[D&D-5e] Lost Mines of Phandelver

[RossN]

Originally Posted by girlplay

@RossN: Hey! Care to get involved in Beast (BlackDragon0) and Tia's night of causing trouble? Also, I noticed that both of our character are trying to figure out a way to permanently change themselves, physically. That seems like a goal that they might agree to work on together. Thoughts?

That's definitely an interesting idea! I'm still making a few decisions on Tavara but the broad concept of sudden and asked for transformation is definitely sticking.

Originally Posted by Onward

@RossN: I can certainly see a blossoming friendship between our character's, especially since the topic of a witch might prove interesting to them, at least that's what Ed thinks. Eve just really wants to be friendly with Tavara, cause she's so cute.

Thank you, though I'm sure Tavara would be disconcerted to be thought cute!

Tavara's appearance isn't quite finalised just yet (I'm toying with other ideas), but rest assured whatever else she will still be cute.

[DemonSlayer]

Hey there! This looks like it is going to be a fun game, with lots of interesting characters, so I'd very much like to submit my application! Please let me know if there's anything I need to add, fix, change or remove- feedback is always welcome!

 

Hey everyone! I've been a member of this website for the past five years, but had my start in roleplaying games some twenty years ago, when a friend asked me to join his 3.5 campaign. It was a fun experience but, sadly, after about three years the game tapered off, and the people in our group went their separate ways. Afterwards I did a whole bunch of writing for think of a game of Risk, but with a heavy emphasis on developing characters, diplomacy between factions and the likeonline games set in the Warhammer universe, which eventually led me to finding this website and getting into D&D (and various other systems).

I generally love writing admittedly, with varying degrees of successmore complex characters, and seeing them evolve as they interact with other people's characters and the world around them. To me, the game isn't about both can be fun!winning or losing, but about seeing how a character grows during a campaign. That said, I do like the mechanical side of the game as well- combat, exploration and such. Don't get me wrong, roleplaying and worldbuilding are important, but they need to be interspaced with a fight, investigation or other challenge I played in a campaign on a different website, which ended recently after over two years of gaming, with not a single die rolled during the entire length of the game. That... That could've used some more actionevery now and then to keep things interesting. Also I like learning how the different classes work- paladin is actually the last one I haven't played much yet, so I'd be grateful for the opportunity!

As for inspiration, I'd say I've absorbed a whole lot of media in my life, and I draw inspiration from a lot of it. From Doctor Who, to Assassin's Creed 2, to Lord of the Rings, to (more recently) I watched campaign 2 and am up to date on campaign 3, but I'm only halfway through campaign 1!Critical Role, to Fantasy, not 40K, and definitely not Age of Sigmar Warhammer novels. I suppose I generally go for stories which are a bit more sad, and put their protagonists through some hardships, but at the same time put an emphasis on hope and earning your happy ending. On the other hand, I can enjoy a silly, fun story or a tale of cosmic horror just as much- I suppose I have a rather varied taste .

If there's anything else you'd like to know, please feel free to ask!

Application Name: Kordrakk Character concept summary: A Duergar paladin, who has lost faith in his people's teachings. He vowed to travel the world and do good deeds, hoping to mend the rift between his people and the dwarves. Backstory Kordrakk was born in the Underdark, and raised to serve in the armies of the duergar. Growing up with the teachings of Laduguer, the young grey dwarf at first accepted the suffocating, morose ways of his people as normal. However, on his first raid to the overworld, Kordrakk's company was routed, and he found himself separated from his unit. Unable to find his way back to the Underdark, Kordrakk was forced to survive in a world utterly alien to his own. Then, something unexpected happened- Kordrakk began to take a liking to the overworlder's way of life. All his life, he had been taught to live according to the three rules of duergar society. He had believed in the bottomless greed his people advocated, but then came across a town where its people shared the fruits of their labour- and prospered. He had trusted in the supposed need for endless conflict- until he saw the wonders created by those whose resources were not wasted on war. And his faith in the final rule, the rejection of emotion, was shaken when he saw the marvels artists and architects were capable of when their passion was given free rein. The change didn't happen overnight- indeed, Kordrakk lived in the overworld for years before his beliefs began to shift. But shift they did, and eventually the young duergar began to consider that, perhaps, his people were wrong. Yes, Moradin had once neglected to save the duergar from their plight, then denied them after they had escaped. But Kordrakk came to see Laduguer's subsequent vow to murder Moradin as an overreaction at best. Worse, generations of duergar and dwarves had been killing each other, for the sake of a conflict between an unknowable deity and a long-dead hero. Perhaps, Kordrakk considered, it was time to move on. Kordrakk knew the rift between his people ran deep- so deep, in fact, that he did not think to see it mended in his lifetime. But he felt it was his calling to at least try and heal the wounds struck by both sides. He would not unite the dwarves and the duergar, but he might take the first step on that long road. And so, witnessing the beauty of the overworld, Kordrakk vowed to do his best to lessen the enmity between the two races. This vow was heard by Sarenrae, goddess of temperance and compassion. She recognized Kordrakk's sincerity, and in her benevolence decided to lend her aid to the duergar. Armed with good intentions and divine patronage, Kordrakk set out into the world to perform good deeds. He knew his goal was unattainable, but if he could convince just one person to teach their children that the duergar could aspire to kindness, then perhaps one day the conflict between dwarves and duergar might end, and his people would be redeemed. Personality Despite trying to be a better person, Kordrakk finds it hard to forget a lifetime of being instilled with selfish ideals. The grey dwarf can be quite greedy on principle, though he recognizes this behaviour as a bad habit from his past, and tries to break himself of it. Aside from this lust for coin, Kordrakk displays selfless behaviour, quick to offer a helping hand even to his own detriment. He is also quick to forgive others their wrongdoings, hoping to set an example in hopes of teaching people to be more understanding towards each other. Kordrakk is confident in his actions, but can be uneasy when it comes to opening up and showing his emotions. After all, showing weakness was strongly discouraged throughout most of the grey dwarf's life, and even now he can be rather awkward when it comes to personal matters. It is a subject Kordrakk is still coming to terms with- slowly, he is learning that those around him actually appreciate him being honest about his feelings. Still it is a difficult lesson for the duergar to learn. While Kordrakk has abandoned the duergar lust for battle, he can still be quite argumentative when discussing matters near to his heart. He is quick to argue, and slow to shift his perspective. This, too, is something the grey dwarf still needs to work on. During his time with the overworlders, Kordrakk has learned that he is prone to presenting his opinions as an impenetrable wall of facts, and that he should try and pay more attention to the perspective of others. This remains a bit of an alien concept to the duergar, but he's trying to be better. Character Relationship @Girlplay: I feel like Kordrakk would feel something of a kinship with Tia. I think Kordrakk would be very happy to find a dwarf who, like him, sees the flaws in traditional dwarven values and ideas. He'd obviously respect her enough not to actually call her a dwarf, but would nonetheless gravitate towards her. I think her disposition would give him hope- after all, if Tia can leave the ancient hatreds behind, then others might eventually be able to do the same... @Onward: I think Kordrakk would be very impressed by Edward and Evelyn's story of two siblings rekindling after years of resentment, since it is an obvious parallel for what he wishes for his own people. @ElderOblex: I think there's an opportunity for an interesting story between Arronax and Kordrakk! Obviously, what with the history between illithids and duergar, Arronax would test Kordrakk's ideal of forgiveness. And conversely, since duergar are sort of psionic themselves, Arronax might have an easier time connecting with Kordrakk than with the others. And both of them are learning to be better people! I dunno, it sort of sounds like a friendship in the making... I am definitely open to finding ties with other characters, but those are the ones which struck me as the obvious links! Example post Kordrakk checked the address written on the piece of paper in his hand, and looked up at the squat building before him. Its outside walls were covered almost top to bottom with parchments, each asking for aid in tasks both small and large. Some had been rendered illegible by the rain, others had been plastered over. The city offered no dearth of work, it seemed. A missing dog. A stolen basket of apples. A dispute of land ownership between two neighbouring farmers. A... Reward for a white rooster's tooth? Kordrakk frowned, then chuckled. ' Let it not be said the dwarves of Dwo Baz are without humour,' he muttered behind his stark white beard. They were, however, wholly without empathy for his kind. Again the duergar pulled his hood down, hoping no one nearby would cause him trouble. The dwarves of Dwo Baz had tolerated him for now, but the grey dwarf had been on the receiving end of quite a few angry glares and evil words- some whispered, some shouted loudly at him. It was time to find a way out of this city- Kordrakk had clearly overstayed his welcome, and he wanted to be gone before the dwarves decided to start trouble. And so, the duergar opened the door to the building, stepping aside as a rather irate Kenku almost shouldered into him. Watching the raven-like individual go, Kordrakk merely shook his head. 'This bodes well,' he observed, watching his would-be colleague vent his frustration at their employer with a series of shrill caws. Raising his eyebrows, the duergar stepped into Robilar Adventuring, Inc. It was a quaint little room, Kordrakk thought as he looked around. A multitude of goods for sale- though none of them priced even remotely reasonable. His fist clenched at the thought of paying such exorbitant sums for such shoddy workmanship, then forced himself to relax. Money wasn't everything, he told himself, almost making himself believe it. Portraits of employees lined the walls- the agency's successes? Or memorials to their failures? Shaking his head Kordrakk approached the desk, where a woman offered him a contract. 'Phandalin?' he asked, scratching the back of his head. Again his fist clenched at the sight of the pittance he would be paid, slightly crumpling the parchment. No matter, he told himself. It wasn't about the money- it was about getting safely away from the city, before the dwarves decided to lynch him. 'This seems... Acceptable,' he lied through gritted teeth. Holding the quill tightly, he dipped the pen in ink, then proceeded to write his name down and sign the papers. 'When do we leave?'

 

Kordrakk, Duergar Paladin (

• Personality trait: I try to find common ground between enemies, hoping to find a way to peace.
• Personality trait: I judge people by their actions, not their lineage.
• Ideal: Forgiveness. No good can come from dwelling on past mistakes, whether those mistakes were your own or others'.
• Bond: I have sworn to do good deeds, to show overworlders that not all duergar are evil.
• Flaw: I sometimes fall into old habits of greed and belligerence.

Soldier)

HP: 12
AC: 18
Speed: 30
Senses: Darkvision 120'

STR	14	+2
DEX	8	-1
CON	14	+2
INT	12	+1
WIS	12	+3
CHA	16	+5

Abilities & Saves |

Athletics	+4
Insight	+3
Intimidation	+5
Persuasion	+5
Common
Dwarven
Dice
Vehicles (land)

Skills & Languages |

• Warhammer: +4, d8+2 bludgeoning, versatile d10
• Javelin: +4, d6+2 piercing, thrown 30/120
• Chain mail and shield: AC 18

Combat |

• Explorer's pack
• Holy symbol
• Insignia of rank
• Broken blade
• Bone dice
• Common clothes
• Pouch w/ 10gp

Equipment |

• Military Rank: May influence soldiers or requisition simple equipment/horses from them, or gain access to their military facilities, provided they share your allegiance.
• Duergar Magic: May cast Enlarge/Reduce (at 3rd level) OR Invisibility (at 5th level) once per long rest. May also be cast using spell slots.
• Dwarven Resilience: Advantage vs poison damage and Poisoned (both to avoid and end).
• Psionic Resilience: Advantage vs Charmed and Stunned (both to avoid and end).
• Divine Sense: May detect and undead, fiends or celestials within 60', 1+Cha per long rest.
• Lay on Hands: As an action, may spend points from a pool to heal a touched creature, or spend five points to cure any disease or poison (multiple poisons/diseases may be cured with one touch, spending points on each one).

Special

Expendables
* Hit dice: 1/1 d10
* Divine Sense: 4/4
* Lay on Hands: 5/5

[ElderOblex]

Originally Posted by Onward

Evelyn gives Arronax a 2/5, the monocle is mostly the reason why it's lower. It's Eve's personal preference to not date folks with monocles, she just doesn't like the look.

That seems like a....

*put on monocle*

...limited lens, wouldn't you say?

@DemonSlayer Coool, Duergar! Yes, there's definite kinship there to be had, once they get over mutual racial assumptions, I would imagine. I would also imagine that Kordrakk would be the very first people to know if an illithid was in some neighboring town or something, and would probably observe from the shadows? Arronax would never imagine someone else leaving the Underdark for the sunlit lands, so it would be a shock, I'm sure! Yes, lots of potential there.

[girlplay]

Originally Posted by ElderOblex

@girlplay Yes, exactly! Like how you called Arronax a 'mind flayer' when that's such a derogatory slur! He hasn't flayed a sentient mind in SOOO long!

Well, I can't wait until an Elder Brain reasserts control over Arronax, or they realizes that for them to be alive, some other person had their body taken over by an Illithid tadpole.

[Jennifer]

Originally Posted by girlplay

Character connections:

@Jennifer: Smelly Dwarves? Yes, Tia agrees. Dwarves are disgusting. It seems to me that Tia would want somebody like Mayve to call Tia out any time that she starts acting too Dwarfy. Mayve seems like somebody who is just about the opposite of how a Dwarf would act, so emulating some of Mayve's behaviors would be good for Tia, in her view. They seem like they could offset each other's faults and be good foils for each other. Tia reminds Mayve not to be so reckless, and she reminds Tia to live a little.

She might be inclined to point out the dwarvishness in you, but she really was more upset at her predicament than she is anti-dwarf. I mean sure elves/dwarves and all, but I was going more for the peevish youth.

Sometimes it can be hard to build a character around level 1. There's no history to cement their personality too, so why bother? Go with an impetuous youth who thinks the world is out to get them when all around are really just trying to help protect you, even if that protection is from yourself.

---

Originally Posted by Alemar

He's mechanically a Half-Elf not a Drow, he just get's mistaken for one as his appearance was altered by his Patron... However If you wanted to make Mayve a Drow that thinks she found another one of her kind, that might be fun? Or Alestair could be a half-brother to her if you really wanted a familial connection... but light sensitivity is quite the hurdle to overcome, and I dont want to cripple your character in such a way when mine doesn't have those same drawbacks *shrug*

That's even better. No reason you couldn't be half wood elf, half human; shunned by the other elves and one more reason Mayve might feel the world owes her one, because even her own half-brother is dismissed at home. Life is just so unfair (imitation of my best whiny 13 year old voice there)

What could be fun is she could have just found out about him and the universe had just randomly shoved them together into the same convoy. That way we don't have to mess with backstory but we still have that "hook" there? Whatcha think? I'm game regardless but, meh, as they say it's always fun to do something knew, and as I said, at level 1 it's not always easy to build a real personality yet (or it's easier because you can make it up as the character gains experience?)

---

Originally Posted by morgantha

@Jennifer Sounds good! I will keep in mind that Mayve's class is flexible.

Precisely. The character itself is flexible in as much as I am willing to incorporate hooks from other players if they want too, but her personality is pretty set in my mind.

That said, the personality I am envisioning fits pretty well in just about any class really. I mean, an impetuous youth can grow up to be the most devout paladin, or a grisly fighter, an underhanded thief, fall into the basics of magicks and just need professional teachings to fully develop her inner gifts.

I can adjust to what your party ends up needing is what I am saying. Just because this is the personality I want to play, the mechanics are just mechanics at that point. If that makes any sense at all.

[DemonSlayer]

Originally Posted by girlplay

Smelly Dwarves? Yes, Tia agrees. Dwarves are disgusting.

So... If Kordrakk gets accepted into the game, I'm gonna go ahead and have him look for a shop which sells soap, ok ?

I do wonder how Mayve would feel about Kordrakk- if she doesn't like elves, how does she feel about duergar? Kordrakk would probably try and improve her view on dwarves, show her they might not be as bad as she thinks...? I don't know, it might be an interesting dynamic !

[RossN]

I've decided to tweak Tavara a bit. Instead of a human male reincarnated as a halfling female she is now a human reincarnated as a forest gnome female.



Besides being slightly taller (nearly four foot tall in her boots) and lacking hairy feet I also thought it would be interesting to see how she handled some of the other aspects; for one thing being reincarnated as a gnome actually made her smarter (what with the Intelligence increase) and gave her a natural aptitude for a little illusion magic. So there is definitely a tangible benefit to the change which complicates her feelings.

Also I've just never tried playing a gnome before and thought it might be fun.

[Alemar]

Originally Posted by RossN

Also I've just never tried playing a gnome before and thought it might be fun.

They make great Wizards and Artificers especially with the tinkering racial trait (throw a lighter that you've crafted into a pool of grease for example) but I haven't really thought of them outside of those two classes as intelligence isn't usually the desirable trait for hitting things with a sword for some reason It's ok if you're using INT as your dumpstat and want to bump it back up with racials...but it's not exactly a race that's been optimized for anything else...

...and I mean you have to deal with gnome punting...

[BlackDragon0]

@Treble83 I can totally see a strange crazy friendship to build between Beast and Krexis. It'd be kinda cool if his first journey away from the old ranger if he met another dragonborn.

[RossN]

Originally Posted by Alemar

They make great Wizards and Artificers especially with the tinkering racial trait (throw a lighter that you've crafted into a pool of grease for example) but I haven't really thought of them outside of those two classes as intelligence isn't usually the desirable trait for hitting things with a sword for some reason It's ok if you're using INT as your dumpstat and want to bump it back up with racials...but it's not exactly a race that's been optimized for anything else...

...and I mean you have to deal with gnome punting...

I don't know, I sort of like Gnomes.

I had considered running Tavara as a Dwarf but the attributes don't line up at all with what I'm looking for (a Rogue type mostly so Dexterity needed) and I don't want to step on girlplay's character.

[girlplay]

@RossN: I appreciate the consideration. Just remember to make yourself happy too.

@Treble83: Regarding affecting each other's stories, that's the fun part. Since roleplaying games are something of a group story, we naturally should affect... or maybe effect, each other's stories. If I wanted to Tia's story without outside influences, then I probably should go write a book instead. It's fun not knowing exactly what direction things are going to go in.

[RossN]

Originally Posted by girlplay

@RossN: I appreciate the consideration. Just remember to make yourself happy too.

Appreciated in turn!

I definitely have the basic concept I want to focus on - the reincarnation, waking up in a new and very different body and sex and the seeking out magic to 'go back' - but I keep changing my mind a lot about everything else from species to class. Arrgh... too... many... ideas...

[ElderOblex]

Gah. I'm loathe to do this, but my current and near-future workload has me up to my neck now in RL duties. I'm going to withdraw.

[RossN]

Originally Posted by ElderOblex

Gah. I'm loathe to do this, but my current and near-future workload has me up to my neck now in RL duties. I'm going to withdraw.

Sorry to hear that, I thought your character sounded really cool.

I hope I get to game with you at some point.

~~~

I've updated Tavara's application with a new picture, description and sample post. I'm pretty pleased with her now!

[Runetide]

WIP APP Part 1   About you as a player: What do you like or dislike in a game? : I dislike when my build choices and/or interactions are arbitrarily negated or ignored because it wasn't what was expected. I DO like making characters who are good at something and have an interesting personality, but I generally don't like munchkin behavior (Though, with my experience working AS a tabletop rpg developer I've gotten pretty good at designs/builds, I don't like detracting from everyone else's experiences) How did you get started gaming?: Way back, 2 decades ago, some idiot doomed the world by bringing a D&D 3rd edition rulebook to high school, and now I'm here, an author and nerd instead of a rocket scientist. Are there any books/movies/shows that particularly inspire your style?: God, uh... Probably shows like Buffy and Angel contributed to it. I also wrote my own books (see my sig) so there's a fair amount of OG content. I do like the Dragon Prince, as far as a party that has roles and witty banter is concerned. What has your experience been like here on RPGX?: Been playing on here for a few years now. Most of the time everything's fine, but there have been a few occasions that I was not happy with the way problems were managed. Part 2 Name: Komak Blue-Belly Character concept summary (1-2 sentences): Male Kobold Cleric of Mystra who's traveling to gain insights into the workings of the cosmos. Considering his brainpower, this will take some time. Backstory (keep to ~500 words please): Komak Blue-belly is, humorously, not a blue kobold. In fact, he's kind of a depressing beige bordering on gray scaled little white kobold. However, he earned his nickname because he does have seven sapphire-blue scales that had grown on his belly that looked suspiciously like Mystra's stars. All other scales of his grow back pale, but those seven in particular always come back blue. It was that sign he was hatched with that led him onto the path of faith, as he felt a calling for something different than most of his brood. Following the call, he eventually met a mysterious figure one night under the clear starry sky who initiated him into the mysteries of Mystra's Church. Not an 'official' member in that he wasn't recorded as clergy at a specific temple, Komak instead travels from city to city to read their libraries. The ones that he can, of course, for his actual intelligence lacks greatly in comparison to his faith. He keeps trying though, bless his heart. Personality: Optimistic, Friendly to people who are nice to him, and easily caught up in silly nonsense if there's others he knows doing it. He also loves learning new things, and can listen in rapt attention to someone teaching him things. Character Relationship: No Kobold is an island, and Komak is certainly a kobold. He's still not sure about the island part, but he does really like the woman(?) who he met that taught him about the goddess of magic and helped him finally feel at home in his scales. She told him his blue scales were a sign Mystra loved him, and that was more than he could have hoped for. He also is fond of a guardsman, Gale Carver, who was a city guardsman who actually spent time teaching him how to fight. The Halfling had plenty of insight for how to fight as a little person, and Komak enjoyed sparring with him. Writing Sample   Down a back alley on the dwarven streets of Dwo Baz lurks an unmarked, squat building. The windows are papered with requests to find lost people and items, exterminate monsters, and discover secrets and treasures. Inside, the light filters weakly through the windows. There are portraits along one wall, and you recognize them as fellow adventurers who have made names for themselves before you. On the other are shelves of tools and provisions. As you pass them on your way to the shadowed desk, you see that everything sold here seems to be at a dramatic markup. You wait behind a Kenku who seems to be struggling to make himself understood with his limited language. Eventually, you see his shoulders slump as he gives up and puts a feathered hand out. The woman at the desk drops a small pouch into his hand and the Kenku shoulders past you to the door. The woman gestures you forward and asks you a few questions about your skills and experience. After you respond, she opens a drawer and you hear shuffling papers. When she sits back up she’s holding some papers and slides them across the desk to you. The document is titled Robilar Adventuring Inc. Employment Contract. “Okay, so this one here is aaaaaah protecting a cart on the way to Phandalin,” she says as she checks her copy of the contract. “You’ll be working with a party of other adventurers. If the terms here are acceptable, please write your name here--” she points with her pen “and sign here.” She points again and then passes the pen over. “Any questions?” The door to the agency opens and closes, at first seeming that no one entered, but the pitter-patter of small feet was a surefire sign of one of the little people were about. The distinctive barefoot sounds were colored by a tic-tak sound of sharp nails at the end of those feet, and the figure scurried up to the counter. Thankfully it was short, but even so, it was not short enough. The woman turned back to the counter after the Kenku departed to see a stool shuddering and scraping its way over to the counter. After a few, long, noisy seconds, the stool finally stopped and a scaly hand flapped about the top of it, trying to get a grip. Moments later, the new visitor clambered up the side of the stool to sit awkwardly on it. A muddy gray kobold, the yellow-eyed reptilian blinked at her asymmetrically, giving her a broad and friendly smile. "Hallo!" Komak chirped, waving. The attendant saw the creatures outfit was robes under scale mail, with a number of the steel scales painted blue over his chest. A holy symbol hung from his neck, and there were a number of ink stains on the hems of his sleeves. "I want job? I can have job, please?" "You are an adventurer?" the lady asked, blinking at him. The kobold nodded enthusiastically. "Oh yeeees." Komak replied energetically. "But I needs moneys. Moneys for books. Can I has job?" She tilted her head and sighed, shaking her head. It wasn't her job to make sure the people claiming to be adventurers were really what they said they were. At least, considering the variety of faces on the wall near her, there were stranger heroes. "To reiterate," she said. "You will have to work with other adventurers of all kinds. Is that okay?" Komak nodded again. "Oh yeeees." he repeated. "One time, I fought with the nest to stop an owlbear from eating our eggs! It was kind of scary but now I'm stronger and stuff." he says, rambling while touching the holy symbol hanging from his neck. "Much stronger now! I can do the magics." She stared at him for several more seconds. Komak took this as her not believing him, so he held up his hands and waved them in vaguely concentric circles. A small cluster of sparkling stars appeared in front of his palms, swirling as if his hands were stirring them. As he did so, his face brightened and he looked up at her with shining eyes and an open-mouthed smile. "Fine... Here's the information." she concluded, handing it over. "Please sign here and here." Komak was more than happy to sign, which he did remarkably well. The signature actually looked pretty nice, something you'd see in an autograph on the front of a book for that matter. Komak took the info, gave her a thumbs up, and scurried out of the building. Not ten seconds passed before the door opened, he came back in, and dragged the stool back to its rightful position before he again fled the building, going gods knew where.