[D&D-2e] In the Mouth of Madness

[Lexkat]

I'll look into applying.

[Nade]

Originally Posted by Eachan Delras

Out of curiosity. How accurate are these?

Pretty much spot on .

And glad to see you here Lexkat

[tristenC]

Name:
Kendrivel Fangchipper

Alignment:
Neutral Good

Appearance:
Shaggy brown hair bobs around on a Halfling-sized body as Kendrivel bends down to pick up something interesting. The outfit this small-one wears seems a little odd; some kind of leather armor over a pair of oddly decorated leather pants with a plethora of pockets and odd green discolorations on them. At a closer look you see they are sewn-over with what appears to be embroidery of exceptional skill used to depict images of child-like artistry. Some of the drawings, though crudely shaped, are quite disturbing and depict vampires and rotting corpses battling small folk.

Leaning on his staff, the figure stands to his full height (somewhere just below 4’ tall) and examines a multi-colored stone with piercing green eyes. You finally come to the realization that this is no typical Tallfellow or Stout… but a Kender.

He smiles at the multi-colored stone. Perfect! He exclaims in a high voice as he tucks it into his pouch. Lets see old Greatfather dodge that beauty! Finally he notices you and an even broader grin moves across his child-like features. Hi! I’m Kendrivel, nice to meet you! He says, sticking his hand out to shake yours…

Personality:
Kendrivel is always trying to cheer others up or make them feel better. He will almost always take the time to tell a joke, peform a feat of astonishing dexterity (of which he knows many, though others might disagree), or just show compassion in order to lift someone up. He is practically fearless (True Kender?), even when faced with undead family members trying to kill him. For this reason he feels it is his duty to protect his friends. He has no living relatives (though some un-living). He makes fast friends, but betrayal is a cardinal sin in his book and would take a long time to overcome.

The Unlimited curiosity of a Kender is somewhat toned down for him… which still makes it far above that of most races.


Background:
Kendrivel was always trying to make others smile. He was, after all, born in a very unhappy place; a small Kender village in the dark forests of Sithicus… in Ravenloft. It could be quite a challenge to make others laugh and smile sometimes. Kendrivel would dance, juggle, play with fire, tight-rope walk (though he had never learned how, he must admit he was pretty good at it).

While others of his community still had that Kender spark, they had become increasingly violent and xenophobic. While this seemed to Kendrivel to be a reasonable reaction to Lord Soth turning-a-bunch-of-their-kinfolk-into-vampires-and-setting-them-loose-on-the-rest-thus-whittling-them-down-to-a-few-small-communities-of-super-tough-utra-violent-kender, Kendrivel did not wholly share their sentiment. Their “No Trespassing” signs made from the rotting corpses of interlopers left a bad taste in his mouth… not like berry-wine at all!

He had every right to be just as violent; after all, his parents had been killed when he was just a youngling. It was his eldest sister who had coaxed him back from the brink of… sadness? madness? Who knew. She had done it with laughter and song and true compassion. Eventually she taught him the ways of a priest; which was where she had turned when their parents were taken. He loved his sister dearly… right up until that time she tried to kill him. (did I forget to mention she became a vampire and tried to eat him? Oh… Oops!) After surviving this encounter with his sister (he tied her up with magic chains and watched the sunrise with her) he changed his last name to Fangchipper.

Eventually he struck out on his own, and wandered into his old Greatfather, (also a vampire. See! I remembered this time!) who wanted to have a talk with (eat) him. During the reunion (confrontation) his Greatfather let slip that he was the last of his family line, and that he was destined to bring about the demise of the Kender Vampires in some way.

With the help of some holy-water (hey, he’s a priest, right!?) and a timely assist by a half-elven mage named Merrick, the Greatfather was injured badly enough that he fled. The Kender and his new companion traveled together to Harmonia in Kartakass where Merrick stayed. Although Kendrivel loved the songs and festive feel of Harmonia during the day, he found it a bit to hairy at night (pun intended). He continued his wanderlust and is still travelling today.

RP Sample:

 

Tromping merrily through the woods, Kendrivel juggled two colorful stones with his right hand and whistled in time to the thump-thump of the hoopak in his left. The great forest of Sithicus grew quite dark here among the ancient trees, almost dark enough to be considered night, but this was a short-cut to the road he would take out of this domain… the domain of Lord Soth. A slight shiver came over him, quite unusual for his kind, but Lord Soth alone of Death-knights could do that… even to Kender…

A quiet rustle behind him grabbed his attention and he stopped; tucking his stones away into a pouch at his waist. From behind an exceptionally large tree along the game-trail he was using stepped another Kender, much older than he… much older than most of his kind…

Greatson... the high-raspy voice crooned. Greatson, where do you go all by your lonesome? You should be near family, not wandering about by yourself…

Turning to face his elder, Kendrivel pulled a pair of small clay jars from a pocket and began juggling them instead. As you are the only family I have left… He replied to the figure in its torn and dirty clothes. I would say that I am.

What of your sister, boy? his Greatfather hissed quietly. Then in a mocking tone, Did she not come visit you as I requested? the old man tsked.

Oh she did indeed! The younger replied. In fact, last time I saw her we were watching the sunrise together… I’m not sure where she went after that he said, curiously. I’m sure you’ll be meeting her soon… he added with a smirk.

Growling low in his throat Kendrivel’s Greatfather bared his fangs; the long, sharp fangs of a Vampire. You know full-well that I could utterly destroy you right now!

Funny… that’s what I said last night… to your moth…

that’s your own Great-Greatmother you’re talking about… idiot! The undead retorted.

Geeze, you’ve gotten so grumpy since you died and were turned into a walking abomination… he comments casually, the clay-jars still in their circuit. It’s going to take a bit more to rile him up… Kendrivel thought to himself. I wonder… he muses aloud, glancing at his Greatfather’s pants. Did it fall off?

With a harsh scoff the Vampire relaxes a bit, Truly sad you can’t feel the fear you should now… I would long to see it in your youthful eyes…

Got it! Stabbing his hoopak point-down into the ground, Kendrivel snatches a clay vessel out of the air in either hand. Greatfather, I think you’ve lost your sense of humor. The elder Kender begins to shake with a cold fury. With that, the Greatson whips the vial of holy water right at the old man’s face. He’s too quick for that, but the second one will get him…

Suddenly a flash of light strikes the undead from behind and he staggers… straight into Kendrivel’s shot! Howling from the pain, his Greatfather turns to face the new threat just in time to be struck again by the second vial, flung by the hoopak.

Spinning again the Vampire thrashes to get his holy-water soaked tunic and cloak off. Kendrivel takes the moment to pull out three multi-colored sling-stones. Waving his holy symbol over them they begin to glow faintly. A thin figure steps out from behind the creature and a spray of flame washes over the beastly thing.

Screaming in pain and fury, I will find you again young Tuf..

The name is Fangchipper now! Kendrivel cries as he loads the first magical stone into the hoopak. You should change your last name too! To something appropriate… like Bugger-Butt! He shouts, loosing his shot at the venerable old vamp.

With a wicked snarl and otherworldly skill the Vampire dodges the missle and takes off into the darkness. The shadowy figure behind steps forward and lowers his hood revealing the somewhat delicate features of a young half-elven man.

Stepping towards him Kendrivel extends his hand, Thanks for the assist! My name is Kendrivel Fangchipper… though I guess you heard that last part…

Merrick… the Half-elf says, cautiously taking the shorter fellow’s hand.

Well Merrick… which way you headed?

[Lexkat]

Well, I've never played in a Ravenloft setting, but I guess I can wing it, I have the general idea of it: Horror.

[Nade]

I've got enough to start the game, just waiting on it being approved and then I can start inviting folk in

[tristenC]

Schweet

[Eachan Delras]

Huzzah! Rejoice my brothers, for thine hour is nigh!!!

[tristenC]

*Kendrivel begins stretching and warming up for the trip... then starts juggling shin-bones he found somewhere before letting one fall and drumming on every-level-surface with the other two... while singing off-key*

[Xasthur]

Ohh man...guess I was a little bit late in my app.

I hope you have fun playing. This game looks to be a lot of fun. Kudos!

[Nade]

Lol Xas, to clarify, I've not stopped accepting apps, only that I have enough now to start the game. I'll keep the apps open another week or so for anyone else who wants to apply.

[Nade]

The forums up, feel free to have a look about.

Here

I would expect to make a final announcement about selections on Friday if any more come in in the meantime

[tristenC]

the link didn't work for for me. It loooked like some extra text was displaced before the url.

how about here

[Nade]

Cheers .

And link now corrected

[Xasthur]

Name:Salothnissa(Nessa)

Alignment: Chaotic Good

Class: Mage

Appearance: Nessa draws attention wherever she goes due to her heritage and memorable features. She has mottled skin due to her human father and elven mother. When her rare skin disorder is combined with the clearly elven ears that jut out from the sides of her head, people wonder what gods she upset to look so strange. Nessa is tall like an elf, but with the stocky features of a human making her look like a masculine woman. Both elves and humans have commented that most half-elves get the best of both...she however got the short end of the stick when it comes to both races.

Personality:Nessa's abandonment by her mother to a somewhat cruel taskmaster for most of her life has created a hardened individual who does not trust easily. She tends to keep to herself and focus on her studies, because she thinks her magic is the only thing of value she has to offer the world. Nessa has been told by her mother, mentor, and most of the people that she has run into, that she is a freak and does not deserve to be around civilized society.

Although Nessa has had a very tough upbringing, she still has a very distinct view of right and wrong and refuses to do evil(or what she considers evil). This is not due to a desire to do good, but rather a rebellion against those who kept her down her whole life. She does not want to be associated with them and that has placed her on the side of good, but with an incredible focus on self-preservation.

Background:Life started for Nessa filled with love as the cherished only daughter of her parents. Her father was a strong warrior who wooed his mother, an elf, while adventuring. Nessa's mother, Iluven gave up her tribe and heritage to be with this charming human who promised to be hers until he passed. The three of them lived in relative happiness until Nessa became 3. At this time, her skin became mottled as she fought a terrible sickness that almost took her life. Her mother, panicked from the changes in her daughter, sought out her father who told her that Nessa had a rare sickness that was the result of having a human father and elven mother. She would never outgrow this and would be sterile like mule for the remainder of her days. He went on to say that this small child would suffer in both human and elf company as neither would ever truly accept her. Nessa's mother was distraught at hearing this news and went home to tell her husband the news.

When Iluven arrived home, she found her husband dead and the small, sickly child crying on the floor. From that point onwards, Iluven tried all she could to raise her by herself, but when the plague hit when Nessa was in her teens, Iluven had to get help from her parents. People were dying all around her and she needed a safe place to stay so she may not die. Her father said Iluven could stay with him, but Nessa would have to go. He refused to have Nessa stay under the same roof as he and suggested that Iluven send Nessa to a boarding school to learn a trade. Broken in spirit and needing support, Iluven relented and sent Nessa to Olaf Wormson, a wizard who took on pupils from time to time. Iluven thought that if Nessa could learn a trade such as magic, she would find her way into someone's court as a magician and live happily. Alas, such was not the case for Nessa who arrived at Olaf's tower to learn magic.

Olaf took on pupils to fleece parents out of gold and get free labor around his tower. He would teach the pupil to read magic and a couple spells so could trick the unwitting dupes into thinking that he had the best intentions for the child. Once this was done, Olaf would work the child day and night until they collapsed from exhaustion. Most children died at the tower and this was now Nessa's world.

She was a quick study at the art and learned to read magic very quickly. This angered Olaf and he stopped teaching her anything useful except how to cook his favorite meals. Obstinately, Nessa would wait on Olaf hand and foot until he would lock her in her room for the evening. At this time, Nessa would wait until he had fallen asleep and creep into his room to study magic. She prayed to any gods that would listen to take her away, but the gods never listened and she grew bitter at her voice never being heard until one fateful day when Olaf chocked on the meal Nessa had prepared for him. Knowing that she was not accepted in human company and afraid of being accused of murdering Olaf, Nessa stole a spellbook, packed a bag and left to find her way in the cold world.

 

Evening fell around the tower as the chill night air crept into Nessa's room. There was no fire to keep her warm and only some rags to wrap around herself to stay warm. Soon enough I'll be warm, when I creep into his room., Nessa thought as she paced to keep warm. Winter was coming early this year...Nessa hoped she could scrounge up enough rags to stay warm until she figured out a way to escape this hell.

No one else lived in the tower besides Olaf and Nessa. He preferred it because it allowed him to be lord and master without anyone checking in on him. He used his magic to intimidate Nessa in the beginning, but she knew that he needed her to keep the annual tithe of gold coming in. She was more more powerful than he gave her credit for and this made Nessa giggle. "I will be powerful...more powerful than you and then I'll show you." she said to no one. Nessa spoke to herself quite a bit to stave off the loneliness she felt each night. If only her mother had loved her more... if only her father had not died... ahh so many what if's. What if I sneak out of my room to study. Yes, he should be asleep now.

Quietly, Nessa forced the bolt aside that kept her trapped in this cold room and once the door was open, she followed the warmth downstairs where Olaf slept. His room was opulent beyond measure, in stark contrast to the rest of the tower. Olaf slept soundly most nights, which was a blessing to Nessa because she could sit by the fire and study arcane secrets which she committed to memory. Nessa choose a new volume from the shelf that sat down by the fire with her large tome. It's gilded edges glistened in the firelight, making Nessa jump with joy. Here is power, the power to stand up for myself and do what is right. I promise that I will stop people like HIM if you only let me leave., she prayed to any god that maybe listening. Nessa said this prayer each night, but knew nothing listened and no one cared. If there were a god listening, they would have showed her the way out long ago. Now she spent her time getting stronger and training her mind as best she could. Magic was exciting, but it took an inordinate amount of study to master. Yes, it does take time, but that is all I have. Time will show that I will be the stronger one Olaf and then you wait...I'll be the master, but I will be better than you. Hours passed in front of the fire as Nessa studied and learned magic while Olaf slept. Once she became too tired to read anymore, she stole away from Olaf's room to face the chill that awaited her at the top of the tower.

[Xasthur]

Nade- Thanks for clarifying that you were still accepting applications.

Good luck everyone!