[D&D-5e] Icewind Dale: Cold Souls

[RossN]

An older character I made for a game that never got off the ground but I'd love to try.

Jasra Name: Jasra Race: Half-Elf (formerly Human) Alignment: Chaotic Good Class: Sorcerer (Wild Magic) Appearance: An attractive female (currently) half elf (currently) of slightly above average height and slender build. Jasra has untidy red hair, large amber eyes which she makes look even larger with blue and green eyeshadows and colorful taste in clothing. She has a long dark hooded cloak for moments were she really has to stay unnoticed. Character Concept: Jasra is talkative, jokey, scatterbrained and confident (or at least tries to appear confident.) She definitely has a greedy streak and if things come to disaster she'll look to save herself rather than die heroically (she's died before and is not in a hurry to repeat the experience.) She has absolute faith in her magical abilities and has a chip on her shoulder about snooty wizards with their assumptions of brilliance - besides her former comrades in arms (see below) they are among the few things to break her good mood. Mechanically I'm leaning towards making her more of a party face and focusing on illusions and charms but she'll still have a Firebolt or two with her. Backstory: Jasra was not always a Half-Elf and was not always female. Until a year or so ago Jasra was a male human sorcerer and leader of a gang of scofflaws who raided caravans along the Sword Coast. The outlaws were not do-gooders exactly but they did restrict their ambushes to those merchant caravans affiliated with less than salubrious merchant houses and individuals like the Zhentarim. None of the group were heavy on brains but they had some magic and martial skill and for a while it worked. It was an exciting and reasonably profitable life and ended one day in a desperate battle after some of the less ethical members decided to kill their fellows, and leader and make off with the entire treasure. While most of the gang had their throats slit in their sleep Jasra managed to wake up in time to cast a few spells before being struck by multiple arrows to the chest and going down. The mutineers fled with their ill gotten gains and there it should have ended... had Jasra not been a Wild Magic sorcerer whose magic span out of control at the wrong (right?) moment. Moments after dying Jasra was reincarnated on the same spot as a Half-Elven woman. To say the least she was disorientated but her instinctive grasp of her own sorcery eventually made her realise she'd been given a second chance. Thanking Tymora, Mystra and every other deity she could think of Jasra got back on her feet. Being in a different body, different gender and different species has taken some adjusting but Jasra has coped surprisingly well and in some ways sees her new self as an improvement. She's not weighed down by angsty thoughts because she doesn't have any thoughts. Even so she's determined to follow her former friends to the ends of the earth if need be to get revenge. No one murders her and robs from her and gets away with it! Following on the heels of her ex-comrades Jasra has arrived in the Icewind Dale region, convinced that she can sniff them out in this location. Of course it would help if she knew a little more about the region and made a friend or two along the way!

[Nyx89]

Elin Frostshield Name: Elin Frostshield Race: Mountain Dwarf Background: Folk Hero   Defining Event: I stood alone against a terrible monster. Personality Traits: I have a strong sense of fair play and always try to find the most equitable solution to arguments. I get bored easily. When am I going to get on with my destiny? Ideal: Respect. People deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. (Good) Bond: I worked the land, I love the land, and I will protect the land. Flaw: I have a weakness for the vices of the city, especially hard drink. Class: Fighter (Rune Knight) Appearance: Elin is of typical dwarven height and a stocky, muscular build. She wears her ginger hair shaved on one side, with the rest pulled into a braid to keep it out of her face during battle. She's almost never seen out of her armor, but on the few occasions she is, she normally wears very simple, almost rustic clothing in earth tones. Concept: Elin is always looking for a fight. She's a thrill seeker by nature, but her innate sense of honor and justice has channeled that thirst for excitement into adventuring and protecting the weak. She doesn't do half-measures in anything, whether it's in combat or in the tavern. Although she may seem to be reckless and headstrong at first, she is wholly dedicated to protecting the land of her birth. Mechanically, Elin is a front-line fighter who can tank and provide a lot of different support and control options through the use of her rune-imbued gear. Backstory: Elin grew up in the Dwarven Valley. She was taken in by Clan Battlehammer after the death of her parents at the hands of giants in the Dale. Just a lass at the time, she was taken in and trained in survival and the ways of battle by the hardened Battlehammer dwarves. Determined to prove herself useful and earn her keep, Elin dedicated herself to the study of runes, in order to better enhance her own abilities and to defend the home of her adoptive clan. Beneath Battlehammer Hall, great mines spanned deep down and led into the Underdark, and it was there that Elin faced her greatest challenge. When dwarven warriors came of age, it was expected that they would venture down into the mines alone and if they survived they were to be welcomed as full members of the clan, with all the privileges that entailed. It was in the Underdark caverns that she faced a hook horror...and survived. Barely. Flesh torn and a few pints of blood lighter, Elin returned to the surface and was celebrated as a blooded warrior. Now that she is an adult and of age, Elin has decided to turn to a life of adventuring and battle, with the blessing of her clan. Many young dwarves of the Dale take up such a nomadic life during their youth, growing into seasoned warriors, and returning to their homes once they are no longer green, to settle down and sire families. With a thirst for battle and adventure, Elin is ready to face down any challenge the Dale has to throw at her.

[penbeast0]

I'm going to withdraw Pakak, he just isn't coming together with a unique voice for me and there are other great characters being submitted who I think could be better.

[RossN]

Originally Posted by penbeast0

I'm going to withdraw Pakak, he just isn't coming together with a unique voice for me and there are other great characters being submitted who I think could be better.

Sorry to hear that, I thought he sounded fun! I do sympathise with character creation burnout though. I've been there.

[Treble83]

Dae'Ron Alryl Name: Dae'Ron Alryl Race: Half-Elf Class: Warlock (Archfey Pact) Background: Entertainer Appearance: Dae'Ron isn't really comfortable in heavy armor or wielding heavy weapons. Typically, the elven performer prefers to dress in costume-like clothes made of fine silk (or more cost affordable options that mostly look and mostly feel like silk). However, in preparation for his presumptive adventures, he now wears much sturdier (albeit still fashionable) clothes. This includes a pair of woolen cotton pants, brown leather boots, a stylish (but sturdy) blue tunic, and a heavy leather coat lined with fur. On top of that (and on top of his head), he typically wears a very fashionable blue beret. Aside from his tasteful choice in clothing, Dae'Ron sports a mostly elven appearance. The only thing that really sets him apart as having some human lineage is the small amount of facial hair that he likes to maintain. Although many half-elves live in shame of their mixed culture, he takes great pride in both his elven heritage and his human heritage. Character Concept: Dae'Ron will be rather enthusiastic about the concept of adventure but it may take him some time to adapt to the reality of it. That is to say, he hasn't exactly trained his entire life for this sort of thing. However, he will be excited to try out the new powers granted to him by the deal that he foolishly entered into. Mechanically, he will specialize in social interactions (naturally or with the aid of magic) and use ranged spells (primarily eldritch blast). I would like to see him transition into being a bit more flexible by level 3 (after picking up a couple of invocations and a pact boon). Once he's more fleshed out, I see him filling a ranged support role. Backstory: Dae'Ron was born and raised in the town of Lonelywood. His wood elf father served as a hunter for the town and his mother often acted as a performer. He always thought that his mother had more than enough talent to perform for the fancier folk in Bryn Shander but she would simply laugh it off and dismiss the idea. Aside from her beautiful singing voice and mesmerizing lute playing, she could also perform simple illusion spells that served to bolster her performance. The young half-elf was never very close with his elven father and therefore never took much of an interest in his career choice. Instead, Dae'Ron chose to try and emulate his mother's career as a performer. He managed to become quite proficient in drums, the flute, and the lute. Despite being a dedicated pupil, the young man was never able to use his music to create even the most basic of magical effects. It was no secret that his lack of magical ability was a major blow to his ego (or sense of pride). Finally, an odd-looking elf came into the tavern on a night that both Dae'Ron and his mother were performing. After the show, Dae'Ron joined the patrons for drinks as usual while his mother turned in (also as usual). Several drinks in, the young man found himself confiding all of his deepest secrets and insecurities to the strange looking (albeit very friendly) elven man. In return, the man offered words of encouragement and support before finally making Dae'Ron an offer too good to pass up. For a favor to be determined later, he would give Dae'Ron an amulet that would unlock magical potential. Thinking that he had nothing to lose and everything to gain, the young man gladly accepted the offer. Oddly enough, as soon as he took possession of the amulet, the strange elf disappeared into a puff of magical green smoke. Almost simultaneously to the strange elf patron disappearing, Dae’Ron could feel the magic coursing through his blood. The magic felt confusing and somewhat chaotic until he placed the amulet around his neck. Upon doing so, the magic seemed to come into focus and truly feel like an extension of himself rather than an outside force. With some guidance from his mother, he was able to master his a few spells within just a few weeks. Finally (against his parents wishes), he decided to try and do what his mother should have but never did. He was going to make his way to Bryn Shander and make his fortune as a performer. From there, he was certain that he could attain space on a ship to some far off land, where the true elite (and their gold) could be found. Of course, he barely had enough gold to even live in Bryn Shander… So, for now, he decided to pick up odd jobs here and there to build up a nest egg. Hunting bandits (or monsters) sounded intimidating but Dae’Ron was no coward and he now had magic on his side.

[Treble83]

It took me some time to figure out what I wanted to bring to the table but I finally came up with something. I considered creating a bard but I wanted something a little more atypical. Hence the “wanna-be bard,” a performer that couldn’t seem to tap into any innate magical ability (if any existed) and ended up making a questionable bargain with a fey being (presenting itself as an elf).I hope you all enjoy reading Dae’Rons story as much as I enjoyed creating him.

[Zangul]

NAME: Tik-Tik
RACE: Thri-Kreen
CLASS: Barbarian
BACKGROUND: wildspacer
APPEARANCE: Tik-Tik is a 7ft 170lbs humanoid insect looking creature. He wears spiked double shoulder pauldrons and a leather loin cloth armor. The Exo skeleton is a redish brown color.
Character Concept: Tik-Tik is a prideful, inquisitive, and protective individual. As much as he boast of his own accolades he also protects those who are in trouble or travels with. He travels around to try and end all slavery, as he was once a slave to a mining camp.
BACKSTORY: Tik-Tik was never originally from Ten Towns, Yet alone Bryn Shendar. No to go back as to where Tik-Tik is from would be a story for another not. For now we will focus on the fact that he is here now and how he got here.

[Hal Hammerhand]

 

Lone Wolf: Name: Str 14 | Dex 14 | Con 14 | Int 10 | Wis 14 | Cha 9Phaelar Mistblood Race: Human Mobile Feat. Perception Skill(Variant) Class: Acrobatics, Athletics, Insight, StealthRogue Background: Animal Handling, SurvivalFolk Hero Personality traits: -I judge people by their actions, not their words. -If someone is in trouble, I am always ready to lend a hand. Ideal: -Freedom - Tyrants should not be allowed to oppress the people. (Chaotic) Bond: -I protect those that cannot protect themselves. Flaw: -I have a creature inside me that hungers for vengeance. It will likely take me over when it's goal is in sight. Appearance: Phaelar stands around six feet and five inches with broad shoulders thick with muscle and an athletic build. He has long, red-brown hair that he keeps tied back in a double tail with a narrow braid that hangs down behind each ear. He has a wolf fang in each earlobe, gauged to fit halfway through. He keeps a neatly trimmed beard and mustache combo. His eyes are likely the most memorable, occasionally taking on a predatory, yellow glow when his temper is near to boiling but are subtle brown most times. His armor is rugged leather in patches stitched into trousers and a vest, bracers, boots and shoulder guards. His wolf pelt acts as a cloak and hood and he used the fur to pad the insides of his bracers and boots for warmth. His usual weapon of choice is a shortbow as he is more akin to hunting but he also carries a pair of daggers more for field dressing animals that he has hunted and killed. Character Concept: A Wolf-tribe outcast hoping to find what happened to his tribe after his mother lost contact with them. Backstory: Phaelar's mother and father were members of the wolf tribe of Reghedman barbarians that call many parts of Icewind Dale their home. With the impending birth of his son, Sogrif Mistblood worried for the future of his tribe. Their tribe shaman had made deals with the wrong gods and put a vicious and brutal man before the tribe as the Wolf King. Sogrif stood up to Wolf King Isarr Kronenstrom and demanded he step down so a new leader could be chosen. As any challenge among the Reghedman, it was decided by combat. The fight was fair until Sogrif got the first strike on Isarr and then one of the tribesman who was loyal to Isarr took the opportunity to have a knife ready when Sogrif was pushed his way. The knife sunk into Sogrif's underarm and Isarr took advantage, ending Sogrif's life. As Lyreia Mistblood stood by her husband's funeral pyre, those loyal to Isarr made it clear that she would be next, knowing she would teach her son not to follow their Wolf King. For the safety of her son, she left the tribe and found refuge at Dougan's Hole All this occurred before Phaelar was even born but he knew a life of love and nurture in the Reghedman way. His mother brought him up in the fashion of the wolf tribe. He was different than the other kids, bigger, tougher and he kept his head down when they realize what he was or at least a reason to hate him, for being a savage from the North. Entering his teenage years, he towered over some of the shorter adults of Dougan's Hole and was strong enough to work as they did. He fished in the Redwaters and hunted in the tundra around his mother's home on the outskirts and when it was time to become a man, his mother gifted him the task of his spirit journey. Phaelar was fifteen winters old as he stalked through the wooded areas of the tundra, his head swimming but his vision clear, following the ghostly trail of the Wolf Spirit until he came upon his true prey. A white wolf, in the flesh, this was his task. With the noble death of this majestic creature, his power and spirit transferred to Phaelar. His spirit journey was complete and he was one with the Wolf Spirit and had pleased Tempos. Upon returning to his home, a terrible snowstorm was brewing about the village and from some freak occurrence, an avalanche washed over the village. Phaelar saw people in danger, being buried in the snows and crushed beneath falling homes. He did his best to free as many as he could and get them outside the immediate area. With as many people saved as could be saved and the injured being cared for by Lyreia, some of the people began to truly accept the mother and son into their village for the first time in fifteen winters. As his true ascent into manhood began, his mother passed on the legacy of his bloodline, the story of his father and how they had come to be here, in this village instead of with their tribe. While his mother did not suggest it, Phaelar took upon himself to find what remained of the Wolf Tribe and take vengeance for his father and if there was any tribe left, he would do his best to save it.

[Hal Hammerhand]

I think my app is finished. I had some questions about alternating some of his auxiliary equipment, the extra stuff if I get chosen but I'm happy with it.

[Flying Fox]

Originally Posted by penbeast0

I'm going to withdraw Pakak, he just isn't coming together with a unique voice for me and there are other great characters being submitted who I think could be better.

No worries, I know the feeling!

Thanks for the applications Treble83, Zangul and Hal Hammerhand. There's a little under a week til the deadline and at the last count there are 21 applicants, so I'll have my work cut out for me

I'm planning to spend this week looking things over and updating the table of applicants so that you can see whether I consider you submission complete. Note that you can still rewrite stuff up to the deadline (and I will reread it!) - this is basically just for me to flag any omissions.

[Zangul]

Cool

[mad_gondsman]

Application Name: Ralston "Piper" Farnsley Race: Human (Tethyrian) Class: Wizard Appearance: Piper is a spindly young man that "weighs a buck-ten soaking wet, with pockets full of rocks." His skinny arms and slight frame would be almost comical if not hidden behind a thick wool coat and an impressive array of belts, bandoliers, holsters, and harnesses that carry the tools of his art. His posture is slightly stooped from years of bending over whatever project he was obsessing over at any given time and his brown hair is full of cowlicks that refuse to be tamed, always popping up in the most awkward places. His most striking feature is possibly his eyes, however. They practically shine and sparkle like polished topaz, so deep is his naive optimism. His fingertips are perpetually stained with ink, as are his ears and sometimes the bridge of his sharp nose... wiping and pulling at his features is a tick of his when he becomes stumped. Character Concept: Piper is first a philanthropist, always working on something to help those around him. With his knowledge of the arcane, he is an asset to any party and will throw himself wholeheartedly into any task which may earn him their respect and acceptance. He will be focusing on utility based powers and spells which aid his allies or harrow his enemies due to his aversion to bloodshed. He may very well faint at the sight of it... Piper at first is awkward, shy, introverted, and reserved due to a life of being bullied. As a child, he was often the butt of the other children's cruel pranks and taunts, which has lent itself to his fierce loyalty to his friends and his tenacity for defending others. He is a failed pacifist as he realized that sometimes you simply must fight, if not for yourself then for others... but he still considers himself a conscientious objector to combat. As such, he eschews the use of any weapon or magic that causes bloodshed. Backstory: "Piper," or Ralston Farnsley, grew up in the industrious village of Easthaven on the icy banks of Lac Dinneshere. His father was a modest but successful fisherman when he wasn't helping with the operation of the ferry, and although Piper was told he had potential to be a great fisherman as well, he never displayed any interest. He was always a quiet child, slight of build, almost runt-like, and uninterested in pretending to be soldiers or pirates with the other children. Part of this may have been due to the fact that he was always the first to "die." He was just never any good with confrontations in general. His grandfather had dabbled in the arcane and sometimes entertained Piper with a few magical fishing jigs, unwittingly lighting a fire within the small boy that no amount of objection on behalf of his parents could extinguish. Reluctantly, they allowed him to apprentice under an old sage that had taken up in their small town. Little did they know that the grumpy old man - known only as "Halbrook" - was once a member of the Arcane Brotherhood, and they wrote him off as a pariah seeking to seclude himself in the small village in order to dedicate himself to his craft without interruption. Secretly, Halbrook had gone into a self-imposed exile upon the dissolution of the Brotherhood some 100 years ago. So it came to be that for years, Piper served as an unwitting apprentice to a powerful wizard that many would have killed to study under.

[voodoozombie]

Name: Rachel the Nomad
Race: Yuan-Ti Pureblood
Class: Warlock: Hexblade Pact of the Blade

Appearance:
Rachel looks like well-groomed and good-looking human female. She stands about 5’ 3’ and weighs about 120lbs. Her skin is a dark brown and her hair is long and light brown in color. Her body is athletic like, but no too muscular, more of a dancer then that of athlete. Her eyes are bright blue in color with black slits for pupils. This is the only sign of what her true nature really is.

Her clothing usually reflects the local style of whatever human or humanoid culture group she is living with at the time. However, regardless of the local clothing style, Rachel always wears some kind of serpent jewelry that she brought with her from her homeland, jade rings, earrings and pendants in the shape of snakes and feathered serpents. If she is traveling, she usually wears loose fitting clothing that are muted colored and doesn’t wear any jewelry, anything that won’t attract too much attention to her.

At first, Rachel seems standoffish and a loner. She prefers for someone to make the first move when attempting to make friends with her. Rachel had learned a long time ago that if she made the first attempt at making a new friend, it was usually meet with suspicion and distrust. She knows this is because she is Yuan-Ti and understands their feelings towards her but doesn’t hold it against them. There is also an air of self-confidence that seems to surround her. She is calm and relaxed most of time, and prefers to think things out instead of acting in a rash manner. When she speaks, it’s with a clear and strong voice and when she walks, she carries herself in a way that shows she can take care of herself.

Character Concept:

Masquerading as and passing for human, Rachel has spent quite a lot of time among humans and other humanoid races. She knows how to be pleasant and social, diplomatic if she has to be or aggressive and out right dangerous if the situation calls for it. However, this is all just an act. Deep down inside Rachel is just like any other Yuan-Ti. Cold, ruthless, cunning and manipulative. She is also willing to achieve her goals by any means necessary. However, this slowly changed the more time she spent living among the very humans she was spying on. Now, she’s more human, like the human culture she’s adopted then that of the Yuan-Ti . She wants to travel around and learn more about the diversity of humans and the other humanoid races and experience all they have to offer. She doesn’t know why she has warlock powers. She suspects that one of her parents made a pact with someone or something and that contract was passed down to her. She eventually wants to pursue finding out the source of her powers and the reason behind it.

Backstory:
Belonging to the lowest caste of Yuan-Ti society, Rachel avoided being on the dinner plate of an upper caste member by spending a lot of her time among humans. She did the usual things that were expected from her. She infiltrated human settlements and got slaves for the Temple and did some spy work in other towns. When she did return to her underground temple home she always brought with her prisoners for interrogation and who would eventually be sacrificed at the altar. By presenting these gifts to the upper caste members Rachel showed them her usefulness to them. In return she gain rewards from them. That's how Rachel managed to survive all these years, by using those above her every chance she could. She then took those skills learned at home and used them against the humans and humanoid races she came in contact with. This made acquiring prisoners surprisingly easy. It also ensured that Rachel would be overlooked when the next time an upper caste Yuan-Ti decided he or she needed a slave… or worse.

When her abilities and powers started to manifest, Rachel kept it a secret from the members of her temple. She knew that if ANY of the upper cast abominations found out about her powers, it would be an instant death sentence for her. They would capture her and eat her alive in order to gain her powers, so they believed. Either way, if she outlived her usefulness or if her powers where discovered, Rachel would end up being someone’s dinner. This was the simple fact of her life in the underground Temple.

However, the more time she spent with humans and humanoids the less she wanted the life back at her temple home. She realized that life had more to offer then the expectations of those in her social class. Humans had taught her that she had the freedom to make her own choices and the freedom to live a life the way she wanted too. She also learned that she could freely express her powers among the humans without fear of being eaten alive by one of them. One day she just didn’t return to the temple. She decided to try and make a life of her own among the outsiders.

Rachel knows it wouldn’t be easy, because of what she is. But she’s determined to show that one can change if they really want too if given half a chance. She wants to prove that not everyone who comes from a race known for being deceitful and murderous is bad. Sometimes they are forced to do such acts in order to survive with in their own society. Therefor they shouldn’t be judged by their past deeds but judged on their current actions.

It was during her north bound travels that she heard stories of humanoids that lived in a land of ice and snow. She had experienced many environments but never like the one described to her. Why and what kind of humanoids lived in such a place? Burning with curiosity, it eventually drove her further north until she reached Icewind Dale and the gates of Bryn Shander.

[voodoozombie]

I think I'm finished, at least from my point of view!

[Jasontheswift]

Can't have a Yuan-Ti....cold blooded lol