[D&D-5e] Yeohven: Fall from Grace

[Lentil Sponge]

Expressing interest. Got a couple of character concepts that I'm eager to try out and I'm still deciding on what I'm going for (can briefly pitch you my ideas before making an app if you're hungry for info), though I have a couple of questions.

1) I'm admittedly more familiar with Pathfinder than I am with 5E, so are you noob-friendly?

2) One of the ideas I'm toying with is a princess rogue who got booted out of her home by her family due to not being the best model of royalty. Are there any places that you would want my character to be from that fit the mold of a snooty, elitist society, or would I be free to pick a spot on the map or a different continent all together and sort of make a place to fit the backstory?

3) Another idea I had is a character who is either cursed or the vessel for a forgotten mad god. Are there any homebrew gods that fit the bill, or should I make one up, or take one from one of the source books?

[MontageManiac]

1) noob friendly, yes. Fear not!

2) pretty cool concept. There are options, depends on your race, and more likely to be a minor noble rather than full on princess. There’s lots of dutchies, baronies, etc.

3) interesting. I’ve been using the forgotten realms pantheon, so feel free to pull from that. If there’s a deity or demon you’re interested in specifically, let me know as there is a fair bit at play in the background which hasn’t been uncovered, yet, but might be good to know so you don’t unwittingly commit to something you don’t want.

[MeredithS]

Heya Montage, I believe my rough draft is finished. Please let me know if something doesn't fit right, or I am totally off base in something? Thank you !

[Lentil Sponge]

Well, what I've done is given a sort of brief sum up of my two concepts below, and you could tell me if there's any particular setting information you think it would be good to look at to flesh it out and help me decide which one I want to go for. Admittedly, I'm sort of split between the two, but if you would rather one over the other then feel free to let me know

 

With this character, I'm wanting to go for a sort of party face/swashbuckler rogue. She was from a noble family but fell in love and eloped with a low-born peasant (for extra monocle popping points, might make her lover another woman to ramp up reasons that her family would not be impressed). Later on, her lover got dragged into slavery and her family arranged a marriage with another noble, resulting in her doing a runner on her own wedding day.

Her general goals would be A) to raise the funds to buy her lover's freedom and B) get away from any pursuers her family or her suitor may have sent after her to hunt her down and drag her back to the altar. In addition, while on the run, she'd sorely miss the trappings of the noble lifestyle and would want those back. I'm leaning towards an elf or half-elf, so for her place of origin it'd be somewhere that would be incredibly posh with incredibly snooty nobles who wouldn't be seen "associating ourselves with those common riff-raff" Anywhere in particular that fits that bill?

 

Another party face, I was going to play a draconic bloodline sorcerer of either the brass, gold or red dragon line. The concept is that she was born in the ruined temple of an old, forgotten dragon deity thing with a birthmark of a dragon stretching across her face, and it was an omen that could either spell great fortune or terrible doom. Later in life, she started manifesting fire magic that she couldn't control, and also started to hear voices in her head, a lot of them contradictory. Someone, either a shaman or a wizard or a priest of this god, taught her to control the fire believing that her burgeoning power could be used for good, but she sees it as a curse and is also struggling with insanity. One day, all of the voices in her head commanded her to go to Abhain Calmir.

Her goal would be to find out what exactly is going on and whether her destiny is a good one or a bad one. She was a character I had in another game that ended before it started, and in that game the deity in question was a chaotic madness deity, and I had let the DM pretty much decide everything as far as what the voices were, what they wanted. When writing them, I had done it so that there was one for each alignment, a good voice, an evil voice, a lawful voice etc. Would you be happy for me to make a god up, and if so is there anything specific you'd like me to throw in as plot hooks for later?

[Robbie Exley]

Application for Robbie Exley - Character: Helen "Daybreaker" Zanesim

Name: Helen Daybreaker
Race: Protector Aasimar
Class: Paladin (Oath of the Ancients if we get that far of course)
Alignment: Neutral Good
Appearance: Silver-grey skin, raven black hair and topaz colored eyes. Her armor is adorned with stylized thorns above the chain-mail construction and wields a shield with the symbol of the moon, a gift from her mentors.

Personality: A advocate of the natural world due to her saviors Helen seeks to balance the natural world with the
forces of civilization, helping those in need and avenging the innocent. Even in her past she never saw herself above anyone regardless of birth and fights equally hard for the highest lord or the poorest beggar should they have need of her skill. However there is a darkness in her soul which continues to dog her, for no matter how many she saves there is one person that she will never get back.

Backstory: A natural warrior and defender of the innocent Helen was once a noblewoman of the powerful Zanesim
family in the northern regions of Faerun but it was not her destiny. Her husband, the shortsighted Lord Galadra cut
a deal with a Coven of necromancers in order to live forever but at the cost of every life in his province. When Helen sniffed out his plan she immediately organised a defense, even taking up a scavenged longsword herself and made their stand against the necromancers armies of undead. She fought wildly, destroying many foes whilst organizing the militia that had gathered themselves around her. However they were outmatched and one by one the defenders fell and as she fell, bloodied and broken but unbowed surrounded by three corrupted wizards the last thing she saw before she fell unconscious was her only son being sacrificed to complete the necromancers foul ritual. She awoke to five knights in green armour, the paladins that would train her in their ways.



What you'd like to get from this game: I would enjoy action and interaction between NPCs and other party members. Other than that I am pretty flexible in my interests.

Thank you for your consideration.

[Robbie Exley]

Definitely interested.

Details to follow. Newb to this site, still trying to figure it all out.

[MontageManiac]

@Lentil: Wow, those are some heavy bites for either character. I think we're rogue-light, so that could be a good fit for you potentially.

Honestly, I'd love to see your best effort in whatever you'd like to play long-term. We can work on anything after fact to fit into the world, but I want to see where you're passionate with your character. Show me that.

[Nasrith]

Originally Posted by Lentil Sponge

With this character, I'm wanting to go for a sort of party face/swashbuckler rogue. She was from a noble family but fell in love and eloped with a low-born peasant (for extra monocle popping points, might make her lover another woman to ramp up reasons that her family would not be impressed). Later on, her lover got dragged into slavery and her family arranged a marriage with another noble, resulting in her doing a runner on her own wedding day.

This sounds disturbingly like someone from my character's backstory. Was this peasant also by any chance a halfling?

Seriously though, Mont is a great DM and Yeohaven has been a blast so far. I'm not in the party that's recruiting at the moment, but wanted to give my two cents anyway.

[Lentil Sponge]

Originally Posted by Nasrith

This sounds disturbingly like someone from my character's backstory. Was this peasant also by any chance a halfling?

Seriously though, Mont is a great DM and Yeohaven has been a blast so far. I'm not in the party that's recruiting at the moment, but wanted to give my two cents anyway.

Of course, that's how I planned it! (note, this is not actually how I planned it and the peasant probably won't be a halfling once I get writing the app)

[Lentil Sponge]

"Izzy" d'Aubigny

Name: Her full title is the long winded "The Right Honourable, Begzhadi Izabeth Kieyedan of House d'Aubigny, Wardens of Southern Cohmbraird", though she would prefer you call her Izzy.
Race: Half-Elf
Class: Rogue
Age: 22
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral

Appearance   Izzy can be a very striking presense when she wants to be. Her elven heritage doesn't carry forward to her frame, standing only at 5' 5", but her long, protruding ears show that she is indeed a half-elf. Her already dark skin has been darkened by years on the border of the desert under the scorching sun, and her physique shows the kind of body required to survive. Her limbs are thick with muscles, her facial features are stern, and her hands are coarse. The harsh conditions have not reduced her beauty, however, with her curvaceous form and a constant, understated confidence in her movements. Usually, Izzy tries to keep a low profile. Her normal clothes are dark colours, with a small neckerchief that can easily be pulled up to be a mask, and a hood to hide herself. She also intentionally cuts her hair very short to make it easier to put on wigs and disguises. However, this is a choice of necessity rather than want. In her kit she has an elaborate, flattering dress, one of the few keepsakes from home, and she relishes the opportunity to put it on and show the world how she wishes she could look all of the time.

Personality She doesn't look much, hiding in the shadows. But Izzy is a woman for whom first impressions are often incorrect. A regular at the many taverns and gambler’s dens of the world, Izzy d'Aubigny rarely tries to be the centre of attention but often finds herself there for multiple reasons. She is blessed with the gift of the gab, with her interpersonal skills and her silver tongue easily one of her greatest assets. She loves to talk, and many like to listen, save for her frankly dreadful sense of humour. She has a penchant for puns, the worse the better, and she delivers them no matter how terrible the eye-rolling. However, she is not boisterous, mostly being quite cool and subdued in her attitude and outlook, despite her many vices. She is rarely nostalgic or pessimistic, living firmly in the present at all times. The noble lifestyle was difficult to give up, however, and Izzy has great difficulty truly giving it up. So she never did. Izzy is a slave to her many vices, trying to live life like a queen on meagre wages. She drinks heavily, parties hard, brawls harder, plays cards, eats fine food, and wouldn't be caught dead sleeping in a common room. It also must be pointed out that she has a certain “appreciation” for the figures of women, and it would be most tasteful to leave it at that. She tries hard not to look down on others but it is her first instinct and one she fights at all times. If there's an upside to this, it's that this love of vice makes her a lot of fun to be around, despite occasional bouts of snootiness. Behind it all, though, there lies a cunning, dangerous mind and a strong, independent spirit. She chafes against rules, and has to be convinced to do something rather than told to do it. Her lifestyle wouldn't suggest it, but she is very sensible and cool under pressure. She takes her time with all of her decisions and plans out every move she makes. By her own admission, she would make a poor leader and an excellent advisor. There is a fear that Izzy does have, though, and it leads to one of her greatest flaws. Ironically, as good as she is at diplomacy, she has trouble forming attachments with anyone for fear that they will hurt her or, worse, she'll hurt them. The greatest love of her life was cruelly ripped away from her, and the trauma and subsequent life on the run has conditioned Izzy in ways even she hasn't noticed. She is very slow to trust anyone, and often assumes the worst of people. Even her greatest of "friends", few and far between, are always kept at an emotional distance, and the only people who can really say they know her are her enemies. And anytime that she starts to become truly happy and feels others getting close to her, she will self-sabotage her relationships, preferring to destroy them herself than let the universe do the job for her. Past pains of others abandoning her, and losing those she cares about, has built up many defense mechanisms, all to protect what is, in reality, a very fragile heart. She has other faults, too, but at least these she recognises. Izzy has to tell herself to do the right thing, rather than have it come naturally to her, and she is also surprisingly selfish. She does have a noble heart and does try to do the right thing, but it is buried under distrust and pain. Izzy is a woman for whom first impressions are often incorrect. All of the partying and the jokes hide just how badly her heart aches.

Background Background Title: Of House d'Aubigny   House d'Aubigny has for generations been on the cusp of greatness, though bad luck has always robbed them of the wealth and prestige they deserve. Izzy was one of those problems. House d'Aubigny's estate was positioned in a small town on the edge of the Crimson Desert, looking out into the long stretches of sand and protecting the rest of Cohmbraird from excursions of bandits and raiders from the south. Izzy's father, Baig Talathel d'Aubigny, had won much prestige for his noble house fighting such raiders, and was famed for his skills with a blade. The Baig wished for nothing more than to rise further amongst the nobles of Cohmbraird, and he seemed to have all of the tools. His wife was a popular figure, with as sharp a tongue as any of his own swords, and his only son Khysrau was clearly an intelligent young boy. Izzy was the problem child. Izabeth Kieyedan was the eldest of three girls, but identified much more with her brother than her sisters. While her youngest sisters would be tutored in court affairs and history, Izzy would be play-fighting with her brother. Everything their father taught Khysrau, Khysrau taught Izzy, and the two grew up happy if in nearly constant trouble. They both had a reputation for mischief, and often snuck out of the estate grounds to be amongst the commonfolk of the town. There, they would get into trouble, fighting and playing and stealing only to be intentionally caught just for the thrill of the chase. In these years, Izzy learned how to sneak, how to pick pockets, how to get into trouble and, most importantly, how to get out of trouble. Despite having skipped most of her education, Izzy had a very sharp wit and a sharper tongue. She could charm the spots off of a leopard, and if she couldn't, then she had also learnt how to outrun and hide from one. Then she made her first huge mistake. She fell in love. While Khysrau, a young strapping teenager full of hormones, enjoyed the company of the local girls, Izzy for some reason never found the many boys that they hung out with appealing. She saw them as friends or punching bags, nothing more. But one day, while playing in the sand dunes, Izzy found what she had been missing by a small river. A peasant girl, fishing in the river to feed her family. Jasmine. For Izzy, it was love at first sight, but Jasmine took some time to come around to the idea. Izzy's charm and sense of humour bought her laughs, but Jasmine didn't put up with the noble girl's selfish tendencies and hedonism. In time, though, time with Jasmine tempered Izzy. She became less self-centred, and found herself trying to live her life for someone else. And in turn, Jasmine became more outgoing and happy. The two were soon inseparable, and after a few years it was Jasmine's turn to sneak into the d'Aubigny estate and do something that Izzy didn't dream would be possible; she proposed marriage. Izzy agreed, though they had to do it in secret. Only Khysrau was present when the two eloped. No rings were exchanged, but instead they both got tattoos; a rose growing on their hands, showing that their love was ingrained into them, and never end. So now was the time for someone else to actually propose marriage to Izzy. It was a political marriage. Baig Talathel knew that if House d'Aubigny was to flourish, then they would need an influx of wealth and a way out off of the shores of the Crimson Desert. He found both of those in Lord Phillipe l'Azadours, a wealthy noble within the Kingdom of Valcoria. Phillipe was many things; inconsiderate, stupid, cruel, snobbish, and most importantly, very very rich. But he needed prestige to match his wealth, and someone who could maybe make a real man out of him. The daughter of a great, famed warrior would be just the thing. Izzy fought with every fibre of her being, and in turn Talathel put his foot down hard. His son breaking the rules, that was acceptable, boys will be boys, but daughters were meant to be obedient. For months the fighting dragged on, and a couple of times father and daughter even came to blows. The only solace that Izzy had was in Jasmine, her hidden wife. It was the greatest test to their relationship, and it seemed like they would come through the other side. Then the bad luck hit Izzy too. While her father was away with Lord l'Azadours, the raiders that he had done so much to repel chose their moment to strike. While Khysrau did his best to fight them off, and Izzy proved herself as capable a fighter as her brother, the absence of their father was costly. Many died, and many more were stolen away, taken to be slaves. Including Jasmine. Izzy fell into a deep depression when she discovered that Jasmine had been taken by the raiders. She had been too busy in the fighting to notice. Khysrau spent a good chunk of the family's fortune trying to find Jasmine, and the rest of the captives too, but days became weeks, and weeks became months, with no indicator of her whereabouts. When Izzy's father finally arrived home, Izzy by now had accepted defeat, and she accepted Lord l'Azadours' marriage proposal. The wedding was timed perfectly, a celebration of a unity to recover spirits after the raid. Gifts rained in from all around Cohmbraird. Izzy's spirits lifted when she saw her brother's gift. Izzy arrived at her wedding, but rather than virginal white, she was adorned in armour, daggers jangling around her belt. Phillipe ordered the guards at the wedding to seize her. Talathel just gave his daughter a glare; the two knew that she was ready to kill and die for her freedom, and that his pursuit of her would have to wait another day. Without a word, she held a carriage driver hostage and told him to ride away, taking her away from the estate she had for so long called home. In her hands was her brother's gift. A report of a trading caravan in Seth'elan, and that amongst their cargo was a slave with a tattoo of a rose on her hand.   Izzy's Goals: Izzy is determined to find the woman she eloped, Jasmine, who was taken into slavery a few years ago, and then buy her freedom. This, while dodging the machinations of her father and the man she was supposed to marry. Once reunited with Jasmine, she would like to earn her wealth to get back her old lifestyle of wealth and luxury, which she misses dearly. My Goals: I'd like to see Izzy slowly grow out of her selfish tendencies, and become someone who would to put herself and her happiness on the line for others, maybe even jeopardize her chance of seeing Jasmine again to save someone else. Basically, turn from Chaotic Neutral to Chaotic Good. Not that Izzy herself will make that easy, mind.   Aware: Her sexuality. Izzy's home is one where homosexuality is not welcomed, and for her it's safer to assume this is the case everywhere else until proven otherwise. Unaware: There was actually a lot more behind Jasmine's kidnapping than either of them were aware of. Far away from either of them, in the principality of Reothadia, there sits a throne without a monarch. Many years ago, a cursed sword was slammed into the throne itself, with an enscription along the blade saying "Only the true lord of this land may extract this sword and sit upon this throne." Given that the then king of Reothadia couldn't move the sword for all of his might, a succession crisis quickly deposed of him. While the rest of the court tried to run the country without a ruler, the court witch Nimugan studied the curse on the sword. In studying it, she found that "the true lord of the land" was in fact Jasmine. She kept this information to herself, as while the rest of the court would want this possible usurper to their power dead, she saw in this peasant from a far off land a way to put her own puppet on the throne. So she hired the bandits to kidnap Jasmine and bring her to her as a mere slave, then she would reveal to Jasmine her true destiny when she arrived and had bought her trust.   Izzy once had long hair, and misses it much more than she lets on. Paranoia makes her cut her hair short enough to fit under any wig, but when she is in a bad mood and needs to feel good about herself she will put on a long wig just to remember what her hair used to be like. Izzy can tell you every detail about the happiest day of her life; her wedding. She still gets shivers when she smells white lilies, the flowers that Jasmine had in her hair on the day. Izzy carries a deck of playing cards on her person at all times, and will usually shuffle and re-shuffle them when thinking of plans or as a nervous tick. She is also obsessive about learning new games.   Friendly Connection - Jasmine d'Aubigny-Alize Human Commoner Jasmine is 20 years of age, and stands at 5' 3". A life of labour has done little to reduce her beauty, with a lithe form, dark hair that flows to her shoulders and chestnut eyes. She was virtuous to a fault, always believing the best of others and generously giving away what little she had. Jasmine is what Izzy tries to be at her best. She loved her dearly, and while Izzy doesn't know how much Jasmine will have changed since she was taken away, she knows that she will always identify her by the tattoo of a rose on her left hand, that matches the one Izzy has on her right. Friendly Connection - The Right Honourable, Begzada Khysrau Lanci of House d'Aubigny, Wardens of Southern Cohmbraird Half-Elf Noble/Fighter Izzy's older brother by three years, and the only person in her family on her side, albeit in secret. While he has much to learn, Khysrau is clearly destined to be as great a fighter as his father is from stature alone. He is a handsome, tall half-elf with black hair and the beginnings of a regal mustache. He taught Izzy everything she knows about fighting. While in public he doggedly pursues his sister to take her back to the altar, he usually warns her when some new bounty hunter or, worse, her father is on her heels. Hostile Connection - The Right Honourable, Baig Talathel Lanci of House d'Aubigny, Wardens of Southern Cohmbraird Elf Noble/Fighter Izzy's father. He shows his age, with a long beard that is beginning to go grey, and severe facial features accented with his near-black fiery eyes, but his body is no aging broken thing, but one of a titan. Muscular and imposing in every measure possible. In the prime of his youth, his use of a blade made him world famous, and while he is not as strong as he once was, he still commands respect and fear amongst his peers and enemies. While not necessarily a bad man, a hard, ruthless life fighting him in the desert has made him a hard, ruthless man. Both him and the rest of the family will stop at nothing to bring his daughter back under control. Hostile Connection - Lord Phillipe l'Azadours Human Noble A young noble within the Kingdom of Valcoria. With flowing hair as fair as angels, a strapping form and a cocky smile, he is as attractive and good-looking as he is inwardly repulsive. A stupid man, foul of both temper and manner, he uses his (very) distant relation to the royal family as license to look down on others. He is also very rich but in bad need of some quick prestige, and marrying the daughter of a great warrior is a good way to do it. He is just as dogged in his pursuit of his bride as the bride's father is, though he is much less capable. Unknown to Izzy Friendly... hostile...ish Connection - Nimugan Human Witch The court witch in Reothadia, and one of its most powerful magicians. One of the few people who knows of Jasmine's true destiny, and the arranger of her kidnapping. While her plans for Jasmine involve keeping her alive at all costs to put her on the throne of Reothadia, she is only doing this because she thinks she can easily manipulate this peasant girl from a distant land, and only the gods know her true intentions once she gets what she wants. Unknown to Izzy Hostile Connection - The Court of Reothadia Nobles, Mixed Race The current rulers of Reothadia, a small country that Jasmine is actually destined to become the ruler of. While most are not aware of this potential competitor to their command, if they were to find out then they would stop at nothing to kill her.   Personality Summarised: Fun-loving and charismatic, if sometimes snooty, but slow to trust and keeps others at an emotional distance. Bonds: Searching for the enslaved woman that she loves, in spite of her family's wishes. Ideals: Fiercely independent. She will live her life as she sees fit. Flaws: Assumes the worst of everyone around her.   Hope 1: Her greatest hope is that Jasmine will be returned to her, safe and sound. Fear 1: Izzy dreads living her life on any terms other than her own, something that she is already acutely familiar with. Freedom is all important to her, while bondage is a nightmarish thought. Hope 2: As impossible as she knows it is, she hopes against hope that her father would one day accept her for who she is, and allow her to live her own life. Fear 2: Izzy is plagued by nightmares of harm coming to Jasmine. She rarely sleeps, as it is a frequent nightmare.

6 Questions   "A'right, a'right... two of diamonds, that's... damn, what is it again?" "How did you get here?" "Alright then, how did you get here... Izzy!" The half-elf looked down to the flagon of ale nestled between her long fingers. Many pairs of eyes settled on her while she was drunkenly trying to collect her thoughts as they swam about her head, before pointing a finger accusingly across the table, directing it to an orc, and cackling loudly "In her boyfriend's bag!" Not for the first time that night, the table erupted into laughter. The only two not to be laughing was the half-elf fielding the question and the orc herself, whose emerald cheeks started to darken with a blush of embarrassment. The barkeep didn't understand the context. Some in-joke that had been made earlier in the night. He hadn't been in when she first entered the Crossed Arms Inn, but she had clearly made an impression with the regulars quickly. The barmaid he had taken the shift from had told him to listen in on their conversations, because she was clearly a lot of fun. "He asked you a question," the orc grumbled, which didn't make the laughter die down. Izzy, however, looked sympathetically to her, and gave a shrug. "In the back of a cart," Izzy explained, before jerking her head from side to side with a series of clicks and throwing a card into the centre of the table. "Not the most comfortable bed I've had, but at least it was free. Play." There was a flurry of hands, too fast for the barkeep to follow. He couldn't understand the rules of this game, but he knew that it involved playing cards and asking questions. He leaned in, curious to hear more. "Ha! Ace of diamonds, why are you here," the gnome declared loudly. He looked about the table eagerly, then his eyes fixed on Izzy. "Again? I just went," Izzy said. The facial expressions around her told her that she wasn't getting a reprieve, and she took off her glove. "I was going to be asking around anyway, I suppose. I'm looking for a woman with this tattoo." There was a collection of 'ooh's as they saw a black rose inked onto her right hand. When she waggled her fingers, the petals shuddered as if caught in the wind. "Finish your pint if I get this right," the human piped up, and Izzy looked to him. "Members of a gang." Too fast for any of them to detect, a look of indecision passed across Izzy's face. She supposed that, yes, she was a criminal now, but openly flaunting it in a crowded inn was not a wise move. However, openly flaunting that they were lovers was probably an even less wise move, and she put the flagon to her lips and drank it in a single gulp, prompting further hoops and howls from the table. "Get this woman another drink!" the human shouted to the barkeep, who grabbed another flagon. "Finish this next pint if I'm right, then," the gnome said to Izzy before she could protest. "She stiffed you on money, and you're going to gut her alive." The easiest lies have an element of truth, and Izzy knew that everyone at the table would believe her when she gave them a commanding smirk, and pointed to each one in turn. "Drink up lads and lasses, because this guy is wrong." There were jeers, and the gnome gave a mocking look of horror, but soon there was a table of empty flagons. "When did you start? How you been looking for your friend?" the orc asked, and her and Izzy shared a look. This wasn't part of the game. This was a genuine sympathetic connection. Izzy's eyes began to sting, as if about to cry, and she forced herself not to. "Too long," she said. While not an accurate answer, it seemed sufficient for the orc, who nodded understandingly. "Alright then, why are you looking for her?" the gnome asked, with Izzy shaking her head immediately. "You know the rules, play a card, then ask." Draw. Slap. The gnome didn't even look at the card that he threw onto the pile, staring at Izzy. She rolled her eyes, but then smiled. "I suppose I owe you after asking about..." "Yeah, the incident with my son's todger and the lime, we don't need to go over it again," the gnome hurriedly hissed, prompting a series of giggles across the table. "What's the point in finding this woman?" "I know a couple of guys who'd like to give her a point," Izzy said with a grin, prompting groans across the table. She then looked down to the gnome's card. "Tell you what, I'll answer the card that you actually drew. 'Where next?' Well, if I don't find her in Ab’Cal, I'm going to be trying the next town over. I don't think she's left Seth’elan, or at least I've not heard that she's left." Accepting defeat, the gnome slumped back in his chair, but then looked up to her and smiled. "Lonely travels, or have you met anyone along the road?" "Loads of people way nicer than you lot!" The barkeep gave a cough, and the laughing at the cruel joke stopped. The tray of flagons in his hand was quickly emptied, but then he found a small bag of coins drop onto the tray. He looked to the half-elf who had plonked it onto the tray, and she gave him a friendly wink. The barkeep smiled back to Izzy, and slunk back to the bar. "Now, then, I've answered enough questions, it's my turn," Izzy said, drawing a card from her hand. She looked to the gnome, and with the mischief in her eyes he knew he was in trouble. "Ace of hearts. So, where did your son learn to do that thing with his todger and a lime?"

What I want out of this game I want to be able to tell a fun story with other storytellers. For me, the most important bit of an RPG is the RP, and it's pretty clear from your app and how much your other players have been talking about their games with you that your game's going to be an RP heavy one. One where my character can grow and surprise me, and interact with other great characters. Also, beating up baddies. Because baddies are mean and smelly and beating them up is fun.

[Ganguropocky]

I just had my post eaten by a log in time out... I am going to cry really hard for a while, and then try to fill this out again.


Name: Cat
Race: Shifter (Wild Hunt)
Class: Druid (Moon circle)
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Appearance: Cat is a short, curvaceous young woman with deeply tanned skin and white hair. Her skin, which is widely exposed due to her rudimentary form of dress, is decorated with white war paint applied by hand in crude but strangely ornate designs.

Her clothing is sparse and made from tanned leather. She carries a spear, and a scimitar hangs from her side.

What sets her apart, and unnerves some who meet her is the long white tail that swings freely behind her, and the large white feline ears atop her head. Altogether, she is quite an attractive young woman... But her unusual... Attributes often scare and confuse those who meet her.

She has to the intelligence to hide them.

 

Personality: Cat is a quirky, and altogether very feline kind of girl. She is curious, sometimes to a fault, and quite chipper. It is incredibly hard to dull her spirits.

Like a cat, she values her own freedom. She values the freedom of those around her as well, but no to the same extent. She would fight to the death to protect her own, and maybe to the retreat for yours. Unless you fall inside the confines of what she considered pack, or pride mates or family.

She grew up cut off for the most part from civilization, hearing only the stories from her older brothers and sisters and learning from the elders the languages of the people she might find there. Primarily, however, she grew up speaking the druidic language of her people. As such, she is wildly curious about those she meets now having left the village, but doesn't communicate well with them. Her common is broken, and at times prone to leading to misunderstanding. Still, she tries very hard. And more over, she does not often get fulled, thanks to an animalistic sense of danger.

Background Title:
Background Writeup: (Can be in a spoiler)

What you'd like to get from this game:
Take these questions as being asked by either a Bar-keep/shop-keep/or whatever general NPC you wish (for your immersion purposes).

 

I will answer these questions the way she would answer them.

1: How did you get here? She would stare for a long quiet moment, blinking a single time as she tried to find the words to answer his question. Then, she did something strange, leaning down on her bar stool. She grabbed her ankle and drew her leg up over the bar top, not seeming to care about exposing the length of her tanned legs as she happily proclaimed,"Feet! Cat came on her feet!"

2: Why have you come? Another long pause, her leg slowly lowering with a feline sort of grace,"Cat come... because Father of Father say it time for journey. When journey over... Cat will be father!" The bartender would blink in confusion. She clearly, was not capable of becoming a father...

3: When did it all start? "It start... when Cat born!"

4: Who have you met along the way? Not understanding the difference between "meat" and "meet", Cat goes in to great detail describing the things she's hunted and eaten in the past few days.

5: What is the point? "Father of Father say... Cat come home with... wis-dom... She teach circle. Circle become stronger. Cat become father."

6: Where next? "Father of Father say Cat know where to go, when Cat see where to go."

And finally, some tools to help you along in creating your character in this world:

 

Step 1: Write 5 background and concept elements that you feel are important to your image of the character. One of these should include where they are from.

BG 1: Cat comes from a circle of druids that maintain their distance from society until the time of their adulthood. Then, a would be adult is sent out into the world with the knowledge given to them by their elders in order to go and retrieve some form of wisdom to bring back and share. Upon doing this, the child then becomes an adult. Cat is currently starting on her adventure into adulthood.

BG 2: Cat often speaks of "The Father of my Father" as a wise and all knowing sort of figure. Really, it is a lack of ability to properly communicate. In her village, generation is a sign of status, and when looking for advice it is common practice to seek out the eldest of the tribe in that given field. Cat does not know the way to properly explain this in common tongue, nor do her tribesman who speak almost entirely in duidic. "Father" is simply what they understand the common "elder" is.

BG 3: Not everyone in Cat's village is a shifter. In fact, it is rare for them to be born that way, and is taken as a good omen and sign of connection to nature.

BG 4:

BG 5:

Step 2: List at least two goals for the character.

At least one of these goals should be one that the character has, while another should be one that you, as a player, want to see developed over the course of the game.

Goal 1: To complete her journey and become an adult.


Goal 2: I just want to have a good time, but I'd also enjoy RPing Cat becoming more worldly.

Step 3: List at least two secrets about your character.

At least one is a secret the character knows, while another is a secret that involves them but that they are not actually aware of yet. In general I'd like these secrets to be available for all players to see, but if there's something you REALLY want left in the dark, then please consult with me.

Secret 1: Cat's real name is not "Cat", it is simply the word brought back by her elders in the village to describe the name sake of her actual given name, which is Kitra (Key-toe-ra). It is considered taboo to teach the druidic tongue, and believed that names hold power. So for two reasons, the people of her tribe keep their given names secret from outsiders.


Secret 2: (I'd need some help on this one, Mont!)

Step 4: Describe at least three people that are tied to the character.

Two of them are friendly to the character. One is hostile.

Tied 1 (Friendly): The Father of my Father is the go to source of knowledge for Cat. Anyone that she could identify as an elder from her village would be considered a friendly person to her.


Tied 2 (Friendly): Specifically though is Elder Banna or "Grandfather", who is actually a woman. She is also a shifter, though of the wolven variety. She taught Cat how to hunt.


Tied 3 (Hostile): Would need help with this too, Mont.

Step 5: Describe three memories, mannerisms, or quirks that your character has.

They don’t have to be elaborate, but they should provide some context and flavour.

MeMoQui 1: Quirk: Obviously, Cat doesn't know how to speak proper common, but she also doesn't know how to read non-druidic written text. She does however read people's faces like a book.


MeMoQui 2: Quirk: Cat is cat like in almost every way. If you have seen a house cat do something, she has probably done or learned not to do so the hard way.


MeMoQui 3: Quirk: Cat grew up in a society in which your actual family doesn't matter as much as the family made up by your company. She has a birth mother and father, but really her whole village is her family. In this way, it is possible that she will come to think of party members, if not the whole party as a kind of family. At such time, they will become very important to her, people that she would defend with her life.

Step 6: List your character’s personality traits, bonds, ideals, and flaws.

These can come from the book (either directly or as a guide) or you can make them up to fit your concept of your character.

Personality: I place no stock in wealth or well-mannered folk. Money and manners won't save you from a hungry owlbear.

Bonds: My family, clan, or tribe is the most important thing in my life, even when they are far from me.

Ideals: It is each person's responsibility to make the most happiness for the whole tribe.

Flaws: There's no room for caution in a life lived to the fullest.

Step 7: List at least two things/events that make your character afraid, and at least two things/events that give your character hope.

Fear 1:

Fear 2:

Hope 1:

Hope 2:

Current Character Ideas You May Have:

[UngainlyFool]

Sig is ready for his close up, Mr. MontageManiac. But seriously, I'd love feedback in any form. Especially if you feel there is giant hole I've missed.

[The Dark Star]

Baldur has been completed and would like a look over please and thank you. Pretty excited for this one.

[Lentil Sponge]

Well, I think that Izzy is complete, though if there are any notes or feedback or missing information, then feel free to let me know, oh gracious DM

[Reliq0770]

Thirteen

Race	Class	Homeland	Background	Sheet
Triton	Ranger	Kingdom of Agea - Deep Beneath the Umberic Ocean	Soldier	Application Complete: Pending Confirmation

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Name: Thirteen
Class: Level 2 Ranger
Race: Triton Race (Volo's Guide to Monsters Pg. 115 - 118)Triton
Alignment: Lawful Neutral

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Standing at 4' 9" tall, Thirteen is actually of average height for her people. Her shapely curves are viewed as "desirable" to most surface-dwelling humanoids... However, her looks are definitely deceiving as she gives truth to the claim that "Muscle weighs more than Fat". Her soldier's life has made her battle hardened and stalwart. Her posture is perfectly straight and her demeanor is stoic. She rarely smiles, except when hunting her next victim. Her blue skin, webbed hands and feet, and long tendril-like blue dreadlocks w/ red tips definitely turns heads wherever she goes. Her appearance, however, doesn't stop her from avoiding detection when she wants to... And when she does fade into the shadows, her piercing Aquamarineblue eyes see everything.

---

 

Thirteen prefers to observe. Her former time as a Military Scout has taught her an appreciation for silence. However, she's slowly learning the ways of the Surface-Dwellers. She hasn't quite grasped the concept of casual lies and casual sarcasm, as her people are more literal, but she does understand deception has it's uses. Those that are acquainted with her would describe her as Stoic, Straightforward, Literal, and Direct.

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Background Title:
Agean Military Scout - Gloom Stalker - Exiled from the Kingdom of Agea

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Background Writeup:
Deep beneath the waves of the Umberic Ocean, there lies a kingdom that is "mostly" unknown to the world above. The Kingdom, and people, of Agea prefer to live in isolation from the rest of the world. Ruled by the Queen Alva Vaalsorath, the Agean people, known as Tritons, knew peace for more than 50 years. The Queen's Peace was safeguarded by an ancient order of assassins known as the "Gloom Stalkers". Hand picked from the Agean Military, these soldiers were trained, and tortured, for years to remove them of their individuality. When a Gloom Stalker Unit was formed, it was considered to be the highest militaristic honor in their society.

The girl was shocked when Queen Vaalsorath's finger pointed at her. She wasn't the fastest. She wasn't the smartest. Hell, she wasn't even the strongest. By all accounts, she was considered to be an average Military Scout. Her mind raced with questions, but there was no denying the Queen. Her word was absolute and to refuse such an honor was an offense akin to treason. She spent the next 10 years with the other 200 candidates at the academy. The instructors were brutal. It was their job to weed out the weak and break the strong. She lost count of how many times she had considered quitting. She lost a lot of things... And, eventually, she lost herself.

The graduation ceremony was odd. When she had begun this arduous journey, she had delusions of her mother and father being there. Her little brother would hug her and they would all smile and cry at her crowning achievement. Somehow, calling her fantasy a "Delusion" didn't do the reality justice. She was ushered into an all white room in the middle of the night, given a trident and told to kill a man. He was bound and gagged. He looked like he had been beaten, tortured, and starved for weeks. But what had he done? Was his death an order from the Queen? Was this a test? Surprisingly, none of these questions even entered her mind. The girl's trident pierced through the man's throat and she watched, emotionless, as he drowned on his own blood. The girl was given a designation... "Thirteen"

She spent the next 20 years with the other 12 members of her Gloom Stalker Unit. They faithfully guarded the Queen and carried out any order given without hesitation. Perhaps it was the fact that she was so close to them that she didn't notice the sideways glances... She didn't notice when One or Three would be a few minutes late for formation. She didn't notice the Queen's Sister's scowls behind her back. Maybe that's why she was so shocked when the alarms began to sound.

The Queen's Sister, Benezia, was leading a coup against the throne. Thirteen, was on guard duty that night. She locked herself in the Queen's Chambers and remained vigilant. As the sounds of soldiers dying on the other side of the door faded, Thirteen nocked an arrow. On the third ram of the door, it gave way. Thirteen loosed her arrow and was genuinely shocked when it found purchase in the shield of Six. He rushed into the room and she soon found herself surrounded by all 12 of her closest companions. Benezia, the Usurper, ordered that Thirteen be beaten and exiled to the surface.

Thirteen was found two days later washed up on the shores of the Wildswift Isles by a gang of pirates. They nursed her back to health and, when she was able, she vowed to find a way back to Agea. She would bring death to the 12, drive her trident through Benezia's traitorous heart, and (if she wasn't already dead) she would put Queen Alva back on the throne where she belongs. "The Queen's Peace will shine on Agea once more."

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What you'd like to get from this game:

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Upon entering the tavern, Thirteen found herself in need of a drink after her most recent adventure. She had found a use for her scouting abilities as a "Tracker" or "Bounty Hunter". The title of the profession seemed to change depending on the city, but the job function remained the same. Tracking and retrieving objects (and people) that are of some significance to others... As she takes a seat at the bar, the bartender strikes up polite conversation:
"So, where ya be from?" He asked as he slid a large glass mug of ale towards her.

Thirteen has learned that people often think she is lying about her homeland of Agea, as it's not well known on the surface. She found that a simple answer usually sufficed. After a long draw on the cool glass, licking away the frothy mustache that the drink left behind, she replied; "South."

"South, huh? Fair enough. How'd ye be getting here?"

"Work." Thirteen took another draw from the glass and began to look around the room. It was still early on and the tavern was empty. As her eyes settled back on the bartender, she realized that his questioning was not going to stop.

"What kind of work?"

"I'm a Hunter."

"Oh really?" He asks, slightly more interested. "How long ye been doing tha'? How does a lady such as yerself ev'n get inta somethin' like tha'?"

His speech was primitive and irritating. She found his voice to be repulsive, but he was attempting to be nice so she figured she'd humor the human. "I've been hunting since I was young. I joined my people's military and became a Scout. Then I..." She paused for a moment. It was strange. She still had trouble talking about it... "I left." She took another draw of ale, finishing off the glass. She motions towards the glass and he refills it. "I've been working as a hunter ever since."

"Ye alone?" The bartender asks as he finishes filling up the glass. "Got'ny family? Friends?"

"No family... At least, not anymore." She takes a draw from the glass. "I've made acquaintances. I've made enemies. I've made gold. And, I guess there is one that I would call 'Friend', though I feel he would prefer 'Captain'." She chuckles into the glass as she takes another draw from it.

"Sounds lonely." The bartender picks up a rag and wipes up a small puddle of ale that formed from the overflowing froth from her glass. "Wha' would be tha point of all tha' work if ye' ain't got no one ta care fer?"

"It's better than starving. It's better than dying. And, if I'm being honest..." She polishes off the glass and sets it down with a refreshing sigh. "I have a debt to repay." She places a gold piece on the counter and gives the man a polite nod.

"Thank ye kindly." The bartender picks up the gold and nods back. As she walks away, he yells after her; "Where ye be headed next?"

Thirteen stops and notices a bounty board on the wall. She walks over to it and tears off the only remaining bounty post. "I guess I'm headed to Abhain Calmir."

---

Character Creation Tips:

 

Step 1:

BG 1: Agea - Thirteen's Atlantian-Style home beneath the Umberic Ocean. She has vowed to someday return and kill the 12 Gloom Stalkers and the Usurper Benezia.

BG 2: Agean Military Scout Tattoo (Left-Side of Neck) - Thirteen's military insignia of rank. It is a constant, visual, source of pride and pain connected to her past.

BG 3: Benezia "The Usurper" Vaalsorath and the Gloom Stalkers - The reason for Thirteen's exile and focal point of her rage and vengeance. Thirteen will never stop hunting them.

BG 4: "Manners" and "Kindness" - She has long since forgotten the names of her parents. However, she remembered the two most important qualities that they had instilled in her from a young age. She named her Trident Manners, after a memory of her father saying "Mind your Manners". She named her Longbow Kindness, after a memory of her mother saying "Kill them with Kindness". These were the only two memories that remained of her parents.

BG 5: A Soldier's Life - Thirteen has been a soldier, in one form or another, for most of her life. Even in her life on the surface as a Hunter, she employs the skills that she learned during her time as soldier. It is her greatest point of pride, and it is her greatest source of shame.

---

 

Step 2:

Thirteen's Goal: Thirteen is simple and direct. Her goal is aid in the restoration of the Queen's Peace over Agea and punish those who wronged Queen Alva Vaalsorath. She is aware that, due to her exile, her goal may not be attainable.


Player's Goal: My goal, as always, is to explore and discover my character as well as the other PC's, NPC's, and the world that the DM has created. I am a roleplay heavy type of player and get entirely immersed and invested in the games I play. I'm eager to discover how Thirteen will grow and progress over the course of the game. I'm curious about how she would react to different scenarios and how other people will react to her.

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Step 3:

Secret 1: Thirteen knows the location of the underwater city of Agea. Only a handful of Surface-Dwellers know the location of Agea and even fewer have actually been there.


Secret 2: Thirteen is unaware of it, but Benezia has put a bounty out on her head.

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Step 4:

Acquaintance 1 (Friendly): Captain Arnett Thorne - I first met Captain Thorne two days after my Exile from Agea. He, and his crew, found me in the Umberic Ocean near the Wildswift Isles. They brought me onboard and nursed me back to relative health. Unfortunately for me, healing naturally from my broken bones made it too painful to swim. Luckily, the crew took me in. They taught me some of the basics of taking care of the ship and treated me fairly during my time with them. In particular, I became fond of a Tabaxi named StormRazor. The captain looked upon StormRazor favorably and I could see why. He was likable and a natural-born leader. StormRazor talked about owning his own ship one day and even named me his "Honorary First-Mate". After about 2 weeks worth of travel, they dropped me off at the next Port. It saddened me to learn of Captain Thorne's death... Over the years I have run in to StormRazor several times, and even worked on a few jobs together.


Acquaintance 2 (Friendly): Theodore Robicheaux - A Halfling gentleman that I have had several encounters with. I still don't know exactly what he does, but I have my suspicions that it's not entirely legal. However, any time that he has employed my services, I've found that some good has come of it. For instance, he once hired me to track down, and kill, a Human man named Victor Kudgen. I was hesitant to sentence the man to death without knowing the crime, but did what I was paid to do. Upon my return to collect payment, Theodore was there with the late Mr. Kudgen's wife and daughter. Miss. Kudgen excitedly hugged Thirteen and explained that Victor had been holding her hostage and "abusing" their daughter for months. From that moment on, though I wouldn't consider Theodore Robicheaux to be a friend, by any stretch of the word, I definitely saw him as a mutually beneficial, and highly valuable, ally.


Acquaintance 3 (Hostile): Hadley Devereaux - I loathe Hadley Devereaux with a passion reserved for only for traitors and people that hurt children. Her every living breath is an insult to my skill and ability. She's a Dwarven Hunter, but she lacks honor, refinement, and respect. She once followed a fellow hunter, waited until he killed his target, then she killed him, looted his body, and returned the target to collect the bounty. Every time our paths have crossed, it has ended in violence and bloodshed. However, make no mistake, one day... I will kill her with Kindness.

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Step 5:

Mannerism: Military Etiquette - Thirteen proudly displays the militaristic customs and mannerisms of her people, regardless of if they are viewed as odd or rude.


Quirk: Gullible... To a Point - Thirteen's people are very literal people. They do understand that deception and lies have their uses, but the bulk of their society do not display mannerisms of casual lies or sarcasm. They are direct and forthcoming. As a result, Thirteen is considered gullible by most people in the surface world. However, her gullible nature does have limits. She trusts everyone, until they give her a reason not to.


Memory: Pain and Loss - Thirteen has lost her home, her queen, her family, her friends... She's lost everything in pursuit of doing what is right and just. In the quiet moments, when she is alone, she dwells on it. She thinks of all the clues she may have missed that could have prevented the coup. She's cried herself to sleep more times than she cares to admit.

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Step 6:

Personality: I face problems head-on. A simple, direct solution is the best path to success.

Bonds: Those who fight beside me are those worth dying for.

Ideals: My People (the ones I share a kinship with) are all that matter to me.

Flaws: My hatred of my enemies is blind, unreasoning, unsympathetic, unrelenting, and absolute.

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Step 7:
List at least two things/events that make your character afraid, and at least two things/events that give your character hope.

Fear 1: Failure

Fear 2: Loss of loved ones

Hope 1: Jobs given by Theodore Robicheaux

Hope 2: Meeting, and maintaining her friendship with, StormRazor