Backstory: Styrmir was born under auspicious circumstances, on a wave-tossed ship at the height of a 100 year storm on the inland sea. Some say he was born with a blessing from the Pirate Queen herself and is bound for a great destiny. In any case, a connection to the storm and the elemental plane of water has left him with a deep calling to the sea. He is in Port Peril looking for a ship’s crew to join, he’s heard that they are alway looking for those with connections to the sea and the sky such as himself. He is looking to start down the path of getting a ship of his own. Who knows, maybe greater things are in store for him after all.
"Ability Scores: We will be going with Standard Arrays or the Point Buy Equivalent. While I love rolling for stats, it can create winners and losers and starting at level one those differences seem to be even larger."
I'm not looking to join, just wanted to let you know that I for one really appreciate that sentiment! Most game enjoyment can be ruined by random stats. The PnP paper group I have been part of for the past decades had determined this after one player had rolled 18 18 18 18 18 17 for stats back in the 1st Edition days. We had tried more fair rolling systems after that with various success, eventually coming up with our own version of what is being used now.
Though I would love to play in a high seas adventure (Most games here are land based), I am currently running a campaign in the forums myself. If this works out for you, perhaps I'll join if you run this campaign again in a few months.
Left it too late to review character sheets again tonight...having a bit of a busy weekend, lol. But I can at least get a resummarized roster up and answer some questions.
ACoolNameHere: I am open to allowing previous party members from this AP and other games I have played in to apply, but everyone will get an equal opportunity to join the game. I will judge all submissions equally based on the contents of the submission and how I think the character will gel with the rest of the party. Frandal and Oberon have played with me before, but that does not give them a leg up. In fact I am in a different game with Oberon right now...so maybe I am getting sick of them. :P (just kidding).
Having said that, you are correct that it is less likely (but not impossible) that I will pick two characters with the same class. It could happen...Heck, we could have a crew full of clerics, that might be fun. But there are considerations. Anyone is welcome to submit a different character during recruitment...the only rule I have for fairness to all is you can only have 1 actual submission. So if you would rather put in something besides a rogue you can...but it does look like pretty soon we may have close to one of each class. At this point the only empty class counts we have are Barbarian, Cleric, Monk, and Ranger.
Looks like that was all the questions since last night? If I have missed yours please ping me or repost...I apologize.
New Roster!
Berry Belkra - the Feylost Fairy Fighter Mamawati - the Touched by the Sea Water Genasi Paladin Lucian Willwater - the Far Traveler Sea Elf Warlock - WITHDRAWN Sasha Varkaris - the Human Pirate Warlock Anmita - the Tabaxi Fighter with an eye for plunder Dekket Kakrow - a tiefling rogue (swashbuckler) Hakarl - the Dragonborn Druid Cook Kirun - the Dhampir Bard with a penchant for Barroom Talespinning Darvas Ughedath - The Triton Rogue with Buccaneer's Blood Doc Ward - the Human Artificer that has served as Ships Chirugeon Vroki Stormcaller - the Goliath Storm Sorcerer Shipwright (this background is fine...you don't have to use one of the homebrew ones...just wanted them to be available since they bring some of the flavor of the AP) Viridian - the Triton Wizard with an eye for plunder (you mentioned possibly going towards bladesinger...so to predict and preempt the question, I hate that they made it a racial specific subclass. Nothing in that subclass screams elf exclusive to me, so I have no problem with a Triton taking it if that is what you decide you want to do). Styrmir - the Water Genasi Storm Sorcerer with Besmara's Blessing
I have recently converted from PF, and always wanted to play this AP, but never got a group past the first few steps.
Name: Latimer Trumador
Species: Human
Class: Cleric (Tempest)
Background: Sailor
Brief Backstory: Latimer was orphaned at a very young age, the details of which remain a mystery to him to this day. He has always believed to have been born in the Mwangi Expanse, but has no real knowledge of that. Originally put in an orphanage, he was recruited at a young age as a ship hand aboard a small merchant vessel. The work was hard, but Latimer had a fascination with the sea, especially at night and during rough weather. Where others feared the chaos of the storm, Latimer reveled in it, watching from the deck as long as he could, and sleeping soundly to the rain and thunder when forced below deck. On one voyage, a shady looking passenger noticed his predilections, and approached him. This voyager was a priest of Gozreh, and taught young Latimer the basic tents of the religion. Something pulled at the youth's heartstrings, and he readily soaked in these teachings. Leaving the life of a sailor to more deeply embrace his new religion, Latimer has grown to become a young priest himself. But now, the open waters of the sea call him back, and he is ready again to face and embrace the fierce rage of the storm.
Alignment: Chaotic... neutral, I guess? Good natured and friendly most of the time, but she's got some serious anger issues.
Picture:
Background: Noble
Personality: Katarina is equal parts elegant lady and bloodthirsty berserker. She enjoys dressing up a bit, to the extent that she has been seen going into battle dressed in a ball gown once. Being an oversized cat, she tends to be curious and playful when she's not in battle, though sometimes this can get her into trouble as she does not always know her own strength.
Backstory: Since she was a kitten, Katarina knew that she wasn't like her brothers and sisters. Her family was feline royalty, known for their skill in sorcery. But, while her brothers and sisters slowly learned to wield supernatural powers, Katarina found she simply couldn't tap into the strange abilities that her siblings used. She grew into a powerful and athletic feline, with great skill as a warrior. Yet she could not cast even the simplest cantrip. Over time, her frustration and resentment grew as the other kittens became respectable sorcerers and wizards, while she became the family disappointment. One day, when she was at her absolute lowest, her eldest sister began taunting her mercilessly. At that moment Katarina finally snapped, and lashed out in an uncontrollable rage. When she came back to her senses, Katarina realized what she had done... her sister was alive, but badly injured and terrified out of her mind. That very night, Katarina left the comfort of her parents' home, forsaking the trappings of royalty and setting out into the world as a common adventurer... and one day, she hoped that she could return and prove to her family that she is not a failure or a joke to be trifled with.
Brief Backstory: Risha was raised in a monastery; she was far too young to know her birth parents or even whether they were still living and assumes she is orphan. While not naturally inclined to the monkish life - she was always headstrong and rebellious and preferred physical training to spiritual contemplation - she seemed relatively normal until she reached the age of eighteen. At that point the novices of her order were required to spend a week in silent meditation. During her test Risha experienced her first ever mystical experience when she had a vision of a past life. She suddenly knew with absolute certainty that she was the long dead pirate king 'Red' Rakar reincarnated decades after his death as a human woman. As soon as she could Risha slipped away from the monastery for the coast, her mind aflame with a mix of hazy memories of another life and the promise of a future of adventure on the high seas. She dreams of rediscovering the vast fortune in gold she had won as 'Red' Rakar, a fortune she knows is somewhere out there if only she could remember where!
Name: Eurus Race: Aarakocra Class: Sorcerer (Storm Sorcery) Background: Barroom Talespinner (entertainer bg used as placeholder) Backstory: Perhaps it is strange for an Aarakocra to feel drawn to a life at sea, but Eurus was raised on the stories of daring ocean adventures and swashbuckling pirates. Enamored with these tales from a young age, Eurus eventually left behind the updrafts and jagged cliffs of his coastal home to find his own adventure. Naive and enthusiastic, his expectations were soon met with the reality of what a brutal, bloody life piracy was. Not one to be put off so easily, nor one to learn from his mistakes, Eurus continued his cheerful wandering from town to town on the coast, trading stories and inspiring the same awe and wonder he felt hearing the very same tales as a child. Each telling of his seemed more animated then the last, almost coming to life, until the day that Eurus was describing a terrible storm that had caught a trade ship in its grasp. The scene felt almost real, as if he could reach through a veil of some kind and feel the raindrops on his talons, and suddenly, a real crack of thunder resounded throughout the tavern, shaking tables and flagons. It was not unheard of for his kind to have some command over the winds, but this was something else entirely, something more powerful. And perhaps, it was Eurus' opportunity to finally have an adventure of his own. Character Sheet:Eurus Image:
Backstory: "Ain't got no story, chum-bucket. Just another beast what got carried out to sea and fell in love with her. Floated about with a whaling ship awhile; might sail with them again if nothin' better washes up. Been getting an itch in the back of me head though. You know what I mean? Like if I don't go a-roving soon I may just take this cleaver and smash the whole bloody place to absolute smithereens. Lash all the bits together and sail with the tide. I mean just REALLY get creative... I'm just joking, fishguts! Promise! Stop asking stupid questions. Now, if you don't play a card I WILL break your fingers."
Brief Backstory: Nemit is a drunk. He uses it to hide from things in his past that he would rather not share with his current crew. Solitary when roused can become a ferocious fighter and defender of his crew. When in a good mood, he cracks jokes at himself and other crewmates. If in a foul mood he uses his words to cut at the core of those around them. He is in a constant flux of pushing people away and wanting to make new connections.
Note: This backstories contains locations from the forgotten realms, as it was originally created for Storm King's Thunder. I do not know enough about this world to change the locations, but I would be happy to work with you in order to edit my backstory slightly.
Note #2(temporary): I currently do not have a character sheet, but I just realized that I have an open slot. Character sheet on the way.
Backstory: Lucernae was born in a small, quiet village. When he was growing up, he was obsessed with knowledge and the saying that "Knowledge is Power". He was completely devoted to his studies, and was always at the top of his class. It wasn't enough. When he was little, he would ask endless questions, the answers of which his elders often didn't know. He started questioning the things that people thought they "knew".
When he grew up, he devoted himself to the quest of knowledge. He wished to know all the things in the world, whether or not they were worth knowing. When he was 23, the lord of Neverwinter somehow heard of him. He requested that Lucernae serve him in his private library. Of course, as this would give Lucernae access to even more works, he agreed.
Eventually, Lucernae decided that he would like to go to candlekeep. As an offering to their scholars, he began creating a compendium of all of his knowledge, magical and otherwise. He had to split the compendium into 8 thick volumes in order for them all to fit. With the lord of Neverwinter's permission, he used these wonderful works to make 8 trips to Candlekeep, gaining more and more knowledge each visit.
On the 8th visit, however, he stumbled upon a special tome. In it, Lucernae learned of a treasure hoard in Waterdeep. He researched this treasure hoard, and finally located it. Supposedly, it hid a great historical artifact. He hired a group of adventurers to raid it, and purchased the staff. However, upon presenting it to the lord of Neverwinter, his face turned white and Lucernae was kicked out. Puzzled, he studied the staff.
Upon closer inspection, he discovered that the staff held a Djinni. Upon further investigation, Lucernae discovered that the previous lord of Waterdeep used the staff as a way to trap elemental genies. Curious, he summoned the Djinni. Unfortunately, the Djinni trapped Lucernae and threatened to kill him unless he would give him something of value. Desperate, Lucernae offered his services in exchange for power. He promised that he would provide the Djinni with all the knowledge that his quest would give him. Satisfied with his bargain, the Djinni lent some power to Lucernae and stripped the binding crystal of its power.
Lucernae then became an adventurer, as now he had the power to conduct investigations and uncover secrets in dangerous places. He began to wander around, and found himself in Port Peril.
I'll take standard array, though I would prefer rolling.
Since my application makes three storm sorcerers, I'll change it some, if you don't mind. The name and race are the same.
Class: Druid (Circle of Stars planned) Background: Ancient Explorer (Astronomer) - Sage used as placeholder Backstory: Born to the open air and nomadic culture of his family's tribe, Eurus is no stranger to a life of wandering. He was trained from a young age in the art of mapping the heavens and navigating by starlight, an essential skill for each member of his clan. His tribe as a whole was famed for their accurate astronomical charts, but Eurus always felt a deeper connection to the heavens, setting him apart from his peers. However, his skills as a navigator and astronomer were hampered by a wanderlust to rival even the nomadic nature of his tribe. He wished to truly explore the world, to find new lands and people, instead of worrying about where his clan could make their home each month. And so he left, with the blessings of his tribe, to explore past the edge of his peoples' maps and charts. His travels have led him here, to Port Peril. And what better way is there to explore the unknown than by sea? Ability Scores: Point Buy Character Sheet:https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/98590001 Image (previous post image also applies):
Didn't have a chance to loon at this today at work and my home PC was acting up on me. But the quick glance I just gave on my phone is very exciting.
We will def have enough applicants to close recruiting in Thursday like planned. I will select party members by EOD Friday and then game play will be planned to Statt on Monday.
More to come! Will hopefully get a fuller update tomorrow sometime.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Founding Member of the High Roller Society.(Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
Name: Roscoe Race: Reborn (Satyr) Class: Barbarian Background: Dockside Brawler (The Drowned) Backstory: Roscoe's life ended quite painfully. A few heavy stones were tied to his legs and he was dropped into the waters by Port Peril, the last few things he remembered were the light of the moon pushing through the water and how chilly it felt on his skin. Of course, the suffocating agony of water flooding his lungs was also there. He did not expect to wake up at the bottom of the sea, however. It seemed like he really did sleep with the fishes, and upon waking up from a painful dream that was his previous life, the need for breathing was gone. Soon after he surfaces, Roscoe discovered that the need for sleep and sustenance was gone too. He didn't feel quite alive, the anxiety of death sneaking up on him at any moment seemed to be gone. There were two particularly strong emotions that he felt. The need to smell the salt of the sea, feel the breeze on his skin, hear the splashing of the waves, which was strange and unfamiliar. The second one felt like home. An incredibly warm and burning desire for revenge, his hands pommeling those that anchored him to the bottom of the sea was only one of the few images that came to his mind. Port Peril became even less safe when the new Drowned broke the surface of the sea. Ability Scores: Point Buy Character Sheet: https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/98755396 (it's very clunky with the race and background being a placeholder, I will edit it with homebrew if accepted)
Xobawas created as a servant and protector for a temple of a long dead god on it's corpse in the astral plane. In the countless millennia, Xoba never aged or questioned her purpose. She was the last remaining servant alone in the ruins of the temple until a group of adventurers found her.
In a twist of fate, the group's bard convinced her to join the group and explore stars rather than remain faithful to the purpose of her creation.
Misfortune befell that group before much of that nascent dream could be fulfilled. She was stranded on a planet after the rest of her ship and crew were destroyed in a pirate attack. The stars still call to her, though, and they guide her path into the future.
Tomasi is using his last silver pieces for hard spirits when the mate approaches him, the mate's teeth are missing in the main part and those that remain are yellowed ... or true gold. The mate sits on the stool next to him, and smells of old sweat.
"You Tomasi Trickshot?"
There's only ale in his hand. This could be interesting. "I am," says Tomasi.
"Swam out the Eye of Abendego, that Tomasi Trickshot?"
"Ain't nobody that swims through the Eye," says Tomasi. He takes a deep slug of the spirit and feels the burn. " 'cept me of course."
The Mate nods, spins on his stool to face towards the bar, same as Tomasi. He's silent for a while, then nods again, and Tomasi watches him out the corner of his eye.
"Know a ship that needs someone touched by the sea," says the Mate. He places a gold piece the size of a grown man's eye on the bar. "Gold. Lots of gold in it."
Tomasi says nothing. Says nothing for so long that eventually the Mate makes to stand, moving to swipe his gold piece back. Tomasi puts a hand on his wrist, stopping him. He finishes his drink.
"Aye. I'll come." As Tomasi stands he finds an old song from his childhood on his lips and he hums it all the way down to the docks. "For love of gold, lead me thither. For love of the sea, I care not whither."
Free will is a concept that many underestimate. They are so trapped in their routines and repetitive lifestyles that they feel they have no choice, that this pressure or that forces them to keep doing things as they do, or always have done. There is no other option available to them... They don't know what it is like to be part of a hivemind, where your every though is part of a directed collective, your actions dictated by another entity, the concept of free will is truly unthought of. There is literally no choice for one associated to that hivemind, yet there is also no concept of any other way of existing.
Aardyxarasyqwissalen, or Aard'len for short, was part of a rogue creed, who broke away from their Elder brain. Aard'len knows their creed-kin are no more, their minds no longer reach each other. For the first time in their existence, Aard'len must make decisions to keep themself alive. They have watched this world as a lion watches the ants, aware of it but apart from it. Now they must experience new sensations, engage with these loud and unsophisticated cattle, to challenge everything they have ever known to escape the reaches of the Elder brain that they broke free from.
The Elder Brain's reach and influence extends wide across the land from it's underground hold, so the most logical way to avoid it is to stay moving. To go where they cannot be found, for their ilk are not kindly taken to in these lands and word from passers by be heard in many an ear... even if it is an uncouth means of communication. Yet as they pondered their flight, the answer became clear, they must take to the sea; where tongues are captive and encounters are controlled and minimal. Yes, a ship would serve their purpose nicely for now.
Just a couple of days left until we close recruitment and select the crew. I have time tonight to answer pending questions and get up a new applicant roster for any late comers.
@AgniGnu, Homebrew is not going to be accepted, primarily because I can't be bothered to look at it to make sure its balanced. Too much of a headache. You are welcome to switch to Yuan-ti or to use custom lineage to get the flavor of character you want within restrictions that WoTC feels would make for a balanced race (the way PolarBearSoup did).
Berry Belkra - the Feylost Fairy Fighter Mamawati - the Touched by the Sea Water Genasi Paladin Sasha Varkaris - the Human Pirate Warlock Anmita - the Tabaxi Fighter with an eye for plunder Dekket Kakrow - a tiefling rogue (swashbuckler) Hakarl - the Dragonborn Druid Cook Kirun - the Dhampir Bard with a penchant for Barroom Talespinning Darvas Ughedath - The Triton Rogue with Buccaneer's Blood Doc Ward - the Human Artificer that has served as Ships Chirugeon Vroki Stormcaller - the Goliath Storm Sorcerer Shipwright (this background is fine...you don't have to use one of the homebrew ones...just wanted them to be available since they bring some of the flavor of the AP) Viridian - the Triton Wizard with an eye for plunder (you mentioned possibly going towards bladesinger...so to predict and preempt the question, I hate that they made it a racial specific subclass. Nothing in that subclass screams elf exclusive to me, so I have no problem with a Triton taking it if that is what you decide you want to do). Styrmir - the Water Genasi Storm Sorcerer with Besmara's Blessing Latimer Trumador - the Human Tempest Cleric Sailor Katarina Summer Blossom of the Mystic Paws - the Noble Tabaxi Barbarian Risha - the Human Monk with Bucaneer's Blood Euros - the Aaracokra Ancient Exploring Druid Coral Kingfisher - the Firbolg Barbarian that was Touched by the Sea Nemit - the Shifter Monk Sailor (The character sheet link appears to be broken...may want to try again) Lucernae Dominus - the Sagacious Half-Elf Genie Warlock Roscoe - the Reborn Satyr Barbarian with the history of Dockside Brawls (just need a character sheet for a full submission) Xoba - the {race TBD} Druid Tomasi Trickshot - the Human Fathomless Warlock that was Touched by the Sea Aard'len - the Custom Lineage (Illithid) Aberrant Mind Sorcerer (just need a character sheet for a full submission)
Artificer - 1; Barbarian - 3; Bard - 1; Cleric - 1; Druid - 3; Fighter - 2; Monk - 2; Paladin - 1; Ranger - 0; Rogue - 2; Sorcerer - 3; Warlock - 3; Wizard - 1 disclaimer, I am no longer confident these counts are correct...I may very well have missed updating something or updated something twice while updating the roster...lets say that they are mostly correct and a decent estimate.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Founding Member of the High Roller Society.(Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
Can I ask: lore wise, are there any particular details that aren’t spoilery to give away about pirate culture or more law abiding culture?
Do the pirates have a pirate king, do they do shares of treasure, or vote on missions or such?
PC wise - is it the case that the chosen squad will be new deck hands / assorted crew members, or officers working for a captain, or the ship owners?
Lastly, the only truly important question, are you amenable to having a warlock flavour their Eldritch Blast and arcane focus to resemble shooting a flintlock pistol?
Added the character sheet per your request
Name: Styrmir
Race: Water Genasi
Class/Subclass: Sorcerer (Storm)
Background: Besmara’s Blessing
Backstory: Styrmir was born under auspicious circumstances, on a wave-tossed ship at the height of a 100 year storm on the inland sea. Some say he was born with a blessing from the Pirate Queen herself and is bound for a great destiny. In any case, a connection to the storm and the elemental plane of water has left him with a deep calling to the sea. He is in Port Peril looking for a ship’s crew to join, he’s heard that they are alway looking for those with connections to the sea and the sky such as himself. He is looking to start down the path of getting a ship of his own. Who knows, maybe greater things are in store for him after all.
Ability Scores: Standard Array
https://ddb.ac/characters/98461339/tqrv7a
Bounces,
"Ability Scores: We will be going with Standard Arrays or the Point Buy Equivalent. While I love rolling for stats, it can create winners and losers and starting at level one those differences seem to be even larger."
I'm not looking to join, just wanted to let you know that I for one really appreciate that sentiment! Most game enjoyment can be ruined by random stats. The PnP paper group I have been part of for the past decades had determined this after one player had rolled 18 18 18 18 18 17 for stats back in the 1st Edition days. We had tried more fair rolling systems after that with various success, eventually coming up with our own version of what is being used now.
Though I would love to play in a high seas adventure (Most games here are land based), I am currently running a campaign in the forums myself. If this works out for you, perhaps I'll join if you run this campaign again in a few months.
Good Luck with your game!
Cats go Moo!
Thanks Bjorn! Best of luck in your games as well.
Left it too late to review character sheets again tonight...having a bit of a busy weekend, lol. But I can at least get a resummarized roster up and answer some questions.
ACoolNameHere: I am open to allowing previous party members from this AP and other games I have played in to apply, but everyone will get an equal opportunity to join the game. I will judge all submissions equally based on the contents of the submission and how I think the character will gel with the rest of the party. Frandal and Oberon have played with me before, but that does not give them a leg up. In fact I am in a different game with Oberon right now...so maybe I am getting sick of them. :P (just kidding).
Having said that, you are correct that it is less likely (but not impossible) that I will pick two characters with the same class. It could happen...Heck, we could have a crew full of clerics, that might be fun. But there are considerations. Anyone is welcome to submit a different character during recruitment...the only rule I have for fairness to all is you can only have 1 actual submission. So if you would rather put in something besides a rogue you can...but it does look like pretty soon we may have close to one of each class. At this point the only empty class counts we have are Barbarian, Cleric, Monk, and Ranger.
Looks like that was all the questions since last night? If I have missed yours please ping me or repost...I apologize.
New Roster!
Berry Belkra - the Feylost Fairy Fighter
Mamawati - the Touched by the Sea Water Genasi Paladin
Lucian Willwater - the Far Traveler Sea Elf Warlock- WITHDRAWNSasha Varkaris - the Human Pirate Warlock
Anmita - the Tabaxi Fighter with an eye for plunder
Dekket Kakrow - a tiefling rogue (swashbuckler)
Hakarl - the Dragonborn Druid Cook
Kirun - the Dhampir Bard with a penchant for Barroom Talespinning
Darvas Ughedath - The Triton Rogue with Buccaneer's Blood
Doc Ward - the Human Artificer that has served as Ships Chirugeon
Vroki Stormcaller - the Goliath Storm Sorcerer Shipwright (this background is fine...you don't have to use one of the homebrew ones...just wanted them to be available since they bring some of the flavor of the AP)
Viridian - the Triton Wizard with an eye for plunder (you mentioned possibly going towards bladesinger...so to predict and preempt the question, I hate that they made it a racial specific subclass. Nothing in that subclass screams elf exclusive to me, so I have no problem with a Triton taking it if that is what you decide you want to do).
Styrmir - the Water Genasi Storm Sorcerer with Besmara's Blessing
Artificer - 1; Barbarian - 0; Bard - 1; Cleric - 0; Druid - 1; Fighter - 2; Monk - 0; Paladin - 1; Ranger - 0; Rogue - 2; Sorcerer - 2; Warlock - 1; Wizard - 1
Founding Member of the High Roller Society. (Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
I have recently converted from PF, and always wanted to play this AP, but never got a group past the first few steps.
Latimer Trumador Human cleric 1 : Lost Mines of Phandelver
Name: Katarina Summer Blossom of the Mystic Paws
Race: Tabaxi
Class: Barbarian
Alignment: Chaotic... neutral, I guess? Good natured and friendly most of the time, but she's got some serious anger issues.
Picture:
Background: Noble
Personality: Katarina is equal parts elegant lady and bloodthirsty berserker. She enjoys dressing up a bit, to the extent that she has been seen going into battle dressed in a ball gown once. Being an oversized cat, she tends to be curious and playful when she's not in battle, though sometimes this can get her into trouble as she does not always know her own strength.
Backstory: Since she was a kitten, Katarina knew that she wasn't like her brothers and sisters. Her family was feline royalty, known for their skill in sorcery. But, while her brothers and sisters slowly learned to wield supernatural powers, Katarina found she simply couldn't tap into the strange abilities that her siblings used. She grew into a powerful and athletic feline, with great skill as a warrior. Yet she could not cast even the simplest cantrip. Over time, her frustration and resentment grew as the other kittens became respectable sorcerers and wizards, while she became the family disappointment. One day, when she was at her absolute lowest, her eldest sister began taunting her mercilessly. At that moment Katarina finally snapped, and lashed out in an uncontrollable rage. When she came back to her senses, Katarina realized what she had done... her sister was alive, but badly injured and terrified out of her mind. That very night, Katarina left the comfort of her parents' home, forsaking the trappings of royalty and setting out into the world as a common adventurer... and one day, she hoped that she could return and prove to her family that she is not a failure or a joke to be trifled with.
Character link: https://ddb.ac/characters/98554047/EG9h3h
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
Name: Eurus
Race: Aarakocra
Class: Sorcerer (Storm Sorcery)
Background: Barroom Talespinner (entertainer bg used as placeholder)
Backstory: Perhaps it is strange for an Aarakocra to feel drawn to a life at sea, but Eurus was raised on the stories of daring ocean adventures and swashbuckling pirates. Enamored with these tales from a young age, Eurus eventually left behind the updrafts and jagged cliffs of his coastal home to find his own adventure. Naive and enthusiastic, his expectations were soon met with the reality of what a brutal, bloody life piracy was. Not one to be put off so easily, nor one to learn from his mistakes, Eurus continued his cheerful wandering from town to town on the coast, trading stories and inspiring the same awe and wonder he felt hearing the very same tales as a child. Each telling of his seemed more animated then the last, almost coming to life, until the day that Eurus was describing a terrible storm that had caught a trade ship in its grasp. The scene felt almost real, as if he could reach through a veil of some kind and feel the raindrops on his talons, and suddenly, a real crack of thunder resounded throughout the tavern, shaking tables and flagons. It was not unheard of for his kind to have some command over the winds, but this was something else entirely, something more powerful. And perhaps, it was Eurus' opportunity to finally have an adventure of his own.
Character Sheet: Eurus
Image:
Name: Coral Kingfisher
Race: Firbolg
Class: Barbarian
Background: Touched by the Sea
Backstory: "Ain't got no story, chum-bucket. Just another beast what got carried out to sea and fell in love with her. Floated about with a whaling ship awhile; might sail with them again if nothin' better washes up. Been getting an itch in the back of me head though. You know what I mean? Like if I don't go a-roving soon I may just take this cleaver and smash the whole bloody place to absolute smithereens. Lash all the bits together and sail with the tide. I mean just REALLY get creative... I'm just joking, fishguts! Promise! Stop asking stupid questions. Now, if you don't play a card I WILL break your fingers."
Sheet: https://ddb.ac/characters/98597418/aF0vuM
Character Sheet
Option 2 for character sheet
Option 3
The character Sheet link updated.
This is my first attempt at play-by-post so please be patient with me.
I can't figure out how to upload photos if any can help?
Note: This backstories contains locations from the forgotten realms, as it was originally created for Storm King's Thunder. I do not know enough about this world to change the locations, but I would be happy to work with you in order to edit my backstory slightly.
Note #2(temporary): I currently do not have a character sheet, but I just realized that I have an open slot. Character sheet on the way.
Name: Lucernae Dominus
Picture:
https://imgur.com/a/xmuaMrL
Race: Half Elf (Standard)
Class (and subclass where relevant): Warlock, Genie
Sheet: https://ddb.ac/characters/98614013/fOF1A8
Background: Sage
Backstory: Lucernae was born in a small, quiet village. When he was growing up, he was obsessed with knowledge and the saying that "Knowledge is Power". He was completely devoted to his studies, and was always at the top of his class. It wasn't enough. When he was little, he would ask endless questions, the answers of which his elders often didn't know. He started questioning the things that people thought they "knew".
When he grew up, he devoted himself to the quest of knowledge. He wished to know all the things in the world, whether or not they were worth knowing. When he was 23, the lord of Neverwinter somehow heard of him. He requested that Lucernae serve him in his private library. Of course, as this would give Lucernae access to even more works, he agreed.
Eventually, Lucernae decided that he would like to go to candlekeep. As an offering to their scholars, he began creating a compendium of all of his knowledge, magical and otherwise. He had to split the compendium into 8 thick volumes in order for them all to fit. With the lord of Neverwinter's permission, he used these wonderful works to make 8 trips to Candlekeep, gaining more and more knowledge each visit.
On the 8th visit, however, he stumbled upon a special tome. In it, Lucernae learned of a treasure hoard in Waterdeep. He researched this treasure hoard, and finally located it. Supposedly, it hid a great historical artifact. He hired a group of adventurers to raid it, and purchased the staff. However, upon presenting it to the lord of Neverwinter, his face turned white and Lucernae was kicked out. Puzzled, he studied the staff.
Upon closer inspection, he discovered that the staff held a Djinni. Upon further investigation, Lucernae discovered that the previous lord of Waterdeep used the staff as a way to trap elemental genies. Curious, he summoned the Djinni. Unfortunately, the Djinni trapped Lucernae and threatened to kill him unless he would give him something of value. Desperate, Lucernae offered his services in exchange for power. He promised that he would provide the Djinni with all the knowledge that his quest would give him. Satisfied with his bargain, the Djinni lent some power to Lucernae and stripped the binding crystal of its power.
Lucernae then became an adventurer, as now he had the power to conduct investigations and uncover secrets in dangerous places. He began to wander around, and found himself in Port Peril.
I'll take standard array, though I would prefer rolling.
DMing:
Dragons of Stormwreck Isle
Playing:
None sadly.
Optimization Guides:
Literally Too Angry to Die - A Guide to Optimizing a Barbarian
Since my application makes three storm sorcerers, I'll change it some, if you don't mind. The name and race are the same.
Class: Druid (Circle of Stars planned)
Background: Ancient Explorer (Astronomer) - Sage used as placeholder
Backstory: Born to the open air and nomadic culture of his family's tribe, Eurus is no stranger to a life of wandering. He was trained from a young age in the art of mapping the heavens and navigating by starlight, an essential skill for each member of his clan. His tribe as a whole was famed for their accurate astronomical charts, but Eurus always felt a deeper connection to the heavens, setting him apart from his peers. However, his skills as a navigator and astronomer were hampered by a wanderlust to rival even the nomadic nature of his tribe. He wished to truly explore the world, to find new lands and people, instead of worrying about where his clan could make their home each month. And so he left, with the blessings of his tribe, to explore past the edge of his peoples' maps and charts. His travels have led him here, to Port Peril. And what better way is there to explore the unknown than by sea?
Ability Scores: Point Buy
Character Sheet: https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/98590001
Image (previous post image also applies):
Didn't have a chance to loon at this today at work and my home PC was acting up on me. But the quick glance I just gave on my phone is very exciting.
We will def have enough applicants to close recruiting in Thursday like planned. I will select party members by EOD Friday and then game play will be planned to Statt on Monday.
More to come! Will hopefully get a fuller update tomorrow sometime.
Founding Member of the High Roller Society. (Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
Name: Roscoe
Race: Reborn (Satyr)
Class: Barbarian
Background: Dockside Brawler (The Drowned)
Backstory: Roscoe's life ended quite painfully. A few heavy stones were tied to his legs and he was dropped into the waters by Port Peril, the last few things he remembered were the light of the moon pushing through the water and how chilly it felt on his skin. Of course, the suffocating agony of water flooding his lungs was also there. He did not expect to wake up at the bottom of the sea, however. It seemed like he really did sleep with the fishes, and upon waking up from a painful dream that was his previous life, the need for breathing was gone. Soon after he surfaces, Roscoe discovered that the need for sleep and sustenance was gone too. He didn't feel quite alive, the anxiety of death sneaking up on him at any moment seemed to be gone. There were two particularly strong emotions that he felt. The need to smell the salt of the sea, feel the breeze on his skin, hear the splashing of the waves, which was strange and unfamiliar. The second one felt like home. An incredibly warm and burning desire for revenge, his hands pommeling those that anchored him to the bottom of the sea was only one of the few images that came to his mind. Port Peril became even less safe when the new Drowned broke the surface of the sea.
Ability Scores: Point Buy
Character Sheet: https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/98755396 (it's very clunky with the race and background being a placeholder, I will edit it with homebrew if accepted)
Previous knowledge: never played it
Image:
Name: Xoba
Race: Yuan-ti
Class: Druid (Moving toward Circle of the Stars)
Background: Star Chart Navigator
Xoba was created as a servant and protector for a temple of a long dead god on it's corpse in the astral plane. In the countless millennia, Xoba never aged or questioned her purpose. She was the last remaining servant alone in the ruins of the temple until a group of adventurers found her.
In a twist of fate, the group's bard convinced her to join the group and explore stars rather than remain faithful to the purpose of her creation.
Misfortune befell that group before much of that nascent dream could be fulfilled. She was stranded on a planet after the rest of her ship and crew were destroyed in a pirate attack. The stars still call to her, though, and they guide her path into the future.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/98682217
Application: Tomasi Trickshot
Ability Scores: Standard Array
Race: Variant Human (feat Spell Sniper),
Class: Fathomless Warlock
Previous knowledge: not played this before.
Background: Touched by the Sea
Backstory:
Tomasi is using his last silver pieces for hard spirits when the mate approaches him, the mate's teeth are missing in the main part and those that remain are yellowed ... or true gold. The mate sits on the stool next to him, and smells of old sweat.
"You Tomasi Trickshot?"
There's only ale in his hand. This could be interesting. "I am," says Tomasi.
"Swam out the Eye of Abendego, that Tomasi Trickshot?"
"Ain't nobody that swims through the Eye," says Tomasi. He takes a deep slug of the spirit and feels the burn. " 'cept me of course."
The Mate nods, spins on his stool to face towards the bar, same as Tomasi. He's silent for a while, then nods again, and Tomasi watches him out the corner of his eye.
"Know a ship that needs someone touched by the sea," says the Mate. He places a gold piece the size of a grown man's eye on the bar. "Gold. Lots of gold in it."
Tomasi says nothing. Says nothing for so long that eventually the Mate makes to stand, moving to swipe his gold piece back. Tomasi puts a hand on his wrist, stopping him. He finishes his drink.
"Aye. I'll come." As Tomasi stands he finds an old song from his childhood on his lips and he hums it all the way down to the docks. "For love of gold, lead me thither. For love of the sea, I care not whither."
I'd love to put forward my wannabe Cthulu... An aberrant mind illithid Sorc who will eventually dip fathomless (for more tentacles) Warlock.
Name: Aard'len (DDB sheet)
Race: Custom Lineage (flavour as illithid)
Class: Sorcerer | Aberrant Mind
Previous Knowledge: Nope, nada, new to this.
Backstory (abridged):
Free will is a concept that many underestimate. They are so trapped in their routines and repetitive lifestyles that they feel they have no choice, that this pressure or that forces them to keep doing things as they do, or always have done. There is no other option available to them... They don't know what it is like to be part of a hivemind, where your every though is part of a directed collective, your actions dictated by another entity, the concept of free will is truly unthought of. There is literally no choice for one associated to that hivemind, yet there is also no concept of any other way of existing.
Aardyxarasyqwissalen, or Aard'len for short, was part of a rogue creed, who broke away from their Elder brain. Aard'len knows their creed-kin are no more, their minds no longer reach each other. For the first time in their existence, Aard'len must make decisions to keep themself alive. They have watched this world as a lion watches the ants, aware of it but apart from it. Now they must experience new sensations, engage with these loud and unsophisticated cattle, to challenge everything they have ever known to escape the reaches of the Elder brain that they broke free from.
The Elder Brain's reach and influence extends wide across the land from it's underground hold, so the most logical way to avoid it is to stay moving. To go where they cannot be found, for their ilk are not kindly taken to in these lands and word from passers by be heard in many an ear... even if it is an uncouth means of communication. Yet as they pondered their flight, the answer became clear, they must take to the sea; where tongues are captive and encounters are controlled and minimal. Yes, a ship would serve their purpose nicely for now.
Bring out your inner chatacter class...
Just a couple of days left until we close recruitment and select the crew. I have time tonight to answer pending questions and get up a new applicant roster for any late comers.
@AgniGnu, Homebrew is not going to be accepted, primarily because I can't be bothered to look at it to make sure its balanced. Too much of a headache. You are welcome to switch to Yuan-ti or to use custom lineage to get the flavor of character you want within restrictions that WoTC feels would make for a balanced race (the way PolarBearSoup did).
Berry Belkra - the Feylost Fairy Fighter
Mamawati - the Touched by the Sea Water Genasi Paladin
Sasha Varkaris - the Human Pirate Warlock
Anmita - the Tabaxi Fighter with an eye for plunder
Dekket Kakrow - a tiefling rogue (swashbuckler)
Hakarl - the Dragonborn Druid Cook
Kirun - the Dhampir Bard with a penchant for Barroom Talespinning
Darvas Ughedath - The Triton Rogue with Buccaneer's Blood
Doc Ward - the Human Artificer that has served as Ships Chirugeon
Vroki Stormcaller - the Goliath Storm Sorcerer Shipwright (this background is fine...you don't have to use one of the homebrew ones...just wanted them to be available since they bring some of the flavor of the AP)
Viridian - the Triton Wizard with an eye for plunder (you mentioned possibly going towards bladesinger...so to predict and preempt the question, I hate that they made it a racial specific subclass. Nothing in that subclass screams elf exclusive to me, so I have no problem with a Triton taking it if that is what you decide you want to do).
Styrmir - the Water Genasi Storm Sorcerer with Besmara's Blessing
Latimer Trumador - the Human Tempest Cleric Sailor
Katarina Summer Blossom of the Mystic Paws - the Noble Tabaxi Barbarian
Risha - the Human Monk with Bucaneer's Blood
Euros - the Aaracokra Ancient Exploring Druid
Coral Kingfisher - the Firbolg Barbarian that was Touched by the Sea
Nemit - the Shifter Monk Sailor (The character sheet link appears to be broken...may want to try again)
Lucernae Dominus - the Sagacious Half-Elf Genie Warlock
Roscoe - the Reborn Satyr Barbarian with the history of Dockside Brawls (just need a character sheet for a full submission)
Xoba - the {race TBD} Druid
Tomasi Trickshot - the Human Fathomless Warlock that was Touched by the Sea
Aard'len - the Custom Lineage (Illithid) Aberrant Mind Sorcerer (just need a character sheet for a full submission)
Artificer - 1; Barbarian - 3; Bard - 1; Cleric - 1; Druid - 3; Fighter - 2; Monk - 2; Paladin - 1; Ranger - 0; Rogue - 2; Sorcerer - 3; Warlock - 3; Wizard - 1 disclaimer, I am no longer confident these counts are correct...I may very well have missed updating something or updated something twice while updating the roster...lets say that they are mostly correct and a decent estimate.
Founding Member of the High Roller Society. (Currently trying to roll max on 4d6)
@Bounces
Race updated to Yaun-ti. Looking forward to navigating by star light.
Can I ask: lore wise, are there any particular details that aren’t spoilery to give away about pirate culture or more law abiding culture?
Do the pirates have a pirate king, do they do shares of treasure, or vote on missions or such?
PC wise - is it the case that the chosen squad will be new deck hands / assorted crew members, or officers working for a captain, or the ship owners?
Lastly, the only truly important question, are you amenable to having a warlock flavour their Eldritch Blast and arcane focus to resemble shooting a flintlock pistol?