[D&D-5e] Mercy is Strength

[bdap]

Game Name Mercy is Strength

Game System DnD 5e

Theme Adventure, Heroism, and Fantasy

Flavour Homebrew

Plot Summary Kalaskyan Gold Rush Kalaskya was a small nation that most people on the continent of Vilcrest didn't take note of unless they were briefly passing through so they could travel to one of the larger nations that bordered Kalaskya. However that all changed 30 years ago when gold was discovered inside the tiny nation. Ever since then a large rush of people had moved to Kalaskya with the hope of getting some of its gold almost tripling the population of the country. The increase of population bought a strong infusion of labor and prestige to the nation but it also introduced Kalaskya to some nefarious characters. The various bandit tribes that roamed the continent of Vilcrest started to converge on an unprepared Kalaskya. For at least a decade they had given law enforcement in the area fits until King Sylvain revamped the Kalaskyan army and guards through new training regimens and smart thinking. However recently the tribes had started to overwhelm Kalaskya again as the independent bandit tribes suddenly departed from how they operated and started to work together and coordinate with each other. This has now caused a panic in the population as people are now afraid to travel in between towns in fear of being attacked and trade caravans don't travel as frequently due to fears of being robbed at knife point. This plus the possibility of something pulling the strings of the tribes has caused the crown to take drastic action and ask others for help. The Shieldstone Order One of the first places King Sylvain looked to find help was The Shieldstone Order guild hall. The Shieldstone Order is an adventurer's guild that was founded 250 years ago by Arthur Shieldstone after a disagreement he had with King Lucius over the harsh treatment of prisoners of war in the dungeons after the nation of Arkhus invaded the country that caused him to be dismissed as a general in his army. Now the Shieldstone Order has gained a reputation in the country for having some of the strongest adventurers & mercenaries in the country, even after the recent increase in guilds due to the recent influx of people, and for their devotion to not killing their enemies unless all other options had been exhausted. Arthur vowed to make a guild that would treat everyone whether they are friend or foe with mercy and compassion while trying to help everyone they could. That was why The Shieldstone Order immediately offered five of its members to King Sylvain without any reservation. The guild forgave the royal family for King Lucius's actions long ago and knew that innocent people obviously needed their help.

Application Criteria Ground Rules Posting Rate: At least 3 times a week but if you want to post more then don't let me stop you. Good Alignments Only Comradery: All members of The Shieldstone Order have some sense of respect towards each other to not lash out and bash each other for no reason. Now if there is a disagreement between characters and they end up arguing that's fine but unnecessary nastiness towards other members of the group should be discouraged. Creativity: This is a home-brewed world and please feel free to add to it. I promise to try and adapt player introduced concepts to the world to the best of my ability and what the story allows me to do. Required Application Information Name: Race: Class: Background: PHB only Personality Traits: Ideal: Bond: Flaws: Appearance: Written description with a picture. Personality: History: Please include how the character managed to be a member of the guild. Was it by birth or did they join later on? If the latter then how did they join the guild? Role-Playing Sample: Character Sheet Character level: 2 Method of generating ability scores: 27 Point Buy or Standard Array Books You Can Use: PHB Races: Standard PHB Races Starting Equipment: Standard Starting Money: Max for Class Starting Hit Point: Max for 1st Level & Average + Constitution modifier for 2nd level hit points. Number of players I have one spot open in my game and need one more person. Application Deadline November 3rd

Application Status Player Character name Race Background Class Application Status Dorack Ticus Tellerum Halfling (Lightfoot) Guild Merchant Rogue (Arcane Trickster) Complete VaultDweller Riardon Moonwhisper High Elf Hermit Paladin Complete Avek Interested

[ArcanistDragons]

Real interested in this one, will post an application sometime this weekend!

[RainyDayNinja]

So what exactly IS the Shieldstone Order? A mercenary guild?

[bdap]

Originally Posted by RainyDayNinja

So what exactly IS the Shieldstone Order? A mercenary guild?

The Shieldstone Order is pretty much a adventurer's/mercenary guild.

If you have anymore questions let me know.

[Arthilian01]

Straight up heroic heroes?

And Max starting money per class + standard starter equipment -or- One or the other?

[bdap]

Originally Posted by Arthilian01

Straight up heroic heroes?

And Max starting money per class + standard starter equipment -or- One or the other?

The Shieldstone Order is very hesitant on killing so I would consider them straight up heroic heroes.

As for the second question it's both.

[ArcanistDragons]

Application Name: Lilli Aleslosh Leafcupp Turen Race: Gnome, Forest Class: Druid Background: Outlander Personality Traits: I'm driven by a wanderlust that led me away from home. I watch over my friends as if they were a litter of newborn pups. Ideal: It is each person's responsibility to make the most happiness for all. (Good) Life is like the seasons, in constant change, and we must adapt with it. (Chaotic) Bond: I am the last of my tribe, and it is up to me to ensure their names enter legend. Those I consider in my tribe are the most important things in my life. Flaws: There's no room for caution in a life lived to the fullest. I can't resist keeping pace with others when drinking, even when they have a much higher tolerance than me. A monster slaughtered my whole tribe. I still shudder in fear at the thought of them. Appearance: Standing at 3 feet and 38 pounds, Lilli is on the smaller side for a gnome. She has soft, brown skin and a head of straight hair that is dyed a leafy green kept in two low-tied ponytails that rest above her ears. She has long pointy ears and thin arched eyebrows. Below her tiny nose is often a cheery, bright smile. She has green eyes. She wears a brown leather vest with a symbol of two stag horns cross her chest. A dark green cloak with leaf frills rest on her back, reaching all the way down to a few inches above her feet. Yellow parchment-like bandages wrap tightly around her elbows. She wears dark green fingerless gloves under thick leather bracers. Her tan pants billow out to knee-high brown leather boots that are worn above the end of the pants. She has a green sash covering her torso that is adorned with small leaf frills, similar to her cloak. Personality: Behind her meek attitude, Lilli is constantly eager to make new friends. The ones she grew up with used to joke about her being a pixie turned into a Halfling because of her wanderlust and excitement to interact with others. It's rare to see Lilli without a smile on her face, and when she is sad a burst of tears erupt like a geyser. 5 minutes later, and she is back to her cheery self. In combat, Lilli focuses on aiding her party members. When she thinks it appropriate, she'll then try to subdue enemies by disarming them, or incapacitating them with magic. History: Born in a small tribe in a far-off forest, Lilli grew up in a self-sufficient community consisting of halfings and elves that barely reached 50 people. Her distance from civilization let her see incredible wonders in nature, such as vast herds migrating seasonally and the slow but sure change of the forestry around her. She learned to channel druidic magic at the age of 10 when the tribe's shaman took her under their wing. The next 5 years flew by in complete joy as Lilli stayed in the tribe tending to their gardens of vegetables and herds of animals. However, a few months after her 15th name day, a group of hill giants came out of the forest and attacked the peaceful community. Most were slaughtered, with Lilli being spared only because she managed to hide deep in a tall oak tree. She hid, hearing all of the death around her slowly creep to a still, dead quiet. When she came out of the tree the next day, she saw all the horror around her. All the buildings burned, all of her community dead, the grass soaked red with blood. An atrocity as grave as this could never be healed, regardless of her druidic powers. She collected her things, planted small headstones for everyone she lost, and having nowhere to go headed west, not stopping before reaching civilization. A few weeks later, she encountered her first city. It amazed her how tall structures can be, and the walls enveloping the city made her feel safe, though a little claustrophobic. She spent the next 4 years acclimating to civilization, finding her place as an apprentice to the town's florist. When a group of Shieldstone Order members started frequenting the shop, Lilli found their tales of adventure and chivalrous duties incredibly captivating. On hearing that they were looking for more members to join the guild, Lilli leaped at the opportunity to help the common good of the realm. Finally, she had a chance to spread good elsewhere, laying her life on the line to help push back the forces of evil. At the recommendation of the members that shared their stories with Lilli, she soon became a member of the guild after being granted a test of skills and motive. She has been part of the Shieldstone Order for the last year, adventuring in the hopes of being able to put a stop to monsters that can create sudden tragedy. Role-Playing Sample: The Trial to Join "Well, you've made it this far. Show us what you got." the voice boomed out of the big, grizzly man. He sat against the wall on a small wooden chair, arm propped on his leg as he stared at Lilli who was standing in the center of the cobblestone room. She seemed caught off guard, surprised at the sudden break in silence. "O-oh! Alright! What do ya wanna see first?" the small halfing asked as she sifted through her pouches sorting components. "Surprise me: I wanna see what you think can wow me." the human man said, sporting a slight grin on his bearded face. "Okay! I promise I won't hurt ya." Lilli smiles, closing her eyes while tilting her head slightly. With a slight giggle, she dons a focused, stern gaze as she Fog Cloud (Level 1, VS)waves her staff around, the berries and bones laid through the hook of the staff clacking against each other as she speaks Druidic, shouting "Mistiau, dewch allan!". Suddenly, fog started to fill where the grizzled man was sitting. As it consumes him, his face changes to a surprised amusement. Just before he is completely shrouded by the mists, Lilli reaches into a pouch on her belt, squeezing tightly on the Jump (Level 1, VSM)hind leg of a grasshopper as she yells out "Neidio!" in Druidic. Lilli crouches down, springing her body into action as she makes a great leap into the mist. As she is hurling towards the fog, she takes out a stem of a Thorn Whip (Cantrip, VSM)thorned rose before whipping out her arm as she whispers "Dryn i bid". The stem stretches out into a long whip, red spikey thorns cover most of the leather-brown stem as she whips it downward. A loud crack is heard, followed by the splintering of wood and the surprised yelp of the Shieldstone member. Lilli lands on half of the splintered table, ripped in two by the impact of the thorn whip. Dispeling the fog, the mist clears to reveal the guild member staring sternly at Lilli, hand placed readily on the dagger on his hip. Lilli sports a big smile, turning the thorn whip back into a small stem as she says in Common "So, how did I do? I can also heal, and I'm great with animals, and you haven't even seen my awesome sling abilities-" the human cuts her off just as she mimes drawing back a sling aimed at the wall. "I think we're good here. Ya got potential, and my endorsement. Talk to some of the other guild members and tell 'em Jon gives ya a thumbs up. We could use more people like you." Lilli's eyes widened at the news and a great big smile filled her face as she jumped for joy, leaping high into the air from her magic still in effect. "Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!" She hugged the guild member, squeezing his torso tightly, before bolting out of the door in search of other members to gain approval from. Finally, I can mean something! I can do good! Character Sheet

Application updated!

[Arthilian01]

Fair warning: I am not trying to steal anyone's thunder or copycat.

[Arthilian01]

Lady Shadowleaf: Name: Lady Shadowleaf Race: Wood Elf Class: Druid Background: I was partaking of communal living in accordance with the dictates of a religious order.Hermit Personality Traits: -The leader of my community had something wise to say on every topic, and I am eager to share that wisdom. -I am utterly serene, even in the face of disaster. Ideal: -Greater Good. My gifts are meant to be shared with all, not used for my own benefit. (Good) -Self-Knowledge. If you know yourself, there’s nothing left to know. (Any) Bond: -My isolation gave me great insight into a great evil that only I can destroy. -Nothing is more important than the other members of my hermitage, order, or association. Flaws: -Now that I've returned to the world, I enjoy its delights a little too much. Appearance: Lady Shadowleaf is in the range of 5'10"average height compared to her wood elf kin and also a 140 lbslittle thicker in musculature than more ethereal high elves. She carries herself with a balance and grace that befits her elven blood and her face is often serene and at peace. Her hair is done up in a traditional style according her kind with a single long braid, a shaved section and the rest gently draping around her shoulder and down her back, and stark white, marking her among the bloodline of Matriarchs within her clan. She went through the ritual tattooing of adulthood, gaining a tree-like motif that spread over her face from forehead to chin. She wears the skull of a small animal as a headdress adornment to also signify her potential rise to a Matriarch. She likes to wear form-fitting leather that allow her fair movement while hunting and gathering with feathers upon her shoulders and soft moccasins that tie around her calves. Upon her journey she also carries two curved elven daggers, a staff with a knobby, curled head and a pack stitched together from rawhide swatches. Personality: Shadowleaf is calm and serene in most serious situations, often thoughtful and deliberate in her actions. Very rarely, her emotions get the best of her, usually when someone around her abuses nature or life, two of her passions in life. She is constantly in search of her own center and place in the world, despite knowing her potential and future purpose of being the guide and caretaker of her clan as matriarch following her mother. One of her more admirable traits is a definite and unresolving compassion for all life as that is the one thing that is nature's gift. History: Shadowleaf was born as the first of five daughters of Matriarch Shadowbough and her father, Whiteleaf. Although her four younger sisters are only related by their mother's blood, she watches over them as if she were full-blood to them, as A Matriarch's duty usually requires that she produce several offspring by different males in order to secure the bloodline. Of her four sisters, only two of them bear the stark white hair and natural affinity to nature as Shadowleaf and therefore also have the ability to become Matriarchs given they complete the proper trials and rituals. Despite a light competition to become the next Matriarch, Shadowleaf bears no ill will against her sisters, Nature shall choose the proper one to lead the clan in due time. Shadowleaf was raised amid the Thick Wood that is her home, wandering and learning of the balance of nature and thus has shaped her into a conduit for it's power. She seeks to embody and represent the fierce and serene balance that she finds so often in nature. With her ascendance into adulthood, she is deemed ready and required to begin her trial into the world to fully find and embrace her center, finding the eye of the storm outside of the small community that is her clanhome. In her wanderings of the world, seeking something that is less than tangent, such as one's spiritual center can be a bewildering quest that takes as many paths as the directions of the wind's whims. She found herself lost in a world that seemed to have forgotten nature and used it at their own leisure to the waste of it and that is when she discovered the Shieldstone Order. Something inside her told her that this was her calling, her place for a time and thus has dwelled within the ranks of it's heroes for some time. Role-Playing Sample: Birds flew from the nearby trees, chirping their displeasure as they spun and dove above Shadowleaf's head. She was nearing the source of the thing that had disturbed them, the repeated and resounding 'thwack!' of an ax biting into the living flesh of trees. In the Thick Wood where all things grew wild and was under the protection of Shadowleaf's Clan, it was partially her responsibility to see to this indiscretion, despite just beginning her trial and having to leave the Wood for a time. She stepped carefully over branches and roots that littered the forest floor in the direction of the sound. Unlike the tree that now looked into it's own doom, the branches that littered the floor had lived their lives and passed into the next stage of their lives, re-purposed to feed and fertilize the younger trees. Whoever was chopping down a tree in this part of the wood was taking and killing greedily of the land, the land that could hardly protect itself. Normally calm Shadowleaf could feel herself becoming angry but she knew that it was not the fault of the person committing the act but the fault of a way of life that spoke to this act being alright. She dismissed her anger and regained her composure as she came upon the small clearing where already there was a small pile of quickly dying branches upon the ground and the start of a growing pile of dismembered sapling upon the ground. As the young wood elf peered through the branches of her hiding spot, she could see that several humans had just decided it was time to get back to work and the single repetition of an ax was joined by three others. She had to put a stop to this before more trees suffered. Reaching down and scooping up a small handful of stones from the ground with long fingers, she whispered to them as they lay in her palm, awakening them to the threat to their forest. As the stones began to hum with anger and the fury of nature, the wood elf drew one forth and drawing back her arm, she launched it at one of the humans. The ax raised over his head and then 'Fwump!', the stone made contact with his head. As the struck human stumbled, the others stopped and looked all about for whoever had thrown the stone but Shadowleaf launched a second without hesitation and 'Fwump!', the second made contact and the previously struck man crumbled to the ground, unconscious. Feeling like her threat of danger was fully received, she stepped from her hiding spot and planted her staff against the forest floor and calling out in a loud voice, "Cease your murderous actions! This forest and those trees are under the protection of the Forest-Walker clan!" Now, if the job of her clan was an easy one, the humans would have fled at the mere sight of her, collecting their unconscious ally and turning tail but such was not the case. The three humans still standing lifted their murder weapons and charged the elf but she was not as defenseless as she seemed, already proving more than one human could handle. As the humans closed with striking distance, Shadowleaf raised her staff over her head in both hands and thrust the unshod wooden foot against the forest floor and forth from the staff, a thunderous boom burst and radiated out, sweeping over the humans, knocking them head over heals and onto their backs. As the humans gathered themselves they quickly realized they were outmatched. They left their axes and gathered their accomplice and fled from the wood elf who wielded the power of nature, likely never to return and if they did, it would be with more men. It was the way of things, there would always be a fight but murder was not always called for and as she had always reminded herself, it was not the fault of man or dwarf or elf but being raised in a world where it was deemed alright to trample and misuse nature's gifts.

[Arthilian01]

Complete unless we need a character sheet?

[bdap]

Originally Posted by Arthilian01

Complete unless we need a character sheet?

I would prefer you to have the character sheet. Once you have that I will consider it complete.

[Arthilian01]

Link to sheet in character name. Complete.

[bdap]

Originally Posted by Arthilian01

Link to sheet in character name. Complete.

Great! I've changed your status from WIP to Complete in table in the OP.

[chri2m]

You mention PHB backgrounds only, but what about races? Would something like an earth genasi barbarian be ok?

[penbeast0]

Name: Trueheart

Race: Tiefling

Class: Paladin

Background: Noble

Personality Traits: Despite my noble birth, I do not feel privileged or entitled, nor am I comfortable giving orders or taking command.

Ideal: Independence, I must prove that I can handle myself without the coddling of my family

Bond: I must conduct myself as a hero to common and noble alike

Flaw: By my very existence, I bring shame to my family

Written description: Of average height but slight of frame, what would otherwise be regular and pleasing features go unnoticed because of the curling horns that shout my demonic heritage to the world.

Personality: This dichotomy is reflected in my personality. I have a burning need to prove myself worthy; to be a hero. And yet, all my life I have been scorned and hidden away, leaving me vulnerable and unsure of myself.

History: The Winfield name is a proud and righteous one with many heroes of the Shieldstone Order in our family tree; including my late grandfather, Duke Warran. Thus it was a terrible blow when I was born, tearing out my mother's life with my horns. Not only was it clear that she had been unfaithful to her husband practically from the day they were married, but she had consorted with demons and devils to create me. And, her death meant that no one would ever know how the forces of darkness had gained entry into our ancient halls or how they had impelled her to take this course.

And so, I was locked away. Not killed or abused; the tenets of the Order constrained my family. But not wanted or loved and certainly not introduced to society. In my solitude, I read the tales of the great heroes of old and imagined myself such a one; admired and loved. History, religion, fiction, it was all grist for my imagination. And, when I came of age, I lowered myself out a window and came to the Order to become a Paladin.

Role-Playing Sample: Through the dark hours of the night, I waited outside the tall doors of the guildhall. The Shieldstone Order, my dreams and hopes as well as my darkest doubts and fears all were centered on this portal. It was the Feast of St. Denis, a famous and fortuitous celebration for the Order and the Nation. As the first rays of dawn shadowed the horizon, I moved to the center of the doorway and came to attention. Acid burned in my stomach; I couldn't throw up now, they would never accept such a weak candidate. For an hour I stood rigid with pride and trepidation until at last the door opened.

"Ach! Whacha doin there? I never. . . " the old man, clearly a servant, trailed off into incoherent mumbling though I could hear the words "devil boy" and "priest" in his monologue. I stayed rigid, eyes front, never wavering an inch and after circling me a couple of times and pinching my arm once, the muttering menial retreated inside. The door closed.

I had failed; they had rejected me. I had nothing left. I couldn't go back to my dusty book lined prison. And where else could I go? Run away to sea? Become a sell-sword? How does one even do such things; where does one go? Time passed; it seemed hours. Really I had no choice. All I can do is stand and wait; hunger and thirst, the pain in my legs and back, they don't matter. Maybe it was a test of will, of courage, of determination. I stood even straighter. A few more people went in and out of the doors; going around me or shouldering me aside if necessary. Some made rude comments, one or two laughed. I grimly stood my post.

"Does your family know you're here?" a voice spoke from behind my left shoulder, not unkindly. "Stand at ease." I looked over and outlined in the radiant morning light stood an angel. Well, looking closer, a sort of grimy angel dressed in bright silver armor but needing a shave and looking like he hadn't slept all night. "No sir!" I shouted. He winced. "Well, come in then and let's see what we have."

And from that point it was all right. I had fulfilled my first quest, passed my first test, and now everything would be all right. I would train from dawn to dusk each day and study until last bells each night and I would be the best knight the order had ever known.

It was no wonder they couldn't wait to send me off . . .

Character Sheet