[D&D-5e] Edge of the Astral

[silveroak]

There are a lot of not allowed races based on the fact I don't have the books they are in (like warforged). Variant humans were explicitly banned because I wanted to be clear about that since I allow regular humans, and because every background will have a feat anyways for every race.
Shadar Kai are allowed- the shadow fell is the closest plane of the prime material.

The gods are suspiciously lacking in distinctiveness- they have variation in personality but none of them have claimed any sort of "god of" appellation, instead all being distinct by their lineage. There is a reason for that but almost nobody knows what it is.

Characters can come from anywhere on the plane- they do not need to all be from infernal cults, or all from Haven, they have simply made their way to haven and presumably have something beyond survival they want to accomplish with their lives. That could be "take care of my family" that could be "find out what the deal is with the gods being s indistinct", it could be about getting revenge on some demon cult. It could be something utterly delusional, so long as it motivates you.
I missed a period between tortles and variant, which is why variant is capitalized.

You do not need to start the game as adventurers, you will start the game in haven. Events wil conspire to bring you together based on the motivations you provide and circumstances I create.

[penbeast0]

So do I understand we are using 2024 PHB with variance on character creation and the feat should be a 2024 Origin feat or 2014 rules and a 2014 feat?

[lordbah]

Name: Orlon Rockshaper
Species: Deep Gnome
Class: Wizard (leaning toward Illusion)
Gender: Male
Alignment: CN

Backstory: He has seen the unending battles between the infernal cults, and between good and evil, and is fed up with all of it! No god or moral philosophy is worthy of his devotion. He has dedicated himself to the accumulation of knowledge, because knowledge is power. Some day he will be able to shape the world as he thinks it ought to be. Even the gods will be only in their proper place.

He regularly visits the Haven temples, but not as a believer. Rather he studies older journals and diaries in an attempt to learn how Abbados, or at least Haven and the nearby kingdoms, became the way it is. He maintains good relations with the temples to facilitate his research. He is also a regular visitor to the library and local sage halls, on the hunt for powerful or forgotten spells.

His family declines to come above ground, preferring to live out their years in the unchanging safety of the caverns of their ancestors.
He's given up trying to convince them.

He will always be asking "how did it get this way" and "what's a better way to do it".

Likely background: Sage
Likely abilities: Arcana, History, Investigation
Likely feat: Svirfneblin Magic?

[silveroak]

not familiar with Svirfneblin magic as a feat, I'm thinking sage will have ritual caster, likely clerical for this character since they study in temples so often.

We are *NOT* using 2024 rules. We are using 2024 style backgrounds. Everything else is 2014. I consider the rest of the 2024 rules a waste of paper, having purchased and read them.

[Revlar]

Warlock of the Elder Eye Name: Kelzaer Race: Half-Drow Class: Warlock (Great Old One - Ghaunadaur) Gender: Male Alignment: Chaotic Neutral Backstory: Ghaunadaur is ancient and alien. Many would say he is evil, but perhaps his logically merely defies mortal comprehension. In either case, he is the one that answered Kelzaer. Strapped down to an altar; moments away from being bled by the clergy of Lloth; Kelzaer offered his soul to anyone of power who would answer. He had no faith, prayer had never crossed his mind. As a child of smuggler, deals are what he knows. Most gods that could here him either ignored him or would never dare consider taking a sacrifice promised to Lloth. Ghaunadaur is beholden to none, defies restriction. Kelzaer will probably never know why Ghaunadaur answered, but an offer was made. Power and freedom for service to the Elder Eye. It was a buyer's market, and Kelzaer was in no position to quibble. Freedom is what Kelzaer desires now. Freedom from societies that hate him for what he is. Freedom to discover what he really wants from life. The Ancient One summoned him to Haven. No reasons, no mission. Not yet. But although Haven is ruled by literal devils, it's still an improvement from where he had been. Background: Charlatan or Smuggler would both fit, but probably Charlatan. Notes: Probably will be aiming for a Pact of the Chain and getting an Imp, certainly fits the setting.

[penbeast0]

Ok, thanks.

[lordbah]

I hadn't heard of it until a few hours ago. DnDBeyond says it's in "Expanded Rules" and from Elemental Evil Player's Companion. It sounded cool but I'm not married to it. I'll go try to read about 2024 backgrounds.

[Remorazz]

Thanks for answering about the races and clarifying a bit of the setting, my donkey brain can now move on with the app ^_^

Sanev Tannatar WIP Name: Sanev Tannatar Species: Eladrin Class: Fighter (on the archery side) Background: City watch Backstory: Brought up in Haven in a small-ish Elven community, Sanev was brought up with stories on how they used to come from a world with far less fiendish influence. In a way, that became her obsession. Demons and Devils have the the majority of the land, and decent people (well... you know.. non-demon worshippers) had one city, literally surrounded by evil forces. This is why Sanev joined the Silver Leaves, a guard/vigilante team aimed at protecting the city. It was a good dozen of years, but it wasn't enough; actually it was almost nothing: barely keeping order at the borders. That's why after an (ugly) altercation, the young Elf decided to go solo, sure to find better ways to tilt the balance in Haven's (or at least in the Elves') favour. [this last bit may be in the intro (?)] Drive/Goals: "You know what the problem is? Equipment. HIC! Haven can't compete with the range of weaponry of the Hell cities! Vorpal blades, mithril plates, adamantium axes. The Cults keep the good stuff and if a war starts we're gonna get obliterated. We can't rely only on trade to arm our people, someone's gotta be more proactive than that! Captain can stick his medals up his arse. HIC! I'm gonna do it myself!!"

[silveroak]

"Backgrounds will be worked out as part of character creation, and will consist of 2 general abilities, 1 tool proficiency or language, 1 single point stat bonus (in addition to racial bonuses) and 1 feat. "
That sentence is literally what I have taken from 2024 backgrounds- ones specifically listed in the 2024 rules I will take as written (except sage, because I feel there need to be more options for sage. if you want the 2024 version I'm fine with that), but otherwise I am willing to work out what the background will mean for this setting.

[penbeast0]

Will racial bonuses be freestanding like Tasha or tied to specific characteristics like pre-Tasha? Are you using point buy, standard array, or roll? Does that bonus take the place of a half feat bonus like resilient or are they additive?

[lordbah]

Ok, so ...

Background: Sage (silveroak style)

General Abilities: Arcana, History
Language: would Abyssal be something he picked up from all that research with all those demons around?
Stat Bonus: +1 TBD
Feat: Ritual Caster (cleric)

Ritual Book: Detect Poison and Disease, Purify Food and Drink
(as far as I can tell those are the only 2 level 1 ritual spells on the cleric spell list)

[silveroak]

Either Abyssal or Infernal would be a possibility.

Racial characteristics are pre-Tasha.
I'm planning on rolling, trying to decide between standard 4d6 drop the lowest or 3d4+6. Go ahead and let me know your preference.

[lordbah]

I like 4d6 drop the lowest.

[Remorazz]

I think it's a matter of style, 3d4+6 is higher fantasy than 4d6-drop-lowest by very little

So I guess I'd go for 3d4+6

[silveroak]

Since there were fewer than 6 applications I have accepted all of them.

The game begins (with full fledged character creation) here