[D&D-5e] A siege in Karameikos

[Zagros]

Game Name A siege in Karameikos

Game System DnD 5e

Theme Local heroes finding their oats and asserting new-found abilities.

Flavour Heavier on the role-playing than the rolling; a healthy mix of wilderness, city, and dungeon adventuring, with a little politics thrown in for spice.

Deadline is January 24th at 11:59pm, US-CST.

Opening The lean dwarf stands atop the wooden stockade and peers across the smoky battlefield. They died easily, he thinks, idly scratching his cheek. But they didn't stop coming. He looks down at one of the bodies, its mottled skin grey in the poor light of twilight. They just didn't stop coming. ----- The stout man sits behind his desk, rereading the brief message in his hand. He looks up at the messenger. His greying mustache twitches. "You saw this? This is truly happening?" "Yes, sir," the messenger says, hiding his shaking hands behind his back. "I was one of the last out of the village, just before the attack began. That was two weeks ago." "Chaos for the Usurper means opportunity for patriots. Call in my advisers. We must take advantage of this, distraction. ----- Tulystra stretches her sinuous neck to its full length and holds it, then relaxes and settles onto her nest. "Mistress," a voice calls. "The action in Veseya has begun. Tulystra blinks her many-layered eyelids. "Mistress," she says, tasting the title. "I shall be called 'Mistress' from now on." ----- The odd clacking sounds again, echoing through the stone-walled chamber. Two figures enter by the only door, their features shrouded in heavy cloaks. They close the door behind them, thin, bony fingers latching the door. They move into the room, placing a large mirror flat on the solitary stone table. At each of the four corners they stand a single tall candle, lighting each in turn. As soon as the last candle is lit the mirror begins to swirl. A form rises from the mirror, morphing into a man-shaped cloud over the table. Suddenly the mirror shatters. The form instantly becomes solid. Two amber lights appeared in the empty sockets of the bleached skull. "You did well to recall me. I sensed that the time is right. You will be rewarded." ----- The tall blonde-haired man sits alone at the head of his table. Several others are gathered several feet away, watching silently. "Dispatch my messengers," the seated man barks. "We must not let this opportunity pass like we have the last." He stabs the hunk of meat on his plate with a dagger. "I'm having trouble supporting the soldiers with the resources I have. I'd hate for any of you to go hungry." He rips a chunk of flesh with his teeth, juice running down is chin. ----- The thickly furred brows draw together, the dark eyes beneath peering into the the smoke. She unstops a small glass vial and pours the red powder into her hand. After a moment and a murmur of prayer, she hurls the powder into the brazier. Instantly the small fire erupts into a crimson ball. The small space is filled with the acrid smell of burned horseflesh. She breathes deep and passes out. Several hours later she stumbles from the tent. "Gather the elders! I have received a vision!" instantly dozens of figures move to follow her command.

Things are a little on edge in Veseya right now. A small community in the forested hills of northeastern Karameikos, Veseya was recently subjected to raids by mixed humanoid forces. Mostly goblins, there were a smattering of orcs and a few other races as well. The raids are not that unusual, given that the town is nearly the farthest community out from the central settled lands. Your characters were involved in the raid defense and have been called to assemble at a local tavern for recognition.

Please include in your application:
- Character name
- Race
- Class, including proposed progression (characters begin at 3rd level with 2000xp)
- Age
- Appearance and personality
- Two traits, one each bond, ideal, and flaw. Feel free to deviate from PHB on these.
- Background (include why they are in Veseya: they could be local, passing through, or happened to be in Veseya on other business. If you are familiar with Mystara, feel free to go to town on a back story. We will smooth out any details once the game starts.) Also include what you did in Veseya during the siege to be recognized. This could be real or perceived (i.e. your character was seen attacking a group of orcs that made it over the wall, when really he was cowering in fear). The fog of war does funny things.
- RP example (This can be for this character, but not necessary. A link to another post is acceptable.)

Desired posting rate: 1 post/2 days (DM post is targeted at 48 hours, but may be faster if everyone is active). Weekends do not count towards the "clock" but if everyone has posted a DM post may occur. Players will still have 2 weekdays to post.

Source books used: PHB, DMG, MM.

Characters will begin at 3rd level to reflect their recent experience defending the town. They each have standard equipment but no magic items (yet). All characters speak Traldaran as the "common" language of the area. Thyatian humans also speak Thyatian, non-humans their own language as well.

Evil alignments are discouraged. You can apply, but the character's background will have to be really good to be accepted.

Races Standard races are included with the following exceptions/modifications: "Drow" do not exist in this world. There are Shadow Elves which, like Drow, moved underground long ago. The psychosis is tuned way down however, and largely reserved as a focused enmity towards surface elves who have "lived the life of luxury" as compared to scraping out an existence underground. Physically they are on the paler end, but it is difficult for surface elves to tell the difference, and virtually impossible for non-elves (most of whom don't even know Shadow Elves exist at all). Humans in Karameikos fall into one of three categories: Traldarans (ethnic natives), Thyatians (immigrant ruling class) or mixed. There are no significant trait differences, only cosmetic and social. Traldarans are natives to the area. They tend to be dark haired, fair-skinned, and relatively short. Thyatians are recent immigrants and while not exclusively noble, they are generally related to the ruling class. They exhibit a range of complexions and of average or above-average height. Mixed-race are a blend and could exhibit any of the above characteristics. Lupin: ("dog men") str +2, con +1 darkvision 60' automatically sense invisible within 5', but still have disadvantage to hit Perception skill advantage on passive perception check to identify werewolves and other lupin (even when polymorphed or otherwise hidden) Rakasta: dex +2, con +1 darkvision 60' automatically sense invisible within 5', but still have penalties to hit Perception skill Stealth skill I was referred a resource I like better (thanks Neqq!) so here are the constructions I'll use for Lupin and Rakasta. Neither Lupins nor Rakastas are popular or frequent in this part of the world, so expect some discrimination and abuse. Dragonborn and Tiefling are not present in this world.

Immortals Immortals were once mortal who have grown in power to transcend into Immortality. As such there are dozens and dozens. Every nation/culture will have a few that are revered to a greater degree than others. Immortals, as a rule, do not actively participate in the happenings of mortals, preferring to work behind the scenes by inspiring followers and/or granting temporary powers to them. Within the organized Church of Karameikos, the primary Immortals each represent one of the ideals of the Church: - Chardastes the Healer (Time) representing Compassion - Djaea, Averter of Catastrophes (Matter) representing Discipline - Halav Red-Hair (Thought) representing Courage - Ixion the Adventurous Scholar (Energy) representing Scholarship - Kagyar the Artisan (Matter) representing Craftsmanship - Khoronus, Father of Time (Time) representing Patience - Korotiku the Trickster (Thought) representing Cleverness - Koryis, Patron of Peace and Prosperity (Thought) representing Peacefulness - Petra the Holy Defender (Time) representing Defense of the Weak - Tarastia the Just (Energy) representing Justice - Valerias, Patron of Lovers and Girder-on of Weapons (Matter) representing Love - Zirchev (Energy) representing Respect for Nature Halav, Petra, and Zirchev are native to Traldara. According to myth they fought off a horde of beast-men in ancient times, before ascending to Immortality. Some believe Halav will return in human form and establish a new golden age of Traldara. This is not an accepted belief of the Church. The remaining Immortals were imported from Thyatia and are worshipped there as well. The recognized evils (also Immortals) in the Church are: - Hel, representing Despair - Loki, representing Malice - Orcus, representing Destruction - Talitha, representing Selfishness - Thanatos, representing Death Clerics and druids: Create your character with a chosen Domain/Circle and we will decide which Immortal best suits.

History, Geography, and Politics Traldara had stood as its own nation for ages, until it's conquest by the Thyatian Empire a century ago. The Empire was essentially an absentee landlord, collecting taxes but letting the locals run things. That all changed thirty years ago when a very young Duke Stephan Karameikos convinced the Emperor to exchange his lands for Traldara. The Emperor agreed, and Stephan established the Grand Dutchy of Karameikos. Nominally a client state, Karameikos is largely independent. Stephan moved to the area and renamed the capital Specularum. He brought a flood of Thyatians, often younger sons of nobles in the Empire. There was some early resistance of course, but things have cooled in the last decade as Stephan's policies have brought prosperity. Today Thyatians make up about 10% of the human population and nearly all of the nobility (the Lord of Veseya is a notable exception). Karameikos is a largely unsettled land with over half of the area completely wild. Humanoids, large wild animals, and things that go *bump* in the night are prevalent there. Veseya is a small community of about 8000 people ruled by Lord Serne, a Traldaran. He is one of the very few Traldarans not replaced by Stephan in the years following the establishment. Serne is nearly seventy and appears to be grooming his daughter, Eloca, to inherit his title, but that is of course subject to Stephen's discretion. He also has a young grand-nephew, Rathaa, who successfully commanded a detachment of guards in the recent siege. The siege was not unusual, they happen about every 3-4 years. For those who did the fighting, it didn't seem much different. There are rumors on the street to the contrary. "They didn't give up and run away once was obvious they were losing," people say. "Did you see how many different banners there were?" people ask.

A Note about Story There is an arc that will take place, however the players will decide how involved (or not!) they choose to be. I plan to have lots of threads and following any one (or none!) is acceptable. Just don't be surprised to go visit a given town and find it burning to the ground. Things happen. The intro in this post is not player knowledge, but is intended to give a flavor for where this arc may go. Think of it as the blurb on the back of a novel.

I'm looking for 4-6 would-be heroes to be recognized by Lord Serne for their contributions during the recent attack. Applications will be evaluated based on their writing sample and party fit.

Tentative Deadline is January 24th at 11:59pm, US-CST.

I'm sure I've missed some things, so please ask questions!

Q&A:
Stats will be by point buy.

Roll for HP after first level. (DO NOT roll in this thread.)

Yes, if the game lasts that long, your character might have an opportunity to become an Immortal.

Characters begin with standard starting equipment, though I will allow some minor tweaks.

This sounds pretty martial. Does my character need to be a soldier?
Absolutely not. Every able bodied responder was pressed into responding to the recent siege. The campaign will have opportunity for any character makeup.

Will you consider players new to 5e?
Sure, as long as you don't mind my occasional slip mentioning Thac0.

Applications:

Player	Character	Race	Class	Complete?
InspireCourage	Thadia Voidsdotter	Human (Traldaran)	Warlock/Bard	yes
Thelamir	Osrik Jorgensen	Dwarf	Paladin	yes
detritus	Tordek Jorgensen	Dwarf	Barbarian	yes
Ssays	Addisen Hooke	Human (Tyatian)	Cleric/Wizard	yes
CRblackfist	Olfin Korgak	Half-Orc	Barbarian	yes
Seargeant Slobber	Caelan Liadon	Wood Elf	Ranger	no
Xildur	Zarik Thorson	Human (mix)	Fighter/Cleric	yes
Huhart	Rufus Boldogglius	Lupin	Fighter (Eldritch Knight)	yes
Neqq	Yuri Stoichkov	Human (Traldaran)	Ranger	yes
BlackAssassin19	Ollin Roford	Half-elf	Bard	yes
Aden	Soveliss Liadon	Wood Elf	Ranger	yes
Kygies	Gerard Ironclaw	Rakasta	Bard	yes

[Die]

I'm always keen for more 5th Edition fun! Quick question: what's the expected level 'scope' for the campaign and the broad tone? High powered, low powered, in between? Horror, survival, sword & sorcery? Entirely different things?

Ta c:

[InspireCourage]

Thadia Voidsdotter[/Fieldset Race: Human (Mixed) Current: Warlock 2 / Bard 1 Progression: Warlock 17 / Bard 3 Patron: The Great Old One Pact: Tome College of Lore Age: 23 Build Theory: Warlock with a bit more out-of-combat utility. Charisma classes to act as the face of the party. Spells that blast for combat, spells that charm for out of combat. The Great Old One allows for telepathy within 30ft, letting the Bardic Inspiration grant itself to any creature without sound, helping out more stealthy friends. Just enough Bard to get College of Lore for more spells that I could put in my Tome, making a great list of Ritual Spells to help us when we have a couple minutes to think about how we want to solve a problem. This is basically a Sorcerer style build that has a lot of buff utility for friends and blank-filling skills when not being attacked.

Appearance and personality Thadia is a young woman of 23, with a build that is slender and a little frail. She is always adorned in many small trinkets and items, as she is a merchant of such things. Her gait is usually without much purpose. She has a tendency to saunter or wander, and is often very pensive or lost in thought. Many people would describe her as rather spacey, but nicer folks would just call it thoughtful. Her speech is often unnecessarily prophetic, but that's from using it a lot to gain coin. Many people label her as a wannabe witch or diviner, but she still retains a quiet confidence. She has and incredible ability to convey thoughts via body language, and would often opt for a facial expression than a sentence to communicate.

History Thadia is the second of five daughters of her father and mother, Thadra and Selma. The Family were established in the region as artists in jewelry and clothing. Selma was a seamstress, and Thadra developed rings, necklaces, bracelets, and other accessories. His talents weren't so much in valuables as they were repurposing everyday items to create more extraordinary pieces. Obviously this kept prices down and popularity in the town high. Her family was well-known, but ultimately still of the commoner class. They barely made enough money to keep the taxes paid and the cupboard stocked. Thadia helped raise her three younger sisters. She was only a year under the oldest, but five years above the third. Her older sister left to be married to a lesser dignitary, being the most attractive of all five. This happened when she was 17, leaving the 16-year old Thadia to be the eldest sister of the house. She quite disliked this development. A year later she decided she must develop her own talent to help her escape her station. Enlisting the help of a traveling gypsy who often came to buy their goods, she snuck away one night. She traveled into the woods as far as she was sure no one could hear her, and they began a ritual. Thadia promised her soul to anyone that could grant her the gift of voice and word, for she planned to become an overnight Bard, an occupation which undoubtedly incurred travel. The request was granted, but not by a Diety of Joy as she imagined. The Great Old One, Cthulhu, responded. She was indeed granted the gift of song and word, but whenever she attempted to make use of it, she could only speak in riddles and metaphors that foretold the endtimes, although not necessarily at the hands of Cthulhu himself. He twisted her request to make her a doom-singer and prophet of his return. Quite obviously, dreadful bards do not travel far. She returned to her family and continued learning to make jewelry. However, for coin on the side she used her connection to offer advice, however vague. She advertised herself as a sort of fortune-teller, offering insight on how one may come to find their end, and how to avoid it. Her wanderlust was still strong, however, but her responsibilities were just as stubborn. Whenever the gypsy, Esmerla, returned to buy more, she left in the night to meet he at the ritual location and learn to use her found powers more and more. Making use of her abilities helped release the build up of stress. If days go by without releasing spells she begins to become neurotic and lose control of her mindfulness, randomly breaking into verses of the apocalypse, or having vidid dreams of burning villages and monsters that will not allow her a full night's rest. People quickly began to think that she was perhaps haunted. However, some thought she was faking all these things in order to bring her more coin by reputation for her fortune tellings. After a particularly painful set of nightmarish nights strung in a row, she was coming into a terrible condition. Her eyes sagged to almost seeming completely blackened, her hair seemed to turn from brown to black, and she spoke almost entirely in chant. The Gypsy had not returned for a month, leaving Thadia without opportunity for release. This turned to be an odd blessing for her and her family, however, as the raid that laid waste to most of Veseya seemed to completely miss the shop of her family and the huts and shops that existed within 60 feet. Eyes rolling to the back of her head, Thadia seemingly lost herself as her hair began to float around her, and unleashed waves of energy from her hands, followed by fire that she conjured and launched at attackers, all the while canting verses of the coming of the great cleansing of the earth by darkness. Even she was surprised, as she was never able to see her power to the fullest. She was also scared, as she was not an evil person, of what these powers may do to her. The great gift saved her family, and maybe another 20 people, but it seems as if it were to cost her soul. Of course, some people began to credit the foretelling of the raid to Thadia, but really, it was just coincidence as she was constantly spewing something. Still, she was a hero of everyone in the merchant's district who's livelihoods remained unraveled due to her exploits. None of this could have prepared her for a letter addressed to her and her family, summoning her to the presence of Lord Serne himself.

Background Guild Artisan Features: Insight, Persuasion Guild Membership

Traits Traits: I often find myself thinking of other things when people are speaking to me. Traits: I assume people know what I'm talking about. Ideal: Discovery, I want to know what's next? What else is there? Bond: I am looking for someone who can help retrieve my soul. Flaw: I often have no control of the gift granted to me.

RP example Her eyes blink open. Wide open. The grooves of the rough-planed wood desk that had allowed her cheeks to rest and conform into were now binding agents it seemed. Pulling her head up from the desk hurt, like ripping away the bandages from an old wound when dressing changes became necessary. She pushed the chair aft, arching her back in aching from the posture she'd fostered, leaning forward, passed out on this desk for... well... how long? The soreness always faded quickly. It was often as simple as stretching next to the fireplace. The same points always seemed to grow stiff, as if these episodes had become practices in familiarity. Today was no different. The slender, pale girl slowly pushed herself up from the small writing desk to stand. Her knee twitched, but she found her footing sure enough. Thadia fingered at her shawl, clutching it around her, invested funerally in it's cover and desperately trying to regain her warmth; she shivers. Of the aching, her scribe hand harbored the most wretched. Forefinger ever curved from the vehement grip of a full night's scrawling, she could do little but nurse it with her free hand. She peered down to admire her work, quickly realize she'd need to relinquish her hurt in order to light a candle. Her wrist flickered as much as the flame as she finally combusted the wick, and set the light closer to the pages. The words were hardly a mystery to her at this point, they'd been pouring out of her for the last three nights. Behest, Hellsending of the Nine, That of which you speak, I am, Forlorn it! gentle beings. Here resteth your vessels, this earth, your harbor, The Abyss, Your Destination. Crumpled now, the note, in her hand, compacting. A piece longed for the fire is the judgement, and judgement is quickly delivered. Thadia rests her frame on the side of the bed. She rubs her cheek, smoothing out the wrinkles left from a nightful unrest against the oaken surface of the desk. "This has got to end," she echoes and demands, unanswered, in her head. She ponders leaving, packing no bags except for those under her eyes. A knowing sigh distinguishes the flame of that dream swiftly. She almost falls asleep sitting up like this, head hung. Almost.

[Thelamir]

Application is as follows; My character is cousin to Detritus' character.

Osrik Jorgensen Race: Hill Dwarf Class: Paladin - Oath of Vengeance Age: 40 Appearance and Personality: A shock of flame red hair, with beard to match, Osrik stands at 4'5" but commands the attention of a much larger creature. The massive dwarven maul that he carries strapped across his back announces him as the warrior he is. Round shouldered, barrel chested, he epitomises dwarfkind. A gruff and jovial type, Osrik's lack of intelligence is hidden behind a wisdom that sometimes seems out of place. Fiercely loyal to his clan and family, Osrik was driven only by his wanderlust when he left his home in the hills. Meeting up with his cousin Tordek, they had decided the world was ripe for the adventure they both so craved. Often crude with his humor, Osrik only insults those he feels deserve it, having a black and white view of the world. If you are not of good weal, then surely you must stand for evil. This binary approach can often find the young dwarf at odds with others who share not this simplistic set of ideals.

Role Play Example The smoke rolled in, the stench of burning flesh occasionally marking the nefarious purpose of the fires. Hearing the call of a nearby soldier, Osrik nodded grimly at his tired and battered group. "Alright lads, time to smash some more 'eads," and with that he picked up his massive hammer, slapping it loudly across an open palm. "Form up! For Veseya!". The bloodied warriors seemed invigorated at his seemingly endless energy and zest for battle, following the young dwarf once again into a fierce battle, the survival of their home teetering on the balance. ... Hammer once more strapped across his back, soot stained and bloody, Osrik moved with a slight limp through the courtyard, checking on the wounded. One man lay close to death, moaning softly, an arrow through his shoulder and blood seeping from many wounds. "Hold still lad, this might hurt..." Osrik said gently, though whether the injured man could hear him was not clear. Grasping the shaft in bloodstained hands, Osrik swiftly broke the shaft, pushing the remaining half through the mans shoulder. As the man started to scream, both of Osrik's hands found their way to his chest, softly comforting the man as he sang a soft chant, the man stopped his thrashing, slipping into an unconsciousness that seemed far more peaceful than the world around, the bleeding from his many wounds had stopped, and his colour had returned. What little energy Osrik had left seemed to be used up and he collapsed next to the man, hoping for a dreamless sleep without the scent of the burning bodies...

OOC Detritus and I work together, so we decided our characters will be linked also. I can post daily, but weekends I am rarely at my computer long enough, though if I am holding up the game I can usually put something together to keep it moving without too much trouble. Osrik's character sheet is almost complete, just some of the finer points need to be finished, then I can provide the link if my application is approved. Also, I've rolled the character using the standard array. Will we also be going max HP for the first three levels, or rolling for levels 2 and 3?

[detritus]

Tordek Jorgensen Race: Mountain Dwarf Class: Barbarian - Path of The Totem Warrior Age: 42 Weighing in at a mammoth 180 lbs and 5 foot tall (although stories from his battles have him recorded as tall as 8 foot), Tordek is not your easily forgotten dwarf. Tordek is a white haired oaf, and body much like any regular dwarf that likes his food a little too much. His maul is his announcement of arrival, standing almost as tall as he is, leaving destruction in its wake, though Tordek is not a cold blooded killer. He has often been found wandering the markets, perusing their goods and picking things up and by fiddling with them, accidentally breaks them with his clumsy fingers, which always leads to a nice conversation with the merchant. The problem he faces however is that he cannot read. He learnt from a very early age that this was looked down upon in society, and remembers every insult he received and nurses a silent resentment toward anyone that spoke ill of his inability. So rather than not read, Tordek pretends he can read, and will defend his choice of words until he goes blue in the face. Always handy when a merchant has a "you break it, you buy it" sign but Tordek reads "accidents happen, Tordeks not be punished". Meeting up with his cousin Osrik, he was convinced to go on a journey of adventure with him, and as the family and clan are the most important things to him, feels it is his duty to tag along and bring glory to his clan and family in battle. Tordek is fiercely protective of his friends and family, like a litter of newborn puppies, and will dive in head first to a situation to protect them without thinking, which is not Tordeks strong point.

Roleplay Example Staring off into space, Tordek was breathing heavily, trying to catch his breath after the onslaught from the siege. He looks behind himself, sees the box, the item he was protecting. "Bad people not get you. Tordek saves." he says toward the box before he turns back around. The bodies are piled left and right, casualties from his Maul he affectionately calls "boom". "Are anybodies ok?" he calls out "I not want you hurt, if want helping, Tordek get helping." No sound came out, the combination of boom and Tordek had been too strong. Before anyone else comes, I need to get it out of here. Need to get them safe he thinks to himself. Turning to the box, he swings boom over his back and as delicately as he can muster, picks up the box. Walking back into the town center he is met with curious looks, a bruised and battered portly dwarf, carrying this box with his eyes transfixed on it, each step measured to make sure he doesn't stumble. Finally, when he reaches his favourite tavern, he finds the Innkeep. "Tordek found this. Keep safe. Bads wanted it." he proclaims to the Innkeep as he places the box on the bar. He opens the box for the curious Innkeep as the tavern fills with the sound of mewing, as the litter of kittens start to climb out. Tordek wouldn't listen to the reasoning that the "bads" were coming for something other than the kittens, certain that he protected the right thing. Either way, he earned himself the honour of being recognised by Lord Serne for his service to the city and in Tordeks eyes, for protecting the kittens.

[Zagros]

Originally Posted by Ulvarr

I think the only omission in your advertisement was what system you were going to use for attributes. (Array, Point Buy, or Rolls)

Point Buy

Originally Posted by Die

Quick question: what's the expected level 'scope' for the campaign and the broad tone? High powered, low powered, in between? Horror, survival, sword & sorcery? Entirely different things?

Starting out pretty low, but opportunities abound. Call it medium power. Primarily heroic adventure in tone, but there is lots of room for pretty much anything. I have ideas (and nemeses!) to last for years if the players are willing.

Originally Posted by Thelamir

Will we also be going max HP for the first three levels, or rolling for levels 2 and 3?

Roll after first level. But don't roll anything in this thread.

And some questions from PM's:

Q: Can we become Immortals?
A: Given that in the OD&D/Rules Cyclopedia era you had to reach level 36 to try for Immortality... I have a long time to figure out rules for that. That's not a "no".

Q: Can you post the stats for rakasta and lupin?
A: Yes (tomorrow). Be warned I will probably only accept one character from those races, if any. Convince me.

[suburbanplankton]

You say "Characters will begin at 3rd level to reflect their recent experience defending the town. They each have standard equipment but no magic items (yet)."

Does that necessarily mean that each of us has the default 'starting equipment', or can we customize a bit (within reason)? For example, can my druid have hide armor instead of leather, or an herbalism kit that he picked up along the way?

[Zagros]

Originally Posted by suburbanplankton

You say "Characters will begin at 3rd level to reflect their recent experience defending the town. They each have standard equipment but no magic items (yet)."

Does that necessarily mean that each of us has the default 'starting equipment', or can we customize a bit (within reason)? For example, can my druid have hide armor instead of leather, or an herbalism kit that he picked up along the way?

I'll allow a little customization, but keep it pretty close to the default starting equipment.

[Zagros]

InspireCourage: It looks like Thandia is Traldaran (commoner) correct? I just want to be sure. Your app looks good.

Thelamir and detritus: I notice one of your characters is listed as a mountain dwarf and one is a hill dwarf, yet they are cousins. Was this intentional? Given their affinity for clan, I'll suggest they be from Highforge, which is a small community in central Karameikos of mixed gnomes and dwarves.

[Thelamir]

Yeah, it was intentional, which is why we went with cousins rather than brothers. I can adjust Osrik to mountain dwarf if it'll make the backstory meld better.

[Zagros]

Not a problem, I just wanted to be clear.

[InspireCourage]

Originally Posted by Zagros

InspireCourage: It looks like Thandia is Traldaran (commoner) correct? I just want to be sure. Your app looks good.

Thelamir and detritus: I notice one of your characters is listed as a mountain dwarf and one is a hill dwarf, yet they are cousins. Was this intentional? Given their affinity for clan, I'll suggest they be from Highforge, which is a small community in central Karameikos of mixed gnomes and dwarves.

Yes, commoner. Her abilities were only recently made public due to necessity from the raid. Sort of a "whoa, she can do that?"

[Ssays]

Character Name: Addisen Hooke
Race: Thyatian (variant - Resilient Constitution)
Class: Cleric 1 (knowledge/Ixion) / Wizard 2 (Abjuration) Full Progression would be 2c/18w.
Age: 30
Appearance and Personality: Addison is graceful and slender, having missed many meals exploring or burying himself in books. Not much for small talk, he’s still an adroit conversationalist if given a topic that interests him and a partner who he doesn’t fear as a rival. Craftsmen would report him as curious and friendly while most Wizards would call him petty and paranoid. His dark, curly hair is greying prematurely and his eyes are failing a little early, too. Soon he’ll have to wear spectacles.

Trait: Jealous of rivals, real or imagined

Trait: Sees it as a personal failing if healing is needed

Bond: A group of retired, curious old adventurers who meet in Thyatis City calling themselves “The Recollectors”, of which he hopes to be a full-fledged member some day. (Think Magical Royal Society)

Ideal: Beautiful function of all kinds, but the pentacle is intelligent life and scholarship
“As lovely as the works of man are, the closer you look the cruder they appear. Life only grows in beauty as you look more intensely.”

Flaw: He's haughty as scholars tend to be and he can be petty about perceived slights even in the heat of battle.

A Cloistered Scholar (Sage Background) For most of his adult life, he’d venerated the members of two groups. Those in the hierarchy of the Church of Ixion and The Recollectors. At most, he’d managed to make himself a hanger-on. He learned languages from books and memorized rituals, but rarely did he travel out into the dangerous world. Both groups reminded him that the information in their libraries came from outside, that these institutions were fed by adventurers who went out and then came back. Besides, need of healing and protection was strongest at the outskirts of the empire! Whether because that lesson finally soaked in or because he was less able to spend full days paging through tomes (damned eyes!), he decided he’d make his way towards frontiers, hoping to prove himself. As months on the road added up, he found himself more inclined to prevent damage than to heal it after-the-fact. When he managed to find himself on the sidelines of a skirmish or at the breakout of a tavern brawl, he began to see it as a failure if he had to resort to healing the injured. He tried to master the art of prevention. But he’d never been through raids like Veseya had just experienced.

Continued... An RP Example Conscripted early in the raids to the infirmary, Addisen had begun to simmer with resentment. That resentment turned itself into a plan. His speech and prayers slowed, artificially. He Tried to affect the slumping of the shoulders and distant gaze that accompanied divine exhaustion. Into his voice he poured exasperation and defeat, “I can heal no more. I’m but a vessel and must rest.” The old woman, Johanna, who was organizing the effort stopped moving between the wounded and looked him in the eye, reading him. “Get some rest. I’m sure there will yet be need when you awake.” Posture and breathing continued to tell the story of his exhaustion until he was out of sight. Then he pulled weave around himself into a light armor and ran to the battlements. The true litany of the arcane and holy came rolling out of him. He grabbed the shoulders of archers, Blessing their aim. He wrapped weave around scared commoners who were going to cross swords (or shovels) with the goblins at close range. As the sounds of victory began to flood into his ego like a drug, he couldn’t help but draw some attention to himself. He called holy fire to rain down on the barbarous rabble below. That attracted incoming arrows as well as attention, but half of them seemed to stop just before hitting him. Of those that didn’t fall uselessly, most struck his armor or shield. After a lucky strike or two, he turned to rejoice with a nearby archer and some shape near the inner walls caught his attention. As he recognized Johanna staring at him in disappointment, his smile faded. He held her gaze for a moment turning back to continue the fight. He smiled again.

Game Impacts Addisen is a suboptimal healer. Life is not his domain because it doesn’t fit the flavor. He has to spread points over Wisdom and Intelligence, making constitution suffer. Depending on equipment build and starting class he’ll either start without a spellbook or without armour he’s proficient in. Lately I’ve been interested in alternate healing builds (and suboptimal builds in general). Point buy puts different characters on pretty even footing. If you want balance in optimization level, It’s only fair to warn that he’ll be better at helping other characters shine than shining himself. Having a suboptimal healer is also bound to give the campaign a grittier feel.

[Xildur]

Posting interest.
Would post my application soon.

[CRblackfist]

would you be willing to take on players new to 5e? I like the sound of this but have only recently gotten a hold of the 5e books and so don't have any experience.

CR