Amid the bustle of Waterdeep, within the Castle Ward where barristers, nobles, and emissaries battle with word and contract, stands an inn not quite like any other. Before there was a Castle Ward or even what could be recognized as an ancestor of the City of Splendors, there was a dungeon, and in that dungeon begins the tale of the Yawning Portal.

In ages past, the mighty wizard Halaster built his tower at the foot of Mount Waterdeep and delved deep into tunnels first built by dwarves and drow in search of ever greater magical power. Halaster and his apprentices expanded the tunnels they found, worming out new lairs under the surface for reasons of their own. In time, their excavations grew into the vast labyrinth known today as Undermountain, the largest dungeon in all of the Forgotten Realms. Halaster eventually disappeared, as have all his apprentices, but the massive complex he built remains to this day.

For untold years, the secrets of Undermountain remained hidden from the surface world. Everyone who entered its halls failed to return. Its reputation as a death trap grew to the point that criminals in Waterdeep who were sentenced to die were forcibly escorted into the dungeon and left to fend for themselves.

All of that changed with the arrival of two men, a warrior named Durnan and a ne’er-do-well named Mirt. The duo were the first adventurers to return from Undermountain, laden with riches and magic treasures. While Mirt used his wealth to buy a mansion, Durnan had different plans. Durnan retired from adventuring and purchased the land on which sat the deep, broad well that was the only known entrance to the dungeon. Around this well he built a tavern and inn that caters to adventurers and those who seek their services, and he called it the Yawning Portal.

Welcome one and all to the Yawning Portal. For this thread, I shall be doing my Hardcore style of DMing. Which means injuries, smart enemies, and for bosses of the one shots and levels, will have their health maximized. For the pros of having multiple inspiration, ease of gaining inspiration, and a homebrew item that can change both battles and characters themselves. And to answer why I am not starting at Waterdeep Dragon Heist, is because I am in a real life game of it and do not wish to spoil myself on it. 

Now then, the following rules upon applications are as follows - 

• No races are banned except for homebrew, homebrew shall need review before being accepted.
• No class restrictions except for LoTR classes.
• Stats shall be standard array
• All adventurers shall start at level one.
• Selection shall be announced later, regarding if the process shall be random or balanced

The application form -

• Name:
• Race:
• Class:
• Backstory:

Which rules will you be using, 2014 or 2024? (If 2024, will it just be 2024 by itself or 2024 including backwards compatibility?) (Also, are we able to playtest any of the recent UA for 2024?)

Is this campaign being played here on Play By Post? Also is levelling milestone or XP?

• Name: Bunyip Bluegrim
• Race: Halfling
• Class: Rogue
• Backstory: 

  Bunyip Bluegrim was born into a bustling halfling community, where meals were celebrations and laughter was the town’s heartbeat. From an early age, he learned that a well-cooked meal could mend feuds, ease sorrows, and bring even the grumpiest folk together. Yet, while his hands were quick with a skillet, they were just as nimble with a set of lockpicks. Bunyip had a knack for slipping in and out of places unseen—a skill that found its use when townfolk needed lost heirlooms retrieved or an unfair merchant taught a lesson. As he grew older, he took his talents on the road, blending the art of thievery with his passion for food, believing that a well-fed friend was the most loyal kind.

  Eventually, Bunyip found himself manning the Yawning Portal's kitchen. He would hum as he stirred great pots of stew, offering sage wisdom between chopping onions and insisting that every problem—be it heartbreak, betrayal, or even a kingdom in peril—could be remedied with the right meal. But as he watched adventurers delving the depths beneath the Portal, the itch to explore and discover valuable items and magic began to consume him! And so, Bunyip tossed aside his apron and traded it for a small suit of leather armor - ready to explore Undermountain and perhaps find some rare ingredients for his culinary use!

Looks awesome, love dungeon crawls and official pre-written adventurers are always great to play through!

Name: Angus Ayrshire
Race: Minotaur
Class: Sorcerer (Divine Soul) 
Background: Urchin
Backstory: Angus' story began, like most minotaurs, in the depths of dusty labyrinth on the small island of Cetinos, as a dirt poor peasant living in an oppressive dictatorship. The king of the island was called King Kaligila, and he deeply believed in the prophecy that one day, the reincarnation of the ancient divine hero of light would be born into the body of a fine navigator, and that navigator would lead a crew of adventurers to the greatest treasure in the world, which Kaligila wanted for himself. Kaligila knew that minotaurs had the best innate sense of direction, so believed he would find the prophecised child of light amongst their race, and once they were found, they would lead him to the treasure. Therefore, he persecuted the minotaurs in his kingdom, forcing them into poverty so he could then divide families and kidnap young children without the disdain of other subjects, solely to find the reincarnation of this legendary hero amongst them, which happened to be Angus. However, whether by divine intervention, Angus' own navigational intuition, or a mix of both, at a young age he managed to escape the king's soldiers scanning the labyrinthine slums for the potential prophesised child, hiding away on a boat to the mainland of Faerun, docking at Waterdeep. 

Angus would then live through the rest of his childhood as an orphan in the city, which he quickly learnt like the back of his hand, thanks to his great directional senses. He had a few short stints working for pirates, plundering cash and treasure on the high seas as training for the grand adventure that he was destined to undertake, but when parts of his divine powers started to manifest, he knew that it was time to join a party of adventurers he could lead to the depths of Undermountain for the greatest treasure in the world, then, free his people from King Kalgila's cruelty. 

https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/147585517/oJAqBl

• Name: Xik
• Race: Kobold
• Class: Bard (College of Glamor at Level 2)
• Backstory: As a baby, she was put up for adoption, and adopted by a friendly human couple, whom she considered her mom and dad. Her dad was an entertainer who would perform at the Yawning Portal Regularly. When Xik was a little kid, her Mom took her to see her dad perform at the Yawning Portal, and fell in love with the performance, and decided then and there that she wanted to perform like her dad. Her parents encouraged her path and she began to learn how to play and perform. It didn't take long until she had even more talent than her dad.
  
  One day However, her dad grew terminally ill, and wasn't going to make it. on his death bed, her father blessed Xik and her performing ways, encouraging her to keep performing after he passes. He gave her his Lute to inherit, and she would perform with that Lute on the regular and to this very day. Her dad also told her something that he's never told her before. That he was an adventurer, a Bard. He was able to use his performances to use Magic! He reminded Xik about how much better of a performer she became, and told her that he would've taught her how to use performing for magic at a certain age if he wasn't about to die. After saying his final goodbyes, She then and there decided to keep performing to entertain people, like her father did. She also decided that she wanted to become a Bard like her dad and pursue that as her career.
  
  In fact, when she played at her dad's funeral, her grief and strong love for him was the spark where she was first ever able to use magic with a performance, adding emotional effect to the loving song she played in her dad's honor. From there, she would train herself and become stronger as a Bard and go on adventures herself to make a living. She also, like her dad, has become a regular performer for the Yawning Portal, entertaining guests and Fellow adventurers she's met and worked with in the past. She liked adventuring and found it to be a fulfilling career, but her heart would always be as a performer, and that was all the case to this very day! (She is the Kobold equivalent of 25 years old, and is able to drink)
  

Name: Granton Niethen
Race: V. Human
Class: Black Dragonborn
Backstory: Granton Niethen grew up in a provincial and secluded town, hundreds of years behind in technological advancement. However, this town had learned to befriend the woodland beasts, so they were, in a way, more enriched than any other civilization at the time. While there were few dragonborn in the town, Granton was still respected and loved. He lacked a breath weapon due to a rare mutation, but he didn't let that stop him from embracing his dragonborn heritage. Unfortunately, when Granton was young, and thus, still learning the ways of his people, the forest was quickly and brutally destroyed by a psychotic pyromancer mage and his minions. Granton was forced to flee, only taking a single wooden helm and some food with him, not knowing if any of his people had lived or died. 

Eventually, he came across a town, whose residents were kind enough to take him in. While there, he combined his affinity for nature with technology, improving the helm he brought from his homeland with steel and magic. It imbued him with the strength of the dragon, allowing him to harness his breath weapon and his draconic ancestry. Eventually, he set out, hoping to find out who-- or what-- destroyed his homeland, and intending to avenge his fallen friends, family, and relatives. Along his travels, he found the Yawning Portal, and decided to stay there-- for a while, at least. 

Name: Karina Blackstone

Race: Human (Variant)

Class: Cleric - Light Domain

Backstory: Karina Blackstone was born and raised in Daggerford. She was born to devout parents who attended the Morninglow Tower for services to Lathander frequently. As Karina was their third child and not in line to inherit the family's smithing business, she decided to join the Temple as an acolyte at age 13. Now 25 years old, she has spent the majority of her life in service to Lathander, serving as both spiritual mentor and protector to the people of Daggerford.

Recently Karina received word that she had been accepted to join the Temple of Lathander in Waterdeep, which was a great honor. Karina bid farewell to her family and made the long journey to Waterdeep, taking up residence in the Temple of Lathander. Having spent most of her life dedicated to the service of her god, the elders of the Temple thought it would be a good idea for Karina to explore the city and take her services to the people directly. Skeptical but curious, Karina decided to visit the most famous inn in the entire city, the Yawning Portal, because she had heard the stories about the massive dungeon that lay underneath.

Karina figured offering her services to adventurers was a good place to start in gaining more experience of the outside world and improving her combat skills. What better place to do that than the Yawning Portal?

Aluci Diggledeggle, Forest Gnome, Cleric. She spent most of her life in a remote temple of Sune. Recently she received a vision. Elder priest said it's a sign to recover relic lost by a travelling priest.

interested in the game, I am waiting to hear back on the rules (2014/2024) before putting a character down

Name: Ordin

Race: Tortle 

Class: Sorcerer 

Backstory: Ordin is a young Tortle just reached adulthood who has set out to make his way in the world. Raised in the temple by his father, a priest of Valkur, he has had cleric training but with the awakening of his sorcery was encouraged to follow his own path. He is easy going and friendly. Despite his being raised in the temple he is not one to be a stickler for pious behavior.

D&D Character Application - Caldrin Vex

D&D Character Application

Name: Caldrin Vex

Race: Forest Gnome

Class: Wizard (School of Illusion, planned at level 2)

Backstory:

Born beneath the mossy roots of the Ardeep Forest, Caldrin Vex always heard whispers others couldn't—fragments of forgotten spells, half-formed illusions flickering at the edge of reality. A prodigy among his people, Caldrin left home young, driven by an obsession with ancient arcana and magical misdirection.

Years later, as a promising apprentice under the illusionist Master Keld, he studied the nature of perception and the thin veil between truth and deception. That path led his mentor into Undermountain, lured by tales of a relic called the Mirror Core—a prism of pure illusion said to be crafted by Halaster himself. Keld never returned.

Now, Caldrin has come to the Yawning Portal, spellbook in hand, a flicker of vengeance in his chest, and a thousand questions on his mind. He isn’t driven by power or glory, but by the need to see what lies beneath the illusions of Undermountain—and to learn whether his mentor's fate was real… or just another trick of the dungeon.

• Name: Whisper
• Race: Tabaxi
• Class: Paladin (2024 or 2014)
• Backstory: 

  Born in the dense and whispering jungles of Chult, Whisper of Steel was unlike most of his kin. While others chased the thrill of discovery or the rhythm of their roving paws, Whisper had been captivated by the stillness of ancient temples and the order within them. He was taken in as a cub by a wandering priest of Torm who saw something unshakable in his gaze—perhaps a divine spark, or maybe just a rare focus for a Tabaxi.

  Under the discipline of the priesthood, Whisper trained in the ways of duty, courage, and justice. Yet, he never lost the innate curiosity of his people. His tail twitched at every untold tale, his ears perked at the mention of legends. The contradiction within him—fervent duty and reckless curiosity—would shape the soul of a paladin.

  Whisper has been in Waterdeep only a few weeks, having arrived on a supply ship from Chult. His coin is running low, and he’s taken refuge in the Yawning Portal. There, he preaches to the fearful adventurers over mugs of ale, sometimes ridiculed, sometimes admired. He watches the well at the center of the inn with burning intensity, waiting for the right companions and the right moment to descend—not for gold or glory, but to confront the shadows that mock righteousness.

  He carries with him a small stone amulet of Torm, a journal filled with questions for the divine, and the ceremonial spear of his lost jungle tribe, reforged as a symbol of his oath.

Name: Rhys

Class: Ranger/Cleric

Background: Sage

Race:Elf

Backstory: Rhys was an unremarkable sage. For hundreds of years he sat in his tower studying magic and documenting his findings. He was friendly with the other villagers but had become detached after witnessing the passing of multiple generations. For an elf attachment seemed foolish but Rhys would travel with the hunters of the village to get food when he needed. This became his only connection for an elf that lived among humans. As all things in life this had to come to an end. Cultists came without warning and within hours the small village was set ablaze. Rhys was lucky that his tower was far enough away from the main force. By the time Rhys noticed that there was an attack it was too late. He managed to help a few villagers but running seemed like the only option. All of the people and places Rhys knew were gone and all of his work was destroyed. Now Rhys finds himself in Waterdeep searching for gold and what to do next.

Name: Poe
Species: Human
Class/Subclass: Wizard (Diviner)
Backstory:
Poe was one of many nameless infants abandoned at the doorstep of a crumbling orphanage in Field Ward, in the outskirts of Waterdeep. His arrival was unremarkable—until other kids and caregivers people noticed his eyes. Even as a child, Poe’s gaze was unsettling, as though he could see through lies, masks, and even time itself. Rumors whispered that he could hear the dead and glimpse truths not meant for mortal minds.

Unbeknownst to the city's authorities, a section of the orphanage served as a clandestine Zhentarim hideout. This illicit arrangement, however, was a grim necessity; the criminals' dirty coin was the orphanage's primary lifeline, used by its desperate caretakers to shield the children from the city's harsher realities. The Zhentarim, ever watchful, soon fixed their predatory gaze on Poe's peculiar abilities.

They saw not a child, but a tool. Poe was swiftly conscripted, educated, and rigorously trained. His uncanny knack for reading minds and unraveling intentions made him an invaluable asset, enabling him to navigate the higher echelons of Waterdeep society. He became a conduit for their schemes, his intellect honed by a love for reading. But Poe was no fool; he quickly recognized the true nature of his handlers—power-hungry and utterly unscrupulous. He loathed them, and perhaps more so, he loathed himself for allowing their manipulation. Yet, the grim truth remained: the tainted gold he brought back was all that kept the orphanage doors open.

This agonizing internal conflict plunged Poe into a deepening spiral of alcohol and darker substances, seeking oblivion from his moral quandary.

"Perhaps there is another way to get money?" The thought surfaced through a haze of regret and stale drink. Poe awoke, his face stuck to a sticky wooden table, his mouth dry and bitter. He was in the Yawning Portal. "How... when did I get here?"

Appearance: Poe is in his early twenties, though his youthful features suggest someone much younger. He dresses with care—elegant, understated, and always in dark tones. He looks like a mix between a young Edgar Allan Poe... and Harry Potter.

Rules shall be the 2024 version. UA shall be allowed but not for Psion class, as it cannot be accessed via homebrew. The campaign shall be play by post and shall progress by XP.

Name: Arannis Ashweald
Race: Wood Elf
Class: Fighter (intending to go Purple Dragon Knight)
Background: Criminal

Backstory:
Arannis grew up in the alleys of Daggerford, his earliest memories filled with hunger and the scramble to survive. Orphaned young, he ran with a gang of street thieves who called themselves the Thistle Rats. They preyed on travellers and nobles too proud to guard their coin. Arannis became a deft hand with a bow, learning to pluck purses and loose arrows with equal precision. A failed ambush on a royal courier left him wounded and captured. His left eye is scarred by a blade and his fate seemingly sealed.

Instead of prison or the noose, he was offered something unexpected: a second chance. The courier he’d tried to rob was a retired Purple Dragon Knight, impressed by Arannis's nerve and raw skill. The knight arranged for him to be conscripted as a probationary trainee in a nearby garrison. The first months were brutal. Arannis was mocked, tested, and pushed to the edge. But something deeper stirred in him: discipline and purpose. He was no longer fighting just to live, but to protect.

He grew into his new identity slowly, like a bow being restrung. His aim, once used to steal, became his greatest asset on the training field. He still bore the rogue’s instincts, but now they were tempered by duty and loyalty to a cause bigger than himself.

Now Arannis wears his purple-trimmed with pride. His scar is a mark of survival, not shame. He toils to earn the next honour with the Knights: a small purple dragon wyrmling companion. To prove himself, he continues to train in the yard beneath the watchful towers of Waterdeep’s outer defences.

Appearance: 

 Name: Abishai Sturm

How does one upload images from their files into the forums? I can't get my Hero Forge Screenshot of my character to show up when I copy paste, or when I insert the image. with the tool shown above the text box.

Never mind! I found out how!