[D&D-5e] Ptolus: City By The Spire And The Curse of The Dying

[Battlechaser]

Application Format Name: Aiobha, aka ‘The Pale Lady’ Age: 26 Gender Identity: F Race: Reborn Tiefling (Von Richten’s guide to Ravenloft) Class: Warlock (Fathomless) (Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything) Description: As this petite, young Tiefling makes her way through the crowd, her silver white hair concealed most of her face, only a pair a black, ridged curled horns piercing their surface. When she pushed it back behind her ear, a pale, beautiful face appeared. However the attention to of onlookers would be torn towards the simmering monocolored mercury orbs that were her eyes and the alabaster scar tissue that covered the left side of her throat. A wet sheen covered her skin and the Tiefling was surrounded by a fresh sea scent that deepened and intermingled with ozone as the anger at not being able to remember anything but flashes from her life before death rose to the surface. It reminded sailors of the smell of a deep sea cyclone. From time to time Aiobha would stand still for a few moments as flashes of random memories traversed her mind. These could be vivid images, feelings of being handled roughly, snatches of conversations that died away when she tried to focus on them. Frustrated she continued her path, trying to keep an eye on the people that surrounded her. She had never liked masses. Before you knew it, the mood would change and often that would bring murder and mayhem for lone Tieflings. Where did that come from? Aiobha stumbled, but quickly regained her balance. It would not do to show weakness. It would only invite others in, be they benevolent or malevolent. For her it made no difference, she always ended up hurt in the end, physically or emotionally when she had finally opened her heart. The Tiefling was not sure which pain was greater. Strange that the memory of pain lingered harder than the memory of its cause.No, it was much better to keep others at a distance. When she walked on, Aiobha clutched the purse on her belt with her left hand, crumpling the papers inside. She had to pay of a debt so she could get free of her new master. Only then could she move on in the hope of finding a place where she would be welcome, a place she could call home. All she needed to do was surviving this ordeal. Aiobha chuckled "Not that I’ve been very good at that apparently." She muttered as she looked at her now white skin. Character Background: Stories had reached Paelinth by now. Stories about sickness, Squid-faced abominations eating other people alive and in rare cases the mercy of death. The atmosphere in the city was reaching feverish heights with the nobles and nouveaux riches loading their possessions on boats or buying passage for extreme payments. But then again, what good are platinum or gold when your brains are being devoured are alien octopi? And the rest? The plebs drummed in masses in the harbour trying to get passage any which way they could. Some tried to build rafts only to be pummelled into bloody masses by others seizing their pontoons and racing towards the sea, only to be swallowed by the waves. ‘Feeding the Kraken’ as the Paelinthian sailors are wont to say. As the day passed desperation and bleakness started to settle in. Light dimmed and people started to look for safe sleeping hide-outs. So did Aiobha even though she was too tired to sleep, yet everywhere she went the tiefling was met with distrust. Even in these times people can’t set aside their prejudices. The tiefling thought as she swept a stray auburn strand back behind a horn. Her wanderings had brought her back towards the dock where gaggles of ruffians meandered about aimlessly, strutting about like a wary, aggressive peacock when meeting another one of their ilk. Aiobha saw a ragtag group getting ticked on the snout like a bad puppy by what could only be a cadre of former soldiers considering their discipline and coordinated way of fighting. Yet she did not enjoy the benefit of a group of friends willing to protect her. Never had and probably never will. So she had learned to do what was necessary to survive. And in this case, it meant getting the hell out of there before they spotted her. Too late. ”Look. There.” One of the lowlives pointed. ”Demon spawn.” His companions turned around to spot Aiobha running away, her red hair fluttering in her wake. Off course, this spurred them into a burst of action. Nothing gets the fluids going better than carnal activity followed by some pummelling or vice versa. ”****.” The tiefling growled as she tried to gain some distance. The beach. I have to get to the beach. She had always been drawn to the water, its dichotomy of storm and stillness, its depths. Aiobha kept pushing herself to swim further and further off shore, a tiny sliver of despair echoing in her mind Maybe this time I won’t make it back. Yet she always had, her will to live overpowering the urge to just let go. She would be able to outswim her pursuers if only she could make it into the water first. "Gotcha!" An Half-orc had jumped forward on her legs and brought Aiobha down, the water tantalisingly close. Almost. Inwardly she sighed, outwardly she fought like a hellcat resisting her assailant on every step. As he turned her on her back she gauged his arms with her nails and gave him a headbutt that left the Half-orc with a smashed and bleeding nose and Aibho with a spinning head. Once the ruffian recovered and angered by her resistance and the derisive sneer of his fellow scum he smacked her hard leaving the Tiefling seeing stars. "No, no, no. " She snarled. "Leave me alone." "Ooh, this one got some fire in her belly." One of the bystanders leered. "Smack it out of her." And so her attacker complied, hitting her again and again till her face was a quilt of welts and bruises, blood trickling from her left ear. "And now for some fun." He ripped off her clothes and undid the strings on his the crotch of his pants."Help me." Aiobha croaked almost devoid of hope, one arm outstretched towards the water, not expecting anyone to answer. Yet something did. As flood washed over her arm, a voice resounded in the Tiefling’s head. "Serve me and I will save you." With the words an image emerged in her mind. She envisioned the cold, oppressing darkness of the depths, unfolding puckered coils and a gigantic eye staring at her. What choice did she have, really? "I will." Aiobha muttered, drawing a strange look from the Half-orc who was still struggling with his pants."Done and done. You are mine now." Power as vast as the ocean flooded her body and stilled her fears. She gave the man on top of her a withering look "Get off me!" and unleashed a bit of the potential inside of her. A tentacle, much like the ones she had seen in her vision, arose from the sand and picked up the Half-orc and squeezed. Aiobha could hear the bones of his pelvis shattering before the tentacle lobbed him away. He was the first to die. The thugs’ attention was completely absorbed by the spectacle of their leader trying to get his way with the Hellspawn and the tentacle action was also rather distracting. Nobody had noticed a swarm of the Dying ascending on them. There was a lot of screaming and blood and death before the squidfaces converged on Aiobha who stood swaying on her feet from exhaustion trusting on her tentacle to keep the … things from her. But there is only so much a single appendage can do. Still, it bought Aiobhai some time, allowing her to limp further into the water so that when they fell upon the Tiefling, her ravaged body drifted off farther with the undertow. She clutched the wound on the left side of her throat, the blood gushing between her fingers. As the last of Aiobha’s consciousness faded, her body finally sank down into the abyss amidst a bloody shroud. "Not yet." "There is still work to do." Days later, Aiobha resurfaced from the water a few miles south of Ptolus. Swifter than was possible before she swam towards the shore. As she emerged on the beach, water seemed to cling to her as a silvery sheen on her pale, bloodless skin. Her wounds had been closed over with alabaster scar tissue. Her clothes dripping, Aiobha remained in place for a few moments as if listening to voices only she could hear, before turning north till she almost looked straight in the direction of the Spire. Giving in to a subconscious drive she headed toward the unseen megalith. The Tiefling knew something important was hidden there, but she was uncertain if it was important for her or her master. It took her less time than anticipated to reach Ptolus. Apparently being reborn had some advantages - if only she could remember anything else besides sinking into the cold embrace of the Depths. Shuddering Aiobha refocused on the present, not that is was very appealing. Huddled masses trudging through mud in a perpetual drizzle that chilled to the bone. The smell of unwashed bodies intermingled with wafts of urine, faeces and fear. Yet she had a feeling that this was where she was supposed to be. "Get into the city." The voice of her master sent chills down her spine - something the cold did not succeed in. Aibho set one foot in front of the other and made her way through the crowd. It did help that people that saw her - really saw her - involuntary took a step back, creating a temporary zone of free passage as it were. Background Archetype: Haunted One (Von Richten’s guide to Ravenloft) Personality Traits Suspicious, doesn’t trust others easily. Distracted by flashes of memories. Ideal: I will survive and find a home for myself. Bond:Finding out about her pre-death life. What am I? Flaw: It’s hard to let others in. She does not know the details, but involving others usually gets her hurt one way or the other.

[GeneT]

@Gath - Iokua's BG Archetype is indeed Hermit.

[The Dark Star]

Alright, I think that I am done with the application, let me know if I am missing anything!

[GallupsMirror]

Originally Posted by Gath

@ All: I would challenge everyone to do the same thing, include family and friends in your background because they may definitely come into play at some point in the not too distant future and you will want to be ready for that.

Updated: Dochrud now has a "father" and 18 brothers.

[Gath]

@GallupsMirror - That's funny!


@ All - I'm going to take a few days to sort things out. I will announce who is accepted and what to do at that time.

Any questions or concerns, please feel welcome to contact me here or via PM.


A real quality show of talent here. Thank you all for applying.

[Seekr34]

Good luck folks!

[Battlechaser]

Good luck all.

[BlackDragon0]

ohh great who got the pc's in trouble. Now the principal is involved and some of the pcs are gonna get expelled!!!!!!

[Gath]

Applicant Status

Applicants

# Player Character Class Race BG Archetype Status 1 Dyerdon Damin Orkbett Fighter Amethyst Dragonborn City Watch Accepted 2 Girlplay Grace Smith Barbarian Fire Genasi Courier Accepted 3 Seekr34 Mason Ashford Shadow Sorcerer Dhampir Scholar Accepted 4 Stormhammer Doiri Stoneheart Thief Dwarf ? Accepted 5 Dylan Scott Malmenos Karxikas Sorcerer (Aberrant Mind) Tiefling Student of Magic Accepted 6 GallupsMirror Dochrud of Salvus Warlock (Fiend) Reborn Rakdos Cultist Accepted 7 Gramthar Lianthorn Caidi Cleric (War) Firbolg Outlander Accepted 8 Onward Serena Moonsung Sorcerer (Divine Soul) Human (Variant) Noble Accepted 9 BlackDragon0 Deathblade Fighter Dragonborn (silver) Champion Accepted 10 Grouchy Reivald Copperpot Sorcerer (Clockwork Soul) Rock Gnome Guild Artisan Accepted 11 DemonSlayer Kravek Munakanathi Paladin (Oath of Glory) Goliath Guild Merchant Accepted 12 GeneT Iokua Malko Cleric of the Grave Owlin Hermit Accepted 13 Sprite Daria Vahlen Paladin (Oath of Devotion) Human Knight Accepted 14 The Dark Star Dir Hytha Warlock (Fathomless) Verdanm Sailor Accepted 15 Battledchaser The Pale Lady Warlock (Fathomless) Reborn Tiefling Haunted One Accepted

↠∞↞

Alright, welcome to the game.

[Seekr34]

WOW, you gonna be one busy DM

[Gath]

Okay, so opening things up again.

There is a large mixed group of sixish in one party and another group of five mostly mages in a different party. The larger group is in the city working on taking down some drug dealers. Meanwhile, the other group is in the sewers trying to get into the city illegally, for various reasons. They encountered a few rat swarms and then in their haste to flee, barricaded themselves inside a cavern and discovered a gelatinous cube. They are doing a great job of dealing with it, but one character died (and has replaced himself with a new character) and someone else just told me they need to take their leave of the game for a while.

Will you brave the sewers and face the daunting Gelatinous Cube?

Starting at lvl 1 soon to be lvl 2. Generous creation stats, and lots of loot right out of the gate. Looking for 1 or 2 intrepid souls.

(restricted only to official material)

[delpinator]

Can I apply with my previous character?

[ProjectLazarus]

Would it be possible to get a list of the current teams' race/class/party role composition?

[Treble83]

 

Application Name: Tomasz "Tommy" Ironforge Race: Dwarf (Hill) Class: Rogue Alignment: CN Background: Gang Member (Criminal) Personality Trait: I am incredibly slow to trust. Those who seem the fairest often have the most to hide. Personality Trait: I think anyone who's nice to me is hiding evil intent. Ideal: Freedom. Chains are meant to be broken, as are those who would forge them. (Chaotic) Bond: No one else should have to endure the hardships I've been through. Flaw: People who can't take care of themselves get what they deserve. Description: Tommy stands at 4 feet and 8 inches tall. He is not very heavy for a Dwarf, at only 115 pounds. Given his penchant for remaining in the shadows, he prefers to stay in dark leathers that have been oiled to avoid squeaking. In keeping true to his Dwarven roots, he maintains a full beard, a mustache, and long brown hair. However, his head is typically adorned with a dark cloth hood to further help mask him in the shadows. Background: Tommy grew up in Grail Keep. His father, Belmond Ironforge was one of many blacksmiths employed to keep the Emperor's men armed and armored. His mother, Gwynlin Ironforge was lowborn by birth and could only find work cleaning the homes of the more well-off. Tommy started working as his father's apprentice at the age of sixteen years old. The work was boring and repetitive but there was really no alternative. Not unless you considered mining for ore in some dark and dirty tunnel to be an alternative... At the age of 34, a series of tragedies changed the young dwarf's life forever. First, his father suffered a terrible accident at the forge. While Tommy was away on a supply run, something had caused the master smith's forge to explode in his face. The cause was likely sabotage, by someone that had felt slighted (or a junior smith that wanted to create an opening). No matter what the cause, the accident had claimed Belmond's life and no one seemed concerned enough to investigate. The only path left for Tommy was to become another Master Smith's apprentice or report to the mines. He resented the government and its outdated caste system. He pleaded with his mother to leave the city. He knew that dwarves weren't subject to this archaic way of life under the other empires. When she refused, insisting that soon he would be sacrificing too much by leaving, he resented her as well. Rather than accepting his fate, Tommy decided to rebel against the system and join what passed for Grail Keep's Thieves Guild. In truth, it was little more than a small group of dwarves that didn't quite fit in with the normal way of life and instead stole whatever they needed to survive "off of the grid." Although he still lived in the same city, Tommy rarely saw his mother. Even when he did, she simply looked away in dismay (or shame) and carried on about her business. Life with the guild wasn't prosperous but it gave him a sense of purpose and kept food in his belly. All without bowing down to the tyrannical government. However, the plague had made its way to their city and it was spreading like wildfire. The plague did not care about caste or wealth, it came for everyone. Rumors began to spread that the only safe haven left was Ptolus. Tommy rushed back to his childhood home to gather his mother and to make the journey toward safety. However, as he walked through the front door he found her lying in bed... covered in sores. Weakly, she placed a hand up. "I love you! I've always loved you. Now go... Save yourself." With tears in his eyes, Tommy placed a hand over his heart and whispered "Goodbye" before leaving for Ptolus... Now: After nearly a month, the convoy had finally made it to Ptolus. However, it had been immediately apparent that the dwarves of Grail Keep were not the only ones looking for refuge. Hundreds of people (of all sorts of race) had been gathered outside of the walls. They were dirty, hungry, and clearly desperate. Pathetic! Just standing there like loyal subjects, waiting for permission to live! Tommy was not going to wait for some guard to allow him access. He might be able to sell himself as a craftsman but how many of those were already standing in this mass of fools. No, he would find his own way. It was barely a secret amongst the criminals of Grail Keep that the real Thieves' Guild was somewhere below Ptolus. That was who Tommy would need to sell himself to if he was going to find sanctuary... It was no real challenge slipping away from the Dwarves that he'd been traveling with. Truth be told, it wasn't likely that they even cared that he was gone. Not a single Dwarf among them could be counted as a friend and his family was gone. After a bit of scouting, he'd found access to the sewer system and began traversing the subterranean labyrinth.

[Gath]

Cast of Characters

# Player Character Class Race BG Archetype Status 1 Dyerdon Damin Orkbett Fighter Amethyst Dragonborn City Watch City 2 Stormhammer Doiri Stoneheart Thief Dwarf ? City 3 Onward Serena Moonsung Sorcerer (Divine Soul) Human (Variant) Noble City 4 Grouchy Reivald Copperpot Sorcerer (Clockwork Soul) Rock Gnome Guild Artisan City 5 DemonSlayer Kravek Munakanathi Paladin (Oath of Glory) Goliath Guild Merchant City 6 Sprite Daria Vahlen Paladin (Oath of Devotion) Human Knight City 7 Seekr34 Mason Ashford Shadow Sorcerer Dhampir Scholar Sewers 8 Dylan Scott Aldwin Var Talan Fighter (TWF) Human Sailor Sewers 9 The Dark Star Dir Hytha Warlock (Fathomless) Verdanm Sailor Sewers 10 Battledchaser The Pale Lady Warlock (Fathomless) Reborn Tiefling Haunted One Sewers 11 GallupsMirror Dochrud of Salvus Warlock (Fiend) Reborn Rakdos Cultist Leave of AbsenceSewers

Here is a list of the players and characters with a designation of where they are in Ptolus. If someone is in the "city" then they are together in the group that is working on the drug dealer caper. If they are in the "sewers" then they are in need of assistance.

So thematically there would be some reason that you would not have wanted or been able to enter through the front gates into the city and chose instead to make a go for it in the sewers. It doesn't have to be a dramatic reason, but it would be great if there was something to tie you into that thread.

DM Note: This is like once in a lifetime to encounter one of these creatures so creating a dedicated ooze slayer might limit your relevance in the rest of the game.