TIME ZONE: PST. (California over here, obligatory "west coast best coast," etc. etc.) D&D/PBP EXPERIENCE: I've been playing 5e for just about three years now, and PBP for about a third of the time -- although I've done forum roleplaying, without the dice rolling/tabletop element, for about fifteen or so years. Which, now that I write that, is wild to think about. DISCORD: Love me some Discord. YOURSELF: Let's see -- half the time I was growing up, I was living in a house with 20+ dogs; I currently work in the publishing industry; and my true gift is wildly air drumming alone in my kitchen. WHY SHOULD I PICK YOU: I just enjoy crafting narratives so, so much. I love character building, I love developing dynamics between characters (PCs and PCs! PCs and NPCs! All of the above!), I love exploring the nuances of characters and how they develop and change along the way. I love good stories, and I love messy stories, and I love things that make me think. And I love the collaborative experience of D&D -- just the opportunity to enjoy crafting something uniquely ours together. Having emotions about imaginary characters in an imaginary world is my favorite hobby, YOU KNOW?
TIME ZONE: I live on Eastern Standard time, but for the past couple weeks have been living in eastern quarantine time, I barely know what day it is anymore. D&D/PBP EXPERIENCE: I’ve been playing and DMing live dnd for 8 years, and been PbPing for the last 2 weeks. DISCORD: I have discord and am excited to learn how to use it better! YOURSELF: I’m a music teacher, and Dog dad, and a deep lore diver. I am generally very upbeat and personable, sometimes I’m even witty. I am extremely reliable when it comes to posting and responding. WHY SHOULD I PICK YOU: I am a very good team player and am very willing to make choices that are narratively interesting over mechanically effective (although if I could have both, then that would be the obvious pick). I really like to think out of the box when it comes to role play. If you picked me, I would do my best to work together with my other players and you to create the most enjoyable experience possible!
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Corinne Hemlock: Dhampir courtesan and dusk huntress Kraig Bronzeaxe: Dwarven archaeologist and guerilla archer
Would the following people please send me, in PM, a sample post about one of your characters (any of them, it doesn't matter) in a brief situation (doing anything, again, it doesn't matter). I'm trying to get a sample of your writing and style.
I wanted to take a moment and thank everyone who applied. I can honestly say that this was one hell of a tough choice to make, but I had to do it. I want to say that everyone had really good applications, so please don't take this personal if you didn't get picked this time around. A lot of things go into picking a player and it definitely was not easy to do, and believe me, if you didn't get chosen, you're not a loser. There will always be games out there, on here, to play.
I WILL BE SENDING THE WINNERS A PM ON BEYOND NOW to indicate they have been chosen, and closing recruitment. I know it's obvious, but I still have to say it: If you don't get a PM, you didn't get selected. And of course, once the game begins, you are welcome to be an observer.
"Welp, (Tex adjusts in his chair, tipping his chair back to put his foot up on the window frame. He strikes a bit of an imposing figure, even seated)
"I was raised out on a frontier town named Falcon's Reach out in the untamed wilderness by my mom. She was a firebrand of gnomish lady, taught me everything I know about arcana, which came in handy to make our lives better out on the edge of civilization. She built me a clockwork hound for my 10th birthday. Named her Fern, she's been my best friend ever since."(At this, he takes out a cigar, lights it up and takes a long drag).
"About 9 years ago, I started taking jobs to find things. Started by hunting down criminals, eventually built up to hunting down monsters and occasionally helping to fend off warbands of orcs, goblins, and the like for other frontier towns. (Tex's blue grey face softens a bit, like he is in pain at what he's trying to say) about a year ago, Fern and I got in over our heads on a job, She got really damaged (he pats a pile of parts peeking out of his pack) I don't have the know how to fix her yet, and I'm a long, long way from home. Anyways, I came here to Phandalin cause I heard you have problems of the draconic origin. The way I see it, there's gotta be some serious gold involved with taking care of it. The dragon might even have something interesting in it's hoard." (he grabs up his tankard of ale, and takes a long pull, setting the now empty jug back on the window sill)
"I try to keep a level head when on the job, I find it helps to get out of sticky situations. I'll level with you, I have an unhealthy thirst for information, I'm always trying to improve my craft. I don't think it will get in the way on the job, but I figured I'd give you a heads up, in case the situation arises." (He puts his foot back down and leans forward, resting his large, wiry arms on his knees and peers up at the group his steel grey eyes very striking from underneath his worn leather hat) "Now, we know each other alright, and I think I've given you a window into who I was, and who I am now, but if we're gonna take on a dragon eventually, it might behoove us to know a little more about each other."
It's been two days since you last saw the quiet elf dressed in dark leathers. He slipped off into the woods while the wagon made its way down the Triboar Trail towards Phandalin - you thought maybe he'd run off. But now here he is, sitting in the back corner of the tavern...waiting for you. He's about halfway through a meal of stew and bread and is sipping on a mug. You notice him squint until the heavy wooden door closes out the bright sunlight, and remember that he always has his hood pulled low over his eyes during the day, but by the tiny gods he could see everything at night - and farther away than anyone else. He must be part owl.
But no...based on his silver hair, dark skin that looked like coal, and eyes so pale they were almost white, you know what Lanarial is. A dark elf. Drow. The boogeyman of your childhood and who farmers told tales about to keep their children in line. Yet, this one didn't seem that bad. Quirky, sure. Quiet until you got to know him. But not a bloodthirsty marauder come to steal your daughter away into the Underdark.
Since leaving Neverwinter, he had certainly been useful as a scout and hunter. He was deadly accurate with his short bow, and you had even seen him practicing a series of strikes and flurries with his short sword and dagger away from the group. Although he could probably pick the lock of the iron-bound chest under the wagon drover's seat in five heartbeats, he had never even glanced at the goods in the wagon. And the caravan master checked everything time and again, just in case. He was a Drow, after all...there must be a story there somewhere. His kind were rarely seen and usually hunted down. Yet here he was, hiring himself out as a caravan guard. Or maybe we was just looking for a group to travel to Phandalin with...
Vi looked around the camp, looking for a torch so she could burn the place. A few bodies lay scattered here and there, but she'd been careful not to engage too many at once.
One by one, as they scouted or hunted, she'd tracked them, let them catch a glimpse of her tunic (the gold reflected the light well, when she wanted it too) or the light off her blade, and lured them further and further into the forest. Then began the careful game of sending bolts of ice, then fading into the trees. Finally, when they were weak, she finished them off with Kaua. Now, the blade rode comfortably in its sheath across her back.
There, a torch. She picked it up, and it lit with silver fire. She touched the flames to a tent, watched it light, the fire racing across the oiled fabric faster than a galloping horse. Stepped back, continued on her work.
Once she'd taken down four of the six bandits in this group in the woods, she'd finally attacked the camp. Enchanted her armor, waited an hour to regain the power, then started with silvery bolts that brought down the first bandit in seconds. The other one, she took care of with ice, fire and blade quickly enough.
Vi watched the camp burn from the trees. Talav rode the updrafts above, watching for those who would be inevitably attracted by the smoke. She'd already left her mark beside the body of each dead bandit, but she wasn't quite finished. Unsheathing her dagger, she moved to a tree the guards would easily see when they came upon the camp. She didn't need to check her blade's pommel anymore to make sure she got the glyph exactly right. She'd written it enough to know it by heart, every line and stroke.
The patrol found the camp a few hours later. The new recruits looked a little shocked by the destruction, but the captain knew what to look for. One of the trainees glanced over. "Uh...sir, what're you doing by that tree?"
The captain stepped aside so the recruit could see the glyph carved into the tree. "It's ancient Elvish," he explained. "Means 'raven'. Because that's who did this." When the trainee looked confused, she chuckled and explained a little more. "Local. Been hunting bandits down for...oh, it must be thirteen years now. Comes into town once in a while, half-elf with greyish green eyes named Silvi. But the bandits know her as the Raven."
Vi took another drink of her mead as she listened to the conversation around her. Nothing new...a group of bandits getting closer to Triboar, might want to do something about that...then her ears picked up on something else.
"-and that damn wyrm is just getting bolder! I'm telling you, someone's got to do something about Cryovain, or we'll all end up subservient to that thing."
Vi sighed. Already, she could hear her father's voice. "No, Silvi, stay out of it. It will sort itself out in the long run." She shook her head. She was never good at listening to him anyway...
Ten minutes later, Vi stepped out of the inn, knowing what her destination was. Talav dropped from his perch on the roof to land on her shoulder, giving a soft caw. Phandalin. She sighed and fed Talav a piece of raw beef from the kitchen. Hopefully Sister Garaele wouldn't be at her shrine - the elf was damn nosy, just because she knew Dad. And then there was that captain who was always watching her...
Vi shook her head, scowling. No point in dwelling on hopes. She'd learn who was there soon enough. And it didn't matter anyway. She was going for the dragon.
"Among the ancient clans of the highest peaks, there is a saying: 'Never trust a lowlander.'
They have another saying as well: 'The greatest shame to the empty-name.' To the tribe of Gareth-Wyn, a name is more than a gift and a birthright - it is a record of valor past and a promise of deeds to come. A lowlander might call it a reputation, even a legacy. For Gareth-Wyn, it is only the Name.
Following in ancient traditions passed down from the council of giants, I left my people on my 16th nameday to become Clanless, alone in the world until the day when I acquire a Name worthy of my ancestors. In the sixteen years since, these lands have been all too quiet and peaceful - my time in the Neverwinter Guard brought me no honor.
Now, my comrades write to me, and tell of a white dragon that stalks the high passes near Phandalin. A worthy hunt for a worthy Name.
This is why I come to Phandalin. This is what I seek."
Finished speaking, he takes a deep drink from his waterskin and regards you with flinty eyes speckled with tiny flakes of gold. Those of you who traveled the road south from Neverwinter with the towering goliath know that this short speech already supersedes the daily average of his vocabulary use. He is not likely to speak again until next sunrise.
Iridansa, or Iri for short, grew up frolicking in the water, pranking the land dwellers, and generally living a pretty carefree life. She lived not too far off the Sword Coast with her sea elf clan. A deep love of nature and the creatures of the sea ran strong in her blood. She would have been happy never leaving her clan and living her carefree life for the rest of her life. But she was the daughter of the current chieftain. This meant that when she turned 100 she had to leave the colony and explore other parts of the world for at least the next 50 years. This is to make the next chieftain have an understanding of the world outside of their small clan. On her 100th birthday her father gave her a the family staff, an ornately carved piece of wood that has been enchanted to never get wet or rot. It is a relic of before her clan went under the waves. Stepping onto land, Iri clutched the staff close to her chest as the world she had never experienced opened up in front of her.
There were so many places she could go, it was overwhelming. The mountains towered before her, tall and imposing. To her right is a large horrendous smelling wet land. How do people make water smell so bad? She wonders to herself as she wanders towards the road before her. Beyond the road looms a tall forest. Something within Iri was calling her to the forest. As soon as she stepped into the woods, she felt at home. Her people had come from the woods and now she had returned. She fell in love with the beauty of the land. The world around her was so full of life and beauty. She felt the call pulling her towards somewhere deeper in the forest. As she wandered on she found a small clearing in the woods. As soon as Iri stepped into the clearing she felt an immense presence. Sitting down, she began to meditate. As time slipped away from her as she connected to the forest. She could feel the heartbeat of the forest.
When she awoke she felt the heartbeat still inside her. The calling her had felt was still there leading her out into the rest of this vast world she could explore. She was enthralled by this new world and now wanted to see even more. Wandering back out onto the high road, she met a small caravan going South towards Phandalin. As the others gossiped about the dragon near the town she felt the calling again pulling her towards it, a threat to nature and the beauty of the world.
PHANDALIN HISTORY The frontier town of Phandalin is built on the ruins of a much older settlement. Hundreds of years ago, the old Phandalin was a thriving human town whose people were firmly allied with neighboring dwarves and gnomes. Then an orc horde swept through the area and laid waste to the settlement, and Phandalin was abandoned for centuries. In the last three or four years, settlers from the cities of Neverwinter and Waterdeep have begun the hard work of reclaiming the ruins of Phandalin.
THE WHITE DRAGON The new settlement is home now to farmers, woodcutters, fur traders, and prospectors drawn by stories of gold and platinum in the foothills of the Sword Mountains. The arrival of a white dragon threatens to destroy all that they’ve worked to rebuild. This is where you all come in. You and your friends heard a rumor of this white dragon and decided this would be an opportune time to earn fame, gold, and glory! What a perfect way to start your new career as an adventurer!
THE ADVENTURE BEGINS Nestled in the rocky foothills of the snow-capped Sword Mountains is the mining town of Phandalin, which consists of forty or fifty simple log buildings. Crumbling stone ruins surround the newer houses and shops, showing how this must have been a much larger town in centuries past.
Phandalin’s residents are quiet, hard-working folk who came from distant cities to eke out a life amid the harsh wilderness. They are farmers, stonecutters, blacksmiths, traders, prospectors, and children. The town has no walls and no garrison, but most of the adults keep weapons within easy reach in case the need for arms should arise.
Visitors are welcome here, particularly if they have coin to spend or news to share. The Stonehill Inn at the center of town offers modest lodging and meals. A couple of doors down from the inn, posted outside the townmaster’s hall, is a job board for adventurers.
TASKS 1. Go ahead and mingle among yourselves. You've all known each other for a little bit as you've spent some time travelling south to Phandalin and have heard rumors of the white dragon. Role-play, interact with one another, and explore the town if you'd like. 2. Check out the job board. This is where you can accept quests and get paid - not to mention move the story forward! 3. Have fun. Ask questions and lets keep out of character chat in Discord.
MOMENTUM AND CHAOS Momentum is a currency players can accumulate in a group pool and spend, and Chaos is a currency the DM can acquire and spend.
HOW TO GET IT: PLAYERS generate Momentum and Chaos. DM rolls do not generate Momentum and Chaos. - MOMENTUM: Rolling a nat20, in addition to all of it's other regular effects, adds 1 point of momentum to the pool for players to use ANYTIME, even at the moment you got it. - CHAOS: Rolling a nat1, in addition to possibly something bad, generates 1 point of CHAOS for the DM.
Momentum has a cap of 6, and goes away after a short or long rest.
WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH MOMENTUM: - Buy a d20 reroll. You can spend 1 momentum to re roll any 1d20 on an ability, attack, or saving throw roll. - You can spend 1 momentum to re roll damage for a single attack. - Ask a question. You can spend 1 momentum to ask the DM a question about the current scene that I will answer 100% truthfully. - Change reality. You can spend 2 momentum to alter something about a current moment: You can add something, change something, or remove something - making an action or intention possible, easier, harder, or impossible.
You can spend momentum anytime, and as many times as you want, but you must always take the current dice rolls as the value if you reroll.
WHAT CAN THE DM DO WITH CHAOS: - Chaos begins at 2 per player, and is a DM resource only. - Buy a d20 reroll. The DM can spend 1 chaos to re roll any 1d20 on an ability, attack, or saving throw roll. - Add a complication. The DM can spend 2 chaos to add a complication to the current battle or scene. - Change reality. I can spend 2 momentum to alter something about a current scene: I can add something, change something, or remove something - making an action or intention possible, easier, harder, or impossible. - Questionable, or unnecessarily unethical behavior can generate more chaos for me to use.
The DM can spend chaos anytime, and as many times as he/she wants, and must always take the current roll as the value if rolling or rerolling.
After having drinks and talking for a bit with his new compatriots, Tex will step out into the bustling afternoon, looking around on this cloudy scene. "hmm, might rain something fierce later. I'll bet my dark elf companion will enjoy the reprieve from the solar body." Tex will stretch, crack his neck, adjust his hat and head over to read the job board, waiting for the rest of his friends to join him on the job hunt. (for readers benefit, Tex speaks with a thick drawl akin to the real world accent found in Texas)
Silvi's been fairly quiet on the journey here. The tall, dark skinned half-elf wears strange clothes, almost armor-like, although they are made of pale gold (colored, not actual gold) cloth. Her tunic fits closely to her body, and leaves her arms free for swinging a sword or casting a spell, and her hair is in braids held back from her face by a simple tie. She's a bit of an incongruous sight, the spellbook at her belt suggesting she's a mage, but her lean fitness and the shortsword across her back indicating she can swing a sword too. A dagger is sheathed at her side as well, both the weapons having clearly seen use. Etched into the pommel of her shortsword is an Elvish glyph that speakers would know means "Raven" in an older dialect of the tongue. Perched on her shoulder is a raven with silver eyes, who watches everything around him with sharp intellect. Vi's own grey-green eyes have been watching everyone in a similar fashion the entire trip. Vi hasn't initiated conversation, but if someone spoke to her, she responded politely enough, which is likely how you all discovered her name was Silvi, but you should call her Vi.
Upon seeing Tex get up, Vi considers remaining in her seat for a moment, but decides to follow. After all, she reminds herself, I can hardly take down a dragon alone. Do some jobs with these people, and they might be more willing to help. And also more likely to not die in the battle. She heads for the job board with Tex, the raven taking flight and flying above them before perching on top of the job board with a caw.
Phandalin is a small up and coming town. When the transport arrives and you all find yourself in town, we'll say we begin in:
STONEHILL INN
Feel free to reference the map above.
This modest, two-story roadhouse has six rooms for rent on the upper floor. A bed for the night costs 5 sp, while a meal costs 1 sp. The proprietor is a short, friendly male human named Toblen Stonehill. Toblen is a native of the town of Triboar to the east. He came to Phandalin to prospect, but soon realized that he knew a lot more about running an inn than he did about mining. He seems a little bit nervous, as if the rumors of a white dragon flying around have affected his business, and perhaps more..
TASKS 1. Go ahead and mingle among yourselves. Role-play, interact with one another, and explore the town if you'd like. 2. Check out the job board with everyone. This is where you can accept quests and get paid - not to mention move the story forward!
You've all heard rumors about the white dragon, Cryovain, lingering around the area - the perfect chance for fame, glory, and riches. But, you can't do it alone. The companions whom with you traveled here too seem to have the same goal in mind, and you know you can't do it alone.
Vi nods. "His name is Talav. I summoned him a while ago, and he likes this form." Talav gives a confirming caw, turning his head and fixing his silvery eyes on Tex for a moment.
OOC: Speakers of Elvish would know that Talav translates (roughly) to "small blade".
Nice to meet you Talav (He tips his cap at the raven) Now miss Vi, I do have some questions regarding your methods of, shall we say "problem solving". (Tex points first at the book, and then at the sword and dagger respectively). It does appear that you are a spellcaster of the arcane variety, is that fair to presume? However, it appears you dabble in the martial arts as well. Would you characterize yourself as a spellsinger, or, at least a spellsinger in training?
Oh hey BOBDUR!
Good to see you're still kicking around on the old PbP.
TIME ZONE: PST. (California over here, obligatory "west coast best coast," etc. etc.)
D&D/PBP EXPERIENCE: I've been playing 5e for just about three years now, and PBP for about a third of the time -- although I've done forum roleplaying, without the dice rolling/tabletop element, for about fifteen or so years. Which, now that I write that, is wild to think about.
DISCORD: Love me some Discord.
YOURSELF: Let's see -- half the time I was growing up, I was living in a house with 20+ dogs; I currently work in the publishing industry; and my true gift is wildly air drumming alone in my kitchen.
WHY SHOULD I PICK YOU: I just enjoy crafting narratives so, so much. I love character building, I love developing dynamics between characters (PCs and PCs! PCs and NPCs! All of the above!), I love exploring the nuances of characters and how they develop and change along the way. I love good stories, and I love messy stories, and I love things that make me think. And I love the collaborative experience of D&D -- just the opportunity to enjoy crafting something uniquely ours together. Having emotions about imaginary characters in an imaginary world is my favorite hobby, YOU KNOW?
TIME ZONE: I live on Eastern Standard time, but for the past couple weeks have been living in eastern quarantine time, I barely know what day it is anymore.
D&D/PBP EXPERIENCE: I’ve been playing and DMing live dnd for 8 years, and been PbPing for the last 2 weeks.
DISCORD: I have discord and am excited to learn how to use it better!
YOURSELF: I’m a music teacher, and Dog dad, and a deep lore diver. I am generally very upbeat and personable, sometimes I’m even witty. I am extremely reliable when it comes to posting and responding.
WHY SHOULD I PICK YOU: I am a very good team player and am very willing to make choices that are narratively interesting over mechanically effective (although if I could have both, then that would be the obvious pick). I really like to think out of the box when it comes to role play. If you picked me, I would do my best to work together with my other players and you to create the most enjoyable experience possible!
Corinne Hemlock: Dhampir courtesan and dusk huntress
Kraig Bronzeaxe: Dwarven archaeologist and guerilla archer
Would the following people please send me, in PM, a sample post about one of your characters (any of them, it doesn't matter) in a brief situation (doing anything, again, it doesn't matter). I'm trying to get a sample of your writing and style.
Coachmanak, QueersBeyond, DirtyDogP, blount_w1
I wanted to take a moment and thank everyone who applied. I can honestly say that this was one hell of a tough choice to make, but I had to do it. I want to say that everyone had really good applications, so please don't take this personal if you didn't get picked this time around. A lot of things go into picking a player and it definitely was not easy to do, and believe me, if you didn't get chosen, you're not a loser. There will always be games out there, on here, to play.
I WILL BE SENDING THE WINNERS A PM ON BEYOND NOW to indicate they have been chosen, and closing recruitment. I know it's obvious, but I still have to say it: If you don't get a PM, you didn't get selected. And of course, once the game begins, you are welcome to be an observer.
Thank you everyone, good luck, and stay healthy.
PROLOGUE ONE: TEX ARKANA
"Welp, (Tex adjusts in his chair, tipping his chair back to put his foot up on the window frame. He strikes a bit of an imposing figure, even seated)
"I was raised out on a frontier town named Falcon's Reach out in the untamed wilderness by my mom. She was a firebrand of gnomish lady, taught me everything I know about arcana, which came in handy to make our lives better out on the edge of civilization. She built me a clockwork hound for my 10th birthday. Named her Fern, she's been my best friend ever since." (At this, he takes out a cigar, lights it up and takes a long drag).
"About 9 years ago, I started taking jobs to find things. Started by hunting down criminals, eventually built up to hunting down monsters and occasionally helping to fend off warbands of orcs, goblins, and the like for other frontier towns. (Tex's blue grey face softens a bit, like he is in pain at what he's trying to say) about a year ago, Fern and I got in over our heads on a job, She got really damaged (he pats a pile of parts peeking out of his pack) I don't have the know how to fix her yet, and I'm a long, long way from home. Anyways, I came here to Phandalin cause I heard you have problems of the draconic origin. The way I see it, there's gotta be some serious gold involved with taking care of it. The dragon might even have something interesting in it's hoard." (he grabs up his tankard of ale, and takes a long pull, setting the now empty jug back on the window sill)
"I try to keep a level head when on the job, I find it helps to get out of sticky situations. I'll level with you, I have an unhealthy thirst for information, I'm always trying to improve my craft. I don't think it will get in the way on the job, but I figured I'd give you a heads up, in case the situation arises." (He puts his foot back down and leans forward, resting his large, wiry arms on his knees and peers up at the group his steel grey eyes very striking from underneath his worn leather hat) "Now, we know each other alright, and I think I've given you a window into who I was, and who I am now, but if we're gonna take on a dragon eventually, it might behoove us to know a little more about each other."
"What's your story?"
PROLOGUE TWO: LANARIAL
It's been two days since you last saw the quiet elf dressed in dark leathers. He slipped off into the woods while the wagon made its way down the Triboar Trail towards Phandalin - you thought maybe he'd run off. But now here he is, sitting in the back corner of the tavern...waiting for you. He's about halfway through a meal of stew and bread and is sipping on a mug. You notice him squint until the heavy wooden door closes out the bright sunlight, and remember that he always has his hood pulled low over his eyes during the day, but by the tiny gods he could see everything at night - and farther away than anyone else. He must be part owl.
But no...based on his silver hair, dark skin that looked like coal, and eyes so pale they were almost white, you know what Lanarial is. A dark elf. Drow. The boogeyman of your childhood and who farmers told tales about to keep their children in line. Yet, this one didn't seem that bad. Quirky, sure. Quiet until you got to know him. But not a bloodthirsty marauder come to steal your daughter away into the Underdark.
Since leaving Neverwinter, he had certainly been useful as a scout and hunter. He was deadly accurate with his short bow, and you had even seen him practicing a series of strikes and flurries with his short sword and dagger away from the group. Although he could probably pick the lock of the iron-bound chest under the wagon drover's seat in five heartbeats, he had never even glanced at the goods in the wagon. And the caravan master checked everything time and again, just in case. He was a Drow, after all...there must be a story there somewhere. His kind were rarely seen and usually hunted down. Yet here he was, hiring himself out as a caravan guard. Or maybe we was just looking for a group to travel to Phandalin with...
PROLOGUE THREE: SILVI KAUA
The bandits hadn't known what hit them.
Vi looked around the camp, looking for a torch so she could burn the place. A few bodies lay scattered here and there, but she'd been careful not to engage too many at once.
One by one, as they scouted or hunted, she'd tracked them, let them catch a glimpse of her tunic (the gold reflected the light well, when she wanted it too) or the light off her blade, and lured them further and further into the forest. Then began the careful game of sending bolts of ice, then fading into the trees. Finally, when they were weak, she finished them off with Kaua. Now, the blade rode comfortably in its sheath across her back.
There, a torch. She picked it up, and it lit with silver fire. She touched the flames to a tent, watched it light, the fire racing across the oiled fabric faster than a galloping horse. Stepped back, continued on her work.
Once she'd taken down four of the six bandits in this group in the woods, she'd finally attacked the camp. Enchanted her armor, waited an hour to regain the power, then started with silvery bolts that brought down the first bandit in seconds. The other one, she took care of with ice, fire and blade quickly enough.
Vi watched the camp burn from the trees. Talav rode the updrafts above, watching for those who would be inevitably attracted by the smoke. She'd already left her mark beside the body of each dead bandit, but she wasn't quite finished. Unsheathing her dagger, she moved to a tree the guards would easily see when they came upon the camp. She didn't need to check her blade's pommel anymore to make sure she got the glyph exactly right. She'd written it enough to know it by heart, every line and stroke.
The patrol found the camp a few hours later. The new recruits looked a little shocked by the destruction, but the captain knew what to look for. One of the trainees glanced over. "Uh...sir, what're you doing by that tree?"
The captain stepped aside so the recruit could see the glyph carved into the tree. "It's ancient Elvish," he explained. "Means 'raven'. Because that's who did this." When the trainee looked confused, she chuckled and explained a little more. "Local. Been hunting bandits down for...oh, it must be thirteen years now. Comes into town once in a while, half-elf with greyish green eyes named Silvi. But the bandits know her as the Raven."
Vi took another drink of her mead as she listened to the conversation around her. Nothing new...a group of bandits getting closer to Triboar, might want to do something about that...then her ears picked up on something else.
"-and that damn wyrm is just getting bolder! I'm telling you, someone's got to do something about Cryovain, or we'll all end up subservient to that thing."
Vi sighed. Already, she could hear her father's voice. "No, Silvi, stay out of it. It will sort itself out in the long run." She shook her head. She was never good at listening to him anyway...
Ten minutes later, Vi stepped out of the inn, knowing what her destination was. Talav dropped from his perch on the roof to land on her shoulder, giving a soft caw. Phandalin. She sighed and fed Talav a piece of raw beef from the kitchen. Hopefully Sister Garaele wouldn't be at her shrine - the elf was damn nosy, just because she knew Dad. And then there was that captain who was always watching her...
Vi shook her head, scowling. No point in dwelling on hopes. She'd learn who was there soon enough. And it didn't matter anyway. She was going for the dragon.
Which meant she'd need allies.
"Dammit."
PROLOGUE FOUR: GARETH-WYN
"Among the ancient clans of the highest peaks, there is a saying: 'Never trust a lowlander.'
They have another saying as well: 'The greatest shame to the empty-name.' To the tribe of Gareth-Wyn, a name is more than a gift and a birthright - it is a record of valor past and a promise of deeds to come. A lowlander might call it a reputation, even a legacy. For Gareth-Wyn, it is only the Name.
Following in ancient traditions passed down from the council of giants, I left my people on my 16th nameday to become Clanless, alone in the world until the day when I acquire a Name worthy of my ancestors. In the sixteen years since, these lands have been all too quiet and peaceful - my time in the Neverwinter Guard brought me no honor.
Now, my comrades write to me, and tell of a white dragon that stalks the high passes near Phandalin. A worthy hunt for a worthy Name.
This is why I come to Phandalin. This is what I seek."
Finished speaking, he takes a deep drink from his waterskin and regards you with flinty eyes speckled with tiny flakes of gold. Those of you who traveled the road south from Neverwinter with the towering goliath know that this short speech already supersedes the daily average of his vocabulary use. He is not likely to speak again until next sunrise.
** DRAGON OF ICESPIRE PEAK **
Welcome to Phandalin
PHANDALIN HISTORY
The frontier town of Phandalin is built on the ruins of a much older settlement. Hundreds of years ago, the old Phandalin was a thriving human town whose people were firmly allied with neighboring dwarves and gnomes. Then an orc horde swept through the area and laid waste to the settlement, and Phandalin was abandoned for centuries. In the last three or four years, settlers from the cities of Neverwinter and Waterdeep have begun the hard work of reclaiming the ruins of Phandalin.
THE WHITE DRAGON
The new settlement is home now to farmers, woodcutters, fur traders, and prospectors drawn by stories of gold and platinum in the foothills of the Sword Mountains. The arrival of a white dragon threatens to destroy all that they’ve worked to rebuild. This is where you all come in. You and your friends heard a rumor of this white dragon and decided this would be an opportune time to earn fame, gold, and glory! What a perfect way to start your new career as an adventurer!
THE ADVENTURE BEGINS
Nestled in the rocky foothills of the snow-capped Sword Mountains is the mining town of Phandalin, which consists of forty or fifty simple log buildings. Crumbling stone ruins surround the newer houses and shops, showing how this must have been a much larger town in centuries past.
Phandalin’s residents are quiet, hard-working folk who came from distant cities to eke out a life amid the harsh wilderness. They are farmers, stonecutters, blacksmiths, traders, prospectors, and children. The town has no walls and no garrison, but most of the adults keep weapons within easy reach in case the need for arms should arise.
Visitors are welcome here, particularly if they have coin to spend or news to share. The Stonehill Inn at the center of town offers modest lodging and meals. A couple of doors down from the inn, posted outside the townmaster’s hall, is a job board for adventurers.
TASKS
1. Go ahead and mingle among yourselves. You've all known each other for a little bit as you've spent some time travelling south to Phandalin and have heard rumors of the white dragon. Role-play, interact with one another, and explore the town if you'd like.
2. Check out the job board. This is where you can accept quests and get paid - not to mention move the story forward!
3. Have fun. Ask questions and lets keep out of character chat in Discord.
MOMENTUM AND CHAOS
Momentum is a currency players can accumulate in a group pool and spend, and Chaos is a currency the DM can acquire and spend.
HOW TO GET IT:
PLAYERS generate Momentum and Chaos. DM rolls do not generate Momentum and Chaos.
- MOMENTUM: Rolling a nat20, in addition to all of it's other regular effects, adds 1 point of momentum to the pool for players to use ANYTIME, even at the moment you got it.
- CHAOS: Rolling a nat1, in addition to possibly something bad, generates 1 point of CHAOS for the DM.
Momentum has a cap of 6, and goes away after a short or long rest.
WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH MOMENTUM:
- Buy a d20 reroll. You can spend 1 momentum to re roll any 1d20 on an ability, attack, or saving throw roll.
- You can spend 1 momentum to re roll damage for a single attack.
- Ask a question. You can spend 1 momentum to ask the DM a question about the current scene that I will answer 100% truthfully.
- Change reality. You can spend 2 momentum to alter something about a current moment: You can add something, change something, or remove something - making an action or intention possible, easier, harder, or impossible.
You can spend momentum anytime, and as many times as you want, but you must always take the current dice rolls as the value if you reroll.
WHAT CAN THE DM DO WITH CHAOS:
- Chaos begins at 2 per player, and is a DM resource only.
- Buy a d20 reroll. The DM can spend 1 chaos to re roll any 1d20 on an ability, attack, or saving throw roll.
- Add a complication. The DM can spend 2 chaos to add a complication to the current battle or scene.
- Change reality. I can spend 2 momentum to alter something about a current scene: I can add something, change something, or remove something - making an action or intention possible, easier, harder, or impossible.
- Questionable, or unnecessarily unethical behavior can generate more chaos for me to use.
The DM can spend chaos anytime, and as many times as he/she wants, and must always take the current roll as the value if rolling or rerolling.
After having drinks and talking for a bit with his new compatriots, Tex will step out into the bustling afternoon, looking around on this cloudy scene. "hmm, might rain something fierce later. I'll bet my dark elf companion will enjoy the reprieve from the solar body." Tex will stretch, crack his neck, adjust his hat and head over to read the job board, waiting for the rest of his friends to join him on the job hunt.

(for readers benefit, Tex speaks with a thick drawl akin to the real world accent found in Texas)
Corinne Hemlock: Dhampir courtesan and dusk huntress
Kraig Bronzeaxe: Dwarven archaeologist and guerilla archer
Silvi's been fairly quiet on the journey here. The tall, dark skinned half-elf wears strange clothes, almost armor-like, although they are made of pale gold (colored, not actual gold) cloth. Her tunic fits closely to her body, and leaves her arms free for swinging a sword or casting a spell, and her hair is in braids held back from her face by a simple tie. She's a bit of an incongruous sight, the spellbook at her belt suggesting she's a mage, but her lean fitness and the shortsword across her back indicating she can swing a sword too. A dagger is sheathed at her side as well, both the weapons having clearly seen use. Etched into the pommel of her shortsword is an Elvish glyph that speakers would know means "Raven" in an older dialect of the tongue. Perched on her shoulder is a raven with silver eyes, who watches everything around him with sharp intellect. Vi's own grey-green eyes have been watching everyone in a similar fashion the entire trip. Vi hasn't initiated conversation, but if someone spoke to her, she responded politely enough, which is likely how you all discovered her name was Silvi, but you should call her Vi.
Upon seeing Tex get up, Vi considers remaining in her seat for a moment, but decides to follow. After all, she reminds herself, I can hardly take down a dragon alone. Do some jobs with these people, and they might be more willing to help. And also more likely to not die in the battle. She heads for the job board with Tex, the raven taking flight and flying above them before perching on top of the job board with a caw.
Vi:
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
"Well howdy Vi. Thank you for joining me. (Tex points over to the raven,) "That is a beautiful animal ma'am. Is that an arcane familiar?"
Corinne Hemlock: Dhampir courtesan and dusk huntress
Kraig Bronzeaxe: Dwarven archaeologist and guerilla archer
Phandalin is a small up and coming town. When the transport arrives and you all find yourself in town, we'll say we begin in:
STONEHILL INN
Feel free to reference the map above.
This modest, two-story roadhouse has six rooms for rent on the upper floor. A bed for the night costs 5 sp, while a meal costs 1 sp. The proprietor is a short, friendly male human named Toblen Stonehill. Toblen is a native of the town of Triboar to the east. He came to Phandalin to prospect, but soon realized that he knew a lot more about running an inn than he did about mining. He seems a little bit nervous, as if the rumors of a white dragon flying around have affected his business, and perhaps more..
TASKS
1. Go ahead and mingle among yourselves. Role-play, interact with one another, and explore the town if you'd like.
2. Check out the job board with everyone. This is where you can accept quests and get paid - not to mention move the story forward!
You've all heard rumors about the white dragon, Cryovain, lingering around the area - the perfect chance for fame, glory, and riches. But, you can't do it alone. The companions whom with you traveled here too seem to have the same goal in mind, and you know you can't do it alone.
Vi nods. "His name is Talav. I summoned him a while ago, and he likes this form." Talav gives a confirming caw, turning his head and fixing his silvery eyes on Tex for a moment.
OOC: Speakers of Elvish would know that Talav translates (roughly) to "small blade".
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Nice to meet you Talav (He tips his cap at the raven) Now miss Vi, I do have some questions regarding your methods of, shall we say "problem solving". (Tex points first at the book, and then at the sword and dagger respectively). It does appear that you are a spellcaster of the arcane variety, is that fair to presume? However, it appears you dabble in the martial arts as well. Would you characterize yourself as a spellsinger, or, at least a spellsinger in training?
Corinne Hemlock: Dhampir courtesan and dusk huntress
Kraig Bronzeaxe: Dwarven archaeologist and guerilla archer
"I have training as a bladesinger," Vi confirms. "In the leopard style, although my spells vary beyond that."
From on top of the sign, Talav begins preening his feathers.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!