A day of going about your usual business has suddenly morphed into something a bit unexpected. Thrane, Protector of Clan Immercleave, has summoned you to a meeting. Rather unceremoniously the messenger uttered the message to you: “The Protector has a matter he wishes to discuss with you over the midday meal. Be punctual.”

Your relationship with Thrane is a good one because you have learned how to navigate his mercurial temperament. You certainly understand him well enough to know that he would not be meeting with you over food and drink if he were using the opportunity to express his displeasure. 

“How curious,” you think to yourself. “Maybe the old fellow has some new project in mind. I’m more than happy to listen to his ideas while drinking his ale and eating from his stores.”

Two hours later, you are standing in the waiting room that leads into the Protector’s quarters. Three other members of Clan Immercleave stand with you, each of them summoned separately, just as you were. The four of you are well-acquainted with one another and quickly begin putting forth theories about why such an abrupt gathering has been called. 

Soon, the massive door swings open and the venerable Thrane stands before you. He nods in acknowledgement of your presence but says nothing. He then turns around and lumbers down the passageway leading to his dining hall. Assuming you are meant to do likewise, you pass through the door and follow the Protector of Clan Immercleave to a magnificent wooden table laden with food and drink that would satisfy a dozen dwarves. 

“Eat and drink, friends. Enjoy,” commands Thrane. 

You begin to do so, reservedly at first but eventually with gusto. Nothing on the table disappoints. 

As Thrane grasps a flagon and pours himself a second serving of ale, he begins to explain the purpose of your visit. “Elrik’s pallbearers--his sister...his two sons...his nephew--have not returned. Two days ago they should have rejoined the clan. Yes, two days ago. That is certain.”

He speaks slowly, as if he is trying to comprehend the meaning of his own words.

“That is certain,” he repeats mechanically. 

Thrane gulps down half his ale, looks at each of you, and says, “Something is amiss. Elrik’s kin must be found. You will do this for me.”

Hello, all.

I’ve created a rough outline of an adventure and now hope to find four brave souls who wish to turn it into their own memorable tale. A few things to know before you apply:

Adventure setting. Almost entirely within the Cyndarak Mountains, a range located in a world similar to Faerûn.

Character races. The Gauntlet of Urongulur is a dwarven tale--specifically the dwarves of Clan Immercleave. All characters, therefore, will be dwarves (hill or mountain)*. I understand that this is constricting, but characters of other races would be very out of place in this storyline. This doesn’t mean, however, that this is an adventure solely for melee fighters and clerics! You’ll be free to customize your dwarven character as explained in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, allowing you to tweak ability scores, languages, and proficiencies as you see fit. 

Character classes. Any official; therefore, no bloodhunters.

Character levels. All characters will begin at level 4.

Ability scores. Roll 4d6 (drop lowest, reroll 1’s once). If the result totals less than 70, then roll again. Continue to do so until all scores add up to 70 or more. 

Feats. Each character begins with a feat. There’s something extra-heroic about each of you!

We will sort out the many other character details during session zero, after the four players have been selected. 

*In anticipation of someone asking about playing a grey dwarf (duergar), I will say this: I have not entirely ruled out having such a character in this adventure, but you will need to explain how a duergar--typically an enemy of the other dwarven subraces--became a prominent, trusted member of Clan Immercleave.

Let me know if you have any questions. I’ll close down recruitment 48 hours after this initial post. To apply, in this thread please provide the following information. A completed character sheet is not necessary at this time: 

• Ability scores (completely optional for now, but I know some players can’t begin thinking about a character build until they have these in hand)
• Character’s name
• Character’s dwarven subrace (if duergar, please explain)
• Character’s class and subclass
• Character’s feat
• Your character’s greatest achievement for Clan Immercleave (this can be as lengthy as you wish)

Ability scores: 15 15 14 15 10 14

Name: Kathra Greenforge

Subrace: Hill Dwarf

 Class: Druid (Circle of Spores)

Feat: Fey Touched

Clan Achievement: Kathra cultivated fungus and other cave plants that sustained the clan during a particularly harsh season, and has continued to protect the nature in her home since.

Ability scores: 14 11 8 11 8 15

Ability scores: 14 7 10 14 15 11 

wip 

Ability scores: 16 8 13 17 17 10

Oren Loresmith

Mountain Dwarf, Bard, College of Lore

Feat: Crusher

Clan Achievement: Leading an expedition to our most ancient stronghold, defeating the goblins infesting it, and recovering and deciphering ancient runes revealing new glories of our earliest ancestors.

Ability scores: 14 12 14 13 13 11

• Character’s name - Thodris Holderhek
• Character’s dwarven subrace - Hill
• Character’s class and subclass - Forge Domain Cleric
• Character’s feat - Warcaster
• Your character’s greatest achievement for Clan Immercleave - During a fierce skirmish with a goblin tribe that lasted many years Thodris was able to swing the tides of the battle producing great numbers of exceptional weapons and armour, then charging into battle with his brethren

Ability scores: 13 13 17 10 12 15

wip

• Ability scores: 17 15 19 18 14 14
• Character’s name: Gerthiel Durthane - Call me Gerty
• Character’s dwarven subrace: Mountain
• Character’s class and subclass: Fighter/Eldrich Knight
• Character’s feat: Dwarven Fortitude
• Your character’s greatest achievement: Gerty has become one of the clan crafters, and with her pottery tools - she created pipes.  These pipes she buried and started a rudimentary form of indoor plumbing for her clan. 

I really like the idea of a narrower scope with only dwarves in the party. That should allow for more than the lone dwarf stereotype we see too often. Sounds very cool.

Ability scores: Ability scores: 11 10 8 15 15 11   

Character’s name: Adren "Copper" Keenanvil

Character’s dwarven subrace: Hill Dwarf (though possible tweaking with Tasha's)

Character’s class and subclass: Paladin - Oath of the Crown

Character’s feat: Alert

Your character’s greatest achievement for Clan Immercleave: Adren's family have served as members of Clan Immercleave's Watch for as long as the clan has kept records of such things. Being a 'cop' is in their blood.  Adren is no different, but the joy with which he approaches the job sets him apart. Where his father, and his father's father, and so on before that were dour, serious as death, men, Adren can't help but be optimistic and look on everything as an opportunity for growth and learning. His greatest achievement was standing steadfast during the Great Ale Shortage Riot, thumping heads, and lecturing the rioters about their duties to the clan, their families and each other, all with a smile on his face. He locked up 12 angrily sober young dwarves that weekend by himself, and he's proud to say they all became so embarrassed and ashamed of their actions that they've been model clan members ever since.

• Ability scores 17   14  16 12 17 12
• Character’s name Friar Tuckerman
• Character’s dwarven subrace Mountain Dwarf
• Character’s class and subclass Cleric-War Domain
• Character’s feat: Crusher
• Your character’s greatest achievement for Clan Immercleave: As both a war priest and a brewer, has seen to the services and care of the warriors serving Immercleave. In battle, knows no bound in facing the hated enemies of the clan, or going after those who serve the darkness. Wielding his mighty Mace of Smiting with crushing effects, crushed the many skulls of his enemy around his feet, as he healed his fellow dwarven warriors while raising their spirits in battle. 

• Ability scores Ability scores: 15 11 7 16 10 12
• Character’s name Dring Gurth
• Character’s dwarven subrace Mountain Dwarf
• Character’s class and subclass  2 Fighter / 2 War Cleric
• Character’s feat  Great Weapon Master
• Your character’s greatest achievement for Clan Immercleave (this can be as lengthy as you wish) --Dring was a warrior, and wanted nothing more than to stand in the line of battle and hammer at the enemies of the Clan.  Assigned to the Royal guard, his band was trapped during an orc invasion.  In a desperate last stand, dwarves fel around Dring, to the left and right, and he screamed out to Moradin, and lightening flashed.  He woke amidst carnage.  All orcs were dead, as well as his fellow dwarves.  He the lone survivor, covered in the entrails of his enemies with piles of orc dead surrounding him.  He now wears the symbol of Moradin on his armor, and wields the might his god as he smites his foes...

Quote from ikarbino >>

Ability scores: 16 17 16 14 16 10

 

Name: Rogi

Subrace: Hill Dwarf

 Class: Monk (Drunken Master)

Feat: Fighting Adept (Unarmed Fighting)

Clan Achievement: wip

Just checking in to thank everyone for their applications. One more day to submit or edit your character concepts.

It's a wrap, everyone. Recruitment is now closed. I will contact four of you by PM within the next few hours. Thank you!