[D&D-5e] Against the Iron Tide

[MadDokMike]

Consider me interested. I really like to his setting.

[MadDokMike]

Few questions. Are you supporting unearthed arcana ranger ? Are you looking for group composition ? I.e. too many of 1 applied class type will be rejected. Thinking dwarf ranger.

[Strange2099]

Hi Phil,
I'm thinking of submitting an application for a Human Monk (Lawful Evil), who was trained by his Temple Order as an assassin (I suppose you could think of them as a clan of ninja).

Would you consider if my application includes the Temple as a small "city-state" instead of a full-sized nation, or do you prefer the app to include an entire country, but I could emphasize the Temple that is contained within (perhaps supports the King of the country)?

[Phil]

Originally Posted by MadDokMike

Few questions. Are you supporting unearthed arcana ranger ? Are you looking for group composition ? I.e. too many of 1 applied class type will be rejected. Thinking dwarf ranger.

Revised Ranger is fine. Group composition is a factor, but not a deal breaker.

Originally Posted by Strange2099

Hi Phil,
I'm thinking of submitting an application for a Human Monk (Lawful Evil), who was trained by his Temple Order as an assassin (I suppose you could think of them as a clan of ninja).

Would you consider if my application includes the Temple as a small "city-state" instead of a full-sized nation, or do you prefer the app to include an entire country, but I could emphasize the Temple that is contained within (perhaps supports the King of the country)?

I would prefer a nation-state of some sort. Its difficult to imagine a clan of ninjaesque assassins would themselves sign a mutual defense treaty. I would prefer it if they were acting on behalf of a government of some nature.

[ParzivalFair]

I'll work on mine.

@Strange2099: Maybe you could create a very small but wealthy nation with loose morals that believes the best way to end the war would be to hire assassins.

[Rylus]

Would the Mystic class be allowed?

[Dorack]

My application is more or less done, unless you want me to develop either the realm of the char's backstory a bit more. Sorry for any typos or such, english is second language to me.

[FatherDondo]

Raban Name: Raban Agnarr Race: Human Class: Cleric of Chernobog Background: As a boy, Raban was given into the care of the Cult of Chernobog, as is customary for its followers. He spent his teens as a harvester, learning anatomy and biology, sacrifice, and how to exact the will of Chernobog for the glory of Enoch. Alignment: Lawful Evil Personality: Raban enjoys the sense of power he gets from holding life and death in his hands. He sees those outside of the Church as being weak and less worthy, but he obeys the call of his god to conduct himself with dignity among them. Raban is eager to prove that he is not meat. Appearance: He wears a sleeveless robe and vest, and a wooden, painted mask that declares him as an Enochian, and the back of his hand is branded as a follower of Chernobog. History: It amuses Chernobog to test new priests in the fires of combat. Since joining the Aegis Compact, instead of sending his acolytes into the forests alone and unarmed, Chernobog (along with the rest of his pantheon) sends them to the war effort. While Thanatos sends his followers to serve in field hospitals and Dondo waits for his to train, Chernobog sends his to wherever the fighting is heaviest. Loved Ones: Anastasia Darnell & Anselm Baldomar (fellow acolytes) Background: Resurrection Man. Glorified graverobbers, the Resurrection Men procure resources for the Church of Enoch by breaking into tombs, harvesting the recently deceased, and bribing guardsmen to look the other way. Functionally similar to Criminal/Spy background, plus shovel and replacing game set proficiency with poisoner's kit proficiency.

Potter's Field Potter's Field Population: 30,000 living humanoids Government: Theocracy Leader: Enoch, The Dark Father Capital: Potter's Field (city-state) Demographics: 80% Human, 15% Half-elven, 5% Other Culture: The people of Potter's Field are resilient and generally possessed of a dark, gallows humor. The Church of Enoch, the local religion, is the center of village life. Necromancy is the most valued profession, along side the clerics. There is a school dedicated to the subject. The townsfolk, regardless of their occupation, tithe heavily for the upkeep of the Church and the school. Their biggest export to their neighbors is lumber products from the dense forests surrounding their valley, as well as protection from the undead and other dangers of the countryside. Life and Death are held sacred, but those who died poorly are "meat." Meat deserve what they get, and garner no sympathy. History: What had initially been a group of frontiersmen and their wives looking to found a logging town, the people of Potter's Field quickly discovered why such attractive-looking woodlands had been left uninhabited. The name began as a dark joke in regards to their chances against the unusual concentrations of dangerous creatures, particularly undead. As their barricades were ready to fall, a prophet appeared amongst them, though no one saw him enter. Enoch claimed to have three captive gods with him: Thanatos of the Dying, Father Dondo of the Dead, and Chernobog of the Damned. If promised that if they built his Church, he would save them. They did, and they thrived, learning to turn the dead to their advantage as servants and laborers. Though the Elvish blood in Potter's Field was nearly bred out, its Half-elves received word of the doings of their cousins in Eaverwoll. The Dark Father was perfectly content to allow the war to wage around his little kingdom, but in any war, there will always be bodies. Enoch agreed to join the Aegis Compact and send soldiers to aid their cause, on the promise of arcane secrets shared from their academy, as well as... harvesting rights to the fallen. This was hotly debated, but a compromise was reached. They had no time to bury the enemy's dead.

[Vislands]

The Enlightened City Population: 35,000 Government: Hybrid Parliamentary System with Aristocratic Elements Leader: Speaker Bo Cadirii Capital: Yumalaith (pr. Yumalay) Demographics: 35% Human, 25% Gnome, 15% Half-Elf, 15% Elf, 5% Genasi, 5% Other Culture: All citizens of Yumalaith (known as the Yuma) are provided with basic schooling within the city's Tall Libraries throughout childhood and retain a right to access its halls as adults. As such, the general population possesses a higher level of general education and values logic, scholastic tradition and civics more than the most other nations. The population is largely agnostic, non-martial and views the use of magic, divine or otherwise, with practical appreciation and some skepticism. Yuma are known as hoarders of knowledge and resources. History: The city-state consists of the city proper, a diverse metropolis well-hidden in the mountain ranges south of Belvardian Empire, and the surrounding territory consisting mostly of small agrarian landholdings. Founded centuries ago originally as an experiment by like-minded scholars and merchants, the Yuma are governed by the High Council, a mix of democratically-elected representatives and aristocrats, descendants of venerable families whose seats are inherited. The city is not without its tensions. As war approaches, the Yuma know all too well that their isolationist policy will do them no favors when the Mad King reaches their doorstep. After much heated debate, the city has entered the Aegis Compact, allowing the scholars of other nations access to their large archives and committing what man-power they could spare to the war efforts. Intending to keep their most learned mages for their own defenses, the elected representative ensured that the noble families aren't immune to the effects of war; for every hundred men sent of the gentry, each noble family must send a member of their own blood to the battlefield. The shrewder of the family heads have used this as an opportunity to purge their family of undesirables or internal threats.

Son of Least Favor Name: Eld Loyota Race: Genasi (Fire) Class: Wizard Background: Noble Alignment: Lawful Evil Personality: Calculating, determined and snotty. He is not taking well to life on the front lines. Appearance: A young, handsome man wearing fine clothes with dusky skin and deep-orange fiery hair. His eyes glow like low coals. History: The youngest son of the wealthy Loyota clan, Eld showed a talent for magic and a viperous nature early on in life. His father, the paranoid patriarch of the family, has been keeping an eye on his progress and, seeing an opportunity to remove his ambitious son while saving face, has out-maneuvered Eld and got him sent to the frontlines. Unable to refuse to serve without openly defying the High Council, Eld must utilize his far from matured spellbinding abilities to survive war, a world so far from the pampered life he has always known. Nation and City of Origin: Yumalaith, The Enlightened City Loved Ones: Lara Loyota, Mother; Gilia Loyota, Sister; Tinnia Gorrai, Betrothed; Professor Kumon, Mentor

[Vokub]

Ooooh lovely setting, and a chance at playing Lawful Evil? I'm so in I'm inside out!

Character app coming up shortly.

Can post multiple times per day during weekdays, but perhaps only once during weekends. GMT+1.

Application Provenance Name: Ófriðrheimr Population: 17.000 clansmen, 1.500 slaves, laborers and serfs with no socials status, about 500 transient captives at any given moment. Government: Kraterocracy. Leader Head of State or closest thing to it: The Iron Council (3 Lords, 5 Warchiefs, 5 Master Commanders) Capital: Horn it Eystra Demographics: Humans and Dwarves are predominant, with Elves coming third and Halflings filling in almost all menial jobs. Culture: The Ófriðrheimr (Most commonly referred to as the Wrakul) culture is centered on loyalty to the state and military service. At age 5, all Wrakul males enter a rigorous spiritual education, military training and, for the gifted, offensive magic schooling programme. Known as the Aho, the system emphasizes duty, discipline and endurance. Because Wrakul men are professional soldiers, all manual labor is done by a slave class. History: Ófriðrheimr (loosely translated in Common by Land of War) is located on the island with the same name just off the coast of Belvard, in the Hallowind Bay, giving its fleets unrivaled control over the whole gulf. Initially founded by a band of rogue privateers as an interdiction base, the settlement soon evolved into a well-oiled militaristic society that produced the land's most feared royal guards, mercenaries, assassins and warcasters. Recent developments: Traditionally neutral in any conflict, the Wrakul begun to feel the ominous pressure of the Mad King drawing closer to their island. As city state after city state fell under the relentless advance of Lorana's armies, it was becoming clear that no quarter will be given to their society and way of life once the war reached their shores. Thus, after several days of intense arguments (and a general brawl that resulted in the unexpected advancement of a Fleet Hersir to the rank of Master Commander), the Iron Council decided to take a more proactive stance in this war. They will send men, armament and provide fleet interdiction support to the Aegis Compact. After all, they depended on Belvard and Eaverwoll for commerce, black market slave trade and mercenary export. However, they will keep their most veteran soldiers to garrison the island - the first wave of conscripts will be a test-bed for the war effort. They will dress this campaign as a rite of passage. If you survived the Trenches, you deserve to be called a Wrakul, went the enrollment banner. Character Name: Thorald Skjaldulfsson Race: Human (Variant) Class: Paladin Background: Soldier Alignment: Lawful Evil Personality: Thorald is a quiet young man, preferring to let his actions do the talking for him. He's almost always wearing a frown and has a deep distaste for anyone he sees as weak. Appearance: He will never be seen wearing anything else than black gambesons, padded jackets, boots and gloves. His few friends have taken to calling him The Black for a good reason - and not necessarily because of his choice of attire... History: Eager to prove his worth and gain the favors of his lover's father, Hallgrim Øybiornsson, Thorald signed up for the campaign without his own father's blessing. He will prove his mettle - with any means necessary. Nothing and no one will stand in his way. Nation and City of Origin: Ófriðrheimr, The Twilight Hunt Clan. Loved Ones: Thorfast Skjaldulfsson, younger brother. Ingrid Gudadottir, lover.

All feedback appreciated!

[Phil]

Originally Posted by Rylus

Would the Mystic class be allowed?

Sure.

[girlplay]

Question for the GM:

You wrote that this game is expected to be "very lethal". How do you plan to deal with character death?

[Dorack]

Swift and remorseless I assume...

[Rylus]

Anarith Population: 25,000 Government: Monarchy with a council Leader: King Aldwin Vor Capital: Vordwin Demographics: 35% Human, 25% Goliath, 15% Elf, 10% Half-Elf, 10% Dwarf, 5% Other Culture: All citizens of Anarith are taught combat basics as soon as they are able to hold a weapon, males go on to choose joining the knights, or the workforce and females can choose to become a knight, a priestess, or join the workforce. A very select few taken from all walks of life that show great promise are taking into the citadel for training as a mystic and become the kingdoms elite fighting force. All citizens are required to serve at least two years in the military but to compensate them for this they are given a home that they keep once there commitment is complete. History: Anarith is a very small nation just to the south east of Verdania, settled and claimed by a group of soldiers who wanted to live out there lives by there own will and not by some higher authority. But as time would make them see they needed to band together, create laws, and choose one to lead or chaos would take hold and destroy them all. So it was agreed that a tournament to decide the leader would take place. The winner of the tournament decreed that a tournament would take place once every thirty years (Once a generation) and that the only one who could decide to compete more than once was the current king. With the basics of choosing a monarch settled in a way that everyone generally agreed with the kingdom began to thrive. But as Lorana began to amass magical forces the current king of Anarith began to get nervous, more so when Lorana began to conquer lands getting closer to the smaller kingdom and so he signed the Compact and pledged the small nations help.

Application Name: Jin Valesworn Race: Human (Variant) Class: Mystic Background: Alignment: Lawful Neutral Personality: Jin is a stoic man, he doesn't laugh much and sees his duty to the kingdom as top priority. He has few friends but those he does have find him to be pleasant. He doesn't look for a fight but with finish one without question. He has a pretty long fuse when it comes to anger but he also tends to hold onto most grudges long after most normal people would have let it go. Appearance: History: Nation and City of Origin: Anarith with his birth city being Vordwin Loved Ones: Cara (Sister), Vex (Best friend), Kord (Training officer/father figure)

[Lazer]

Since it seems to have large-scale battles it seems that cavalry might be a viable build for this game. Could we get access to mounts to start with? I'm thinking of a nomad horde nation of horse archers.