In stark contrast to the sadness you feel within, the early autumn sun bathes you in light and warmth. The rooftops and spires of Baldur’s Gate glisten above you as you lay your dear friend Rennika to rest. Death came quickly. One day she simply began to waste away, and no cleric or paladin could slow the death curse. Despite hearing the many tales of healers who were unable to stop the same dreaded affliction in other parts of Faerûn, you had remained hopeful that Rennika’s outcome would be different. You were wrong, and the sense of loss is acute. Now you stand before a crowd who have gathered to honor and remember the generous, fearless, and somewhat complicated proprietor of The Shawm ‘n’ Lute. The priest has asked you to give a eulogy by sharing a few memories of your friendship with Rennika. Knowing quite well that oratory is not one of your finest skills, you begin to speak…
Hello, fellow play-by-posters!
I seek five individuals who will commit to playing a role in Tomb of Annihilation. Before we jump into the adventure outright, we will work through a prelude adventure that provides the characters with some genuine motivation for making the journey to the perilous jungles of Chult. This prelude, by the way, is something I found on the Dungeon Masters Guild site. It’s highly rated, and I’m optimistic that it will serve us well. Additionally, it will allow characters to advance to level 2 before embarking for Chult.
Please submit a character concept if you’re comfortable with posting daily, or almost daily, and enriching this adventure with some good roleplaying.
In this thread, provide the following information about your character:
Ability scores (Roll 4d6, dropping the lowest, and re-rolling 1’s always. If the total of the six scores is less than 72, then reroll all scores as many times as necessary. This should help to create characters who are slightly more able to withstand the dangers of this adventure)
Name
Race (anything from PHB, EEPC, and VGtM)
Class (any official)
Eulogy for Rennika (have fun with this; see the spoiler below for a bit more information about her)
As stated above, Rennika was the proprietor of the Shawm ‘n’ Lute, an inn located in that part of Baldur’s Gate known as the lower city, with its crowded, narrow streets and even narrower alleyways. A hardy human, Rennika feared no one, which served her well as she handled the colorful array of patrons that frequented her establishment. She was shrewd, generous, fair, and always ready to help the weak and downtrodden. All in the lower city knew that the Shawm ‘n’ Lute was the best destination for lively music, decent food, fairly-priced potables, and low-stakes gambling. Some, however, knew that the Shawm ‘n’ Lute might be the place to visit if one needed to lay low for a few days, or make a sensitive financial transaction, or hold a clandestine meeting of some sort. A special few knew that one could enter Rennika’s wine cellar and magically exit the Shawm ‘n’ Lute nearly one hundred feet to the east, into the basement of an abandoned building.
I’ll give it 72 hours or so before I close off this thread. Ask questions as needed. Thanks for your interest.
EDIT: So many character concepts have been submitted already, I'll close recruitment sooner than I planned. I'll give it until tomorrow (noon EST).
Name:Sarya Embershade Race: Half-elf Class: Warlock (Efreeti) Background: Criminal Eulogy for Rennika:"Ahem, Rennika, I wouldn't be lying if I said she was like a mother to me, to many of us here I would imagine. I remember the first time I visited the Shawm 'n' Lute, it was raining real hard that night and I was cold as hell, feezing my...anyway, I was just a kid, living on the streets, taking what I could to survive. Even now I remember the smell of that bread just laying there on the counter. She caught me of course, Rennika, never could fool her. I thought she'd hand me over to the Flaming Fists just like that, but you all know that wasn't the kind of gal she was. I had my punishment of course, helping out with the dishes and such, but from that night I had a home of sorts when I wanted to. The years went by but I was never a stranger to the Shawm 'n' Lute, always welcome to lay low for a while when the Fists where closing in on me. But I also cherish the memory of the many long and unforgettable evenings I spent there, the music, the gambling, the wine and yes, the hot special stew, and of course the lovely hostess, she could always make you feel at home there. I hope she will feel at home wherever she is now, we will miss you so Rennika, but you live on in our tales, our songs and in our hearts."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Ability scores: 141715171216
Name: Faloniir
Race: Wood Elf
Class: Fighter
Eulogy for Rennika: Faloniir will clear his throat and approach the pulpit, nodding to the priest as he passes, "Hello, my name is Faloniir. I doubt I knew Rennika nearly as long nor as well as most of you here, but I knew her at a time when she made a great impact in my life and I wanted to share that story with you all. My sister Laurana and I came to Baldur's Gate with our father. He was a sailor by trade and he was lost at sea only a few months after we arrived. Laurana and I found ourselves alone on the uncaring streets of Baldur's Gate. Luckily, Rennika found us. She found us in an alley where I was beaten unconscious and my sister soon to suffer the predations of my attacker. Rennika meted wrathful judgement upon the man and took Laurana and I in. She nursed us to health and promptly put us to work at the Shawm 'n' Lute." Faloniir chuckles and says, "I was still in bandages as I scrubbed floors and turned out bedsheets. Rennika took us in when she didn't have to; fed us, clothed us, provided a safe place for us to sleep at night. She never once asked for anything in return. She wasn't without her flaws, but not one of us are. It was her generosity that I remember most. That, and one of her many famous sayings, 'Oi, it's hotter'n two rats f*ckin' in a wool sock in here!' Thank you all for letting me speak."
Eulogy for Rennika:. Rawlings walks up to give her eulogy and on her way up she is met with jeers, whispers, name-calling but she is used to this. She looks side-ways at them and continues to her destination. While trying to compose herself, a small group of men are particularly loud, “get down you she-devil!” “No devils allowed here!” And Rawlings stares them down with her fully gold eyes. It is intense enough with just her stare that it quiets them and then the entire crowd so Rawlings can finally speak. “Rennika. She was someone to everyone. She was the person you needed her to be at the time you needed it. I don’t know how a human was able to be this to all who met her.” She glares again at the small group and allows the same glare to be treated to all that watch her. “Yes, you all know me. If it wasn’t for her, I’d still be worshipping Talos and then you’d all be sorry.” Rawlings visibly softens, “But she changed me. She showed me the light and how the world can be. Thank you Rennika…” She shakes her head, looks like she wants to say more and then walks away from the crowd.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Interested!
Ability scores: 91613141515
Whew! Will try a reroll.
Ability scores: 151215141516
I hear that the third time is the charm :
Ability scores: 1891514918
Name : Barkas Reedfellow
Class : Druid (Circle of Stars)
Race :Hill Dwarf
Euolgy :
Barkas Reedfellow is a disheveled hill dwarf who walks up to the podium, obviously uncomfortable to be there.Not used to large gatherings of people, he fumbles with his belt, his beard, his fingers as he gets ready to speak.Frequently he rocks up and down on his tip toes, like he is a small rocket that would rather be in flight.“Ahem.Ummmm, yeah.My name is Barkas.Can you hear me?Ok, good, yes, yes, yes.So Rennika..You know herfrom this place.She makes a mean pie!But did you know that she used to be an adventurer?That’s right, she could crack a goblin skull with the best of them!Long ago, early in her life I met her on the road when I was accosted by a couple of scoundrels who were interested in my map.”
He’s fiddling with his beard as he relays the story, fingers constantly moving. He is oblivious to what his fingers are doing, knotting and unknotting them lower strands of his beard. To your dismay he stops suddenly and picks a beetle out of his beard and pops the whole thing in his mouth. After he finishes chewing he continues. “They wouldn’t listen and they kept hitting me, she cracked one on the head and I burned another one of them up. That’s when we first met, and when our friendship began. She would listen to me when no one elsewould.She knows about how I’m being led, the signs I follow, she knows my stuff.And over time I got to know hers.I’m sorry to see her gone, and in this way.And I’m gonna bring it up, we have to do something about this curse that affected her.I’m not going to watch another friend wither away without doing anything!”
He tears up, they start to slowly drip down his cheeks and his nose runs into his mustache. “Anyway. The inn won’t be the same. I’ll miss her, more than you know. Goodbye Rennika. I’ll see you among the stars!” The tearful dwarf steps down from the podium, ignoring everyone, lost in his thoughts, and takes a seat.
While a backstory wasn't requested, I was in the mood for writing out a character concept brewing in mind for Tomb of Annihilation's prompt into text, particularly one revolving around mysterious curses and strange bargains.
Name: Rasp. Race: Kenku. Class: Paladin - intended Oath of Redemption, with a level or two in Warlock. Alignment: Lawful Neutral. Backstory:
With the heave of am unusually muscled shoulder for his kin, the Kenku extracted his sword from the chest of the insane druid he was ordered to kill. The sound sent a shudder down the mercenary's spine - another sound added to his vocabulary. Taking great care to wipe the blade of the druid's poisoned blood, the Kenku reached into the pocket of his coat and procured an ebony talisman carved from bone to resemble a human skull, the rattle of the chain filling the now-empty cavern with unsettling echoes.
"Broken,"the Kenku spoke. The voice wasn't his own - the phrase borrowed from a bartender who accidentally dropped a glass. "Another. Broken."
Purple flames sprang to life in the talisman's eyes. Rasp watched with his usual mixture of fascination, determination, and uneasy fear. Rasp had taken the pamphlet pinned to the local tavern's job board - and completed the mission; slay a local witch inflicting blights and curses upon grain and cattle. His second mission was complete.
Clutched in the Kenku's palm, the talisman responded as well.
"Shattered and slain, cured and controlled. An eye for an eye - a curse for a curse. Three for one, one of three - your next curse broken shall mark your plea. Continue, Kenku; should your devotion prove true, the curses afflicting your kin shall be broken."
The ghostly light illuminating the talisman faded. Slowly, methodically, Rasp returned the trinket to his pocket. Three curses, indeed - long ago, Kenku were robbed of their flight, their guile, and their speech. Rasp isn't quite sure what being he established contact with - only that the responsibility of redeeming his race of their sins rested on his shoulders.
Eulogy for Rennika: A Kenku swathed in a cloak almost as dark as his jet-black feathers took to stage next. A harrowed look glinted in weary eyes; public speech had never been Rasps's favorite pastime, especially considering his mission sought to rid Kenku of their restriction on speech. Regardless, Rasp took several moments to cobble together an attempt at a eulogy - what emerged was a disgruntled arrangement of words and cut-off phrases, clearly lifted from the speeches heard before and pieced together to the best of Rasps's abilities, covering a range of tones and voices of all accents, genders, and ages. "Rennika was dear to me...she offered me aid when nobody else would." Rasp begins to articulate."Look, Kenku, I don't know what you want. You've got a sword. There's a job board over by Rennika. Get lost."A pause. Rasp begins echoing Rennika's own voice - replicating what she said to him."You're looking rough. Tough time traveling here? Well, we'll get you sorted. No coin, either? No problem. Room's free for the week." Rasp's eulogy continues with furthered recordings of Rennika's voice - her kindness, her love, her dying wishes to the town. Upon the conclusion of his speech, Rasp observed the funeral processions for some time, enraptured in his usual bouts of silence. Rennika had been a friend and ally - but perhaps her strange illness had been a gift in disguise.
Euolgy: Adamant steps up, deep in concentration, then stares out into the crowd. "Ah poor Rennika, I knew you well. There are more things both in heaven and on earth, than that has been dreamed or thought. While young, Rennika would ponder with me the choices of light and dark, how there must be a balance between one or the other. Never shall either be greater than the one. What a creation she was, how noble in reason, how infinite in mind. In both form and fashion, could move and listen. How she embraced the beauty of the world. Now she ascends not to judge, but to smile once more upon us as she did in life, in warmth and grace."
Eulogy: A disheveled dwarf with a big warhammer balanced on his right shoulder stomps up, looks into the casket, and wipes a tear with his left hand. He then turns to the audience, plants the hammer on the ground in front of him with a thud and leans on the handle before speaking in a surprisingly soft voice. “Aye, she was one of a kind, Rennika was… I remember the first time I was in the Shawm. The lads and I just finished a patrol and wanted to have a bit of fun, but there was some elf there who fancied himself a bard and kept playing sad songs. Torture, I tell you what, wouldn’t wish him on my worst enemy. So I start the song of my people instead, you know “Brothers of the mine, rejoice…!” And she knew it as if she’d been singing it for centuries! Voice a little too high but what can you do? Never forget her as long as I live. When she started wasting away, at first I thought it was just her time, but soon even I could tell it wasn’t natural. And no priest could help her, useless the lot of them.” He seemed to notice the priest, shrugged. “Don’t look at me like that, it’s true. Anyway, Rennika was the best and that’s all I had to say.”
Race (anything from PHB, EEPC, and VGtM) Hexblood Human (If Van Richten's counts cause it's an official book)
Class Ranger (Hunter)
Eulogy for Rennika: Matthias shows up with a glass of wine. "I'll be quite honest with you all, I never knew Rennika. I just wished to get some spirit in me and the usual woman at the counter ends up... well... dead. So I hurry myself over here and I wish to show my respect to someone who treated me well enough. I'm quite sad she is dead, and it seems you all are quite sad as well, that's good. During times like this, I'd like to propose a toast to this hardy, savvy businesswoman." Matthias would raise a glass of wine and spill a bit of it onto the ground. "For Rennika."
Eulogy for Rennika "Well, I didn't know Rennika half as well as I'd've liked to," Eldeth says. She reddens a bit, realizing this probably isn't the best occasion for such talk. "Though flirtin's probably part of making the customer feel welcome, or suchlike. But she was kind, and heavyhanded with the ale, so long as it went from mug to mouth and not strewn about the floor in a fight." Eldeth fiddles absently with a cut gem set into a fine ring on her finger. "I'm not one for the healing arts -- hells, I'm barely one for the arcane at all --" she reddens further when she notices the cleric. " 'Tany rate, she was a good woman and it was a damn shame -- sorry father -- when she got sick as she did. I just wish I'd been able to do more to help her. Least now she's at peace." Eldeth makes a gesture, half of prayer, half 'oh thank the gods I'm done now," and steps aside.
Eulogy for Rennika: A dwarf dressed in simple brown clothing steps forward. His expression are mostly hidden by his large, bushy, dark brown beard and hair. From what can be seen, his heavy brow is furrowed in concern. Looking aside he speaks very softly to the priest organizing this affair. "You are absolutely certain you wanted me to speak?" He shakes his head, finally turning toward the gathered crowd which has grown a bit restless during his delay. "Ok. Ahem, yes. Rennika..." He pauses again, seeming to scramble for words. "Well, she was... umm... a good woman." He takes a breath. "But you all knew that. So... maybe... I should just say she meant the world to me. Most of you don't know I left for a bit to be a scholar - quite threw my family and clan into a whirl of rage for a bit. Well, more than a bit... but I'm sure someday they'll get past it. Anyhow. The studying books thing didn't work out so back I came to this fabulous town. And the family did not give much of a welcome. But I found the good ol' Shawm ‘n’ Lute then. And Rennika got me through those troubles. So... yea, there you go."At that point he quickly retreats and tries to find a spot way in the back to hang out now.
Eulogy: "Rennika was one of the few in the city who didn't care about my family name." Hadi begins with a grin, knowing that his family name is well known throughout the city. "And one of the few who really did not care about where you came from or who you know, but only about how you held yourself. Well... Today I'm here holding her favorite drink, which she kept well hidden behind the bar,"he pauses holding his glass up to the few knowing faces in the crowd, and continues, "and holding my head high, as she would have wanted."Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Hadi downs the drink and sets the glass down on the lectern, concluding saying, "This one's for you Rennika. Though it won't be the last."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Ability scores: 151415121616
Emkuhm - Changeling - Paladin (plan is oath of watchers)- knight
“I knew Rennika. As a child, I knew her to be kind. Thoughtful. She was a gift to the lonely looking for a place in this world. As a boy, I knew her to be clever enough to see past even the cleverest ruse, and compassionate enough to put the mischievous to work instead of put the rod to them. As a man, I realized she was more hero than anyone I’ve ever met. For although I had moved on, she had set a bar I would always try to live up to. One with kindness enough to defend a stranger from the cruelty of the world. Shrewd enough to see through a huckster. And hero enough to live the ideal every day. For although Rennika is gone, she lives in every person she ever treated fair, and decided to do a turn of the same for the world. We say goodbye to rest our weary hearts and whenever we recognize another heart she touched, we greet her again.”
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Ability scores: 151215161413
Name: Tamar Ardisia
Race: Human (Var)
Class: Bard
Eulogy: Tamar plucks a few strings making sure his lute is in tune and clears his throat. A few somber notes come forth before suddenly the tune picks up "Ding Dong! The Witch is dead. Which old Witch? The Wicked Witch!"He sings out a smile on his face before it fades quickly. and the music stops. Yelling out to the back of the crowd "Earl, you gave me the wrong song! Sorry about that folks. Ahem. Rennika was much beloved by all of us. She always was there to help with word or deed., and was quick to call you on your bull when you needed it. When I first came to Balder's Gate I was sleeping in alleys, playing on corners to anyone that would listen. Rennika heard me play one day and took pity on me, or maybe the pity was for the few unfortunate souls that happened to be walking nearby" He pauses to giggle a little "She gave me a place to play and let me earn my keep, as it were. The Shawm 'n' Lute became like a second home to me. Like it was to many of us." He pauses again, this time casting his gaze down "You were like family to me and your laughter and smile will be sorely missed." He wipes a tear from his cheek and begins playing and singing again much more somber this time, the notes ringing clearly from his lute. "Near, far, wherever you are, I believe that the heart does go on. Once more, you open the door and you're here in my heart. And my heart will go on and on"
Eulogy: " Is that all?" A shaky and hoarse voice vibrates the air of the graveyard. The people turn their faces and find Mad Mal, an old human in tattered cloth stares at them. The bloodshot eyes indicate his deep grief and he hasn't slept since the day Rennika started to waste away. " Is that all you can say! Yes, Rennika was a good woman. She feeded poor, helped the weak, and gave warm beds to those orphans! She even cares for someone, someone like me…" Tears run downthe deeply wrinkled face of the old man, join with the drool and soak in his gray beard.
" However I am not here just to rehearse something that we already know! You! " He points to one of the guests. " You!" Points to the others." Especially you!" And the stone angel standing inthegraveyard.
" I'll tell you that you guys all know but none of you dare to speak out. From the Icewind Dale to Amn, the rumors fly around like hungry ravens. The people are dying! My friends are dying! Those who once escaped from the grip of death are dragged back to the underworld! Do you think Rennika died by plague? No! It was a MURDERRRRRR! " The old man's scream shakes the gravestones and surprises the birds on the branches. Mal always looks shabby, but today he looks like a spector escaped from the Abyss. " I am telling you! This is just the beginning! Soon the death will be the tide and corpses will pile up like mountains! I am telling you! Listen to me! Listen to me… " The old broken man crouches on the ground crying. "Rennika…" Finallyexhaustion betters Mal. He closes his eyes and starts to snore.
Hello, fellow play-by-posters!
I seek five individuals who will commit to playing a role in Tomb of Annihilation. Before we jump into the adventure outright, we will work through a prelude adventure that provides the characters with some genuine motivation for making the journey to the perilous jungles of Chult. This prelude, by the way, is something I found on the Dungeon Masters Guild site. It’s highly rated, and I’m optimistic that it will serve us well. Additionally, it will allow characters to advance to level 2 before embarking for Chult.
Please submit a character concept if you’re comfortable with posting daily, or almost daily, and enriching this adventure with some good roleplaying.
In this thread, provide the following information about your character:
As stated above, Rennika was the proprietor of the Shawm ‘n’ Lute, an inn located in that part of Baldur’s Gate known as the lower city, with its crowded, narrow streets and even narrower alleyways. A hardy human, Rennika feared no one, which served her well as she handled the colorful array of patrons that frequented her establishment. She was shrewd, generous, fair, and always ready to help the weak and downtrodden. All in the lower city knew that the Shawm ‘n’ Lute was the best destination for lively music, decent food, fairly-priced potables, and low-stakes gambling. Some, however, knew that the Shawm ‘n’ Lute might be the place to visit if one needed to lay low for a few days, or make a sensitive financial transaction, or hold a clandestine meeting of some sort. A special few knew that one could enter Rennika’s wine cellar and magically exit the Shawm ‘n’ Lute nearly one hundred feet to the east, into the basement of an abandoned building.
I’ll give it 72 hours or so before I close off this thread.Ask questions as needed. Thanks for your interest.EDIT: So many character concepts have been submitted already, I'll close recruitment sooner than I planned. I'll give it until tomorrow (noon EST).
Ability scores: 12 10 16 15 16 13
Name: Sarya Embershade
Race: Half-elf
Class: Warlock (Efreeti)
Background: Criminal
Eulogy for Rennika: "Ahem, Rennika, I wouldn't be lying if I said she was like a mother to me, to many of us here I would imagine. I remember the first time I visited the Shawm 'n' Lute, it was raining real hard that night and I was cold as hell, feezing my...anyway, I was just a kid, living on the streets, taking what I could to survive. Even now I remember the smell of that bread just laying there on the counter. She caught me of course, Rennika, never could fool her. I thought she'd hand me over to the Flaming Fists just like that, but you all know that wasn't the kind of gal she was. I had my punishment of course, helping out with the dishes and such, but from that night I had a home of sorts when I wanted to. The years went by but I was never a stranger to the Shawm 'n' Lute, always welcome to lay low for a while when the Fists where closing in on me. But I also cherish the memory of the many long and unforgettable evenings I spent there, the music, the gambling, the wine and yes, the hot special stew, and of course the lovely hostess, she could always make you feel at home there. I hope she will feel at home wherever she is now, we will miss you so Rennika, but you live on in our tales, our songs and in our hearts."
Ability scores: 14 17 15 17 12 16
Name: Faloniir
Race: Wood Elf
Class: Fighter
Eulogy for Rennika: Faloniir will clear his throat and approach the pulpit, nodding to the priest as he passes, "Hello, my name is Faloniir. I doubt I knew Rennika nearly as long nor as well as most of you here, but I knew her at a time when she made a great impact in my life and I wanted to share that story with you all. My sister Laurana and I came to Baldur's Gate with our father. He was a sailor by trade and he was lost at sea only a few months after we arrived. Laurana and I found ourselves alone on the uncaring streets of Baldur's Gate. Luckily, Rennika found us. She found us in an alley where I was beaten unconscious and my sister soon to suffer the predations of my attacker. Rennika meted wrathful judgement upon the man and took Laurana and I in. She nursed us to health and promptly put us to work at the Shawm 'n' Lute." Faloniir chuckles and says, "I was still in bandages as I scrubbed floors and turned out bedsheets. Rennika took us in when she didn't have to; fed us, clothed us, provided a safe place for us to sleep at night. She never once asked for anything in return. She wasn't without her flaws, but not one of us are. It was her generosity that I remember most. That, and one of her many famous sayings, 'Oi, it's hotter'n two rats f*ckin' in a wool sock in here!' Thank you all for letting me speak."
Ability scores: 15 13 11 14 14 12
Name: Rawlings
Race: Tiefling
Class: Monk
Eulogy for Rennika:. Rawlings walks up to give her eulogy and on her way up she is met with jeers, whispers, name-calling but she is used to this. She looks side-ways at them and continues to her destination. While trying to compose herself, a small group of men are particularly loud, “get down you she-devil!” “No devils allowed here!” And Rawlings stares them down with her fully gold eyes. It is intense enough with just her stare that it quiets them and then the entire crowd so Rawlings can finally speak. “Rennika. She was someone to everyone. She was the person you needed her to be at the time you needed it. I don’t know how a human was able to be this to all who met her.” She glares again at the small group and allows the same glare to be treated to all that watch her. “Yes, you all know me. If it wasn’t for her, I’d still be worshipping Talos and then you’d all be sorry.” Rawlings visibly softens, “But she changed me. She showed me the light and how the world can be. Thank you Rennika…” She shakes her head, looks like she wants to say more and then walks away from the crowd.
Interested!
Ability scores: 9 16 13 14 15 15Whew! Will try a reroll.
Ability scores: 15 12 15 14 15 16I hear that the third time is the charm :
Ability scores: 18 9 15 14 9 18
Name : Barkas Reedfellow
Class : Druid (Circle of Stars)
Race :Hill Dwarf
Euolgy :
Barkas Reedfellow is a disheveled hill dwarf who walks up to the podium, obviously uncomfortable to be there. Not used to large gatherings of people, he fumbles with his belt, his beard, his fingers as he gets ready to speak. Frequently he rocks up and down on his tip toes, like he is a small rocket that would rather be in flight. “Ahem. Ummmm, yeah. My name is Barkas. Can you hear me? Ok, good, yes, yes, yes. So Rennika.. You know her from this place. She makes a mean pie! But did you know that she used to be an adventurer? That’s right, she could crack a goblin skull with the best of them! Long ago, early in her life I met her on the road when I was accosted by a couple of scoundrels who were interested in my map.”
He’s fiddling with his beard as he relays the story, fingers constantly moving. He is oblivious to what his fingers are doing, knotting and unknotting them lower strands of his beard. To your dismay he stops suddenly and picks a beetle out of his beard and pops the whole thing in his mouth. After he finishes chewing he continues. “They wouldn’t listen and they kept hitting me, she cracked one on the head and I burned another one of them up. That’s when we first met, and when our friendship began. She would listen to me when no one else would. She knows about how I’m being led, the signs I follow, she knows my stuff. And over time I got to know hers. I’m sorry to see her gone, and in this way. And I’m gonna bring it up, we have to do something about this curse that affected her. I’m not going to watch another friend wither away without doing anything!”
He tears up, they start to slowly drip down his cheeks and his nose runs into his mustache. “Anyway. The inn won’t be the same. I’ll miss her, more than you know. Goodbye Rennika. I’ll see you among the stars!” The tearful dwarf steps down from the podium, ignoring everyone, lost in his thoughts, and takes a seat.
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
I'm interested! Preemptive ability score roller to help solidify my character concept:
Ability scores: 16 12 16 13 15 15
Ability scores: 15 16 18 13 12 12
While a backstory wasn't requested, I was in the mood for writing out a character concept brewing in mind for Tomb of Annihilation's prompt into text, particularly one revolving around mysterious curses and strange bargains.
Name: Rasp.
Race: Kenku.
Class: Paladin - intended Oath of Redemption, with a level or two in Warlock.
Alignment: Lawful Neutral.
Backstory:
With the heave of am unusually muscled shoulder for his kin, the Kenku extracted his sword from the chest of the insane druid he was ordered to kill. The sound sent a shudder down the mercenary's spine - another sound added to his vocabulary. Taking great care to wipe the blade of the druid's poisoned blood, the Kenku reached into the pocket of his coat and procured an ebony talisman carved from bone to resemble a human skull, the rattle of the chain filling the now-empty cavern with unsettling echoes.
"Broken," the Kenku spoke. The voice wasn't his own - the phrase borrowed from a bartender who accidentally dropped a glass. "Another. Broken."
Purple flames sprang to life in the talisman's eyes. Rasp watched with his usual mixture of fascination, determination, and uneasy fear. Rasp had taken the pamphlet pinned to the local tavern's job board - and completed the mission; slay a local witch inflicting blights and curses upon grain and cattle. His second mission was complete.
Clutched in the Kenku's palm, the talisman responded as well.
"Shattered and slain, cured and controlled. An eye for an eye - a curse for a curse. Three for one, one of three - your next curse broken shall mark your plea. Continue, Kenku; should your devotion prove true, the curses afflicting your kin shall be broken."
The ghostly light illuminating the talisman faded. Slowly, methodically, Rasp returned the trinket to his pocket. Three curses, indeed - long ago, Kenku were robbed of their flight, their guile, and their speech. Rasp isn't quite sure what being he established contact with - only that the responsibility of redeeming his race of their sins rested on his shoulders.
Eulogy for Rennika: A Kenku swathed in a cloak almost as dark as his jet-black feathers took to stage next. A harrowed look glinted in weary eyes; public speech had never been Rasps's favorite pastime, especially considering his mission sought to rid Kenku of their restriction on speech. Regardless, Rasp took several moments to cobble together an attempt at a eulogy - what emerged was a disgruntled arrangement of words and cut-off phrases, clearly lifted from the speeches heard before and pieced together to the best of Rasps's abilities, covering a range of tones and voices of all accents, genders, and ages. "Rennika was dear to me...she offered me aid when nobody else would." Rasp begins to articulate. "Look, Kenku, I don't know what you want. You've got a sword. There's a job board over by Rennika. Get lost." A pause. Rasp begins echoing Rennika's own voice - replicating what she said to him. "You're looking rough. Tough time traveling here? Well, we'll get you sorted. No coin, either? No problem. Room's free for the week." Rasp's eulogy continues with furthered recordings of Rennika's voice - her kindness, her love, her dying wishes to the town. Upon the conclusion of his speech, Rasp observed the funeral processions for some time, enraptured in his usual bouts of silence. Rennika had been a friend and ally - but perhaps her strange illness had been a gift in disguise.
12 15 18 12 18 13
Name: Adamant
Class: Cleric
Race: Human
Euolgy: Adamant steps up, deep in concentration, then stares out into the crowd. "Ah poor Rennika, I knew you well. There are more things both in heaven and on earth, than that has been dreamed or thought. While young, Rennika would ponder with me the choices of light and dark, how there must be a balance between one or the other. Never shall either be greater than the one. What a creation she was, how noble in reason, how infinite in mind. In both form and fashion, could move and listen. How she embraced the beauty of the world. Now she ascends not to judge, but to smile once more upon us as she did in life, in warmth and grace."
Adamant steps down and moves off to the side
I'm interested!
Ability scores: 8 16 17 13 15 11
Name: Thoradin
Class: Barbarian
Race: Mountain Dwarf
Eulogy: A disheveled dwarf with a big warhammer balanced on his right shoulder stomps up, looks into the casket, and wipes a tear with his left hand. He then turns to the audience, plants the hammer on the ground in front of him with a thud and leans on the handle before speaking in a surprisingly soft voice. “Aye, she was one of a kind, Rennika was… I remember the first time I was in the Shawm. The lads and I just finished a patrol and wanted to have a bit of fun, but there was some elf there who fancied himself a bard and kept playing sad songs. Torture, I tell you what, wouldn’t wish him on my worst enemy. So I start the song of my people instead, you know “Brothers of the mine, rejoice…!” And she knew it as if she’d been singing it for centuries! Voice a little too high but what can you do? Never forget her as long as I live. When she started wasting away, at first I thought it was just her time, but soon even I could tell it wasn’t natural. And no priest could help her, useless the lot of them.” He seemed to notice the priest, shrugged. “Don’t look at me like that, it’s true. Anyway, Rennika was the best and that’s all I had to say.”
Interested- sounds fun! Placeholder
Birgit | Shifter | Sorcerer | Dragonlords
Shayone | Hobgoblin | Sorcerer | Netherdeep
Ability scores: 13 10 12 15 10 14
Name: Edrik Lutkeln
Race: Hill Dwarf
Class: Rogue
Eulogy for Rennika:
A dwarf dressed in simple brown clothing steps forward. His expression are mostly hidden by his large, bushy, dark brown beard and hair. From what can be seen, his heavy brow is furrowed in concern. Looking aside he speaks very softly to the priest organizing this affair. "You are absolutely certain you wanted me to speak?" He shakes his head, finally turning toward the gathered crowd which has grown a bit restless during his delay. "Ok. Ahem, yes. Rennika..." He pauses again, seeming to scramble for words. "Well, she was... umm... a good woman." He takes a breath. "But you all knew that. So... maybe... I should just say she meant the world to me. Most of you don't know I left for a bit to be a scholar - quite threw my family and clan into a whirl of rage for a bit. Well, more than a bit... but I'm sure someday they'll get past it. Anyhow. The studying books thing didn't work out so back I came to this fabulous town. And the family did not give much of a welcome. But I found the good ol' Shawm ‘n’ Lute then. And Rennika got me through those troubles. So... yea, there you go." At that point he quickly retreats and tries to find a spot way in the back to hang out now.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Ability scores: 13 15 11 12 16 15
Name: Hadi Benotto
Race: High Elf
Class: Wizard
Eulogy: "Rennika was one of the few in the city who didn't care about my family name." Hadi begins with a grin, knowing that his family name is well known throughout the city. "And one of the few who really did not care about where you came from or who you know, but only about how you held yourself. Well... Today I'm here holding her favorite drink, which she kept well hidden behind the bar," he pauses holding his glass up to the few knowing faces in the crowd, and continues, "and holding my head high, as she would have wanted." Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Hadi downs the drink and sets the glass down on the lectern, concluding saying, "This one's for you Rennika. Though it won't be the last."
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
Ability scores: 15 14 15 12 16 16
Emkuhm - Changeling - Paladin (plan is oath of watchers)- knight
“I knew Rennika. As a child, I knew her to be kind. Thoughtful. She was a gift to the lonely looking for a place in this world. As a boy, I knew her to be clever enough to see past even the cleverest ruse, and compassionate enough to put the mischievous to work instead of put the rod to them. As a man, I realized she was more hero than anyone I’ve ever met. For although I had moved on, she had set a bar I would always try to live up to. One with kindness enough to defend a stranger from the cruelty of the world. Shrewd enough to see through a huckster. And hero enough to live the ideal every day. For although Rennika is gone, she lives in every person she ever treated fair, and decided to do a turn of the same for the world. We say goodbye to rest our weary hearts and whenever we recognize another heart she touched, we greet her again.”
Paladin - warforged - orange
[WITHDRAWN]
Ability scores: 15 12 15 16 14 13
Name: Tamar Ardisia
Race: Human (Var)
Class: Bard
Eulogy: Tamar plucks a few strings making sure his lute is in tune and clears his throat. A few somber notes come forth before suddenly the tune picks up "Ding Dong! The Witch is dead. Which old Witch? The Wicked Witch!" He sings out a smile on his face before it fades quickly. and the music stops. Yelling out to the back of the crowd "Earl, you gave me the wrong song! Sorry about that folks. Ahem. Rennika was much beloved by all of us. She always was there to help with word or deed., and was quick to call you on your bull when you needed it. When I first came to Balder's Gate I was sleeping in alleys, playing on corners to anyone that would listen. Rennika heard me play one day and took pity on me, or maybe the pity was for the few unfortunate souls that happened to be walking nearby" He pauses to giggle a little "She gave me a place to play and let me earn my keep, as it were. The Shawm 'n' Lute became like a second home to me. Like it was to many of us." He pauses again, this time casting his gaze down "You were like family to me and your laughter and smile will be sorely missed." He wipes a tear from his cheek and begins playing and singing again much more somber this time, the notes ringing clearly from his lute. "Near, far, wherever you are, I believe that the heart does go on. Once more, you open the door and you're here in my heart. And my heart will go on and on"
I'm interested!
Ability scores: 16 14 14 11 13 12
Name: Malphas
Race:Variant Human (Shadow Touched)
Class: Wizard (Divination)
Eulogy: " Is that all?" A shaky and hoarse voice vibrates the air of the graveyard. The people turn their faces and find Mad Mal, an old human in tattered cloth stares at them. The bloodshot eyes indicate his deep grief and he hasn't slept since the day Rennika started to waste away. " Is that all you can say! Yes, Rennika was a good woman. She feeded poor, helped the weak, and gave warm beds to those orphans! She even cares for someone, someone like me…" Tears run down the deeply wrinkled face of the old man, join with the drool and soak in his gray beard.
" However I am not here just to rehearse something that we already know! You! " He points to one of the guests. " You!" Points to the others." Especially you!" And the stone angel standing in the graveyard.
" I'll tell you that you guys all know but none of you dare to speak out. From the Icewind Dale to Amn, the rumors fly around like hungry ravens. The people are dying! My friends are dying! Those who once escaped from the grip of death are dragged back to the underworld! Do you think Rennika died by plague? No! It was a MURDERRRRRR! " The old man's scream shakes the gravestones and surprises the birds on the branches. Mal always looks shabby, but today he looks like a spector escaped from the Abyss. " I am telling you! This is just the beginning! Soon the death will be the tide and corpses will pile up like mountains! I am telling you! Listen to me! Listen to me… " The old broken man crouches on the ground crying. "Rennika…" Finally exhaustion betters Mal. He closes his eyes and starts to snore.