Backstory: The ocean had always called to him. He was a sailor, standing tall on deck, the ocean spray cool in his face, the warm sun drying him almost immediately. At least he was a sailor at heart. His attempts to live out his dream were disastrous. He seemed unable to keep his footing when the ship moved with the waves, and try as he might he just couldn't get the hang of the complex knots that the crew used. He was broken hearted, but found work on the docks, always near the sea.
Salty was in his teens when Valkur called him to service. He saw the longing in the young orc's heart, the pull of the sea that could not be satisfied. On the beach, as the winds howled and rain fell in sheets, the fury and awesome power of the sea was on full display. Under the flashes of lightening, waves crashing at his feet, Salty committed himself to the service of Valkur, god of the sea.
Appearance: Salty stands a bit over six feet, with olive gray skin and short blue hair. His under bite and slightly protruding lower k-9s (which look like small tusks) give him a bit of a perpetual scowl. This serious, slightly angry resting face earned him his name, although he is a friendly enough sort once you get to know him.
Oh this is beautiful, just beautiful. Question about posting frequency expected ... don't currently have my own internet connection though I'm working on it, and though I try and post at least once a week and most generally am able to get on every day or two I can't guarantee, and therefore am fine with being botted as needed, and understanding if a GM would still prefer not to deal with that uncertainty. If that's OK, please allow me to introduce the following character for your consideration:
--- a scout / spy build combining the warrior and rogue threads classes above with the following background, or specializing in one or the other if you'd prefer a single class character
Background:Urchin
Short Backstory:
As a boy, Antar el'Barmeqihad a dream. Someday, he would be a famous warrior, and the Caliph would see his merits after great deeds of valour done in defense of the beautiful Shahr al-Layali, the only home he'd ever known: and then Antar would be honoured, and elevated to the Captaincy of the Caliph's Guard. The fact that he was a bugbear, as a boy, did not enter into his dreams at all; much less an orphaned bugbear living by his wits among the meaner ziqaqs and souks of the city. It was a rude shock when he enlisted during the campaign against the Mamluks and found out what career paths where actually open to him on the basis of his size and race. But one of those paths was with the Nizari Ismailis, the elite scouts who were half legend, half object of scorn (I'm thinking a folk view that wavers between the two polar opposites of how hashashes are portrayed in some of the 1001 Nights tales, and something like the hashashin, understood as a semi-independent elite scouting and espionage unit as I believe ... or at least have read in a book by Edward William Lane ... they were in the historical saga of Beybars (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baybars) who was portrayed as a friend of their chieftain at the time (historically that would be Ala al-Din Muhammad III, Rukn al-Din Khurshah, or Shams al-Din Muhammad.).
Antar's natural wits and fluid, chameleon-like personality helped him to rise quickly among these shadow warriors. But he never forgot the feeling of bitterness and injustice that came with that first cold splash in the face of his dreams. An appeal to 'any who hold justice in their hearts' finds a ready path to his. And though he's known a thousand names in his checkered career, and gone by more than a few himself, the name of Malik al'Hakim ranks among the very few that form the honor roll of comrades he would have given life or death for as readily as he would for the Caliph. There is no question in his mind that the light of justice will overtake his killers, wielded by hands that have known more than their share of shadows and can weave unseen through them just as swiftly as they can wield khanjar or saif in the light of open day.
Appearance: (in most usual guises for missions in Sunni or Shi'a-equivalent areas, if such a religiopolitical separation exists in this world)
"Suddenly you become aware that a silent figure is beside you, gazing across at the khan where Malik was murdered with pupils that are fixed stone-black, stone-hard, stone-still in the sparkling gold pools of his eyes. No one heard him approach; and looking about you at the sun-washed marketplace, it is hard to find enough shadows collected together in one place to hide a khut much less a human. But this is no human; his emerald skin and sharply pricked ears proclaim him a bugbear. The onyx and gold star fastening his gold-trimmed red turban might proclaim something more about him for those who know its secrets: but such devices are common among the middle and higher ranks of Shar-al-Layali, and on that basis this still-eyed person might be anything from a well-to-do merchant of tizerais and other jewelry to a minor amir or faris in the caliph's court. His untrimmed red cloak and the simple palm leef 'fur' decorations on his turban and hair braids proclaim also that he follows the Sunni sect. Apart from that, there are no indications who or what he may be, or why he is gazing across at the murder scene with such silent-eyed attention. If anyone starts or shows signs of surprise questioning his sudden presence, he will turn his head slowly and fix his inquisitor with the same calm, analytic gaze that leaves them feeling the figure just learned more about them than they did about him. His left eyebrow raises enough for you to see there is a slight scar above it that turns it into a straight-handled bow like the character which makes one's statement a question in the most elegant Mahgribi script of Dariya. And his words are just as clear and just as uninformative as gazing into a still oasis pool that gives back only ones' own reflection.
'A good man died here, some little time ago ... may thy head long survive. Al'lah is all-seeing, but I too would like to know why, if it be His will.'He looks back and forth with a slow, almost imperceptible turning of his head after he has said this, perhaps to note whether there are any other listeners besides the ones he has addressed. Then he turns back towards the entrance of the khan and "resumes his wordless observation.
===***===
EDIT: excuse me, I'm an idjit. Of course for this build I want that ability distribution to be STR 10 DEX 15 CON 8 INT 13 WIS 12 CHA 14, with the same bonuses and adjusted STR/CON scores)
Short Backstory: Ustath was forced to grow up on the streets with her parents younger sister, Xeltial. Together, they would steal, cheat, and pickpocket not only to feed themselves, but others on the streets too. The Ophimyse family were heroes to the street-rats of Shahr al-Layali city. However, not long after she turned 18, the guards finally caught them! They took her parents away and killed her sister, Ustath was the only one to escape! After some grieving, she took it upon herself to continue what her family did, stealing to provide for those who can't provide for themselves. Not long after this would she find a random oil lamp in an alleyway. she figured she could sell it for some coin, but there was a genie inside. The genie, Ashtali was a cool dude and got along with Ustath easily. Once she told Ashtali about her family and her current mission in life, Ashtali offered to form the warlock pact, giving her magical powers that would help her continue her mission, and in return, Ashtali simply wanted them to just casually talk more often, for he was a lonely genie up until now. She fully approved and they formed the pact! After another while of continuing her mission much more successfully than before, not only did Ashtali become like a brother to her, but she saw a weird envelope floating in the wind one night... the letter from Salma Al-Hakim... It reminded her of how she lost her family, and decided that she wanted to help Salma and bring the justice for them that she wishes that she could have for her own family! With Ashtali's full approval, she set off to eventually find and meet Salma and everyone else who has recieved such letters (however the DM describes their meeting) to continue her mission in a way she hasn't done before.
I have chosen the players and messages have been sent. I thank everyone for their applications as it was a hard choice. If anyone should drop out, I will return here for further recruitment.
“Who killed Malik?” The voice echoes across the dry air in the stone chamber.
Footsteps—slow, deliberate—approach.
A figure steps into the center of the room. Humanoid. Wrapped head to toe in white cloth, only the eyes barely visible. From within his robes, he pulls a small bundle, wrapped in the same white fabric, stained dark—almost black. He tosses it to the floor.
It unfurls. A severed finger rolls out.
“I killed Malik.”
“Nooo!”cries Salma Al-Hakim, Malik’s mother. She kneels down in tears to pick up his son's finger. Her rose-scented letter bore no mention of mutilation, but her scream leaves no doubt.
The white-clad figure speaks again, his Common thick and broken.
“Adventurers. Headhunters. Two-bit investigators. Scum of the scum. I invite you—take the One Breath. This will be your grave.”
You all hear a: Click.
Perhaps a switch beneath his feet.
Windows slam shut. Darkness falls. A putrid cloud seeps from the corners of the room, thick and choking. It floods your nose, stings your eyes, numbs your thoughts.
Clink. Something opens. Clunk. Something closes.
All adventurers: make a Constitution saving throw.
---
OOC: Hello fellow non-chosen-one adventurers! You may be wondering: what’s going on?
I was thinking, there’s this bunch of cool characters eager for a deadly adventure—so what if we continued the story in another thread? Interested?
Here’s how the next “interview round” (lol) would work. If there’s interest—and the OP is okay with it—I’ll soon open a new thread in this forum to continue the tale in a slightly... deadlier (?) direction.
To apply for my of-course-not-totally-improvised adventure, you (and I) will need to meet the following conditions:
The original OP is fine with this.
You like this message here to say you're interested in the possible follow-up.
You already posted your character application before this post.
You find the new thread (yes, that’s your first investigation check 😉, DC 5).
Within 24 hours of the new thread going live (or your character succumbs to the gas—RIP), you must post in the new thread(not here):
The result of your Constitution saving throw
A link to your character sheet on D&D Beyond
Disclaimer: I’ve never DMed a play-by-post game. In fact, I’ve never played in one either. So this will be my first stab at the format and hopefully at you a shared adventure for all of us.
A new DM, a (for me) enormous number of players... what could possibly go wrong? Let’s have fun—or die trying.
Please do not use this thread for this purpose. I put a lot of thought into the setting and mystery. If you wish to create another adventure, then please do so in your own recruitment thread and please do not use what I have written here as a base.
Name: Salty
Race: Orc
Class: Paladin: Oath of Glory - Valkur
Backstory: The ocean had always called to him. He was a sailor, standing tall on deck, the ocean spray cool in his face, the warm sun drying him almost immediately. At least he was a sailor at heart. His attempts to live out his dream were disastrous. He seemed unable to keep his footing when the ship moved with the waves, and try as he might he just couldn't get the hang of the complex knots that the crew used. He was broken hearted, but found work on the docks, always near the sea.
Salty was in his teens when Valkur called him to service. He saw the longing in the young orc's heart, the pull of the sea that could not be satisfied. On the beach, as the winds howled and rain fell in sheets, the fury and awesome power of the sea was on full display. Under the flashes of lightening, waves crashing at his feet, Salty committed himself to the service of Valkur, god of the sea.
Appearance: Salty stands a bit over six feet, with olive gray skin and short blue hair. His under bite and slightly protruding lower k-9s (which look like small tusks) give him a bit of a perpetual scowl. This serious, slightly angry resting face earned him his name, although he is a friendly enough sort once you get to know him.
“Let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.” — Elrond
Oh this is beautiful, just beautiful. Question about posting frequency expected ... don't currently have my own internet connection though I'm working on it, and though I try and post at least once a week and most generally am able to get on every day or two I can't guarantee, and therefore am fine with being botted as needed, and understanding if a GM would still prefer not to deal with that uncertainty. If that's OK, please allow me to introduce the following character for your consideration:
===***===
Application
Name: Antar el'Barmeqi
Race: Bugbear
Standard Array distribution STR 10 DEX 13 CON 8 INT 14 WIS 12 CHA 15; racial bonuses chosen - +2 CON (10 final total), +1 STR (11 final total))
Class/Subclass: Rogue 2 (planned subclass: Mastermind) / Fighter 1 (planned subclass: Battle Master)
--- a scout / spy build combining the warrior and rogue threads classes above with the following background, or specializing in one or the other if you'd prefer a single class character
Background: Urchin
Short Backstory:
Antar's natural wits and fluid, chameleon-like personality helped him to rise quickly among these shadow warriors. But he never forgot the feeling of bitterness and injustice that came with that first cold splash in the face of his dreams. An appeal to 'any who hold justice in their hearts' finds a ready path to his. And though he's known a thousand names in his checkered career, and gone by more than a few himself, the name of Malik al'Hakim ranks among the very few that form the honor roll of comrades he would have given life or death for as readily as he would for the Caliph. There is no question in his mind that the light of justice will overtake his killers, wielded by hands that have known more than their share of shadows and can weave unseen through them just as swiftly as they can wield khanjar or saif in the light of open day.
Appearance: (in most usual guises for missions in Sunni or Shi'a-equivalent areas, if such a religiopolitical separation exists in this world)
===***===
EDIT: excuse me, I'm an idjit. Of course for this build I want that ability distribution to be STR 10 DEX 15 CON 8 INT 13 WIS 12 CHA 14, with the same bonuses and adjusted STR/CON scores)
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
Name: Ustath Ophimyse
Race: Golden Gragonborn
Class/Subclass: Warlock pact of the Genie
Short Backstory: Ustath was forced to grow up on the streets with her parents younger sister, Xeltial. Together, they would steal, cheat, and pickpocket not only to feed themselves, but others on the streets too. The Ophimyse family were heroes to the street-rats of Shahr al-Layali city. However, not long after she turned 18, the guards finally caught them! They took her parents away and killed her sister, Ustath was the only one to escape! After some grieving, she took it upon herself to continue what her family did, stealing to provide for those who can't provide for themselves. Not long after this would she find a random oil lamp in an alleyway. she figured she could sell it for some coin, but there was a genie inside. The genie, Ashtali was a cool dude and got along with Ustath easily. Once she told Ashtali about her family and her current mission in life, Ashtali offered to form the warlock pact, giving her magical powers that would help her continue her mission, and in return, Ashtali simply wanted them to just casually talk more often, for he was a lonely genie up until now. She fully approved and they formed the pact! After another while of continuing her mission much more successfully than before, not only did Ashtali become like a brother to her, but she saw a weird envelope floating in the wind one night... the letter from Salma Al-Hakim... It reminded her of how she lost her family, and decided that she wanted to help Salma and bring the justice for them that she wishes that she could have for her own family! With Ashtali's full approval, she set off to eventually find and meet Salma and everyone else who has recieved such letters (however the DM describes their meeting) to continue her mission in a way she hasn't done before.
Appearance:
Character Sheet: https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/147371899/tG3f90
I have chosen the players and messages have been sent. I thank everyone for their applications as it was a hard choice. If anyone should drop out, I will return here for further recruitment.
Good luck to all the chosen!
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
Balls to that! I say the Devil take them all...
(I'm not a good loser. Sorry, not sorry...)
Was a lot of fun to read all the applications here, hope the party will figure out the truth behind Malik's death :)
“Who killed Malik?”
The voice echoes across the dry air in the stone chamber.
Footsteps—slow, deliberate—approach.
A figure steps into the center of the room. Humanoid. Wrapped head to toe in white cloth, only the eyes barely visible.
From within his robes, he pulls a small bundle, wrapped in the same white fabric, stained dark—almost black. He tosses it to the floor.
It unfurls.
A severed finger rolls out.
“I killed Malik.”
“Nooo!” cries Salma Al-Hakim, Malik’s mother. She kneels down in tears to pick up his son's finger. Her rose-scented letter bore no mention of mutilation, but her scream leaves no doubt.
The white-clad figure speaks again, his Common thick and broken.
“Adventurers. Headhunters. Two-bit investigators. Scum of the scum. I invite you—take the One Breath. This will be your grave.”
You all hear a: Click.
Perhaps a switch beneath his feet.
Windows slam shut.
Darkness falls.
A putrid cloud seeps from the corners of the room, thick and choking. It floods your nose, stings your eyes, numbs your thoughts.
Clink. Something opens.
Clunk. Something closes.
All adventurers: make a Constitution saving throw.
---
OOC:
Hello fellow non-chosen-one adventurers! You may be wondering: what’s going on?
I was thinking, there’s this bunch of cool characters eager for a deadly adventure—so what if we continued the story in another thread? Interested?
Here’s how the next “interview round” (lol) would work. If there’s interest—and the OP is okay with it—I’ll soon open a new thread in this forum to continue the tale in a slightly... deadlier (?) direction.
To apply for my of-course-not-totally-improvised adventure, you (and I) will need to meet the following conditions:
Disclaimer: I’ve never DMed a play-by-post game. In fact, I’ve never played in one either. So this will be my first stab at the format and hopefully
at youa shared adventure for all of us.A new DM, a (for me) enormous number of players... what could possibly go wrong?
Let’s have fun—or die trying.
A surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one (if DM approves ofc).
I hope it works out but already thank you for offering to DM your own version of this story! :)
Please do not use this thread for this purpose. I put a lot of thought into the setting and mystery. If you wish to create another adventure, then please do so in your own recruitment thread and please do not use what I have written here as a base.
That's fair and I understand. I explicitly said I was waiting for your approval. This settles it.