[D&D-5e] A Story of Unlife: Academic Pursuit

[FatherDondo]

Given that elves' thing is being exceedingly healthy and universally hot, drow are effectively... normal. Being drow has nothing to do with skin color or relative evil or criminal activity. It's like comparing someone who would be considered pretty in normal society to movie stars and supermodels. There was an incident where most of the drow existing today are the descendants of elves who lived in underground shelters that were cheaply made and placed too close to buried radioactive waste. It does say something about the resilience of elves that despite all this, most of the consequences were a mild cosmetic dampening. The rest of drow are merely elves that aren't sufficiently "elven" though still fully elven genetically.

[danab]

I'm surprised I missed this. Looks great. Would you allow the UA Rune Knight subclass for the fighter?

[FatherDondo]

Actual giants are functionally extinct as a species (not biologically viable, oxygen requirements of megafauna), but half-giants are a thing. They are reclusive and nomadic, wandering the plains. Their secrets are jealously guarded, and their trust hard-won. In order to learn runic magic, you would need to have done something to really impress them.

[danab]

It's not a make or break deal. If not I can go with another version of a fighter. Anyway, here's my WIP application.

Application Ready [Name:] Davi Althuyzer; Davi the Wastrel [Race:] Variant Human [Class:] Fighter [Subclass:] Rune Knight [Background:] Urban Bounty Hunter or Resurrection Men [Writing Sample:] The bloody sack's impact sent dust and tattered notes into the air. Considering the sorts of things that crossed this counter top, Davi was mindful to keep her mouth shut until the air had cleared. The surety on the other side did the same. Despite the precaution the air still tasted of the grave when she decided to speak. "Wilhelm Arneson," she said with all the enthusiasm one reserves for paying their taxes. "He's in a bag." "Warrant and writ of procurement," she pulled two crumpled papers from her pack and handed them over. The sack groaned and rocked as the surety skimmed the writing. "He's in a bag," he stated the obvious once again before crossing his arms, "Why the hell is he in a bag?" The answer wormed its way out of the sack. Skittering along the counter a severed hand leapt for the floor. Its beeline for the door was only stopped by a well placed stomp from Davi's boot. It clawed and scratched at her foot in futility before she picked it up and tossed it back in the bag with the rest of the writhing mess, cinching it properly this time. "Warrant said to bring back the whole body. The parts I cut off didn't want to stay put so... bag..." [Secret:]

[danab]

I think I'm done, unless I've missed something.

[FatherDondo]

@danab It looks good to me. Davi seems pretty solid.

[danab]

@FatherDondo Thanks

[AllyDJ]

Seraphina Vess Name: Seraphina Vess Race: Human Class: Blood Hunter Subclass: Order of the Profane Soul Background: Custom Haunted One taking the Urban Bounty Hunter Feature in place of Heart of DarknessMonster Hunter   Seraphina comes from a family of monster hunters, known for their extreme efficacy in tracking and eliminating any type of monster. The Vess family has history of being fervent supporters of the Reclamation, though their secretive family rituals and oath, combined with the general shroud they keep upon their work concerns many. Like all of the firstborn children before her, Seraphina went through the processes of initiation into the family's sacred rituals, and swore the oaths every member of the family swore. This ended in the most important ritual of all-the consumption of the Hunter's Bane, the sacred potion that grants the family their powers. Seraphina, like many before her, survived the ordeal and was introduced to the outside world at the age of 16. She proved rather effective at her work, quickly earning a reputation as a professional that could be trusted to deliver. Of course, this meant that she caught the attention of people who may otherwise not want an effective professional in her line of work. Thus, the young monster hunter is simultaneously infamous, but also well liked. RP Sample:   Seraphina's nose twitched as she walked lightly, tracking a beast she had wounded previously. "You can't run forever, darling...especially not with that wounded leg." The monster hunter licked her lips, picking up her pace. The prey this time was a particularly cunning beast-a worg. It had attempted to plead with her several times already. The monster hunter, foots light and with a bounce in her step, came upon a cave-the tracks led into it. As she walked inside, her eyes adjusted to the lights, narrowing to slits as she gazed at the wounded beast cowering in the corner. "Spare me...I won't..." A snarl of pain interrupted it's bestial speech, growling and hard to understand. "I will not...harm your kind." IT lifted itself to it's feat weakly to face her head on. Seraphina advanced unabated, the smile on her face growing as she pulled her rapier from it's sheath. "Sorry, darling, but I can't do that. The contractor offered a pretty penny for your hide. And I...." Like a serpent, the previously fairly docile monster hunter sprang forwards, rapier going through the worg's eye, and the beast went still. "...always deliver." The hunter's voice was filled with a perverse joy. Seraphina deeply enjoyed the hunt, and the final blow that signaled the end. She took great joy in tracking her prey, playing with it, making sure that she performed the contract in a satisfactory manner. As she pulled a knife and got to work skinning the worg, she whistled a tune. Finishing with the skinning swiftly, she began to hear the far off moaning of undead. "Oh darling...it seems I have no time to play any longer. I guess I'll leave you out for the dead." She dragged the corpse out of the cave, and then began to sprint off into the wilderness, wearing a savage grin. A job well done.   In an addition to the clothing in the picture, Seraphina also wears a black cloak which covers her features when the hood is up. The clothing also has adjustable belts to change how form-fitting they are.

[danab]

[AllyDJ]

...Huh. I didn't pay attention, but Davi and Seraphina are remarkably similar characters. Whoops.

[FatherDondo]

No worries, there is time.
I was actually thinking, given the structure of the setup, I might run two groups if there's enough interest before the deadline.

[danab]

@AllyDJ Similar, but not the same. I think Seraphina is pretty unique.

[AllyDJ]

Also, I suppose there's the specifics that Seraphina doesn't take contracts for people, only monsters. But yeah, they're similar but they have their specifics and very different attitudes towards the job.

[FatherDondo]

I see them as complementary in respects but distinct. Seraphina, being with Reclamation, is more concerned with ridding the world of monsters, and Davi, being with the Resurrection Men, maintains a symbiosis with them.

[AllyDJ]

Yep. I think they might get along, though Seraphina may enjoy the job a bit too much for some people's tastes.

That being said, I think I captured the feel of what I was going for-the professional that loves her work, especially when work is good. And also a bit of an instinctual predatory kinda vibe.