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

[DemonSlayer]

Hi there! This certainly looks like an interesting game, so I'd definitely like to submit my application;

Lateroia Lateroia Population: 30000 Goverment: Aristocratic hegemony Leader: While Lateroia's capital, Khaldren, is nominally ruled by a council made up of the patrons of nine noble elven families, count Laeroth Ellurin can rely on the support of at least seven of these houses at all times. Capital: Khaldren Demographics: 35% humans, 30% elves, 15% halflings, 15% dwarves, 5% others Culture: The region known as Lateroia is in fact made up of six seperate towns, which are ostensibly independent, each with its own governments. In truth, however, five of these governments answer to the elven town of Khaldren in everything. Through politics, bribery, trade or outright conquest, the elven council of Khaldren has made itself indispensible to the other towns, and lords over each. While the five lesser towns work to produce resources, the artisans of Khaldren fashion these raw materials into products to be traded with the outside world. Each of the lesser towns worships a patron god determined by that town's dominant race, but each is also required to make offerings to the elven pantheon worshipped in Khaldren. And while each town has a militia, the elves have ensured only Khaldren has a standing army through taxation of forged weapons. As each lesser town's government is in fact but a puppet, and the elves do not overly care about the fate of commoners as long as they meet their quota, living conditions are poor, and some are downright havens for criminals. The exception, of course, is Khaldren. While the militia of each town enforces the law, justice is handled by travelling arbiters- each one trained at Khaldren's university of law, the only one of its kind in Lateroia, where only elves are admitted. This means trials take a long time to be completed, and when they do, the sentence is as hard as it is swift. History: Despite humans forming a slight majority, it was the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the elves which put the region on the map. The other towns were quick to accept this fact, and embraced their role as suppliers to the elves rather than compete with clearly superior artisans. At first, this collaboration was beneficial, but as the elves' wealth grew, so too did their greed. Voices calling for more independence among the humans, dwarves and halflings were silenced, talented craftsmen simply disappeared. The elder of Silverhill and the thane of Bardoruk came to blows over slights engineered by the elves, and their depleted forces were quick to submit to the peace brokered by elven schemers- a peace which made them depend on Khaldren's aid for decennia to come. By these and other means, the elves made use of rivalries and politics to keep the other towns down, and eventually everyone simply accepted that they were the de facto rulers of Lateroia. Many in the region are unhappy about the state of affairs, but powerless to do anything about it- too many individuals profit from the elven intrigues to rebel against them. When the Aegis Compact approached Lateroia, the elves panicked. On one hand, they wanted to enjoy the protection offered by an alliance, but on the other, sending their actual armed forces would deplete their military, and irreparably damage their hold on the other towns. And so, they claimed that their own soldiers were needed to protect Lateroia- but the militias of the other towns could be sent in their stead. A plan many governors agreed to, especially following a hastily imposed monthly tax on all armed personnel, supposedly meant to counter the threat posed by the Mad King. And so it was that not the elves, but the dwarves, humans and halflings of Lateroia were sent to fight and die in the trenches...

Character Leanthor Gaffrey Race: Half-elf Class: Warlock (Celestial patron) Background: Soldier Alignment: Chaotic Good Personality: Somehow, being subjected to prejudice against elves all his life only made Leanthor kind. He has grown accustomed to solitude and can be quite happy with only himself for company, but generally he has learned that only fools judge others on the circumstances of their birth, rather than merit. He is polite and respectful, having learned not to give others even more reasons to hate him. His first-hand experience in being persecuted has left him with a strong desire to protect those too weak to fend for themselves, so he can spare them the hardships he endured. At the same time, however, he realizes that he is woefully lacking in the necessary training to protect them from foe which now threatens them all... Appearance: Due to his elven ancestry, Leanthor is scrawny and pale compared to other men his age, despite working the farms of his home for most of his life. He wears his beard long- a physical mark left on him by his patron, Bomindal, who insists the half-elf refrains from trimming it. Leanthor prefers to wear blues and whites, although his humble origins have limited him to practical clothing, rather than the fineries worn by the elves of Khaldren. History: Joining the Wellsfield militia was a matter of necessity for Leanthor- outside of his family, few wanted to have anything to do with anyone who was part elf, much less employ them. Only the militia was happy to accept him, and thanks to the ambitious mayor of Wellsfield investing more in his "army" than was standard, Leanthor was able to make a modest living during his training. The end of that training coincided with the invitation to the Compact, and Leanthor was sent off to fight with little practical experience. On his way to the front, he took a quiet, lonely moment to kneel by the roadside and pray to anyone who might listen- not for strength or glory, but simply to see his home again. His prayers were overheard by the spirit of Bomindal Glimmerstone- the champion and hero of Craghold, slain ten years before by the Mad King's lackeys. The dwarf had died fighting for honour and glory, but in death had realized such things were nothing next to the comfort of hearth and home- things the young half-elf soldier valued more than anything. And so, the spirit of Bomindal decided to reach out and grant Leanthor a measure of heavenly might, leaving behind the eternal rest he had enjoyed in the celestial kingdom of Arcadia. Loved Ones: Emma Stillvale-Gaffrey (mother), Gilbert Stillvale (step-father), Matilda Stillvale (half-sister), Ralf Stillvale (half-brother), Anselm Stillvale (half-brother)

I realize the application may be a bit on the lengthy side (you did say "brief")- if you feel there's too much information in it please let me know and I will adjust accordingly. Also, I would very much appreciate any and all feedback on my application!

[Sarsprilla]

Carwold Name: Eruaistanieli Population: 10,000 Government: Dictatorship Leader: Arcane Council - The Magistrate - Highest ranking official: Elder Magister Korthelos Meri'dil Capital: Rhovanion Demographics: Elves (90%), Humans (8%), Half-Elf (2%) Culture: Xeridin is a fertile plot of land thickly covered in forest and grassland. Main trades are wine, wood and exotic fruit. Since the Aegis Compact, humans have been allowed to settle in the kingdom but are subject to passive racism and are kept out of government dealings. There is a great divide between the sub races of the Elves. Magical elves who named themselves 'High elf' focus nearly entirely on magic study. They rarely mingle with Wood Elves and have a whole section of their cities built just for them. The Wood Elf's population compared to the High Elf's is 10 to 1 and mostly live in the wilderness, tending farms and cattle, and becoming craftsman and fighters/rangers. The Arcane Council is a small section of the High Elf population who are derived of high tier wizards. They often are the generals in the army, and master wizards of the kingdom. The Magistrate is for high elf wizards that pledge fealty to the Arcane Council, have finished their training and are ready to go to war. A member of the Magistrate often becomes the figure head in armies because they are so few, giving much needed support to the Wood Elves who fight for them. History: Thousands of years ago Xeridin was a weak point between the Material Plane and the Fey Wilds, where for a time an Eladrin city could be accessed by the Wood Elves who ruled Old Xeridin. Migration between the two races occurred and the Fey blood seeped into later generations. When the way between was sealed, the elvish government had shifted to Dictorship between the magically enhanced and non-magical. A section of elves changed their race to High Elves and segregated themselves from the Woodelves. Laws restricted breeding and marriage between the two races and 'civilized magic' was something only a high elf could be taught. Very rarely a true sorcerer is born, but if they happen to be Wood Elf, they can be apprenticed to a high elf and gain citizenship as a high elf, but they run the risk of being alienated by the whole Elf race for being different. All sorcerers are actually Eladrin but the race is not recognized anymore since the veil to the Fey Wild is sealed. Wood elves predominately are non-magic classes and are the craftsman, gatherers and fighters of the kingdom. Only Wood Elves become Druids and Witches, deriving their powers from the fey and nature, whereas the high elves are predominately Wizards or arcane sub-classes of main classes.

Lithoniel Name: Lithôniel - (Translated: Ashe Tree) Race: Eladrin Class: Sorcerer -Wild Magic Alignment: Chaotic Good Personality: Studious, Energetic, Social, Free-Spirited, Determined. Emotional, Scared, Low Confidence, Fickle, Accident Prone. Appearance: Lithoniel is a short and slender elf, pale of skin and with long locks of burgundy down to her waist. Her eyes are a venomous green, glowing subtly in the dark like a cat and sitting above a delicate nose and modest, upturned mouth. Being an extremely young elf, barely considered an adult, the sorceress's body is somewhat underdeveloped and childish, like a teen. Background: Inheritor Nation/City of Origin: Eruaistanieli, Rhovanion. Loved Ones: Lairelithoniel (Adoptive Mother), Calanon(Best Friend), Daeron(Tutor), Raunien(Uncle) History: Lithôniel's mother had an affair with a High Elf, which was forbidden. To hide the secret she married a Wood Elf and claimed that Lithoniel was his daughter. For a few years the lie stuck and she lived happily on a farm, learning the Wood Elf way. Eventually the husband realized and the tension escalated, Lithôniel being treated coldly and with resentment. When her sorcerer blood manifested wildly, accidentally killing one of the livestock, the husband took out his anger on her and then disowned her, believing that people would find out about her mother's infidelity and get the family in trouble. Lithôniel tried to find work in a few settlements but her wild magic flared at inopportune times, causing the Woodelves to think of her as a heretic and chasing her out of their towns. A veteran high elf warrior called Calanon was sent to investigate a case of magic and arrested Lithôniel for its illegal usage. To avoid punishment she had to convince both the Wood and High Elves that she was a sorcerer, and accept a position as apprentice to Daeron, a master wizard who saw the girl as little more than a chance to improve his standing. Calanon quickly became good friends with her, being the first High Elf she met and getting along on their journey to meet the magistrate.However the high elf's lack of ability with the arcane had disgraced him in the eyes of the High Elves as Lith would learn, and their friendship was discouraged by her tutor. Daeron made it clear that she was not to associate with Calanon, and when she did anyway, also having a Wild Surge, got Calanon locked up and Lithoniel confined to his tower so that she wouldn't make a fool of him again. Feeling isolated and bored, Lithôniel found ways to escape the tower to meet with Calanon in secret but he had yet to be released from prison. Saddened and depressed, the sorceress couldn't help but weep when Lady Lairelithoniel questioned her unhappiness. Her emotional state triggered a Wildsurge and Lady Lairelithoniel was caught in the crossfire. Instead of being angry with her, Lairelithoniel appealed to the Arcane Council to personally take over the girl's welfare and training, accusing Daeron of negligence and having Calanon wrongfully imprisoned. Lithôniel lived on Lairelithoniel's estate after that, trying to assimilate to a wealthy way of life. For once she felt very loved and happy. It all seemed to be going so well, like a fairy tale. Unfortunately it couldn't last. Daeron made several attempts to undermine Lairelithoniel and had the authority to 'check up' on Lithoniel when he liked. He blamed Lithoniel for 'tarnishing' his reputation by making him look incompetent. Lithoniel thought that it must have been Daeron's doing when she was sent to the frontlines, but the graveness on the faces of the Arcane Council seemed to belle this.

[KarlCullinane]

Name Toris Stonebender
Race Hill Dwarf
Class Druid
Background In the Eastern most reaches of Easterhold, in the foothills around Mt. St. Gerald, lies a small village of hermits, so small it has never been given a name. Attuned to the subtleties of the land and the forest. This Druidic Conclave is smaller than most, rarely boasting a population of even a hundred in it's history.
Toris is the child of two Druids, and as such has sworn to protect the land.
Alignment NG
Personality The first three words that come to your mind when meeting Toris are Lewd, Crude, and Lascivious. As a follower of the Goddess of Fertility he has taken it upon himself to spread himself about the land whenever possible.
Appearance Brief. If you'd like to include a picture it's welcome, but not necessary
History Child of two Hermit Druids, Toris wants to see the world before he settles into the duties of protecting the lands.
"Join the military" they said. "See new and exotic places. Meet new people." Toris was too young to understand the #1 rule of the Military...Recruiters...LIE.
Nation and City of Origin Easterhold
Loved Ones Just names and relationship. Can include very close friends.

Because of the deadly nature of the early stages of his campaign, I expect less in the way of a background and personality than I would normally. For personality, a few key traits that give me an idea how they behave. For Background, a paragraph describing their early life and how they were selected for the trenches. As first level characters, you have basic training but have never been in real combat, and your background should reflect that. I expect these characters to grow organically over the course of the adventure. Assuming they survive.

Your characters can come from any of the nations outlined in the History laid out above, but my preference would be that each of you come up with your own small nation, a member of the Aegis Compact. If you choose this option, your application should include basic information about your character's nation:



Name Easterhold
Population 82,742
Government Freehold Democracy
Head of State Elest Ostragogh, High Council Chancellor. Half-Orc Fighter2/Barbarian4/Astristocrat8
Capital City Olensar. Presiding over the fork of the Little Brother and Sister rivers, Olensar is a port trade city.
Demographics Dwarfs 35% Half-elves 25% Half-Orcs 20% Muls 7% Orcs 5% Goblins 3% Other 5%
Culture How can one claim to have a culture when the bulk of the population of your jokingly called "nation" is made up of the misfits of "polite" society? The closest one could come to putting that label on Easterhold is the strong devotion to personal honor, to outsiders the entire nation seems to be a carefully choreographed passion play based on utter chaos.
History Easterhold has always been a part of the Aegis Concord, even if more or less accidentally. In a time before the memory of the eldest citizen the outpost of Olensar was founded by Captain Steel Lightender, a Dwarven Man at Arms, and his Company of 200. The order, to secure the fork of the rivers, driving back the wilders and outlaws, to ensure the Southern trade routes for Belvard. For an organized team of Dwarven Warriors this task proved to be trivial.
As they secured the lands, and began construction on the outpost, the inhabitants of the nearby areas began to cluster around the new village.
After the first few years the pacification of the surrounding area had become so routine, with only few reports ever needing to make their way beyond the local governor. Olensar was almost forgotten by Belvard. Trade was good, life was good.
Captain Lightender, now Major Lightender, never received any countermand to his orders to pacify the surrounding area. He and his Company continued their campaign. As the lands around the town of Olensar expanded, with little to no oversight from Belvard, the refuse of the Concord, the sick, the shady, began to migrate towards the now quiet lands.
Thirty years into his command the Major realized that he had unintentionally founded a new nation. Over the course of a decade he rounded up the nearest thing to leaders he could find among the population, and slowly hammered out a series of agreements under which this small country could function.

[Sirviantis]

I'm interested, but curious, what posting rate should we expect? You said robust, but what's that mean, is it 2-3/week or 2-3/day?

[Phil]

Hey everyone, thanks for all the interest and great submissions.

Unfortunately, I'm going to have to withdraw this game: I've been reevaluating whether or not I have the time to commit to running a game and I'm sad to say I've concluded I don't right now.

I still have a strong interest in running this game, and might revisit it soon (after the new year, perhaps) but for now I have a bit too much on my plate.

-Phil

[ParzivalFair]

Ah, dang it. I was looking forward to it.

[Phil]

Originally Posted by ParzivalFair

Ah, dang it. I was looking forward to it.

Me too.

[Jon]

Selfishly that’s good news ... I love the set up and have been stalking the thread since it started, fighting the temptation to enter every day because I’m too comitted at the moment. It’s a cracking idea and background. Hopefully you’ll be less busy in the New Year and so will I.

Best of luck.

[penbeast0]

Sorry to hear it, good luck with RL

[Stonk]

That is too bad, hope you bring it back in the future. Cheers!

[MoldyNolds]

Hi Phil, for your consideration here is my application. I believe it is 100% finished, I would appreciate any feedback or comments! As a sidenote, I am new to this site however I am very active on gamersplane.com and looking to branch out with one or two additional games that post more frequently. Your setup sounds amazing!

Application Nation Marcona Cay Population: ~2500 Government: Officially proclaims to be an anarchist state. Unofficially, the Pirate Queen Captain Marcona has the last word on all matters and everyone knows it, those who don't tend to disappear. Capital: Captain Marcona's fortified tree-house mansion. Demographics: There is no census taken in Marcona Cay, although the regulars would say "We are all of pirate blood." Culture: Marcona Cay (pronounced "kee" by the residents. Mispronunciation is subject to a punch in the face.) is a nation of pirates, smugglers, hustlers, and those who yearn to be free from society's "rules". Anyone who didn't fit in or was driven out of their home country flock to the Cay to live life to the fullest. That usually means drinking yourself into a stupor and staying there until the coin runs out, at which point you stumble onto the nearest ship with a half-sober Captain and sail until you find the next nearest ship then proceed to plunder it until you have enough coin to return to the Cay and climb inside a bottle again. The other nations of the world may look down on those in the Cay, they may call them murderers and thieves, but The Marcon, as they've taken to referring to themselves, wouldn't have it any other way. History: Captain Marcona laid claim to this small, ignored island nearly sixty years ago. Whereas once it consisted of nothing more than a small, inactive volcano and a smattering of forest, Marcona has since turned it into the single largest population of criminals in the known world. And surprisingly it continues to function as a self-styled nation-state to this day. Marcona Cay has largely ignored the coming war with Lorana, mostly because they could afford to. However, with the Cay's significant proximity to Lorana and with rumors of a fleet amassing along its South-Western shores, Captain Marcona could no longer sit idly by lest her glorious nation of free-loaders become destroyed or enslaved. So in a very rare appearance, she met with the other kingdoms of the Aegis Compact. The palpable tension between these so-called civilized rulers and the Pirate Queen was eventually able to be set aside so all nations could join as one against this seemingly unstoppable threat from the North. When she returned, Marcona promptly emptied the Cay's prison of all its prisoners, promising anyone who survived the coming slaughter their freedom, and sent them on their way to Verdania. Not that any of them had a choice in the matter. Yes, Captain Marcona sent the prisoners of a pirate nation, those deemed too unscrupulous to be pirates, to fight on the front lines of a world-wide war. Character Applecore Race: Half-Orc Class: Fighter (Polearm Master) Background: Sailor Alignment: Neutral Personality: Gruff and ill-mannered. She is considered unpleasant by most people who meet her, although she gets a good laugh when anyone makes a fool of themselves or others or gets unintentionally injured. Appearance: Applecore is tall and sculpted with muscle. She keeps one side of her head shaved and the other she grows long with the front dyed several colors and the back kept in a ponytail. She has several piercings and scars across her face. She wears a permanent scowl which can convey a rainbow of emotions, all the way from "stop looking at me you barnacle-bellied freak." to "you're about to be keel-hauled." History: Arrested for crimes unknown, rumors continue to swirl around Applecore to this day about why she was locked up for the past seven years. The other prisoners tend to steer clear of her, although when the call came down and the prisoners were loaded, Applecore was there same as everyone else. Nation and City of Origin: Unknown Loved Ones: Slatterbaugh (shipmate),   Pirate Queen Marcona (Great Aunt)

[MoldyNolds]

LOL crap! I was writing my app just as you posted this. Sorry to hear that!

[Dorack]

Hope you pick up again this project.

[DemonSlayer]

Ah, that's too bad, but thank you for being upfront about it! If you do decide to revisit when you have time, I would be very interested in joining up (if you'll have me, that is). Until then, best of luck with whatever is consuming your time right now!

[Strange2099]

Hey Phil,
I'm not sure what else I can add to the sentiments already expressed - certainly it's very unfortunate news to hear that this won't be happening, but more so that if you have too much on your plate, best wishes in dealing effectively with it!

Don't worry too much - when you are able to move forward with this (even if next year), there will be plenty of us waiting to get in line!