[D&D-5e] Really fun game by Drachenspirit

[Drachenspirit]

Originally Posted by Hiruma Kohaku

Spells and magic items also limited to the listed books above?

I have Wayfarer guide to Eberron as well, but that's it. So listed and this one as well please.

[DraconigenaArma]

I'm at a conference until Thursday, then Monday I'm off to the West Coast for Thanksgiving, but I've been watching for a good sword and sorcery game to put back on my list. Drach, do you want a competed sheet to judge applications? I think I can thread the needle on that 25th deadline on a written application and have something I'm happy with on Friday. I have a character concept and personality in my head that won't go away since reading the advert, which is a good sign. I'm not confident I can bang up a sheet (especially in 5e which I'm only so-so at and have to look up a lot of info along the way) for a 13th level character until after the holiday.

[Hiruma Kohaku]

Falin Ironheart - WIP Name: Falin Ironheart Race: Grassland Dwarf (Custom Lineage: +2 Wisdom, Darkvision, Feat: Dwarven Fortitude Class: Monk (Way of the Astral Self)/13 Background: Clan Crafter (Armorsmith) -Trait: I believe that anything worth doing is worth doing right. I can’t help it—I’m a perfectionist. -Trait: I’m well known for my work, and I want to make sure everyone appreciates it. I’m always taken aback when people haven’t heard of me. -Ideal: Aspiration: I work hard to be the best there is at my craft. -Bond: One day I will return to my guild and prove that I am the greatest artisan of them all. -Flaw: I’m horribly jealous of anyone who can outshine my handiwork. Everywhere I go, I’m surrounded by rivals. Appearance: Falin has the standard long hair and beard that he lets free flow like two waterfalls. His clothes are simple green linen with some brown leather accents. As a subtle show of his skill, he has mithril rings with blue sapphire stones. His shirt has no sleeves to make movement easier when working the forge. An Adamantine hammer hangs at his hip able to pound any ore into usable material for forging. Magical tattoos cover his entire body. Some even move places when nobody is looking. A ceremonial mithril shield lay across his back with the insignia of his crest. Any smith worth their salt and anyone who has an eye for quality armor would immediately recognize him as a master smith. There is something in particular that makes him stand out among all other dwarves. He uses his soul’s inner furnace to forge a spiritual iron golem around his body during combat. This had been dubbed by his allies as the Ironheart Embodiment. While the form is transparent, the force of which it is able to both inflict and deflect blows is nothing to thumb their nose at. Personality: Falin has pride in his craft as all dwarves are prone to do. However, he doesn’t let this pride control his actions or anger him. His serene nature makes him somewhat of an anomaly to those accustomed to the more brutish manners of mountain dwarves. He is kind and compassionate to those around him. Jokes and nuggets are wisdom are his bread and butter when dealing with stressful situations. Backstory: Falin comes from a long line of master Dwarven craftsmen. The Ironhearts of the Foothill Dwarves spend most of their time in more urban areas with a home base in Baldur’s Gate where they can learn from non-Dwarven craftsmen to develop new techniques that would normally not be possible when isolated away with their fellow dwarves. While they don’t have as ready access to quality materials, it only forced them to create items of equal quality with lesser ore. At the Forging ceremony when an Ironheart reaches adulthood, each potential craftsman declares what field of smithing they will dedicate their life to perfecting. Falin chose armorsmithing stating that armor is just as much a weapon and expression of one’s soul as any sword. He started adventuring around a local city where his forge was located. Going on adventures allowed him to locate precious ores to make is armor. When defeating a giant gelatinous cube that had absorbed so many adventurers that its core had become a magical iron ooze. After working his own blood into the ooze after destroying its host, he tattooed the resulting ink into his chest in the form of his family crest. He could now call the ink to spread across his whole body forming a bodysuit of metal that in no way inhibited his movements. This technique was then honed to create spell tattoos all over his body making his own skin his armor. His second achievement was creating a ceremonial shield which he uses to float during meditation or travel. There was a rumor floating around about some lost treasure troves of ancient artifacts when he received a message at his forge in Baldur’s Gate requesting his assistance and expertise. So what if the creator is a gnome, there is still something he could learn from such ancient craftsmanship. He readily accepted and joined up with the other adventurers that had been selected. Perhaps the end of this mission could help him achieve his ultimate goal of creating a suit of armor that was unrivaled in its form and function.

[Greyling]

Katherine Name: Katherine Marigold Farlight Class: Warlock (patron: Great Old One) Race: Human Appearance:   Background: Waterdhavian Noble Skill Proficiencies: History, Persuasion House Melshimber Languages: Any one of your choice   Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set or musical instrument   Equipment: A set of fine clothes, a signet ring, a scroll of pedigree, a skin of fine wine, and a purse containing 20 gp traits No one could doubt by looking at my regal bearing that I am a cut above the unwashed masses.   I don't like to get my hands dirty, and I won't be caught dead in unsuitable accommodations. ideal Noble Obligation. It is my duty to protect and care for the people beneath me. (Good) bond I will face any challenge to win the approval of my family. flaw By my words and actions, I often bring shame to my family. Backstory: (WIP) Katherine was born and raised in Waterdeep's high society. The eldest daughter of Rose Melshimber, and her consort Hadrian Farlight. From an early age Katherine was taught the importance of the family. The family raised each member above the unwashed masses, and it was the responsibility of each member to raise the family higher. Learning etiquette, history, social and economical connections. To deal with allies toward a mutual advancement. To outthink and outmaneuver your rivals. Learning history and the art of persuasion, soon she had earned a position of diplomat. She traveled for the family business. Both within the City of Splendors and beyond. Approaching her twenties, the family had been considering suitors from allied families. It was on one of these trips that her caravan was attacked. As the guards held off the attackers, a retainer who was a mage attempted transportation spell. However, something went horribly wrong. The magical energies that were supposed to bring her to safety instead sent her somewhere else temporarily. Somewhere far, and so alien, that when the spell finish bringing her to where she was suppose to be Katherine arrived... changed.   -Rival noble family: House Talmost -during (event tbd) an older mage's teleporting spell was effected by wild magic, and displaced Katherine for 24 hours. -When she did show up, she began acting strange. Describing unfathomable locations, and drawing mysterious runes. -reasons for going on the adventure: retrieving something/someone?   Your typical app; Name, class, race, appearance, 5e background, two personality traits, ideal, bond, flaw. Post a pic of reasonable size, and be sure to add it again after you resize it to at least 250x250px, please so I can use it as a token on Roll20. A backstory that includes a few things: Their story, of course Their hometown/origin here in Faerun Why has your character decided to do this adventuring thing and how do they find themselves somewhere along the Sword Coast when called for? What is their over-arching goal?

[Ghost6442]

To answer your question DraconigenaArma you do not need a completed character sheet as indicated below

Originally Posted by Drachenspirit

So far I think there is only one applicant I don't recognise... Oh this should be good!

[Drachenspirit]

Originally Posted by DraconigenaArma

I'm at a conference until Thursday, then Monday I'm off to the West Coast for Thanksgiving, but I've been watching for a good sword and sorcery game to put back on my list. Drach, do you want a competed sheet to judge applications? I think I can thread the needle on that 25th deadline on a written application and have something I'm happy with on Friday. I have a character concept and personality in my head that won't go away since reading the advert, which is a good sign. I'm not confident I can bang up a sheet (especially in 5e which I'm only so-so at and have to look up a lot of info along the way) for a 13th level character until after the holiday.

As Ghost6442 so politely jumped in and answered, you don't need a completed character sheet. That said, at this level, it will help me see the path your character has gone to get to where they are mechanically speaking.

Originally Posted by Hiruma Kohaku

Placeholder for a dwarf monk brawler (Way of the Astral Self).

@Drachenspirit: Can we go ahead and roll in the game thread link you provided or will it be after selection?

Yes, you can use the link to roll for HP and Ability scores if not doing the 27 point buy.

[kaylara]

Application: Name: Lyra Whisperpaws(aka: Whisper) <-- Click to view Character Sheet Race: Tabaxi Class: Arcane Tradition: DivinationWizard Alignment: Chaotic Good 5e Background: Far Traveler Traits: I have my own ideas about what is and is not food, and I find the eating habits of those around me fascinating, confusing, or revolting. Ideal: I'm far from home, and everything is strange and wonderful! Bond: I'm fascinated by the beauty and wonder of this new land. Flaws: I have a weakness for the new intoxicants and other pleasures of this land. Appearance: Lyra has long white hair that flows down her back all the way to her buttocks. Her face is soft and fur silky smooth. Lyra's crystal blue eyes show strong will and determination and seem to radiate nature's beauty from the way the sparkle in the light. For an Tabaxi, Lyra stands a bit shorter than an average Tabaxi stature of about five foot six inches. Lyra's beauty not only stands out from her hair, fur and eyes, but also her lithe hourglass figure and cat ears. Her body tone is nice and firm as she shows some signs of muscle but the muscle tones are mostly hidden by her beauty. Overall, if one were to measure her base weight by stones, then one could estimate her weighing around one hundred ten stones (assuming 1 stone is a pound: 110 lbs. without gear). To offset her natural looks, Lyra wears a beautiful collar with a small six sided cube ornament with tribal tattoos. Personality: Despite her appearance, Lyra has a quiet personality. Chaotic in nature, Lyra enjoys life and tends to be whimsical at times. She enjoys learning new things and discovering the unknown. She leads thru example, relying on her abilities to speak louder than words or prayers. Background: Lyra was born in a small hamlet in the lands of Halruaa. She was raised by her parents Jerath and Maya Whisperpaws. Lyra's father Jerath was a smith and her mother Maya was an accomplished wizard and arch mage who taught her daughter the basics of magic and provided her with her hat and first spell book. Lyra loved studying and learning magic, for magic came easy to her. She also loved stories of angels and demons, causing her to study conjuration and planar magic in addition to learning the celestial language. At a young age, Lyra was able to cast some minor cantrips. When her parents noticed her capabilities. Lyra's father decided to teach her his craft. Once Lyra was ready to move on by proving her mastery of the magical arts and weapon/armor smiting, her final test was to create a mithril chain shirt for herself with the magical aid of her mother. Upon completion of her new magical armor, it was auctioned and sold to gain an entry position at the smiths academy. The academy was always looking for casters who could forge magic with arms and armor and deliver them throughout the world. With the latest news about the wizard tower and possible lost artifacts. It was a temptation of not just curiosity but also a desire to find/discover something that was once lost and perhaps challenge her and hone her skills.

[Azathool]

Preamble   So I hummed and harred, too'd and fro'd on this one. At level 13 it needed some serious thought. Too complex and it's a mess, but you're missing a caster! I so wanted to resurrect my Scribes Wizard, but so much hangs on spell selection to swap out damage types at each level, and that means lots and lots and lots of spells. Also it's complex I found in the end that complexity was somewhat wasted due to the complexities of play by post and "group" initiative (ie, AoE charm). And anyway, it's an old character. The problem with starting at Level 13 is "Learning to get there", so… then I went uber simple, a "Deadeye" character; Rogue (Soulknife)/Fighter (Battle Master). With a +12 to hit, often @Adv, an optional 2d8 to hit… BUT… no casting, just lots of single damage DPS, and awesome skills. It felt too flat, too single dimension. So here we go, third try. Lyricus Vynnis, charmer, fighter, weaver of words and oft player of the Lute (not magical; he's smashed too many), accompanied by his Imp companion Boop, who is learning how to love on her long road to a soul.

Application - Lyricus Vynn Image created with DALL-E 3 Name: Lyricus Vynn(Link to D&DB Sheet for Beta Build) Race: Celadrin of Cormanthor (I will be using Tasha's Custom Race) Class: Rogue/Swashbuckler (9) | Warlock/Hexblade (4) Personality Traits: Like a nomad, I can’t settle down in one place for very long. | Good music makes me weep like a baby. Ideal: Wanderlust. I prefer to take the less traveled path. (Chaotic) Bond: A trusted friend is the most important thing in the multiverse to me. Flaws: I have many vices and tend to indulge them. Appearance: Lyricus Vynn is a handsome elf if there ever was one, with most "in the know" thinking he is a Sun Elf, and being wrong; he is a Celadrin, descended from a long line of forebears back to the height of Myth Drannor. A very handsome and debonaire Elf with flame red hair, bronze skin and golden eyes, he can charm the copper out of a beggar's hands with a few words, keep a whole bar swayed with a ballad, and tell a raucous tall tale as good as any bard. He is usually clothed in fancy silks or fine leather travelling clothes, a rakish cloak over his shoulders, and seems to have an outfit for any occasion. A sharp rapier is tied behind his back, over which is strapped a fancy golden shield. If you look closely, a very thin and flexible set of plates cover his breast and upper limbs, hidden under his fine silks. His forearms are covered in glyphs and runes. On his shoulder sits Boop, his dearest, closest and oldest friend, a shapely female Imp, clothed in little more than a silk shift. Her white skin shines just the right way for you to see, and she doesn't need to try hard to look cute. 5e Background: Feylost (Fey Mark: You have a sweet scent, like that of nectar or honey.) Background: Born in the Fey, Lyricus doesn’t remember much of the "before". A victim of the time and memory-warping effects of transitioning between the Fey and Material, his life has been very long and varied, much of it wandering the colourful lands of the Fey, the last couple of hundred in the Forgotten Realms. When he arrived, he made a home in Cormanthor but soon became "bored" with the location; he never stayed in one place "long" (in Fey terms, a decade or two). Even so it's his home in this plane of existence. A follower of Hanali Celanil, he has a more "direct" communion that most Clerics and Priests have with their gods. As a Church of the Winsome Rose member, his direct patron is the godess herself, a direct pact made centuries ago. His compact and promise are personal and specific to her; she has supported him for over a millennia and continues to do so. He has been working down the Sword Cost for the last fifty years and has finally arrived somewhere that looks like it might be fun. And Boop agrees.   Boop Familiar (Warlock Pack of the Chain): Imp Note: She is an albino (a rare, 1 in 30:000 chance for Imps), so white. Instead of a rat is a ferret, a white spider, and a white crow. What is their over-arching goal?: Fulfill her compact to Hanali, which is to lead Boop to grow a soul… the "right" way.

[Ghost6442]

the applications thus far, for Drachenspirit's benefit

CURRENT APPLICANTS/CHARACTERS

RPGX Member	Character Name	Class	Beginning Background	Race
Hiruma Kohaku	Falin Ironheart	Monk (Way of the Astral Self)/13	Clan Crafter (Armorsmith)	Grassland Dwarf
Azathool	Lyricus Vynn	Rogue/Swashbuckler (9) / Warlock/Hexblade (4)	Feylost	Celadrin of Cormanthor (Tasha's Custom Race)
Kaylara	Lyra Whisperpaws(aka: Whisper)	Wizard	Far Traveler	Tabaxi
DraconigenaArma	Finnian Willowbrook	Rogue/Bard	Solider	Human (Variant)
Greyling	Katherine Marigold Farlight	Warlock (patron: Great Old One)	Waterdhavian Noble	Human

[AlphaZ]

I do love high-level D&D play, but with all these quality folks interested? I should probably defer.
Looks fun though! Hope you all enjoy it.

[DraconigenaArma]

Name: Finnian Willowbrook
Class: Rogue/Bard
Race: Human (Variant)

 

Finn’s most immediate physical attribute is his presence, as his abilities have gone to his head and he has a confidence which borders on arrogance. In his every mannerism he exudes a sense of superiority, not in an aristocratic or even condescending sense, but more simply an earned aura of competence. To the point where if he is wrong about something, he can barely comprehend, and just assumes he hasn’t found the missing detail which proves him right. A fitting specimen of an athletic and healthy chondathan man, he is on the tall side of average height with fair skin and brown hair. A few features, namely his light gray eyes, the way he flushes red and burns instead of tans, and a pronounced angularity to this face all give clues to possible damaran heritage. His mail shirt, often worn under adventuring clothes, is made of rings a dark, anodized purple. Other elements of attire typically speak to someone who favors practicality over comfort, and hard wearing materials over sumptuous fabrics even if it is also clear he could afford more luxury if he wanted to. He dresses for the road, with knee high boots to protect his skin tight hosen, cloaks of wool for warmth over fashion, and a color palette of greens, grays, and browns. His hair is cut short and he wears a hood when it’s cold, but rarely a hat. He also goes armed, both with a short bow and a crosshilted sword with a long tapered blade. The disc pommel is decorated with enameled inlay of the insignia he wore as First Blade in honor of his retirement.

Background: Solider
Personality Trait: I face problems head-on. A simple, direct solution is the best path to success.
Ideal: Independence. When people follow orders blindly, they embrace as kind of tyranny. (Chaotic)
Bond: Someone saved my life on the battlefield. To this day, I will never leave a friend behind.
Flaw: I’d rather eat my armor than admit when I’m wrong.

 

Finnian rarely uses his last name anymore, since it was a construct for convenience and because one needs a last name among the Purple Dragons. Abandoned as a child, scarcely one year old, he was found crying under a willow tree along a small stream near the edge of Hullack forest. The merchant caravan heard him crying and snatched him up before he attracted the attention of something that would kill and eat him. But, for all this group’s altruism, they weren’t about to raise a random forest child and dropped the babe off at the garrison in Arabel.

While the garrison was not necessarily any more suited to the task of raising random kids, the child technically belonged to the crown now. Between soldiers' wives, the townsfolk, and servants, Finn was raised by the community. He enjoyed a unique blend of military guidance as well as a long leash in regards to any one individual caregiver, and grew up self-reliant and independent. Once he was of age to begin working for his keep, though he drilled and trained as was his duty, he had developed too much wildness to make a good rank-and-file soldier. Still a fierce and willing fighter, and as loyal to the garrison as anyone, as they were his literal family, instead his free roaming tendencies were put to greater good as a light scout.

For most of his life Finnian expected to stay in the Purple Dragons for his whole life. He often rankled at the formality, especially back in garrison when newer officers rotated through and initially took his lack of regimented attitude as a lack of discipline (until they quickly learned it was latitude well earned.) And even though he was always somewhat curious what lay beyond Cormyr in the world, outside of what he had already seen ranging for the crown, in his youth it never motivated him. There was too much to focus on and learn about his trade and in service to the crown to be distracted by whimsy. He had a mild interest in learning about the world, and seeing it himself, but nothing approaching wanderlust. It was the musing of someone who stares at the stars but would never consider trying to get to them. Otherwise he was content with his role in life, and expected to maybe make the messengers someday. Until he was assigned to the personal protection detail of a unique War Wizard. He treated Finn like a person, not as a solider and even indulged in answering any question Finnian threw at him, the number of which only increased the more that Finn realized he could genuinely get away with asking them. It was from him that Finn learned a smattering of magic and spells, deeper academic knowledge, and a true sense of how valuable Finn could be if he avoided complacency.

This was the beginning of the end for Finn’s relationship with the military. He grew increasingly frustrated with not being able to choose his own way, despite having some of the greatest autonomy by virtue of his position as a scout. Though there was some disagreement on how much of his youth counted as service, on his thirtieth birthday he officially retired, eager to travel the world and discover its secrets. Since then and on his travels Finnian has developed a fast reputation as a man who can get it done regardless of the task or the risk.

A note on his overarching goal: I have specifically put him on a new path in his story, fresh and new on the adventuring lifestyle by perhaps a year or two. You asked for excitement, and while I am certainly excited to play, I also thought it fitting to build excitement into the character as well, a renewed sense of vigor and eagerness to do new and interesting things. Not to dodge an overarching goal, but he’s rediscovering himself. However, he has never forgotten that he was an orphan, even if he has long since gotten over being bothered by it. What he is discovering the more he spends time with the wider world, is how pervasive situations like his are. He has begun saving money and other resources with the express purpose of founding an orphanage when he feels he is too old to adventure.

 

In lieu of a completed character sheet, here’s my ideas instead. To start with, I am in no way a competent power-gamer in 5e. I don’t dislike it as much as I used to, and wouldn’t say I play it out of necessity, but if I’m going to do 5e over Pathfinder I am much more comfortable in games where I both know the DM, and that the DM is also feeling out the system. So I appreciate that.

It has been a while since I’ve tried to focus on the skills side of a character, instead of skills being a means to support other parts of the build like magic or combat. Likewise, I’ve never really tried to focus on a skills based build in the proficiency system as opposed to skill points. So skill monkey is the focus here, get a lot of them, get expertise in a bunch of them, be good even at the ones I don’t have. Hence the mix of rogue and bard, though I’d have to actually sit down and dig a bit deeper to be better to know which would be more heavily weighted. Probably rogue, with the bard levels being a way to pick up a couple expertise skills and college or lore skills. Pick up some utility and buff spells since they won’t be particularly competitive, and otherwise be a rogue. Leaning toward woodland and dungeon delving scout, less the pick pocket thief. Sword and bow over a brace of daggers.

[DraconigenaArma]

P.S. I have more time on my hands than expected today so I've been poking around on stats, but it's slow because as I said, I'm effectively looking everything up the whole way. I'm not sure I understand items though. We get a free rare and three free uncommons, 'kay, but what is there to spend that 5,000 + 250*dice gold on? At a 100gp per there's almost not enough applicable common items, at least on the list I found online. I haven't quite made it though special materials and such but "quality" items don't seem to be the 5e version of masterwork.

P.P.S. seems chain shirts aren't light armor anymore, so I'll have to update the description when I wrap up equipment.

[Hiruma Kohaku]

Spending the large amount of gold:
-for high level magic, material components can get expensive like 1k-5k for one expendable component
-Adamantine weapons add 500 gold to the base cost but crit when striking objects and constructs for knocking down doors
-load up on a bunch of healing potions at 50 gold each
-magic users can load up on cantrip and 1st level spell scrolls for things like Hunter’s Mark and Hex that you would use once every fight but don’t want to expend a spell slot for which is really handy for warlocks and their limited spell slots
-my character is not a spellcaster so he is going to be covered in 1st level spells Spellwrought tattoos since they don’t require attunement, they are expended and go away after they are used, but it will take time to go through them all

[Ghost6442]

or do what I did and buy 10 of every nonmagical item in the game.

[DraconigenaArma]

Originally Posted by Hiruma Kohaku

Spending the large amount of gold:
-for high level magic, material components can get expensive like 1k-5k for one expendable component
-Adamantine weapons add 500 gold to the base cost but crit when striking objects and constructs for knocking down doors
-load up on a bunch of healing potions at 50 gold each
-magic users can load up on cantrip and 1st level spell scrolls for things like Hunter’s Mark and Hex that you would use once every fight but don’t want to expend a spell slot for which is really handy for warlocks and their limited spell slots
-my character is not a spellcaster so he is going to be covered in 1st level spells Spellwrought tattoos since they don’t require attunement, they are expended and go away after they are used, but it will take time to go through them all

Thanks for the ideas.

Originally Posted by Ghost6442

or do what I did and buy 10 of every nonmagical item in the game.

Sounds heavy.