[D&D-5e] [Eberron] Fallen

[LastBardStanding]

Cervantes Rhaksha

Race: Human (Variant)

Alignment: True Neutral (If you're good at something, never do it for free)

Class: Rogue

Appearance: In the shadows of seemingly endless towers on all sides in the underworld Sharn, there is not a lot of natural light for the lowborn, so the pallid, sickly shade of pale skin of Cervantes is not exactly unusual. His pale skin is highlighted by his dark hair that frames his face, his fringe pushed aside to keep his view uncovered. The cold blue of his eyes cut a stark contrast with the warmth of his easy smile and genial body language, and are always on the lookout for the nearest exit. He stands just shy of six feet tall, though he would never admit that, and has a lithe build suited to the life of a cut-purse, dexterous and just strong enough to keep him out of trouble. He dresses casually, understanding that he operates best when he is unnoticed. His heavy worker boots are scuffed and worn, having been repaired in a multitude of ways rather than being replaced, and they bear the scars in the thick leather. Shorts are his favourite form of pants, simple, black, with multiple pockets on each side to carry all of his equipment, and rolled up at the knee in a fashion he enjoys. If he wears a shirt at all, its a simple t-shirt or tank top with whatever interesting design he decides is most entertaining.

Background: Cervantes was barely a child during the war, his mother, a refugee from Metrol, what is now some of the most hazardous of lands in the Mourning-lands. She never spoke of his father, and given their status as the lowest of classes in Sharn, he had more troubling concerns than history. Survival. His mother died while he was still young, and he was left scavenging and lying to get by on the meagre scrapings he could find. This gave him keen instincts for the streets, a quick wit, and quicker feet. He never stopped dreaming of reaching the highest towers of Sharn, after spending so long in the shadows of these towers, all he wants is to cast his own upon the city.

Thievery was often the only course of action he could depend on to survive, but after years of brutal beatings, threats and narrow escapes, he had developed the fine motor skills to call himself a pick-pocket, and the days without food slowly became fewer and further between. Eventually his sleight of hand became more than just a tool for survival, it allowed him to thrive. Of course, this petty theft was not wanton and unscrupulous, he contained himself within certain parameters regarding who he would steal from. He would not raise a hand against the poor, they were his people, and more often than not, he would even steal a surplus just to spread throughout the people who he recognized on the streets. The second group was the distraught, not because it was in poor taste, but because it was unsportsmanlike to steal from someone who was otherwise preoccupied. The last group was an interesting one, as these people often made great targets due to the resources they carried with them, but because those resources were often used to aid many of the most downtrodden in Sharn. Sometimes it was the rich, others the religious, and rarely people who just wanted to help due to altruism. If they were there to help, no matter the reason, Cervantes did not harm them.

Eventually thievery did not satisfy him anymore, and he began to source information from all over the city. Whatever the information was, he could find a price. Blackmail, addresses, names, relationships. The information did not matter, if he had it, there was someone, somewhere in the city that needed it. Through these same sources of information, he spread the word that a new broker was in town, a man who could find an answer to any question. It was a costly affair to be sure, but knowing the streets and its people as well as he did meant that he was always a gold coin or two away from getting what he needed. The Duke of Shadows was a patient man.

The Player (Optional): I've DM'd a couple games in Eberron, I like the faction system with the dragonmarked houses, and I especially love the warforged introduction to 5e (Though noticeably I didn't make one for an urban setting sadly). I've done TTRPG and PbP RP for over a decade, while it was still kind of punk rock to do so, I love me some gritty underworld RP, and Sharn is the place for it.

[Complete]

[Dikata]

Soooo.... How does the DM feel about kobolds in the setting? I can always rock with another race, but I have a particular fondness for the kobold folk.

[Ermine]

Okay, so made her variant human (with the Lucky feat), and changed it so the voices in her head are from the trauma of dying. Either way, lets you influence her actions (or I can control all the voices, up to you).

[mad_gondsman]

Originally Posted by Dikata

Soooo.... How does the DM feel about kobolds in the setting? I can always rock with another race, but I have a particular fondness for the kobold folk.

I'm open to it! They're definitely somewhere in Sharn. Yark! Yark!

[Alatere]

Originally Posted by Dikata

Soooo.... How does the DM feel about kobolds in the setting? I can always rock with another race, but I have a particular fondness for the kobold folk.

I support this kobolds are great!

[Nasrith]

Memlan Name: Memlan Race: Longtooth Shifter Alignment: Chill Chaotic Neutral Class: I can also roll with fighter if the party needs itRogue Background: Entertainer (Athlete) Appearance: Memlan has close-cropped black hair, a heavy brow, and yellow eyes with a slight, feline slant. His broad, flat, large-nostrilled nose is perpetually damp. At the center of his face is a severe mouth and lips that, when parted, display a set of sharp, catlike fangs. Round, flicking ears, high cheekbones, and a rounded chin frame his olive-skinned visage. Mem is a physical specimen. He has an athlete's thick shoulders and narrow waist and moves with loping grace. His wardrobe is bland; loose, comfortable clothing of brown and grey meant for ease of movement. The shifter forgoes shoes altogether because, when he shifts, his hands and feet morph into large paws with retractable claws. His back, neck, chest, and arms also grow short, black fur. Background: Memlan's parents were immigrants from the Eldeen Reaches, though he was born and raised in Lower Northedge. While his parents worked to make ends meet in the City of Towers, Memlan and his younger siblings grew up roaming the streets, scaling the vertically inclined city, and playing Street Hrazhak. A lot of Street Hrazhak. Age and experience eventually separated the wheat from the chaff, and Memlan was very much the former. Regularly one of the first picks for the carousing, careening sport, the feline shifter made a name for himself in Northedge as a brutal, agile Hrazhak runner. Any spare moment he had, he spent studying the game or playing it. When he was old enough to work, he joined the Tavick's Landing Watch. The final campaigns of the Last War were ending by this point, so even in Sharn's most martial district Memlan saw minimal action. Foreign agents were a rarity, and refugees many. He would end his days on Watch wandering towards the Cornerstone and through the stands of the Stone Trees, imagining himself running with the wooden idol beneath a cheering crowd. Two years after the Last War, he stopped just imagining. An old acquaintance from his youth spotted him roaming the empty stands and called him down. The Dura Dragons needed another player for their practice squad after a season-ending injury that not even the on-staff druid could heal. One practice became two, and after a month, Memlan signed a contract to play the sport of his dreams. He left his post in the Tavick Landing Watch the next day. Unfortunately, being a reserve player on the worst Hrazhak team in the league did not pay a living wage. His new training schedule left little room for returning to the Watch, not that they would have taken him back anyway. Instead, he turned to more flexible work. In a word, Adventuring. Me: Oh man, about me? I've been on the site for freaking ages at this point. I'm back from a short break (my last post was August, but it feels like it's been years). This is my first foray into Ebberon. That being said, I'm digging the mix of magic and technology. It aligns with some of the for fun reading I'm doing right now, so the juices are definitely flowing. I'll be honest - if I'm chosen for the game, it'll take me a little bit to shake off the rust. I'm looking forward to putting pen to paper (fingers to keyboard?) again in the name of creativity.

[Azure Nokori]

Posting interest.
Need to read up on Eberron to make sure my BS fits. (Huh, BS works for backstory as well as the bulls***. Same same, no?)

I don't know if this has been asked already, or obvious to the setting, but how long ago did the Last War finish?

[Dikata]

Application [Name] Snik Snak [Race] Irsvern Kobold [Alignment] True Neutral [Class] Drgagonblood Sorcerer [Appearance] While the majority of kobolds have dusty brown, copper, and rust-colored scales, short pointed horns, and dress with shiny trinkets and jewelry, not all share this appearance. Snik Snak stands at an impressive 3'5" tall. The horns on his head curl forward, following his jawline like those of black dragons. His scales are far from the shining polished things of his kin and are a dull, unreflective black color. Most unusual of all for the common kobolds, he has a set of limp black wings on his back. They could easily be mistaken for a black mantle when he wraps them forward around his shoulders, which he often does. Some of the irsvern have actually functional wings, but the majority of them have the vestigial wings that serve no real purpose like Snik Snak's. The tall kobold dresses himself in a plain black tunic, a plain brown belt holding it fast in the middle of his form. [Background] The kobolds of Khorvaire trace their history to the dawn of Eberron. According to the ancient legend, kobolds were formed from the drops of blood shed in the battle between Eberron, Siberys, and Khyber. A new generation of dragons descended from Siberys, Khyber brought forth fiends and horrors, and Eberron gave birth to the creatures of nature - but the kobolds were already there, spawned from the first battle. True or not, this myth is the driving force behind kobod psychology and culture. Two subraces of kobold exist in Khorvaire; the Iredar (Draconic for "ones of the earth"), who trace their ancestry to Eberron, and the Irvhir (Draconic for "ones below"), who descend from Khyber. These two subraces share a common appearance, but each has a distinctive body odor that kobolds can instantly detect. Beyond scent, the key distinction between the kobold subraces is based on their approach to magic. Irvhir sorcerers typically use spells tied to corruption and darkness, while Iredar sorcerers usually have powers of defense and binding. This is not an absolute rule, however an Iredar kobold who makes use of spells such as fear or darkness might be viewed with suspicion by her companions, who see these as the powers of the Dragon Below. Stories are told by the two main subraces of a third subrace of kobolds: the Irsvern (Draconic for "ones above"), children of Siberys. According to legend, these kobolds have wings and live in hidden communities on the peaks of the tallest mountains. This is where Snik Snak once called his High Mountain Home. Snik Snak left the High Mountain Home as he began to near old age. It wasn't a choice taken lightly, but an unusual one nonetheless. He had sired many litters of wyrmlings and had started to become restless. Though his clan was well isolated, he developed a need to see the rest of the world; it wasn't enough to enjoy the simple pleasures of the earth and watch his clan-mates rise and fall in life. He needed more. To this end, Snik Snak descended from the High Mountain Home, searching for whatever it was that he was seeking from the outside world. It would take him months to develop his skills such that he found use for himself as an adventurer. It took him even longer to find a guild where he was not immediately shunned due to his unusual appearance. In the end, he wound up in the Death'sgate Guild. While it wasn't always comfortable living, it was new and exciting living. This was what he was after. Within the guild, if he is known to someone, Snik Snak is known as a creature of his word. He will never go back on his word, or allow himself to be released from an obligation once he has agreed to it. He is a creature who listens twice and speaks once and never uses two words if one will suffice. Though he uses his words sparingly, he has never been accused of being unkind or inconsiderate. Those who have travelled with Snik Snak on adventures before know that he has a very dry sense of humor, and will occasionally slide a one-liner into conversation that comes out of nowhere to devastatingly silly effect. Those that are not familiar with him may see him as cold or unusually quiet, mostly because of his appearance. [The Player] What do you like most about Eberron? I honestly don't know much about the setting in detail, but I like the idea of a less religious and more political intrigue within the story. This would be my first game in the setting and I look forward to seeing what it holds. What's your favorite DnD monster? I'm a big fan of the displacer beast. Because it's a kitty that you explicitly shouldn't touch, and yet.... I wanna touch it! Was punk rock really just a scam to sell hair products and leather jackets? Absolutely! But who cares, it's still fun? A little about me: I'm into all sorts of things. I often wind up playing a chaotic/impulsive character because way too often my friend-groups will sit around debating the best course of action instead of actually doing something. I don't think I should have that problem here, but if does, I can always do something impulsive to further the story, though I honestly prefer not to. I like to research things, and nothing has more to offer in the researchable official materials than 3.5e. I obviously can't use those materials in current games because so few people are really interested in that format anymore and the ones that are usually make the game no fun by lawyering all over the place. But I have vast Drive full of source materials that I can use for my research habit. In all honesty, i haven't done enough research on Kobolds in Eberron, but the excerpt I provide as the beginning of my background is really the only reference I've found so far to Kobolds in Eberron. It's from my favorite sourcebook Races of the Dragon. That's also my favorite sourcebook because of the deep-dive into kobold psychology, life, religion, and many other aspects of living the day to day life of a Kobold. If you don't like the idea of a dragonwrought kobold in your campaign, I will edit the character! It's only an aesthetic difference and makes no changes to the race, class, or other factors. I'm sure life is difficult in Khorvaire for any kobold. Lol. I just think the little dragon-lizard folk are just fun. If you wanna chat, hit me up, I love discussion.

[mad_gondsman]

Originally Posted by Azure Nokori

I don't know if this has been asked already, or obvious to the setting, but how long ago did the Last War finish?

We're sticking with the standard Year of the KingdomYK 998, which is two years after the remaining nations signed the Treaty of Thronehold, officially ending the Last War. Most hostilities ceased, however, in 994 after the Mourning completely destroyed Cyre. The devastation was so horrific that all Lookin at you, Valenar.except the most bloodthirsty immediately declared a truce.

[mad_gondsman]

Originally Posted by LastBardStanding

Cervantes Rhaksha...

Sounds suspiciously like Cervantes Rakshasa! Nice try, Dusties!*

*The Lords of Dust are Rhakshasas, hags, etc...fiends who scheme to release the As a hint, when Tiamat is introduced to Eberron, it is often as an Overlord...Overlords who ruled millions of years ago during the Age of Demons. The Overlords' cruel reign was ended when the dragons defeated them, To include the valiant Couatls...many giving the ultimate sacrifice The birth of the Silver Flameto imprison them in the depths of The Eberron analog for the Underdark, but far more dangerous.Khyber.

Another detail of Eberron: There isn't really a distinction between demons or devils in Eberron. Also, they are not always outsiders as many are native to the physical world...

[LastBardStanding]

Originally Posted by mad_gondsman

Sounds suspiciously like Cervantes Rakshasa! Nice try, Dusties!*

Curses, foiled again! I'll get you next time!

I recall vaguely the story of the Lords of Dust, I think I've even used the Rakshasa as narrators when the players wanted a lore dump. I went the Aladdin route, had him disguised as an old man with a lamp.

[Azure Nokori]

App Name: Akaryu-ou Race: Dragonborn Alignment: Chaotic Neutral Class: Fighter Background: It takes a man with a death wish to ride through a war zone...or a hell of a lot of gold. For Akaryu-ou it was the latter. He had no desire to die, but damn did House Orien pay well. He'd carry supplies, magic items, messages. Whatever the frontlines needed. But express service didn't come cheap, and so House Orien capitalised. But the thing about riding through war zones...it changes a person. What was once important, becomes trivial. What was once a distant problem becomes too close to home to do nothing. This time, it was medicine. A plague had broken out in one of the camps and would soon run rampant until the whole battalion was dead. Akaryu-ou, on hand to ride at a moments notice, heard the deal going down. The army had the medicine there and then, ready to go, but the price was exorbitant. They pleaded for discounts...for sympathy...for patriotism...but the war had made the lords of Orien greedy. Sick of his masters, sick of gaining from loss, sick of this bloody war, Akaryu-ou kicked down the door, grabbed the medicine, and fled to the front lines. Theft, disobedience, business loss, Akaryu-ou would never be allowed to work in the guilds again. Appearance: A tall, blood red dragonborn, Akaryu-ou stands imposingly looking down on those who dare to cross him. He'll only lift his sword when need arises, but those looking for mercy from his cold, reptilian eyes would have better luck hugging an owlbear. If one was to find themselves on the wrong end of his longsword, then they most definitely deserve to be there. With no desire to impress, Akaryu-ou dresses plainly. A crimson tabard trimmed with black covers his chainmail. Even out of armour he'd be wearing much the same. If it does the job, it does the job. A intimidating man of the blade he may be, but a smile has been known the crack his maw. Akaryu-ou enjoys the ribbing of his fellow mercenaries. All grown, hard men and women, they can take a joke or two....and kittens, he just F***ing loves kittens. Where is your character from? Khorvaire - Q'barra What were they doing during the Last War? House Orien courier, until.... How did they come to join the Deathsgate Guild of Adventurers? Once you're in a houses bad books, there aren't many places that will accept you with arms as wide as the Deathsgate. The Player: I've been here a while now. Player on RPGX, forever DM in real life. I promise regular posting and quips a plenty. Most recent favourite monster: Walking Wardrobe. It's a wardrobe, that eats people!...and can make 4 attacks! If punk was made just to sell jackets then it deviated a long way from that plan (and for some you may say it went right back to it.)

[Dikata]

Originally Posted by mad_gondsman

I'm open to it! They're definitely somewhere in Sharn. Yark! Yark!

So far in my study, I've only found a small footnote in Races of the Dragon on page 54 that references Kobolds in Eberron, but I included that information in my application. Read through it and let me know what you think.

Edit: Also, I'm not a thousand percent certain about playing a shadow sorcerer. I'm still flip-flopping between sorcerer and warlock. Not sure which warlock subclass I would pick, but I'm also flip-flopping on whether to do a dragonblood sorcerer or stick with the shadow sorcerer theme. @.@;

Additional Edit: Or I could say forget being magi completely and go with Rogue. @.@; Too many choices that are all appealing.

[JustSomeGuy]

Fiendish Warlock... those Surface Kobolds love sticking it to Fiends.

[Dikata]

Originally Posted by JustSomeGuy

Fiendish Warlock... those Surface Kobolds love sticking it to Fiends.

I mean... You're not wrong... >.>