see below)
And lastly, if you make a mistake in your post, you are allowed to go back and edit it in order to correct the error. Even if you merely want to add a little more flavor to your prose, that is completely acceptable.
The goblin cackles with hideous laughter, sidestepping Elise's weak thrust. It flails its heavy club at her midsection. [Club, 18 to hit, 4 Bludgeoning Damage]
The club crashes into your stomach with a force you've never felt before. Your eyes go wide, and spittle flies from your lips. (@Elise Blackstone, You suffer 4 points of Bludgeoning Damage.)
I'm gonna die! I'm gonna die! Elise screams in her mind. Still reeling from the blow she'd just suffered, she slashes frantically at the vile monster. [Dagger, Critical 21 to hit, 10 Slashing Damage]
Elise's wild attack manages to cut a deep gash across the goblin's throat, slicing it wide open. Blood spurts from the wound in thick globs. The creature falls to the dirt, sighing faintly, then lies still, dead.
Physical Description: Darvin is a half elf with a light complexion. He has bright blond hair and often wears dark clothes with a hood often up covering his pointed ears.
Background: Criminal
Backstory: Darvin was a nonsense by his parents as a baby on the corner of a street in Baldur’s Gate. On the verge of death he was found by a Dearborn woman named Kathra Battlehammer. Kathra raised Darvin along with several other orphans in Darvin’s early years. When Darvin was old enough to leave the orphanage he moved to a part of the city with a worse reputation.
There Darvin met an old human thief who taught him a few tricks for some gold. The old man introduced Darvin to the owner of a small thief’s guild known as the rats paw. He worked there for many years until a job went wrong and only he got out. Darvin looked around for work for a few months until he came upon a new group of adventures to work with.
Physical Description: Agnor is stocky even for a dwarf, her wild blonde hair frequently tied back in a messy high bun. Her face shows the lines of her constant scowl but she is not to be mistaken for grumpy or unnaproving, a smile lies beneath.
Background: Soldier
Backstory: Agnor has been travelling from place to place as long as she can remember. First with fellow clan members, then serving with local guardsmen and then on her own, she enjoys the chance to find new sources of materials to incorporate into her jewellery and moving with others didn't always suit that need. She is well known at the forges of many cities and only moves on once she feels she has achieved all she can from a place.
Physical descriptioon: Damian is a young handsome man of average height, dark hair and grey eyes.He dresses in the fine clothing of an aristocrat, favoring black and red, and will always be seen wearing a ruby ring.
Background: Noble
Backstory: "Look father, I won again". But the aging Lord Ravenshade took no notice of his sons accomplishments at the Dragon chess board, ever unimpressed with the weakling his son had grown up to be. And young Damians mother always doting on him didn´t help him become the strong successor he had hoped for. Damian,ever looking up to his stern and scolding father and never getting the slighest affection, molded him into an uncaring and cold young man.Young Damian took to himself and sought for a way to make his father see his qualities as a ruler. Something in the darkess saw his discontent and put in his way a ruby ring through which it lured him into a pact and teaching the young noble dark rituals and forbidden magics. Finally at his twenty first birthday, Lord Ravenshade declared that his son was to be sent to the city of Baldurs gate, where the family had made wealth trading in precious gems and fine jewelry. Surely in the city of Baldurs gate Damian would find opportunities to use political manuevering and eldritch magics to rise in power, so that he one day could return to his fathers manor and make him proud.
Physical Description: Towering above most humans, Alani is about six and a half feet tall. Her skin is gray with an odd almost purple-ish tint to it. Her dark hair is long and always pulled back into tight braids to keep it out of her way. Her eyes are a dull yellow color. She wears plain traveling clothes with a long brown coat thrown over top of it all.
Background: Pirate
Backstory: Alani has always known the sea. Potentially abandoned by her parents, she was found by a sailor with a soft spot for kids and brought back to his ship. And, well, a simple merchant ship this was not. No, Alani was raised among pirates, her newly adopted father as the captain of the Storm’s Freedom. Always one for more brute force than nimbleness, the half-orc girl was raised more with blunt weapons than blades. She got a warhammer as a gift from her dad when she finally grew big enough to wield one.
Not even a year ago, the Storm’s Freedom was docked at some port city. Alani had split off to find a blacksmith to try and get one of her little handaxes repaired. When she returned to the ship, she came back to a horrifying sight: half her crew was dead, slaughtered and strewn across their ship, and the other half disappeared without a trace. The captain was among the dead, as was the first mate and many others she’d loved like family.
Ever since, Alani has been deadset on revenge. She’s been tracking the ones who killed her family, intent on making them pay for what they’d done. She’s found a few, but she knows more are out there. And now she’s tracked a few of them to Baldur’s Gate.
Race: Eladrin (DMG) - I can change to any elf subrace if you fell it would better fit the party or story.
Gender: Male
Age: 124
Class: Paladin (Planning Ancients)
Physical Description: A slender elf with pale skin, jet-black hair roughly neck-length and misty grey eyes, (Obviously will change somewhat if subrace is changed) He wears green studded leather armor and a green cloak, his trusted rapier and shield always nearby.
Background: Knight of The Order
Backstory:
Arodon was born and raised in Silverymoon. He was the only child of Celerion and Nemiriel Kiirstacia. He was doted on by his parents, and had a happy childhood. As he grew older, he began to see the darker side of the world. He decided to figuratively take up the torch in Mielikki’s name and spread goodness, driving evil back and protecting innocents.
His father died when Arodon was 45, in a freak accident. His mother, an adventurer herself, was infected with werebear lycanthropy.
Alion left home shortly after. He sought out the Knights of Myth Drannor, and earned entrance into their ranks. He became close friends with another Knight, a human named Miles Brightwood, after a battle they fought side by side. He has recently come to Baldur’s Gate to try to infiltrate the Flaming Fists and stop their cruelty.
Some Examples of my RP recently:
Alarion whirls towards where the arrows came from, tossing his book into his bag and whipping his wand from his sash. "Ambush! Get down!" he shouts.
Norion begins floating a few inches above the ground as flames engulf his hands and begin to curl up his arms. He flicks his wrist and sends some flames to sear at the tree.
"Well, I am sworn to protect the good of the world." Alion says, pulling his rapier from his belt and his leaf-shaped shield from his back. "Although I am not quite ready to face divine forces. I wonder if anyone else got this message?"
Physical Description: A tall (for dwarf) red haired stout man whose blue eyes and demeanor give comfort and calm to all who met this holy man. Whenever Grilrum is preaching or drinking, which is often hard to distinguish, he is dressed in the vestments and clothing of his faith. He wears an amulet bearing the symbol of his faith dumathoin at all times. His armor is always kept clean and well maintained just like his beautiful braided beard. His shield bears the symbol of his faith.
Background: Acolyte
Backstory: Long ago Grilrum joined the Temple of Dumathoin. From the family and clan history of being known as the Deepdelver his people long reigned deep in the earth. He left his hill clan at an early age feeling a pull to the deep of the mountain. Reverence and honor for the dwarves who mine and built the great strongholds of lore are deeply imbedded in this man of strong faith. He long served in Temple of Dumathoin and mines, a dwarven stronghold in the Underdark , far beneath the plains of Icewind Dale. Grilrum has recently been sent out of mountain by the order of Tulhund to investigate rumors of a lost Dumathoin relic and tasked with disposing of any dwarven corpses on his journey, seeing that their souls pass successfully to the afterworld. .
He idolize Dorn Black Axe, a dwarf warrior who resided in the Cavern of Cloven Heads, a rich iron mine in the Underdark. He was the only known member of Clan Black Axe, and a renowned "Brave Beard" of his faith, and constantly refers to that person’s deeds and example. He will frequently quote sacred texts and proverbs in almost every situation.
Overhead Quotes: Walk the deep and silent ways of Dumatoin. Seek out the hidden gifts of the Keeper of Secrets under the Mountain. That which is hidden is precious, and that which is precious shall stay hidden. Seek to enhance the natural beauty of Dumathoin’s gifts and go with, not against, the contours of the deeps. Beauty is the discovery and the crafting, not the holding. Keep the places of our dead inviolate and well tended; the noble ancestors of our race will neither be robbed nor moved through the actions of thieves and defilers. Abide not undead creatures!
Physical Description: Duergan is a slight bit shorter than average for a hill dwarf. He also is on the lankier side, though looking at him he seems a bit wirey and moves about gracefully. He has a bald head but a long red beard tied up in multiple braids and dreads, and grayish blue eyes. He is dressed at all time in gray armor and carries a light crossbow, dagger, and shield.
Background: Sage (Wizards Apprentice)
Backstory:
Duergan has spent the majority of his adult dwarven life as an apprentice to Trygik Battlemore, a prestigious war wizard learning the art of smithing and magic use, but most of all learning to imbue items with great magical potential. Duergan's favorite subject was armor, he would spend hours perfecting the roundness of a a helm, shining and polishing breast plates, and even making and fixing his own custom tools.
Before becoming an apprentice to Trygik however Duergan grew up in the hills of the Giant's Run Mountains with his mother and father. His father was foreman of a mine, and thus was pretty well off money wise. He wanted the best for his son, but realized he wasn't particularly gifted physically, so he sent off to get a top grade education in Baldur's Gate under the tutelage of Tyrgik.
Class: Paladin (Oath of Vengeance )/Fighter multiclass [ or just Paladin if multi classing is not allowed ]
Physical Description: Zar'ryth is a tall young woman, standing about 6'1". Her skin is a goblin like yellow with a slightly darker complexion. Her hair is naturally warm brown and spikes up, but she styles it back into a short ponytail. The sides of her hair are shaved (undercut) and the top part oof her hair is dyed to be a pale blonde. Her irises are a mix of amber with golden flecks, her pupils are slitted and black. She sports the typical black warpaint of the gith, as well as the gleaming silver half plate. Strapped on her back is a large silver glaive.
Background: Soldier
Backstory: Zar'ryth was born in the brutal githyanki culture, raised to be a warrior and to fight and die in the name of her queen, Vlaakith. She trained daily, sometimes trekking into the forests on the edges of her creche to train alone. While practicing, she bumped into a traveling human bard, who she immediately attacked on sight. The bard bested her in combat, but did not take her life, which surprised her. The bard introduced herself as Faith, a traveling musician down on her luck. Zar'ryth, intrigued with Faith's recounts of the outside world and her unique fighting style, began to become friends with her.
While on the way to meet with her new companion, Zar'ryth was caught. The commanding officer of her creche's group tasked her with a fatal order. She was sent out two years early to undertake in the ritual illithid hunt of the githyanki, where young gith prove their worth by hunting down and killing a mind flayer. She and her party departed for the next sighting of a mind flayer, near the cliffs of Baldur's Gate. Her party carried, unaware of the sheer amount of thrall that had accompanied the illithid. They were decimated, and Zar'ryth fled in panic, desperate to not be fed to the brain devouring creature. She knew she would have to train harder to undertake the rite of passage again, so she traveled to the massive gates of Baldur's Gate, where she hoped to find a place to lend her sword for hire. Zar'ryth works odd jobs for the Flaming Fist, attempting her best to become stronger with each task.
A few questions sorry:
Alignmentwise, are evil alignments allowed? The githyanki are typically lawful evil and I won't be playing as an arrogant jerk to the party if I pick the lawful evil alignment, I was just wondering.
How daily are we expected to post? I can post pretty much most of the early day, but I can't post on weekends and the afternoon [ Central Time]
Do you have a specific time when applications close?
Thank you so much for tolerating!!
RP example:
Zar'ryth snarled, her mouth curling up to show her teeth. Her eyes were burning with hate, her pupils focused on the creature in front of her.
"Quiet your tongue, istik, lest you wish to loose it" the gith growled, holding its gaze.
She drew her weapon from her back, the blade glinting in the pale light. Her knuckles were white, gripping onto the long wooden shaft of the serrated silver glaive. Her demeanor was that of a cornered animal, wild and full of uncontrolled hate. She dug her heels into the floor to secure her position and pointed the weapon at the creature's exposed throat.
— δ cyno • he/him • number one paladin fanδ — making a smoothie for meta ——————| EXTENDED SIG |—————— Φ • redpelt’s biggest fan :) DM, minmaxer, microbiology student, and lover of anything colored red • Φ
Physical Description: Dressed in normal leathers and dark cloth, Mae'ar is a standard height\weight halfling with an exceptionally fine moustache, brown brushed back hair, and amber eyes.
Background: Criminal\Spy
Backstory:
Fleeing the stone tower, Mae'ar forced the punished cries of his brethren from his mind as his feet desperately pushed a ruined form onward. His fingers tightened hard around the old weather beaten journal and he prayed to whatever godlike force that allowed him to keep breathing continued to do so. Moments later, he ducked behind an alleyway as the mage exited his home. The greybeard screamed into the sky, sending fierce displays of arcane might high into the air before slamming the door shut with a crash. Mae'ar slowed his breathing, and wiped away the tears from his face before releasing his breath and grip.
The book slid from his hand to the ground with a thunk, and he became aware of its new location. Bending slowly to pick it up, his hands trembled as he considered what could possibly be worth the lives of his three brothers, and why it had angered the wizard such to lose it. Fumbling the pages open, the book revealed to him a wavy seafoam colored script more akin to an artist's painting of a kelp forest than writing. He studied it for a brief moment before the words dissolved into nonexistence like sand upon a shore.
In disbelief, Mae'ar dropped the book, and didn't watch as it melted down into nothing when he walked away. He didn't watch as the nothing pooled into something, and that something went back to the mage's house. He did watch as a shambling amalgamation of something not human strode into his room that night and left with something wholly apart of him that he could not explain.
When he awoke the next morning, he was merely upset that he had rented a room with four beds when he'd only needed one, angrily grabbing the nearby journal before stumbling back into the world, alone.
Physical Description: A tiefling woman with more horns to her height than actual height and slight in frame. Pale periwinkle skin with purple freckles, violet hair, black sclera and vibrant amethyst eyes. Her short straight hair is usually swept back behind her horns, which aren't as straight but only curve upwards, adding nearly half a foot to her meagre height, if one were to count such a thing. Dresses somewhat shabbily but looks put together. Hardly anyone looking at her would be able to tell off hand that she was a Wizard but perhaps a merchant of some kind.
Background: Cloistered Scholar (Candlekeep)
Backstory:
Serendipity was adopted by a half orc father (Zarud) and halfling mother (Vaula) in Waterdeep that couldn't conceive their own child and were more than happy to give a loving home to an orphan in need. She was their 'Serendipity'. They were cobblers by trade that soon recognized her knack for the more scholarly skills and then the arcane, often conjuring up a little ghostly hand to snatch what she shouldn't. She absorbed knowledge like a sponge and was always asking questions or reading.
More than that though she wanted to show others what she could do and what they could do, assembling a little gang of understudies to try and spread what she learned, though only a few children were interested or absorbed anything. When she got to be of 'working age', her parents instead reached out to a well respected client of theirs that had studied in Candlekeep and got them to write a letter of recommendation for Serendipity , eventually leading to her being accepted in for a lesser fee.
Of course she was ecstatic to go and read all of the books and learn all the magic that she dreamed of...but she was hearbroken at having to leave her family for such an undetermined period of time. Frequent visits were near impossible due to the distance between the two coastal cities, but Serendipity vowed to write to them as much as possible and they promised the same.
Over the years, the young tiefling girl grew into a young tiefling woman, learning much of history, religion and the arcane as well as making a few friends of her peers and elders. But her true steadfast companions were the books, and eventually her book. Her spellbook that was. Out of all the various schools of magic to specialize in or branches of monks to join in Candlekeep, nothing caught her heart like the Order of Scribes. Their mission was something she truly believed in. Recording magical discoveries for future generations. And why stop there?!
She personally felt inspired to try and teach others little bits of magic. Before the Spellplague magic was much more ordinary, used daily by all commonfolk. And while Serendipity certainly knew that one should learn from history, she didn't think that anyone should be afraid of it either. There was a large difference between a farmer learning Create Water and casting Wish after all.
With that goal in mind, she set off from Candlekeep a bit earlier than anticipated, eager to see her family again after so many years. It wouldn't hurt to take in the sights along the way though, right? And Baldur's Gate was on the way anyway.
RP Sample:
Tamara huddled not more than a step or two away from Gindel- Terrence? Gindel. At all times, hugging both his jacket around her shoulders. Thankfully his larger and wider form ensured that his jacket upheld her dignity, as the Tabaxi’s coat provided a skirt of sorts tied around her waist. Her feet were bare and cold on the deck of the ramshackle ship they had just departed on.
Before they had gotten on the ship, the wild-looking Tiefling woman had been hugging everyone, including Gindel and saying her goodbyes, apparently going back to her children. Tamara had stepped back once the hugging humanoid had approached Gindel, attempting to give them some privacy as the bubbly woman kept her voice lowered as she conversed with the Warlock.
Euphoria had stopped herself short and asked with a lopsided smile and tilted head, “Can I get a hug before I go Gindel?” Once given permission, the Druid launched herself at the poor man, one arm over shoulder and one arm under as she pulled him close into a tight but friendly embrace. Not letting it linger as she had with Chor’D as she knew how uncomfortable this probably was for him, the new mother pulled away, only one hand lingering on his shoulder as she met his eyes.
“I really appreciate what you did for me. What you were willing to do. It means a lot. Even if it didn’t come to it. ...Yet. Just know that if you ever need an ally or even just a friend, I’m just a message or Scry away.”
With a warm smile and a nod, the Tiefling began to turn away before apparently remembering something suddenly, a long-nailed finger held aloft as her tail swished, “Oh! And don’t forget to catalog two new additions to the humanoid….tally or whatever.” Euphoria’s hand flailed about, not sure of the technical term that the man undoubtedly had for it before finishing with a smile to match her name, “Craska and Rapturious Kraum of Krauguard.”
With a content nod, the shaman finally turned with a small wave before crying out, “Ohhh, lemme get one more hug Blue Roc! Augh I’m gonna miss ya. Make sure to take grooming tips from Wesley! A little goes a long way.”
Tamara’s eyebrows raised at the exuberant display but kept a lid on her boiling curiosity as they set sail. She mainly just tried to keep out of the way as the Tabaxi took charge and explained what they needed doing and how to do it, waiting to be told what to do herself or be otherwise acknowledged.
She’d found a very floppy brimmed hat that definitely smelled of fish to help shield her eyes from the sun. It was somewhat hazy, but even that amount of sunlight seemed too bright to her. It was like she’d never used her eyes before, and she supposed she hadn’t. These were brand new and unused to seeing yet. Even just standing, the woman was far from bored. The horrible fishy hat, the warm sun on her skin, the wind in her hair, the smell of the ocean, feeling the occasional spray on her skin…
It was all...a lot. Especially the constant movement of the ship underneath her feet. She’d found solace in gripping the railing, closing her eyes and trying to not feel increasingly overwhelmed.
I'm giving people time to post submissions for consideration. I will be selecting the party tomorrow (Sunday, 3/14) and messaging the selected members privately.
I'm giving people time to post submissions for consideration. I will be selecting the party tomorrow (Sunday, 3/14) and messaging the selected members privately.
Awesome! I still have time to try. Yay!
This is my place holder. I'll be back after I have genned a character.
Class: Wizard (planning to go Necromancer, possibly multiclass into Grave cleric)
Physical Description: Tall, with hair as dark as night, and grey stony skin "engraved" with Mulhorandi hieroglyphs. Bright, piercing blue eyes radiate both intelligence and kindness, rare qualities in those who pursue the arts of death and the dying. Tomb is fastidious about his appearance, always ensuring that his clothing and person are as clean as possible. He typically dresses in the simple clothes of an embalmer, but their high quality reveals that he is the scion of a wealthy family. He is quick to smile, and always humming or whistling a happy tune.
Background: Haunted One
Backstory: Kethoth was born into a long and respected family line of embalmers and morticians in the Old Empire of Mulhorand. But it was obvious from the start that his parentage was more than human. His mother claimed that his father had been a guardian spirit of the necropolis given flesh. But the boy's obvious elemental heritage implied a different truth: his mother had been seduced by a capricious genie. Whatever the truth, Kethoth was raised with love and support, and his mother bore no shame for her dalliance. She had not been married at the time, so no dishonor was attached to Kethoth's birth. As the boy grew, it became apparent that he bore a talent not just for the embalmer's craft, but also for the magic of death itself. This was a rare talent for someone of Kethoth's kind-hearted disposition, so the patriarch of the clan made sure that Kethoth was apprenticed to the noblest necromancers and death-priests their family could afford. One night near the end of his apprenticeship period, Kethoth discovered an unconsecrated grave in the temple's catacombs, and tried to put the spirit to rest. He failed. The spirit now haunts him, and compelled him to leave Mulhorand for the lands of the West, to seek an unknown destiny. Kethoth's decision to leave and explore the world was supported by his family, though none of them know the true reason for his departure. He fears ever revealing the truth, ashamed that he botched what should have been a simple task. He has vowed he will not return home until he has put the thing that haunts him to rest forever.
Looks quite interesting. Putting a placeholder here now that I will edit later.
Quick question: how do you feel about wild magic sorcerers and how would you rule those mechanics?
Wild magic is fine. I would follow the rules as written for Wild Magic Surge. So, each time you cast a spell you would format it like this: [Fireball, DC 17 Dexterity Saving Throw, 38 Fire Damage, Wild Magic 12]
The 12 in this case is the number you rolled on your d20 Wild Magic roll. If the roll is a 1, I will roll for the Wild Magic Surge table effect and explain what happens.
Looks quite interesting. Putting a placeholder here now that I will edit later.
Quick question: how do you feel about wild magic sorcerers and how would you rule those mechanics?
Wild magic is fine. I would follow the rules as written for Wild Magic Surge. So, each time you cast a spell you would format it like this: [Fireball, DC 17 Dexterity Saving Throw, 38 Fire Damage, Wild Magic 12]
The 12 in this case is the number you rolled on your d20 Wild Magic roll. If the roll is a 1, I will roll for the Wild Magic Surge table effect and explain what happens.
Asking more about the Tides of Chaos feature because that is entirely dependent on the DM's whim
"Designed for an adventuring party of four to six 1st-level characters, Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus is a Dungeons & Dragons adventure that begins in the city of Baldur’s Gate and ends in Avernus, the first layer of the Nine Hells."
I will be running a Descent into Avernus campaign entirely through play-by-post text chat. Looking for dedicated roleplayers who have excellent grammar/writing ability, and will post regularly. I want this to feel like an exciting story, as if all of us are creating a fantasy novel together.
I am in the PST time zone, and work from 6am - 2:30pm, Monday - Friday, so I will be unable to post during those hours (please be patient). However I will be posting as often as is possible.
Adult language/mature themes are allowed (Avernus is a very horrifying/gruesome story, after all), but don't overdo it.
I am currently looking for 4 Players to join this campaign.
Your character may be from basically any race (I will allow pretty much any homebrew race as long as their features seem fairly balanced). However, your character may only select its class from any of the official content available here in the D&D Beyond Character Creator (most homebrew classes are extremely untested/unbalanced, so I do not allow any of them).
The party will all begin at 1st-level, and we will be using the Milestone Experience system (I will tell you when the party has gained a new level).
You may use either the Point-Buy system or the Standard Array when determining the Ability Score values for your character, choose whichever you prefer.
I do not care about inventory management, so you do not need to keep track of encumbrance. I also do not require any sort of food or water consumption. Nor do I care about most material components for spell casting (the one exception to this is when the spell explicitly states that it requires a gem [usually diamond] with a specific monetary cost [e.g.: the Raise Dead spell explicitly states that it requires "a diamond worth at least 500 gp, which the spell consumes." You must always have the required gem(s)/gem dust in your inventory to cast such a spell.)
Below, please post a publicly viewable link to the D&D Beyond character that you wish to enroll in the campaign (the link should look something like this: https://ddb.ac/characters/44308216/JsJxg2), along with details about them.
Example (use this as a template):
https://ddb.ac/characters/44308216/JsJxg2
Name: Elise Blackstone
Race: Hexblood (UA)
Gender: Female
Age: 28
Class: Warlock
Physical Description: A woman of average height with long black hair and crystal blue eyes. She dresses in the fine clothing of an aristocrat, and a small ornate ruby necklace will always be seen wrapped around her throat.
Background: Haunted One
Backstory: Elise is a member of the noble Blackstone family, which hails from the holy city of Elturel. As a hexblood, she is the spawn of her father, a human man named Duke Vincent Blackstone, and of a monstrous hag, named Nyaletha the Wicked. The duke came across the hag's domain while hunting in the dark forest near his holiday estate, and she disguised herself as a beautiful woman, seducing him into her abode and then placing a curse upon him with foul blood magic. Horrified and dismayed, the duke fled back to his estate, only to discover a wicker basket had been left at his doorstep, and inside it slept a newborn baby girl along with an attached note. The note explained that this newborn girl was his daughter, birthed the night before, and that he now had the duty of raising her as his own kin, else his entire family be cursed for all time henceforth. The bottom of the note was signed in neat handwriting: Nyaletha the Wicked.
And so Elise grew up with the pampered life of a duke's daughter, granted all the luxuries and amenities of a wealthy aristocrat, oblivious to her true origin. Until one night, as she slept, her pleasant dreams were transformed into a terrible nightmare in which she was greeted by a disgusting hag of a woman who claimed to be her real mother. The woman demanded that Elise meet her in the city of Baldur's Gate. Upon awakening, Elise felt compelled--through dark magic or through the threads of fate, she could not tell--to accept this strange woman's demand. She packed her travel bags and wished her family farewell, heading for Baldur's Gate and whatever twisted destiny awaited her there.
Once accepted into the campaign, please use the following guidelines for the narrative:
Rules for Text Posts:
Example text post chain for a combat scenario:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| DM's post |
Combat Begins
(@Elise Blackstone, Roll Initiative)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Combat Tracker
| Elise Blackstone: |
| Goblin: 4 |
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Elise Blackstone's post |
[Initiative, 14]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| DM's post |
(@Elise Blackstone, Your turn.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Combat Tracker
| Elise Blackstone: 14 |
| Goblin: 4 |
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Elise Blackstone's post |
Elise unsheathes a dagger from her belt and points it toward the goblin. Her hand is unsteady, as she has little experience wielding a weapon.
"Stay back!" she shrieks, her voice wavering. "Awful creature, I'm warning you! Stay away from me!"
By the gods, I'm going to die, she thinks, her heart racing behind her ribcage.
She thrusts the dagger at the assailant. [Dagger, 10 to hit, 3 Slashing Damage]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| DM's post |
(@Elise Blackstone, Your Dagger attack misses.)
The goblin cackles with hideous laughter, sidestepping Elise's weak thrust. It flails its heavy club at her midsection. [Club, 18 to hit, 4 Bludgeoning Damage]
The club crashes into your stomach with a force you've never felt before. Your eyes go wide, and spittle flies from your lips. (@Elise Blackstone, You suffer 4 points of Bludgeoning Damage.)
(@Elise Blackstone, Your turn.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Combat Tracker
| Elise Blackstone: 14 |
| Goblin: 4 |
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Elise Blackstone's post |
I'm gonna die! I'm gonna die! Elise screams in her mind. Still reeling from the blow she'd just suffered, she slashes frantically at the vile monster. [Dagger, Critical 21 to hit, 10 Slashing Damage]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| DM's post |
Elise's wild attack manages to cut a deep gash across the goblin's throat, slicing it wide open. Blood spurts from the wound in thick globs. The creature falls to the dirt, sighing faintly, then lies still, dead.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Combat Ends
| Elise Blackstone: 14 |
|
Goblin:Dead |----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
https://www.dndbeyond.com/profile/PrimalBlade/characters/46143929
Name: Darvin Greycastle
Race: Half Elf
Gender: Male
Age: 25
Class: Rogue
Physical Description: Darvin is a half elf with a light complexion. He has bright blond hair and often wears dark clothes with a hood often up covering his pointed ears.
Background: Criminal
Backstory: Darvin was a nonsense by his parents as a baby on the corner of a street in Baldur’s Gate. On the verge of death he was found by a Dearborn woman named Kathra Battlehammer. Kathra raised Darvin along with several other orphans in Darvin’s early years. When Darvin was old enough to leave the orphanage he moved to a part of the city with a worse reputation.
There Darvin met an old human thief who taught him a few tricks for some gold. The old man introduced Darvin to the owner of a small thief’s guild known as the rats paw. He worked there for many years until a job went wrong and only he got out. Darvin looked around for work for a few months until he came upon a new group of adventures to work with.
https://ddb.ac/characters/45381223/MHuVUW
Name: Agnor Tonha
Race: Dwarf
Gender: Female
Age: 139
Class: Fighter
Physical Description: Agnor is stocky even for a dwarf, her wild blonde hair frequently tied back in a messy high bun. Her face shows the lines of her constant scowl but she is not to be mistaken for grumpy or unnaproving, a smile lies beneath.
Background: Soldier
Backstory: Agnor has been travelling from place to place as long as she can remember. First with fellow clan members, then serving with local guardsmen and then on her own, she enjoys the chance to find new sources of materials to incorporate into her jewellery and moving with others didn't always suit that need. She is well known at the forges of many cities and only moves on once she feels she has achieved all she can from a place.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/profile/Oberon99/characters/45634330
Name: Damian Ravenshade
Race: Human (variant)
Gender: Male
Age: 21
Class: Warlock
Physical descriptioon: Damian is a young handsome man of average height, dark hair and grey eyes.He dresses in the fine clothing of an aristocrat, favoring black and red, and will always be seen wearing a ruby ring.
Background: Noble
Backstory: "Look father, I won again". But the aging Lord Ravenshade took no notice of his sons accomplishments at the Dragon chess board, ever unimpressed with the weakling his son had grown up to be. And young Damians mother always doting on him didn´t help him become the strong successor he had hoped for. Damian,ever looking up to his stern and scolding father and never getting the slighest affection, molded him into an uncaring and cold young man.Young Damian took to himself and sought for a way to make his father see his qualities as a ruler. Something in the darkess saw his discontent and put in his way a ruby ring through which it lured him into a pact and teaching the young noble dark rituals and forbidden magics. Finally at his twenty first birthday, Lord Ravenshade declared that his son was to be sent to the city of Baldurs gate, where the family had made wealth trading in precious gems and fine jewelry. Surely in the city of Baldurs gate Damian would find opportunities to use political manuevering and eldritch magics to rise in power, so that he one day could return to his fathers manor and make him proud.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/profile/PostieNote/characters/46154805
Name: Alani Storm
Race: Half-Orc
Gender: Female
Age: 19
Class: Barbarian
Physical Description: Towering above most humans, Alani is about six and a half feet tall. Her skin is gray with an odd almost purple-ish tint to it. Her dark hair is long and always pulled back into tight braids to keep it out of her way. Her eyes are a dull yellow color. She wears plain traveling clothes with a long brown coat thrown over top of it all.
Background: Pirate
Backstory: Alani has always known the sea. Potentially abandoned by her parents, she was found by a sailor with a soft spot for kids and brought back to his ship. And, well, a simple merchant ship this was not. No, Alani was raised among pirates, her newly adopted father as the captain of the Storm’s Freedom. Always one for more brute force than nimbleness, the half-orc girl was raised more with blunt weapons than blades. She got a warhammer as a gift from her dad when she finally grew big enough to wield one.
Not even a year ago, the Storm’s Freedom was docked at some port city. Alani had split off to find a blacksmith to try and get one of her little handaxes repaired. When she returned to the ship, she came back to a horrifying sight: half her crew was dead, slaughtered and strewn across their ship, and the other half disappeared without a trace. The captain was among the dead, as was the first mate and many others she’d loved like family.
Ever since, Alani has been deadset on revenge. She’s been tracking the ones who killed her family, intent on making them pay for what they’d done. She’s found a few, but she knows more are out there. And now she’s tracked a few of them to Baldur’s Gate.
Yay! Another Recruiting Avernus!
https://www.dndbeyond.com/profile/AmdirgolSianstacia/characters/45382397
Name: Arodon Staciakiir
Race: Eladrin (DMG) - I can change to any elf subrace if you fell it would better fit the party or story.
Gender: Male
Age: 124
Class: Paladin (Planning Ancients)
Physical Description: A slender elf with pale skin, jet-black hair roughly neck-length and misty grey eyes, (Obviously will change somewhat if subrace is changed) He wears green studded leather armor and a green cloak, his trusted rapier and shield always nearby.
Background: Knight of The Order
Backstory:
Arodon was born and raised in Silverymoon. He was the only child of Celerion and Nemiriel Kiirstacia. He was doted on by his parents, and had a happy childhood. As he grew older, he began to see the darker side of the world. He decided to figuratively take up the torch in Mielikki’s name and spread goodness, driving evil back and protecting innocents.
His father died when Arodon was 45, in a freak accident. His mother, an adventurer herself, was infected with werebear lycanthropy.
Alion left home shortly after. He sought out the Knights of Myth Drannor, and earned entrance into their ranks. He became close friends with another Knight, a human named Miles Brightwood, after a battle they fought side by side. He has recently come to Baldur’s Gate to try to infiltrate the Flaming Fists and stop their cruelty.
Some Examples of my RP recently:
Alarion whirls towards where the arrows came from, tossing his book into his bag and whipping his wand from his sash. "Ambush! Get down!" he shouts.
Norion begins floating a few inches above the ground as flames engulf his hands and begin to curl up his arms. He flicks his wrist and sends some flames to sear at the tree.
"Well, I am sworn to protect the good of the world." Alion says, pulling his rapier from his belt and his leaf-shaped shield from his back. "Although I am not quite ready to face divine forces. I wonder if anyone else got this message?"
Thanks for your consideration!
https://ddb.ac/characters/46166017/TCxdTw
Name: Grilrum Deepdelver
Race: Hill Dwarf
Gender: Male
Age: 250
Class: Cleric
Physical Description: A tall (for dwarf) red haired stout man whose blue eyes and demeanor give comfort and calm to all who met this holy man. Whenever Grilrum is preaching or drinking, which is often hard to distinguish, he is dressed in the vestments and clothing of his faith. He wears an amulet bearing the symbol of his faith dumathoin at all times. His armor is always kept clean and well maintained just like his beautiful braided beard. His shield bears the symbol of his faith.
Background: Acolyte
Backstory: Long ago Grilrum joined the Temple of Dumathoin. From the family and clan history of being known as the Deepdelver his people long reigned deep in the earth. He left his hill clan at an early age feeling a pull to the deep of the mountain. Reverence and honor for the dwarves who mine and built the great strongholds of lore are deeply imbedded in this man of strong faith. He long served in Temple of Dumathoin and mines, a dwarven stronghold in the Underdark , far beneath the plains of Icewind Dale. Grilrum has recently been sent out of mountain by the order of Tulhund to investigate rumors of a lost Dumathoin relic and tasked with disposing of any dwarven corpses on his journey, seeing that their souls pass successfully to the afterworld. .
He idolize Dorn Black Axe, a dwarf warrior who resided in the Cavern of Cloven Heads, a rich iron mine in the Underdark. He was the only known member of Clan Black Axe, and a renowned "Brave Beard" of his faith, and constantly refers to that person’s deeds and example. He will frequently quote sacred texts and proverbs in almost every situation.
Overhead Quotes: Walk the deep and silent ways of Dumatoin. Seek out the hidden gifts of the Keeper of Secrets under the Mountain. That which is hidden is precious, and that which is precious shall stay hidden. Seek to enhance the natural beauty of Dumathoin’s gifts and go with, not against, the contours of the deeps. Beauty is the discovery and the crafting, not the holding. Keep the places of our dead inviolate and well tended; the noble ancestors of our race will neither be robbed nor moved through the actions of thieves and defilers. Abide not undead creatures!
ddb.ac/characters/46152579/cvJXmW
Name: Duergan Hardsteel
Race: Hill Dwarf
Gender: Male
Age: 126
Class: Artificer (Eventually Armorer Subclass)
Physical Description: Duergan is a slight bit shorter than average for a hill dwarf. He also is on the lankier side, though looking at him he seems a bit wirey and moves about gracefully. He has a bald head but a long red beard tied up in multiple braids and dreads, and grayish blue eyes. He is dressed at all time in gray armor and carries a light crossbow, dagger, and shield.
Background: Sage (Wizards Apprentice)
Backstory:
Duergan has spent the majority of his adult dwarven life as an apprentice to Trygik Battlemore, a prestigious war wizard learning the art of smithing and magic use, but most of all learning to imbue items with great magical potential. Duergan's favorite subject was armor, he would spend hours perfecting the roundness of a a helm, shining and polishing breast plates, and even making and fixing his own custom tools.
Before becoming an apprentice to Trygik however Duergan grew up in the hills of the Giant's Run Mountains with his mother and father. His father was foreman of a mine, and thus was pretty well off money wise. He wanted the best for his son, but realized he wasn't particularly gifted physically, so he sent off to get a top grade education in Baldur's Gate under the tutelage of Tyrgik.
[ character sheet ]
Name: Zar'ryth
Race: Githyanki
Gender: Female
Age: 22
Class: Paladin ( Oath of Vengeance )/Fighter multiclass [ or just Paladin if multi classing is not allowed ]
Physical Description: Zar'ryth is a tall young woman, standing about 6'1". Her skin is a goblin like yellow with a slightly darker complexion. Her hair is naturally warm brown and spikes up, but she styles it back into a short ponytail. The sides of her hair are shaved (undercut) and the top part oof her hair is dyed to be a pale blonde. Her irises are a mix of amber with golden flecks, her pupils are slitted and black. She sports the typical black warpaint of the gith, as well as the gleaming silver half plate. Strapped on her back is a large silver glaive.
Background: Soldier
Backstory: Zar'ryth was born in the brutal githyanki culture, raised to be a warrior and to fight and die in the name of her queen, Vlaakith. She trained daily, sometimes trekking into the forests on the edges of her creche to train alone. While practicing, she bumped into a traveling human bard, who she immediately attacked on sight. The bard bested her in combat, but did not take her life, which surprised her. The bard introduced herself as Faith, a traveling musician down on her luck. Zar'ryth, intrigued with Faith's recounts of the outside world and her unique fighting style, began to become friends with her.
While on the way to meet with her new companion, Zar'ryth was caught. The commanding officer of her creche's group tasked her with a fatal order. She was sent out two years early to undertake in the ritual illithid hunt of the githyanki, where young gith prove their worth by hunting down and killing a mind flayer. She and her party departed for the next sighting of a mind flayer, near the cliffs of Baldur's Gate. Her party carried, unaware of the sheer amount of thrall that had accompanied the illithid. They were decimated, and Zar'ryth fled in panic, desperate to not be fed to the brain devouring creature. She knew she would have to train harder to undertake the rite of passage again, so she traveled to the massive gates of Baldur's Gate, where she hoped to find a place to lend her sword for hire. Zar'ryth works odd jobs for the Flaming Fist, attempting her best to become stronger with each task.
A few questions sorry:
Alignmentwise, are evil alignments allowed? The githyanki are typically lawful evil and I won't be playing as an arrogant jerk to the party if I pick the lawful evil alignment, I was just wondering.
How daily are we expected to post? I can post pretty much most of the early day, but I can't post on weekends and the afternoon [ Central Time ]
Do you have a specific time when applications close?
Thank you so much for tolerating!!
RP example:
Zar'ryth snarled, her mouth curling up to show her teeth. Her eyes were burning with hate, her pupils focused on the creature in front of her.
"Quiet your tongue, istik, lest you wish to loose it" the gith growled, holding its gaze.
She drew her weapon from her back, the blade glinting in the pale light. Her knuckles were white, gripping onto the long wooden shaft of the serrated silver glaive. Her demeanor was that of a cornered animal, wild and full of uncontrolled hate. She dug her heels into the floor to secure her position and pointed the weapon at the creature's exposed throat.
— δ cyno • he/him • number one paladin fan δ —
making a smoothie for meta
——————| EXTENDED SIG |——————
Φ • redpelt’s biggest fan :) DM, minmaxer, microbiology student, and lover of anything colored red • Φ
Character Sheet: https://ddb.ac/characters/46243093/3djaiK
Name: Mae'ar Broth
Race: Stout Halfling
Gender: M
Age: 25
Class: Warlock
Physical Description: Dressed in normal leathers and dark cloth, Mae'ar is a standard height\weight halfling with an exceptionally fine moustache, brown brushed back hair, and amber eyes.
Background: Criminal\Spy
Backstory:
Fleeing the stone tower, Mae'ar forced the punished cries of his brethren from his mind as his feet desperately pushed a ruined form onward. His fingers tightened hard around the old weather beaten journal and he prayed to whatever godlike force that allowed him to keep breathing continued to do so. Moments later, he ducked behind an alleyway as the mage exited his home. The greybeard screamed into the sky, sending fierce displays of arcane might high into the air before slamming the door shut with a crash. Mae'ar slowed his breathing, and wiped away the tears from his face before releasing his breath and grip.
The book slid from his hand to the ground with a thunk, and he became aware of its new location. Bending slowly to pick it up, his hands trembled as he considered what could possibly be worth the lives of his three brothers, and why it had angered the wizard such to lose it. Fumbling the pages open, the book revealed to him a wavy seafoam colored script more akin to an artist's painting of a kelp forest than writing. He studied it for a brief moment before the words dissolved into nonexistence like sand upon a shore.
In disbelief, Mae'ar dropped the book, and didn't watch as it melted down into nothing when he walked away. He didn't watch as the nothing pooled into something, and that something went back to the mage's house. He did watch as a shambling amalgamation of something not human strode into his room that night and left with something wholly apart of him that he could not explain.
When he awoke the next morning, he was merely upset that he had rented a room with four beds when he'd only needed one, angrily grabbing the nearby journal before stumbling back into the world, alone.
https://ddb.ac/characters/46229075/mftcpT
Name: Serendipity
Race: Mephistopheles Tiefling
Gender: Female
Age: 24
Class: Wizard
Physical Description: A tiefling woman with more horns to her height than actual height and slight in frame. Pale periwinkle skin with purple freckles, violet hair, black sclera and vibrant amethyst eyes. Her short straight hair is usually swept back behind her horns, which aren't as straight but only curve upwards, adding nearly half a foot to her meagre height, if one were to count such a thing. Dresses somewhat shabbily but looks put together. Hardly anyone looking at her would be able to tell off hand that she was a Wizard but perhaps a merchant of some kind.
Background: Cloistered Scholar (Candlekeep)
Backstory:
Serendipity was adopted by a half orc father (Zarud) and halfling mother (Vaula) in Waterdeep that couldn't conceive their own child and were more than happy to give a loving home to an orphan in need. She was their 'Serendipity'. They were cobblers by trade that soon recognized her knack for the more scholarly skills and then the arcane, often conjuring up a little ghostly hand to snatch what she shouldn't. She absorbed knowledge like a sponge and was always asking questions or reading.
More than that though she wanted to show others what she could do and what they could do, assembling a little gang of understudies to try and spread what she learned, though only a few children were interested or absorbed anything. When she got to be of 'working age', her parents instead reached out to a well respected client of theirs that had studied in Candlekeep and got them to write a letter of recommendation for Serendipity , eventually leading to her being accepted in for a lesser fee.
Of course she was ecstatic to go and read all of the books and learn all the magic that she dreamed of...but she was hearbroken at having to leave her family for such an undetermined period of time. Frequent visits were near impossible due to the distance between the two coastal cities, but Serendipity vowed to write to them as much as possible and they promised the same.
Over the years, the young tiefling girl grew into a young tiefling woman, learning much of history, religion and the arcane as well as making a few friends of her peers and elders. But her true steadfast companions were the books, and eventually her book. Her spellbook that was. Out of all the various schools of magic to specialize in or branches of monks to join in Candlekeep, nothing caught her heart like the Order of Scribes. Their mission was something she truly believed in. Recording magical discoveries for future generations. And why stop there?!
She personally felt inspired to try and teach others little bits of magic. Before the Spellplague magic was much more ordinary, used daily by all commonfolk. And while Serendipity certainly knew that one should learn from history, she didn't think that anyone should be afraid of it either. There was a large difference between a farmer learning Create Water and casting Wish after all.
With that goal in mind, she set off from Candlekeep a bit earlier than anticipated, eager to see her family again after so many years. It wouldn't hurt to take in the sights along the way though, right? And Baldur's Gate was on the way anyway.
RP Sample:
Tamara huddled not more than a step or two away from Gindel- Terrence? Gindel. At all times, hugging both his jacket around her shoulders. Thankfully his larger and wider form ensured that his jacket upheld her dignity, as the Tabaxi’s coat provided a skirt of sorts tied around her waist. Her feet were bare and cold on the deck of the ramshackle ship they had just departed on.
Before they had gotten on the ship, the wild-looking Tiefling woman had been hugging everyone, including Gindel and saying her goodbyes, apparently going back to her children. Tamara had stepped back once the hugging humanoid had approached Gindel, attempting to give them some privacy as the bubbly woman kept her voice lowered as she conversed with the Warlock.
Euphoria had stopped herself short and asked with a lopsided smile and tilted head, “Can I get a hug before I go Gindel?” Once given permission, the Druid launched herself at the poor man, one arm over shoulder and one arm under as she pulled him close into a tight but friendly embrace. Not letting it linger as she had with Chor’D as she knew how uncomfortable this probably was for him, the new mother pulled away, only one hand lingering on his shoulder as she met his eyes.
“I really appreciate what you did for me. What you were willing to do. It means a lot. Even if it didn’t come to it. ...Yet. Just know that if you ever need an ally or even just a friend, I’m just a message or Scry away.”
With a warm smile and a nod, the Tiefling began to turn away before apparently remembering something suddenly, a long-nailed finger held aloft as her tail swished, “Oh! And don’t forget to catalog two new additions to the humanoid….tally or whatever.” Euphoria’s hand flailed about, not sure of the technical term that the man undoubtedly had for it before finishing with a smile to match her name, “Craska and Rapturious Kraum of Krauguard.”
With a content nod, the shaman finally turned with a small wave before crying out, “Ohhh, lemme get one more hug Blue Roc! Augh I’m gonna miss ya. Make sure to take grooming tips from Wesley! A little goes a long way.”
Tamara’s eyebrows raised at the exuberant display but kept a lid on her boiling curiosity as they set sail. She mainly just tried to keep out of the way as the Tabaxi took charge and explained what they needed doing and how to do it, waiting to be told what to do herself or be otherwise acknowledged.
She’d found a very floppy brimmed hat that definitely smelled of fish to help shield her eyes from the sun. It was somewhat hazy, but even that amount of sunlight seemed too bright to her. It was like she’d never used her eyes before, and she supposed she hadn’t. These were brand new and unused to seeing yet. Even just standing, the woman was far from bored. The horrible fishy hat, the warm sun on her skin, the wind in her hair, the smell of the ocean, feeling the occasional spray on her skin…
It was all...a lot. Especially the constant movement of the ship underneath her feet. She’d found solace in gripping the railing, closing her eyes and trying to not feel increasingly overwhelmed.
Nym Durnodel - Aspiring Heroes of Faerûn // Danica Amastacia - Red Dead Annihilation
When will you be selecting the party?
Looks quite interesting. Putting a placeholder here now that I will edit later.
Quick question: how do you feel about wild magic sorcerers and how would you rule those mechanics?
William Brackwater: Human Fighter - The Windward Isles
Tyrgram, the Butterfly Knight: Dwarf Warlock - Secret of Greenwold
Iòlinder Corrach: Half Elf War Cleric - Allansia Adventure
Valerius Sergius Publius: Dhampir Paladin - Vae Victus
Did you forget about us? No one wants to see a sad dwarf.
I'm giving people time to post submissions for consideration. I will be selecting the party tomorrow (Sunday, 3/14) and messaging the selected members privately.
Awesome! I still have time to try. Yay!
This is my place holder. I'll be back after I have genned a character.
https://ddb.ac/characters/46574363/XIDjyG
Name: "Tomb" (Kethoth Ankhalab)
Race: Earth Genasi
Gender: Male
Age: 21
Class: Wizard (planning to go Necromancer, possibly multiclass into Grave cleric)
Physical Description: Tall, with hair as dark as night, and grey stony skin "engraved" with Mulhorandi hieroglyphs. Bright, piercing blue eyes radiate both intelligence and kindness, rare qualities in those who pursue the arts of death and the dying. Tomb is fastidious about his appearance, always ensuring that his clothing and person are as clean as possible. He typically dresses in the simple clothes of an embalmer, but their high quality reveals that he is the scion of a wealthy family. He is quick to smile, and always humming or whistling a happy tune.
Background: Haunted One
Backstory: Kethoth was born into a long and respected family line of embalmers and morticians in the Old Empire of Mulhorand. But it was obvious from the start that his parentage was more than human. His mother claimed that his father had been a guardian spirit of the necropolis given flesh. But the boy's obvious elemental heritage implied a different truth: his mother had been seduced by a capricious genie. Whatever the truth, Kethoth was raised with love and support, and his mother bore no shame for her dalliance. She had not been married at the time, so no dishonor was attached to Kethoth's birth. As the boy grew, it became apparent that he bore a talent not just for the embalmer's craft, but also for the magic of death itself. This was a rare talent for someone of Kethoth's kind-hearted disposition, so the patriarch of the clan made sure that Kethoth was apprenticed to the noblest necromancers and death-priests their family could afford. One night near the end of his apprenticeship period, Kethoth discovered an unconsecrated grave in the temple's catacombs, and tried to put the spirit to rest. He failed. The spirit now haunts him, and compelled him to leave Mulhorand for the lands of the West, to seek an unknown destiny. Kethoth's decision to leave and explore the world was supported by his family, though none of them know the true reason for his departure. He fears ever revealing the truth, ashamed that he botched what should have been a simple task. He has vowed he will not return home until he has put the thing that haunts him to rest forever.
Wild magic is fine. I would follow the rules as written for Wild Magic Surge. So, each time you cast a spell you would format it like this: [Fireball, DC 17 Dexterity Saving Throw, 38 Fire Damage, Wild Magic 12]
The 12 in this case is the number you rolled on your d20 Wild Magic roll. If the roll is a 1, I will roll for the Wild Magic Surge table effect and explain what happens.
Asking more about the Tides of Chaos feature because that is entirely dependent on the DM's whim
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