Once again, those detestable words fall upon your ears. Multiple times each day, your captors are sure to repeat them, and they have become as abrasive as the metal around your wrists, the rocky floor upon which you sleep, and the insipid tasks to which you are assigned.
This time, the words are uttered by the commander of Velkynvelve herself: the drow priestess Mistress Ilvara. Draped in silken garments and flanked by two male drow, she flicks her scourge and causes a quick, sharp CRACK! to fill the air of the slave pen. Ilvara is making no idle threat; many times you have seen her little whip create a welt upon the backs and legs of your fellow prisoners. You suspect it is only a matter of time before you feel that same sting yourself.
I’m looking for a team of four or five players to tackle Out of the Abyss with me. More specifically, I am looking for players who can commit to the following:
Being an active member of a long-term adventure
Adding to the richness of the story with descriptive writing and interesting roleplaying
Posting daily (or nearly daily) on D&D Beyond for the actual game thread
Reading the posts of the other players
Using Discord* for out-of-character discussions
Demonstrating kindness and respect to the other players
*If you’re unfamiliar with Discord, please do not allow this to prevent you from applying. I can walk you through the basics, and there’s a good chance that one, if not most, of the players will be more adept with Discord than I am.
Here are a few things that might affect how you develop your character concept:
Character races. Permitted races are all those from PHB and MoTM. Character classes and subclasses. All the official ones are permitted. Character level. All characters begin at level 1. House rule 1. All characters begin with a feat. Variant humans, therefore, begin with two feats. House rule 2. A character’s INT grants benefits in accordance with the score modifier. For example, an INT of 14 (+2 modifier) grants 2 non-skill proficiencies (tools and languages) House rule 3. The breath weapon for a dragonborn is a bonus action rather than an action.
If you are interested, respond to the three questions below. Do not bother with rolling ability scores or creating a character sheet. Those things, and many others, will be resolved during session zero after the players have been selected.
What is your character’s name, race, and class?
How did your character fall into the hands of the drow?
Since arriving in Velkynvelve, your character has developed a rather strained relationship with one of the other prisoners**. How did this come about?
**NPC prisoners
- Buppido, a highly gregarious and talkative derro - Derendil, a menacing-looking quaggoth who claims to be a cursed elf prince - Eldeth, a high spirited and proud shield dwarf scout from Gauntlgrym - Jimjar, a deep gnome (svirfneblin) with an obsession for betting on nearly anything - Ront, a mean, hateful orc - Sarith, a sullen, untalkative drow accused of murder - Shuushar, a calm and contemplative kuo-toa hermit and mystic - Stool, a frightened myconid sprout (via its rapport spores, it can communicate telepathically) - Tarnstrak, an aloof deep gnome (svirfneblin) who often mutters under his breath; male twin to Treacle - Treacle, a mildly friendly deep gnome (svirfneblin), female twin to Tarnstrak
Don’t be concerned about submitting a character of the same class as someone else’s. I have no qualms about including two characters of the same class. The chosen races, subclasses, feats, and backgrounds will provide ample differences between the two.
I’ll keep recruitment open until I’ve found the players that seem to be a good fit. I’m really hoping to find some good storytellers.
Okay. Hopefully fingers crossed this one will work.
Just seen it, so I would need to flesh out the answers a little
1. LG Bugbear Paladin, Monar Grimewarder 2. He was an urban bounty hunter. Followed the wrong bounty and ended up in the hands of the Drow (I'd need to spend a little time on the how and why) 3. Sarith was the bounty he was after....
So. I'll definitely be regularly active and am good with using discord. My only caveat is that I work long shifts as a driver so it can seem that I'm not around much. I will post regularly though (and I'm in the UK so will probably post at different times to you all). Also, I will go dark at times. I do a lot of long distance hiking during my holidays, so won't be around during those periods (usually 3 or 4 times a year - likely around 3 weeks during the "summer"). I'll give you a heads up well in advance when I'm away. I love RP as a player and DM - I can PM you the link to my current game I'm dm'ing if you want an example.
Zolen Lesta, Variant Human Rogue (Phantom once he hits level 3). Or Fiend-Patron Warlock if someone else wants to be a Rogue more.
2. How did your character fall into the hands of the drow?
Zolen was part of a Zhentarim merchant caravan sent to do business with the drow. Instead everyone except Zolen was slaughtered in battle with an Underdark monster and although Zolen escaped he was enslaved when he stumbled upon the drow empty-handed.
3. Since arriving in Velkynvelve, your character has developed a rather strained relationship with one of the other prisoners**. How did this come about?
Zolen has made a deal with Sarith that they'll help each other. In exchange for Sarith's help escaping Zolen will offer him a place in the ranks of the Zhentarim and they'll defend each other on the way to the surface. Zolen's part of the lower ranks of the Black Network but he is at least able to give Sarith an introduction to the Zhentarim.
The eldest son of two Svirfneblin miners, Zilly was always more interested in knowledge and music, than gems, precious metals, or the discovery of ore. His goal is to leave the Underdark one day and explore the world above. He dreams of hearing the songs of the surface elves being sung under the moon, or the grand symphonies that take place in the cities of man.
One day, while sitting in his usual spot on a small ledge on the northern side of Blingdenstone, he heard the melody of song, beautiful and sweet, emanating from somewhere in the tunnels outside of the city. While the Underdark is a dangerous place, the tunnels around Blingenstone are patrolled, so he stuck the small harmonica he was practicing in his pocket and headed down a dark tunnel.
Using his natural camouflage, he snuck through the tunnels, getting closer to the source of the song. When at last he found the source of the song, he was astonished. Blending into the shadows of the tunnel, he looked over a small cavern, where a female Goblin was singing to a group of young Goblins. The song was sweet and mellow, a Goblin Lullaby. As he watched, amazed at the song, as well as the fact that this was happening in the wilds of the Underdark, he felt a sharp prick in his neck. He let out a low gasp, careful not to interrupt the performance below, and raised his hand to his neck, where he felt a small dart. Immediately his limbs grew weary and his eyes heavy. As he was about to shout out to warn the Goblins, he dropped to his knees, unable to stand, or speak. Next he was on the ground and everything was going dark. The last thing he saw was a pair of well-made Drow boots approaching from the darkness. Oh Shi.....
He was awoken by a voice. A high-pitched, grating voice, the exact opposite of the sweet Goblin voice that had him so entranced. If being locked up in a Drow prison wasn’t bad enough, now he was forced to listen to this dwarf talk incessantly. “Gauntlgrym this… King Bruenor that… Dwarven bullshit this and that…” The prattle was endless. Perhaps this Eldeth was nervous, or ignorant of his situation, whatever it was, Zilly wanted him to shut up. Maybe playing his harmonica will help dull this obnoxious dwarf’s voice.
Zilly puts his hand into his pocket, reaching for his harmonica…
Lady Katarina Spring Blossom of the Mystic Paws, Tabaxi Barbarian
How did your character fall into the hands of the drow?
Katarina comes from a family of spellcasters, who have used their supernatural abilities to accumulate great wealth and influence in their clan, and there were always high expectations for Katarina to become a powerful sorceress like her father and her siblings. Unfortunately, those powers never manifested, and as it became clear that she would never achieve the same powers as the rest of her family, they began to shun her, and her older sister Vivian began to bully her mercilessly. Eventually, Katarina reached her breaking point... in a fit of rage she attacked her sister, and very nearly killed her tormentor. When Katarina realized what she had done, she fled, terrified of what her parents might do to her for viciously attacking and maiming their favorite daughter. Unfortunately, alone for the first time, Katarina put her trust into the wrong people very quickly... and she soon found herself being dragged away into a life of slavery...
Since arriving in Velkynvelve, your character has developed a rather strained relationship with one of the other prisoners**. How did this come about?
Being familiar with wealth and prestige, Katarina made the mistake of saying that she didn't think Derendil was really a prince... they have argued over this many times, but have slowly gone from outright hostility to more playful banter. She still thinks he's full of crap, though.
(Quick question: since you already said that v. human is okay in spite of the bonus feat, are you opposed to the newer backgrounds that come with a bonus feat? Or is the starter feat only if your background doesn't already include a feat?)
How did your character fall into the hands of the drow?
Rollin has been a prisoner since he was young. His village, near a recent opening to the under world, was invaded. Males were taken prisoner. He has been a servant to one of the military leaders since coming here some 5+ years. He is now 16 years old. He's been helpful in fixing various things for the military leaders.
Since arriving in Velkynvelve, your character has developed a rather strained relationship with one of the other prisoners**. How did this come about?
Rollin often looked for friends in the new prisoners as they were brought in. In the beginning, he would try to befriend any and all, but after seeing and learning which would newbees would survive, he was much more choosy. Since arriving, he has been trying to befriend Velkynvelve. Not much success, but he will keep trying.
Very interested in joining an Out of the Abyss adventure.
Character name: Varis Naillo, High Elf, Warlock (Archfey)
Backstory: Varis is a researcher and mid-level functionary within the court at Silverymoon with a thirst for both arcane knowledge and political prestige that drives most, if not all, of his actions. The thirst has led him to questionable decisions in the recent past, really you would think someone of his experience and standing would know not to enter a pact with an Archfey from the courts, but after picking up a crumb or two of knowledge from deep within the Conclave of Silverymoon and a few carefully arranged “chance” encounters to gain his patronage, he was finally on a path that could lead toward his goals. Until the damnable Drow interrupted his plans. He was outside the city, allegedly to study the magical properties of a strain of fungi in a nearby set of caverns but in reality to meet an attendant from the court that could help advance his interests, when they unfortunately ran across a Drow scouting party. His contact was slain and he was taken. He spent the trip to the depths sulking in silence and cursing his luck until he joined the others in the slave pen.
Varis is quite charming when he wants to be, but can also be a bit haughty and insufferable at times. He immediately runs afoul of Derendil. He does not believe that creature is a cursed elven prince for one second, and questions him constantly on his family name and history while trying to catch him in a misstatement or lie that could prove his deception.
How did your character fall into the hands of the drow?
Captured along with 2 other members of a scouting expedition, Fargrum has been forced to watch as his comrades were tortured and killed off by the Drow until only he remains.
Since arriving in Velkynvelve, your character has developed a rather strained relationship with one of the other prisoners**. How did this come about?
Silent and withdrawn from the other prisoners, he has only Stool for companionship as the two have connected
Z'renn Narcion the Drow Ranger. Will be going gloomstalker at 3rd level.
Z'renn is the last surviving noble son of House Narcion, a house so low in the ranking of hierarchy of Mennzoberranzan that most would never know it existed. That changed however when it was found that their Matron Mother lost the favor of Lloth. Seeing this as a chance to raise their own status if even a bit many of the other lesser houses began to scheme to remove House Narcion from play. Fortunately or unfortunately Z'renn was outside of the city when his House was exterminated, leaving him as the only remaining noble of the house. Word of this would eventually reach him and he would attempt to rush back to the City of Spiders to seek justice against the houses that destroyed his own, knowing that as long as he survived they would be punished.
His journey home did not last long as one of those he traveled with belonged to the house that had destroyed House Narcion. At first their goal was to kill Z'renn but after failing to do so, they would instead accuse him of blasphemy against Lloth. This angered a priestess and she drug him back to Velkynvelve. After several sessions of questioning and torture, Z'renn was thrown in a cell to rot until it was time to begin the process again.
Being a typical drow for the most part, Z'renn has mostly ignored all of those that share the large cell with him. He looks at all of them with disdain but will deign to talk to his fellow drow Sarith even if the other doesn't respond most of the time. He refuses to speak in what he considers a lesser language unless forced to, using the drow dialect of Elvish almost exclusively.
(Quick question: since you already said that v. human is okay in spite of the bonus feat, are you opposed to the newer backgrounds that come with a bonus feat? Or is the starter feat only if your background doesn't already include a feat?)
Good question. Before I answer that, I want to do some reading on the newer backgrounds.
Szefarian is a male Yuan-Ti, Ranger class going for Gloomstalker.
How did your character fall into the hands of the drow?
He's not a good person, in general. He's a flesh broker, a fancy way to say slaver. His product was typically wayward souls too deep in debt to mind selling themselves or who wouldn't be missed if they were to suddenly vanish. As it was, Drow were typically good business, both as dealers and – how to put it – exotic products. Turns out, Drow can be pretty business-savvy themselves, when they want to be. What's savvier than taking out the competition after a major deal? They have his money, his cargo, his ship, his contacts and now, him.
Since arriving in Velkynvelve, your character has developed a rather strained relationship with one of the other prisoners**. How did this come about?
Quaggoth are rather vicious creatures, not unlike a cornered snake. Perhaps it's a kinship among vicious monsters that Derendil seemed so amicable. Or perhaps Szefarian sees profit in recruiting a beast like him, even superficially. Maybe they're using each other. Only time will tell.
Note: I'd like to give Szefarian's access to poison spray a little flavor by making it something he spews from his mouth, rather than his finger. It would function exactly the same as the regular cantrip, it would just look different.
A lizardman shaman with a connection to the natural world. One fateful day, as Gulth communed with the spirits of the marshlands, a ruthless drow raiding party descended from the shadows below. Their dark purpose was to plunder and pillage, to capture slaves and sacrifices for their nefarious schemes.
Caught off guard by the drow's stealth and cunning, Gulth found themselves ensnared in their trap. Bound and stripped of gear, Gulth was whisked away from the sunlit surface and plunged into the lightless depths of the Underdark. The shaman's fate was now entwined with the other prisoners.
The other prisoner that Gulth shares a strained relationship with is Jimjar. The gambler voiced his willingness to place a bets on who would be killed by their captors first, and the deep gnome announced to the group that his selection was none other than Gulth.
Dah’ren Lavallen, A half-elf Fighter aiming to be Samurai.
Dah’ren hailed from a secluded elven island who worship dragons as gods. He came towards the Sword Coast to find his father, a human adventurer from Neverwinter. A trail of information and rumors led him to believe that his father is on a journey to find an ancient tomb of a dwarven king deep beneath the earth. Following his footsteps led him to a drow ambush when he is but two stories deep below earth, not even reaching the so called underdark yet.
Dah’ren always tries to be kind to other , Ront the mean orc is the opposite, he is mean, hateful and somewhat of a bully, which Dah’ren abhors the most. The fact that you can be mean to other prisoners while the drow enslaves us all means he is just trying to feel somewhat good about himself, trying to feel powerful in his powerless state. He thinks it is pathetic.
Several very good character ideas thus far; so, I don't see a need to keep this thread open much longer. I'll give it another eight hours or so. Thanks, everyone.
Several very good character ideas thus far; so, I don't see a need to keep this thread open much longer. I'll give it another eight hours or so. Thanks, everyone.
Drat! Well, maybe next time. Best of luck to all who submitted!
Sounds like this might be closed now. Glad to see you back as a DM.
In case you haven't actually closed this yet, I will quickly throw an application together.
What is your character’s name, race, and class? Pyrois, Centaur Barbarian
How did your character fall into the hands of the drow? Pyrois was never one for rational thinking. He is also never one to let an enemy escape to tend to their wounds after a member of his clan did that and then was later killed by the same enemy. To this end, when a band of goblins attacked his clan, he chased down the one survivor who was riding a warg, following them into a cave. He lost sight of them in the cave, but not one to let that deter him, he kept going deeper, as where else would the goblin have gone? Unfortunately this cave led to the underdark, and into a band of drow slavers who were about to come to the surface for prisoners. Being weakened from the battle with goblins, and outnumbered 6 to 1, they subdued him quickly and he was taken to Velkynvelve to be broken.
Since arriving in Velkynvelve, your character has developed a rather strained relationship with one of the other prisoners**. How did this come about? Buppido likes to talk a lot. Pyrois looks like he listens a lot and so Buppido liked that. In reality, Pyrois was mostly zoned out, and didn't really understand or listen to anything Buppido was saying, which he admitted at one point. Buppido was a bit annoyed by that, and sometimes gives Pyrois the cold shoulder, but also sometimes just wants to ramble on to someone who doesn't interrupt him or tell him to shut up.
What is your character’s name, race, and class? Lady Gwendallyn Ashenstaff, human light cleric of Lathander.
How did your character fall into the hands of the drow? Gwendallyn's first quest that she was to fulfill as an ordained priest in service of The Morninglord was to accompany a mercenary group who had been recruited to delve into the Underdark to retrieve a relic of the church that had been stolen by thieves some years passed. Through various channels, the church learned the location of the relic and sent Gwendallyn with the adventuring group to oversee the reclamation by any means necessary. Very shortly into their foray, the group was accosted by drow raiders and captured. Several of the adventurers fought to the death; however, Gwendallyn and another were taken prisoner, but they were quickly separated. Gwendallyn is not even sure how long she has been captive beneath the ground, so far away from the light of Lathander that she desperately craves...
Since arriving in Velkynvelve, your character has developed a rather strained relationship with one of the other prisoners**. How did this come about? Eldeth. Upon first being brought to Velkynvelve and seeing the rather motley crew of prisoners within, Gwendallyn's keen eyes spotted another surface dweller, the dwarf Eldeth. Sensing a need to connect with a fellow not from the Underdark, she approached him with an idea of friendship. Initially it appeared that there could be some sort of cooperative relationship there, but Gwendallyn's passion for Lathander and a burning desire to once again see the light of her god began to cause a rift between the two. Eldeth soon tired of hearing Gwendallyn's constant talk about needing to see the sun and sky once more, and the two fell into a very heated argument in which words were exchanged about heritages and of their homes which has currently set the pair on a path towards mutual dislike.
Hello, all, and I thank you again for your interest in this adventure. I've sifted through everyone's ideas and will be extending invites via private message to the following:
Monar Grimewarder, bugbear paladin (Ron6632)
Zilly Gillancheek, svirfneblin bard (Shasher)
Varis Naillo, high elf warlock (LAXGunner)
Szefarian, yuan-ti ranger (BoldHand22)
If anyone opts out or drops out later, I will refer to this thread first when it comes time to find a replacement player. I am sorry I can't include everyone, and I hope the rest of you find a great adventure elsewhere.
~Dust
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Once again, those detestable words fall upon your ears. Multiple times each day, your captors are sure to repeat them, and they have become as abrasive as the metal around your wrists, the rocky floor upon which you sleep, and the insipid tasks to which you are assigned.
This time, the words are uttered by the commander of Velkynvelve herself: the drow priestess Mistress Ilvara. Draped in silken garments and flanked by two male drow, she flicks her scourge and causes a quick, sharp CRACK! to fill the air of the slave pen. Ilvara is making no idle threat; many times you have seen her little whip create a welt upon the backs and legs of your fellow prisoners. You suspect it is only a matter of time before you feel that same sting yourself.
Unless, of course, you are able to escape first…
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Hello, fellow play-by-posters.
I’m looking for a team of four or five players to tackle Out of the Abyss with me. More specifically, I am looking for players who can commit to the following:
*If you’re unfamiliar with Discord, please do not allow this to prevent you from applying. I can walk you through the basics, and there’s a good chance that one, if not most, of the players will be more adept with Discord than I am.
Here are a few things that might affect how you develop your character concept:
Character races. Permitted races are all those from PHB and MoTM.
Character classes and subclasses. All the official ones are permitted.
Character level. All characters begin at level 1.
House rule 1. All characters begin with a feat. Variant humans, therefore, begin with two feats.
House rule 2. A character’s INT grants benefits in accordance with the score modifier. For example, an INT of 14 (+2 modifier) grants 2 non-skill proficiencies (tools and languages)
House rule 3. The breath weapon for a dragonborn is a bonus action rather than an action.
If you are interested, respond to the three questions below. Do not bother with rolling ability scores or creating a character sheet. Those things, and many others, will be resolved during session zero after the players have been selected.
**NPC prisoners
- Buppido, a highly gregarious and talkative derro
- Derendil, a menacing-looking quaggoth who claims to be a cursed elf prince
- Eldeth, a high spirited and proud shield dwarf scout from Gauntlgrym
- Jimjar, a deep gnome (svirfneblin) with an obsession for betting on nearly anything
- Ront, a mean, hateful orc
- Sarith, a sullen, untalkative drow accused of murder
- Shuushar, a calm and contemplative kuo-toa hermit and mystic
- Stool, a frightened myconid sprout (via its rapport spores, it can communicate telepathically)
- Tarnstrak, an aloof deep gnome (svirfneblin) who often mutters under his breath; male twin to Treacle
- Treacle, a mildly friendly deep gnome (svirfneblin), female twin to Tarnstrak
Don’t be concerned about submitting a character of the same class as someone else’s. I have no qualms about including two characters of the same class. The chosen races, subclasses, feats, and backgrounds will provide ample differences between the two.
I’ll keep recruitment open until I’ve found the players that seem to be a good fit. I’m really hoping to find some good storytellers.
Ask questions as needed. Thanks for your time.
~Dust
Okay. Hopefully fingers crossed this one will work.
Just seen it, so I would need to flesh out the answers a little
1. LG Bugbear Paladin, Monar Grimewarder
2. He was an urban bounty hunter. Followed the wrong bounty and ended up in the hands of the Drow (I'd need to spend a little time on the how and why)
3. Sarith was the bounty he was after....
So. I'll definitely be regularly active and am good with using discord. My only caveat is that I work long shifts as a driver so it can seem that I'm not around much. I will post regularly though (and I'm in the UK so will probably post at different times to you all). Also, I will go dark at times. I do a lot of long distance hiking during my holidays, so won't be around during those periods (usually 3 or 4 times a year - likely around 3 weeks during the "summer"). I'll give you a heads up well in advance when I'm away.
I love RP as a player and DM - I can PM you the link to my current game I'm dm'ing if you want an example.
Look forward to hearing from you!
1. What is your character’s name, race, and class?
Zolen Lesta, Variant Human Rogue (Phantom once he hits level 3). Or Fiend-Patron Warlock if someone else wants to be a Rogue more.
2. How did your character fall into the hands of the drow?
Zolen was part of a Zhentarim merchant caravan sent to do business with the drow. Instead everyone except Zolen was slaughtered in battle with an Underdark monster and although Zolen escaped he was enslaved when he stumbled upon the drow empty-handed.
3. Since arriving in Velkynvelve, your character has developed a rather strained relationship with one of the other prisoners**. How did this come about?
Zolen has made a deal with Sarith that they'll help each other. In exchange for Sarith's help escaping Zolen will offer him a place in the ranks of the Zhentarim and they'll defend each other on the way to the surface. Zolen's part of the lower ranks of the Black Network but he is at least able to give Sarith an introduction to the Zhentarim.
Zilly Gillancheek
Deep Gnome (Svirfneblin)
Bard, Lore
Back story
The eldest son of two Svirfneblin miners, Zilly was always more interested in knowledge and music, than gems, precious metals, or the discovery of ore. His goal is to leave the Underdark one day and explore the world above. He dreams of hearing the songs of the surface elves being sung under the moon, or the grand symphonies that take place in the cities of man.
One day, while sitting in his usual spot on a small ledge on the northern side of Blingdenstone, he heard the melody of song, beautiful and sweet, emanating from somewhere in the tunnels outside of the city. While the Underdark is a dangerous place, the tunnels around Blingenstone are patrolled, so he stuck the small harmonica he was practicing in his pocket and headed down a dark tunnel.
Using his natural camouflage, he snuck through the tunnels, getting closer to the source of the song. When at last he found the source of the song, he was astonished. Blending into the shadows of the tunnel, he looked over a small cavern, where a female Goblin was singing to a group of young Goblins. The song was sweet and mellow, a Goblin Lullaby. As he watched, amazed at the song, as well as the fact that this was happening in the wilds of the Underdark, he felt a sharp prick in his neck. He let out a low gasp, careful not to interrupt the performance below, and raised his hand to his neck, where he felt a small dart. Immediately his limbs grew weary and his eyes heavy. As he was about to shout out to warn the Goblins, he dropped to his knees, unable to stand, or speak. Next he was on the ground and everything was going dark. The last thing he saw was a pair of well-made Drow boots approaching from the darkness. Oh Shi.....
He was awoken by a voice. A high-pitched, grating voice, the exact opposite of the sweet Goblin voice that had him so entranced. If being locked up in a Drow prison wasn’t bad enough, now he was forced to listen to this dwarf talk incessantly. “Gauntlgrym this… King Bruenor that… Dwarven bullshit this and that…” The prattle was endless. Perhaps this Eldeth was nervous, or ignorant of his situation, whatever it was, Zilly wanted him to shut up. Maybe playing his harmonica will help dull this obnoxious dwarf’s voice.
Zilly puts his hand into his pocket, reaching for his harmonica…
Lady Katarina Spring Blossom of the Mystic Paws, Tabaxi Barbarian
Katarina comes from a family of spellcasters, who have used their supernatural abilities to accumulate great wealth and influence in their clan, and there were always high expectations for Katarina to become a powerful sorceress like her father and her siblings. Unfortunately, those powers never manifested, and as it became clear that she would never achieve the same powers as the rest of her family, they began to shun her, and her older sister Vivian began to bully her mercilessly. Eventually, Katarina reached her breaking point... in a fit of rage she attacked her sister, and very nearly killed her tormentor. When Katarina realized what she had done, she fled, terrified of what her parents might do to her for viciously attacking and maiming their favorite daughter. Unfortunately, alone for the first time, Katarina put her trust into the wrong people very quickly... and she soon found herself being dragged away into a life of slavery...
Being familiar with wealth and prestige, Katarina made the mistake of saying that she didn't think Derendil was really a prince... they have argued over this many times, but have slowly gone from outright hostility to more playful banter. She still thinks he's full of crap, though.
(Quick question: since you already said that v. human is okay in spite of the bonus feat, are you opposed to the newer backgrounds that come with a bonus feat? Or is the starter feat only if your background doesn't already include a feat?)
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
D&D since 1984
@ everyone
NPC descriptions in the original post have been edited to show that Jimjar, Tarnstrack, and Treacle are deep gnomes.
Very interested in joining an Out of the Abyss adventure.
Character name: Varis Naillo, High Elf, Warlock (Archfey)
Backstory: Varis is a researcher and mid-level functionary within the court at Silverymoon with a thirst for both arcane knowledge and political prestige that drives most, if not all, of his actions. The thirst has led him to questionable decisions in the recent past, really you would think someone of his experience and standing would know not to enter a pact with an Archfey from the courts, but after picking up a crumb or two of knowledge from deep within the Conclave of Silverymoon and a few carefully arranged “chance” encounters to gain his patronage, he was finally on a path that could lead toward his goals. Until the damnable Drow interrupted his plans. He was outside the city, allegedly to study the magical properties of a strain of fungi in a nearby set of caverns but in reality to meet an attendant from the court that could help advance his interests, when they unfortunately ran across a Drow scouting party. His contact was slain and he was taken. He spent the trip to the depths sulking in silence and cursing his luck until he joined the others in the slave pen.
Varis is quite charming when he wants to be, but can also be a bit haughty and insufferable at times. He immediately runs afoul of Derendil. He does not believe that creature is a cursed elven prince for one second, and questions him constantly on his family name and history while trying to catch him in a misstatement or lie that could prove his deception.
Fargrum Goldreach, Mountain Dwarf, rogue (scout)
Captured along with 2 other members of a scouting expedition, Fargrum has been forced to watch as his comrades were tortured and killed off by the Drow until only he remains.
Silent and withdrawn from the other prisoners, he has only Stool for companionship as the two have connected
Z'renn Narcion the Drow Ranger. Will be going gloomstalker at 3rd level.
Z'renn is the last surviving noble son of House Narcion, a house so low in the ranking of hierarchy of Mennzoberranzan that most would never know it existed. That changed however when it was found that their Matron Mother lost the favor of Lloth. Seeing this as a chance to raise their own status if even a bit many of the other lesser houses began to scheme to remove House Narcion from play. Fortunately or unfortunately Z'renn was outside of the city when his House was exterminated, leaving him as the only remaining noble of the house. Word of this would eventually reach him and he would attempt to rush back to the City of Spiders to seek justice against the houses that destroyed his own, knowing that as long as he survived they would be punished.
His journey home did not last long as one of those he traveled with belonged to the house that had destroyed House Narcion. At first their goal was to kill Z'renn but after failing to do so, they would instead accuse him of blasphemy against Lloth. This angered a priestess and she drug him back to Velkynvelve. After several sessions of questioning and torture, Z'renn was thrown in a cell to rot until it was time to begin the process again.
Being a typical drow for the most part, Z'renn has mostly ignored all of those that share the large cell with him. He looks at all of them with disdain but will deign to talk to his fellow drow Sarith even if the other doesn't respond most of the time. He refuses to speak in what he considers a lesser language unless forced to, using the drow dialect of Elvish almost exclusively.
Good question. Before I answer that, I want to do some reading on the newer backgrounds.
What is your character’s name, race, and class?
Szefarian is a male Yuan-Ti, Ranger class going for Gloomstalker.
How did your character fall into the hands of the drow?
He's not a good person, in general. He's a flesh broker, a fancy way to say slaver. His product was typically wayward souls too deep in debt to mind selling themselves or who wouldn't be missed if they were to suddenly vanish. As it was, Drow were typically good business, both as dealers and – how to put it – exotic products. Turns out, Drow can be pretty business-savvy themselves, when they want to be. What's savvier than taking out the competition after a major deal? They have his money, his cargo, his ship, his contacts and now, him.
Since arriving in Velkynvelve, your character has developed a rather strained relationship with one of the other prisoners**. How did this come about?
Quaggoth are rather vicious creatures, not unlike a cornered snake. Perhaps it's a kinship among vicious monsters that Derendil seemed so amicable. Or perhaps Szefarian sees profit in recruiting a beast like him, even superficially. Maybe they're using each other. Only time will tell.
Note: I'd like to give Szefarian's access to poison spray a little flavor by making it something he spews from his mouth, rather than his finger. It would function exactly the same as the regular cantrip, it would just look different.
Gulth, a Lizardfolk Cleric (Trickery)
A lizardman shaman with a connection to the natural world. One fateful day, as Gulth communed with the spirits of the marshlands, a ruthless drow raiding party descended from the shadows below. Their dark purpose was to plunder and pillage, to capture slaves and sacrifices for their nefarious schemes.
Caught off guard by the drow's stealth and cunning, Gulth found themselves ensnared in their trap. Bound and stripped of gear, Gulth was whisked away from the sunlit surface and plunged into the lightless depths of the Underdark. The shaman's fate was now entwined with the other prisoners.
The other prisoner that Gulth shares a strained relationship with is Jimjar. The gambler voiced his willingness to place a bets on who would be killed by their captors first, and the deep gnome announced to the group that his selection was none other than Gulth.
Dah’ren Lavallen, A half-elf Fighter aiming to be Samurai.
Dah’ren hailed from a secluded elven island who worship dragons as gods. He came towards the Sword Coast to find his father, a human adventurer from Neverwinter. A trail of information and rumors led him to believe that his father is on a journey to find an ancient tomb of a dwarven king deep beneath the earth. Following his footsteps led him to a drow ambush when he is but two stories deep below earth, not even reaching the so called underdark yet.
Dah’ren always tries to be kind to other , Ront the mean orc is the opposite, he is mean, hateful and somewhat of a bully, which Dah’ren abhors the most. The fact that you can be mean to other prisoners while the drow enslaves us all means he is just trying to feel somewhat good about himself, trying to feel powerful in his powerless state. He thinks it is pathetic.
Several very good character ideas thus far; so, I don't see a need to keep this thread open much longer. I'll give it another eight hours or so. Thanks, everyone.
Drat! Well, maybe next time. Best of luck to all who submitted!
Sounds like this might be closed now. Glad to see you back as a DM.
In case you haven't actually closed this yet, I will quickly throw an application together.
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
Thanks, everyone, for your interest and the time you've taken to submit an idea. Recruitment is now closed.
I will post here in a few hours, letting you know which players I've selected.
Also throwing out a character just in case!
Valaith "Rimehand" Kalukavi - Chronicles of Arden
Hello, all, and I thank you again for your interest in this adventure. I've sifted through everyone's ideas and will be extending invites via private message to the following:
If anyone opts out or drops out later, I will refer to this thread first when it comes time to find a replacement player. I am sorry I can't include everyone, and I hope the rest of you find a great adventure elsewhere.
~Dust