Under raging storm clouds, the vampire Count Strahd von Zarovich stands silhouetted against the ancient walls of Castle Ravenloft. Rumbling thunder pounds the castle spires. The wind’s howling increases as he turns his gaze down toward the village of Barovia. Far below, yet not beyond his keen eyesight, a party of adventurers has just entered his domain. Strahd’s face forms the barest hint of a smile as his dark plan unfolds. He knew they were coming, and he knows why they came — all according to his plan. A lightning flash rips through the darkness, but Strahd is gone. Only the howling of the wind fills the midnight air. The master of Castle Ravenloft is having guests for dinner. And you are invited.
Character Creation (Nuts and Bolts): The following are allowed options for character creation/building.
1. The Players Handbook - 5th Edition
2. The Races, Domains and Archtypes from the PHB -5th Edition
3. All option from the Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide except for any race (or racial variant) that grants flight.
We will be using the standard point buy from the rulebook for character creation. Rolling for stats is not allowed. You must select one of the backgrounds from the PHB (soldier, criminal, etc).
No character may be of any evil alignment.
Character Creation (Roleplay):
A complete character application will include all of the following
1. The character background - Not to be confused with the background selection in the PHB, this is a written history of the character. All backgrounds will require the character to be a new member of the Maximillian Adventuring Company based in Neverwinter. Your first job assignment is to travel to Waterdeep as your group has been stationed at that branch of the adventuring company. No worries though as your group will never make it. lol as you will be swept off to parts unknown at the beginning of the story. But I need to know how your character got to the point of joining the adventuring company and why. What led them on this path.
2. All characters will have an Ideal, Bond and Flaw as per normal D&D 5e character generation. The lists in the PHB are guides, you may invent your own.
3. You receive the normal starting equipment as per your class and background selected. Maximum hitpoints at 1st level.
4. An IC post in which the character has a self-reflection on their interview with Maximillian to be accepted into the adventuring company.
5. Not related to your character, but please include your timezone in your app.
6. An alias for your character.
Anything beyond this may help, but is not required.
Expectations on Posting: Ability to post a minimum of one time every weekday is required. I have kept this requirement in my other campaigns and it has run successfully. If you cannot commit to this, please do not apply. Exceptions for things that come up (as they do) is of course expected, but even the slightest development of a pattern will require me to ask another player to take your spot.
Player expectations: I am looking players who understand several simple and fundamental things about DnD or roleplaying games in general. If you do not agree with my view on these issues, this is not the game for you.
1. The game is more important than your character - This is a shared, group activity. Its success is dependent upon your ability to craft and play a character that is malleable enough that they can bend and flow with most group decisions. If this mentality is shared by the entire party, serious conflicts are unlikely. If you find yourself only able to play characters who are so set in their development and personality that they cannot yield to actions and decisions that move the game forward for the benefit of all, please do not apply.
2. The show must go on - Campaigns work when players realize there is a joint responsibility to make them work. In pbp, this is especially true. We all need each other to keep the campaign fun, engaging and entertaining. The group needs five personalities to drive the campaign, not four personalities and an emotionless stat-block.
3. The campaign world is a shell, not straight jacket. - When I use a campaign world in my campaigns, the background and history (the official canon, as it were) is there to provide a pretty background, names to organizations and places and so on. Naturally, some players will be very, very comfortable in the Ravenloft setting and understand it well and may even memorize large chunks of its history of background. I'm thrilled at this and will absolutely provide such players with interactions that meet that level of commitment. However, please do not assume that other players are equally likely to know as much. I don't ask my players to understand more about the campaign world than I have personally provided. If they want to go further, awesome. If they don't, that is fine also. From a character standpoint, none of you have ever been there.
Total Players: 5 (Only 5 applicants will be chosen based on the criteria above and which characters I like best.)
Recruitment Closes: Midnight (CST) Monday, February 29th, 2016
Selection Made: Tuesday, March 1st, 2015
Play Begins: Thursday, March 4th, 2015
Good Luck To All of You!!!!
I will be presenting a character shortly for consideration. Thanks for running this one DM Asmodeus.
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I see your "." and raise you three "..." dots. lol
What is the Maximillian Adventuring Company in Neverwinter? I'm not familiar with either one.
Also, what should we know about Ravenloft? I mean, hillsfar did not like non humans, phlan had a lot of dragons, and that other city made you became a cloak to cast arcana magic. Is there anything special about this one?
What is the Maximillian Adventuring Company in Neverwinter? I'm not familiar with either one.
Also, what should we know about Ravenloft? I mean, hillsfar did not like non humans, phlan had a lot of dragons, and that other city made you became a cloak to cast arcana magic. Is there anything special about this one?
The adventuring company is just a way of getting everyone together, serves no vital role. Also your character would know nothing of the Ravenloft setting since you are whisked away there. It is a complete unknown.
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If I think I will be able to devote the necessary time I will apply with a H-Elf Paladin with a Sage background.
I am Eastern Time Zone (USA).
I naturally play with four of the five flaws; they're fun roleplaying for me (I like knowledge!). The ideal will have to do with learning. (I'll have to check the PHB later for specifics.) As for the bond, you know this kind of campaign almost sounds like that could come in the moments after I arrive from the Mists, as if my PC doesn't really have one to start but then quickly develops one after being whisked to The Demiplane of Dread. (I look forward to your reaction.)
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I am grossly new to 5th Edition but shouldn't require any special help.
(My first hard question to the DM: Will there be a way for my PC to gain, through special quests (not to interfere with the group goals), combined with sacrifices in gold or something, other Proficiencies such as Nature and Deception?)
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I am an Old School Ravenloft nut. Would you describe this campaign as more to the flavor of 1st Edition (I3 by Tracy Hickman) and 2nd Edition (the novels & adventures), or more like the 3.5 hardback, Expedition to Castle Ravenloft?
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A preliminary, rough sketch of my PC's crunch follows:
Glaive wielder
LG Paladin (Oath of Vengeance): Religion & Persuasion
Half Elf: Insight & Investigate
Sage: Arcane & History
My INT will be my highest Ability; STR & CHA would follow.
A preliminary, rough sketch of my PC's background follows:
Originally from Silverymoon where I studied as a child prodigy, recently felt the call of Lathander to be a sword of light -- still much more of a scholar than a warrior. Traveled from Silverymoon to Neverwinter as a caravan guard, acolyte paladin -- no real combat on the way. Am now joining the adventuring company and going to Waterdeep to develop as a Paladin of Lathander and continue my studies.
A preliminary, rough sketch of my personality (Player and PC, really):
Team player, lawful, creative thinker who enjoys talking and roleplaying much, much more than combat. Love learning the setting background & history, NPC goals and plot developments. Am the player who tries to get info from the NPCs and make plans with the other players on what to do/ where to go next.
My first hard question to the DM: Will there be a way for my PC to gain, through special quests (not to interfere with the group goals), combined with sacrifices in gold or something, other Proficiencies such as Nature and Deception?
At the levels that you can opt for a +2 to your attributes or take a feat. Instead you can forgo either of those and take a proficiency in a skill or improve a current proficiency to expert (Twice proficiency bonus.)
The campaign is more along the lines of I3 since it is a retelling of the story and WotC had Tracy consulting on the project. They have also used I3 as a reference in a few podcast and interviews.
Looking forward to seeing your final submission... if you find that you have the time,which will be very important since I am only choosing five players so I am not including extra players for normal PbP attrition. I hope to make the best selection right off the starting point.
He is a work in progress.
He is a work in progress.
It is a good start. Let me know when you finish him.
Can't resist some good ol' Ravenloft. Love to see what they do with this re-boot.
This is Filios (Narnel), and I will finish out a dual wielding Human Ranger from the North, Shenkt.
This is Filios (Narnel), and I will finish out a dual wielding Human Ranger from the North, Shenkt.
Let me know when he is done.
I will work on the char sheet tonight, but I also would like to throw my hat into the ring for this game. This will be my first 5E character, so I apologize in advance if there are glaring holes in the first draft of things.
The character I have in mind is a half-elf that joins the caravan after the death of his wife and child due to a sickness that swept through the poorer sections of town. While he used all the training he learned from preparing to be a priest, in the end neither spell nor herb could save them. He does not blame Ilmater for taking them, as the core tenets of the faith stress that the faithful will always live a life of strife in order to be an example to others in similar situations, but he is but a mortal who has lost much and needs a change of scenery.
I can normally post multiple times a day and am located in the EST. My only major time restraint is taking care of my daughter after work, so my posting speeds up again once she goes to sleep.
I have always loved the setting and have most of the old novels and the 2nd and 3.5 edition game material in the gaming shelves. Regardless of getting picked or not, I will be lurking on this as the game progresses.
Hack is prepared for review and consideration.
I am able to post daily, and I am in EST time zone.
triket, from elemental evil: A yellow gemstone that glows dimly when a storm is nearby.
Background: Hermit
Gender, male:odd, female:even: female
Class: cleric
Race: Half-elf
I can work with that.
Life domain seems appropriate :)
Can Post Daily, EST time zone
All set.
Need to choose 3 extra languages, I am not 100% familiar with Forgotten Realms (where we are starting), what would be suitable languages choices for the Neverwinter area?
Also will the inventory system be the same as your other games?
If so could you please repost the guidelines, that section needs some attention.
Can Post Daily, EST time zone
All set.
Need to choose 3 extra languages, I am not 100% familiar with Forgotten Realms (where we are starting), what would be suitable languages choices for the Neverwinter area?
Also will the inventory system be the same as your other games?
If so could you please repost the guidelines, that section needs some attention.
We won't be using the detailed encumbrance for this game. In fact we won't be tracking it at all unless someone starts abusing it. This will be more a story driven game more than number crunch.
Hack is prepared for review and consideration.
I am able to post daily, and I am in EST time zone.
Looks good, I just need the IC post in which the character has a self-reflection on their interview with Maximillian to be accepted into the adventuring company.
Just add the interview reflection somewhere on his page.
Can Post Daily, EST time zone
All set.
Need to choose 3 extra languages, I am not 100% familiar with Forgotten Realms (where we are starting), what would be suitable languages choices for the Neverwinter area?
Also will the inventory system be the same as your other games?
If so could you please repost the guidelines, that section needs some attention.
Great read.... love it!
Reading your story I would choose Draconic as a language for sure.
Thanks!
Would elven and celestial be good for the other two languages?
Or could I swap out the languages for proficiency in carpenter tools, and land vehicles? Both supported in the story.
Thanks!
Would elven and celestial be good for the other two languages?
Or could I swap out the languages for proficiency in carpenter tools, and land vehicles? Both supported in the story.
Proficiency are a little stronger than languages but if you wanted to swap out both the languages above for one of the proficiency then that will be fine.
And both languages are fine if you wanted to stick with them.
I have added the reflections inbthe interview in the profile. Thanks.
Can I say 'yes' enough?
Think I'll go random for my character selection.
Background: Noble or knight:
Gender, male:odd, female:even:
Class: Warlock
Race: Elf High Elf
Male high elf warlock knight with the undying patron.
Sweet.
EDIT: I just spent a half hour typing up his backstory. It was possibly the best one I've ever written. And the internet ate it.
Here is Illufaus dying-star (Belac93), for your consideration. I am at GMT -8
"Well, I'm looking forward to this trip." He says, to no one it particular. "It'll be a nice change. I'll meet new people, and a change of scenery! You have no idea," he says, directing his speech to whatever poor bystander happens to be walking by at the moment, "How boring it is to see the same sights over and over and over again for a century.
I mean, theirs nothing to do with all that time! I did learn chess and a couple languages, but still!
But now I get to see more sights, and meet some adventurers, and even have adventures myself! Anyway," he says to the befuddled citizen, clapping them on the shoulder "I'd best be off. Blessings upon you and your family!"
Here is Illufaus dying-star (Belac93), for your consideration. I am at GMT -8
** spoiler omitted **
Thanks for you submission.
would you consider Goliath race?
I would like to give a goliath barbarian a try.
would you consider Goliath race?
I would like to give a goliath barbarian a try.
I would allow it.
Oops, just realized I have to add the interview to Illufaus's sheet. I'll do that now.
I love Ravenloft. I'll be lurking whether or not I get in.
Central timezone (Wisconsin)
Goliath barbarian (gossamar4)
One night after yet another victory... relaxing in his meager accommodations, provided by the gladiator arena, Vimak is interrupted with a knock on the door.
Vimak stands and approaches the door. He opens it and slouches forward so the head on top of his towering body can get below the door frame, which obscures his view.
Stranger: "Sir Malukelo..."
Vimak interrupts the man quickly, "Vimak Twistedlimb Malukelo, and what do you want?"
Stranger: "I have a business proposition for you. You see I represent a group that would very much like to acquire your... shall we say... talents. They are prepared to offer you a generous salary."
Vimak sighs uninterested and begins to shut the door and turn away, "Vimak has no interest in your peoples shiny coins." Thinking to himself, "These coins are a strange concept. They serve no real purpose, but instead are held in high value by this society. You can't hunt with them, eat them, build shelter, or use them as a tool to make something."
Stranger: barely able to stop the door before it closes, "Sir Malukelo, my group's influence spreads a great distance. Surely there is something you value that we can provide?"
Vimak stops and turns back. "Great distance, you say? Vimak does have a duty to seek out new friendships. What do you ask of Vimak?"
Stranger: Smiling at the goliath's apparent change of attitude, "Yes indeed. In fact the 1st order of business would be travelling to Neverwinter to meet with the boss. As for what we want, well we believe your presence alone would aid in various negotiations we have will various people and places. Of course, if the need arises we would request you employ the same ferocity you demonstrate in the arena."
Thinking to himself the charge from Vimak's chieftain resonates, "Seek out new alliances and assess possible threats to our homeland." The words were etched in his mind. He had heard some of the other gladiators speaking of the "great city" of Neverwinter. This sounds like just the sort of thing Vimak had been asked to do.
"Wait here." Vimak grabs his few belongings within minutes and returns to the stranger at the door. "OK. Vimak will travel and help his new ally. Let's go."
Stranger: A little taken back at the immediate insistence of departing he explains that travel accommodations will leave in the morning. Turning with a satisfied smile on his face, he stops and turns back to the bulky Vimak, "You will be reporting to the Maximillian Adventuring Company, all you need to do is present this contract to the boss there." He hands over a rolled up parchment to Vimak and heads down the corridor smugly thinking to himself, "That was much easier than I expected, the boss is going to give me a massive commission on this one!"
Central timezone (Wisconsin)
Goliath barbarian (gossamar4)
** spoiler omitted **...
Thank you for your submission.
I've used this alias before but he is rebuilt from the ground up for this opportunity.
Joyabraund swirls the drink in his cup as he listens to the question, smiling and nodding as he leans forward to respond, He seemed to understand. My...former employer had specific needs and I had those skills...I mean...Alaxerl...my brother...sort of forced me into it but still... Joyabraound pauses and takes a drink and then sighs as he continues, He was young. Stupid. Besides I think I made a good case of it. He asks 'Why would a bunch of mercenaries need someone like you' and I smiled so big. Of course you need someone like me! Opening doors and locks? Sneaking ahead and seeing what is going on?
The halfling stands on his chair, pantomiming a sort of fight and his responses to it, You need a little guy in there. Throws them off balance! Besides! Look at me... Joyabraund gestures to his feet and up his body, I fit in a backpack. Stab like an angry bee and...AND... have a reputation for sticky fingers but stickier principles. How many people can lift a coin but mean to do good by the act?
The halfling drops onto his bottom with an acrobatic flourish and finishes the cup before him, Ah well. I think I did okay. I should know soon. There are so many folks here looking forward to this chance. Its a big deal. Hopefully there is a small piece for me in it...
My fist game ever was Ravenloft. Classic module and everything. Would love to get into it in a big way. Let me know if there is anything missing in the app.
This looks fun ... will think on it and get back.
I've used this alias before but he is rebuilt from the ground up for this opportunity.
** spoiler omitted **
My fist game ever was Ravenloft. Classic module and everything. Would love to get into it in a big way. Let me know if there is anything missing in the app.
Thanks for the submission.
DM Asmodeus - Are you still planning to keep the thread open until Monday? Just wondering because it seems like submissions have slowed.
DM Asmodeus - Are you still planning to keep the thread open until Monday? Just wondering because it seems like submissions have slowed.
Yes I intend to keep it open. Right now I have five completed applications and a few others have dotted interest but have not completed a character.
The five completed applications I have are from:
Ashliegh Sabert - Human Fighter
Vimak Malukelo - Goliath Barbarian
SHENKT "HACK" CORCHRAN - Human Ranger
Illufaus dying-star - Half-Elf Warlock
Joyabraund Northropple - Halfling Rogue
I am actually kinda disappointed in the low interest level for this campaign here on Paizo considering I am also recruiting for this same adventure on Myth-Weavers and that game has over 20+ applications right now.
Also considering that out of the five applications I have received there are only a couple that I really like. Yours is definitely the top application at the moment.
We shall see where it goes. If recruitment was to end with only the current applications I am afraid I would have to call the game off as I feel the current five would not make for a very good Ravenloft game and would fall apart quickly. Just being honest.
Understood...I am a little amazed at the lack of apps too.
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5e games don't seem to generate a lot of steam on here from what I have seen...but I don't actively patrol recruitment looking for them. Maybe there are quite a few?
If there are issues with the applications it might help if you are willing/interested to provide feedback. I know I am happy to fiddle with my concept let alone provide another and if you have the right number of players but not the right party composition that you think would be ideal we might still be able to put something together, if folks are willing to change things up.
I'm really surprised at the lack of interest. I know most 5e games get a lot of interest. Didn't your last one get 13 people on these forums?
Still working on my cleric...
I can certainly switch things around to balance things out, provided that the interested parties all stay on board. Spazmodeus is working up a Cleric. A Paladin may be a nice addition. I would be willing to change, if necessary.
I find it interesting that the submitted characters are all melee characters; Thought this would be thick with bards or clerics.
Right! I am always willing to accommodate if we have the right people ready to game. DM Asmodeus does a great job as a DM. So, I am hoping we can get this one off the ground.
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When I saw this Recruitment on Saturday I was really excited -- despite not being a fan (at all) of 5E. But I love Ravenloft and the fact is, 5E is low magic, low fantasy, low "power" -- and that is exactly how Ravenloft should be.
As I mentioned in my post at the beginning, I really wanted to find time to finalize an application and play (if accepted) in this campaign. It was just a matter of making sure I could dedicate the necessary amount of time.
I was pretty sure I could but wanted to wait a couple days to make sure. And even with work and other obligations I'm making it to the Boards about 3 or 4 times a day and am confident I can devote the time to another PbP.
Expect my H-Elf Paladin of Lathander Sage to be completed for application tomorrow morning.
If this gets off the ground and the majority of players are melee , I would be more than happy to change this character to a bard. It would not be a jolly lute playing bard, but I could easily make it work with the back story. I really thought this thread was going to get flooded with applicants, none melee, so I went that route.
For those trolling this thread, DM Asmodeus runs an awesome game. I would really throw your name in the hat for this one!
One of the things is that the submissions so far, for the most part, look bland and standard cookie cutter fare. For this campaign I am looking for some interesting characters that I can see through their eyes and know their motivations, etc.
If you happen to have a Myth-Weavers account, or you want to create one just to look you can find some superb applications in my recruitment there.
I will post one below as well for quick reference and may help some draw some inspiration.
Faexaris Arundel
Race: Half Elf
Class/Level: Druid 1
Background: Sage
Personality:
Plenty socially awkward, Fae has always been the odd duck out. Her curiosity has gotten her deemed annoying by some, naive by others, and by her sisters, kind of adorable. She always wants to know more about things, which results in her asking plenty of questions- too much, at times, but she does mean well. Despite this, she's generally pretty friendly, but avoids verbal conflict like it's the plague. Arguing makes her extremely uncomfortable. However, it's just verbal conflict she avoids- if she needs to use her magic to save her in a fight, she will. She loves being able to learn and use magic, finding it more fascinating than most things she studies.
Description:
Standing just an inch over five feet tall, Faexaris (or Fae, as she prefers) is pretty underwhelming in size. But what she lacks in height, she makes up for in freckles. Not only is her face littered with them, but pretty much the rest of her body is as well. They're a sore spot for her- she thinks they make her look awkward and even younger than she already does.
Background Details:
Personality
"I'm horridly awkward in social situations. I try and befriend most things, humanoid or not, despite the fact that they may not be interested in even talking to me, or if they even can talk to me. I've been known to speak to inanimate objects at times."
Ideals
"What is beautiful points beyond itself towards what is true. I find that the best way to learn is through emotion, and something somebody finds beautiful can show so much about them and the beautiful thing."
Bonds
"I've been searching my whole life for the answer to a certain question: what makes a being good or evil? I've always struggled with the concepts of good and evil because they're not specific. Everything that is said to be good or evil can be debated one way or the other."
Flaws
"Most people scream and run when they see a demon. I take out a notebook and try to ask it questions, even hoping to befriend it. I want to speak to anyone or anything I can, hoping to gain some information or insight from them."
Background:
Faexaris is the middle daughter of four. Her mother, an elf, and her father, a human, ran a small magical artifacts store since the day they got married, raising Fae and her three sisters (Winbellis, older, Lidwyn, younger, and Fiona, her twin) with the important ideals of hard work and determination. This set Fae up on her path to becoming the young woman she is today. She grew up reading, obsessed with the books that her parents left around the house somewhat carelessly, teaching herself to read by a very young age. However, despite her love for words, she was also completely fascinated by pictures. They showed details that words couldn't help her imagine, proving that words aren't the straightest path to intelligence.
The older she got, the more she read. Fae's hunger for knowledge couldn't be satisfied, and she found herself reading quicker than her parents could provide new books. She started going out in public more, trying to find people to help her learn things. She soon found herself in the company of an elderly human druid whose family and friends just called "Moon". Moon leant Fae dozens upon dozens of her books on nature, magic, history, and monsters, and the young half-elf found herself a new best friend. Fae's sisters would innocently tease her about her friend, saying that she'd never be able to succeed without many friends or social skills at all, but Fae ignored the comments in the pursuit of knowledge and one true friendship. For the first time, Fae enjoyed talking to another person just to talk and tell stories, not just to learn.
Disaster struck when Moon died. She died a peaceful death of old age, but that didn't make it any easier on Fae, especially not when she realized that Moon left all her books to the girl. Barely having entered her teenaged years, this was Fae's first encounter with death. Fae locked herself away in her bedroom with Moon's books, practically covering her entire room like a fort of knowledge. When it got too late and dark to read, Fae would open her window and talk to Moon, telling her all the things she'd read about that day. To this day, she talks to the spirit of Moon, refusing to stop learning, sharing her knowledge, and keeping up with her best friend.
RP Sample
Faexaris sat on her bed, twiddling her thumbs. God that interview was awful. She'd stuttered all over the place, gone on a rambling streak about her studies, and forgotten how to spell her last name for at least five seconds. She laid back, sighing. This was nerve-wracking. She'd always hated interviews. Between barely making it into school and losing job interview after job interview to people who could, well, interact with people, she knew it just wasn't cut out for her. But she hoped that what she lacked in social skills she made up for in heart and magic skills.
Fae sat up and moved to her desk, pulling her sketchbook out of her top drawer. She then pulled out bits of charcoal and began sketching. The drawing she had opened up to had already been started-- an anatomical diagram of a Mind Flayer. She carefully curved the charcoal down the leg, ending at the ankle. She turned the page slightly sideways, then continued onto the foot. Drawing was one of Fae's favorite things to do, and it helped her keep calm and clear her mind. She smiled when she finished the foot, and looked out her window. Maybe the interview went well after all.
Also everyone please note, A new character background option is now available for this game.
Wow. I'm not sure I can compete with that character. I'm not that good. My characters personality tends to come out more during play. I'll try to add a couple things to his alias.
Also a little thing on the campaign submissions, Illufaus is a full high elf. Not half.