[D&D-5e] Into the Jungle of Palmania

[Sylivis]

Game Name Into the Jungle of Palmania

Game System DnD 5e

Theme Jungle Exploration, Mystery, and Adventure

Flavour A Good Mix of Roleplay, Combat, and Survival with a moderate to serious tone.

Plot Hook The distant crash of waves can be heard all the way up here. You are atop a northern cliff facing that rests above a grand ocean. The humidity and heat are only now somewhat bearable at this higher altitude. Your skin is still sticky from the sweat of the small journey which has now come to its end. You have arrived in the town of Tem'd positioned on a semi-mountainous plateau, pinned between that volatile ocean below the northern facing cliffside and the overgrown continental jungle which spreads below in every direction toward the horizon. The majority of the last day of travel was through fields of rice and groves of fruit trees, the likes of which sustain this town. Atop the plateau, where you find yourselves now, is a small town where each stone building is plastered with vines and greenery. The land is mostly clear of trees here in the village, but still feels at home in the wilds of nature, a living green mass of its own. The town center is busy when you arrive mid-day, with several trading caravans setting out their wears. Your party has found themselves in this town responding to the advertisements of one Benjamin Grizzlewald, a stout-looking brutish dragonborn, who can never quite get to the point of what he's saying. Whether yee seek glory or wealth, status or adventure, your destiny awaits out in the harrowing wild world of Palmania.

About Us This game will be DMed by both myself and my spouse. We have spent some time together thinking up this world and plot, and are eager to share it with a Tenacious party. We have a fair amount of experience DMing and role-playing, but little experience with PBP. We thought this might be a great way to express our love for Dungeons and Dragons and perhaps make some new friends with fellow lovers of roleplay and storytelling.

Potential Players: We are looking for up to seven players willing to commit to two to three detailed posts per week, with a vested and equal interest in both roleplay and game mechanics. We will select characters/players with interesting/fun story beats that we feel will mesh well with the other selected players. Our primary goal is to build a memorable story with the selected players. Those interested should expect a campaign with survival and exploration and role play. We are hoping for a long-term campaign, taking PCs from level 3 to Level 20. We are looking for players aged 18 or older.

Game Rules Please have fun. Do not post dice rolls in this thread. All 5e Wizards of the coast material allowed. All playable races are allowed. The setting is exotic, so feel free to pick from the more exotic races, if you feel this will make your character better. Beginning at level 3. We will be rolling for ability scores. If you include a Character sheet with your application, feel free to use the 15,14,13,12,10,8 system for ability scores for now. Please use correct grammar and spelling to the best of your ability. Feel free to contact us through private message, or in this thread about any problems or questions you have. LGBT+ inclusive space. Be respectful! Deadline for applications is 8/27/2022

Application Post the following in this thread to be considered. If selected we will respond with a PM. About Your Character Name: Race: (All official races are allowed) Class + Subclass: (All official classes/subclasses allowed) Background: (From WotC material) Appearance and personality: (please include as much detail as possible): (optional) Picture: Alignment: (all alignments allowed, so long as you are willing to at least begrudgingly cooperate with other PCs) Where does your character originate from?: Character History/Backstory (again please be detailed): Key event: Flaw: Character Sheet: (This is optional. We will do a lot of the character creation process in the game forum. If you choose to include it, please put this in a spoiler button) About You (you may secret this section) Previous role-playing experience: Anything you want us to know?: Roleplay Sample:

Q & A Q: What will be starting gold/equipment? A: We will start with the standard starting equipment/ gold outlined in the PHB/whatever source you chose to reference for your chosen background and class. Alternatively, you can choose from the maximum possible gold value for your class's starting wealth (page 143 of the player handbook). Q: Are you ok with the customizable ability score rules from Tasha's Cauldron? A: Yes. However, your character's history/ backstory should reflect and help reason the change.

Received Applications Player Charicter Name Race Class status Alemar Mattias Thorndale Fighter/Hexblade Half-Elf Complete Seekr34 Xior Ironmane Leonin Barbarian Complete Grouchy Ordwin Harengon Monk Complete Touketsu Rook Tabaxi Bard/Rogue WIP DiceGoblin Thae'zyl Drow Sorcerer Complete ArcZero Theka Otszui Yuan-Ti Pureblood Wizard Bladesinger Complete Onward Awain Osiris Human Wizard Complete Cappucina High Noon Tabaxi Ranger WIP KahamLuc Slide Slicky Human Barbarian/Bard Complete RossN Sigrid Human Barbarian Complete SnakeOilCharmer Gnomansky Forest Gnome Rouge WIP Drifter One Hammer Deux Human Fighter Complete Zangul Kroth LizardFolk Barbarian WIP Tolmie Snake Tabaxi Rouge Complete Treble82 Ketri Goblin Fighter Complete Azure Nokori Heston Yuan-Ti Pureblood Sorcerer WIP penbeast0 Small Lizardfolk Druid Complete Kweheri Alystine Half-elf Cleric WIP

[Azure Nokori]

I've always wanted to do a jungle run. I've signed up to a few too many games though. If my apps don't get accepted I will definitely apply! And if they do get accepted I'll she'd a little tear that I can't join in this.

[Alemar]

Application Complete? Name: Mattias "Matts" Thorndale Race: Half-Elf Alignment: Lawful Neutral with a tilt towards Lawful Good Class + Subclass: Starting Fighter with a Hexblade multiclass provided I can get the right stats (I insulted the electronic dice roller's Mother in a previous life... and it still hasn't forgiven me) -X-X-X- Zhentarim Agent (SCAG) Trait#1 I would rather make a new friend than an enemy Trait#2 I love a good insult, even if it's directed at me... Ideal The Legends of the past must never be forgotten, for they teach us who we are! Bond I want to be famous, whatever it takes... no matter the cost Flaw I can't resist a pretty face Appearance and Personality (please include as much detail as possible): "Boyish good looks", "Classically Handsome", these are phrases that typically would be applied to Matts. He has a soft complexion with no blemish or spot, and the fey blood that courses through his veins does well in accentuating his features. Matts is friendly and courteous to everyone, regardless of station. He knows that if he expects to be regarded as the best, then he must earn that reputation with every interaction, with every person he meets. Eager to prove himself qualified, Matts tends to rush to the first solution that presents itself, only afterwards questioning if that was the right choice. Luckily, it has worked out favorably more often than not for the young lad. Where does your character originate from?: Mattias is from Cormyr originally, but has spent time all over Faerun as a result of working for the Black Network Character History/Backstory (again please be detailed): Born only son to a Mercantile family, Matts was always expected to take on the business from his father when he retired. Carthuan, his Father, was a caring yet concerned Human Cabinet Maker. Who wanted deeply for his son's happiness, but often saw the softness of his mother's Elven heritage, laying proud in his boy's features and demeanor. His boy, who while keen and eager to learn whatever he could from his father, lacked the fine skills of immaculate measurements required to mark and cut together the wood, nor the patience of sand filing a cabinet's doors to mirror-smooth perfection. Leiathua, the boy's High-Elf Mother, worked jointly as Homemaker, and Baker, and knew that hardship was brewing in her son. She saw in him the hunger of Man, who longed for adventure and prestige, yet held no accounting of the requirements such greatness required in them. An endearing quality that drew her to her Husband, yet provided no real benefit to the long lived races outlook on life. Drawn into the organization by their claim "The Best Mercenaries that money can buy" Matts quickly found that his modest upbringing did very little in the way of granting him any skill as a sell sword. Training under the watchful eyes of the Zhentarim masters-at-arms, the young Half-Blood made steady gains in the art of soldiery, however it was still a far cry from the standards and goals set by those in his newfound home. Some of the other initiates talked in hushed whispers of a strange entity, a being of great power and darkness that harkened all the way back to the roots of their great organization. This entity, it was said could grant one great powers, provided you plied it correctly. And those powers? they would catch the eyes of the trainers, mark the wielder for greatness, everything that the Zhentarim promised to be and more. And so Matts found a new goal, his purpose in life. By day he would practice with his blade, training his body in the ways of combat. And by night, he likewise trained his mind, searching for ways to summon this being, and coax it to empower him further than his wildest dreams could imagine. Key Event | Acceptance: After successfully binding the spirit to him in contract, Matts found that his daily routine became easier, and he was soon after selected for active duty. No longer would he be an initiate, a mere prospect of the order whispering tales of glory by candlelight. He was now a full member of the Zhentarim, with all the privileges, and the scrutiny that position brought along with it. Returning home to show his parents the new Badge of Rank he had been given, they smiled proudly, not allowing for one second the fear they felt for their son enter into, and ruin the moment. Thus, knowing he had the support of his family behind him, and the full weight of his Network at his fingertips, Matts ventured forth into the world to finally make himself the Legend he always wanted to be.

 

[Link] I haven't assigned Ability Scores yet, as I would just have to change them later anyways...

About You Previous role-playing experience: I played 3rd ed. in high school with friends, and we even talked about LARPing together one summer, but never actually went through with it. Not having a reliable "over the board" session to go to, I've been on RPGX since 2007... with varying degrees of success. Anything you want us to know?: Not particularly? But I'm open to any questions you may have! Roleplay Sample: I guess this? I feel that my Application is probably a good indication of my writing style/role building

[Hiruma Kohaku]

What will be starting gold/equipment?

[Sylivis]

Originally Posted by Hiruma Kohaku

What will be starting gold/equipment?

We will start with the standard starting equipment/ gold outlined in the PHB/whatever source you chose to reference for your chosen background and class. Alternatively, you can choose from the maximum possible gold value for your class's starting wealth (page 143 of the player handbook).

[Seekr34]

Character Sheet: https://www.rpgcrossing.com/profiler/view.php?id=91414
Name: Xior Ironmane
Race: Leonin
Class + Subclass: Barbarian - Path of the Beast
Appearance: He's taller than most humans at seven feet tall with a muscular body. His head is of a lion, with amber eyes that is normal for lions, his hair, or rather mane, is reddish-brown color. His body is tawny skinned like a lion as well. However, his body shape is more human, with hands, but claws instead of nails and instead of feet, he has paws of a lion.

Personality: He can get along with anyone, but like most of his kind, he enjoys fighting, either verbal of physical. One of those that would enjoy a good old fashion barroom brawl. While he may be quick to anger, taking offense on anything negative towards him, he is quick to forget, moving on as if nothing happened. While traveling, he noticed how other people act and he tries to tone down his quick temper. Sometimes he succeeds, sometimes he fails.
Alignment: NG
Where does your character originate from?: Oreskos, but due to his wanderlust, he's been traveling across the lands.
Character History: Like most of his kind, he comes from the valley of Oreskos. His kind lives off the land and protects the valley from outsiders. His pride, the Ironmanes, are mostly warriors from the foothills. Growing up, he grew up your typical leonin, learning the ways of his kind and how to fight.

Now and then, like a male lion, a lone leonin will go off either on a mission or off on adventure, wanting to see what was outside of the valley. Xior was one of these when had gotten older. He wasn't ready to make a pride of his own. So off he went.

Background: Outlander
Personality Trait: I'm driven by a wanderlust that led me away from home.
Ideal: Nature. The natural world is more important than all the constructs of civilization.
Bond: My family, clan, or tribe is the most important thing in my life, even when they are far from me.
Flaw: I am slow to trust members of other races, tribes, and societies.
Key event/Acceptance: When Xior left his homeland, he had some minor adventures, some were easy, some were not. During his journey, he met other young adventurers. It took awhile for the group to come together as one, but they managed in time. One day, his comrades came across a small halfling village and there were some goblin raiders. His group rushed in and facing some goblins, Xior lets out a roar and make the goblins shake and take off. It was then when he made a name for himself. He was not your normal humanoid, coming from far off land and looking like a werelion. He didn't even know what a werelion was until later. He just shrugged it off.

While his group were beginning to make a name for themselves, it didn't last long. One member died and another member, a sibling, was not able to handle it. He took the body and headed home. The others decided to take a break, so Xior headed home and found that by word, his family and others heard of his deeds and were proud of him, as were the rest of the valley. He stayed about a month, then was getting bored, he missed the adventuring and left on another trip. A few weeks later, he came across other adventurers at a tavern that was off the road instead of a town. It was then he came across an advertisement of someone named Grizzleswald, a dragonborn. He and the group found it interesting and headed to the town of Tem'd. It was set in such a away that it seems to fit in its surroundings as if it always been there. The scenery was beautiful, the rivers, the jungle, everything. They came across a tiger it immediately charged at Xior. Lions and Tigers aren't normally settled in the same area, and thus, natural enemies. Xior finished it off with some scratches, but nothing that wouldn't heal. The group entered the town and immediately felt at peace.


Previous role-playing experience: Started around 1978, played table top almost non stop every Sat between 1pm to 11pm until 1984. Started D&D, then went to AD&D 1e. Then adult life came, got a job and still played table top at same time about 80% of the time. Mid 80's we combined AD&D 1e & 2e. Then the 90's, played both tabletop and PBP. From mid 90's through today, rarely played tabletop (unfortunately) and mostly played PBP. Also had played on NWN server from 2005 to2010. That was fun, playing with folks all over the world.

Anything you want us to know?: Hmm, well, I'm 56 until end of Aug and am a male. Not sure what else to add.
Roleplay Sample: https://www.rpgcrossing.com/showthre...83#post8924883

[Grouchy]

Character Concept Name: Ordwin Race: Harengon Class + Subclass: Monk 3 (Way of the Drunken Master, just a different name.Way of the Rabbit) Background: Hermit Appearance: Ordwin is a small, lithe gray furred humanoid rabbit with long ears and large green eyes. He has a small pink nose and an easy smile on his face, revealing a large pair of incisors common among rabbits. He wears a loose fitting shirt and trousers, both brown in color, with a simple leather belt around his waist and a satchel over his left shoulder. There is a pair of pouches attached to his belt on the left side, and in his furred hands he holds a simple staff of wood. He has prominent legs and large feet, which are protected by simple foot wraps. Personality: Like many harengon, Ordwin was born with the spirit of a wanderer. He loves seeing where trails lead, what lies over the next horizon, and to see and experience all the world has to offer. He is free-spirited and enjoys the company of others, and loves sharing a fire and stories with friends. He is not fond of authority (especially bullies) and feels every creature should have a say in how they live their own life. Easy-going and friendly, Ordwin is quick to make friends and enjoys helping others with no thought of receiving anything in return. He is charitable to a fault and enjoys good food and drink, and has a fondness for those who share his love of music and artistic expression. Alignment: Chaotic Good Home of Origin: Born in the Feywild, traveled to the Prime Material Plane to join the harengon-only monastery from where he hails ("Aer Ath-Tel'", or "Order of the Fur" in Sylvan). Backstory: Born and raised in the Feywild in a large family, Ordwin had a "typical" harengon upbringing. He spent his days tending the village's large gardens, attending school with the elders of the village, and helping mind his younger brothers and sisters (Ordwin is actually the fifth child of 12!). Although the village itself was large and there were many members of his family, Ordwin felt closest to his uncle Finbin. Dubbed "the crazy uncle", Finbin was written off by most of Ordwin's family as having a screw loose due to his years of living in the Prime Material Plane. Prone to cheeky antics and juvenile behavior, he and Ordwin got along swimmingly. Eventually Finbin confided in Ordwin that he used to belong to the Aer Ath-Tel', a small order of harengon monks who live in the Prime Material Plane. Having long ago given up his adventuring days to settle down and raise a family, Finbin still practiced his forms daily and began to instill some of his cryptic wisdom into Ordwin. Ordwin soon became obsessed with joining the Aer Ath-Tel' himself, and when he was old enough he traveled to the Prime Material Plane to begin his search. After over three months of dedicating searching, Ordwin eventually found the Aer Ath-Tel' and passed its stringent entry tests. Ordwin excelled in his studies and in just a few short years he became a full fledged monk. This is when Ordwin began to grow restless, because now there was no further goal in sight. Struck by wanderlust, he decided to sneak out of the Aer Ath-Tel' monastery and strike it out on his own. He has been wandering by himself for two months now, engaging in small acts of kindness and tussling with the occasional bully, but nothing too exciting. Yet. Key Event in his Life: Becoming a monk has been his greatest accomplishment so far in life. Flaw: If I feel someone is abusing their authority, I have an irresistible urge to push their buttons.

[Touketsu]

Character Application CROOKED SILVER ON A STILE "ROOK" Race: Tabaxi Alignment: Leaning Chaotic, but I hesitate to label him outright CN. Rook's just sort of a Han Solo type; he isn't the sort of person to thoughtlessly rob for personal gain, and he certainly holds to certain codes and morals. He just doesn't particularly care about laws written by old fogeys who couldn't care less about the wellbeing of someone like him.Neutral Class: College of SwordsBard/SwashbucklerRogue Background: Smuggler Trait#1 I never stop smiling. Trait#2 Nothing rattles me; I have a lie for every occasion. Ideal People. For all my many lies, I place a high value on friendship. Bond I owe a debt that cannot be repaid in gold. Flaw Lying is reflexive, and I sometimes engage in it without realizing. Appearance and personality: Rook is built with the lithe, nimble frame his race is known for, his toned arms and legs perfectly suited for the power and agility of a born duelist. Meticulously dressed, Rook wears dark, fine clothing that is easy to move in; black, tapered leather pants and a black cloak over a gray button-up shirt that opens up to impeccably-groomed fur. Rook's fur is mostly comprised of light gray and white, with patches of black throughout. He has a luxurious mane, which he keeps neatly braided in the back in a long ponytail. The rest frames a handsome, mischievous face, highlighted with brilliant yellow-green eyes look right through you. Rook's cheshire-like almost constant smile is no mere byproduct of his feline face. He is suave and charismatic, maintaining a calm and pleasant demeanor with everyone he encounters. The tabaxi's gift with people has served him in good stead in his smuggling career, allowing him to negotiate favorable circumstances for himself and his allies at nearly every turn. In a life spent dodging authorities and operating in opposition to the law, a silver tongue can sometimes mean the difference between freedom and imprisonment. Rook is very pragmatic for the most part, preferring to leave ideals for the loftier-minded types. He isn't inherently cruel or darwinian though; he knows that people often must rely on one another to survive, and to that end, he is very good at working with others. While he has no trouble elevating and encouraging his allies, Rook's history has made him incredibly guarded, and he refuses to let others see what he's thinking or feeling, lest he open himself up to weakness. Where does your character originate from?: (Subject to change based on setting/pantheon) Rook grew up in Penumgard, a sprawling city-state far to the north. Walls of black stone and mountainside guards the villages and towns that comprise its territories, as well as the capital city, ruled by a theocracy devoted to the eternal Lady of Sleep. Although a strong nation with technology more advanced than any other known city in the region, it is not without its troubles. Necromancy is prevalent, perhaps as a reaction to Penumgard’s intimacy with mortality. Many have very different understandings of this. Some see memories and success as what you carry forward. With that, technology is iterated and redefined, to live beyond its creators. Others are impulsive, allowing fate to guide their actions. And some, more darkly, feel the chasm of that worship on their shoulders, and swear to escape it. As a result, magic and technology, although advanced, is heavily regulated by the nation’s enforcement, the Nightvakt. In turn, this invites many criminal factions with bitter conflicts in a turbulent and risky black market. The three largest factions are Bheara’s Shade, The Ivory Shepherds and The Couriers. Character History: WIP Key event: WIP

About You Previous role-playing experience: I started playing D&D during 4th Edition, and I fell in love with tabletop rpgs after that. I've been an avid player of 5E since its arrival, as well as Pathfinder, CoC, PBTA, and pretty much any system I have a chance to try out. Regarding RPGX, I've been a frequent participant on this site for about 5 years now. I have such a passion for the cooperative storytelling aspect of tabletop roleplay, and one of the things I really love about doing it on a forum is that it presents an entirely different medium for said storytelling; one that allows room for detail and thought and narrative. It's fantastic. Anything you want us to know?: Just that I've never played in a game that was co-DMed by a married couple, and love it! I hope you see fit to include me in your game so I can see what you guys come up with! This sounds like it's going to be an awesome game. Roleplay Sample: WIP (I'll pick out a post from one of my other games to share at some point)

[DiceGoblin]

Application-Complete Name: Thae'zyl Race: Drow Class + Subclass: Sorcerer (Divine Soul) Background: Haunted One Appearance: Thae stands around 5' 8" with a thin build. Their dress style varies depending on their mood but they do favor women's clothing. As they say, skirts and loose blouses are just so darn comfortable. Their hair is white and styled oh so carefully to cover their left eye. Their skin is dark gray and the eye you can see is a pale lavender. The other is a mess of scars that look suspiciously like a spiderweb. Thae wears a lot of jewelry, pretty much all of it cheap and worthless, but still pretty and even in the worse of conditions, their makeup is always on point. Personality: Thae is not exactly what you would call stable. Years of experimentation definitely did some damage to their brain. They're risky and impulsive to a fault, with little in the way of a filter to keep them from saying things. Thae no longer possesses the ability to feel fear, there's nothing to stop them from picking a fight with that Goliath at the bar. Thae recognizes that they SHOULD be afraid during certain situations, but has trouble figuring out what those situations should be. Because of this, Thae tends to be a follower, looking to others for cues that they can't comprehend. They try very hard to keep themselves under control, as they don't want anybody else to be dragged down by their own lack of inhibition. In general Thae is an incredibly open person, they'll talk about anything with anyone. When they join a new group, which is often, they will flat out tell people that their brain don't work too good and that the group has their every permission to manhandle them if need be. Their every so slightly (Read: More than slightly) masochistic means that they like being manhandled anyway. Thae doesn't like to see people getting hurt and tends to use their recklessness as an excuse for trying to draw attention to themself during battle. Alignment: Chaotic Neutral Where does your character originate from?: The Underdark Character History/Backstory: Thae was born in a pretty standard Drow society in the Underdark. They were 'lucky' enough to be born to a matron. As a male born Drow they would have been destined to a life of slavery. But instead, being the child of a matron, they were destined to a life of experimentation. Rituals, potions, magic. Everything was thrown at Thae. They didn't understand any of it, all they knew was that it was painful and scary. When Thae was eight, something big happened. They remembered waking up after a particularly rough experiment and suddenly being able to do magic. They started getting treated a lot better, gone were most of the painful experiments, they had a room of their own that wasn't a cell. Instead of painful experiments, it was on to magic training. Thae was quite adept at magic and quickly started to get stronger. Too strong. Another painful experiment later and suddenly Thae woke up completely different. One of their eyes damaged and covered in bandages. Nothing was scary anymore, they had trouble focusing, and they couldn't keep their mouth shut. Upon seeing what was done with Thae, a female Drow who was a worshipper of Eilistraee decided that enough was enough. She kidnaps Thae and gets the two of the out of their Underdark society. Thae went along with her willingly. The surface world should have been intimidating but of course Thae couldn't feel it. The sun was intense and for the first few days, Thae was nearly blind. Thae and the female Drow, Faestra, spent a lot of time traveling around before finding somewhere to settle. Thae struggled for years with their identity, as they had a complete lack of self. It look a long time for them to find their place in the world as a non-binary being of fashion and chaos. Thae eventually left Faestra's home after developing a wanderlust, and joined a group of adventurers. Then another. Then another. Then another. Each adventure was short lived, as nobody wanted to put up with Thae's lack of inhibition for long. Their stint with other groups started getting longer and longer as Thae began to figure out how to make people like them more. Maybe this time, Thae will have found a group they can stay with for a while. Key event: Thae was getting too powerful. Their magic was growing, they were getting smarter. They wouldn't be controllable for much longer. So the priestesses in charge of the experiments came up with a plan to keep him docile. They developed a curse that would mimic brain damage. The center of the curse is Thae's ruined eye and the spiderweb scar. It completely changed the way Thae thought and made it very hard for them to even considering fighting back. Flaw: I have a complete lack a fear response, which as you can guess gets me into quite a bit of trouble.

About Me Previous role-playing experience: I started playing 5e in 2017 but I've been doing play by post roleplay for almost 15 years. Anything you want us to know?: I've never played a chaotic character like this before. So please please feel free to tell me to dial it back a bit if I go to far. I want to make a character that's chaotic and fun, not that will ruin the experiences of others. Basically I designed Thae as a character with a frontal lobe injury. I go into more detail is the personality section, but it has a big impact on inhibition and fear. Thae's 'frontal lobe injury' was actually a curse bestowed on them during their childhood after the people who experimented on them realized that their magic was too powerful. It was a way to keep them from becoming too dangerous. So there's a possibility that they won't be like this the entire campaign if we can somehow find a way to break the curse. Roleplay Sample: Here ya go

[ArcZero]

Character Application Name: Theka Otszui Race: Yuan-Ti Pureblood Alignment: Lawful Neutral, leaning towards evil. Theka follows a cutthroat but fair pirate's code. He wants to see a world where pirates are feared, respected and orderly, not oafish thugs. Class + Subclass: Wizard Bladesinger as long as a Yuan-Ti bladesinger is acceptable with their sneaky snake magic. Background Pirate (Sailor) Trait#1 I enjoy sailing into new ports and making new friends over a flagon of ale. Trait#2 I work hard so that I can play hard when the work is done. Ideal Fairness. We all do the work, so we all share in the rewards. Bond I'm loyal to my captain first, everything else second. Flaw I follow orders, even if I think they're wrong. Appearance and Personality (please include as much detail as possible): If anything is certain in his quixotic life, Theka can certainly be called exotic looking. Short, (5'6") lithe of frame and with an ethereal youth about him, his scaled countenance has earned him many insults and beatings. Despite that, these gentle, mint colored scales are still without blemish and serve as a badge of beauty for him. After all, tree frogs are feared for their poison but beautiful all the same. He has uncanny golden eyes, unusually cold skin and very long seafoam green hair that he keeps in careful braids and ties. His hands are thin and delicate like a painter's, but if you turn them over there are many calluses and scratches. Theka is still young with only a few years at sea and just passing his 19th birthday. Now that his life is more stable, he prides himself on his appearance, buying or "commandeering" perfumes, nail lacquers, fine garments and jewelry to counter the grime of the sea. Theka values his personal space and likes focusing on the things he can control: be that his appearance, boating skills, reading, magic or swordplay. He always has his magical tome, a good book, a pouch of arcane ingredients and at least two blades on his person, one for killing and one for ropework. He keeps Squirt, his octopus arcane familiar, in a jar of seawater. Squirt also likes to freeze and observe from a distance, then rush in and grapple whatever prey or bauble caught her interest, making these two perfect playmates. When left alone, one can find them staring at each other, a page or a small shrine to Umberlee, doubtless conspiring over some complex plan. Theka is a perfectionist when there is time to be spent on a project below decks, but bold when there is no time to wait. This hurry-up-and-wait mentality has suited him well on the Flying Meringa and now that he has come into a considerable magical talent, he likes to keep others guessing with his magic. This exemplifies itself in his strange wizard fighting style: a mix of drunk teachers, bar brawls, frantic ship battles and Yuan-Ti bladesinging passed on by his mother. Thus Theka will intone creative uses of abjuration, illusion or evocation magic at a distance, then close in when the moment is right to protect his allies and do what others consider impossible. Obeying a captain and the laws of magic and the sea are intensely important to Theka and he will abide no backtalk to credible authority. He cares not if it is an order to kill a prisoner or to arbitrate a treaty, he will do as ordered. At the same time, Theka does like fairness and hard work, so if someone receives less or more than they deserve, he will inquire further. Since Captain Arsceita has come to value him so highly, Theka's values have changed dramatically to make himself an asset to her. Theka is a messy combination of perfection, loyalty, fear and eccentricity, his strange learned behaviors acting more as scars than his fine serpentine flesh. His favorite place to find a spellbook to copy is from a sunken ship and his magic alternately has the acrid green geometry of Yuan-ti magic and a motif of seafoam, waves and tentacled octopi from his love for the sea. Where does your character originate from?: Subject to change based on setting. Born and then smuggled out of a mysterious Yuan-Ti jungle city, Theka was raised in port towns where he is used to dealing with all manner of races. The place he calls home would probably be the City of Sails, known for its colorful and unusual procession of docked ships. The city is largely a network of docks, so vast that clusters of ships will become known as neighborhoods with the largest having stayed in place for decades. He is most comfortable on a ship and will gladly call that his home at any given point. Character History/Backstory (again please be detailed): While Theka knows next to nothing about the bloodthirsty Yuan-Ti culture steeped in black magic that his mother fled from, the wanderlust in his heart pushes him into exotic and dangerous locations. His mother has dropped hints of some persecution and Theka's bastard parentage, a vindictive mage family that would not abide their bloodline being sullied by a common dancer. All Theka knows is that his mother has a wealth of knowledge on a type of a Yuan-Ti bladesinging dance that she taught him from a young age. After going from port town to port town with his mother, Theka took naturally to the nimble life of a deck hand. At first helping fisherman come into port to earn a pittance, he soon got the attention of pirate crews. Theka was all too eager to accept as ridicule and harassment followed him anywhere he showed his face on account of his feared lineage. After a few abusive and reckless captains, Theka managed to scrape by and learn enough magic in port to keep himself alive. He summoned his first animal companions who were usually stolen by a cruel crewmate, after which Theka would have to scrabble together another ten gold pieces to summon a friend who wouldn't hurt him. Key Event | Acceptance: By the time he was 17, Theka Otszui had proved himself as a capable wizard fighting in the most unlikely close quarters. In a battle with a fearsome ship, the Flying Meringa, Captain Arsceita (a Swiftstride Shifter and a swashbuckler of no small renown) saw a strange boy in the crow's nest of the enemy ship casting acid magic and obscuring fog, before leaping down the rigging to run a boarder through with a red hot magic blade. She found herself intrigued and after slaughtering most of the enemy ship, she took this boy under her wing. Captain Arsceita is cruel and notorious for taking no prisoners, but she was trying to build a reputable crew she could depend on. So she poured training and focus onto him and others she took from more vessels at the point of a sword. Theka went from deck hand to rigger, barrelman and then to a candidate for first mate. Others questioned her, but Theka was essential to her; however, his youth posed an issue. She decided to have her treasured pet gain renown on land so that she could bring him back unquestionably as her first mate. On the way to the remote city of Tem'd, they stopped at an island where hallowed creatures seemed to tread. At the captain's insistence, they went on land but were beset by a group of Couatls that killed several of their crew. Theka fought admirably, his recent completion of a blurring spell allowed him to stand toe to toe with a Couatl while his crewmates retreated, then he blocked the nasty creatures' pursuit with a magical web. Having made it to Tem'd, Theka will see his station and magical power increased or die trying to prove himself worthy of the only person who's ever really trusted him, the cruel Captain Arsceita. A good book about local flora in tow and a hefty pouch of gold dust for use with a new spell, Theka is looking for leads. It sounds like one Benjamin Grizzlewald has a key to the very renown Theka seeks, or at least, it seems that way. The advertisement is rather vague... Flaw: Plenty. If bullied about his Yuan-Ti heritage, he'll just take it. He learned better than to stand up to the mob a long time ago, even if that's unsuitable for a hero. Spends too much money on appearance and too much time thinking and planning.

 

[Link] Tentative character sheet. Dual wielding shortswords, defensive and control type spells. Tank pirate wizard!

About You Previous role-playing experience: I have played D&D for 16 years, starting in 3.5. I found a good amount of enjoyment in 4e, Pathfinder, some missteps with Shadowrun and Gurps (great settings, stinky rules) and now an ardent proponent of 5e. I consider myself a power gamer and roleplaying lore nerd that wants to delve equally deep into unique builds, lavish descriptions and nuanced characters who make mistakes.   I'm usually the dm for two or three groups of friends, but I equally like playing a character. I've run a Fullmetal Alchemist campaign, Avatar the Last Airbender, a Greek titan game with fey lords and the Book of Nine Swords martial arts schools running around in 3.5, a gothic Vampire Hunter D and Song of the Sea inspired game with nomadic Jewish Tieflings (I sourced a lot of Hebrew linguistics), a corrupted Catholic church in an alternate feudal timeline with Cosmic Horror laser vampires. And most recently a cyberpunk Starfinder game with a fourth world war corporate hellscape set near Seattle. So I love weird settings and interesting allegory, character themes, linguistic references, etc. Adapting to roll20 and friend groups who are less interested in playing consistently during and now post-covid has left me wanting more opportunities to play a character, thus I return to play by post. Anything you want us to know?: I'd like to know if I can change the racial stats to +2 Int and +1 Dex for Yuan-Ti in accordance with Tasha's Cauldron's new rules on character creation (idk how widely accepted that rule is). Also I'd like to dual wield shortswords and I know the rules are weird for having a hand free. I'm happy to keep track of what is wielded, drop it, pick it up, etc. but how much do the two of you care about keeping a hand free for spells or if a spell focus shortsword could be purchased?   Also some clarity on how you'd rule the situation with Bladesinger's Extra Attack feature for when level 6 comes. Pretty clearly to me and forum posts I've found, it sounds like any time you take the attack action as a 6 level Bladesinger, you can replace one attack with a cantrip. Haste grants one attack, that RAW should let you cantrip twice in a turn with haste. Is that permissible? Strong, but a pretty key way of how I'd play the character as a melee caster. Roleplay Sample: None currently as I'm new to rpg crossing, but I'd played in three campaigns on giants in the playground years ago.

[Seekr34]

Well, my app is done, well, except for a character sheet. Won't be done until later on.

[Sylivis]

Originally Posted by Seekr34

Well, my app is done, well, except for a character sheet. Won't be done until later on.

Perfectly fine. thank you for letting us know!

Originally Posted by ArcZero

Haste grants one attack, that RAW should let you cantrip twice in a turn with haste. Is that permissible? Strong, but a pretty key way of how I'd play the character as a melee caster.

By the looks of it, you should get up to 4 attacks/ two cantrips and two attacks if played like this. I have no problem with it. Also, You do need a free hand to cast spells with nonverbal requirements, but I don't think you should have a problem acquiring something akin to a "spell focus shortsword" by level 6. Alternatively, you can take the War Caster feat. This might be the simplest solution.

[Onward]

App Name: Awain Osiris Race: Human Class + Subclass: Wizard (Necromancer) Background: Charlatan Traits: Sarcasm and insults are my weapons of choice I'm a born gambler who can't resist taking a risk for a potential payoff Ideal: Aspiration. I'm determined to make something of myself Bond: I come from a noble family, and one day I'll reclaim my lands and title from those who stole them from me. Flaw: I can't resist a pretty face. Appearance: Awain looks to be a ghoulish looking man. He stands at least 5'6, with a lean build, his skin is unusually pale, eyes tired and darkened. Hair is stark white from years of dark magic. The man looked no older than 60 yet he was just starting in his 30's. He usually wears dark clothes and cloak, and usually permeates death to anyone he meets. Personality: Awain is a pessimist, his outlook on life is just doom and gloom. Yet, his a man that is a rascal at heart, a mischievous and troublesome individual, he doesn't care if he's not happy, if everyone else's not happy then his dreaded life won't have a spark. His also quite a gambler, it's something that he used to do in the past and he couldn't get rid of in the present. He knows it's a problem but he doesn't care to get rid of it, it's like losing your favorite arm, sure he can probably create a new one and it might look cooler but he really likes his arm how it is. Just like how he loves gambling, and there's no perfect replacement for it. Alignment: Neutral Good Where does your character originate from?: He comes from Porunga, a land of opportunities and cutthroats. Anyone with money is basically an arse in this country. The island used to be the remains of a dragon til the dryads recreated it to inhabit life. Unfortunately, human colonizers came and decided that this place was theirs and killed off the original inhabitants. The ancient burial grounds are a testament that these Isles don't belong to humanity. Character History/Backstory: Awain was once a part of a noble house, the House of Osiris. Fun fact, his ancestor, Osiris, was the one that lead the charge in the extermination of the faeries and elves of these lands, it stands to no reason that the Faes and elves would hate the name Osiris. Either way, Awain was just your regular noble-born brat, yet he was the worse of the worse. He was a liar, he was a cheat. He treated many beneath him like dirt, and abused any that served under him. Not even other nobles are exempt for they were to his eyes not equal to him. But he got his dues soon enough, he had the fate of drawing misfortune upon his family name. He had a love of gambling, it was just a simple pastime, just a hobby. Yet, when he won, it was a feeling that only solidified his own ego. And so he gambled on and on, again and again. The next thing he knew, the money he had was gone, infuriated at this defeat, he stole from the family's vault and kept spending to stroke his ego. His house did not like that, not one bit. He was stripped of his titles and heritage, and then exiled as he retaliated violently to the patriarch. He was beaten, broken, and thrown away. Yet, one thing lingered in his heart, hatred. Key event: That was when his life would change, how his ego will never make that mistake again. How his anger will never be directed upon his house. In his wandering upon the ruined lands of the Isles, he met the cult of Deadeyes by chance. They were a heretical cult that were prevalent among the world, their necromantic magic created roaming hordes of undead that showered and devastated the land. And they were recruiting any vagabond and vagrant for necromantic experiments, yet when they captured Awain, one of their leaders saw potential and instead opted to offer a deal. Deliverance, Vengeance, Death. All of these words were exactly what he needed. Unfortunate for the cult leader, he didn't desire to be a mere apprentice or to serve a deranged lunatic. If he wanted power, if he wanted to kill, he did not need help from fools. After that, he stole something from them, an artifact, it looked like a book. Yet, the leader and his cult prized it as their most sacred item, a gift of their dead God. He did not care, it was something powerful, it was something that he could use for his own goals. So he stole it, and the price he paid was steep. He didn't know what forbidden knowledge he obtained or what he paid for, but he came out of that cult a changed man. His whole perception was different. Was it madness? No, everything was now open, everything was now clear? His ideals and desires mean nothing anymore, this world meant nothing to him anymore.... After that, he disappeared from the isles and drifted out upon the seas. The book in hand. The book that whispers in his dreams. The book that showed him his pathetic nature from their perspective. The book that desires a change of the times. Flaw: Excessive drinking and a hint of Eldritch madness.

Player Info Previous role-playing experience: I've been playing D&d for at least, ugh, 7 years or maybe 8. It's been a while but I'm sort of experience Anything you want us to know?: Nah, I'm all good here Roleplay Sample: Here's an RP of my barbarian that's also the teams accountant Teela skips passed the river with ease. It's been a long time since she's done that, it was her last hanging trip with her father, she wonders how his doing without her, no doubt her mother has pulled the reigns on him. Swear to the orcish Gods, without her, father would have certainly loss his head in a literal sense. As they climbed, Teela stared upon the farm and in all its glory. As if it were saying that this farm was something special, they just have to work hard to build,"One day... I'll make you two proud of what I achieve." she says to herself and kept marching. Once they found themselves near the woods, she watch silently as her comrades decide to appease the spirits. It wasn't unheard, her tribe's shamans do that everytime they make an attempt to cut down trees, this doesn't seem that different. Though the sudden appearance of smoke and a hermit goblin is something completely different,"Hmph, wasn't expecting this place was already owned. And by the Fey no less." she says disappointingly, but then looks toward Variel as he mentions records,"Heh, who do you think pulled out a trip to the archives. I didn't study all night for nothing." she says as she pulls out a folder choke full of notes,"Swear to God if this is another leprechaun. Imelda's lawyer already explained that the farm doesn't and never did have a pot of gold. You can explore the farm as many times as you want, there's no pot. End of discussion."

[DiceGoblin]

I think that's good for my app. Should be done. I might add a little more detail down the line but that should be good.

[ArcZero]

Originally Posted by Sylivis

I have no problem with it. Also, You do need a free hand to cast spells with nonverbal requirements, but I don't think you should have a problem acquiring something akin to a "spell focus shortsword" by level 6. Alternatively, you can take the War Caster feat. This might be the simplest solution.

Great, thank you for the quick response. I find it best to make sure I'm not playing with readings of the rules that are outside a dm's desired powerscale or action economy. Some dm's like to ignore spell components and ration type equipment completely, but that's always a little sad to me even if it makes things simpler.

Now I'll be curious to see if any divine characters show up here.