Now I’m starting to think Drake is  from Jigow, just visiting his hometown between exporations. I know it’s not anything very exciting, but I am really not good at coming up with backstories on the fly. 

Making backstories is one of my favorite things. Unfortunately, I've never played a bloodhunter, so I don't know how to go about this. Also, we officially start the campaign later today.

My barbarian originated from Southern Xhorhas, born as the daughter of the chieftain of the Blood Helm tribe. However, her life took an unexpected turn when she was compelled to flee her homeland after defending herself against her abusive fiancé, an act that resulted in his demise.

@TheGreat_Breadman

While my character has a long and detailed backstory, if you could share some contents, I would like to explore a Wildmount subclass. I apologise for the late notice, and if you prefer a smooth campaign start, I'm willing to stick with my current barbarian.

I will look into it.

From what little Mov can remember he's from Emon, a son of a merchant family that just barely gained the social prestige as to send both he and his brother to the Alabaster Lyceum.  And though he'd recall having less than noble ambitions influencing his desire to study,  the exact details are as much a mystery to him as to the why and how he'd came to be awakening elsewhere in the world, and in a body not quite his own in more ways than one. 

At least that's the baseline idea I had for Mov, and one in which could tie in neatly with him being found by Quill, and later partnering up following some maybe false promises of some kind or another(details can be fleshed out together as need be). It could then be that they meet a certain barbarian on the run (and/or Drake during a return trip home), and subsequently tied up in work that would leave them traveling far afield(such as caravan guarding, pressed into temporary service by X organization, etc).

Then again since Drake, Ashurun, and Quil appear to be from the general Xorhas area, so could've just met up on one misadventure and decided to band together in pursuit of another prior to the beginning of the campaign. And at which point could meet everyone else! Up to you all~

On the subject of the alternative, as their origins in terms of world placement is mostly in the air, the Sophie(TheFriendlyArchfey), Emeraude(TheGreat_Breadman), and Mov could've met under similar circumstances. Perhaps for instance, provided neither Mov or Emeraude, they found themselves banding together to help Sophie find their ward, who'd been kidnapped. With Emeraude's and Mov's potential motivations, besides just being "nice" enough to assist, having a vested interest in the group that did the kidnapping due to some clues left behind.

All food for thought, and apologies for the wall of text.

Beautiful

That is really interesting. And I’ve honestly been wondering if it was possible Drake and Mov know each other from past exploration or a past misadventure too. 

Anything is possible in backstories. I've decided that my character briefly met someof the characters and maybe provided brief help. How's that sound?

It does sound good. 

OKay. I think we're ready to begin then!!

You have entered the Jumble, a large district of tangled roads and single-story buildings in the town of Jigow. Throngs of people, most of them orcs and goblins, move through the streets, laughing, singing, running, and sightseeing. All are enthralled by the raucous sights and sounds of the town’s Festival of Merit.

You hear snippets of conversations as people pass by: a goblin mother telling her children not to go near the baby horizonback tortoises, a drow guard in shining insectile armor complaining to his partner that his gauntlet was crushed by a hulking orc while arm-wrestling, and a pair of young orcs in swimwear hollering as they rush toward the banks of the Ifolon River.

All around you, colorful signs and banners point toward festival booths surrounded by cheering people. On this street alone, you can see a meat-pie eating contest near a shop mounted on the back of a massive tortoise, and on the other side of the road, a banner emblazoned with the words “Riddles and Rhymes: Unbeatable Riddles!” That banner points toward a three-story temple in the center of the Jumble. The town is yours to explore—where do you want to go?

‘Home….’  Drake thought. Sharp blue eyes looked around the festival. The raven haired man adjusted the position of his scholar’s bag and the quarterstaff and staff strapped to his back with a slight smile. ‘It’s good to be back for a little bit.’   He took another look around, before starting to check out the stalls.

"So, this is your home, huh?"

Ashurun speaks to Drake from behind. She is a tall woman, towering over most men of various races, including Halforcs and Goliaths.

Ashurun's arms are as thick as the waist of an average woman, and her thighs are like two tree trunks. Combined with her dark hair and the black fur she's wearing, one might mistake her for a grizzly bear standing on its hind legs.

"It's a good place. Tell me more about your homeland, Drake. What kind of festival is this? And… Hey! Is it an eating competition? I'm so hungry now."

OOC: So, I've decided to stick with my barbarian. Also, I love Mehmen's idea that Ashurun, Drake, and Quil met up in one misadventure!

*okay so I like the whole idea mehmen had for how Sophie, Mov, and Emeraude meet, but I also sort of like the idea that One of the other party members is the ward, but we could do either way*

Drake gave a hum, turning to look to the taller woman. “It is and agreed there.” He says. “It’s a rather peaceful fishing town, good spot to rest between expeditions I’ll say. And this is the town’s festival of merit, it usually has quite a few competitions. Seems we made it in time to see it.” At Ashurun’s last comment he gave a slight laugh. “After the time it took to get here, I admit it couldn’t hurt to check out the eating contest first.” The wizard admitted. He himself was about average hight for a human at 5’7. He wore a simple loose shirt and breeches, preferring a more simple style.

OOC: Sorry for the absence. I had to make spaghetti last night and then I had to eat the spaghetti.

Emeraude, a tall, muscular man with fiery red hair and tattoos of weretigers and werebears on his left arm looks out at the city. His right arm is marred with scars. He grunts. "Eh. It's okay."

"Well wasn't this a mistake and a half." Mov half-heartedly complained after only couple minutes of observing the festivities. Yet for all of the kobold's apparent discomfort, both spoken and otherwise, small, clawed, and white scaled still tapped to the beat of some of the singing going around town whenever the group stopped for more than a second. Outside of such moments, it's as difficult as always to tell how the Kobold feels at any given time, what with the brown plague doctor-like mask ever worn and further distorting that naturally raspy voice of his. In fact, with the exception of his tail and feet, much of his form is otherwise covered up in either layers of patched together clothing or gauze that seemed to serve more a aesthetic purpose over the practical/necessary, and making him appear perhaps more bulky than he actually was.

Though that hadn't changed the fact that was still a very small fellow! Tall by Kobold's standards perhaps in standing at 3' and change, but still! "Riddles and Rhymes? hmm... Now that sounds like a more entertaining time. But what do you think, Sophie?" He asks, sounding genuinely interested in the opinions of another.... for once.

(To TheArchfey: If you don't mind it being Mov, he can be the ward then. Could make for an interesting background mystery given the connection Vigil's share with their ward, and how he "died" but not quite)

“Could be an interesting Experience,” says Sophie, her angelic wings on the sides of her head fluttering slightly, as she does her best to keep her muted pink dress from getting dirty. Her warm green eyes look from place to place in the town, as do her four extra eyes, above her main ones and hidden by her vestigial wings and curly blond hair.

”Let’s try it,” she says, painted nails tapping against her back rhythmically. She takes out her pan flute and starts playing a neat, cheery little tune.

A short three foot tall kenku, wearing purple/black studded leather and a deep midnight blue/black cape walks closely to the side and sightly behind Ashurun. His gait a little odd as it is between a normal step and a hop, his body slightly turned to the side as he moves. Quill mimic's Drake's voice as he repeats the word "Home."

He continues along with his friends and new companions as they walk through the town. His head is on a constant swivel turning this way and that, so at least one of his eyes is able to clearly focus on the target of his curiosity. He feathered hands shaking and almost moving on their own as he sees the mass of shiny objects glistening in the sunlight.

Soon my jet black feathers will more blend into the darkness of the night, and then I can continue to practice, he thinks as he follows along.

“I do wonder what the riddles would be this time.” Drake commented. At Quill he gave a start and slight amused sound, turning to the small kenku. “I’m never going to get used to you doing that . “ He said, a playfulness to his voice. 

Emeraude looks at the Kenku uneasily. "Never been a fan of you bird folk. There is one thing I like about yer people though. I can teach ye the most horrible swears I know." He then because hurling swear words at Quill, hoping he'll commit them to memory and repeat them.