[D&D-5e] Adventurers of Dreakgarth

[Krow Nest]

Sick! I'll work on him. And no, he aint voiced by Ray Romano

[Krow Nest]

Entry Name: Ondros Race: Loxodon Class: Paladin Appearance: Ondros is close to seven feet tall, weighing at 368 lbs, he is a lurking figure. His body is covered in a white fur, being a variant of his race, also adding in two long tusks. He usually wears lighter armor for his body, since he hasn't been in battle for many many years. His eyes are black, as are most Loxodon's. When he speaks, his voice is deep and slightly aged, in a threatening but almost soothing way too, a very Imagine Keith David playing himrecognizable voice if you have met him. Personality: Ondros is an aged veteran; having fought in wars and battles many times in the past. He shows respect on the battlefield, not being afraid to praise an opponent for a clever move against him. He doesn't betray his loyalty though, as he sees it as despicable and unforgivable. The one thing that surprises people is his gentle nature outside of battle. He talks softly to people, speaks respectfully and is understanding. Of course, that doesn't mean he doesn't have anger, like seeing any dirty tricks or terrible deeds committed in front of him. Backstory: Ondros was born in the city of Arkross, a major city known as the "City of Brass" due to how much forgeries there are and how most of their buildings are crafted by their metals, mostly brass. In this city, Ondros was trained under his father to become a blacksmith, just like him. As the years went on, as he was learning the way of the forge... war struck. His father had to join, being drafted, leaving his wife and son behind. Ondros kept trying to learn forging though, as his father was gone. When the war ended... horrible news struck: Ondros's father was killed. In anger, Ondros swore off the forge. One of the survivors, a dragonbron named Towunax, approached Ondro's family. He was one of his fathers old friends. He offered to train Ondros in the way of the Paladin, just like his father was. Ondros decided maybe that would be his real destiny. With many years, under the wing of Towunax, Ondros eventually grew up into a mighty Paladin, fighting alongside in the military. Towunax, though, always taught him to respect all the warriors on the battlefield. He did so, showing honor even against his opponents. As time went on, with Towunax's passing from age, Ondros made himself known on the battlefield, known as the Tundra. Soon, getting into the higher middle age, Ondros decided to retire from the battlefield. He was getting old and wanted to live in peace for the last bit of his life. This has Ondros traveling the land to find a place to live before his life would be out. During his travel, he ended up in a town known as Eridel... 1 or 2 Goals/Ambitions: Living the rest of his life in peace and quiet

[Zwingli]

I'm quite interested! Will update this post for the application and inform you when it's done. Application complete!

Couple of questions though: 1) How many players are you looking for? 2) what level will the characters be at the end of this campaign? 3) Do you need a character sheet for the application process?

Griff Name: Griffin Rake Race: Human, Variant Class: Rogue (Scout), planning to dip into Fighter or some other martial class at some point Appearance: Nothing would really stand out about Griffin. Tall, lithe, with short blonde hair, the scout looks like the average adventurer. However, one would only need to look at his green eyes to see a weight of experience that's older than appropriate for someone as who's in his early twenties. Griff's pale skin usually looks grimy, as he's not beneath doing the dirty work if that is what needs to be done. Personality: Griff used to be always cock-sure and self-confident - a trait most of his peers in his age share - but has since been tempered by experience. Emotionally he can be described to be distant or aloof; mostly it's because most of the people he's cared about are either dead or missing. One can only bear so much grief. He's determined to succeed and can be quite twitchy when things go crazy. Due to a traumatic encounter, Griff tends to be especially jumpy towards rats and wine cellars ( rats of any size, but Dire Rats worst of all), but tries to hide it. Backstory: Griff grew up in the village of Innsmouth, a relatively quiet town in the northwestern parts of Verogoth. His parents were adventurers, thus his ambition early in life was to join them in their travels one day. That day never came, because the last he's seen them was when he was but a boy. Instead, most of his years were spent with the local innkeeper's family who had two children: Katya and Ulrik. Griff got along particularly well with Ulrik; they both had a rambunctiousness and curiosity that rivalled the other's. One would not be outdone by the other. Griff would often act foolishly or boast of his bright future to impress Katya (who wasn't impressed), and Ulrik would try to dig an even deeper hole for Griff to pull himself out of. (Some info I kept secret for the DM's discretion) A year later, Griff finds himself in the town of Eridel, determined to prove his worth as a man and become the best scout in the kingdom, or die trying. Since he left his home of Innsmouth he has been trying to track down his parents. His father was a scout of some renown, and Griffin heard some rumors that a scout named Rake was serving some noble named Fenring. He was hoping this town of Eridel could point him in the right direction on where to look for the noble, or Griff's father. So far, there is no news of his mother, Marcille. His memories of her were few, but he knew she had some power in the arcane or magical arts; other than that he only has a vague recollection of her smile. Griff was old enough now for her ring to fit him, though. It was a simple bronze ring with some elven script engraved in the underside. In any case, Eridel is where Griff plans to improve in his skill and reputation as a warrior and individual. A part of him knows that he needs to go back to his hometown and face the consequences of his foolishness, but not today. For now, he's up for some adventure. Goals/Ambitions: 1. Track down his parents. Their last known location was east, probably near the Grimolon border, but Griff isn't too sure. 2. To be a warrior that's prepared for any challenge. Griff's failure with Ulrik always reminds him to never be overconfident about anything. 3. To make amends with Katya and her family, and provide restitution for the damage he's caused (and he thinks gold won't hurt them either, so he needs to earn some).

[Zamdall]

Originally Posted by Zwingli

I'm quite interested! Will update this post for the application and inform you when it's done.

One question though: what level will the characters be at the end of this campaign

I don't have a specific ending level in mind. It is my intention to continue running the game for as long as I have players. It might end at level 5 or level 25.

[SadPanda284]

Originally Posted by SadPanda284

Definitely interested. Since seeing Laura play a trickster cleric on Critical Role, I've been really interested in trying that concept. I'll get my character written up ASAP! Hope to make it into this campaign, since I like your idea of "loose rules" & "a fun RP experience" over "rule correctness" (not that I won't do my best to stick to the rules )!

DONE!!

Application River Song Name: River Song Echoing Through the Forest ("River Song" for short) / Clan: Might Roots Race: Tabaxi Class: Cleric / Domain: Trickery Appearance: "River Song" is mostly grey with black stripes; however she splotches of white around her mouth, left paw, stomach, & right foot. She is often compared to a tiger made of smoke, with her agile movement & the way she can stalk her "prey" (be it an item, hunted animal, or piece of information that has caught her eye). Speaking of her eyes, they are generally her most notable feature, as they are a bright white. She is generally seen wearing dark clothes made from the hides of animals she killed herself. She keeps a mace & light crossbow strapped to her back, along with a small buckler strapped to her hip. Personality: "River Song" has always had a curious nature. From the time she could walk, she spent all her time wandering the woods surrounding her homelands. She loved to follow & study the animals of the forest, every movement of muscle a fascinating thing for her draw & document in her notebook. In doing so, she learned to become very stealthy & patient, often following her target for hours. Raised by her mother as a cleric of the Cat Lord, "River Song" learned to heal in an effort to provide for her tribe. She sees them as an extended family; & though she felt a need to leave her tribe & journey out to learn more of the world around them, she misses them dearly. She has always enjoyed causing a bit of mischief whenever she can, but this is seen as a trait gifted to her by the Cat Lord, & is therefore seen as an innate part of her personality that should be cherished. If "River Song" has one flaw, it would be her lack of self-control when it comes to her interest in bobbles & things of beauty. Though she generally thinks little of worldly possessions, she can't help but fiddle with items that she takes an interest in. Sometimes it can be shiny, sometimes it can be ancient, sometimes it can seem magical; though the reason always changes, if she's interested, she WILL try to pick it up (& maybe even pocket it if she can get away with it). Most things she loses interest in within a few days though, but this "quirk" has come in handy when she is in need of something to sell, & is able to pull from this assortment of ill-gotten gains for a place to stay or a piece of information. Backstory: Growing up in a close-knit tribe, "River Song" never felt alone, even when she was out wandering on her own. She has 14 brothers & sisters, the oldest being 10 years older & the youngest 7 years younger. She is not the only one in her family touched by the wanderlust, & certainly not the only one in her tribe. Many have gone out into the world & brought back stories of great amazement, as well as great heartbreak; a few even brought back families of their own. Two of her older siblings left the tribe to wander the great unknowns of the world beyond. Her older brother "Open Sky" & sister "Blessed Tree" both left 4 years ago, deciding to travel together to see all that they could; she has received many letters from them, but the last was many months ago & she's unsure where to find them now. Her mother raised her as a cleric of the Cat Lord, to be a healer for the tribe. Though she has learned to be a decent healer, her mischievous nature has lead her to search out a few spells to meet defensive & deceptive needs alike. She still keeps the cat totem her mother gave her years ago as a reminder of home & the Lord she serves. Goals/Ambitions: "River Song's" main goal in her travels is to feed the wanderlust that burns within her. She also hopes to bring back new stories & knowledge for her tribe. She takes particular interest in new means of healing, as she feels a strong connection to this profession as her mother was also a healer. Her current obsession is a stone she read held the ability to create an "elixir of life".

[KarlCullinane]

Name: Eldra Starflower
Race: Lightfoot Halfling
Class: Rogue

Appearance: Standing about average height, this young, chubby, open-faced Halfling exudes an almost overbearing friendliness. With his saffron yellow tunic and sky blue cape he seems to be just a bit of a fop, possibly a scion of a wealthy house in his homeland. At his left hip hangs an old, well oiled leather scabbard, from which protrudes the well worn hilt of a basic shortsword. From his right hip a strange mahogany scabbard covered in what look like some variant of Dwarven runes hangs a scimitar with the sculpted head of a Bronze Dragon as it's counterweight. His light brown, curly, hair, frames a quietly amused pale red face centered around a pair of piercing, ice blue eyes.

Personality: He's quick with a joke, or to light up your smoke, and there's no place that he'd rather be.

Backstory: Now his sister's a real estate saleslady, who spends lots of time with her wife, and his brother is Davy, he's leading the Navy, and probably will 'til he dies.
His mother is practicing politics, as his father is selling those Robes, and they're sharing a home full of loneliness, but it's better than living alone.

1 or 2 Goals/Ambitions: To get out in the world and have some fun. As the youngest, and nearly ignored, child of a fairly noble house, his life to date has been quite boring. Having spent quite some time learning from his family's slightly less savory entourage he has picked up a particular set of skills that should serve him well on the road.

[Zwingli]

Originally Posted by Zamdall

I don't have a specific ending level in mind. It is my intention to continue running the game for as long as I have players. It might end at level 5 or level 25.

Wow, this could be a long one, then, but I'm willing and able to comply! My application is pretty much done, so feedback would be appreciated.

[MoldyNolds]

Okay, I switched back to Wizard for Inno. I really like the idea of finding & collecting spells that he has to tattoo onto his body and I reconciled the high Intelligence which I had a problem with before. I'm going to say he's kind of like a savant, able to read & write magic but basically illiterate and can only speak common. Sorry for all the flip-flopping!

[Lazer]

I'm going to get an application in as soon as I can for a standard variant human fighter. For the background I would like him to be a freed slave and I have been looking over some backgrounds and the one I like best is this one. Would this be okay? Also, is there slavery in this world? Do you have a specific society which keeps slaves or would I be free to make one up?

[Stonk]

Application Name: Skrynn Race: Human V Class: Druid (Moon) Background: Outlander (Hunter-Gatherer) Appearance: Skrynn is a small child, he appears to be around 11 years old but he has no idea. He emerged from the deep forest around Eridel a couple month ago. He was strewn in rough animal hides, and smelling like a bear. Once he was cleaned up a little it was clear that he was human. He is scrawny and wirey and his hair is crudely shaved around his crown leading only a tuft of hair that wisps in the wind. Skrynn likes to use paints and mud to paint his body, the shapes and patterns change but there is always some animalistic theme. His speech is broken but he can communicate, which indicates that someone taught him the common tongue. His hands and feet are well calloused which shows that he has lived his entire short life in the woods. He does have some interesting features, he has what look like tattoos on his back and neck, occasionally they glow. People in the town speculate that he might be touched by druidic or sorcererous magic. Personality: Skrynn is a wild boy, he was raised in the woods, spending most of his years with animals and his mother, a druid. Therefore he is unpredictable and manic. He can be happy and pleasant one moment, or angry and violent the next. His mood swings are getting worse as he enters adolecence and puberty is setting in. His hormones are beginning to take control of him. Flaw: There’s no room for caution in a life lived to the fullest.He also thinks he is invincible and has no physical limitations. He is perfectly content to climb a building and jump from the height. Where most children would break a leg he usually manages a silly grin and bounds away. In the event he does hurt himself, he mumbles some words and can heal himself. Skrynn is extremely curious and in a more 'civilized' environment he can Personality Trait: I’m always picking things up, absently fiddling with them, and sometimes accidentally breaking them.get his hands on all sorts of things, which he plays with and has no concept of ownership. He doesn't care if he breaks something and has no understanding of why someone would be mad at him. He does like most people and only has 'bitten the hand' of people who have been rude to him. He can be described like a wolf cub, protective and loyal to some and dangerous and mean to others. For the most part Skrynn has good intentions, he does have empathy and can tell when people are sad, Ideal: It is each person’s responsibility to make the most happiness for the whole tribe.he will try his best to make people happy. This is usually in the form of a strange dance, or trying to nuzzle, or finding and offering food. Despite some of the people in town offering to have him stay with them he chooses to sleep outside, and at night he disappears and reemerges in the morning. Nobody knows where he goes, and it is likely that neither does Skrynn. Backstory: Skrynn is a very young man, he is probably 11 or 12 years old and small for his age. His parents are both druids that cared for the Wolfbane forest, a large section of the huge forest north of Eridel. Isolated and cautious the two were part of a larger druidic order that was tasked with keeping the forest safe from the evil forces that sought to destroy the forest, mainly goblin races, underdark denizens, undead from the south, and even careless humans that ventured too deep with greedy ambition. The order was not pleased when the town of Eridel popped up but they seemed to be fighting the tide of evil that was threatening the area so the druids left them alone. Skrynn was born under the full moon, a great honor for his parents. He spent most of his life interacting with his parents when they were shape changed into wild animals. They did this to ensure his protection in the deep forest. As a result he grew up thinking he was an animal and showed great druidic promise. It was clear the the forest goddess favored the boy and began to grant him magic at an early age. His parents fostered, and encouraged him to become one with his nature. He has interacted with many of the forest animals and races, he is well known to the elves, and gnomes of the forest, who he delights in playing tricks on. He believes that any wolf is his brother and this has gotten him almost eaten on more than one occasion. He was introduced to the war with the evil forces when the forest was set upon by a scourge of orcs, hoping to gain a foothold beyond their caves. With the elves and gnomes, the druids helped fight this unknown war. This was the first time Skrynn really used his power, but he used it to hide. His parents were very clear that he was not to get involved. He stayed back and watched the war unfold. He witnessed many deaths that day, including his father's demise, who heroically sacrificed himself to kill the orcish leader. The battle was costly, but they did managed to push back the orcs. This was not the only battle he had to witness in his short life. After the death of his father, his mother continued his training, he proved to be wildly curious and hungry to fight the orcs. She helped foster his fearlessness and taught him to heal himself and forage for food. He began to help her with her druidic duties, proving to be an able novice. He fought the evil as well from time to time, gaining a contempt for them, for any thing that would harm his home. For two years he followed his mother around but she became ill. The druids around her were perplexed by the sickness, nothing they tried, no magic they had worked. Soon it began to spread to the other druids, they all began to suffer from what they called the bleak rot. It took them all, even his mother. Before she died she pleaded with him to flee, seek sanctuary in Eridel, her last words to him before she died were, "You are the key." The head druid charged him with setting fire to the forest, one last attempt at stopping the rot. Ideal: Life is like the seasons, in constant change, and we must change with it. Despite his feelings, he completed his task, leaving the Wolfbane forest ablaze. He did not now if he was successful but he hoped he was. A couple days later he arrived at Eridel, just popping in to the dismay of the locals. He never spoke of the rot, but each night he went back to the forest, hoping to find clues to the mystery left by the forest goddess. Bond: I will bring terrible wrath down on the evildoers who destroyed my homeland.He knew he had two goals, protect the forest from the evil abound, and to find the cause of the bleak rot and destroy it forever. Goals and Ambitions: In the post his major goals are to solve the mystery of the blight rot and to protect the forest from the evil. Now I have given some thought to his motivation, he is a child and therefore he will be easily distracted from this goals. His ambition at the moment is to enjoy this new town, experience all the interesting foods (basics like stew and bread) and things he can get his hands on. He was also recently orphaned and can be a bit emotional. He was raised in a 'pack' of druids he is going to be trying to insert himself into a new pack for safety and bonding.

[Zamdall]

Originally Posted by Lazer

I'm going to get an application in as soon as I can for a standard variant human fighter. For the background I would like him to be a freed slave and I have been looking over some backgrounds and the one I like best is this one. Would this be okay? Also, is there slavery in this world? Do you have a specific society which keeps slaves or would I be free to make one up?

The world is a big place. There would be slavery and it's possible that people from there would make an appearance. I didn't have any plans set in stone yet so if you want to make some things up for your background about where you were enslaved, who they were and why you were freed then we can work with that if you're accepted.

In general I tend to stay away from anything posted on D&DWiki. The background you linked is under powered and the feature is something I can do for your character without it needing to be a "feature". To be honest, having a freed slave in the party would make creating some drama pretty easy.

All background options come with two skill proficiencies and two tool/language proficiencies, a feature and some cheap equipment. Simply pick two skill that make sense for your character. Then pick a tool and a language, 2 tools, or 2 languages. Make up some bonds and traits that you want you character to start with. Your bonds and ideals may change over time as you get to know your character.

Depending on how you were freed you could steal the urchin, folk hero, or charlatan feature. "You know where it is safe for slaves to travel." or "You know places that will feed, employ, and shelter slaves.".

[Lazer]

It was actually because the background is underpowered that I liked it. I thought that was appropriate for a slave. Plus I might find it hard to stop myself from optimising stats with point-buy, so it kind of makes up a bit for that. :-) But I’m not particularly bothered, if you want to give me more power that’s all good. My application, as it stands at the moment, is below. I’ll let you know when it’s finished.

Application: Flashburn Name: Flashburn Race: Human (variant) Class: Fighter Alignment: Chaotic Neutral Background: Slave (Freed) Traits: No matter how bad things get, I never complain– I've seen worse. I don’t pay attention to the risks in a situation. Never tell me the odds. Ideal: I only think about what is within my power. Anything else is just circumstance. (Neutral) Bond: I heard a story about some grand place, and deeply want to go there. Flaw: I always say the truth when asked, even by an enemy. Appearance: Flashburn is only of average height, which is small for someone of his profession, but he is stocky and well-muscled. He habitually stands at attention and can only let himself relax with an effort of will. His hair, both head and facial, is kept short and functional. His eyes are grey and hard as granite. Personality: Flashburn will rarely start a conversation, being of the habit to only answer questions directed to him. When he does answer, however, he is always direct and honest. He is meticulous in his grooming and in the upkeep of his clothes and equipment, never putting off any job longer than is necessary. Character History: Flashburn never knew freedom, not until his 27th year. He was born a slave and raised to be a warrior from birth. At 14 he performed his initiation tournament and managed to kill his opponent, earning himself the right to be presented to the slavers’ most valued clients as a “blooded youth”. He was fortunate to be chosen by one Brohin val-Haish, a smuggler and criminal financier of great renown, to join his bodyguard. Flashburn acquitted himself well in the service of his Master and was being considered as the successor to Stormwing, the current leader of the bodyguard unit. Before that could happen, however, an attempted assassination attempt by the Master’s rival, Zerum val-Krism, managed to kill almost the entire bodyguard unit. Flashburn was in the right place at the right time and slew the final assassin before his blade could reach his Master’s throat, and in an unusual fit of generosity Brohin val-Haish granted Flashburn his freedom right there on the spot. Stormwing, terribly injured but still at his Master’s side, looked on with undisguised jealousy. Flashburn was at a loss for what to do. He had been granted the equipment he carried, but he had never before had to look for work, he had never RP Sample: Character Development:

[Nasst]

A high posting-rate, combat centric, sandbox game, sounds right up my alley! I'm still inexperienced with PbP, but I'm sure I won't disappoint.

I'll be posting a character application soon!

[kymrel]

My application is now complete. I would welcome a review, if you intend to do any.

I originally intended to start the character off as a Warlock (Hexblade), but when I was writing the background I felt it would be better for the story to start him out as a knight (Fighter) and have him learn, in play, about the terrible shadow that plagues his family. My intent is to have him multiclass into a Warlock at second level, and after that probably do some mix of Fighter and Warlock depending on how the character develops in play and how the mood strikes me.

In my backstory I made up a fair bit of stuff that might or might not fit with the DM’s view of the world, and possibly the vision of other players who might get selected for the game. Nothing there is written in stone (heck, it’s not even printed on paper!) so I’m willing and able to make any changes needed to the background. The same goes for the other details, if something isn’t quite working I’m happy to work on changing that.

Sir Devon Northwall Name: Sir Devon Northwall Race: Aasimar (Scourge) Class: Fighter (Planning Warlock – Hexblade) Background: Noble Alignment: Lawful-Good Appearance: Sir Devon is a tall, fit and broad-shouldered man with an attractive face framed by his flowing golden-blonde hair. His eyes are strikingly blue and have a tendency to change slightly at times of great emotion, when they start to glow slightly with bright yellow light. When out and about he tends to wear knightly armor, a suit of heavy scale armor with armored plates covering his shoulders and arms, and carry a kite shield and a well-used sword. His shield bears the coat-of-arms of his family, a white field with a grey line across the shield with a stylized sword piercing the wall. He usually wears a dark-red cloak over his armor. Personality Traits: - I am full of self-loathing because of the shadow inside me but at the same time I am determined to use that shadow for good. - I feel that the nobility have a duty towards the lower classes. They should uphold the law and protect those who cannot protect themselves. Ideal: Duty. Since leaving my position as the head of the influential Nortwall family I have vowed to spend my life in the service of others, protecting the weak and fighting tyranny and evil. Bond: Family. My younger brother now rules the Northwall family and my two younger sisters work as his emissaries. I have left the family to protect them but if they are threatened I will do what I have to do to keep them safe. Flaw: I am plagued with guilt. Both over what my grandfather and his ancestors did to secure ever more power for the Northwall family, but also for carrying the evil that embodies my ancestor's lust for power inside me. Brief Backstory: Sir Devon Northwall was the first in line to inherit the title of Lord Northwall after his grandfather passed away. When he visited his grandfather on the old man’s deathbed, the dying lord told his grandson about a shadow that had plagued the past six generations of the Lords of Northwall. He told him that their ancestor had sought out help from something supernatural from beyond the veil to aid him in defeating an invasion of the orc tribes from the north. In return, the shadow had influenced the lord and his inheritors since, granting them impressive powers but also demanding constant aggression and war. His grandfather also told him about an ancestor, who in an attempt to counter the evil of the shadow within him had a deva summoned to advice him. The deva eventually fell in love with him and gave up her divine spark in order to marry him. Her influence in the blood of the subsequent generations had quenched the need for blood and conquest, but not eliminated it entirely. Devon was devastated by the news of the curse, and it was a small consolation when his grandfather told him that the curse would be lifted after Devon’s day. Especially since the final price to pay would be Devon’s immortal soul. After his grandfather passed away, ravaged by the disease that had claimed most of the previous lords long before their time, Devon found that he was able to converse with the shadow, after a fashion. He pleaded with the entity, but it would not budge, claiming the two of them were tied together for eternity. In a desperate bid to save his family from further influence from the shadow entity, Devon gave up his title, his lands and his family, leaving all to his brother. He decided to dedicate his life to using the powers of the shadow to do good, to counter the evil it had been allowed to do through the centuries. And so he boarded a boat heading down river to the coast, and then south to lands far away from his family lands, to a place where a single knight could do some good.   ”Did I ever tell you why your father took his own life?” This was not a question Devon had expected when he was called to his grandfather’s side. The old man had been ravaged by the disease that was now about to claim his life, but had hung on to life until his oldest grandson had returned from his travels, squiring for Sir Geldor of Lowtower. “I told him too early,” the dying Lord Rawthorn Northwall said, coughing up blood. Devon wiped his mouth and chin gently with a damp cloth. “He was to be the seventh lord of our house to carry the burden placed upon us by our ancestor, Tyron Northwall,” the old man continued. Tyron. The founder of the great house. Everyone in the land knew that story. The stubborn northern lord, protecting his small, wooden keep against an invasion by the northern orc tribes. The man who rallied the other northern lords to his cause and led a counterattack against the hordes, taking Hell Pass and then holding it until winter fell and the snow stopped the orcs from attacking. Everyone also knows what came after that. How lord Tyron had found his ambition in the war, first consolidating by building the keep at the mouth of Hell Pass, and then the wall that gave the family the name Northwall. How he then made war on the other northern lords, one after another, with a hunger for conquest and power that never seemed able to sate. And that was a passion shared by his son, and the other lords of Northwall since, although none could match the deviousness and brutality of Tyron Northwall. “The burden, boy,” the old man said cackling slightly, interrupting his train of thought. “I am the sixth lord of this great house to bear it. It came to me after my father died, and it should have ended with my son when my life ended. But the coward couldn’t face this fate and so he jumped off the high tower,” he said. Devon rose, his cheeks red with anger. “Father was no coward,” he replied angrily, but the old man didn’t listen. “A coward, boy. It should have ended with him, but instead it will end with you. Tyron didn’t win the north by himself. When all seemed lost, he made a pact. A dark pact with a dark devil, they say. A shadow over our house. And the shadow lived inside him for the rest of his life. When he died, it moved to his first-born son, the new lord of the house. It is said that the deal Tyron made was for his soul only, but that he was able to twist the deal and convince the shadow to ravage his blood for seven generations instead, and then take the soul of the seventh lord of the house. Your soul,” the old man croaked, pointing a withered finger at Devon, still standing by his bed. When his grandson didn’t reply, Lord Rawthorn continued. “There is nothing you can do about that now. Nothing but bear the burden like I have, and my father before me. But there are certain … benefits,” the old man continued. “Powers that the shadow bestows. You know I was considered one of the best knights in the entire land in my time. But before my father died in battle I was considered average. At best. And the magic, my boy. Once you learn to control the shadow you can use it to your advantage. Use its power to protect yourself. And to harm others. Take the power, my boy. It is some consolation for the price you must pay.” Devon was silent for a while. A darkness fell over him as the candle next to the bed died. “I don’t want this, grandfather. Is there nothing I can do, to prevent this?” he finally asked. “Nothing,” was the only answer. “Nothing, except to end your life. And doom your brother to take your place,” the old man finally croaked. “There is nothing that can be done. Our ancestors have tried. The priests tried everything they could for Tyron’s grandson, Mannon. After years of prayer and asking the gods for guidance, the high priest finally came up with something that might work. He called down an angel, a deva, to act as Mannon’s conscience. A beautiful, angelic woman. After she had served the young Mannon faithfully for a year and a day, they fell in love and were married the following spring. The family annals say she gave up her spark of divinity, becoming mortal to be with the man she loved. Me? I think some of her divinity is still in our blood, countering the evil of the shadow that lies deep within us.” Devon stayed with his grandfather until late that night when the old man passed on. As he did, Devon felt a presence in the room and a chill come over him as something, an entity, was transferred from his dead grandfather to himself. The shadow had claimed the seventh lord of the Northwall family. To his surprise, Devon found that he was sometimes able to converse with the entity, the shadow. He pleaded with it, asking it if there was any way for him to convince it to leave him alone. But the answer was always the same. The two of them had been tied together with bonds that would only break upon Devon’s death. And at that time, the shadow would take Devon’s soul. In the days that followed, Devon was hastily knighted in preparation for formally taking his place as the newest lord of Northwall. And as the ceremony where he would be formally appointed head of the house drew near, he found himself thinking about how he could get the influence of the shadow away from his house, away from his family. From the whispering of the shadow it had become clear to him how it had influenced his ancestors, pushing them to gain more power, take the lands of their neighbors. Wage war after war. And Devon didn’t want to follow in those footsteps. On the morning of the ceremony, he went to the chamber of his younger brother, Torsten. In his presence he signed and sealed a letter where he rescinded any claim to the lordship, leaving the title, lands and everything that came with it to Torsten. He knew his younger brother was a good man, worthy of carrying the family name and capable of finally making peace with Northwall’s neighbors. His two younger sisters, Elena and Marta, would help with that. Both seem to be impressive diplomats, and by marrying them off strategically Torstein could secure the family lands without making war on his neighbors. After saying goodbye, Sir Devon boarded a ship sailing down-river and then to the south. He had little idea where he was going, other than away, and what he would do once he got there. His only plan was to follow his heart and see where that took him. Goals and ambitions: Sir Devon has two main reasons for traveling away from his family. He wants to limit the power of the shade who has influenced the lords of Northwall for the previous six generations over his brother. But he also wants to vex the dark entity by using its power to do good. For this reason his main goal is to protect the general population, especially when the local lords fail to do so. At the same time he understands that social order must prevail and will not actively undermine the rightful rulers. Sir Devon is also quite interested in finding a local noble that can use the drive and skill of a wandering knight to better the lives of his subjects. He is wary, however, and determined not be used by an unscrupulous noble. His main long-term goal is to rid himself of the shadow that has possessed his ancestors, and now rests within him, or at least save his soul from eternal damnation.

[Stonk]

@Zamdall - I have changed my app from a fighter to a druid.