[D&D-2e] In the Mouth of Madness

[Nade]

Looking for 1/2 additional characters

Game Name In the Mouth of Madness

Game System DnD 2e

Theme Psychological Horror

Flavour A dark journey inside a twisted dreamworld to uncover the truth of what lies beyond the waking world

Plot Summary Into the valleys The shadow of death Griefs silently across the darkened sea This is it We stand alone We can see it all from here The starless night across the mountain side No one left to talk to There's nothing left to say You and me We stand alone We can see it all from here Stretched far and wide The barren skies Fighting a silence From deep inside Into the valleys The shadow of death Griefs silently it's in you and me It's in you and me The Realms of Madness "Madness. That's what awaits those who venture into the Nightmare Lands. Do you value your sanity? Then you must avoid that mad place. And you must never sleep again!" As I write this, night has fallen over the land, covering Nova Vaasa in a somber blanket of darkness and stars. I used to love the night, with its quiet and solitude. Now I fear its approach, fervently hoping that the day will never end. The irony is that the night is only a symptom. The real disease accompanies sleep, that embrace that is so much like death, sneaking in as slumber claims the weary of the world. I am Dr. Gregorian Illhausen, chief physician of the Clinic for the Mentally Distressed in Egertus, Nova Vaasa. For those who walk the ever-widening shores of madness (and Nova Vaasa has more than its share of such individuals), my clinic is often the last bastion of hope and sanity. Over the years I have made a specific study of dreams, for the majority of my patients suffer from one malady or another that seems tied not to the problems of the waking world, but to the fevered images of troubled sleep. That brings me to the subject of this journal, and the reason that the night terrifies me so. Through my own studies and the experiences of my patients, I have come to believe that there is another reality beyond the veil of sleep. In most cases it is a serene reality, one that we visit each and every night without ill effect. There are things that dwell in this reality, however, dark things that corrupt dreams and thrive in nightmares. If you want to know more then keep on reading. But keep the lights on, and try not to fall asleep.... The Nightmare Lands Once there was a stretch of lifeless badlands that separated Nova Vaasa from the enshrouding mists at the edge of the known worlds. These badlands were swallowed by the mists and lost from the surface memories of the people who inhabit the realm known as the Demiplane of Dread. This place still exists. It is called the Nightmare Lands, and only the barest handful of people who have ventured into its dark depths have returned to tell the tale, and of those, the vast majority of them have lost their minds and are nothing now but broken husks inhabiting an empty shell of a body. But some still exist who have a tale to tell. If a land could be called "alive", then it is the Nightmare Lands. It was not just alive though. It was truly mad. The terrain twisted and changed from moment to moment, but never while the poor few stranded in this domain of madness watched. These changes happened at the limits of their vision, sculpting the lands into weirder and weirder vistas that seemed only possible within the delusions of a troubled mind. The truth behind it was even more horrific. The Nightmare Lands were not confined in these hidden badlands. They were loose inside the dementia and nightmares that tormented the mentally insane and thousands of others like them in all corners of the world. In the Mouth of Madness Beware the night, for sleep provides a path into the realm known as Ravenloft, the Demiplane of Dread. In this place, darkness offers not blissful slumber, but ultimate terror. You enter this realm at the bidding of the night, drawn from your dreaming bodies and captured by an enigmatic figure known only as the Nightmare Man. Trapped in this region of psychological fear, you will face your worst nightmares in strange, surrealistic terrain. Even if you escape the treacherous clutches of dark slumber, you will only be safe until the next time sleep overtakes you.... About the Adventure In the Mouth of Madness is an AD&D 2nd Edition adventure set in the Demiplane of Dread, Ravenloft. Please see background wiki for the setting here to familiarise yourself with the world and its concepts. Note, I will be changing a few details here and there to keep you on your toes so don't think you will be getting any spoiler specific info by reading this. Wiki You will start the game as friends and companions of each other. I do not require you to tie in your backgrounds with everyone else who applies, instead once the accepted applicants are taken forwards, then there will be a reconciliation exercise carried out to create links between each of you and these will be added to your character's backgrounds. That said, I do not mind if you want to tie in backgrounds with other, or apply with joint applications, though if you do please note that I might not necessarily take all joint applications on. As part of your application I will need the following details: Name: Alignment: Appearance: Personality: Background: RP Sample: This is key as I will judge my applications on the quality and strength of your role play. I am a role player and storyteller first and foremost rather than a rules or combat based GM, so please keep that in mind when submitting your applications. I am looking for 4-6 players, and the applications will close as soon as I have enough suitable candidates to start. Good luck and please do not hesitate to come to me with any questions. Starting level will be Level 2. Character creation details will be discussed upon acceptance to the game. About Me Hi all, I'm Nade, and I will be your host throughout this tale of madness and woe. I wanted to give all of you some idea of what to expect from me as a GM. First and foremost I should state that I'm all about the story first and foremost. For me, the story will always take precedence over the rules so you may find me sometimes playing a little bit loose in terms of how I interpret the rules and what I'm willing to let pass in favour of a good story. I'm not saying that I just ignore the rules, I'm saying that you might find my interpretation of the 2nd Edition ruleset fairly light and relaxed compared to what you might be used to. I have been known on occasion to bring along a GMPC for games so please let me know in advance if this will cause any issues.

[Nade]

Nobody biting ?

[swapna]

I think your adventure sounds very cool (I'm a sucker for narrative games), but I'm having difficulties with D&D 2e. I've never played it (except in computer games... I think Planescape: Torment used AD&D2) and I won't be able to pick up the rulebooks.

Could you be talked into running it in 5th ed? (It may be what you were looking for anyway, since you actually prefer rules-light games) Or FATE Core/Accelerated?

[Xasthur]

You had me at "I'm all about the story first and foremost".

I have an idea for a character, but I'll PM you to see if it works with your game. I am trying to stretch my roleplaying and develop characters that are out of my normal comfort zone.

Now, a question for you...How are you handling stat rolls? I don't expect to get a character with 18's all the way down, but I also don't want to end up with 8's all the way down.

[Eachan Delras]

I am interested, but I know nothing of ravenloft presently. Would you be willing to take new to the setting people?

[Nade]

I've always enjoyed the 2nd edition rules and settings, so although I do have 5th edition, I'm not totally comfortable enough with the rules to attempt a GM game yet, so maybe in the future you never know .

For stats, it will be 4d6 drop lowest, but if you have a class in mind I'll allow you to boost your stats to meet the class minimums.

For newbies to the setting, yes, please do apply, I'd love to have you on board .

And to tackle another oft repeated question for 2nd Ed before it comes up, yes I will be using the racial level restrictions rules, but the campaign isn't intended to go high enough level for them to be an issue

[PinkFairyArmadilo]

Originally Posted by Nade

Nobody biting ?

I'd bite you, Nade!

But, as you know, I'm not going to have time to take on more games for... 18 or so more years?

Either way, apply for this game, people. Nade is an awesome poster. You're going to have fun.

[Nade]

Aye, good luck for the next 18 years .

And thank you for the recommendation, it means a lot to me

[Eachan Delras]

Application Tobias Alkaev Alignment: Neutral Good Gender: Male | Age: 21 Appearance: Tobias is a tall and thin young man, with long arms and legs to match, giving him an almost gangly look to him. He is also mark by his uncommonly thin face and high cheekbones; in addition to an unknown accent that occasionally flares up, he is marked by many as an outlander. Along with this, Tobias's bright blue eyes gives him a uncommonly innocent look to him, and his rural mannerisms reinforce a false idea of naiveté. He wears common clothes, along with leather armor common with both ranchers and bounty hunters of the Heartland Duchy. His often present short bow, hunting knife, and hatchet also mark both of his professional backgrounds. Background: Much is unknown of Tobias childhood. When he was about four or five, a troupe of Vistani discovered the boy wandering alone in the Mists. At first, they thought him either a fiend or a miracle child, but later found nothing at all special save for his foreign looks and accent, and mistwiped memories. As such, it was decided that he would serve the Vistani not mystically, but financial, and place him amongst their stock for their infamous child auctions. Eventually, he was “adopted” by a Nova Vaasan rancher, name Alexei Alkaev, living within the Heartland Duchy. Alkaev was looking for more workhands, and found Vistani selling Tobias at a fair price. After Tobias started his work, his foster-father discovered the lad’s strange gift for working with animals, almost as if he could understand them. Alexei also found the boy gaining in compassion for his new caretaker, and himself began to return it. The boy slowly grew up into an excellent rancher, gaining also skill of a keen archer as well. However, when Tobias became a young man, bandits had moved in to Briarweed Forest, and begun their raiding. His foster-father was one of their many victims, leading Tobias to join a local militia and hunt down the criminals that had murder Alexei. He did gain justice for his foster-father, but in the end he also lost the home they shared and the ranch they tended. After that point, he became solely a hunter, targeting both beasts and occasionally men. Nowadays, Tobias frequently traverses the Briarweed in search of his prey, be it wolf, plains cat, or bandit. Every once and while, he does venture into Egertus, to sell the pelts he captured, and trade for arrowheads and supplies. He is also known to frequent the Sailor’s Hearth, attempting to both forget his recent past and recall his lost past. Personality: While in the presence of strangers Tobias seem quiet and usually professional; he is rambunctious and a little brash when he joins with what few friends. He has a queer fondness for mild Vistani jokes; and on occasion he will speak of their ways he knows in both absurdity and an odd fondness. In truth, Tobias remembers his time in their captivity, while unfortunate, as an interesting experience. As mentioned before, Tobias does have trouble making friends. The loss of his foster-father hit him hard, and he has trouble letting himself attach to anyone. Along with this, his time with the Vistani taught him one very important thing, not to trust the people of this world. And though his friends are few, what friends Tobias does have are more important to him than he knows. RP Sample “Kenya!” Tobias cried out, as he rode along. On the back of his Vaamgaaer mare, Katya, he scanned the horizon for signs of his mount’s lost child. “Damn it, Kenya,” Tobias said to himself. “Why did you have to escape today?” The young man knew all too well of the dangers of the Dommark; namely hungry plains cats, eager for colt flesh. On top of this, his foster-father, Alexei, was due back for Egertus today. A few days back, the old man had left for the coastal town, to sell both stock and pick up vital supplies for the ranch. And he specifically said Tobias was in charge and responsible of the ranch. Tobias just knew, if foster-father got back and found their prized Vaamgaaer colt missing, Tobias would never hear the end of it. With a jolt, he quickened Katya’s pace, and thanked the heavens that the colt’s tracks were headed to the road. Once he got to the road, he called the colt again, however this time he was blessed with the small whine of the lost baby horse. Running out from behind a pair of boulder, Kenya whined and kicked happily at the sight of his mother, and Tobias sighed in relief. “Kenya, where have you been?” Tobias scolded the colt, as he hopped down from Katya’s back. Quick but gently, he tied a rope around the colt’s next, and secured him to his mother. “Why you go and scare me like that? Hmm? Why did you run off?” Tobias rhetorically ask the young horse. A change in the wind, answered his question. Both of the horses whined and panicked, nervous at the new smell in the air. Tobias acted quickly to calm down the mother and child, because he knew the smell in the air quite well. Horse blood. Remounting Katya, and drawing his bow, he head into the wind. Eventually, Tobias found an overturned cart and a dead horse, presently being scavenged by a scrawny plains cat. The cat hissed at him, and he answered with an arrow, frightening the cat back into the plains. Brought his horses as close to the cart as they could stand, till Katya was unwilling to bring her colt any closer. Tobias then tied them off to a dead, but strong tree, and approached the wreckage to investigate. He quickly noted, it was strangely devoid of anything like supplies or goods. “What the hell happened here?” the young man muttered. He then looked at the horse and instantly recognized. “Ivan?” Despite the now savaged remains of the poor creature, Tobias knew it was their ranch’s carthorse. “Oh, poor Ivan, what did they do to you?” Tobias knelt down beside horse, examine what was left of his old friend. A few holes marked the horse, Tobias was certain they were from arrows. Bandits had entered the region, no doubt their handy work. Suddenly a thought came to Tobias, his foster-father had took Ivan and the cart with him to Egertus. Tobias leaped to his feet, and cried out, “Father!” heedless of any danger, and began to run about, finding no sign of the old man. A several yards away, Tobias found him in a ditch, shock and horror fell over Tobias’s face. Alexei Alkaev was lying face up, throat cut and gutted, dead. Tobias walked over to the corpse, nearly falling down as he went and grabbed his foster-father’s bloodstained body, and weeped at the loss of the old man. “Not again,” was the only thing Tobias said as he quietly promised both Alexei and himself justice.

[Huhart]

Name: Rafe Wildling

Alignment: True Neutral

Appearance: He has a savage look; unkempt beard, unwashed dark hair, dark feral eyes. Rafe only wears leather or hide and carries a stout cudgel of oak for a weapon. Around his neck is a necklace of woven mistletoe and holly. A sneer on his face is his most common expression.

Personality: Rafe prefers the company of animals to that of humanoids. In the presence of people, he seems shy, standoffish or downright rude. Living alone in the wilds for many years had given him a grim demeanor. He has a single-minded approach to solving a problem, not allowing himself to be sidetracked or interrupted. Humor is either not understood or unappreciated by him. His manner of speaking is somewhat rudimentary. Occasionally, he howls at the moon.



Background: An elven maiden walked into the dryad’s grove, carrying a small bundle. She laid the package before the sacred oak, kissed the trunk and said, “Protect him.” Then, she was gone. The dryad came out of her hiding spot and opened the bundle to find a baby, no more than a few days old. Her first instinct was to kill the thing, obviously some half breed mongrel. But, the elf’s kiss must have been laced with magic, so she took pity on it. Having no way to feed the babe, the dryad contacted a she-wolf she knew. The wolf had lost her pups to a mountain lion and had barely survived the encounter herself. It was happy to nurse the half-elf child and act as its adopted mother. Between dryad and wolf, they managed to raise the child. They named him “Rafe” which means “Young Wolf” in the ancient tongue.

The she-wolf taught him to hunt, track and many other things. When Rafe was six, his wolf mother died of old age. He was sad and lonely after that. The dryad was not much of a companion, as it was content to sit amongst the branches of her tree and watch the leaves grow. Rafe took to wandering thought the forest, though he would always return to the sacred grove that he considered home. As he approached manhood, the dryad warned him that he should leave her. She was a wild fey creature who could not control her impulses to trap men and keep them as slaves forever. So at the age of twelve, he left the grove, never to return.

Wolf-mother had told him to stay away from humans, elves and the like. Such creatures were nothing but trouble. But Rafe was curious about those like him. He found a cabin secluded in the woods and approached cautiously. There, sitting on a stump, was a man with a long white beard wearing a black cloak and smoking a pipe, apparently waiting for him. "About time you got here, Wildling," said Whitebeard, "Lyzel's been worried about you." Rafe had no idea who Lyzel was, which caused the man to chuckle. ""Lyzel is the name of your druid-mother. Didn't you know that?" Rafe did not know that. He always called the dryad "Ma'am". He didn't know how this Whitebeard knew so much about her, either. Animals occasionally came to the sacred grove, but never a human. Whitebeard laughed again, then spoke a magic word, and changed into a wolf. Amazed, Rafe recognized the wolf as one he'd seen many times before, one they called Old Grey. "Come, Wildling, and I will teach you many things," said Old Grey, in the ancient tongue of wolves. And so Rafe followed...and learned.

Whitebeard taught Rafe about the druids and it was no surprise when he asked to join the order. They traveled north, to the nearest enclave, where he was officially initiated. After some time of training, he was given his first assignment, to look after the forest area which he grew up in. Whitebeard was elevated to oversee Rafe and a few other less experienced druid in the vicinity. He instructed Rafe to head back to the woods and take residence in the cabin were he had found him. The old druid would check on his progress in a few months. So, Rafe returned to his woods alone. But, when he got there, he found that things had changed. Something was wrong. Death was in the air.


RP Sample: With the mile-eating gait of a wolf, Rafe raced through the forest. All around, he saw signs of devastation. Trees were cut down. Plants were trampled into the dirt. There was a smell of death and decay. The druid saw these things, but they did not register. His minds was consumed with one thing...the sacred grove where he grew up. Was it safe? Was the dryad able to hold back who or what had caused the decimation of the forest?

But, as he approached, he saw his worst fears realized. The great oak was gone, uprooted and cut to pieces. The sacred grove was destroyed. "Ma'am?" he called out, hoping beyond hope that she had somehow survived. There was no answer. He moved in closer, afraid of what he might find.

Then, Rafe saw the lump on the ground. Her body lay there, broken, ravaged and mutilated. Rafe let out a howl of savage fury, a call to all wolves to come to his aid. There was no response. For the first time, he allowed himself to look and listen to his surroundings. He heard nothing alive, no birds or squirrels or even insects. There was nothing here but death.

[swapna]

Ah, to hell with it. This is one of the coolest games around here, I love the concept, the world, the idea, so, screw the 2ed rules. I'll obtain them somehow.

First Draft:

Name: Yara Isad

Alignment: Neutral Good (I think. May change to True Neutral, depending on the class)

Appearance: She looks young, maybe early twenties; her looks betray her wealthy background. She's well-nourished - not big, but curvy, her hands are soft and callous-free. Her curly, dark brown hair would reach her waist if she didn't pin it up to a beautiful, but practical hairstyle. Usually, she wears sea green tunics made of expensive fabric that complement her olive skin well. Other than that, she wears at least one pair of earrings (usually more), a fine necklace and a beautiful assortment of bracelets and rings that jingle with every move she makes. Even the belt that keeps her tunic around her waist is decorated with small metal discs.
Personality: There's always a smile on her face, a friendly word and a compliment on her lips. She doesn't discriminate - since she's from Darkon, she's very much used to dwarves, elves and magic-users. This doesn't mean she's naive or worldly innocent - she is very slow to trust, drives a hard bargain if she wants to buy/sell something and has a long memory.

Background: She was born in Darkon, the domain of Azalin Rex. Her family is one of the lesser nobles, but lost the majority of their wealth decades ago. Her parents had to work for a living, trading goods from their lands and between cities. She remembers a loving and supportive home, and while her parents didn't spoil her, they always made sure she had the best opportunities they could give her. Both passed years ago while Yara was out, travelling, and the lands her family owned was claimed by the next male heir - her uncle, who made clear she wasn't welcome any more.
Never one to be tied down to once place, the last city she settled in was Martira Bay - even though the place isn't the best to live, the craftsmen need traders, especially those who don't mind trading with demon-like creatures. She could live comfortably off what she made.

RP Sample: The Sea of Sorrow lived up to her name - she was never calm, either a storm was brewing or it was already under way. The houses in Martira Bay always seemed to cower from the angry weather and the misty darkness that would soon follow.
Yara looked up at the sky - you could almost never see the stars, and she missed them dearly; pulling her coat closer, she walked against the rain, towards the place she spent most of her nights. And today, after a particularly gruelling negotiation, she needed the beer, the loud music, the noise, the carefree atmosphere that was so different from the depressing cold outside.

The first hours of the day are always the most beautiful, the dawn that chases the darkness and dreams away. As she walked out of the bar, enough drink in her to make her philosophic, she was happy, enjoying the silence and the twilight of a world not yet awake. This is how it always was. This is how it should be.

[Nade]

I wouldn't get too caught up over the ruleset, this will be light-touch rules, I'm all about the story

[Eachan Delras]

More like actual guidelines, Nade?

Finished with my app, hope you like.

[Nade]

Originally Posted by Eachan Delras

More like actual guidelines, Nade?

Precisely

[Eachan Delras]

Out of curiosity. How accurate are these?