[D&D-5e] The Closing Calamity in the Crags

[Shula]

Name: Dawnlord Dirk Ambercrown, itinerant priest of Lathander Race: Human Class: Cleric (Life Domain) Personality: Dirk strives to be an inspiration to others. He is reflective and quietly caring. When things need to be done the cleric sometimes is a bit gruff. Dirk can be creative when he needs to be. Normally, he can keep his emotions in check, but when he sees undead he gets angry to the point of almost raging. Sometimes he'll talk to his mother as if she was still alive. Whether he gets an answer, only Dirk knows. Appearance: At five foot eight and weighing two hundred twelve pounds, Dirk is a brute of a man. His hair is brown as is his eyes. Dirk has a fair complexion with rosy cheeks. He prefers colors of gold, red and white, Lathander's favored colors. Dirk normally wears his vestments over his armor. Backstory: Where his parents, Roland and Marta, originally hailed from Dirk has no recollection, his first memories being of Khedell. They were traders of fine wood, making a living selling their goods to Waterdhavian carpenters. Dirk always travelled with them as there was no extended family in the thorpe they hailed as home. In his eighth year, the wagon train that Dirk was traveling in was attacked by a wizard leading undead brigands. Before going to fight, his parents hid him in a secret compartment of the wagon. Dirk was afraid, so scared that it took him three days to exit the wagon. He found his parents and the other half dozen merchants all dead. The lad stayed by his mother's side. Dirk would have died of thirst had it not been for a priest wandering by. Taking stock of the situation the priest, Grimgor, took charge of the boy. Dirk would spend the rest of his childhood and into his late teen learning so he could be anointed into the clerical order. On his 19th naming day, the young man was made a priest of Lathander and the right to be called 'Dawnlord'. Over the next few years, Dirk made friends with two adventurers, a halfling named Brandeon and a human named Lyra. Slowly but surely, the two fed the young cleric with the teachings of the Lord's Alliance. Dirk saw the mission of the betterment and protection of its member settlements as a good thing. Eventually he joined as an agent of the faction. Lyra, a swordmage, taught Dirk the fundamentals of summoning a familiar and the spell Green Flame Blade. Due to his connection with Lathander the flame was not green as usual but gold, red and white strands. The cleric decided that this was a sign that his god approved of him dabbling in the arcane. At the age of 26, the church elders decided that Dirk's calling was as itinerant rather than a rector of a set church. So it is that he found himself wandering the Sword Coast. Dirk did his best and mostly that was good enough. Lately he could be found in the Luskan Region, spreading the word of the Morninglord to the poor souls there. What most in the church do not know is that Dirk carries a text describing the Risen Sun heresy. He was a diehard believer. In short, the heresy prophecies that Lathander would be fully unveiled as Amaunter. Dirk keeps the text secret except to the cleric, Nigel Greyjoy, who introduced him to the book. Fervently he prays every morning that this would be the day of the Risen Sun's return. Background [Faction Agent (Lord's Alliance)]: Personality Traits: The roads are open to me, I follow my feet and enjoy the journey that they take, like water filling a cup. I strive for a better me tomorrow, always improving both physically and spiritually through hard work. Ideal: Avenger: I always seek to destroy evil, especially undead. It is my truest purpose. Bond: I seek to preserve a sacred text that most of my fellow clerics consider heretical and seek to destroy. Flaw: I'm an honest person and I can hardly lie to save my life. Hometown: Born in Kheldell, a thorp on the northern brim of the Westwood in the foothills of the Sword Coast Spires. From the age of 8 raised by the clerics of Lathander at Morninglow Tower, Waterdeep.

CharSheet

[Yoshimi]

Would you accept a Githyanki fighter? The player race is in Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes. He wouldn't have been born in Faerun since they are from the Astral Plane, but instead could have a longtime base of operations there.

[Drachenspirit]

Originally Posted by Yoshimi

Would you accept a Githyanki fighter? The player race is in Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes. He wouldn't have been born in Faerun since they are from the Astral Plane, but instead could have a longtime base of operations there.

Normally, I'd say no, but there's already a Fey kind Rabbit in the mix, so yes, the more the merrier.

[thefeywild]

Application Character Sheet Character Name: Taren Zarichar, aka "Doctor Eldergrove" Race: Tiefling Class: Bard (College of Glamour) Alignment: Chaotic Neutral Description: Taren Zarichar is a tiefling male, 32 years of age, and a most conspicuous one at that. Of average height and lean build, he is not the most physically imposing individual, but can appear rather intimidating to those who have spent little time around beings with infernal blood. Large, curved horns sit atop Taren's head, growing amidst a thick mane of dark brown hair. He is tattooed with strange, blue markings (which he will eagerly talk about, given the opportunity) on his limbs, torso, face, and tail. Taren is ostentatious, among other things, and prefers expensive, exotic clothing. Lighter skinned than most other tieflings, his complexion is markedly more human, though there is little denying his hellish heritage. Background: Charlatan Trait 1: I have a joke for every occasion, especially occasions where humor is inappropriate. Trait 2: I’m a born gambler who can’t resist taking a risk for a potential payoff. Ideal: Independence. I am a free spirit—no one tells me what to do. Bond: I keep my thoughts and discoveries in a journal. My journal is my legacy. Flaw: I’m convinced that no one could ever fool me the way I fool others. Personality:   "Come one, come all!" the tiefling shouts over the growing crowd into the market square. He prances from one side of the small, ramshackle stage to the other, plucking the strings of a finely made lyre, humming a harmony to the instrument's song between calls to his audience. A large, well-weatherd sign is erected above the stage. In bold, elegant script, it reads: Doctor Eldergrove's Feywild Elixir, Cure-All from the Farthest Reaches of the Planes. As the listeners press in closer, his song and dance grows more fervent, the tempo building. The tiefling scans the faces of the crowd. Satisfied, he leaps into the air, landing directly in the center of the stage. Standing tall and straight, he plucks a complex, arpeggiated progression on his lyre. The melody comes to an end at the height of his crescendo, and he bows with a flourish. "Friends and neighbors—welcome!" he calls to the crowd. He looks intently at his audience, making eye contact with each member. "Tell me—are you in pain? Do you suffer from chronic aches or illnesses? Are your muscles stiff and worn from days of toil? I tell you, friends—no longer! I give you Doctor Eldergrove's Feywild Elixir! Guaranteed to soothe any and all aches, pains, and ailments." The tiefling spins to the side of the stage. On a small table sit several green, glass bottles filled with liquid. On the label is the face of a dryad with overly large eyes. He snatches the potable and a small silver spoon from the table and walks back to the center of the stage. He unstoppers the bottle and holds it high over his head. "For a mere 10 gold—yes, friends, yes, I know the price is ridiculous—you can experience the healing power of the Fey! Will anyone sample this miracle remedy and experience for themselves?" Hands shoot into the air. The tiefling looks among them, methodically. There, in the back, stands an elderly man, hand raised, propped against a crude crutch. Splendid. "You, sir!" the tiefling calls, pointing at the man. The elderly human slowly limps through the crowd. He receives several pats on the back from others as he passes, no doubt acquaintances or friends. As he reaches the front of the stage, the tiefling flashes a devilish smile and extends a helping hand to the man. With a struggle, the man steps up to join him. The tiefling hands the man the bottle and the spoon. He steps back and bows. "Please, sir—try it! Just a spoonful is all that is needed, for the magic of the Fey is potent indeed." He turns to the crowd. "Now, witness for yourselves!" The tiefling takes another step back and lifts his lyre once more. A soft, melancholic melody emanates from the instrument as his fingers pluck the strings. He begins to sing a haunting tune of Fathagn, the dryad queen, deep within her maze. Unbeknownst to the audience, within the notes of the song exists a spell of healing magic. The elderly man pours the liquid into the small spoon and pops it into his mouth impatiently. Several seconds pass as the tiefling's song continues. Suddenly, the man's eyes open wide. He rotates his ankle, then bends his knee. Looking wildly to the crowd, he turns, dropping his crutch. He takes a step forward, gingerly, testing his weight on the leg. Miraculously, it holds without issue. A toothless grin stretches across the man's face. He lifts his leg again, then begins walking. "I—I'm healed!" the man cries to the crowd. He rushes to the tiefling, interrupting his song, and shakes his hand enthusiastically. "Oh, thank you! Thank you!" A murmur rises from the crowd as the members of the audience begin talking in hushed voices to one another. The muffled clinking of coin fills the air next, as purses are raised into the air. "I'll take two bottles!" a halfling woman shouts. The tiefling smiles. Backstory:   Most of Taren's earliest memories are long forgotten. He doesn't remember his parents or his birthplace. He has no recollection of childhood friends or games played in the autumn sun. But he remembers the blade and the vial. He remembers the cackle of the hideous crone. He remembers the color of the blood being squeezed from the fresh cut in his palm. Taren's first memories are of the hag's den. He may have been in the cage for days, or months, or years. In the Feywild, time was fluid, like the tides of the sea. He measured time by how much his wounded hand had healed before she returned for more blood. Taren also remembers the korred. In a cage next to him, the hag kept a small, grey-skinned fey. The creature looked something like a satyr, with and humanoid torso and goat-like legs. It had thick, long hair and a full beard that hung to its waist. The hag would periodically cut hair from the korred with shears made from various metals, which hung on the wall next to the creature's cage. As the hair was cut, it transformed into the material that was used to cut it. Taren had accepted his lot—that is, until the eladrin. He never knew where they came from, or what they were looking for. They simply appeared one day—two warriors of immense beauty, armored in exquisite half plate—and slew the hag. They never spoke. They removed the hag's head, took several items of apparent value, and opened the cages. Taren and the korred scrambled from the den to freedom. Thus began Taren's life among the korred, and it was from these fey that he would receive his name. The korred were folk of music and dance. Most worshipped the god Tapann, and celebrated in his name, though others partook in the revelries of Hyrsam. It was among the latter that Taren spent the endless twilight. Something within this place changed him. A combination of the inherant magic of the Feywild and the music of its inhabitants pierced his very being. He learned the ways of song, string, and the magic of beguilement and healing. That was long ago, before he found the fey crossing. He thought of that place often—the realm that had served as his home and his hell. It felt like a dream, his time there, and he often had to convince himself that it had happened at all. It took many years for him to adjust to life in the Prime. He found the cycles of day and night, the laws and customs, the organization of infrastructure and politics to be like a prison. No doubt, this contributed to his chaotic nature. He adapted, in time, but still he longed for the whimsy and spontaneity of the place he had known for so long. And so, he created his own. He found great pleasure in tricks and cons, and used his gift of performance and magic to turn them into a rather successful (though less than respectable) profession. Thus, Doctor Eldergrove was born. A veritable snake oil peddler, Taren has perfected the business of deception, and travels Faerûn vending fraudulent potions to an unsuspecting public. He has only just arrived in Luskan, unaware of what the city may hold for him.

[Yoshimi]

Application Name: Exidor Race: Githyanki Class: Fighter, Eldritch Knight Appearance: Like all of his race, his frame seems thin and deceptively frail, belying his powerfully wiry muscles. He keeps his head shaved except for a small topknot and has a neatly trimmed goatee, and sports an impeccably waxed thin mustache hanging well below his face. He is among the taller members of his race, and his eyes are narrow and sharp. Background: Soldier, Scout Personality Trait 1: I’m always polite and respectful. (my note: Although in a deluded "Dwight Schrute" way) Personality Trait 2: I’m full of inspiring and cautionary tales from my military experience relevant to almost every combat situation. (my note: ditto to my note above) Ideal: Might. In life as in war, the stronger force wins. Bond: Those who fight beside me are those worth dying for. Flaw: I have little respect for anyone who is not a proven warrior. Note: Although he was raised in a Lawful Evil martial society and it determined his alignment, his social instincts ended up countering the callous approach toward life that most Githyanki possess. So the evil part of his nature remains as an "end justifies the means" attitude and a degree of haughtiness toward those perceived as weak or foolish. But he cares about preserving the institutions of culture including those not of his own culture,and will fight to save them. He is also loyal to his companions and protective of anyone he considers under his care. Backstory: Exidor was naturally one of the brightest of his cohort and although he focused on martial training, he showed some interest in arcane matters as well. After his rite of passage, he served as a spy and a scout ahead of Gith invasions. However, he became highly influenced by the cultures he observed and came to regret the destruction of their achievements (although still lacking in pity for the loss of the people themselves). He came to view the endless Gith war as pointless and his own Githyanki society as hopelessly inert. His dissatisfaction eventually led him to the shadowy Sha’sal Khou movement, where he works in secret to put an end to the Gith intra-racial war. Posing as a Githzerai warrior in hiding from assassins, he has been living in Luskan itself for some time, and has been providing service as a guardsman and providing other services to earn his keep and to win over the locals. But his true intention is to gather information on the landscape, peoples, and culture of the area, to identify assets that might one day serve to thwart a Githyanki incursion.   RP Example: On a distant world, the forces of the demon-worshipping city of Iuz retreated from the great plains of the Flaeness. Amidst the blood-soaked grass, a half-elven cleric of Greyhawk and her fighter companion, a strange outworlder mercenary claiming to be from a race know as the Githzerai, argued as the tide of battle receded around them. Exidor sniffed and gave his companion a dolorous glance before returning his gaze to the prisoner before them. The cleric, a veteran called Sister Freya, snapped, "The Order of Pelor do not slay those who are at our mercy, Exidor!" The warrior smirked and retorted, "What you call mercy is quite the opposite. This soldier will go through a charade of a trial, following which the magistrate, in his wisdom, will render a death sentence to an enemy of the state. It is a subtle but insidious form of torture, is it not? Why drain your resources and drag out the inevitable for this..ahem...poor soul?" The captive's eyes widened in horror. Sister Freya opened her mouth as if to shout, but took a deep breath and calmed herself. She continued serenely, "Although the Sun God is understanding about the vagaries of battle, when there is no more threat, it is up to His judgment, not mine, if someone is to live or die. And that judgment will guide the wisdom of the magistrates." Exidor held the human's by-now terrified gaze with his own. He continued in a reasoning tone. "Is it not obvious? The judgment of Pelor was rendered when your spell took effect." At this, the half-elf did lose a bit of self-control, "Who do you think you are, to interpret the will of..." Just then, the duration of her spell lapsed, and their now-released enemy snarled and scooped up the loaded crossbow laying on the ground. But before the trigger could be pulled, the mercenary closed the distance and had his sword at the soldier's neck. "I wouldn't if I were you, my good woman. Vagaries of battle, remember?" The crossbow landed softly in the grass. Sister Freya hurried forward, drawing a rope from her pack, and began to lash the would-be sharpshooter. Exidor grimaced and twisted his thin mustache with one finger. "Even after that?" The cleric frowned but did not reply, as she gruffly began to force her captive to march before them. Exidor shrugged. "You're the one paying my retainer." Sword at the ready, he followed, more baffled and disturbed than his calm visage would betray. He must learn more about this code of mercy, and whether there was a strength to it that he couldn't see at the moment. Otherwise he was concerned the Githyanki would overrun Greyhawk like a summer fire through the Flaeness.

[Drachenspirit]

Deadline to submit a character is Midnight 5/26.

I will be choosing two characters to add to the group, one of which "will be" strong in healing spells/abilities. The other can be any, but a fighter type is probably a better fit (still a knockout character app will win me over every time)

The list of Applicants so far:

1. Jrod's character, Arthur Korvos - a Sorcerer - Divine Soul / Warlock - Celestial
2. Treslo Kresha's character - Jura Duhlome, a half-elven Ranger
3. Shula's character - Dawnlord Dirk Ambercrown, a Human cleric of Lathandar
4. thefeywild's character - Taren Zarichar, aka "Dr. Eldergrove", a Tiefling Bard
5. Yoshimi's character - Exidor, a Githyanki Eldritch Knight Fighter
6. BobManGM's character - Kal Dorian, a Human Cleric

[Jrod]

My character is now complete barring minor tweaks, full character sheet and equipment.

[thefeywild]

@Drachenspirit
Taren Zarichar's application is complete. None of the bonds from the Charlatan background really fit his personality or backstory, so I changed what I had selected initially to one from the Haunted One background. Let me know if this is okay.

A couple questions:

1. Would you have any issue with Taren knowing an additional language—specifically Sylvan? I think with his backstory it would make sense that he knows the language of the fey, but no problem if that doesn't work for you.
   
2. With the additional 50 gp, would I be able to purchase a mule and cart? I believe those amount to 23 gp. I'm wanting them as a method for transporting his sideshow from town to town.

[Drachenspirit]

Originally Posted by Jrod

My character is now complete barring minor tweaks, full character sheet and equipment.

Updated applicant list.

Originally Posted by thefeywild

@Drachenspirit
Taren Zarichar's application is complete. None of the bonds from the Charlatan background really fit his personality or backstory, so I changed what I had selected initially to one from the Haunted One background. Let me know if this is okay.

A couple questions:

1. Would you have any issue with Taren knowing an additional language—specifically Sylvan? I think with his backstory it would make sense that he knows the language of the fey, but no problem if that doesn't work for you.
   
2. With the additional 50 gp, would I be able to purchase a mule and cart? I believe those amount to 23 gp. I'm wanting them as a method for transporting his sideshow from town to town.

Background changes are okay.

For knowing Sylvan, I'm okay with it as long as you provide some background as to when/how they learned the language.

If you really want the mule and cart, he'd have to be newly joining the group in Red Larch as the current group "flew" from Luskan to Red Larch. So, I'm okay with that I suppose.

[thefeywild]

@Drachenspirit
You're the DM, so your call! My thought for learning Sylvan was that Taren learned the language during his time among the revelers of Hyrsam in the Feywild. As far as the mule and cart goes, I'm fine either way. If it makes sense to meet the party in Red Larch, I can roll with that. In your post, you mentioned RPing like we've always been with the party, and if they've flown to Red Larch I can just forgo the mule and cart. I didn't realize they were in an area where that might not make sense to have.

[Drachenspirit]

Originally Posted by thefeywild

@Drachenspirit
You're the DM, so your call! My thought for learning Sylvan was that Taren learned the language during his time among the revelers of Hyrsam in the Feywild. As far as the mule and cart goes, I'm fine either way. If it makes sense to meet the party in Red Larch, I can roll with that. In your post, you mentioned RPing like we've always been with the party, and if they've flown to Red Larch I can just forgo the mule and cart. I didn't realize they were in an area where that might not make sense to have.

Yeah, easy for all to say the two new characters have always been with the group.
And... he can always purchase those in Red Larch.

[Drachenspirit]

Originally Posted by Drachenspirit

Yeah, easy for all to say the two new characters have always been with the group.
And... he can always purchase those in Red Larch.

I'm posting this like he's already in the game. I haven't even begun deep diving to chose yet.

[BobManGM]

Afternoon,

I'm new to RPG Crossing, so if I've made a mistake, I apologize. I play and DM over on RPOL, but this is my first try here. I have not read anything on Forgotten Realms in a long time. If a general lack of knowledge is an issue, I'll bow out. Both risks, I know.

If I read this in the correct order, it seems you need a cleric. What about Kal Dorian, a cleric of Lliira? Thanks for reading.

Name: Kal Dorian
Race: Human
Class: Cleric

Appearance: Kal is a giant of a man, with the strength to match. His red hair and beard stand out and seem to turn a shade brighter when he laughs and smiles. Being a 'free spirit' he is always ready with a joke, a smile, a beer and a willingness to dance (which he does with a little skill).


Background: Acolyte
Personality Trait 1: I love a good insult, even one directed at me.
Personality Trait 2: Nobody stays angry with me or in my around me.
Ideal: Charity - I always try to help those in need, no matter what the personal cost.
Bond: I owe my life to the priestess that took me in when my parents died.
Flaw: I judge others harshly, and myself even more severely.

Backstory: Kal was left with Joybringers as an orphan. Why there, nobody knows. Nothing is known of his family and he has never worried about it. It seems to him, that if they made a decision to leave him that they were the ones that lose, not him. Raised in the temples, ballrooms, festivals and occasional bacchanal when he was old enough, he never looked back. He worked as whatever his 'sisters' or 'brothers' needed; waiter, groom, cook, host or courtesan. When of age and knowledge, he moved to the clergy easily and happily.

When he was 18, he followed Maira Margaret Henry, a senior in the order, off on an extended errand. They were to take missives and a small dowry to the south, and return with the groom (who was very young) for his nuptials. On the return trip, they were attacked by thieves on the road. Although they tried to avoid a fight, it was inevitable with the 'poor and hungry' men. Maira Margaret ordered him to ride with the boy to escape, and he did. They arrived safe, but Maira never made it back. Kal didn't blame the men, but himself. If he had stayed...she may have made it back.

After this, he picked up his things and started to travel. If he can bring a little joy to others, maybe it will repay his debt to Maira Margaret.

[L0stTh0ught]

does rpgx have a website to look at?

[Drachenspirit]

Originally Posted by L0stTh0ught

does rpgx have a website to look at?

By website, what do you mean?