DnD5e The Land of the Dead - Page 7

krossingkhory · #91 Jul 24th, 2024, 10:31 AM

Ok, so being new to the site and all, I've been perusing a lot of threads and game advertisements. One thing I've seen in most of them is some kind of table or spreadsheet or whatever-terminology-you-wish-to-use to show a list of the applications for characters. I don't see that here (although, due to secret/private text, Arkanis could very well have one in any of his posts that we don't know about), so I decided to create one. I hope this isn't overstepping, and I hope that this is ok for me to do. Anyhow, here is what we have so far:

Character Name	Race	Class	Subclass	User Name	Link
Caeldrin Koehlanna	Eladrin	Sorcerer	Divine Soul	delpinator	https://www.rpgcrossing.com/showthre...12#post9875512
Ielenia Liado	High Elf	Rogue	Arcane Trickster	The Rat Queen	https://www.rpgcrossing.com/showthre...21#post9875521
Adze Usher	Dhampir	Rogue	NA	Seekr34	https://www.rpgcrossing.com/showthre...46#post9875546
Pippa Strongleaf	Halfling	Sorcerer	NA	Wulfman	https://www.rpgcrossing.com/showthre...97#post9875597
Zarina	Human	Sorcerer	Wild Magic	Mitsubachi	https://www.rpgcrossing.com/showthre...13#post9875613
Ivy Swiftcurrent	High Elf	Wizard	Necromancy	Alemar	https://www.rpgcrossing.com/showthre...51#post9875651
November Falls	Human	Monk	NA	Xbow	https://www.rpgcrossing.com/showthre...53#post9875653
Rain Ragnius	Reborn	Warlock	Undead	Togot	https://www.rpgcrossing.com/showthre...37#post9875737
Flitter	Fairy	Warlock	Archfey	silveroak	https://www.rpgcrossing.com/showthre...42#post9875942
Yashonk of the Bone-Biter Clan	Half-Orc	Bard	College of Lore	Grouchy	https://www.rpgcrossing.com/showthre...38#post9876738
Vjark'krull	Bugbear	Barbarian	NA	ratchett	https://www.rpgcrossing.com/showthre...86#post9876786
Ahten	Human	Barbarian	NA	Ghrimm	https://www.rpgcrossing.com/showthre...95#post9877495
Asteria Majere	Human	Druid	Circle of Stars	JohnStone	https://www.rpgcrossing.com/showthre...67#post9881467
Idumu-het	Aasimar	Cleric	Grave Domain	krossingkhory	https://www.rpgcrossing.com/showthre...78#post9884078
Ffard Trugáred	Half-Elf (Wood)	Monk	Way of Mercy	Tin Can Herder	https://www.rpgcrossing.com/showthre...30#post9884930
Ke Zhong-Jie	Human	Fighter	NA	Snicker	https://www.rpgcrossing.com/showthre...87#post9888887

For the Subclass column, I just tried to use what was in the application that I can see. If it says "NA", it's because I couldn't find anything to use here. Then again, being only 2nd level, we may not know what we are going to take at 3rd level...and even if we do, that could change in the next 600 experience points!

Again, if this isn't ok, just let me know and I'll remove it!

Arkanis · #92 Jul 24th, 2024, 10:50 AM

That’s perfect, I meant to do one but as I’m still away on hols I haven’t had chance to do it, I will however shamelessly nab this one and put it onto my first post when I get chance to get there

Drifter One · #93 Jul 25th, 2024, 06:29 AM

Name:Benedict Shaw
Race:Dhampir
Class:Warlock (The Undead)
Alignment:Neutral Good
Personality Traits: I never accept that I am out of my depth
Ideal: I must continue my families legacy, no matter the cost
Bond: I owe much to my vanished Mentor, i seek to continue their work even as I seek to find them
Flaw; I know the ends always justify the means and am quick to make sacrifices to attain my goals

Appearance: Benedict is always well dressed, often in a dress shirt with a cravat and jacket with neat trousers and good shoes. He wears a knee length overcoat when out and about with numerous pockets containing numerous items. He is middle aged and greying, his hair flowing but tidy and a goatee beard and moustache flecked with grey. A pair of metal rimmed spectacles sit neatly on his nose.

Personality: Benedict Shaw is a scholar at heart and a well educated man. He thrives on intellectual conversation and in the company of those in high society, such was his upbringing. He has too much to do and too little time to do it and becomes irritable if he is distracted from his task at hand. He is focussed and determined in whatever endeavour is currently occupying his mind.

History:Benedict Shaw was the first of two children born from the marital union of Jeffrey Shaw and Seraphina Shaw, his younger sister Annie being a full decade younger. His parents were very wealthy and Benedict only knew high society and was sheltered from the issues of those beneath his family endured, which made him unaware or just damn right ignorant of the struggles of others. His father, was an avid relic collector, mainly as a show of wealth, from all over Faerun and further afield in Cormyr, and Benedict was drawn into this same fascination with items of rare value. His family had set up home, a grand Manor house in Arabel, south of the great desert Anauroch and surrounded by ancient mountains where many of the families artefacts were found. Benedict particularly enjoyed his expeditions to the hot, dry desert, and found them to be the most fruitful as many ancient tombs could be found there. It was however, one such expedition that would change his life forever.

It was after the fateful journey Benedict locked himself away in his study, almost going mad with fever, confusion and failure. He was desperate to keep his families legacy alive and so began extensive, solitary research. His family became concerned, but despite their best efforts, could not persuade Benedict to stop his crazed task. Forever fearful of going back to Anauroch, but desperate for more artifacts, he began to explore other options and his obsessed madness led him to explore the Domains of Dread. Miraculously he found a way, managing to bridge the realms and create a portal to Ravenloft through a cupboard in his study.

RP Sample: Benedict sat in his study, pawing over the various maps strewn over his oak desk. flames danced brightly in the hearth, providing the orange ambience in the otherwise dim room. He sighed deeply as he looked at the various cabinets and shelves lining the high walls of his study, home to various relics and artifacts he had collected over the years. He felt a pang of disappointment, for it was the same old stuff, nothing new had come his way and he grew impatient. He sighed heavily, the burden of reputation crushing down on his shoulders. He wanted to be, nay, needed to be just like his father. No. Better. Pushing the maps to ne side he picked up his quill and daintily dipped it into the inkwell sat on the corner of his desk. The little pot seemed lost in the vastness of his oversized desk. Benedict began to elegantly draft some words on a piece of parchment.

Dear Mr Forster,

I sit in my study with just the walls dotted with dust and the same old decor for company. Life grows dull and my Father is making his disappointment in my lack of motivation known. It is insufferable. I grow tired of gatherings and functions where I have little to offer, nothing to talk about. No prize I can impress on the dandies that stand in my fathers' drawing room sipping brandy eating pheasant! It makes me nauseous. They look down on me. Add that with the disappointment in my fathers' eyes and I become desperate. However, I have found a way.

Cormyr grows barren. With two many other independent expeditions I need a new site to exploit and I think I have found it. Within the library I have found some texts which have enabled me to create a bridge between our plane and the Shadow Realm. I have yet to traverse to this place, thus my letter to you dear friend. I plan to cross over in the next day or two, just to see if this venture is worth perusing, and so I need you to disguise my absence from the family. Tell them I am staying with you at the farm for a few weeks. I shall also compose a letter for Mother and Father explaining thus.

I hope to see you soon,

Ben.

Puffing out his cheeks, Benedict gently placed his quill back into its holder and sat back into the great leather armchair. His gaze drifted to the wardrobe at the other side of the room, orange reflections of the flames dancing over the varnished mahogany. He stood from his chair, as he did so, Arthur, his trusty hound bound up from his prone position and trotted over to his master, his beg brown eyes looking at him expectantly. Benedict reached down and ruffled the fur behind his ears.

"Not dinner time yet, boy." he said. The dog did its best to persuade Benedict, pawing at his leg. "Get down." he muttered, reaching to a small leather box and retrieving a biscuit. Arthur immediately sat, tail wagging frantically. "Good boy." Assured Benedict and held out his hand, offering the biscuit. Arthur had a quick sniff and then gently took the biscuit and sauntered off to a corner of the study to devour the offering. Benedict smiled at the dog, wishing his family could be as smitten as Arthur was. He walked over to the wardrobe where his knapsack was resting by the door and he quickly gave the contents another quick check. He retrieved his all important hipflask and secured it to his direwolf leather belt before gently opening the door. Beyond, was the pulsating green portal to the shadow realm. He rubbed his chin in nervous anticipation and slung the knapsack over his shoulder, took one deep breath and stepped through the gateway.

ihinka · #94 Jul 25th, 2024, 08:36 AM

heavy sigh Twist my arm why don't you!

Arkanis · #95 Jul 25th, 2024, 12:41 PM

There’s a couple of days to go before I close this, still time for any last minute applications

.

Arkanis · #96 Jul 27th, 2024, 04:59 AM

Last call before I close this later today.

Verdant Glitter · #97 Jul 27th, 2024, 05:04 AM

ApplicationName: Rakoth

Race: Dragonborn
Class: Wizard (Necromancer)
Alignment: Lawful Evil

Personality Traits: I am horribly, horribly awkward in social situations.
Ideal: Power: Knowledge is the path to power and domination.
Bond: I've been searching my whole life for the answer to a certain question.
Flaw: Unlocking an ancient mystery is worth the price of a civilization.

Appearance: Looming. It's an apt word, appropriate in this specimen; many are tall, or huge, or towering, or imposing - Rakoth looms, like an archaic edifice bent by its age over an adjacent street, an unnerving and ever present weight. He is by all appearances an elderly Dragonborn - And a particularly old one at that, though it's difficult to pinpoint a precise age and he isn't inclined to clarify the number of years behind. His eyes are a honeyed amber suffused with a subtle glow, a pair of smooth dark horns sweep back from his scaled crown, his countenance is streamlined if severe and the scales are weathered and taut across his hide and colored a uniform shade of deep emerald, lightening on the underside to a creamier shade of jade; the scales of his chest are oddly twisted over the left breast, as of a scar that splintered the hide and never quite healed properly. While other examples of his race err toward the physically robust, this particular one lacks the appearance of physical strength that should be a standard - Gaunt would not be an inaccurate way to describe the reptile, and there is a particular hollow or wizened trait to him, and it shows in a regular shortness of labored breath and reliance on the walking cane usually clutched in long, spidery claws. Though not outwardly emotive barring the slight but neutral frown, the thick tail that trails behind him does offer the occasional twitch or sway that might betray one feeling or another. He favors voluminous hooded robes, uniform in hue and opting for deeper greens. While a pretense of decoration is occasionally had (designs stitched into the lower flare of the robe, or across the back and sleeves, as examples) it's usually subdued - The quality of the material, however, is always inarguable. Quietly regal might be the best term.

Personality: Dour, grim, and cold. Or perhaps quiet, reserved, and introspective? The Dragonborn makes no effort in being noticed or notable. This could be explained as eccentricity, as he often seems lost in thought, distracted, attention focused on some ethereal point in the distance. When approached, he does respond politely, if not necessarily respectfully, and will converse for so long as he is engaged, but it is easy to distinguish that he is not a social creature. His interest in topics tends to be passing, unless it is related to his particular studies, to include life (the condition), death (also the condition), magic, the hereafter, and lethal pathogens and virii. While he does practice the arcane arts, he also has a vested interest in mingling science with it; given the choice, he would rather stitch together customized constructs in a laboratory to the base practice of animating corpses or bones. But one works with what is available...

RP Sample and (Some) History"A hunter..." "Mm-hmm." "Dead for ten minutes?" "Give or take, yes - So they say. Gored by a boar." "And there was no suggestion of arcane ability beforehand?" "Not a single iota."

The instructor regarded the Dragonborn over the rim of his glasses. Prim pose, one leg crossed over the other, hands folded together upon the knee, straight-backed and gazing evenly back. Or through me, the instructor thought. As if his attention was focused on something just out of focus over his shoulder. "No natural skill heretofor displayed, no formal or informal education. And yet you have shown a remarkable capacity for your desired school, necromancy. Why is that?"

A pregnant pause, before the Dragonborn responded, his voice thoughtfully slow, frequently halted by an almost ragged rasp, "Animal butchery is not. Unlike the disassembling of any other. Living creature. Into useful components. Recycling, as it were. Kill an animal, feed the living. The Art," the instructor swore he could hear the capitalization in the word, "is the same, if you. Are inclined to describe it crudely. Hm. The chill of death warmed into the energy of life... Or vice-versa, as needs. Dictate. One is corporeal. One is metaphysical. Different tools, conceptually similar. And I find it fascinating."

"Conceptually, you should not have the ability to weave any spell," the instructor frowned, leaning forward against his desk. "By all accounts, you were an unremarkable, uneducated menial laborer in a backwoods village, and yet you have excelled here on a level on par with some of the instructors. You have acted with an alarming familiarity with much in the way of spellcasting, and adjusted accordingly to those elements you haven't. As if you already knew the general subject material, but not the particulars - Or at least pretend not to."

"Hm," Rakoth offered, without elaborating or offering more.

"Who, or what, are you, really?"

The dim glow of the Dragonborn's eyes focused, sharpening on the instructor's own, shuttered in a slow, lumbering blink. He unfolded his legs, smoothed out the immaculate fabric of his robes, and clasped his hands together in his lap. "Do you know what lays past life? The temples would say ascension to eternal peace for the good, eternal damnation for the wicked... No. All that awaits is the machinations of the gods, the scheming of devils, the eternal churn of planar influence, molding and twisting and conforming the souls of the passed to their devices, whatever it might be, and invariably a gradual reformation to the material plane. And every experience, tangible or spiritual or emotional, is another scar on the raw essence that comprises us: The soul. Every pain, every sorrow, every loss we experience is an eternal lash that marks the eternity of our being, and the living are wholly unaware of. But even in the afterlife, there is. No. Peace." Claws plucked at the throat of the Dragonborn's robe, pulling the material aside to bare the scales beneath, the gnarled scarring concave into the reptile's narrow breast. "I have experienced it, albeit... briefly, all things considered. No resuscitation, no resurrection. No spellcraft or science revived me. But in that short window, I glimpsed it. Past the known planes, past the blackest spaces beyond. A place where even the dead go to die. That, was peace. And yet here I am, again caged in a prison of flesh, knowing what I have lost and what is denied to so many. I do not care for politics, or power, or pleasure. I do not care for much of anything anymore. Who I was, and what I am, is inconsequential. But necromancy is the closest school that concerns itself with the cosmic truths of Life and Death, and with it is the capacity to reach that Grey Sea again. It... is all that I desire."

Outside the instructor's office, the Dragonborn distractedly examined the skull topping his cane, slightly rotating it to watch the dim light gleam off its design. His half-truth rambling may have pacified the instructor the moment, if only in respect to the fact that this body had indeed died and revived, even if Rakoth hadn't directly answered his queries; yes, he did wish to return to the Grey Sea, and no, he means no harm to anyone... though that phrasing suggests malice, and he harbors no ill-will toward the living, only pity. Regardless, if one teacher was suspicious, rightfully so or not, then others might be as well. Regrettable, the academy was enlightening and showed promise for discoveries. He would of course have to vanish, relocate to another kingdom, country, continent, as he had done so countless times across countless worlds. Starting over in every world as fresh as a newborn in a new body, carving out some element of discovery, a peculiar spell here, a unique disease there - Each world with its own familiarity of magic but unique enough to promise something new, a tiny piece to add to his ever-growing repertoire. It would be useful if he could coalesce in the prime material at his fullness, but the constraints and limitations of physical forms does demand creativity in learning the latest visited world's arcane mechanics, and that always seems to provide insight. The great work continues, as it always has. As it always will.

1) What is it you would like to get out of the game? What kind of things appeal to you in a PbP game? Capacity for character development and interaction; I know there's a storyline to get through in a dark and morbid setting, but the occasional downtime to allow players to have their characters interact or indulge in personal projects would be neat too. Also a spooky and grim story in a spooky and grim setting!

2) What sort of things do you not want to see in a PbP game? Player death! Also railroading for the sake of plot, and an excess of combat. I am generally good with aught else, insofar as I can think of for things that would crop up in a game.

3) What is it that made you want to apply to this game? I've adored the concept of Ravenloft ever since playing the old SSI games (Strahd's Possession and Stone Prophet!) Never managed to play a game set in it, or get around to running one. Plus an Egyptian theme is cool, and the light survival elements and the promise of no black-and-white elements sound intriguing.

4) Do you prefer PbP games that are predominantly focussed on combat, or predominantly focused on role-play? Or a mixture of the two? Roleplay is good, but combat is also nice if it isn't too overwhelming - Say, 65-70/35-30 roleplay to combat.