You recognize the voice, for it is one you have known since your youth. You are surprised, however, by what it is saying. Glancing up from your task, you reply skeptically, “The great chief wishes to speak to me? You must be ill, Torm. Or drunk.”
Torm finds no humor in your response. “I’m not ill. I wish I were drunk,” he growls crossly. “Go to Kriga before I blacken both your eyes.”
Unsure if the chieftain’s threat is sincere, you nod. “I will. Immediately.”
Torm mutters something inaudible under his breath as he turns and disappears into the shadows of the ancient forest.
You stare into the noisy waters of the Delimbiyr and wonder why Kriga wishes to see you. In a moment of pessimism, you search your memory for some mistake you may have made, a mistake that would merit Kriga’s wrath. Nothing comes to mind, but you begin walking into the forest with a cloud of doubt in your thoughts.
Minutes later, the enormous, hollowed-out oak that serves as the great chief’s home comes into view. Seeing a few other tribe members enter the chief's abode, you find comfort in the fact that this will not be a one-on-one meeting with the Canny One. You enter the dimly-lit space within the tree and, according to tribal custom, you form a claw with your right hand and make a diagonal slashing motion in the air in front of your face before you sit on the ground. Kriga smiles wanly and nods in acknowledgement of your gesture of respect.
Kriga Moonmusk, great chief of the Blue Bear tribe, then speaks. “You wonder why I have called for you, yes?” Despite her many years, her voice carries authority and her eyes sparkle with life. She continues, “A most important matter. Yes. A most important matter. The full moon has come and gone and will soon return, but the burial party of Arnek Mar has not.”
Several weeks ago, three Blue Bear tribe members set forth with the remains of Arnek Mar, a fierce tribal chieftain who seemed destined to succeed Kriga. The three were tasked to carry Arnek’s body to Stone Stand and bury him among the other honored tribe members. They should have returned days ago.
You glance at the other tribe members to see if they are as troubled by this news as you are. Before you can assess the other’s thoughts, Kriga speaks again. Boring a hole in you with her eyes, she utters, “You will go. You will learn what has become of Arnek Mar, and you will make certain he sleeps in the place of honor among his warrior brothers and sisters. And all the while you will remain unknown to those who believe we do not exist.”
Kriga reads the uncertainty in your face. “You will do this, and you will succeed, young one. I have chosen you because…”
Hello, adventurers.
After an extended absence from the play-by-post world, I am hoping to join forces with five of you and create a new and memorable story. Please sift through the information below before submitting a character idea. As you’ll see, there are significant constraints placed upon character creation for this campaign. Four of the five characters will be barbarians. All characters will be human (or human variants).
Setting and Lore: The Sword Coast. More specifically, this storyline will be deeply rooted in the culture of the Uthgardt barbarians.
Themes and Tone: The decisions made by the characters will be the determining factor here. Can barbarian tribe members pursue pure, noble ends? I suppose. Could they also leave a path of destruction and sorrow behind them? Definitely.
General Character Information
All characters will begin at level 4.
All characters are members of the Blue Bear tribe (one of the eleven Uthgardt tribes located in the Sword Coast). The characters have had no experiences outside tribal life.
Ability scores, hit points, and gold will be determined later, after players have been selected.
In accordance with the 5e description of the Uthgardt tribes, the race for all characters will be human. Human variants are acceptable.
Feats are permitted.
Four (4) characters will be of the same class: barbarian.
One (1) character will be a tribal shaman (see clarification below).
Character background may be Uthgardt barbarian or Outlander.
Specific Character Information (Barbarian)
All seven primal paths seem suitable (Ancestral Guardian, Battlerager, Berserker, Storm Herald, Totem Warrior, Wild Soul, and Zealot)
Starting equipment will be three weapons OR two weapons and a shield
Specific Character Information (Tribal Shaman)
Of course, there is no tribal shaman class. Rather than creating a homebrew class for this adventure, I’d prefer to rely on the existing 5e classes. I believe that three of them will work satisfactorily and can be played in a shaman-esque manner: Cleric (Arcana, Nature, Tempest, Trickery, or War Domain), Druid (Circle of the Land (Forest) or Circle of the Moon), or Sorcerer (Divine Soul)
Starting equipment will be two weapons and a bundle of sticks (which serves as the tribal shaman's arcane focus)
Additional Details
Leveling up will be based upon milestones.
Standard encumbrance rules will be in effect.
Content sharing will be enabled.
This will be much more than a hack-and-slash tale. Role-playing, teamwork, and problem-solving will be just as important as dispatching the enemy.
I find grid-style maps to be very helpful and will create/use them as often as possible.
All players should, on average, submit a thoughtful, quality post once per day.
If you’re interested in playing one of the four barbarians in this adventure, then please post the following in this thread (keeping in mind the above-mentioned constraints):
Name:
Race:
Primal Path:
Background:
Starting equipment:
Backstory that answers the question, “Why has Kriga Moonmusk chosen you to be part of this important tribal matter?”
A few sentences that explain how you came to possess one of your weapons (or your shield) and why that weapon (or shield) is so deeply important to you.
A few sentences that explain how you came to be proficient with (one of) your artisan’s tools or musical instruments.
There is no need to create a full character sheet or to submit anything else.
If you’re interested in playing the one and only tribal shaman in this adventure, then please post the following in this thread (keeping in mind the above-mentioned constraints):
Name:
Race:
Class (and Domain, Circle, or Origin):
Background:
Starting equipment:
Backstory that answers the question, “Why has Kriga Moonmusk chosen you to be part of this important tribal matter?”
A few sentences that explain how you came to realize your connection to the spirit world.
A few sentences that explain how you came to be proficient with one of your artisan’s tools or musical instruments.
There is no need to create a full character sheet or to submit anything else.
This recruitment thread will remain open for the next three or four days.
Interested in a barbarian character. Will you allow multiclass with a main focus on barbarian?
Name: Hermod Heskin
Race: Variant HUman
Primal Path: Path of the Storm Herald
Background: Outlander
Starting equipment: Glaive, Whip, Rapier
Backstory that answers the question, “Why has Kriga Moonmusk chosen you to be part of this important tribal matter?”
Although he has never left the tribe, Hermod has always been interested in other cultures. He has been able to learn a number of languages of races who live around the region. He has also been able to learn some of the histories of the region. This knowledge has come mainly from prisoners captured during raids and the few merchants who visited infrequently. They came to learn of Hermod's interest and would bring along scrolls and tomes for him to study.
Hermod's studious nature often put him outside the circles of peers that others formed, but Kriga Moonmusk always seemed to encourage the pursuit of knowledge. Now, with things moving in new ways, Kriga feels that including someone who is at least interested in other cultures would be useful.
A few sentences that explain how you came to possess one of your weapons (or your shield) and why that weapon (or shield) is so deeply important to you.
Hermod's glaive was the weapon of a wagon guard. He was 16 at the time and had just started joining the tribal war party, patrolling their borders. Hermod had been isolated from the rest of the party in a fight and ended up tackling the guard to the ground before killing him with his bare hands. This was his first solo kill and he kept the man's weapon as a trophy.
A few sentences that explain how you came to be proficient with (one of) your artisan’s tools or musical instruments.
Hermod plays the horn (bugle). The instrument is made out of brass. During a border patrol, Hermod had helped bring down a cavalry unit. The bugle had caught Hermod's attention and he had kept it. A few months later he had been trying to play it when a prisoner, a bard, had heard him and offered to help him in exchange for his freedom. Over a few weeks, Hermod had learnt the basics of playing the instrument. When he started to feel confident, he thanked the bard and quickly killed him.
Class (and Domain, Circle, or Origin): Sorcerer (Divine Soul, Neutral affinity)
Background: Hermit
Starting equipment: sling, quarterstaff and a bundle of sticks
Backstory that answers the question, “Why has Kriga Moonmusk chosen you to be part of this important tribal matter?”
Lasska is the oldest apprentice of tribe's shaman. Strangest too - the source of her magic is unsettling, and if she is still alive and not exiled, it's all thanks to the old shaman, who saw her usefulness. And now Kriga decided it's time to prove her worth: return victorious and be finally fully accepted, or fail and die with all your uneasiness, bothering the rest of the tribe.
A few sentences that explain how you came to realize your connection to the spirit world.
There was no singular "moment of realization". Lasska grew with a full knowledge of the Great Spirit that watched over her. He healed her bruisers and scratches (by her hands but with his power) and allowed to play with pretty fires and make many other interesting things. What surprised her one day was the discovery, that others do not have that kind of protection. For some time she though it was because they (all the others) angered Spirit somehow but soon she learned it was not the case, she is an exception and people around can not decide whether she is cursed or blessed.
A few sentences that explain how you came to be proficient with one of your artisan’s tools or musical instruments.
All Lasska knows, she knows from the Shaman. Since the moment he took her under his wing, she was learning. And the first (and the most important) thing to learn was the plants around. Lasska turned to be a good apprentice, and become a great herbalist, gathering at least half the herbs tribe needed, letting the Shaman to do more important things.
Backstory that answers the question, “Why has Kriga Moonmusk chosen you to be part of this important tribal matter?”
Farkas is as swift as the wind, he covers the lands of the Blue Bear like lightning through the sky, nobody in the tribe is as fast as Lighteye and he is an excellent scout because of it, ranging ahead of the tribe and able to stay out of reach of enemies if necessary, although like most of the tribe he enjoys the thrill of battle and the chance to use his axes against a worthy foe is a wonderful thing to the young tribesman.
A few sentences that explain how you came to possess one of your weapons (or your shield) and why that weapon (or shield) is so deeply important to you.
Steel is always rare, his axe blades are ancient, passed through his family although the hafts have been recreated several times, each blade contains intricate etchings detailing the life and glories of the previous owners, there is much written of Farkas' father and grandfather, little yet of the current wielder of the blades, in time his wishes to rectify this. As the oldest of two brothers Farkas has the right to bear these arms, his younger brother Kosa covets them greatly though.
A few sentences that explain how you came to be proficient with (one of) your artisan’s tools or musical instruments.
It may not be entirely accurate that Farkas is proficient with his woodcarving tools, often he has taken himself away to scout out the surrounding areas and with a lack of company resorts to trying to carve figurines for his nephews, who are twin boys of three years. He is definitely improving but has a long way to go before he can call himself a capable carver of wood.
I'll also sign up for a barbarian slot, and awaiting the multiclass question.
Name: Mateja Embereye
Race: Human (Variant) (Dual Wielder)
Primal Path: Wild Soul
Background: Tribe Member
Starting equipment: Warhammer, Longsword, Javelin
Backstory that answers the question, “Why has Kriga Moonmusk chosen you to be part of this important tribal matter?”
“You will do this, and you will succeed, young one. I have chosen you because your mother had a vision, just before she died.”
Kriga offers no further explanation, and the sentence stirs something deep within Mateja's chest. Her mother had not been a shaman, nor in any way related to the shamanic ways, so why would she have had a vision? Why would Kriga even have heeded her words?
Mateja's mother had died four years back, victim to an elk driven mad by a large, black thorn in its hoof. The hunters traveling with her at the time had said she had died instantly, trampled almost beyond recognition. They had killed the elk, and it was them that discovered the black thorn. It had been gifted to Mateja, and for two years she had carried it with her on a cord around her neck, until finally, in a fit of mad rage that finally let her vent and release her frustration and anger at having lost her mother, she crushed the thorn and swallowed the pieces.
Since then her sadness was freed upon the winds, but her rage had become volatile, with outbursts of energy that Mateja had little to no control over.
A few sentences that explain how you came to possess one of your weapons (or your shield) and why that weapon (or shield) is so deeply important to you.
The hammer head, passed down through the family on her father's side, is a brand of honor that she holds in high regard, but her mother's blade, gifted to Mateja during the burial ceremony, is kept closest to her heart. She treats both with utmost care, and she is proud of her skill in combat with both weapons. It took some time before she was truly used to fighting with such an imbalance in her hands, but over the years she has mastered the effect and is loathe to venture out without them on her belt.
A few sentences that explain how you came to be proficient with (one of) your artisan’s tools or musical instruments.
Mateja never leaves her tent without her set of bone needles and an assortment of string and gut. A gift from her father, who had taught her many of the tricks to mend and create warm clothes while out on the hunt. All it took was a thorny bush to rip a hole in a bag, and more than one hunter had found death after a fight with a beast left their warm clothing destroyed, unable to be kept closed in the cold days and nights of winter.
Name: Oarm Battlegore Race: Human (variant) Primal Path: Ancestor Background: Uthgardt barbarian Starting equipment: Greataxe, Maule, Handaxe Backstory that answers the question, “Why has Kriga Moonmusk chosen you to be part of this important tribal matter?” Oarm is a level-headed, at least for a barbarian, individual, who is connected deeply with the ancestors of his people. His family are blacksmiths of the people, and he has followed in their footsteps. he is seen as a rock of stability among his people, and is often sought out as a more reasonable approach to situations. The chief would have called on him in this, in hopes of not sending a bunch of rampaging members of their clan out without at least someone who can think matters through a bit before destroying everything.
A few sentences that explain how you came to possess one of your weapons (or your shield) and why that weapon (or shield) is so deeply important to you.
Oarm's axe is a family relic, that was crafted by his great grandfather. His father wielded it, his grand father wielded it, and now it is his to wield. he only hopes to live up to the greatness that was his ancestors.
A few sentences that explain how you came to be proficient with (one of) your artisan’s tools or musical instruments.
Oarm has followed in his ancestor's footsteps, as in all things. He has studied the art of metal smithing as his father, his father's father, and even his father's father's father had.
Interested in a barbarian character. Will you allow multiclass with a main focus on barbarian?
Six,
I'm willing. I'd like to keep the party purely barbarian for the first portion of the adventure, however. Upon reaching level 6, players can take the multi-class option if they'd like (e.g. Barbarian 5 | Rogue 1). I do ask that multi-classing be limited to two classes.
Backstory that answers the question, “Why has Kriga Moonmusk chosen you to be part of this important tribal matter?”
Urijeon was always a little strange. Smaller than the others and unnaturally quiet he never seemed to fit in. He seemed more at home with animals that with his fellow tribe members. When it came to hunting however, his talents shone through. The small man could move silently through the forest, tracking prey with greater ease than anyone else in the tribe. He would often disappear for a while and then reappear beside the party to lead them into perfect position to catch their prey. Though he is a bit strange, the entire tribe acknowledges that his skills make them more successful in the hunt.
A few sentences that explain how you came to possess one of your weapons (or your shield) and why that weapon (or shield) is so deeply important to you.
Uri's longbow is his prized possession. Recognizing that his son could not hold up in a physical battle his father crafted the weapon for him and spent hours teaching him to shoot. It was one of the few acts of kindness the gruff old man ever gave his son, saying that if Uri was killed so easily the family would never live it down. As Uri's younger brother developed into a strong, capable warrior like his father, Uri gradually fell out of favour and the lessons stopped. Now Uri sees the bow as a reminder of the small amount of love that his father showed him.
A few sentences that explain how you came to be proficient with (one of) your artisan’s tools or musical instruments.
Occasionally a group of unsavoury types attempts to use the tribes land to hide some of their deeds and needs to be reminded who owns the land. After one such reminder Urijeon found the small pouch of tools while searching a body. The small mirror and other tools intrigued his curious mind and he took them with him. Over time he learned how to use the tools, convincing other tribe members to let him practice on the locks and other traps of crates taken during fights. They were never very fond of his delays but always got a good laugh when he failed to disarm something.
(Thieves Tools)
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Gronk in Bastion, Kingdom of Medrin Elixisysin Talaveroth (Team 2) Uthal in Lost Continent of Theviranne
Starting equipment: 2 hand axes, and a bundle of sticks tied tightly together with tough fibrous reeds and adorned with various blooms and spices
Backstory that answers the question, “Why has Kriga Moonmusk chosen you to be part of this important tribal matter?": Perhaps Kriga the Canny One is simply obliging tribal custom and tradition to always have a shaman accompany a group of hardened barbarians. Perhaps, more likely, she simply is using this custom as an excuse to get this unorthodox shaman out of the way permanently. In fairness, Kriga may just recognize that Avelin's connection to Nature provides a unique niche to ensure party success through unpredictable hazards of the wilderness. Either way, refusing this request from Kriga, looking her in those hard unblinking eyes and declining outright is dishonorable and extremely unwise.
A few sentences that explain how you came to realize your connection to the spirit world: Unlike other shamans which practice feats of strength or endurance to prove their connection to Uthgar, Avelin heard the Voice of Uthgar directly from Nature itself at an early age and was surprised others did not have this same connection. An anamoly among shamans, but not altogether trusted or respected among the hardy tribal barbarians. Whether through chirps of tree frogs, the cacaphony of crickets, or the whispers of the hanging vines and ancient oaks, Avelin heard the Voice directly that to strengthen Nature and the surrounding wilderness around the tribe would serve to protect His interest and the interest of keeping the tribe isolated from the wicked and misguided ways of the civilizations that reach beyond the borders.
A few sentences that explain how you came to be proficient with one of your artisan’s tools or musical instruments: Whittled with care and patience from a semi petrified wood deep in the wilderness, Avelin crafted a pan flute. With this flute, Avelin spent many years at night and in secret fine tuning its pitch perfectly to match the songbirds that nest far from the tribe's villages. The Barbarians may or may not appreciate its semi shrill pitch, but the songbirds love it.
Edit: disclosure I've never done PBP before but would be welcome the opportunity to find a story together, and can be dedicated to regular posting.
Backstory that answers the question, “Why has Kriga Moonmusk chosen you to be part of this important tribal matter?”
Teya is renowned within the Blue Bear clan for her ferocity. Indeed, many of the tribe members are afraid of her brutality, which is extreme even for barbarians of the North. She still carries the evidence of a man-sized boar that tried to fight her, and the last person who challenged her didn’t make it through the winter. Surely Kriga has chosen Teya for her violent and unrelenting nature. But Kriga has a shrewd mind. Perhaps she knows that ferocity is just a front, defending the gentle and rather slothful soul beneath. Is this a test of Teya’s true mettle, or does Kriga need Teya’s less martial skills?
A few sentences that explain how you came to possess one of your weapons (or your shield) and why that weapon (or shield) is so deeply important to you.
Teya’s maul has a shaft of strong oak, heavy enough to beat a man to death. Affixed atop it is a white tusk, as long as its owner’s forearm, capable of piercing the thickest oxhide. A vicious boar, as large as any bear, had charged straight into the barbarian camp. Teya slaughtered it and tore off the tusk for all to see. Now she always carries the maul around, since it is a constant reminder of her brutality and a warning to anyone who would confront her. Very few people have bothered Teya since she made the maul, which suits her perfectly.
A few sentences that explain how you came to be proficient with (one of) your artisan’s tools or musical instruments.
While hunting four seasons ago, Teya encountered a strange man on his own, evidently not from these lands. Since he gave her trinkets from his homeland and treated her with respect, Teya did not kill him. The man explained that he was trying to map out the Uthgardt territories, which are largely unexplored by ‘civilized’ folk. Although this idea seemed strange at first, it stayed with Teya when she returned to the tribe, and it was not long before she began drawing her own crude maps of where the tribe went. The few people who know of this hobby have ridiculed it, since the Uthgardt people know their own lands well enough, but Teya still continues, always improving her map-drawing skills. Surely it will be useful someday...
Horatio Hirschfeld - Squire imbued with fae powers, in the Coliseum of Conquest (W2/L1) DM for Reavers of Harkenwold, and sometimes The Fighting Grounds of the Coliseum
I've decided to close this recruitment thread early. A sufficient number of great character ideas have been submitted. Thank you to everyone who took the time to apply. I'll send private messages soon.
~Jack
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Hello, adventurers.
After an extended absence from the play-by-post world, I am hoping to join forces with five of you and create a new and memorable story. Please sift through the information below before submitting a character idea. As you’ll see, there are significant constraints placed upon character creation for this campaign. Four of the five characters will be barbarians. All characters will be human (or human variants).
If you’re interested in playing one of the four barbarians in this adventure, then please post the following in this thread (keeping in mind the above-mentioned constraints):
There is no need to create a full character sheet or to submit anything else.
If you’re interested in playing the one and only tribal shaman in this adventure, then please post the following in this thread (keeping in mind the above-mentioned constraints):
There is no need to create a full character sheet or to submit anything else.
This recruitment thread will remain open for the next three or four days.
Happy adventuring!
~jack
Interested in a barbarian character. Will you allow multiclass with a main focus on barbarian?
Although he has never left the tribe, Hermod has always been interested in other cultures. He has been able to learn a number of languages of races who live around the region. He has also been able to learn some of the histories of the region. This knowledge has come mainly from prisoners captured during raids and the few merchants who visited infrequently. They came to learn of Hermod's interest and would bring along scrolls and tomes for him to study.
Hermod's studious nature often put him outside the circles of peers that others formed, but Kriga Moonmusk always seemed to encourage the pursuit of knowledge. Now, with things moving in new ways, Kriga feels that including someone who is at least interested in other cultures would be useful.
Hermod's glaive was the weapon of a wagon guard. He was 16 at the time and had just started joining the tribal war party, patrolling their borders. Hermod had been isolated from the rest of the party in a fight and ended up tackling the guard to the ground before killing him with his bare hands. This was his first solo kill and he kept the man's weapon as a trophy.
Hermod plays the horn (bugle). The instrument is made out of brass. During a border patrol, Hermod had helped bring down a cavalry unit. The bugle had caught Hermod's attention and he had kept it. A few months later he had been trying to play it when a prisoner, a bard, had heard him and offered to help him in exchange for his freedom. Over a few weeks, Hermod had learnt the basics of playing the instrument. When he started to feel confident, he thanked the bard and quickly killed him.
Application for a shaman.
Lasska is the oldest apprentice of tribe's shaman. Strangest too - the source of her magic is unsettling, and if she is still alive and not exiled, it's all thanks to the old shaman, who saw her usefulness. And now Kriga decided it's time to prove her worth: return victorious and be finally fully accepted, or fail and die with all your uneasiness, bothering the rest of the tribe.
There was no singular "moment of realization". Lasska grew with a full knowledge of the Great Spirit that watched over her. He healed her bruisers and scratches (by her hands but with his power) and allowed to play with pretty fires and make many other interesting things. What surprised her one day was the discovery, that others do not have that kind of protection. For some time she though it was because they (all the others) angered Spirit somehow but soon she learned it was not the case, she is an exception and people around can not decide whether she is cursed or blessed.
All Lasska knows, she knows from the Shaman. Since the moment he took her under his wing, she was learning. And the first (and the most important) thing to learn was the plants around. Lasska turned to be a good apprentice, and become a great herbalist, gathering at least half the herbs tribe needed, letting the Shaman to do more important things.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Name: Farkas Lighteye
Race: Variant Human (Mobile feat)
Primal Path: Totem
Background: Uthgardt Tribe Member
Starting Equipment: Battle axe, handaxes.
Backstory that answers the question, “Why has Kriga Moonmusk chosen you to be part of this important tribal matter?”
Farkas is as swift as the wind, he covers the lands of the Blue Bear like lightning through the sky, nobody in the tribe is as fast as Lighteye and he is an excellent scout because of it, ranging ahead of the tribe and able to stay out of reach of enemies if necessary, although like most of the tribe he enjoys the thrill of battle and the chance to use his axes against a worthy foe is a wonderful thing to the young tribesman.
A few sentences that explain how you came to possess one of your weapons (or your shield) and why that weapon (or shield) is so deeply important to you.
Steel is always rare, his axe blades are ancient, passed through his family although the hafts have been recreated several times, each blade contains intricate etchings detailing the life and glories of the previous owners, there is much written of Farkas' father and grandfather, little yet of the current wielder of the blades, in time his wishes to rectify this. As the oldest of two brothers Farkas has the right to bear these arms, his younger brother Kosa covets them greatly though.
A few sentences that explain how you came to be proficient with (one of) your artisan’s tools or musical instruments.
It may not be entirely accurate that Farkas is proficient with his woodcarving tools, often he has taken himself away to scout out the surrounding areas and with a lack of company resorts to trying to carve figurines for his nephews, who are twin boys of three years. He is definitely improving but has a long way to go before he can call himself a capable carver of wood.
Vhon - Level 2 Warlock - What shall become of the Drunken Sailor?
Lyreis - Level 6 Elf Fighter - Eberron: Omega
DM - Dzenda: The Cracks - DM - Dzenda: Whispered Tales
I'll also sign up for a barbarian slot, and awaiting the multiclass question.
“You will do this, and you will succeed, young one. I have chosen you because your mother had a vision, just before she died.”
Kriga offers no further explanation, and the sentence stirs something deep within Mateja's chest. Her mother had not been a shaman, nor in any way related to the shamanic ways, so why would she have had a vision? Why would Kriga even have heeded her words?
Mateja's mother had died four years back, victim to an elk driven mad by a large, black thorn in its hoof. The hunters traveling with her at the time had said she had died instantly, trampled almost beyond recognition. They had killed the elk, and it was them that discovered the black thorn. It had been gifted to Mateja, and for two years she had carried it with her on a cord around her neck, until finally, in a fit of mad rage that finally let her vent and release her frustration and anger at having lost her mother, she crushed the thorn and swallowed the pieces.
Since then her sadness was freed upon the winds, but her rage had become volatile, with outbursts of energy that Mateja had little to no control over.
The hammer head, passed down through the family on her father's side, is a brand of honor that she holds in high regard, but her mother's blade, gifted to Mateja during the burial ceremony, is kept closest to her heart. She treats both with utmost care, and she is proud of her skill in combat with both weapons. It took some time before she was truly used to fighting with such an imbalance in her hands, but over the years she has mastered the effect and is loathe to venture out without them on her belt.
Mateja never leaves her tent without her set of bone needles and an assortment of string and gut. A gift from her father, who had taught her many of the tricks to mend and create warm clothes while out on the hunt. All it took was a thorny bush to rip a hole in a bag, and more than one hunter had found death after a fight with a beast left their warm clothing destroyed, unable to be kept closed in the cold days and nights of winter.
(Weaver's Tools)
Lynn-Marie Verine-Wintercleaver, Human Bloodhunter - Adventures in Esyldien
Finan Caible, Human Bard - Joys of Balance
Yroc Grumbak, Orc Fighlock - Pizazz's ToA
Arell Peroan, Half-Elf Warlonk - Scattered Gods
ESC! | 10|33|5~
Name: Oarm Battlegore
Race: Human (variant)
Primal Path: Ancestor
Background: Uthgardt barbarian
Starting equipment: Greataxe, Maule, Handaxe
Backstory that answers the question, “Why has Kriga Moonmusk chosen you to be part of this important tribal matter?”
Oarm is a level-headed, at least for a barbarian, individual, who is connected deeply with the ancestors of his people. His family are blacksmiths of the people, and he has followed in their footsteps. he is seen as a rock of stability among his people, and is often sought out as a more reasonable approach to situations. The chief would have called on him in this, in hopes of not sending a bunch of rampaging members of their clan out without at least someone who can think matters through a bit before destroying everything.
A few sentences that explain how you came to possess one of your weapons (or your shield) and why that weapon (or shield) is so deeply important to you.
Oarm's axe is a family relic, that was crafted by his great grandfather. His father wielded it, his grand father wielded it, and now it is his to wield. he only hopes to live up to the greatness that was his ancestors.
A few sentences that explain how you came to be proficient with (one of) your artisan’s tools or musical instruments.
Oarm has followed in his ancestor's footsteps, as in all things. He has studied the art of metal smithing as his father, his father's father, and even his father's father's father had.
Six,
I'm willing. I'd like to keep the party purely barbarian for the first portion of the adventure, however. Upon reaching level 6, players can take the multi-class option if they'd like (e.g. Barbarian 5 | Rogue 1). I do ask that multi-classing be limited to two classes.
Name: Urijeon Lightfoot
Race: Human
Primal Path: Totem Warrior
Background: Uthgardt Barbarian
Starting equipment: Longbow, Dagger, Shortsword
Backstory that answers the question, “Why has Kriga Moonmusk chosen you to be part of this important tribal matter?”
Urijeon was always a little strange. Smaller than the others and unnaturally quiet he never seemed to fit in. He seemed more at home with animals that with his fellow tribe members. When it came to hunting however, his talents shone through. The small man could move silently through the forest, tracking prey with greater ease than anyone else in the tribe. He would often disappear for a while and then reappear beside the party to lead them into perfect position to catch their prey. Though he is a bit strange, the entire tribe acknowledges that his skills make them more successful in the hunt.
A few sentences that explain how you came to possess one of your weapons (or your shield) and why that weapon (or shield) is so deeply important to you.
Uri's longbow is his prized possession. Recognizing that his son could not hold up in a physical battle his father crafted the weapon for him and spent hours teaching him to shoot. It was one of the few acts of kindness the gruff old man ever gave his son, saying that if Uri was killed so easily the family would never live it down. As Uri's younger brother developed into a strong, capable warrior like his father, Uri gradually fell out of favour and the lessons stopped. Now Uri sees the bow as a reminder of the small amount of love that his father showed him.
A few sentences that explain how you came to be proficient with (one of) your artisan’s tools or musical instruments.
Occasionally a group of unsavoury types attempts to use the tribes land to hide some of their deeds and needs to be reminded who owns the land. After one such reminder Urijeon found the small pouch of tools while searching a body. The small mirror and other tools intrigued his curious mind and he took them with him. Over time he learned how to use the tools, convincing other tribe members to let him practice on the locks and other traps of crates taken during fights. They were never very fond of his delays but always got a good laugh when he failed to disarm something.
(Thieves Tools)
Gronk in Bastion, Kingdom of Medrin Elixisys in Talaveroth (Team 2) Uthal in Lost Continent of Theviranne
Shaman.
Name: Avelin
Race: Human
Class: Cleric, Nature domain
Background: Outlander
Starting equipment: 2 hand axes, and a bundle of sticks tied tightly together with tough fibrous reeds and adorned with various blooms and spices
Backstory that answers the question, “Why has Kriga Moonmusk chosen you to be part of this important tribal matter?": Perhaps Kriga the Canny One is simply obliging tribal custom and tradition to always have a shaman accompany a group of hardened barbarians. Perhaps, more likely, she simply is using this custom as an excuse to get this unorthodox shaman out of the way permanently. In fairness, Kriga may just recognize that Avelin's connection to Nature provides a unique niche to ensure party success through unpredictable hazards of the wilderness. Either way, refusing this request from Kriga, looking her in those hard unblinking eyes and declining outright is dishonorable and extremely unwise.
A few sentences that explain how you came to realize your connection to the spirit world: Unlike other shamans which practice feats of strength or endurance to prove their connection to Uthgar, Avelin heard the Voice of Uthgar directly from Nature itself at an early age and was surprised others did not have this same connection. An anamoly among shamans, but not altogether trusted or respected among the hardy tribal barbarians. Whether through chirps of tree frogs, the cacaphony of crickets, or the whispers of the hanging vines and ancient oaks, Avelin heard the Voice directly that to strengthen Nature and the surrounding wilderness around the tribe would serve to protect His interest and the interest of keeping the tribe isolated from the wicked and misguided ways of the civilizations that reach beyond the borders.
A few sentences that explain how you came to be proficient with one of your artisan’s tools or musical instruments: Whittled with care and patience from a semi petrified wood deep in the wilderness, Avelin crafted a pan flute. With this flute, Avelin spent many years at night and in secret fine tuning its pitch perfectly to match the songbirds that nest far from the tribe's villages. The Barbarians may or may not appreciate its semi shrill pitch, but the songbirds love it.
Edit: disclosure I've never done PBP before but would be welcome the opportunity to find a story together, and can be dedicated to regular posting.
Boldly go
Teya is renowned within the Blue Bear clan for her ferocity. Indeed, many of the tribe members are afraid of her brutality, which is extreme even for barbarians of the North. She still carries the evidence of a man-sized boar that tried to fight her, and the last person who challenged her didn’t make it through the winter. Surely Kriga has chosen Teya for her violent and unrelenting nature. But Kriga has a shrewd mind. Perhaps she knows that ferocity is just a front, defending the gentle and rather slothful soul beneath. Is this a test of Teya’s true mettle, or does Kriga need Teya’s less martial skills?
Teya’s maul has a shaft of strong oak, heavy enough to beat a man to death. Affixed atop it is a white tusk, as long as its owner’s forearm, capable of piercing the thickest oxhide. A vicious boar, as large as any bear, had charged straight into the barbarian camp. Teya slaughtered it and tore off the tusk for all to see. Now she always carries the maul around, since it is a constant reminder of her brutality and a warning to anyone who would confront her. Very few people have bothered Teya since she made the maul, which suits her perfectly.
While hunting four seasons ago, Teya encountered a strange man on his own, evidently not from these lands. Since he gave her trinkets from his homeland and treated her with respect, Teya did not kill him. The man explained that he was trying to map out the Uthgardt territories, which are largely unexplored by ‘civilized’ folk. Although this idea seemed strange at first, it stayed with Teya when she returned to the tribe, and it was not long before she began drawing her own crude maps of where the tribe went. The few people who know of this hobby have ridiculed it, since the Uthgardt people know their own lands well enough, but Teya still continues, always improving her map-drawing skills. Surely it will be useful someday...
Horatio Hirschfeld - Squire imbued with fae powers, in the Coliseum of Conquest (W2/L1)
DM for Reavers of Harkenwold, and sometimes The Fighting Grounds of the Coliseum
RECRUITMENT FOR THIS ADVENTURE HAS NOW ENDED.
I've decided to close this recruitment thread early. A sufficient number of great character ideas have been submitted. Thank you to everyone who took the time to apply. I'll send private messages soon.
~Jack