When ancient kingdoms simmer on the edge of war, it is a small group of varied individuals of mixed heritage and alliances that will decide the final outcome.
A campaign for 1st level characters who should be of a mixed race/class type, e.g. half-elf, half-orc, genasi, tiefling, aasimar, sorcerrer (draconic heritage), etc.
2,000 years ago, the Free Northlands were a vastly different place. A number of powerful kingdoms held sway over the region and while an unlikely peace had lasted for previous centuries, tensions had arisen in light of the differences betweent these great powers. Foremost among the powers of the North Vast (as it was then known), was the Kingdom of Leyinthalar, a mighty elvish nation ruled from the Crystaline Towered City of Quilinost at the centre of the mighty forest of the Green Deep. Here all elves thrived and were welcome, though the Moon Elven royal family of Celestaethar had ruled for a milenium. The powerful and ancient gold dragon Tyrakxithos held sway over communities of benevolent dragons and their dragonborn citizens nestled deep in their fortresses within the Dragon Maws. The Yuanti kingdown known as the Jade Empire exerted great influence from their cities along the Southern reaches of the Silver River. The noble Triton Queen Illieranda kept the peace within the vast inland sea known as the Sea of Sceptars (where now the Kingsholme Lake and Pemberlin Plains lie) home to the powerful Kingdom of Tritons and allied sea elves and merfolk. And newest, and almost certainly the least powerful of these kingdoms, was the Heartstar Alliance - a human, gnome, dwarven, centaur and lizardman conglomerate of small citystates in the centre of the North Vast. `While the Elvish and Dragon kingdoms were perhaps the mightiest, they were also the most benevolent, and so peace had reigned for many centuries. While the Yuanti were ever treacherous and hateful towards their neighbours, their might was lesser and so they preyed mainly on the scattered goblinoid and orc tribes, as well as the Lizard folk of the Heartstar Alliance, which kept an everpresent vigil against the serpentine threat to the South. The noble seafolk of the Sea of Sceptars kept mainly apart from the landfaring kingdoms, having their hands full with a Sahuagin threat based in the depths of the Western Sea and extraplanar incursions from the Elemental Plane of Water.
You are a disparate group of interesting individuals, currently being held in a Heartstar Alliance watchtower, under suspician of being spies from one of the neighbouring kingdoms. Tensions seem to be high between the Alliance and their neighbouring states, why you do not know. You have come into the custody of the Silverstars (the armed forces of the Alliance) over the last day or two, having undergone cursory questioning at the hands of the local Watch Sergeant, Briston, a human of middle years and an honest, no nonsense demeanor. While not being mistreated, you seem to have been forgotten and left to wait in your holding cells, while the watchmen and women are occupied elsewhere.*
*Edit - the PCs are now 2nd level and are, perhaps, close to solving the mystery of the murdered townsfolk. Out in the wilds of the swamplands north of Ambersilt, the adventurers still have to return to the town, not to mention identifying and apprehending the culprits.
Campaign Details
Echos of a Burning Crown is a continuing 5e PbP homebrew campaign set in the Forgotten Realms looking for 3 more PCs of 2nd level, though it is anticipated that characters may reach levels 18+ by the campaign's conclusion. The campaign is set in a homebrewed area of my making called the North Vast (though in the distant future, this region is known as the Free Northlands). This campaign will be delivered in anepic fantasy style. This game will be heavy on role-playing and exploration of a world and region rich with lore, and character's should have appropriately flavourful and detailed personalities and backgrounds to develop during the campaign. There will be combat and loot aplenty, but the primary focus of this game will be to foster an enjoyable and collaborative story-telling experience.
Characters will be created in consultation with the DM and require final approval prior to gameplay. Standard array, point buy OR ability rolls (upon application, within the recruitment thread, using the default dice roller, no rerolls) to be used for character creation. Only core published materials (i.e. no UA or homebrew) will be used in character creation. Characters should be created with the mixed race/class theme in mind.
*Preference for Good and Nuetral alignments. Players who have applied previously are welcome to reapply to join the game.
Other player requirements include:
Players should be available to post fairly regularly (at least once every 24 hours), though we all know IRL often begs to differ. To account for unavoidable and substantial delays with player postings and to keep the game flowing, the DM may control the character for a brief period or combat round, but this will only be done occassionally, where necessary and NOT as a substitute for player involvement.
No murderhobos, serial metagamers, rule lawyers or dice doctors. All rolls will be made using the forum's dice roller. Again, the focus in this game is on immersive roleplaying and collaborative storytelling, however, the GM is the arbiter of that story's framework and all GM rulings will be final, though questions for clarification purposes or additional detail are very welcome.
Mature players only. This game will feature graphically descriptive violence, swearing and other relatively 'adult content' as part of an unfolding epic fantasy. This DOES NOT mean that anything goes. Players can expect to be part of a socially engaging and creatively welcoming adult rpg experience without being exposed to any personal unpleasantness. However, if you have any issues with adult content in your rpgs, then this may not be the game for you.
Players will be encouraged to adhere to the formatting and other gameplay requirements, e.g. choosing a character colour for text, using tags, 'bold' for action text, "italics" for speech. [OOC]/[OOG] on the campaign thread is discouraged and should where possible be kept on the recruitment/discussion thread. Discord (or other live chat options) will NOT be used in this game. Combat maps will be uploaded to the campaign thread and updated by the DM as required.
The game thread can be read here, though a 'campaign to date' narrative is also available for players joining the game:
Interested players should post their character ideas (e.g. name, race, class, background, alignment and backstory summary) in the thread below. Ability scores can be via point buy, standard array or a roll here in thread: THERE ARE CURRENTLY 2 SPOTS LEFT IN THIS GAME.
*PbP rules and guidelines can be found below. Anything not covered above or requiring clarification can be discussed with the DM on this recruitment thread or via PM.
D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
Vassa Sunstar (half-drow bard) - Waterdeep Dragonheist DM Ghosts of a Forgotten Land DM Beyond the Bitter Shore DM Echos of a Burning Crown
D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
Vassa Sunstar (half-drow bard) - Waterdeep Dragonheist DM Ghosts of a Forgotten Land DM Beyond the Bitter Shore DM Echos of a Burning Crown
Born to both a Half-Orc woman and Half-Orc man Throkk grew up both on the road and in slums or dock districts of many towns. Becoming a squire and one day becoming a Paladin of the Realm was Throkk's biggest dream as a child. Spending most of his time training with make shift wooden swords and scrap pieces of wood for a shield. Helm, Vigilant One, The Watcher, fascinated Throkk and when passing through a town which held a temple to him Throkk spent all day there if he could. Whether speaking to people who had time to share with him or training out around the temple hoping to get noticed! When becoming of age Throkk never missed a chance to ask a Paladin to accept him into his service. It took some time before someone finally accepted him, a time that would have broken the spirit of most but not his, his ambition only grew with every no he received. Though once accepted Throkk saw the world at his feet. Cleaning armor, prepping horses, mucking out stalls, running errands, courier work, it did not matter for Throkk had only one thing on his mind, becoming a Paladin of Helm. Years later when the day had finally come, Throkk was a large, strong, and dutiful young man, ready to serve both his chosen, Helm, and the Realm. Battle and servitude were now his life, through hard times and good times, Throkk was a Paladin, and would remain so until a heart no longer beat within his chest.
Cinder was an orphan. Given away to an orphanage as a baby, Cinder was picked on because of her looks growing up. Her pitch black skin and white hair, along with her devil-like horns made her a target of the more normal looking orphans. On one such occurrence of teasing, one of the crueler bullies threw a rock at her head, which hit her left horn, shattering it into a jagged bone. It healed, but never really grew right after that, leaving her with a lopsided look. One day, Cinder was adopted by another tiefling by the name of Thomas Graven, a businessman who sold healing potions to the army and adventuring parties, which made him quite a bit of money. He had also grown up as an orphan, bullied for looking like a devil, so he decided that he would help those like him, to prevent them from having to endure abuse for something they were born with. He adopted tiefling orphans, giving them a home in his large house, and hiring tutors so that they could excel in whatever they were passionate about. Cinder chose a few things, like the viol and cooking, before seeing a traveling monk help a girl being robbed. The smoothness of their movements flowing from one to the other, the fierce attack to incapacitate the thieves. Cinder immediately begged this monk, a human named Latanu, to teach her.
Born to a human mother and Half Orc father, Logan has had a rough life. Logan's mother was a "working girl" at one of the town's brothels. His father, a sailor , was killed when a storm capsized his vessel. Ever since Logan could remember, he worked in the brothel alongside his mother. He would wash clothes, serve food, clean up dishes, any small task that needed tending to. As Logan grew older, he started to become more interested in physical feats and learning to defend himself. He quickly became a bouncer for the brothel, his size and stature helping to keep the customers in line. It was during this time, that a member of the local militia took notice of Logan and his way of handling rowdy customers, as well as his care for and respect for those who obeyed the rules. He offered him a chance to join in the militia and defend the city for as long as he chose.
Name: Soaring Leaves in the Wind (Also goes by Leaf)
Race: Tabaxi
Background: Haunted One
Alignment: Neutral Good
Backstory: As a young cub, Leaf's entire village was destroyed by an extraplanar being. Maybe a demon, maybe a devil. Leaf was hiding, and saw his family, friends, neighbors slaughtered. He thought the monsters were gone, and came out of hiding, only to be found. The monster looked at him, ran a claw lightly across his face, grinned and disappeared. Left on his own, he learned the ways of the forest, trying to survive, and hunting for the beings that killed his family. He has made his way to the Heartstar Alliance, where he was swept up by the guard and placed in a holding cell.
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Brozak - Red Dragonborn Paladin, lvl 2, Never Winter, Seldom Spring
Class: Druid (will probably be Circle of the Moon, but Circle of Dreams is also an option)
Background: Charlatan
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Backstory summary: Tae left home to look for adventure -- action and fighting and fun. Instead she found danger and fighting and a severe lack of funds. So a little light-fingered trickery was necessary. And it might have backfired on her a time or two. Especially now. But it's definitely not as boring and quiet as home was. So she'll make it work, and make some money. And then the real fun will start.
Hi! I'm a ninja who goes by Rissa! I'me very interested in this campaign you've got going on here. I'll be able to post fairly regularly, and I really hope you're some what interested in my character. I updated the backstory since you last posted (Right below me) and I hope you find it interesting! I've really worked hard on this character, but I'm open to adjustments if you'll have any requests or complaints. :)
Background: Apothecary (She's a healer by trade, and most of her bard spells are either healing or effect spells, like sleep or charm person)
Alignment: Neutral Good
Backstory:
I grew up in the village of (Insert village) with just my Ma (Human) and Pa (Elf) looking out for me. There was a (Learning place) there where student traveled from far and wide to attend, however our little village was still a modest one. At (Learning place) I learned how to play musical instruments and to use magic through them.
When I was young, probably around 8, I was stricken ill with what we thought was an incurable disease. Luckily, our local apothecary, an elderly dark skinned human man by the name of Beverly, was able to treat me with medicines and nurse me back to health. My parents tried hard to give him money, gifts, anything to pay him back! However, he declined our payments. I was amazed by this man and started swinging by his (Shop/home) after my music and arcane lessons. I picked up a few tricks by watching and assisting him, and I even started studying healing magics in my own schooling. He became my role model. When I finished my schooling, I started working with Beverly as his apprentice. I learned his trade and became a skilled apothecary myself. I was as his bed side when he passed away of old age.. However the occasion wasn't too dreary, as I continued his business to make him proud.
While I was very skilled in the healing trade, I wasn't good enough. My parents fell ill with a similar illness to what I had when I was younger. I tried everything I knew, but I couldn't seem to help them get better. All I could do was make sure they where comfortable until I watched them both fade away.. My Ma passed away first, as she was in a worse condition. It seemed Pa was recovering until she passed, then his depression caused his health to fail and he left this plain just 2 weeks after Ma. It was devastating. After their funerals, I couldn't stand to live in (Insert village) anymore and left. I've been a traveling apothecary ever since. Learning the arts of healing to better myself, as to not lose anyone else to this illness again.
P.S. - I left blanks, but let me know if you find anything else you think needs changing. I tried to make it interesting to read! So I hope that helps~ :)
Appearance: 4'10", Young, about 23 years old, 93lbs, More detail:She's a short and friendly looking half-elf. Freckles, short red hair, bright big blue eyes, and a cute aesthetic. She often wears a cream colored beanie that she'll stick wild flowers in, and favors cute shirts over pants any day. Admittedly, she looks a tad silly with how large her backpack is in comparison to her, but it just adds to her cute, small look~
This is actually pretty stressful, I feel like I'm applying for a job...
"I don't really wanna do the work today.. I don't reallywannadotheworktoday- I don't really wanna dooo the wooork todaaay... I don't wanna do the work today~"
Thanks for the great applications. At this stage, I'm planning to leave the recruitment thread open till Monday 22/04 (AEST) and will notify applicants via this thread or PM with the outcome shortly thereafter.
To answer some of the other questions I'm receiving, the mixed heritage theme of this game is important, so all other things being equal, tieflings, aasimar, dragonborn PCs, etc. are more likely to be selected than humans, elves, halflings, etc.
The other major requirements are consistent engagement (at least once per day, preferably 2-3 posts) and the ability and willingness to RP your character. Experienced players with a track record of regular posting and RP might be preferenced, but this absolutely does not exclude newer players who can post regularly with RP and who put forward interesting PC concepts.
Ability scores should be via either point buy, standard array or rolled here in thread, with the default x6 4d6dl ability score roller.
Hope that clears a few things up. :D
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D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
Vassa Sunstar (half-drow bard) - Waterdeep Dragonheist DM Ghosts of a Forgotten Land DM Beyond the Bitter Shore DM Echos of a Burning Crown
To answer some of the other questions I'm receiving, the mixed heritage theme of this game is important, so all other things being equal, tieflings, aasimar, dragonborn PCs, etc. are more likely to be selected than humans, elves, halflings, etc.
I feel like this particular statement was targeted at meeee... xD All in good fun, but to be fair I'm pretty sure my character was the only one without a mixed heritage. But I fixed it!! Even if I'm whining about it!
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"I don't really wanna do the work today.. I don't reallywannadotheworktoday- I don't really wanna dooo the wooork todaaay... I don't wanna do the work today~"
I'm going to take a risk and roll the stats... Ability scores: 11161213916
The Aelorothi was one of the corrupted elven noble houses that turned to elf-demon cross breeding. Hunferho only has weak ties to the house (being a half-elf), but the shame is enough to give him two goals in life: to destroy demons, and to disrupt the (in his eyes) corrupt elven nobility. The family name is enough to gain him entrance to courts and rulers, but he has to rely on a sly tongue to influence others. He starts as a bard, but will multi-class with warlock. Since devils are on the front line of the battle against demons, his 1st level of warlock will give him a fiend (devil) patron.
He is not evil, but I'm using Shakespeare's Richard III and LotR's Grima Wormtongue as inspirations. People are not comfortable with his appearance, and he is unpleasant, but his words have a strange influence. Another inspiration is Unfero, from Beowulf. He was a retainer of Hrothgar, and acted as a provocateur to determine if visitors were telling the truth or trying to deceive the king.
The wiki page being used for info about the family mentions "many of the Aelorothi were noted spies", so it isn't surprising that Hunferho would be tossed in a holding cell, despite not being a spy himself.
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
I'm going to take a risk and roll the stats... Ability scores: 11161213916
The Aelorothi was one of the corrupted elven noble houses that turned to elf-demon cross breeding. Hunferho only has weak ties to the house (being a half-elf), but the shame is enough to give him two goals in life: to destroy demons, and to disrupt the (in his eyes) corrupt elven nobility. The family name is enough to gain him entrance to courts and rulers, but he has to rely on a sly tongue to influence others. He starts as a bard, but will multi-class with warlock. Since devils are on the front line of the battle against demons, his 1st level of warlock will give him a fiend (devil) patron.
He is not evil, but I'm using Shakespeare's Richard III and LotR's Grima Wormtongue as inspirations. People are not comfortable with his appearance, and he is unpleasant, but his words have a strange influence. Another inspiration is Unfero, from Beowulf. He was a retainer of Hrothgar, and acted as a provocateur to determine if visitors were telling the truth or trying to deceive the king.
The wiki page being used for info about the family mentions "many of the Aelorothi were noted spies", so it isn't surprising that Hunferho would be tossed in a holding cell, despite not being a spy himself.
Hi Quasimodal,
Thanks for the application. Love me some Richard Baker, and really enjoyed the Fey'ri series. Nice stat roll and character concept as well. Just a heads up that I've edited the initial recruitment post to update where the party is currently at in-game. Cheers.
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D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
Vassa Sunstar (half-drow bard) - Waterdeep Dragonheist DM Ghosts of a Forgotten Land DM Beyond the Bitter Shore DM Echos of a Burning Crown
To answer some of the other questions I'm receiving, the mixed heritage theme of this game is important, so all other things being equal, tieflings, aasimar, dragonborn PCs, etc. are more likely to be selected than humans, elves, halflings, etc.
I feel like this particular statement was targeted at meeee... xD All in good fun, but to be fair I'm pretty sure my character was the only one without a mixed heritage. But I fixed it!! Even if I'm whining about it!
Hey NinjaRissa,
All good and no whining detected whatsoever. Nothing directed at you personally, just answering some questions I've received on this thread and via PM. Anyway, the world is over-stocked with 6' tall PCs. Go small or go home... err, just kidding. And please don't worry! It's d&d - it's meant to be fun, not stressful. Cheers! :)
D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
Vassa Sunstar (half-drow bard) - Waterdeep Dragonheist DM Ghosts of a Forgotten Land DM Beyond the Bitter Shore DM Echos of a Burning Crown
Love me some Richard Baker, and really enjoyed the Fey'ri series.
To be honest, the extent of my knowledge on the Fey'ri is what is written on that Forgotten Realms wiki page. But since the character is only 20, his knowledge would be thin as well... This was a convenient convergence of (1) doing a web search for noble elf house names, (2) reading a bit from MToF about how "benevolent" devils are for fighting demons, and (3) why would my non-evil character have a devil as a warlock patron.
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Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
To be honest, the extent of my knowledge on the Fey'ri is what is written on that Forgotten Realms wiki page. But since the character is only 20, his knowledge would be thin as well... This was a convenient convergence of (1) doing a web search for noble elf house names, (2) reading a bit from MToF about how "benevolent" devils are for fighting demons, and (3) why would my non-evil character have a devil as a warlock patron.
All good. My FR fanboy was just showing, that's all. Definite Blood Wars-esque tie-in potential though.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
Vassa Sunstar (half-drow bard) - Waterdeep Dragonheist DM Ghosts of a Forgotten Land DM Beyond the Bitter Shore DM Echos of a Burning Crown
D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
Vassa Sunstar (half-drow bard) - Waterdeep Dragonheist DM Ghosts of a Forgotten Land DM Beyond the Bitter Shore DM Echos of a Burning Crown
Saribel was born to a noble house of Menzoberanzan and was raised to be a priestess of Lolth. Which she absolutely hated! Lolth and magic held little interest for her, and really she loved to fight. She loved weapons and combat, and all that was well and good to learn, but only because a priestess should know these things to subjugate the men. And on that subject, Saribel never understood why they were so much better than the men? The male's had so much to offer.
It soon became clear to her that Menzoberanzan was not a place where she belonged, like some of the drow before her, she would eventually make her way to the surface intending to join Jarlaxle and Bregan D'earthe in Luskan and prove her worth as a fighter. She would love to see Menzoberanzan change for the better someday and doesn't want to forsake her heritage completely, but there is so much the world has to offer her, and that she has to offer the world.
"All will become equal now" | "Cause we're going to shout it loud, even if our words seem meaningless. It's like we're carrying the weight of the world"
Tenacity is a tiefling bard. She has the charlatan background and is chaotic neutral. She was cursed with lycanthropy and now she lives with the guilt of all the people she slaughtered. Now her goal is to earn enough gold to find a new place to live where she doesn't need to feel the guilt anymore. She doesn't believe she will find friendship because she is so slow to trust and very deceitful.
When ancient kingdoms simmer on the edge of war, it is a small group of varied individuals of mixed heritage and alliances that will decide the final outcome.
A campaign for 1st level characters who should be of a mixed race/class type, e.g. half-elf, half-orc, genasi, tiefling, aasimar, sorcerrer (draconic heritage), etc.
2,000 years ago, the Free Northlands were a vastly different place. A number of powerful kingdoms held sway over the region and while an unlikely peace had lasted for previous centuries, tensions had arisen in light of the differences betweent these great powers. Foremost among the powers of the North Vast (as it was then known), was the Kingdom of Leyinthalar, a mighty elvish nation ruled from the Crystaline Towered City of Quilinost at the centre of the mighty forest of the Green Deep. Here all elves thrived and were welcome, though the Moon Elven royal family of Celestaethar had ruled for a milenium. The powerful and ancient gold dragon Tyrakxithos held sway over communities of benevolent dragons and their dragonborn citizens nestled deep in their fortresses within the Dragon Maws. The Yuanti kingdown known as the Jade Empire exerted great influence from their cities along the Southern reaches of the Silver River. The noble Triton Queen Illieranda kept the peace within the vast inland sea known as the Sea of Sceptars (where now the Kingsholme Lake and Pemberlin Plains lie) home to the powerful Kingdom of Tritons and allied sea elves and merfolk. And newest, and almost certainly the least powerful of these kingdoms, was the Heartstar Alliance - a human, gnome, dwarven, centaur and lizardman conglomerate of small citystates in the centre of the North Vast. `While the Elvish and Dragon kingdoms were perhaps the mightiest, they were also the most benevolent, and so peace had reigned for many centuries. While the Yuanti were ever treacherous and hateful towards their neighbours, their might was lesser and so they preyed mainly on the scattered goblinoid and orc tribes, as well as the Lizard folk of the Heartstar Alliance, which kept an everpresent vigil against the serpentine threat to the South. The noble seafolk of the Sea of Sceptars kept mainly apart from the landfaring kingdoms, having their hands full with a Sahuagin threat based in the depths of the Western Sea and extraplanar incursions from the Elemental Plane of Water.
You are a disparate group of interesting individuals, currently being held in a Heartstar Alliance watchtower, under suspician of being spies from one of the neighbouring kingdoms. Tensions seem to be high between the Alliance and their neighbouring states, why you do not know. You have come into the custody of the Silverstars (the armed forces of the Alliance) over the last day or two, having undergone cursory questioning at the hands of the local Watch Sergeant, Briston, a human of middle years and an honest, no nonsense demeanor. While not being mistreated, you seem to have been forgotten and left to wait in your holding cells, while the watchmen and women are occupied elsewhere.*
*Edit - the PCs are now 2nd level and are, perhaps, close to solving the mystery of the murdered townsfolk. Out in the wilds of the swamplands north of Ambersilt, the adventurers still have to return to the town, not to mention identifying and apprehending the culprits.
Campaign Details
Echos of a Burning Crown is a continuing 5e PbP homebrew campaign set in the Forgotten Realms looking for 3 more PCs of 2nd level, though it is anticipated that characters may reach levels 18+ by the campaign's conclusion. The campaign is set in a homebrewed area of my making called the North Vast (though in the distant future, this region is known as the Free Northlands). This campaign will be delivered in an epic fantasy style. This game will be heavy on role-playing and exploration of a world and region rich with lore, and character's should have appropriately flavourful and detailed personalities and backgrounds to develop during the campaign. There will be combat and loot aplenty, but the primary focus of this game will be to foster an enjoyable and collaborative story-telling experience.
Characters will be created in consultation with the DM and require final approval prior to gameplay. Standard array, point buy OR ability rolls (upon application, within the recruitment thread, using the default dice roller, no rerolls) to be used for character creation. Only core published materials (i.e. no UA or homebrew) will be used in character creation. Characters should be created with the mixed race/class theme in mind.
*Preference for Good and Nuetral alignments. Players who have applied previously are welcome to reapply to join the game.
Other player requirements include:
Players should be available to post fairly regularly (at least once every 24 hours), though we all know IRL often begs to differ. To account for unavoidable and substantial delays with player postings and to keep the game flowing, the DM may control the character for a brief period or combat round, but this will only be done occassionally, where necessary and NOT as a substitute for player involvement.
No murderhobos, serial metagamers, rule lawyers or dice doctors. All rolls will be made using the forum's dice roller. Again, the focus in this game is on immersive roleplaying and collaborative storytelling, however, the GM is the arbiter of that story's framework and all GM rulings will be final, though questions for clarification purposes or additional detail are very welcome.
Mature players only. This game will feature graphically descriptive violence, swearing and other relatively 'adult content' as part of an unfolding epic fantasy. This DOES NOT mean that anything goes. Players can expect to be part of a socially engaging and creatively welcoming adult rpg experience without being exposed to any personal unpleasantness. However, if you have any issues with adult content in your rpgs, then this may not be the game for you.
Players will be encouraged to adhere to the formatting and other gameplay requirements, e.g. choosing a character colour for text, using tags, 'bold' for action text, "italics" for speech. [OOC]/[OOG] on the campaign thread is discouraged and should where possible be kept on the recruitment/discussion thread. Discord (or other live chat options) will NOT be used in this game. Combat maps will be uploaded to the campaign thread and updated by the DM as required.
The game thread can be read here, though a 'campaign to date' narrative is also available for players joining the game:
https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/play-by-post/34405-echos-of-a-burning-crown-forgotten-realms-homebrew
Interested players should post their character ideas (e.g. name, race, class, background, alignment and backstory summary) in the thread below. Ability scores can be via point buy, standard array or a roll here in thread: THERE ARE CURRENTLY 2 SPOTS LEFT IN THIS GAME.
*PbP rules and guidelines can be found below. Anything not covered above or requiring clarification can be discussed with the DM on this recruitment thread or via PM.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/play-by-post/2069-pbp-rules-and-faq-please-read-first
D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
Vassa Sunstar (half-drow bard) - Waterdeep Dragonheist
DM Ghosts of a Forgotten Land
DM Beyond the Bitter Shore
DM Echos of a Burning Crown
Current PCs
Alwin Pawraek - half-elf fighter
Kestrell Halferson - half-elf sorcerer
Mazin Rhesud - goliath barbarian
Altani - centaur paladin
D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
Vassa Sunstar (half-drow bard) - Waterdeep Dragonheist
DM Ghosts of a Forgotten Land
DM Beyond the Bitter Shore
DM Echos of a Burning Crown
Name: Throkk
Race: Half-Orc
Class: Paladin (Devotion)
Background: Soldier
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Backstory:
Born to both a Half-Orc woman and Half-Orc man Throkk grew up both on the road and in slums or dock districts of many towns. Becoming a squire and one day becoming a Paladin of the Realm was Throkk's biggest dream as a child. Spending most of his time training with make shift wooden swords and scrap pieces of wood for a shield. Helm, Vigilant One, The Watcher, fascinated Throkk and when passing through a town which held a temple to him Throkk spent all day there if he could. Whether speaking to people who had time to share with him or training out around the temple hoping to get noticed! When becoming of age Throkk never missed a chance to ask a Paladin to accept him into his service. It took some time before someone finally accepted him, a time that would have broken the spirit of most but not his, his ambition only grew with every no he received. Though once accepted Throkk saw the world at his feet. Cleaning armor, prepping horses, mucking out stalls, running errands, courier work, it did not matter for Throkk had only one thing on his mind, becoming a Paladin of Helm. Years later when the day had finally come, Throkk was a large, strong, and dutiful young man, ready to serve both his chosen, Helm, and the Realm. Battle and servitude were now his life, through hard times and good times, Throkk was a Paladin, and would remain so until a heart no longer beat within his chest.
https://ddb.ac/characters/11093911/9SFEtb
Name: Cinder Graven
Race: Tiefling
Class: Monk
Background: Folk Hero
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Backstory
Cinder was an orphan. Given away to an orphanage as a baby, Cinder was picked on because of her looks growing up. Her pitch black skin and white hair, along with her devil-like horns made her a target of the more normal looking orphans. On one such occurrence of teasing, one of the crueler bullies threw a rock at her head, which hit her left horn, shattering it into a jagged bone. It healed, but never really grew right after that, leaving her with a lopsided look. One day, Cinder was adopted by another tiefling by the name of Thomas Graven, a businessman who sold healing potions to the army and adventuring parties, which made him quite a bit of money. He had also grown up as an orphan, bullied for looking like a devil, so he decided that he would help those like him, to prevent them from having to endure abuse for something they were born with. He adopted tiefling orphans, giving them a home in his large house, and hiring tutors so that they could excel in whatever they were passionate about. Cinder chose a few things, like the viol and cooking, before seeing a traveling monk help a girl being robbed. The smoothness of their movements flowing from one to the other, the fierce attack to incapacitate the thieves. Cinder immediately begged this monk, a human named Latanu, to teach her.
Logan Grumm
Half Orc Fighter - planning to go Champion route. Specializes in two weapon fighting. Soldier background.
https://ddb.ac/characters/10461724/rutOpI
Born to a human mother and Half Orc father, Logan has had a rough life. Logan's mother was a "working girl" at one of the town's brothels. His father, a sailor , was killed when a storm capsized his vessel. Ever since Logan could remember, he worked in the brothel alongside his mother. He would wash clothes, serve food, clean up dishes, any small task that needed tending to. As Logan grew older, he started to become more interested in physical feats and learning to defend himself. He quickly became a bouncer for the brothel, his size and stature helping to keep the customers in line. It was during this time, that a member of the local militia took notice of Logan and his way of handling rowdy customers, as well as his care for and respect for those who obeyed the rules. He offered him a chance to join in the militia and defend the city for as long as he chose.
Name: Soaring Leaves in the Wind (Also goes by Leaf)
Race: Tabaxi
Background: Haunted One
Alignment: Neutral Good
Backstory: As a young cub, Leaf's entire village was destroyed by an extraplanar being. Maybe a demon, maybe a devil. Leaf was hiding, and saw his family, friends, neighbors slaughtered. He thought the monsters were gone, and came out of hiding, only to be found. The monster looked at him, ran a claw lightly across his face, grinned and disappeared. Left on his own, he learned the ways of the forest, trying to survive, and hunting for the beings that killed his family. He has made his way to the Heartstar Alliance, where he was swept up by the guard and placed in a holding cell.
Brozak - Red Dragonborn Paladin, lvl 2, Never Winter, Seldom Spring
Name: Taenaran Olosatra (Tae)
Race: Aquatic half-elf
Class: Druid (will probably be Circle of the Moon, but Circle of Dreams is also an option)
Background: Charlatan
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Backstory summary: Tae left home to look for adventure -- action and fighting and fun. Instead she found danger and fighting and a severe lack of funds. So a little light-fingered trickery was necessary. And it might have backfired on her a time or two. Especially now. But it's definitely not as boring and quiet as home was. So she'll make it work, and make some money. And then the real fun will start.
https://ddb.ac/characters/11095617/zWXhEu
Birgit | Shifter | Sorcerer | Dragonlords
Shayone | Hobgoblin | Sorcerer | Netherdeep
Hi! I'm a ninja who goes by Rissa! I'me very interested in this campaign you've got going on here. I'll be able to post fairly regularly, and I really hope you're some what interested in my character. I updated the backstory since you last posted (Right below me) and I hope you find it interesting! I've really worked hard on this character, but I'm open to adjustments if you'll have any requests or complaints. :)
Name: Taysia Mae
Race: (Fineeee.. She's a very short-) Half-elf
Class: Bard~
Background: Apothecary (She's a healer by trade, and most of her bard spells are either healing or effect spells, like sleep or charm person)
Alignment: Neutral Good
Backstory:
I grew up in the village of (Insert village) with just my Ma (Human) and Pa (Elf) looking out for me. There was a (Learning place) there where student traveled from far and wide to attend, however our little village was still a modest one. At (Learning place) I learned how to play musical instruments and to use magic through them.
When I was young, probably around 8, I was stricken ill with what we thought was an incurable disease. Luckily, our local apothecary, an elderly dark skinned human man by the name of Beverly, was able to treat me with medicines and nurse me back to health. My parents tried hard to give him money, gifts, anything to pay him back! However, he declined our payments. I was amazed by this man and started swinging by his (Shop/home) after my music and arcane lessons. I picked up a few tricks by watching and assisting him, and I even started studying healing magics in my own schooling. He became my role model. When I finished my schooling, I started working with Beverly as his apprentice. I learned his trade and became a skilled apothecary myself. I was as his bed side when he passed away of old age.. However the occasion wasn't too dreary, as I continued his business to make him proud.
While I was very skilled in the healing trade, I wasn't good enough. My parents fell ill with a similar illness to what I had when I was younger. I tried everything I knew, but I couldn't seem to help them get better. All I could do was make sure they where comfortable until I watched them both fade away.. My Ma passed away first, as she was in a worse condition. It seemed Pa was recovering until she passed, then his depression caused his health to fail and he left this plain just 2 weeks after Ma. It was devastating. After their funerals, I couldn't stand to live in (Insert village) anymore and left. I've been a traveling apothecary ever since. Learning the arts of healing to better myself, as to not lose anyone else to this illness again.
P.S. - I left blanks, but let me know if you find anything else you think needs changing. I tried to make it interesting to read! So I hope that helps~ :)
Appearance: 4'10", Young, about 23 years old, 93lbs, More detail: She's a short and friendly looking half-elf. Freckles, short red hair, bright big blue eyes, and a cute aesthetic. She often wears a cream colored beanie that she'll stick wild flowers in, and favors cute shirts over pants any day. Admittedly, she looks a tad silly with how large her backpack is in comparison to her, but it just adds to her cute, small look~
This is actually pretty stressful, I feel like I'm applying for a job...
"I don't really wanna do the work today.. I don't reallywannadotheworktoday- I don't really wanna dooo the wooork todaaay... I don't wanna do the work today~"
Hi all,
Thanks for the great applications. At this stage, I'm planning to leave the recruitment thread open till Monday 22/04 (AEST) and will notify applicants via this thread or PM with the outcome shortly thereafter.
To answer some of the other questions I'm receiving, the mixed heritage theme of this game is important, so all other things being equal, tieflings, aasimar, dragonborn PCs, etc. are more likely to be selected than humans, elves, halflings, etc.
The other major requirements are consistent engagement (at least once per day, preferably 2-3 posts) and the ability and willingness to RP your character. Experienced players with a track record of regular posting and RP might be preferenced, but this absolutely does not exclude newer players who can post regularly with RP and who put forward interesting PC concepts.
Ability scores should be via either point buy, standard array or rolled here in thread, with the default x6 4d6dl ability score roller.
Hope that clears a few things up. :D
D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
Vassa Sunstar (half-drow bard) - Waterdeep Dragonheist
DM Ghosts of a Forgotten Land
DM Beyond the Bitter Shore
DM Echos of a Burning Crown
I feel like this particular statement was targeted at meeee... xD All in good fun, but to be fair I'm pretty sure my character was the only one without a mixed heritage. But I fixed it!! Even if I'm whining about it!
"I don't really wanna do the work today.. I don't reallywannadotheworktoday- I don't really wanna dooo the wooork todaaay... I don't wanna do the work today~"
Name: Hunferho Aelorothi
Race: half-elf
Class: Bard/Warlock
Background: Noble
Alignment: LN
Backstory:
I'm going to take a risk and roll the stats... Ability scores: 11 16 12 13 9 16
The Aelorothi was one of the corrupted elven noble houses that turned to elf-demon cross breeding. Hunferho only has weak ties to the house (being a half-elf), but the shame is enough to give him two goals in life: to destroy demons, and to disrupt the (in his eyes) corrupt elven nobility. The family name is enough to gain him entrance to courts and rulers, but he has to rely on a sly tongue to influence others. He starts as a bard, but will multi-class with warlock. Since devils are on the front line of the battle against demons, his 1st level of warlock will give him a fiend (devil) patron.
He is not evil, but I'm using Shakespeare's Richard III and LotR's Grima Wormtongue as inspirations. People are not comfortable with his appearance, and he is unpleasant, but his words have a strange influence. Another inspiration is Unfero, from Beowulf. He was a retainer of Hrothgar, and acted as a provocateur to determine if visitors were telling the truth or trying to deceive the king.
The wiki page being used for info about the family mentions "many of the Aelorothi were noted spies", so it isn't surprising that Hunferho would be tossed in a holding cell, despite not being a spy himself.
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Hi Quasimodal,
Thanks for the application. Love me some Richard Baker, and really enjoyed the Fey'ri series. Nice stat roll and character concept as well. Just a heads up that I've edited the initial recruitment post to update where the party is currently at in-game. Cheers.
D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
Vassa Sunstar (half-drow bard) - Waterdeep Dragonheist
DM Ghosts of a Forgotten Land
DM Beyond the Bitter Shore
DM Echos of a Burning Crown
Hey NinjaRissa,
All good and no whining detected whatsoever. Nothing directed at you personally, just answering some questions I've received on this thread and via PM. Anyway, the world is over-stocked with 6' tall PCs. Go small or go home... err, just kidding. And please don't worry! It's d&d - it's meant to be fun, not stressful. Cheers! :)
D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
Vassa Sunstar (half-drow bard) - Waterdeep Dragonheist
DM Ghosts of a Forgotten Land
DM Beyond the Bitter Shore
DM Echos of a Burning Crown
To be honest, the extent of my knowledge on the Fey'ri is what is written on that Forgotten Realms wiki page. But since the character is only 20, his knowledge would be thin as well... This was a convenient convergence of (1) doing a web search for noble elf house names, (2) reading a bit from MToF about how "benevolent" devils are for fighting demons, and (3) why would my non-evil character have a devil as a warlock patron.
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
All good. My FR fanboy was just showing, that's all. Definite Blood Wars-esque tie-in potential though.
D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
Vassa Sunstar (half-drow bard) - Waterdeep Dragonheist
DM Ghosts of a Forgotten Land
DM Beyond the Bitter Shore
DM Echos of a Burning Crown
*Bump*
D&D is a game, but it's not just a game. It's the ultimate storyboard, a campfire to share with friends, an imaginary call to imaginary arms and a ship to sail to horizons yet undreamt of...
Vassa Sunstar (half-drow bard) - Waterdeep Dragonheist
DM Ghosts of a Forgotten Land
DM Beyond the Bitter Shore
DM Echos of a Burning Crown
name Saribel
race: Drow
class: Fighter
background:
exNoblealignment: chaotic neutral
backstory summary:
Saribel was born to a noble house of Menzoberanzan and was raised to be a priestess of Lolth. Which she absolutely hated! Lolth and magic held little interest for her, and really she loved to fight. She loved weapons and combat, and all that was well and good to learn, but only because a priestess should know these things to subjugate the men. And on that subject, Saribel never understood why they were so much better than the men? The male's had so much to offer.
It soon became clear to her that Menzoberanzan was not a place where she belonged, like some of the drow before her, she would eventually make her way to the surface intending to join Jarlaxle and Bregan D'earthe in Luskan and prove her worth as a fighter. She would love to see Menzoberanzan change for the better someday and doesn't want to forsake her heritage completely, but there is so much the world has to offer her, and that she has to offer the world.
Character sheet: https://ddb.ac/characters/10432706/zq15TO
"All will become equal now" | "Cause we're going to shout it loud, even if our words seem meaningless. It's like we're carrying the weight of the world"
Ability scores: 16 11 15 14 14 8
Edit: For Mazin Rhesud, Half-orc Barbarian Folk Hero.
Tenacity is a tiefling bard. She has the charlatan background and is chaotic neutral. She was cursed with lycanthropy and now she lives with the guilt of all the people she slaughtered. Now her goal is to earn enough gold to find a new place to live where she doesn't need to feel the guilt anymore. She doesn't believe she will find friendship because she is so slow to trust and very deceitful.
are you still looking for players?
if so i could through this one in https://ddb.ac/characters/5047191/EVshDa
Liakrana Suithrasas wood elf ranger
Laissez les bons temps rouler